Book Review: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins/Psychological Thriller/Published in 2015

Hello dear Readers,

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Below, my review on The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.

Title: The Girl on the Train
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Author: Paula Hawkins 

Publisher: Riverhead Books
Language: English

Paperback: 336 pages

Book Description

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She's even started to feel like she knows them. "Jess and Jason", she calls them. Their life-as she sees it-is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

My thoughts

*I gave 5/5 stars on Goodreads

When I read the January 2015 cover of Book Page, there was a question that caught my attention: The Next Gone Girl?-it said. I immediately went to page 13 and there was an Interview with Paula Hawkins, Author of The Girl on the Train. I was very interested to read about a book that was being related to one of my favorite books I read in 2014. Yes, Gone Girl was one of the best books I read last year. It was so intense and mind blowing, of course, I was curious about The Girl on the Train. 

The fact that the book had the same characteristics as to Gone Girl in terms of plot and twist of events, and also, a tweet by Stephen King telling people how much he liked the book, those were the reasons why I finally decided to buy the book. I was really excited to get my hands on it. Could not wait to read it. And that was I did. I purchased the kindle edition (which did not affect my final opinion) and once I started reading it, I could not stop. 

However, do not let the similarity with Gone Girl make you think that you will find exactly the same or if you did not like Gone Girl it means this book is not worth the time, because it is. The Girl on the Train is one of these books that we do not see very often. It has an interesting plot, great characters, that twist of events that completely blows our minds. Its a well written book and the structure and point of view are easy to understand, easy to keep up with. I personally always appreciate a well written book with a structure which is not complicated to follow. 

The Girl on the train follows the story of Rachel, turns out, she cannot have babies and that is one reason who increases her drinking problems and because of that, she loses her husband and her job. Her ex-husband leaves her for another girl, Megan, and they had a baby, Evie. Rachel starts taking the train every morning and pretends she is going to work, so her roommate Cathy, does not find out she is without a job, but more than that, I think is because she cannot let things go, her previous life. Every morning, on the train, she can see her old house, where she used to live with Tom and also she starts paying attention to this other house. She can see its occupants from the train and because of that Rachel starts thinking she knows them and she even gives them names, Jess and Jason. She creates her own image of these people. She makes up her own story.
But one morning, Rachel is on the train and sees something that changes her life, the story and that is when we can see more of the other characters, understand their motives for killing, betraying, not trusting, and how at the end nothing is what we think it is.

The thing I liked the most about the book is that people can relate to the characters and the situations they face and the decisions they have to make on the way. Even though this is a work of fiction, the events presented in the book are real life situations. Things real people deal with, everyday day, in a real world. Drinking problems, betrayal, to loose a loved one, lack of trust in other people, loose a job, financial problems, jealousy, lying, infidelity, fighting with a problem that can control and destroy your life, and one problem that in my opinion is what stands the most: how many times we think we know the people around us and sometimes, it turns out, they are not the people we think they are. How can that make people feel? I would feel exactly like the characters on this book, disappointed, surprised, in a state of great disbelief. Like Anna and Rachel, two of the characters felt when they found out who Tom really was. And how, in some way they knew knew he was lying but it is what happens in real life, knowing the truth, still surprises us.

The story is told from the point of view of some of the characters: Rachel, Anna and Megan. Each little chapter, with different dates, the twist of events, how is incorporated in the story, at the end, how they all connect, is what makes the plot, the way the story is told so great. However, something I felt through the whole book, and again, I know is part of how the story is told, I felt I could not trust the narrators, in this case, the ladies. I felt, they were telling us, the readers, the story, but there was always something to hide, something that could not be said. When I finished the book, I could understand why and that is part why these characters are awesome but still, not reliable. 

Never with any other book I hated a character like I did Tom. Not only because of his actions against Megan but also because the way he treats people, Thinking he is better than everybody else and making feel people worthless. That is something that made my journey through this book hard but I kept going because Tom, his character is one of the things that makes this book a master piece.

The Girl on the Train, her Author, Paula Hawkins. Her amazing writing style makes this book a delightful experience. 

If you are looking for suspense, unexpected twist of events, mind blowing read, great plot, great characters, and interesting point of view, definitely, this is the book for you.


My Favorite Quotes

"I have never understood how people can blithely disregard the damage they do by following their hearts".

"What if the thing I'm looking for can never be found? What if it just isn't possible?

Wen

March 2015 TBR

Hello dear Readers,

This is my March 2015 TBR. Hopefully, I will be able to read all these books.

