Is Shark Week turning into a joke?

If you have just glanced at this blog than you know I am a bit obsessed with Sharks, so when Shark Week comes around each year it is like Christmas to me. But so far this year I am just not thrilled with it.

Rocking the Shark Week shirt I made - Ready for an exciting week!

Air Jaws: Finding Colossus was good, I have loved all of the Air Jaws incarnations. I was actually scared for the guys in this one - I mean did you see that one of the guys pushed a great white way when he was in the mobile cage. Not to mention the genius who decided it was a good idea to lay on ply-wood that looked like a female shark. But it was real, the sharks were REAL, the danger was REAL, no CGI, no actors, no dramatizations.

Showing my Shark Spirit at work with last years shirt and my DIY shark buddy

After that great show we got Submarine Shark. I was cooking dinner when this started so I missed the disclaimer that it was a dramatization. I thought this was real until they actually showed the shark, I mean are you serious Discovery Channel? Could you get any faker? I let last years Megalodon slip because I do love me some Megs (even though I know they are extinct)  but are you really going to continue showing us these fake shows just to get views?

This year's Shark Week nails - while eating shark gummies 

I use to love how Shark Week was about learning of shark and conservation. In the past we had the shark attack survivors who are now shark advocates. We learned the true story that inspired Jaws and how the author regretted the effect his book and later movie had on sharks. We even got Alien Sharks that intoduced many to goblin sharks. I would be happy with a bunch of Myth Busters episodes about sharks instead of the mockumentaries we are getting recently. I would be fine with the mockumentaries if they were not put on during this week or this channel. I loved Sharknado so I can handle cheesy movies but do not try to pass it off as a real event.

My (failed) attempt at painting a Hammerhead migration *note to self work on depth and perception*

That brings me to the new fad that is happening on educational channels - reality TV. Yes, it is cheaper to make. Yes, it can be entertaining. But is it educational NO! TLC is the worst, it is called THE LEARNING CHANNEL, what does Honey Boo-boo teach me? or what about Long Island Medium? It is getting ridiculous. History Channel does it too, what does Pawn Stars have to do with history? They did have the Hatfields & McCoys and they show real documentaries too but the whole reality TV thing is getting too bad.

Sharknado nails

I am still going to watch all of Shark Week and I will most likely watch it again next year but I hope they make it educational again. We want people to stop the slaughter of shark by finning and culling, but if you keep scaring them with these mockumentaries how do you expect anyone to take you seriously? I am a fan of teaching facts, it can be interesting but don't mix in lies to make it that way.

What are your feeling on Shark Week? Do you think they are going too far with the fake documentaries?

Book Review: Meg Series - Hell's Aquarium

Amazon - Audible - Goodreads

Book 4 - Hell Aquarium

        4 years after Primal Waters, Angel is back in the lagoon with 5 new pups. 3 runts and 2 sisters all from the same litter but with the aggression the sisters seem like they were a litter of their own. Unable to get the Institute expanded to hold the bigger Meg family, and with RAW(Release Animals to the Wild) group breathing down their backs Jonas sells 2 of the runts to a United Arab Emirates aquarium. What Jonas didn't know is that the crown prince wants more that just the Megs in his aquarium, he wants the prehistoric animals the late Dr. Maren claims to have found. Jonas unwilling to go on this suicide mission, David on summer break from college wants to go to Dubai to watch the megs and train recruits on the Manta Ray submersible. Again much like his dad, David puts his life in risk for love. Back at home the sisters kill the last runt making RAW come on even harder and even planning on breaking into the institute to releasing the sisters. During this time Jonas is secretly planning on releasing Angel back into the Mariana Trench. What Jonas is doing can save lives while Raw is putting much more in danger.  

