PikeAlicious Books

The Hob's Bargain

2010-03-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

by Patricia Briggs

"Her gift of sight has shown her visions of mayhem and murder. So, to save her village from ruthless raiders, Aren of Fallbrook strikes a bargain with the magical Hob, who will exact a heavy price to defend the village—a price Aren herself must pay." (-from the publisher)

I really like the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and not finding myself interested in any of the books I have at home- I decided to try some of her other books. This book is a fantasy novel- not paranormal like the Mercy Thompson series. And I was really into it! All day while I was at work, I just wanted to finish the book. Reading it on my lunch break wasn't enough time!

When the reader meets Aren, we find her a 30-year old woman who had resigned herself to spinsterhood- but had just been married the day before to a man younger than her. So, Aren is enjoying her first day of marriage and as she goes to prepare the noon-day meal for her husband, she hears horses and men outside her house and it is not her husband. Raiders have come- so Aren takes shelter in their pantry below the house, making sure to cover the floor door with a rug as she closes it. Fearing for her life, Aren stays hidden- and her proximity to the bare earth sends her visions- of the death of her husband, father, brother-in-law, mother, sister and unborn niece. Aren is bombarded with images of their deaths, of possibly of her own if she is not careful. After the raiders leave, Aren tries to go to town to warn the villagers and meets up with a party of townsmen who had seen a bloodstained, riderless horse run into town. Aren shares with the townsmen her visions, and as they ride into town an earthquake rocks the valley. Unknown to the villagers at first, the earthquake has closed off most of the passages out of the valley and flooded a neighboring town. But the magic that once was held dormant by bloodmages, has now been re-awakened. And for Aren, who has long surpressed her magical abilities, the future of her village and humanity may lay in her hands.

I really enjoyed this book. I have always liked fantasy novels, and when I was younger it was pretty much all I read. But it has been a bit since I have read an adult fantasy novel- and everything about this book hit the right notes with me! I cannot wait for my other book requests by Patricia Briggs to come in.

Smile

2010-03-12T10:07:00.000-08:00

by Raina Telgemeier

"Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.

This coming-of-age true story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have ever had a bit of their own dental drama." (-from the publisher)

I just finished this very cute, very honest graphic novel about a girl growing up in her teens, entering high school, leaving old friends behind and making new ones. I loved the graphics- they were very fresh and wholesome. And Raina's character was cute. The whole process of Raina's visits to the dentist is easy to relate too- even if most people's situation isn't as severe as knocking out your permanent two front teeth. There were a couple of key moments in the book that I really liked- I loved it when Raina's mom yelled at one of the dentists for not asking her about a course of treatment first and Raina's response of awe and pride in her mother; when Raina stood up to her old friends about their treatment of her; and when Raina made her new friends. Pretty typical rites of passage for any kid growing up- and that's why they were so great. The author didn't shy away from showing the hurt and humiliation that can go along with 'friendly' teasing or the natural progression of becoming distant with childhood friends in new environments. Definitely a good book to have for any middle school or juvenile fiction collection!

Surprise Package for Me?!

2010-03-11T14:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got home from a long day at work and the drive home was bad because it was so foggy that I could barely see the road 2-car-lengths ahead of me! And surprise! There was a package for me from Random House! I didn't know what it was- I hadn't entered any drawings lately, so when I opened it up, I was pretty pumped to see that it was a ARC of The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson. Cool, huh?

(My book doesn't actually look like this. It has a red paper cover with the title on it, and underneath that is a color photocopy of the HC cover. And it came with a little note, too!)

I have a craving

2010-03-11T14:43:00.000-08:00

to re-read Rampant by Diana Peterfreund. So, I requested it from my library again.

And then, I was looking at the author's website yesterday and I saw that a second book featuring Astrid will be coming out in Sept. 2010!

This is what it says on the author's blog/website about Ascendant:

"Astrid Llewelyn is now a fully-trained unicorn hunter, but she’s learning she can’t solve all her problems with just a bow and arrow. Her boyfriend Giovanni has decided to leave Rome, the Cloisters is in dire financial straits, her best friend’s powers seem to be mysteriously disintegrating, and Astrid fears that school, home, and her hopes of becoming a scientist are nothing but impossible dreams.

So when she’s given the opportunity to leave the Cloisters and put her skills to use as part of a scientific quest to discover The Remedy, Astrid leaps at the chance. Finally, she can have exactly what she wants…or can she? At the Gordian Pharmaceuticals headquarters deep in the French countryside, Astrid begins to question everything she thought she believed: her love for Giovanni, her loyalty to the Cloisters, and - most of all - her duty as a hunter. Should Astrid be saving the world from killer unicorns, or saving the unicorns from the world?"

Coming in September 2010 from HarperTeen.

I'm pretty pumped about this. I didn't even know the author planned on writing a 2nd book- I had hoped for it, but didn't think it was going to happen. Moral of the story here: check authors' websites frequently, especially when you enjoy a book/series of theirs!

TBR pile

2010-03-03T17:32:00.000-08:00

I have a number of books at home that I'm pretty excited about reading. This is my TBR pile:

Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Numbers by Rachel Ward

Heist Society by Ally Carter

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Recently Watched...

2010-03-03T17:28:00.000-08:00

Last week, I got sucked into Season 1 of Sons of Anarchy. I got this season because I was curious about the show, but after the first episode I was hooked. Sometimes the show made me laugh out loud, other times I cringed, and once I cried really good. I cannot wait until Season 2 comes out on DVD. I know a couple of episodes are available on the FX website, but unless I can find the first half of the season online, I'll be waiting for the DVD set.

If you don't mind some violence and like motorcycles, you'll probably like this show. I know I did, and the cast is amazing!

Russian literature

2010-03-03T17:20:00.001-08:00

The other day I got the urge to re-read some Russian literature, so I checked out The Complete Works of Isaac Babel and Dead Souls by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol. I actually haven't read Dead Souls by Gogol- I'm more familiar with his short stories, but I am fascinated by his work so I am really looking forward to the book.

I really like reading foreign literature and am always open to suggestions. I've read some Scandinavian pieces, so feel free to recommend other titles- Russian, Scandinavian, or anything else.

Gone

2010-03-03T16:52:00.000-08:00

by Lisa McMann

I just finished Gone the other day and I thought it was a decent way to end the series. I still think the first book is my favorite in the trilogy, but this volume was a nice way to end things.