From my E-Books TBR Jar, I will be reading:

• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

From my Regular TBR Pile, I will be reading:

• True Believer by Nicholas Sparks

• Solo un Día (Just one day) by Gayle Forman

• Unica Mirando al Mar by Fernando Contreras

• Little House in the Big Woods (the first novela on the The Little House first five novelas collection) by Laura Ingalls Wilder

• Insurgent (the second book on the Divergent Series) by Veronica Roth 

 

Wen

February 2015 Book Haul

Hello dear Readers,

This is my February 2015 Book Haul. 

I bought four physical books and seven e-books. Lots of good deals on Amazon during February. Could not resist it.

Physical Books

• A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar

• Jane's Fame by Claire Harman

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

• Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr

E-Books (Kindle Books)

• El Teorema Katherine (An abundance of Katherines) by John Green

• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

• To all the boys I have loved before by Jenny Han

• Never, Never by Colleen Hoover

• I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Wen

February 2015 Wrap Up

Hello dear Readers,

This is my February 2015 Wrap Up.

I read a total of five physical books and one ARC copy sent by NetGalley: SOS Poems 1961-2013 by Amiri Baraka.

I really enjoyed reading all these books. Two of them by costanrican Authors and my favorite of the month, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.

Title: SOS Poems 1961-2013 4/4 Stars
Author: Amiri Baraka

Publisher: Grove Press

Language: English

Paperback: 560 pages

Title: La Ladrona de Libros 5/5 Stars

Author: Markus Zusak

Publisher: Debolsillo

Language: Spanish

Paperback: 544 pages

Title: Cocori 5/5 Stars

Author: Joaquín Gutiérrez

Publisher: Editorial Legado S.A.
Language: Spanish

Paperback: 84 pages

Title: En una silla de ruedas 5/5 Stars
Author: Carmen Lyra

Publisher: Editorial Costa Rica

Language: Spanish

Paperback: 132 pages

Title: Hambre, Poder y Tierra 5/5 Stars

Author: Various

Publisher: Editorial Estudiantil:University of Costa Rica

Language: Spanish

Paperback: 65 pages

Title: The Girl on the Train 5/5 Stars

Author: Paula Hawkins

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Language: English

Paperback: 336 pages

Wen

Book Review: SOS Poems 1961-2013 by Amiri Baraka/Poetry/NETGALLEY ARC/Published in 2015

Hello dear Readers,

I had the wonderful experience to read my first collection of Poems by an African American Author. SOS Poems 1961-2013 by Amiri Baraka. Really liked and enjoyed this book, and would like to share my thoughts on it.

Title: SOS Poems 1961-2013
Author: Amiri Baraka
Genre: Poetry

Publisher: Grove Press

Language: English

Paperback: 560 pages

Book Description

Fusing the personal and the political in high-voltage verse, Amiri Baraka—"whose long illumination of the black experience in America was called incandescent in some quarters and incendiary in others" (New York Times)—was one of the preeminent literary innovators of the past century. Selected by Paul Vangelisti, this volume comprises the fullest spectrum of Baraka's rousing, revolutionary poems, from his first collection to previously unpublished pieces composed during his final years.

Throughout Baraka’s career as a prolific writer (also published as LeRoi Jones), he was vehemently outspoken against oppression of African American citizens, and he radically altered the discourse surrounding racial inequality. The environments and social values that inspired his poetics changed during the course of his life, a trajectory that can be traced in this retrospective spanning more than five decades of profoundly evolving subjects and techniques. Praised for its lyricism and introspection, his early poetry emerged from the Beat generation, while his later writing is marked by intensely rebellious fervor and subversive ideology. All along, his primary focus was on how to live and love in the present moment despite the enduring difficulties of human history.

My thoughts

I gave 4/5 stars on Goodreads

In SOS Poems 1961-2013, we have the opportunity to see a collection of Amiri Baraka's poetry work. He tells us of the life, the experiences of Black people in America. Their struggle for freedom and to find their identity, and show other people they had an identity. I have read other collections of poetry before but never one like this. Baraka's voice, they way he expresses his feelings and thoughts it's so unique and that is in my opinion what makes this book different from other pieces. Something I could feel reading Baraka's poems was his urge, his persistence on making poetry a way not only of expressing but also a way of communication. And also the way he combines politics and poetry, showing us the importance of words but also action. My favorite part of this collection, without making the rest less important, was Black Magic of 1969, and one quote in specific that I will never forget: "I am distressed. Thinking of the seasons, how they pass, how I pass, my very youth, the ripe sweet of my life; drained off..."
This was the first collection of poems by an African American Author I ever read and as a Poet myself, I appreciate his work. Is not just a book you will like and enjoy but also a book you will learn from.
If you are looking for an interesting reador want to accomplish your goals on reading diversily, this book will be a great choice.