David makes this book, he is strong yet bull headed and is willing to risk everything to protect the ones he loves. Jonas despite is advancing age is still throwing himself into danger to save others. He makes dives no one his age ever should, he get in the lagoon with Angel (ok she is in sleep mode but still) he is like He-Man, nothing can stop him. Dani has really grown up, though her and Terry are not in this book that much, which I am not complaining. Most of this one takes place in Dubai with David. He is being played like a violin and he has no clue, he went thinking he was never leaving land but just like the crown prince planned from the beginning David goes down to Maren's underwater lab to collect the information needed. The prince knew that only someone from the Taylor family had the ka-hones to go down not knowing what they would encounter. I was actually sad in some parts of this book, there was a bit of a love story in it, at first it was annoying then it grew on me. I was terrified at some points, and others I wanted to fricken strangle someone and I am 100% surprised Mac and Jonas were able to keep their cool. All in all it was a great book. A lot more technical than the previous books, which was a bit annoying I basically skimmed over those parts since it was just jibber jabber and had not meaning to me, tinsel strength, construction mumbo-jumbo, and lifting power, no need for it but hey if that is your thing you might just enjoy those parts. But the meat of the book to action, the hidden agendas, love story, the edge of your seat thrill parts, that is where I was and I enjoyed every bit of it.  Absolutely would recommend if you have read the previous books.

OK I am sorry this was so wordy but it is a book review so it happens. My pal Ashley McNiel has published 2 more books so those will be my next reviews I hope ya'll enjoy!

Book Reviews: Meg Series - Primal Waters

Amazon -  Goodreads

Book 3 - Primal Waters

       18 years and 2 kids later we rejoin the Taylor family barely making ends meet, with Angel's departure from the lagoon and the cost of upkeep the Taylor/Tanaka family may have to sell the institute. Jonas is attempting to write a memoir but it keeps getting interrupted by his 17 year old daughter, Danielle's music and  phone solicitors so he takes a break.  The family goes to an annual Shark tooth festival in Venice Beach to talk about Angel and other Megs, this is when Jonas is offered a way out of the whole, but it might put him in a grave. A group of dare devil enthusiasts whom looks up to Jonas, for his heroic killing of Angel's mother and his dives in the trench, want him to be an announcer to their new reality TV show about daring stunts in the middle of the ocean. Jonas goes with his daughter to be the announcer DareDevils but what he doesn't know is that the person backing the show is the last person Jonas ever wants to be at sea with. 

My love for Terry was GONE in this book, she was a coward! I get that she has PTSD but she did a complete 180 in this one. She will not fly(she use to be a pilot!), she will no let her son scuba dive in the empty, is terrified of Jonas going to sea again(OK I will give her this one, she was right) but she drove me crazy. She did face some of her fears but she was just annoying. Her son, David, on the other hand is awesome. He was fearless, he would not take anything from anyone, he is his father's son. Mac was great in the other books and started off aggravating but grew as a person in this one, with help from his godson David. Dani (Danielle) was a typical teenager, thinks she knows everything, her parents are old and to cautious to do anything fun, and just a brat. She does grow near the end and learns to really respect her dad, granted she had to nearly die for that to happen. But, hey growth is growth, right? 

Book Challenge Update #7

This is going to be a short and sweet update because I have written a review post for most of the books I read this month. All the books were great and they needed more than just a little blurb on the update post.  

Meg: Primal Waters by Steve Alten    Amazon -  Good Reads 

This book was awesome! I have written an individual post on this one and that will be posted later this week but, I was a big fan! I was a bit frustrated with some of the characters mainly Terry because she is completely different in this book. This installment takes place in the middle of the ocean and has Jonas' kids put in precarious situations, it is not only his life that could be lost. All in all 4 out of 5 hearts because his daughter is annoying and Terry just bugged me with her complete personality flip.  

♥♥♥♥ out of 5

Ace Your Teacher Interview by Anthony D. Fredericks, Ed.D.  Amazon - Goodreads 

I flew through this book preparing for an interview (which I ACED). It had some really great pointers and I will be keeping this book to review before each interview I have. Some of the pointers are no brainers but he listed some questions I never even thought they would ask! I was over-prepared for my interview (in a good way). I brought up things I never even thought were important until I read this, like what books I am currently reading. This is a must own book for anyone on the hunt for a teaching job (just not in my area please I need a teaching job BADDD!)

