Texts From Jane Eyre and Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters by Mallory Ortberg

Back in high school I remember my 11th grade literature teacher reading this hilarious book based off of Facebook statuses from characters in Hamlet and others. I loved every bit of it and I wish I could get my hands on that book. I was more than excited when I saw that I had won an ARC from a Goodreads first reads giveaway* almost a year ago. This is going to be a shorter review as well.



As the title says, there are text messages from Jane Eyre, Edgar Allen Poe, Gone With the Wind, Shakespeare, and many more. Can you even begin to fathom what some of these characters would text about? Ortberg gives you a glimpse into some of the shenanigans that they could come up with.

I laughed a lot. I hoped that I would, and I did. I was extremely happy with this. I have picked up books like this one and expected just as much and have been let down. This book is a hoot from beginning to end, if a bit naughty at time. I found that I recognized quite a bit of the people and stories mentioned, either from reading them myself, in high school, or just hearing about them from other people. I especially loved Edgar Allen Poe's and Hamlet's texts, they had me rolling in laughter.

I did find that if I didn't know the story or understand the context I wouldn't understand the humor in the texts. For example I have never read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, whereas I found parts of the texts humorous, there were parts where I didn't laugh and was trying to figure out what was being talked about. There are other stories where I had the same problem, but I find that if you don't do like I did and try to read too much into it you can get a laugh anyways.

Either way around I found that I very much enjoyed reading Texts from Jane Eyre, and I would most definitely read it again. I am tempted to read a number of the books mentioned because if they are half as entertaining as these texts, I think I will enjoy them. I do highly recommend this book to everyone, like I said there are a few naughty spots but I don't think anything more that a teenager wouldn't hear in school is presented.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Price: $23 though this could be less (paperback)

Page Count: 226 pages

Next: Nightlife by Rob Thurman

Thanks for reading!
~Jade


*Note: Yes, I did receive this from a Goodreads giveaway. No, I am not being paid or sponsored to review the book. Yes, these are my heartfelt opinions. If you didn't know I received this book late last year and I am just now review it. If I didn't like the book I would say. Have a concern? Email me and we can talk through it.

I would like to add this in, I'm sorry if reviews are scarce. I am working and taking 3 classes this summer. Reading isn't something I have much time for at the moment, but I read every chance I get and when I shouldn't be. However, I will still be putting reviews up when I can. Just hang in there with me I promise it won't always be like this :)

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins

Why am I reading Christmas stories in the middle of summer? Well, I saw that Laini Taylor had a short story in it and I realllly wanted to read it. So I grabbed it, and I probably wouldn't have read this during the holiday season anyways. It's been a while since I read a short story collection and it was pretty nice.



The very first story is Midnights by Rainbow Rowell. I give this story a 5 out of 5. I really loved it overall. At first I wasn't too sure about it in the beginning but by time the end came around I really did love it. I wanted a novella from this story if it were possible. I haven't read anything before by Rowell but I think I might pick up a book by her to check out.

The second story is The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link. I give this story a 2 out of 5. I liked the ending, and the concept of the story, the rest not so much. For me it didn't really contribute to the story, it was just about the little girl growing up and moving on with her life while figuring out something to do with the guy. That's pretty much it.

Next is Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Peña. I give it a 3 out of 5. It was a sweet story, a really sweet story and I loved the cat. That's about it for the story for me. I liked the characters, I loved that Peña included a cat, I kind-of liked where the story was going, but that's it. It has it's sweet and cute moments, I will say that.

Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han is the fourth short. I give this story a 3 out of 5. Han made this a cute little tale and I liked where it was going. It was different and I liked that very much, but it was only 14 pages long. Don't get me wrong, I liked it but I wanted more in a not that good way.

It's a Yuletide Miracle Charlie Brown by the editor herself Stephanie Perkins is next. I give this story a 5 out of 5. I really found myself able to connect with Marigold. Which is funny I find myself typing that about this story but there is another story kind-of like this one and I don't feel the same way. She wants out and to do something big, I have that feeling a lot as well. I really like the feel of the story even from the beginning. It was cute and I found myself wanting more of the story at the end.

The sixth story is Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan. I give this one a 5 out of 5. It was hilarious! I laughed almost the whole way through reading this story. I also liked that the main Guys name wasn't given, at all (as far as I can tell, I could have missed it though I wouldn't be surprised if I did). The ending was very adorable too.

The seventh story is Krampuslauf by Holly Black. I give it a 5 out of 5. The name alone made me smile, I knew it was going to be a different take on Christmas as it was. This story really called out to my child side that still believes in magic. From the beginning to the end I loved Krampuslauf, and I wanted a full length novel.

Next is What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman. I give this one a 4 out of 5. I also connected with Sophie as well, again she wanted out and I know that feeling. It was a cute read, however I wouldn't read this story over and over again. Forman's writing style was very nice and I might seek out a book from her.