This book was sent to me by Net Galley, per my request, in exchange for an honest review.

My Favorite Quote

"I am distressed. Thinking of the seasons, how they pass, how I pass, my very youth, the ripe sweet of my life; drained off..."

Wen

Instagram Giveaway

Hello dear Readers,

Hope you all are having an awesome week.

I recently reached 200 followers on Instagram. I am so happy and thrilled. Thank you very much for all your support. For this reason, in order to celebrate this special occasion, I will be hosting a giveaway.

The rules for this giveaway as follows:

1. You must be following me on Instagram: @thecostaricanwriter

2. Repost the giveaway picture with tag #thecostaricanwriter

3. One entry per person.

4. To be fair, no giveaway accounts allowed.

5. If you are under 18, you must have parental consent to provide your address.

6. This giveaway is open internationally.

Prize:

1. A $15 book from Book Depository OR a $15 book from Amazon (for those who do not have free shipping from Book Depository).

Winner:

1. There will be ONE winner chosen at random. Giveaway starts today and will run through February 28th. I will be announcing the winner on March 1st.

Thank you once again for all your support and for participating.

Wen.

Used Bookstores

Hello dear Readers,

As I promised, here are the pictures and information I want to share with you about Used Bookstores in Costa Rica.

Downtown San Jose or "the Central Valley", is full of these kind of stores. Known as "Libreria de Libros Usados", a used bookstore can be the perfect place for treasure hunt or simply to take a look around. This time I visited two stores: Libreria Luna and Libreria Libro Azul, both located in downtown San Jose. Links down below for more information.

Every time I visit a used book store, it is like stepping back in time. Do not know about other countries but here in Costa Rica, most of these stores are located in old buildings and because they have really old books, you can smell the oldness of it and see it. Very old books, with their yellow pages, but also others classify as "used" but because of their condition, they look like new ones.

Not more important than the book itself but another benefit of buying used books is you can find them at a cheap and good prices and even better when you find one of the ones that look like new at a cheap price, right there, you get a really good deal.

Another interesting thing about the stores, the owners take used books you have at home or you do not want anymore. You can either get money for them or you can exchange the books you do not want for books you do want, as long as they have the ones you want at the store.

From costa rican text books for school to English literature. You will find used books in English almost in every used bookstore.

Another item is very common to find at a used book store are magazines. One of the stores I visited, they had a vast selection of National Geographic from the 90's. Time Magazine, and also newer numbers of  People Magazine. 

In my case, I was looking for costa rican books. Specific books written by Costa Rican Authors. Some of them books that I read in High School and I wanted to own and re-read them. Its very interesting the titles you can find at a Used Bookstore. And is also interesting to see the demand that some books have. For example, great sagas and trilogies: The Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games and books like The Hobbit and how we can forget Harry Potter, very popular books among readers.

For some people visiting a Used Bookstore is an interesting and fun thing to do but for other people, they represent the only way the can buy and get books because of the low cost and also what I mentioned before, in some cases, why to go to the regular bookstore and pay $30 for a paper back when you can possibly find the same title, used but in a decent condition, for $8 or $10. These are prices for books recently published or consider popular but you can also find books which its price can be $1 or less. I found the Spanish version of "Just one day" by Gale Forman, in a pretty good shape, at $7, you cannot tell is used.

Nothing compares to the feeling of being in a used bookstore and find, touch, and smell books that for example were published before you were born or books that were part of people's lives for years but for different reasons, they ended up in a Used Bookstore. All the stories, all the memories these books represent. Its interesting to think about how many people own a specific book through the years. We cannot forget that the same people getting used books today, can go back to the same or a different store years later and sell or exchange that book, Then, that same book can have a different owner. This does not always happen but it does happen sometimes.

Used bookstores. They do not always look good or pretty as the regular and bigger bookstores but inside, they keep treasures that can always put a smile on our faces: books, books and more books

Libreria Libro Azul

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Libreria-libro-azul/189546691168129

Wen.

February 2015 TBR

Hello dear Readers,

These are the books I am planning to read during the month of February.