"Things should be great for Janie—she has graduated from high school and is spending her summer with Cabel, the guy she’s totally in love with. But deep down she’s panicking about how she’s going to survive her future when getting sucked into other people’s dreams is really starting to take its toll. Things get even more complicated when she meets her father for the very first time—and he’s in a coma. As Janie uncovers his secret past, she begins to realize that the choice thought she had has more dire consequences than she ever imagined." -(from the publisher)

I had heard that this book was mainly about Janie -and that Cabel was not going to be a large part of it- which I was worried about because I really liked their relationship. But after reading the book, I was satisfied with the amount of time spent on Janie and Cabel's relationship in the book. I liked the development of Janie's father being identified and how she learned that being a dreamcatcher may be hereditary. I don't know if I was entirely convinced by the two choices a dreamcatcher has to face- either use the gift and grow old blind and crippled or reject the gift by isolating yourself and end up like Janie's dad. But I did like how Janie finally did something about her mother- she started to accept that she had no choice about her parents, but learned that the people she surrounded herself with were just as supporting and loving as any family.

Overall, I liked the book and thought it was a good ending to the story. I would have liked it better if the writing hadn't felt as choppy to me- the breaks in time in the story distracted me and felt disjointed- it made it seem like I was reading a diary (which now that I think about it, I may have been because Janie kept those journals). But, I'm not a big fan of the diary format, so to me it felt choppy and jumbled. If you've read the other two books, I would recommend reading this book and finishing the series. If you haven't read any of the Wake trilogy yet, I would recommend reading the first book and only the first book.

Captivate

2010-03-03T16:32:00.000-08:00

by Carrie Jones

"Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town. A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure — despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life — and his." -(from the publisher)

Ok, to start off- I really like this series. I like the setting, I like Zara (for the most part) as the main character, and I absolutely love Issie's and Devyn's characters. Oh, and I really like Gram- I think it's because she's a weretiger though! And the 2nd volume in the series did not disappoint me. In fact, I liked the direction it took because it opens up another avenue that I really did not see the author taking. I liked that Zara made a hard choice- choose to become something she was afraid of- even with knowing there may be some harsh consequences with that decision- all so she could save a life. I'm glad the author didn't rush the plotline of the book. She picked up nicely where the first book ended, and for the first half of the book, the reader sees how Nick and Zara act as a couple. The reader also finds out that while the pixie situation is kind of contained- it is not perfect and more and more pixies from other kingdoms are arriving in town. And to complicate matters more, Zara runs across a Valkyrie while trying to rescue someone and this Valkyrie is recruiting warriors to fight in an upcoming war of Valhalla. So now, Zara has to worry about Nick's safety, the pixies and a pixie war, and a Valkyrie who is taking strong male warriors to Valhalla, as well as writing letters for Amnesty International.

I'm very excited about the next book- I cannot wait to see what happens with the Nick-Zara-Astley thing. And I want to see how the whole Norse mythology subplot plays out in the next book.

It's been a while...

2010-03-03T16:28:00.000-08:00

since I posted anything, but I had my birthday to celebrate, my sister's birthday to celebrate and work has been busy, so blogging unfortunately has been pushed back again and again. But on a plus side, I have read Captivate and Gone- so I have some reviews to share!

Weird coincidence

2010-02-12T10:41:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have been wanting to watch "The Final Destination" for some reason. So, I got it from the library and when I was watching it on Tuesday, I thought to myself- "Whatever happened to Devon Sawa?" And then, I watched NCIS and NCIS: LA. And guess who guest-starred on NCIS: LA- DEVON SAWA! I laughed so hard as soon as I realized it was him. I mean, how weird is that? And boy has he grown up in a good way!

Distracted from blogging by...

2010-02-03T13:55:00.000-08:00

Sewing!

For Christmas, my parents gave me a sewing machine (and yes, I did ask for it). While my sister was visiting me one weekend, we had decided we wanted to do a craft weekend. So, we went to the lovely Banner Crafts store in a nearby town, bought fabrics to make an apron, bought fleece to make a tie-blanket and had also gone to a local St. Vincent Du Paul's for some glassware to make candles.

And, we did all 3 projects. We made the tie-blanket first, because it was by far the easiest project. Then, we made the candles and they turned out fantastic. We did 3 separate bashes, mint green candles in low custard glasses, and then blue and purple candles in sundae glasses. At this point, we were tired of being crafty and lazed around for the rest of the night. But, the next day, we got up bright and early and immediately started working on the aprons. And they turned out awesome! Imagine a bright red poppy print, with black gingham straps, and 3 alternating ruffles to make it look extra cute! The lucky recipients of these aprons were our mother and our younger sister.

Well, being so crafty with my sister inspired me to do more things. To date, I have made a beaded ladybug, beaded letters, two beaded flowers, a babydoll top that I smocked myself, and I am gearing myself up to try applique for a pillow.

So, I apologize for not being more frequent in posting, but I am just having so much fun trying all different sorts of projects, that I haven't read too many books lately. But I have some good ones at home, so I will try to get some more reviews up soon!

Bones of Faerie

2010-02-03T13:53:00.000-08:00

by Janni Lee Simner

“The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so 15 year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see—into the past, into the future—and she has no choice but to flee her town. Liza’s quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.” (-from the publisher)

I really liked this book. The story was well told, the plot line was interesting and suspenseful, and it never became a paranormal romance, for which I was grateful. (I was not in the mood for a paranormal romance story!) Liza grew up in a semi-abusive household. Her father was overly harsh, would beat her for the slightest reasons, but her mother was loving. Then, Liza’s mother gave birth to another child, a little girl, who was born with white/silver hair- a sure sign that she had Fey abilities. That night, Liza’s father took the baby to a hillside to die. Liza was so distraught, that she ran out of the house to try to save her little sister, but it was too late. Something had already gotten the baby. Both Liza and her mother were never the same after that- Liza’s mother fell into a decline and Liza blamed herself for not being able to save her sister. One day, Liza’s mother just left and Liza had no idea why or where her mother would have gone- but she was left to the mercy of her already cruel and harsh father. One day, after a particularly bad beating, Liza had a vision- and she realized that she too had faerie abilities and would have to leave the town before her father found out and killed her. Liza’s only hope was to try to find her mother by traveling through the forest. Along the way, Liza has a couple of close calls, before she is saved by citizens of another town. Here, in this new town, Liza finds out that not every town is like hers, were any indication of faerie abilities equals death. Instead, this new town strives to educate and foster the abilities so they will harm no one. And the truth about the war between the Fey and the humans may not have been as Liza thought as well. But Liza stills needs to find her mother, which involves Liza to learn to control her gift and entering the Fey realm. More than just saving her mother and herself is at stake, and Liza has to discover if she is up to the task.