♥♥♥♥♥ out of 5

Meg: Hell's Aquarium by Steve Alten   Amazon - Goodreads - Audible

Again this is a book I am going to write a post of it's own. Luckily Terry is not in this one too much which is nice. The book is focused more on Jonas' son David. With more Meg's in the lagoon Jonas sells 2 and David decides to tag along to get the Megs settled in their new aquarium. What David does not know is that the man who purchased the Megs wants more dangerous animals and he wants David to go retrieve them. David made this book and he makes up for his mom in the last book! I am giving this book a 4 out of 5 because there was technical mumbo-jumbo that was not need (at least for me). I understand Alten put it in for authenticity but I didn't need it.

♥♥♥♥ out of 5

Street Lights in Wonderland by Ashley McNiel     Amazon

After I finished with this book I swore I was not going to read another of her books because I love my sleep too much but guys I am addicted! I already have her other book sitting on my bedside table I am just waiting until I have time to devote to it so I do not stay up all night reading it (because I know I will). I was crying in the first 10 pages of this book, it is incredible!! But if you read my last post you already know this. Everyone need to read this book, like right now. It is only 2.99 on amazon so it will not break the bank...just your heart. 

♥♥♥♥♥ out of 5

Faith of the Fallen Book 6 in Sword of Truth Series by Terry Goodkind

Amazon - Audible - Goodreads

Sorry if this feels spoiler-y but I do not think I gave anything too important away. 

I am still really enjoying this series. I feel so bad for Kahlan and Richard they can never just be. Barely married and she is beaten half to death than she is finally getting better and boom Richard is taken away from her. I love how strong she is, she was not going to sit idly by knowing she cannot get Richard she goes to battle! She is seriously a BAMF. I wish we had more Zedd but I could always use more of him, he is hilarious. In this installment you finally get a taste of what The Order is really about and in theory it works but it the real world it never will. It was a struggle of capitalism vs. socialism. The order wants everyone to be equals, take out the magic first because not everyone is gifted. Next is to tackle the working man, if someone is unable to work and you are well you are blessed and should give him your wages, even is that means you have no money because at least you can work. But at the same time you cannot work harder than anyone because you are showing that you are better than them, you also have to share the work load even if that means you have a store room full of food you cannot sell that because you are hogging the sells and not letting anyone else make money. What Richard brings once he is thrown into this is equilibrium, he buys what others are not allowed to sell and sells it to the people who need it but have to wait for someone else to deliver, he fixes up his commune (for lack of better word), has the people start taking pride in what is there's (even though it is technically The Order's) by making things better. Fix wobbly stairs, start a garden, paint the walls make their home feel like a home and not a hut. Richard believes in the human spirit and he wants to show that to everyone and it is evident in the end of the book. Richard was so disappointed in the beginning that no one wanted his freedom because they have never been without it and did not know what they would be missing, but in the end I think everyone finally understood what Richard was talking about the whole time. There are many reviews hating on this book but to be honest I loved it. They are comparing Goodkind to other authors but that is not how it works unless the other author wrote the same book. I loved this book and I have already stared the next one, I cannot wait to find out what happens next.  

♥♥♥♥ out of 5

Previous challenge update posts: January - February - March - April - May - June

Book Reviews: Adulting - Something Worth Fighting For - Speaker of The Dead -Ender's Game - Extras - Specials - Pretties - Uglies - The Fault in our Stars - Meg - Meg: The Trench - Street Lights in Wonderland

Book Review : Street Lights in Wonderland

I think I accidentally turned this into a book/shark blog. Eh, oh well I like both of those things a lot so I guess it would make sense. I was going to wait to review this book until I had finished with Alten's Meg series but I could not wait I needed y'all to read this amazing book! 

  

Amazon

Street Lights in Wonderland by Ashley McNiel 

 Amazon Description

"Suicide is a word commonly spoken in hushed tones and darkened doorways whenever I was near. It held a stigma that people never seemed to truly understand. It usually preceded words such as: selfish, mental illness, hopeless, damned, and my least favorite, coward. 

The word suicide held one specific meaning for me: Eli Nicholas Hampshire. " 

Shainelyn Bradshaw led a normal, happy life, until one night, her boyfriend of two years, committed suicide. 

A year later, Shaine was still trying to figure out her new world without him. 