Not sure if I will be adding more book to this list but definitely, I want to get my hands on The Girl on the Train, specially after the good comments, the Master, Stephen King expressed about this book.

I already started reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and I am loving it. Hopefully, I will finish it this month. 

The third book, "En una Silla de Ruedas", (In a Wheelchair). This is a classic of the Costa Rican literature. Written by Carmen Lyra in 1918, who was the first prominent female Costa Rican writer. I read this book when I was in High School and still is one of my all time favorite. 

This book portrays national customs and manners through the eyes of a paralysed boy who grows up to become an artist, with a strong dose of sentimentalism and intimations of the bohemian life in San Jose, Costa Rica.

What are you guys reading in February? Feel free to share.

Wen.

January 2015 Book Haul

Hello dear Readers,

In the month of January, I got a total of nine E-Books and six physical books, which are all books I have purchased during my trip to Costa Rica and that is basically the reason why they are in Spanish.

The only one not in the picture below, is the hardcover of All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. I got the copy a few days before I went on my trio but did not bring it with me. I purchased and read the digital copy instead.

I also got two ARC copies sent by Net Galley. A Memoir, Pieces of my Mother by Melissa Cistaro. And S O S Poems by Amiri Baraka.

E-Books

After the Ending

Sonny

Until Midnight

Alienated

Looking for Alaska

Ignite

Ciudades de Papel

The Girl on the Train

All the bright Places

Physical Books

La Ladrona de Libros by Markus Zusak

Unica Mirando al Mar by Fernando Contreras

Madre, Segura de Si Misma by Joyce Meyer

Solo un Dia by Gayle Forman

En una silla de ruedas by Carmen Lyra

Cocori by Joaquin Gutierrez

Wen.

January 2015 Wrap Up

Hello dear Readers,

I want to share with you what I read in January 2015.

I did not read a lot but very, very happy with the books I did read, specially because with these three books, I completed three of the tasks of The Book Riot 2015 Read Harder Challenge.

If you want to know more about this challenge, please visit the link below. They also have a discussion group on Goodreads which I will leave the link down below as well.

http://bookriot.com/2014/12/15/book-riot-2015-read-harder-challenge/

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/152441-book-riot-s-read-harder-challenge

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven: 5/5 Stars

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: 5/5 Stars

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery: 5/5 Stars

Wen

Costa Rica National Library

Hello dear Readers,

Hope you all had a great weekend.

As a mentioned in my previous post, I want to share with you some of the book related places I used to go when I lived in Costa Rica.

One of these places is the Costa Rica National Library. I have amazing memories  about visiting this library. I used to go there to study for school, do homework, to read a good book or simply borrow old newspapers and read them. They have a pretty good collection of those there. 

The Spanish translation, National Library (Biblioteca Nacional), and its name, in honor to Miguel Obregon Lizano, one of the Benefactors of the Fatherland. He contributed to national education, teachers, children and the youth of our country. Two of his biggest contributions: founder of the New School in San Jose, which is the capital of Costa Rica and he promoted the creation of Public Libraries in our country. He also gave teachers the professional category, teaching as a professional career in Costa Rica.

The National Library was founded in 1888. It is a huge, two-story building inaugurated in 1971. Throughout the years, the building has suffered a few restoration processes in order to better preserve all the documents store in there and also the building has been improved to offer more benefits to the patrons. Benefits such as better internet, wi-fi, more computers for public use and bigger reading and studying rooms.

The National Library, with other 58 public libraries, plus one Bibliobus, its what is called the Costa Rica National Libraries System (SINABI-Sistema Nacional de Bibliotecas).

Bibliobus brings library services and materials to people from rural and small communities with no access to libraries.

The Costa Rica National Library has done an amazing job preserving old books, and special collections for everything: costarican authors, first editions, history, music, newspapers, magazines, most of those produced in Costa Rica. A collection of foreign books and magazines. And a collection of titles used as a reference and research.

One particular thing about the Costa Rica National Library is Patrons cannot check items out from the closed collections, they are more for study and research. You can read them but inside the library. That is why is often called the "Reference Library". You can also listen to music and some items can only be used under supervision.

Below some pictures of the Costa Rica National Library. And for more information on the National Library and the SINABI, you can visit www.sinabi.go.cr

Next post: Used Bookstores in Costa Rica.

Wen

On Vacations in Costa Rica

Hello dear Readers,

Hope you all are having a great week.

I want to share with you a quick update here on the blog.