Beer Bucket and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire, I give this a 5 out of 5. I laughed the whole way through the story and I loved it. The first sentence really hooked me and kept me the whole way though. If this is how McEntire writes I will for sure be seeking out a book by her. Though to be fair if the story wasn't funny I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much.

The tenth story is Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White. I give this one a 5 out of 5 as well. This is the story where I should have connected with the character but I didn't. She ended up falling in love and then got out. I don't see that for me. However I did smile the whole time while reading the story and I did like the cook (Ben) and his full name reveal. Maria trying to guess his full name had me laughing a few times.

Next is Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter. I give this one a 4 out of 5. I liked the story but I don't think I would have picked it up on its own. It was cute, and I really liked it but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I've never taken an airplane anywhere and it makes be wonder if you really could switch tickets with someone and get away with it. Carter's writing was really nice and I think I might look in to another book of hers.

The last story and the one I was looking forward to reading the most is The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. It is a very good thing that this wasn't at the beginning story because I wouldn't have read the rest of the book. What stopped me from reading just this story and not the rest? I have not a clue so don't ask. I give this one a 4 out of 5. I liked Taylor's story so very much, but I wanted a lot more. From the cover I was hoping that Karou from the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy would be in it but she wasn't. I wasn't overly disappointed, I still enjoyed the story very much.

I completely and utterly recommend this book to everyone. I'm far from upset with the stories and authors that were compiled together. I would love to own this book, however I probably wouldn't read it cover to cover very often. I would pick and choose which stories I was in the mood for and read them. Also if you would like to know which pairs of the people on the front cover belongs to which author, I provide a picture down below that someone (not me) graciously points out who belongs to whom. From what I can tell they are correct, though over half of them I had not a clue and couldn't match them up myself. For a young adult novel I do think adults could enjoy a number of the stories that are held in this book. I would say that it is perfect for the holiday season and for those who like holiday stories.



Rating: 5 out of 5.

Page Count: 321 pages (hardcover)

Price: $18.99

Next Book: TBA

Thanks for reading!
~Jade

If you want to know why Laini's characters have (stand-in) on the bottom of her name http://naturallysteph.tumblr.com/post/100249929020 click that link and read!

Deadly Little Games by Laurie Faria Stolarz

This is the third book in the Touch series I do have the first two books reviewed. If you go to Deadly Little Lies review I have the first book linked there. Stolarz did publish a book back in 2014 so if you are looking to read something from her that is recent there is Welcome to the Dark House.



Camila and Ben both have the power of psychometry, it's rare to find someone that close to you that has the same specialness as you. Ben can lose control though, if he starts to feel something more malevolent. Camila's specialness gets itself out when she works with her clay. Most of the time she doesn't even understand what it means. Back together they barely have time to talk things through before something start to stir up again. This time, Camila isn't the target of someone's ministrations. This time it is Adam, someone from Ben's past. Clues begin to pile up faster and faster and it's apparent that he's in danger. But who can be trusted?

*nearly put my head through a wall* That's a great start to likes right....? I liked that when problems began to pop up with Ben and her she tried to straighten things out. That's how relationships work, things pop up the couple works on them, when both are ready. Honestly though Kimmie, Wes, and Aunt Alexia saved this book for me. Otherwise I would have put it down. I also liked that Stolarz tried to put more than one topic in that could possibly happen with being a teen, like parents going through a divorce, relationship drama, family problems, parents pressuring. All of these could be a reality as you grow up. I liked it a lot that the puzzles that were being sent to Adam where put in the book as well. Lastly I liked that Camila got to interact with Alexia in this book.

Now for the dislikes. I actually put off typing up this part because I didn't want to completely slam the book. I've been through the relationship that Camila and Ben have (just without the psychometry) and reading what they (Ben) were doing was driving me mad. Ben downright annoyed the fuck out of me and I used to like him! I can understand a person being afraid because of their past, but guess what? IT'S THE FRICKIN' PAST YOU HAVE TO LEARN FROM IT AND MOVE ON! Ladies and gents, do not want this type of relationship. It's not healthy and it's not fun, take it from someone who was there for almost 4 years. Please enjoy your younger years, being an adult isn't as cracked up as it is made to look like. Be single and enjoy it. I stated that I liked that Stolarz tried to put a lot of possible drama besides relationship, but I felt that it was a lot going on for this book. Stolarz should have picked a couple and went with it not all of them. I was more interested with what was going on with Kimmie, Wes, and Alexia then Camila, Adam and Ben. Again, I could have done without the love triangle.

I went ahead and read what the next book is about and I don't know if I will be getting to it soon. I don't want to deal with Ben and Adam anymore. I was more disappointed with this than anything and actually didn't want to read it most of the time because of everything. I still recommend it to a younger audience but, again do not romance Ben and Camila's "relationship", it isn't as "romantic" as it seems. I don't think I would reread Deadly Little Games, and I don't think I would buy it at even half price or at all.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Page Count: 297 pages (hardcover)

Price: $16.99

Next Book: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Short Stories

Thanks for reading everyone,
~Jade