Grief had consumed every aspect of her life. A once outgoing, bubbly, piano prodigy, now did nothing more than survive. 

Until the day Langston Fletcher burst into her life, breaking down every wall Shaine had built, then standing triumphantly atop the rubble. Langston turned Shaine's new world upside down. 

Langston shows Shaine that there is more to life than merely surviving. He shows her that the entire world is her personal Wonderland, and the best times of her life are yet to come. He's going to make sure of it. 

But just when Shaine thinks there is a chance at a life, and maybe even love after Nicholas, life shows her once again, it has other plans. 

Sometimes the same ghosts that used to keep you company, come back to haunt you. 

A story of adventures, life, and love.

My Thoughts

After this book I was just done. I was and still am in a book hangover. It was incredible, she had my crying in the first 10 pages. Shaine is an inspiration as a female character, she grows so strong and aware of herself. I hope this book teaches girls that you can be strong and confident without or despite a guy. With that said I am 100% in love with Langston not Hughes. He is incredibly well written and wise beyond his years, mentally and spiritually. I really love a good spiritual, but not preachy character and that is Langston. I feel that if I go on I might spoil this book and I do not want to do that. I will say that at times I wanted to throw my tablet, I was so frustrated about what I thought would happen next. This was made worse by stopping to sleep and I was dreaming about different outcomes and I always go worse case scenario.  But in all honesty I love every heart-breaking, anger inducing, falling in love with fictional characters moments of it.

My Langston not Hughes - ya that is Brandon Boyd from Incubus (1) (2)

I devoured this book in less that a day(split by sleep) I could not put it down! Only reason I did was Da'Hubby cannot sleep by the glow of my tablet (OOPS)! If you want a good summer read you have got to get this book. Ashley is coming out with a novella and a book two to the wonderland world and I cannot wait. I might have to reread this book a few times before they come out just so I can get my Langston not Hughes fix. 

Also be sure to check out Ashley's book blog HERE. She is an amazing person and an incredible author!

Book Review : Meg Series - The Trench

Amazon - Audible - Goodreads

Da'Hubby HATED me reading this series, it is all I wanted to do. He wanted to watch a show with me and I was like "I am almost at a stopping point" 2 hours later  "are you done yet??" - Da'Hubby. I just got lost in this world where Megs are real and an ever present danger. 

Book 2 - The Trench 

       This book (obvious by the title) takes place in the Mariana Trench 4 years after Jonas' second trip into the trench. Jonas is remarried to Terry Tanaka (daughter of the friend he helped) from the previous book. The female meg (Angel), birthed by the Meg that left the trench and was killed my Jonas in the last book, is in the Tanaka Institute Lagoon with feeding shows for the public. Now with the success of the Angel of Death shows lawsuits are rolling in from the families of the victims of the Meg deaths, putting a strain of Jonas' marriage, his wallet, and even causing a miscarriage. To make ends meet the Tanaka-Taylor family have to make a deal with the devil. Not wanting to leave the lagoon because he fears Angel will escape Jonas stay while Terry goes (against his wishes) to the Mariana Trench, and she doesn't realize how much danger she is really in. 

I love Terry in this book, she was a bada**, much better that the last book. We also meet the devil's disciples Celeste Singer and Benedict. I thought I hated Jonas' ex-wife but after meeting Celeste I would not mind having the ex back. Both Celeste and Benedict have ulterior motives and are not afraid to kill to get it done. We found out that the Megs are not the only thing that go bump in the night in the Mariana's trench. I do not know who was more dangerous Celeste and Benedict  (and his goons) or the other aggressors in the depths of the trench. This was a great sequel and that is not easy to do. This was such a thriller because in took place 5 miles below the surface of the ocean. Everything was amplified to dangerous measures, and there is no escape except death. If you have not started this series this book alone is worth it. 

Book Challenge Update #6

Da' Hubby is not a fan of me this month. He is so jealous that I want to read and not be next to him when we are at home. Over the weekend he took a nap on the couch so instead of waking him up by turning on the light I moved over to the chair next to the window to read. When he woke up he was sad because I "abandoned him"  I was literally on the other side of the coffee table. But ya gotta love him for wanting to spend so much time with me (even if he is passed out and I am wide awake). Anyway I am 4 books ahead of schedule on my challenge and I am pretty deep into 2 other books right now. 