One thing that I really enjoyed about this story was that St. Louis was actually the gateway between the Fey realm and the human realm. And the town that Liza grew up in was actually a suburb of St. Louis, but the wild forest had taken over much of the United States after the devastation of the War. I highly recommend this book to any fantasy fan- the fact that there is no overt romantic subplot was fantastic and a plus because the title can be recommended to boys as well as girls.

Sharing the love- of YA series, that is

2010-01-25T15:19:00.000-08:00

Quite often, my older sister and I swap books or recommend books to each other. A while back, she had asked for a list of YA books to read, of which I sent her tons. But on that list, was two series that I have read and liked: The House of Night and The Mortal Instrument series.

Well, when my sister came to visit this weekend, she had finished the first book in each series, liked them, and had requested the next books. And, in the two days she was by me, she finished #2 in The House of Night series and had started #3.

I was excited because I could discuss the books with her, but also that someone else I knew had liked the books too. How about you? Do you have a series to recommend?

I LOVE THIS SHOW!!

2010-01-21T15:48:00.000-08:00

I watched Ugly Betty last night and I absolutely love this show! I am so glad ABC moved it to Wednesday nights. It was entirely wasted on a Friday night. I find the Betty-Marc-Amanda relationship/friendship to be hilarious. And one of my favorite parts last night was when Daniel started laughing and said, "He runs so funny!" (in reference to Marc running out the room, panicking)

Every time I thought about it, I cracked up again.

I cannot wait until next week's episode. It looks intense!

Will Betty be fired from Mode?

Will Daniel forgive Betty for her harsh words published on her blog?

Yay!

2010-01-21T12:50:00.000-08:00

I received an award from La Coccinelle at The Ladybug Reads. Thanks so much!

The rules are pretty simple. Answer the following questions with Single Word answers then pass this along to 5 other bloggers. Make sure you let them know about it though.

Your Cell Phone? Outdated.
Your Hair? Blonde.
Your Mother? Accountant.
Your Father? Welder.
Your Favorite Food? Cheese.
Your Dream Last Night? None.
Your Favorite Drink? Tea.
Your Dream/Goal? Author.
What Room Are You In? Library.
Your Hobby? Crafting.
Your Fear? Dolls.
Where Do You Want To Be In Six Years? Married.
Where Were You Last Night? Home.
Something That You Aren't? Old.
Muffins? Blueberry.
Wish List Item? Books.
Where Did You Grow Up? Wisconsin.
Last Thing You Did? Posted.
What Are You Wearing? Sweater.
Your TV? Nice.
Your Pets? None.
Friends? Yes.
Your Life? Good.
Your Mood? Good.
Missing Someone? Yes.
Vehicle? Bug.
Something You Aren't Wearing? Necklace
Your Favorite Store? Bookstore
Your Favorite Color? Purple
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? Earlier.
Last Time You Cried? Yesterday.
Your Best Friend? Mary.
One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? Home.
Facebook? Yes.
Favorite Place To Eat? Millhome

I'm passing this along to:

Paradoxical

Juju at Tales of Whimsy

Sharon at Sharon Loves Books and Cats

Marie at Cupcake Witch

Mandy at Edge of Seventeen

Fallen

2010-01-21T12:41:00.000-08:00

by Lauren Kate

I only found this book 'OK'. Yes, I stayed up late trying to finish the book all in one sitting, but by the time I finished it, I was not hooked enough to want to read the 2nd book in the series. I liked the book, I liked the plot-line. But, I do not know if it is worthy enough to have a sequel. I would have preferred it if the story would have just been written in 1 novel. There are so many other series out there that I am hooked on, that this book just pales in comparison. So, needless to say, I probably will not read the 2nd book in this series.

However, like I said, I still liked the book. I didn’t love, love it, but I did like it. For as long as she can remember, Luce has seen the shadows. When she was younger and didn’t know better, she told her parents about the shadows. This led to many years of therapy and psychiatric drugs. Until Luce knew that the only way to live a normal life, was to lie to her parents and the doctors about the shadows- she told them she no longer saw them, and they believed her. And so, for a couple of years, Luce’s life was great. She had a best friend, went to a great school, and was thinking that soon she might have a boyfriend. But then something terrible happened. And Luce doesn’t know how it happened- she has no idea how the fire started or how Trevor died. This tragedy lands Luce in a reform school, where she is surrounded by troubled students and some mysterious teenagers. Like Daniel Grigori. Daniel makes it very clear that he does not want Luce around him, but every time she feels really low, really depressed, Daniel is there to help her. Why is it that at one moment, Daniel pushes her away, and the next he is trying to save her? And then there is Cam. Who seems to go out of his way to try to win Luce over- to make her his girlfriend. So, what is so special about Luce that Daniel and Cam fight over her? And why do the shadows keep coming, getting darker and more violent? What exactly is Daniel? And Gabbe? And Cam? Luce better find out soon, because if she doesn’t, it may mean the end of things- of her, of the world, of Heaven.

-book reviewed from library copy

New Adult Books- Can't Wait

2010-01-21T11:57:00.001-08:00

Here are two new adult fiction books that I am excited for!

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

The German Wedding by Peter Waterdrinker

February Titles to Relish

2010-01-19T15:56:00.000-08:00

There are tons of great titles coming out next month. I have picked 4 titles that I am especially excited to read, but I am sure that there are others just as cool.

My Boyfriends' Dogs by Dandi Daley Mackall
Heist Society by Ally Carter
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Gone by Lisa McMann

Other February titles:
The Poison Eaters by Holly Black
After by Kristin Harmel
Bad Blood by Mari Mancusi
A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

Mercy Thompson #5

2010-01-19T15:51:00.000-08:00

Yay! I love the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. I have done a couple of posts now on this series, and when looking at a list of prepubs today, I came across the 5th Mercy Thompson book. It is called Silver Borne and the cover is just as cool as the previous ones. I for one, cannot wait until March 30th!

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

Mar. 30th, 2010

January Titles to Relish

2010-01-19T15:37:00.001-08:00

There are a lot of good books out this month, but I am especially excited for a couple YA titles.

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

The Mark by Jen Nadol

Captivate by Carrie Jones

(I really liked Need, so I cannot wait to read Captivate!)

There are also quite a few graphic novels that I really want to read, but I will wait to mention any of them until I can do a longer review on all the graphic novels on my "To Be Read" list.