I'm on vacation in Costa Rica visiting my family and I decided before I came that one of the things I want to do on this trip is to show you some of the libraries and bookstores downtown San Jose which is the capital of Costa Rica and it is where my family lives. I will be taking pictures, posting those here and sharing a little bit of history of each place. Stay tune, pictures are on its way.

Also, for those who know Spanish and would like to practice it by reading books, I will be sharing what my costarican community is reading for you to have some recommendations and reference.

Thank you so much for all your support.

Wen

Book Review: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros/Coming-of-Age

Hello dear Readers,

About a month ago I started watching book tube channels on You Tube. All these lovely book lovers talking about books, doing reviews, showing what books they are buying, giving recommendations. All of those things that we as readers love to know.

That is how I came across this book. It was mentioned in a few of these channels and it caught my attention. It was given positive feedback and good reviews, I felt like I needed to read it and I am glad I did. I was also fascinating to read how this book has impacted the literary world. How is used by teachers in schools and how much people like it.

I read the Spanish version of it but this did not affect my opinion and my review.

Title: The House on Mango Street

Author: Sandra Cisneros
Genre: Coming-of-Age

Publisher: Vintage

Language: English

Paperback: 110 pages

Book Description

The House on Mango Street is a 1984 coming-of-age novel by Mexican-American Sandra Cisneros. it deals with Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl, and her life growing up in Chicago with Chicanos  and Puerto Ricans. Esperanza is determine to say goodbye to her improverished Latino neighborhood. Major themes include her quest for a better life and the importance of her promise to come back for the ones she left behind.

My thoughts

I gave 5/5 stars on Goodreads

I am so glad I found out about this book. Is one of these books I told myself: "where have you been my whole life?". Like I said at the beginning of this post, I heard about it in book tube and was really interested on reading it.

I should start by saying, I loved the book, from the beginning to the end. For the number on pages, it was supposed to be a fast read, however, it was that good I read it slow. I wanted to enjoy every word, every page because I knew it was not that long. The author's writing style, the way the story is told, very refreshing and embracing. Made me feel so immerse in the story.

The fact it is written in "vignettes" added that "wow" factor that I usually look for in a book. Personally, I think this format gives the book a more interesting tone and shape and most of all, helps to the voice. Each vignette is an important part of the story. The story, the memories, the recollections of Esperanza. A Latina girl living in a city surrounded by poverty of which she wants to escape, with the hope of a better future and the promise to come back for the ones she will left behind.

Reading through each vignette I could notice, one aspect is developed. The one called "House on Mango Street" sets the setting of the book. The one called "Boys and Girls" tells the differences between genres. "My name", portraying Esperanza, her thoughts, what she wants, what are her hopes for the future. I think this way of telling the story is such a fantastic one. These are not mere collections of thoughts or things. These are her feelings, her memories, told in such a poetic way. She shares with us, the readers, how her life was like growing up. How she wanted to have a better life. How she dreamed of escaping that life. Not to be surrounded by poverty, live in a better environment, become a better person. And how by she doing that, she could help the other people around her. 

Another thing this book brought into my life was, I felt related to Esperanza. I was not born in the United States but I have lived here for almost two years and I half now. I was born in a country in Latin America and I was blown away by the way she tells how she wanted to leave that life which she did not like and become a better person, she always had in mind to have a better future which is what most of the people coming to America hope to do here. Our circumstances are not the same but I came here with the hopes of changing my life and experience new adventures, new things, which at the end have helped me to have a better life.

Each vignette on this book is a reminder of what we see in our society. People trying to figure out what they want in life, their dreams, their hopes for the future. How our differences play a roll in the way we live our lives. This book brings us back to reality because it deals with things we face in real life. Poverty, self discover, differences in genres, how we see ourselves. Our interactions with our families and neighbors.

The House on Mango Street, the story of Esperanza, but at the end, the story of many people, real situations, real life, which any person can understand and feel related to.

My Favorite Quote

"Eso está bonito. Es muy bueno, dijo ella con su voz cansada. Acuérdate de seguir escribiendo, Esperanza. Debes continuar escribiendo. Te hará libre, y yo dije sí, pero en ese momento no sabía lo que quería decirme."

Wen

2015 Writing and Bookish Goals

Hello dear Readers,

A new year always brings new resolutions, new goals to accomplish, new things to do.

That is why I am here today to talk about my 2015 Writing and Bookish Goals.

My first writing goal for 2015 will be just to keep writing like I did last year. I am writing my own Memoir but I do not only work on this. I also write poetry when I feel I need to do it and I also write short stories. Sometimes getting away from writing the Memoir and write other things it's what helps me to find the motivation to continue working on the Memoir. I know it may sound confusing but writing block happens and we as writers need to find a way to deal with it. 