Soul of The Fire (Book 5 in the Sword of Truth Series) by Terry Goodkind  - Amazon - GoodReads - Audible

The audio on this one was much better than the previous book. I got angry more than once in this book, I felt that Richard was being stupid in parts. I understand I am reading the book so I remember what happen months ago in the story was only a few chapters back but how can you forget getting married even if there was no ceremony. So much of this book could have been easier on the whole gang if he had remembered the woman he saved. I also missed Zedd in this book he was not in it very much which is sad I love Zedd. I also felt like he focused so much time on Anderith and the officals in it and not the main group of characters. It makes since to give some background and build the town because we know nothing about it but I think there was too much focus on it unless they turn into bigger characters later in the series. All in all it was a great continuation of the series. And can I just say OMG Kahlan at the end of the book ( I do not want to spoil it but seriously!!!)

♥♥♥.5 out of 5 (too much on Anderith and such a slow pace in the beginning)

Cloaked by Alex Flinn - Amazon - GoodReads - Audible

I love the mixing and combining of Fairy Tales that Alex does. I am a big fan of these remakes. I feel like some of the things that happened were a bit expected, like the love interest or the witch part and even the fox. Despite all of that it was a great book and I have been recommending it the people even before I finished it. Since the book is a big mixing pot of fairy tales I think that you are going to know what will happen if you have read the fairy tales. But I need to pick up another of Alex's books if they are anything like the 3 have I have just read. 

 ♥♥♥♥ out of 5 

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Book 1 Chronicles of Narnia) - Amazon - Goodreads - Audible 

I read this book when I was in school but I am not sure if I even finished the series of just read the book required. I have decided that I really enjoyed it this time around (when I am forced to read something I usually do not like it.) After rereading it I am going to read this with my sister, I think she will really enjoy it and it will help with her reading ability. This is a great children's book and I hope to share it with my future kids as well. 

♥♥♥♥♥ out of 5 

great read as a child, sibling, or parent - good book to share

It's a Chick Thing : Celebrating the Wild Side of Women's Friendship - A collection of stories Edited by Ame Mahler Beanland - Amazon - Goodreads 

This light-hearted books is a bunch of stories about friendships. It talks about the bad times when your friends are always there for you, when they get you in trouble, or you get them in trouble, and the connection you have. I think this is a great easy read for a girls trip, while tanning at the beach read this book and start sharing stories with your gal pals. 

♥♥♥.5 out of 5 

Not something I would reread but it was cute

The Trench (Book 2 Meg Series) By Steve Alten - Amazon - Goodreads - Audible

Of course I enjoyed this book it is about Sharks!!! Angel was amazing and terrifying. Jonas was stubborn, stupid, and so determined. This book is not focused on the shark as much but the trench as the name states. I liked how you really see the motives of the characters in this sequel. We find out things about Jonas' past that even he didn't know/realize. We find that Terry is a bada** and her and Jonas' love is stronger than a prehistoric shark or sadistic billionaire. If it had not been for Da'Hubby wanting my light turned off last night I would have started book 3 as soon as I sat this one down. 

♥♥♥♥.5 out of 5 

I was a bit lost in the techno-babble but it was needed for the story 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - Amazon - Goodreads 

I picked this book up half on a whim and half because Phillip DeFranco (SourceFed & such) said it was one of his favorites like last year or something. Anyway I was pleasantly surprised by this book, and I too love it! As I said on Goodreads it is heartbreakingly wonderful. Chbosky talks about a bunch of really deep stuff but from the perspective of someone who is not fully emotionally or psychologically able to handle it. This little wallflower grows in maturity throughout the book and watching him grow is amazing. I already have this on my netflix queue to be delivered so I can share this book/movie with Da' Hubby. 

♥♥♥♥♥ out of 5 

absolutely will be re-reading  

Previous challenge update posts: January - February - March - April - May

Book Reviews: Adulting - Something Worth Fighting For - Speaker of The Dead -Ender's Game - Extras - Specials - Pretties - Uglies - The Fault in our Stars