Read Me, Read Me

2010-01-19T15:29:00.001-08:00

I have a great stack of books at home shouting at me to read them. What do I do? They are all library books, so some are due before others, but the top 3 that I am eager to read are:

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines

Fallen by Lauren Kate

I've already started reading The Dark Divine and I have the prologue halfway read for Girl in the Arena, but then I just got Fallen today. So, now I don't know which one to continue with- they all sound awesome!

Hunted

2009-12-10T08:42:00.000-08:00

by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

"What if the hottest guy in the world was hiding a nameless evil, and all he wanted was you?

At the start of this heart-pounding new installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey’s friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren’t Neferet’s secrets any longer. But an unexpected danger has emerged. Neferet guards her powerful new consort, Kalona, and no one at the House of Night seems to understand the threat he poses. Kalona looks gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life shows Zoey secrets she doesn’t want to hear and truths she can’t face?

On the run and holed up in Tulsa’s Prohibition-era tunnels, Zoey and her gang must discover a way to deal with something that might bring them all down. Meanwhile, Zoey has a few other little problems. The red fledglings have cleaned up well – they’ve even managed to make the dark, creepy tunnels feel more like home – but are they really as friendly as they seem? On the boyfriend front, Zoey has a chance to make things right with super-hot ex-, Erik, but she can’t stop thinking about Stark, the archer who died in her arms after one unforgettable night, and she is driven to try to save him from Neferet’s sinister influence at all costs. Will anyone believe the power evil has to hide among us? "

I have to say that this was probably my favorite book so far for the series. I didn't really like Chosen or Untamed because of the whole Loren/Erik/Heath thing and the Erik/Stark/Kalona thing. I felt like there was a lot of focus on how Zoey was juggling three guys at once, or there was another new love interest and it just didn't do it for me. And that is probably why I liked this volume because there was only a little bit of attention on Erik & Zoey's relationship, Heath came into the picture for a brief moment, and Stark was considered a bad guy. The book was mostly about Zoey and her friends trying to stop Kalona and Zoey trying to save Stark from becoming a red vampyre monster. This book, like all the others was fast-paced and entertaining. I was sucked into it from beginning to end- I don't even think I watched any TV that night (the snow might have helped that decision a bit, though)! I am on a rather long waiting list for the 6th book, but I am eagerly awaiting it. I want to see if Zoey can defeat Kalona, but more importantly, defeat Neferet in the next book.

P.S. I was a little sad that Grandma Redbird didn't play a large role in this novel, but I did like the addition of a new Poet Laureate. I liked how the red vampyres all got personalities too in this book.

Into the Wild Nerd Yonder

2009-12-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

by Julie Halpern

"When high school sophomore Jessie's long-term best friend transforms herself into a punk and goes after Jessie's would-be boyfriend, Jessie decides to visit "the wild nerd yonder" and seek true friends among classmates who play Dungeons and Dragons." (from the publisher)

I read this book last night and it is so cute! I absolutely adored it. Jessie is just starting her sophomore year, and while the first day of school used to excite her, now it's kinda got her worried. Next year, her brother will be at college, and she is acutely aware of how much she is going to miss him. And if that is not enough, her best friends since the third grade have been acting weird all summer, more interested in the boys from Jessie's brother's band and the punk scene. Which is so not Jessie's scene. She is more interested in making funky skirts and listening to her audiobooks.

Sure enough, on the first day of school, while Jessie is wearing her pencil and ruler skirt, her two BFF's have gone punk. Char has died her blonde hair to black and red stripes, and Bizza has competely shaved off her hair! Now Jessie is worried about who she is going to hang out with- and she is extremely hung up on not being labeled a nerd. (Even though she is in all AP classes and loves math!) So, she starts sitting with the band kids at lunch and talking to another girl in her study hall (who happens to be into D&D). But she really doesn't know if she wants to start hanging out with the band kids or Dottie after school, she still doesn't know want to do about Bizza and Char, she's upset that Bizza seems to be going after her longtime crush, and she's worried about her brother leaving for college. But when Jessie decides to take the plunge and goes to a D&D meeting with Dottie, she remembers what it is like to just have fun again and not worry about everything else that is going on. And surprisingly, Jessie's D&D character gives her the courage and strength to stand up for herself and finally speak her piece.

I really, really liked this book! Jessie's character was very relatable, her concerns were real and honest, and I loved the fact that she was a mathlete. I enjoyed the close sibling-relationship between Jessie and her brother, and how Jessie was really cool and happy for her brother when he made some changes in his life too. I also liked how "big brother" he got when he thought something had happened to Jessie! The scene towards the end of the book between Jessie and her brother when he asked her to proof his college admission's essay was one of my favorites.

All in all, I would recommend this book to any high schoolers. The are some mature things mentioned in the book (i.e. sex, STD's), so I would only recommend it to older teens. But the geekiness of the book is what makes it shine, and what made me like it so much. (Since I too, am a nerd!) If you like this book, I would also recommend Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi.

The Mortal Instruments series

2009-12-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

by Cassandra Clare

I really enjoyed “The Mortal Instruments” series. Reading the first book took a little longer to get into then the 2nd and 3rd, but that is because I was trying to grasp the world Clary lived in at first and then the world she came to be in through Jace. So much changed for Clary in the first book, that the reader struggled along with Clary to understand what was going on- what was real and what had all been an illusion. But I really liked Clary as the narrator- she was a strong female character who was trying to find and rescue her mother, understand the truth about her past and her mother’s past, figure out the whole Shadowhunter business, and juggle two boys.

There were times that I thought the author could have made things a little less confusing, but the storyline kept me engaged and I was constantly pulling for Clary and Jace to defeat their ‘father’ Valentine and save the day. I can honestly say that I was happy when the truth about Jace and Clary relationship came out in the 3rd book because I was a little icked out before that. (That whole scenario read a little too much like a V.C. Andrews book for me!) I loved the character of Simon- Clary’s best friend/(ex-)boyfriend/newby vampire/Daywalker- and I was happy that he played a role in all 3 books. I also liked the subplot of Alec and the warlock Magnus Bane and the subplot of Lucian and Clary’s mother, Jocelyn.

All in all, I was highly entertained throughout the series, and was constantly trying to find time to read and finish the books. It was a very entertaining fantasy series that at times were dark, humorous, or touching -everything a book should be!

Hunger Games 3!!!!

2009-12-03T12:08:00.000-08:00

I just got an email newsletter that says Hunger Games 3 will be released August 24th, 2010. I for one cannot wait for this book to come out!

sick, sick

2009-11-18T09:34:00.001-08:00

I haven't posted in a while, but neither have I gone to work for a couple of days. I got hit with a wicked head cold that left me delirious one night and unable to breathe through my nose for a few days. But now, I am on the mend- able to breathe through my nose- and my voice is almost back to normal. I have only read a few books lately. I am currently in the middle of The House of Night series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. And I have also read the first book in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare.