My second writing goal for 2015 is related to my Memoir as well. I plan on finishing the first draft as soon as I can and then move to the editing and revising part of it. There are still a few chapters I am working on, it is not to much but still requires time, inspiration, and a lot of research but definitely, this goal will be top priority in 2015.

I mentioned on my previous post, 2014 was my best reading year. I completed my Goodreads reading challenge. I read a lot more books than ever before in my life. I left my comfort zone and read genres that I never read before. Lots of accomplishments which made me feel pretty good, however, because 2014 is over it does not mean I have to stop.

My first bookish goal for 2015 is to read more than last year. I set up my Goodreads goal to fifty books. Fifteen more books than last year. It does not mean I want to read more books just because of the quantity aspect of it but because I think there are so many books out there I want to read that this will be the year for it.  

My second bookish goal for 2015 is to read more diversely, not only read different genres but also books that will challenge me as a person and as a reader. For instance, I have never read a Sci-Fi book or a book written or by someone from an indigenous culture or a comic book or a book by an Author from Africa. These are just a few examples of books that I really want to read this year.

My third bookish goal for 2015 is to read all the books I have on my TBR Jar. They are 20 books that I purchased last year and never got to read.

My fourth and last bookish goal for 2015 is to read more books from my local library and to listen to more audio-books. Since I started working at the library, I have discovered a lot of books I would like to read. Books that I never heard of before and sound interesting but they are books I do not necessarily feel like buying right now, unless it turns out to be an awesome book and I want to buy it. It will also give me an excuse to spend more time in the library, which I really do not need an excuse because I love it.

Hope you guys are enjoying this new year. If you have any writing or bookish goals, please  feel free to share them in the comments.

Wen.

January 2015 TBR List and Reading Challenge

Hello dear Readers,

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve and New Years. 

Today, I would like to share my January TBR, what I will be reading this January, and also talk a little bit about my Reading Challenge.

In one week and a half I will be traveling to Costa Rica to see my family and I will spend one month there. I am going to try to read as much as I can before I leave. My TBR consists in two books and maybe one e-book.

The first book I will be reading is the Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I read this book when I was in school, I think it was fifth grade. It was a long time ago and I do not really remember anything about the it but I remember I liked it. I am excited to re-read it. I also heard there is a The Little Prince movie coming out. I am very curious to see how that will turn out.

The second book I will be reading is La Casa en Mango Street (The House in Mango Street) by Sandra Cisneros. I do not know much about this book other than what I heard a few booktubers said about it on their channels and all of them agreed it is an awesome book and it seems to be very interesting. I am excited to read this book as well.

Finally, if I have time, I will be reading one of the e-books I have on my Kindle, it is Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover. About this book the only thing I know is according to my fellow bookworms on Instagram it is a fantastic book. I decided to buy it and give it a try. Once I read it I will be posting my thoughts on it, as well as the other books I read this month.

About my reading challenge, I set my 2015 Goodreads Reading Challenge to 50 books. I decided the way I am going to accomplish this goal is to work my TBR Jar a little bit different. I will continue using my TBR as usual for the books I have not read and I also added to my jar the 2015 Book Riot Harder Reading Challenge. This consists on a 24 different tasks which allows people different things. For example, some of the tasks include: read a Sci-Fi book. Read a Microhistoy book. Read a graphic novel. Read a book retelling a classic story. I have never read any type of book in these categories. I will be really interesting to see how this goes for me.

I found out about Book Riot thanks to a booktuber I have been watching the last few weeks. I checked it out and it's fantastic. I like their you tube channel and they also have a Podcast which I have been listening to and I enjoying a lot. If you want to know more about Book Riot and about this challenge, you can visit their website at www.bookriot.com. There is also a group discussion on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/152441-book-riot-s-read-harder-challenge 

I am looking forward to this challenge. I think it is going to expand my reading level a lot. I will be reading a different variety of genres. I will also be accomplishing two of my bookish goals for 2015: read more than I did in 2014 and also read more books from my local library. I am sure most of the books I will be using to complete each task on the challenge will be at the library.

Hope you all have a wonderful 2015. Happy reading and talk to you guys on my next post.

***I would like to let you know. I was not paid or instructed by Book Riot to mention them on this post. What was expressed here was completely my personal opinion and was just meant to be shared for reading purposes***

Wen.