I hope to have reviews- or at least my take on the books up soon. Mostly, I have been re-watching episodes of Dead Like Me and watching Battlestar Galactica-Season 2.

P.S. - I heart Starbuck and Helo.

Marked

2009-11-10T15:23:00.000-08:00

by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

“Enter the dark, magical world of The House of Night, a world very much like our own, except here vampyres have always existed. Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has just been Marked as a fledgling vampyre and joins the House of Night, a school where she will train to become an adult vampire. That is, if she makes it through the Change--and not all of those who are Marked do. It sucks to begin a new life, especially away from her friends, and on top of that, Zoey is no average fledgling. She has been chosen as special by the vampyre Goddess Nyx. Zoey discovers she has amazing powers, but along with her powers come bloodlust and an unfortunate ability to Imprint her human ex-boyfriend. To add to her stress, she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers: When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite group, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.” (from the publisher)

I picked up the first book in this series because my boss and I were discussing how it has become more and more popular, and with each new book in the series, more teens/people are requesting the other books in the series. I am actually a little surprised at how much I got into the series, because the book starts off a little rocky. The reader is not given any background on the current world (where vampyres have always existed) and they are not given much feel for Zoey’s family, except that Zoey does not like her stepfather or his religion and her mother never stands up against the stepfather. The only family member that Zoey loves and who loves her back is her grandmother (who is a very cool character).

The book starts off immediately with Zoey getting ‘marked’ as a vampyre and having to move into the House of Night. But before Zoey goes to the school, she tries to visit her grandmother first, who has always been her rock and comfort. But Zoey’s trip doesn’t go exactly as planned, since the sun makes her weak and she falls down and hits her head. While Zoey is unconscious, she has a vision of meeting the Goddess Nyx and being given a daunting task- because her bloodlines and her grandmother’s teachings have made Zoey ideal for what is to come. Zoey wakes up in the House of Night being treated by a High Priestess and her grandmother. While Zoey has been knocked out, her ‘mark’- which is normally an outline- has been filled in. This is unusual for a fledgling, and extremely unusual for someone’s first day in the House of Night. And thus starts Zoey’s adventure of being a fledgling vampyre, one granted with unusual gifts and burdens.

The thing I liked most about this first book is the supporting characters. I love Zoey’s roommate Shaunee- I love her twang and her country star posters. I think the Twins are absolutely hysterical. And I cannot wait to see what happens with Damien. I even think the ‘evil’ characters are cool too- Aphrodite plays the domineering clique leader very well. I am curious what Neferet’s role is going to be in the upcoming books- is she good or is she bad as well? And I hope to see more of Zoey’s grandma is each of the succeeding volumes. I am truly enjoying the series so far and cannot wait to get the second volume from my library- just a couple more days and I should have a copy.

P.S. I apologize for the length of this post- but it seems a hard book to summarize/review in a short post.

Because I Am Furniture

2009-11-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

By Thalia Chaltas

So, I read through this book yesterday and all I can say is whoa. It is a very intense novel-in-verse written from the perspective of a young girl in an abusive household. Anke is the youngest child in her family, with an older brother and an older sister, and she is the only child that does not get abused by her father. At first I didn’t know if I would like that the book was written in verse, but after a while, I didn’t even notice it. My only beef with the whole book was that there were times when the story switched settings and times, and it took me a bit to find my place in the story again. Otherwise, the story was very believable. The pain, the confusion, and the sense of belonging to a team were all very intensely felt. And I have to say, the part where Anke is reading on the couch in her normal manner and her father says something inappropriate to her- was scary and hard to read.

I am truly glad that I did read this book, but all I can still say about it is whoa.

I would recommend this book to high school students- but only to mature readers.

New Titles I Want To Read

2009-10-28T12:18:00.001-07:00

October Titles

Soulless by Gail Carriger

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

November Titles

Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger
I'm So Sure by Jenny B. Jones

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

2009-10-28T11:51:00.001-07:00

by Jessica Day George

"When a great white bear promises untold riches to her family, the Lass agrees to go away with him. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle. To unravel the mystery, the Lass sets out on a windswept journey beyond the edge of the world. Based on the Nordic legend East of the Sun, West of the Moon, with romantic echoes of Beauty and the Beast, this re-imagined story will leave fans of fantasy and fairy tale enchanted by Jessica Day George." (from the publisher)

The Lass was born to a family so large, that her mother didn't even bother to name her. And so, she has always been called the Lass. One day though, a white deer has been spotted and it is said that whoever catches a white deer will have great fortune. When the Lass' family goes out looking for the deer, she at first stays at home with her mother and brother Hans Peter. But with her mother's scoldings, she decides to set out and find the white deer, never really imagining she will find it. But find it she does, caught in some brambles. After she frees it, the white deer bestowes upon the Lass the one thing she wants- a name. But the white deer also gifts her with the ability to speak to animals. As the Lass grows up, she becomes a legend in her own right because of her ability to speak to animals. And that is how she is chosen one day by a great white bear to live with him for one year and a day. The great white bear promises her family great fortune if the Lass will come with him, and so she does. But the great white bear is not what he seems, and with the help of her wolf and her brother's jacket, the Lass might be able to break a curse that has destroyed many lives, including that of her beloved brother Hans Peter.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I love fairy tale retellings, and the spin that the author put on this one was great. I really enjoy Jessica Day George's books. If you haven't already, try Dragon Slippers- Creel is a fantastic main character. Jessica Day George has a knack for writing strong female voices.

Tattoo

2009-10-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I started this book but I wasn't really digging it, so I have shuffled it to the side. I'm going to see if I like Golden more and get a feel for the author's writing before I go back to Tattoo.

Library Loot

2009-10-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

Two bloggers, Eva and Marg, have started this thing they call Library Loot. I thought I would give it a try, so here are the things I have gotten from my library this week.

Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma

Tattoo by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

Marked by P.C. Cast

Grace Hammer by Sara Stockbridge

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne

Once Dead, Twice Shy

2009-10-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

by Kim Harrison

“My name is Madison Avery, and I'm here to tell you that there's more out there than you can see, hear, or touch. Because I'm there. Seeing it. Touching it. Living it.

Madison's prom was killer—literally. For some reason she's been targeted by a dark reaper—yeah, that kind of reaper—intent on getting rid of her, body and soul. But before the reaper could finish the job, Madison was able to snag his strange, glowing amulet and get away. Now she's stuck on Earth—dead but not gone. Somehow the amulet gives her the illusion of a body, allowing her to toe the line between life and death. She still doesn't know why the dark reaper is after her, but she's not about to just sit around and let fate take its course. With a little ingenuity, some light-bending, and the help of a light reaper (one of the good guys! Maybe . . . ), her cute crush, and oh yeah, her guardian angel, Madison's ready to take control of her own destiny once and for all, before it takes control of her. Well, if she believed in that stuff.” (from the publisher)

I did not give this author enough credit when I decided to read Once Dead, Twice Shy. I know Kim Harrison mainly writes paranormal fantasy/romance for adults, but I didn’t know how well she would make the transition to YA writing. But I really liked this book. I liked Madison’s character, she was entirely believable as a girl who had made bad decisions in the past and when trying to make up for it, was killed in a freak incident by a boy who reaped/scythed her. Thus starts the whole process of Madison trying to train as a reaper, but because she is not fully alive or dead, her situation is trickier. You see, when Madison ‘woke’ up in the morgue, the same boy who had tried to reap her was back to finish the job, but Madison, for some unknown reason, was able to steal his amulet, and therefore remain undead.

Like Madison, the reader is unable to figure out by themselves why Madison was able to live because she is not being told everything by Ron, the light timekeeper, or by Barnabas, the light reaper she is training with. Madison is left clueless to her place in the light vs. dark struggle, but with the aid of her old prom date and a guardian angel named Grace, Madison discovers that her role in the light vs. dark struggle is bigger than even she could have imagined.

Some of my favorite parts from this book dealt with the guardian angel, Grace, and all the little ditties she sang to Madison.

Dragons!!

2009-10-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, so you may have noticed that I am kind of on a dragon-themed reading kick right now. I have read Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George, Dragon's Milk by Susan Fletcher, I am currently reading Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George and I have more books at home waiting for me to read.

Please, bear with me. I also have Fire by Kristin Cashore, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart, Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma, and other books checked out as well. So, even as I am posting about the dragon-themed books I am reading, I will be trying to read other books as well. Thanks!

Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever gotten on a thematic kick and only wanted to read more books like it? And do you have any recommedations for dragon books that I should check out?

Never Cry Werewolf

2009-10-15T14:25:00.001-07:00

by Heather Davis

"Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had "borrowed" that Porsche?). But her stepmother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior: Suddenly Shelby's summer plans are on the shelf, and she's being packed off to brat camp. It's good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there's more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby's help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn't be getting tangled up with another bad boy . . . but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one? One thing's for sure: That pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again." (From the publisher)

I started reading this yesterday and so far I am liking it. Shelby has an evil stepmother who somehow convinced Shelby's father to send Shelby to a 'brat camp.' Once there, though, Shelby meets two people she likes, Ariel, a perfume heiress, and Austin, son of a famous rocker. But the more Shelby hangs out with Austin, the more she likes him. And Austin cannot let anyone get too close because he has a secret. He is a werewolf- and without the serum that the camp confiscated, he will turn into a werewolf and be unable to control himself.

So, I kinda cheated and read the end of this book before I've actually finished it and I want to know, is there going to be a sequel? Because the author leaves us hanging about something that happens between Austin and Shelby and I want to know if it will be explained further in a second book. How about it, does anybody know if there will be a sequel?

Ninja Frogs!!

2009-10-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

How awesome is this cover! Dragonbreath is a very cool new series along the lines of Babymouse and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It combines comics, text, and humor for an irresistible read. Dragonbreath: Attack of the Ninja Frogs comes out in Feb. 2010.

I came across this today when working on my collection development for next year and I couldn't resist posting about it.

Dragon Slippers

2009-10-13T12:29:00.001-07:00

by Jessica Day George

I picked this book up on a whim because I didn't have anything at home that I wanted to read. Last night, I didn't touch any book, instead watching a little TV and then hitting the sack. But this morning, since I didn't have to work until noon, I decided to start reading Dragon Slippers. Man, am I glad that picked it up yesterday.

I love books that deal with dragons. It was one of the reasons that I looked Dragon Slippers up. (Dragon Spear had been nominated for a Cybil award, but I hadn't read any of the previous volumes, so there I was, picking up Dragon Slippers.)

Creel, the main character in Dragon Slippers, is a poor farmer girl who dreams of moving to the King's City and opening up her own dress shop. But her hair-brained aunt comes up with a plan to sacrifice Creel to the village's dragon so that she can be rescued by a prince. Only, Creel finds that the dragon is an intelligent creature who likes to collect shoes. Creel does not want to be rescued by a prince, because that might mean the dragon will be harmed, so she uses her words and finagles a plan to get her out of the village and prevent any harm from happening to the dragon. Creel than begins her journey to the King's City, and along the way almost comes to harm. But aid comes to her in an unexpected form- another dragon. This dragon is Shardas and an unlikely friendship develops between Shardas and Creel. When Creel eventually reaches the King's City, she finds herself involved in new friendships and new challenges, but when a war threatens to break out, it is Creel who becomes an integral part of stopping a war and saving her friends.

I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read the other two volumes, Dragon Flight and Dragon Spear, about Creel, Luka, and Shardas.

Picture Books I'm Excited About

2009-10-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some picture books I'm excited about getting soon at the library.

Always in Trouble by Corinne Demas

A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny by Jan Thomas

Duck Duck Moose by Dave Horowitz

I've already done a couple post on Jan Thomas' picture books, but they are just so much fun to do for storytimes that I cannot help getting excited when a new one comes out. I think A Book of Sleep will be a great addition to our nighttime picture books, and I hope that it will be used for one of our Bedtime Storytimes. And then both Always in Trouble and Duck Duck Moose look like so much fun that I am sure to do a dog-themed storytime and a duck-themed storytime for the Winter/Spring session.

What books are you excited about?

The Summoning & The Awakening

2009-10-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

The Darkest Powers Series by Kelley Armstrong

I have to admit, I did not give this series a fair try when I tried to read them initially. It didn’t help that the book I picked up was The Awakening- the 2nd book in the series. But when I did start reading The Summoning, I was hooked. Chloe is an interesting main character because she was a normal teenager going to an Arts school where she liked studying cinematography and getting excited about going to a high school dance. Then Chloe becomes a ‘woman’ in the literal sense of the word. And all of a sudden, Chloe is being chased by a disfigured janitor’s ghost that she cannot get away from and she is the only person who can actually see him. Everyone thinks Chloe has had a mental breakdown, and so she gets shipped off to Lyle House, a home for troubled youths. At Lyle House, Chloe meets a number of interesting characters. There’s Derek and Simon- foster brothers who look and act nothing alike, but understand each other without even having to say a word. Tori and Liz are friends, but where Liz is nice and easy-going for the most part, Tori is a rich girl with a bad attitude. And there’s Rae, who seems very street smart and becomes friendly with Chloe. But there’s something more mysterious about the Lyle House than it first appears. All the kids (with the exception of Simon) are in Lyle House because of unexplainable events, actions, and behaviors. Chloe has to determine what exactly it is about Lyle House and its doctors that gives her the creeps- which means she has to look at making some unexpected allies and a way to get out before something happens to her.

I cannot wait for the 3rd book to come out in 2010. It is titled The Reckoning and it is the third and final installment in the series. I for one am looking forward to see how Chloe and her gang of allies are going to take on the organization behind Lyle House, if Chloe will be reunited with her father, if there is a certain love interest Chloe will end up with (I’m cheering for the w***), and whether or not Derek and Simon will be reunited with their father as well.

I recommend this series to fans of paranormal fiction. While Kelley Armstrong’s adult books might have been a little too much for me in the past, I definitely enjoy her YA books, so I may just give her adult books a second or third try.

Awww...

2009-10-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

Today I had the greatest compliment ever.

After my morning storytime session, a mom told me that this weekend, her little girl has been pretending to be ME! Me, a librarian- not a movie star, not a Disney character, but a librarian. This little girl would grab a chair and a book, and then say my opening fingerplay (Hands Go Up,

Hands Go Down) before she started reading the book. How cute is that!

I laughed so hard even as I was blushing because I couldn't believe that this little girl was playing 'librarian.' I don't know about you, but I spy a future librarian!

I love spreading book fever

2009-09-22T16:27:00.000-07:00

Two weekends ago I loaned my copy of Hunger Games to my aunt (who reads a lot) and uncle (who doesn't unless he gets hooked). I had talked Collins' book up on many occassions, so my aunt was interested enough to ask if she could borrow it. I said, "Of course!" because I was pretty sure they both would really like it- especially my uncle who is a big hunter, so the idea of the Games would really intrigue him, I thought. Lo and behold, I get a Facebook update in my emails today from my uncle requesting that I loan him Catching Fire because he had finished Hunger Games! This made me so happy that I was in a good mood all day, even though I had to tell my uncle that I did not own my own copy of Catching Fire, YET.

Katsa

2009-09-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

So, I just re-read Graceling by Kristin Cashore because I am super-pumped about Fire coming out in just a few weeks. I really like this book. A lot. Katsa is an awesome character, I love her Grace, and I find Po equally fascinating. I didn't really need to re-read this book because I still remembered it quite vividly, but finding myself at a loss of books to read and hold my interest (I have a very small TBR stack at home), I decided that I was going to read it again. And so, for 3 days, my attention was once again absorbed in Katsa's world. I cannot wait to be thrown into it again when Fire comes out. (And I cannot wait for Bitterblue's story to come out!)

Check out the different covers that are being released in the U.S. and the U.K. Which do you prefer?

(I would have to say I prefer the U.K. covers for both Graceling and Fire- I love the girls' silhouettes and the colors that are used in the backgrounds.)

Rampant

2009-09-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

by Diana Peterfreund

“Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns . . . Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. Fortunately, they've been extinct for a hundred and fifty years. Or not.

Astrid had always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend—thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom—Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries. However, at the cloisters all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from the crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to—perhaps most dangerously of all—her growing attraction to a handsome art student . . . an attraction that could jeopardize everything.” (from the publisher)

I admit to being mildly curious about this title whenever anybody mentioned ‘killer unicorns’ but I never gave it any serious consideration until I started reading the first couple chapters that were available online. After that, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of the book. Luckily, I got a copy through my library and started reading it again. I got it on Thursday, which also happened to be the night Bones and Fringe premiered, so I didn’t read the book until afterwards. And then I had to go to work the next day, so I didn’t have much time to read it then either. And this past weekend, I had a friend come down and visit, so I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish the book until Sunday night. Instead, after my friend fell asleep at 1:30am Friday night, I stayed up to read Rampant. I read until 3:30am- and I finished the book. I cannot even begin to say how much I enjoyed Rampant. It was fun, serious, a little scary, dramatic and had a few twists that I didn’t see coming. All of which makes a book good and I really enjoyed the main character, Astrid.

Some of my favorite scenes were when Astrid was either in the most danger or reacting to a battle scene. Like the scene between Astrid and Bucephalus when Astrid is suffering from the alicorn poisoning in the park or when Astrid brings the thunder down on the other girls in the unicorn-bone-decorated ‘trophy room’. I was wholeheartedly satisfied with the battle-oriented, warrior-training plot of this novel. I like female protagonists to be skilled, strong, powerful and still feminine- and Astrid was all of these things. I only wish that we would have seen more of her in the dominant warrior role, rather than seeing her adjusting to her powers and learning to control them. But hey, hopefully this is only the first book in a forthcoming series.

I’m extremely curious to see if there are going to be any more books- some things weren’t fully explained or were forgotten about that I hope will be addressed in another volume. Plus, I just really want to read more about the Order of the Lioness and Astrid and Phil.

Woohoo!

2009-09-18T14:37:00.001-07:00

I got Rampant today!! I had been on a waiting list for it, but when I checked my account before lunch, it was there waiting for me. So, I read a couple of chapters more of the novel and of course, I didn't want to go back to work. I am still completely blown away by how much I like this book- character, setting, voice, and plot- it all hits just the right chord for me.

Fall JV Titles I'm Pumped Up For

2009-09-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

Tentacles by Roland Smith

“Marty and Grace O'Hara's globe-trotting parents disappeared while on assignment for a nature magazine, and now they're living with their Uncle Wolfe, a scientist fascinated by cryptids--creatures that appear in myths but haven't been proven to exist, such as the Loch Ness Monster. Wolfe is planning an expedition to New Zealand to track a giant squid, and he's rented a huge (and possibly haunted) freighter for the trip. But someone on board is determined to sabotage their mission--and if Marty and Grace keeping poking their noses into things, they might end up the saboteur's next victims!” (from the publisher)

NERDS by Michael Buckley

“Combining all the excitement of international espionage and all the awkwardness of elementary school, NERDS, featuring a group of unpopular students who run a spy network from inside their school, hits the mark. With the help of cutting-edge science, their nerdy qualities are enhanced and transformed into incredible abilities! They battle the Hyena, a former junior beauty pageant contestant turned assassin, and an array of James Bond–style villains, each with an evil plan more diabolical and more ridiculous than the last.” (from the publisher)

Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman

“In this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back.
In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he's had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy. Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures with a strange story to tell. Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined—a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it. It's going to take a very special kind of twelve-year-old boy to outwit the Frost Giants, restore peace to the city of gods, and end the long winter. Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever . . . someone just like Odd.” (from the publisher)

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart

“Join the Mysterious Benedict Society as Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance embark on a daring new adventure that threatens to force them apart from their families, friends, and even each other. When an unexplained blackout engulfs Stonetown, the foursome must unravel clues relating to a nefarious new plot, while their search for answers brings them closer to danger than ever before.” (from the publisher)

I loved the first two books in this series, so I am super excited that there is going to be another book!

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

2009-09-15T17:06:00.001-07:00

Using the "Browse Inside" feature for this book on the HarperCollins website, I was able to read the first couple chapters for this book and I was hooked. I never thought I would be interested in a book that boasts about killer unicorns, but I am- and I cannot wait to finish it. I was really disappointed that I would have to wait a bit before I either get the one copy that I am on the waiting list for the book through the library, or I visit the bookstore this weekend and buy it for myself. I tried explaining this book to some people I work with and every time I mentioned killer unicorns, they looked at me sideways. So, I have decided to add on that it is 'Buffyesque' (which is kind of how PW described it in a review) as Astrid is a kick-butt heroine who was predestined to be a great unicorn hunter. That way, no one can resist picking up a book that has killer unicorns and is 'Buffyesque'.

P.S. I like the cover for the hardcover version of the book better than the ARC copy. The girl on the ARC cover looks too feminine and fairy-ish to me. What do you think?

Catching Fire

2009-09-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

by Suzanne Collins

By now, I sure many people have either read Catching Fire or at least read a few reviews of the book already, but I have to add my own take on the book and it is kind of long.

I loved it. Plain and simple- I thought it was phenomenal. The book starts off pretty much where it ended in the first book. Katniss and Peeta have returned to District 12. They put on the public appearance that they are a happy couple, but otherwise do not interact much. Katniss still sneaks outside the fences to meet Gale on Sundays, she still hunts illegally, only it no longer is needed by her family to survive. Katniss’ family has taken up residence in the wealthy area of District 12, where Peeta, Haymitch and the mayor’s family also live. Then, Peeta and Katniss have to start making the rounds of visiting all the other districts before the Quarter Quell begins. I did not find this part of the book especially interesting (although, neither was I bored), but I did cry when Peeta and Katniss visit Rue’s district and Katniss makes a speech about how she will never forget Rue. (I loved Rue’s character.)

For me, the book started picking in pace when Gale has a run-in with the new Peacekeeper for District 12 and is publicly punished. I did not expect this scene and I was worried that something might happen to Gale before the readers would really find out what his role would be in the series. This is around the time when Katniss discovers that other districts are uprising against the Capitol, and with the introduction of new Peacekeepers into District 12, you know that the Capitol is tightening the noose around the district, just waiting for an excuse to make an example of District 12 and Katniss.

But, before you know it, Katniss and Peeta have to go back to the Capitol for the Quarter Quell game.

**DO NOT READ ON IF YOU WANT THE BOOK TO BE A SURPRISE**

Only Katniss and Peeta don’t get to celebrate as former victors, they have to once again compete, for this is part of the Capitol’s revenge. Katniss and Peeta are by far the youngest two victors who compete again in the Games, and they do not feel comfortable having to compete against any of the participants as they begin to know them. When Peeta and Katniss go before the Gamekeepers to show off their skills, both use this moment to make a statement. Peeta’s again almost made me cry, and Katniss’ served more as a warning to the Gamekeepers.
Then comes the moment when Katniss is supposed to be put into the Game’s arena, but first the Capitol has a little surprise for her – and this truly upset me because it happened to a character I really liked- a little demonstration for her again showing the Capitol’s displeasure with Katniss and her crew. So, Katniss is loaded into the game still reeling from the display and not exactly focused on the game or surviving.

I thought the layout for this game was pretty ingenious. It was interesting to see that the game more so than the contestants was the thing to beat- as the game killed the contestants more than they killed each other. I liked the characters that ended up aligning themselves with Katniss (except for Joanna)- and I thought Katniss was incredibly dense not to see that there was a bigger struggle going on beyond the Quarter Quell and that she didn’t have to worry about being killed by any of the people in her alliance.

Overall, I really liked how Catching Fire ended in comparison to the Hunger Games. I was excited to see Gale at the end of the book, I was a little surprised as to the outcome of District 12, and I cannot wait to see how District ** plays a role in the 3rd book. I want to know how big the uprising is, if a certain designer is still alive, if we will see Peeta again and under what circumstances, and just what exactly Katniss’ role is going to be now that she is out of the games, District 12, and everything that was normal for her.

What surprised you about the book? Did you like it as much as the Hunger Games?

2009-09-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

This week I went out and bought Fringe on DVD. I had started watching the series last fall when it premiered, but halfway through, I was no longer able to watch it because I usually worked late the night it was on. I forgot how cool the show was! I absolutely love Walter's character- he has so many funny one-liners and actions that just seem to come out of nowhere. For example, the episode where Walter shocks Peter after rubbing his wool socks on the floor was so funny that I actually watched it twice. And I like watching the father-son relationship develop between Peter and Walter. I haven't finished the series yet, but I'm close. So far, Fringe and Bones are the two shows that I am most excited that are starting back up soon. And I really want to watch the new show Mercy. What TV shows are you excited for this fall?

Pure Fun

2009-09-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

I like cake. I like eating cake. I like baking cakes. And I find it hilarious when people make horrible cakes. Just last week, I discovered the site Cake Wrecks because I saw that they were publishing a book about this very popular blog. If you haven't seen this, go on over and take a look. There are some really funny posts and they just re-vamped their site. I especially enjoy the babies riding carrots. (I'm not joking about that either.)

Lily Bard series

2009-09-10T11:04:00.000-07:00

by Charlaine Harris

Lily Bard is a cleaning woman. She has only been living in Shakespeare, Arkansas for a couple of months when she sees a person one night hauling a garbage bag-covered body and dumping it in the park near her house. She finds out that it is the landlord of the apartment complex near her house and where she sometimes cleans. Normally, a person would call the police after witnessing such an event, but Lily is not normal nor does she want the police or the community to know about her past.

Lily was the victim of a heinous crime and she still has the scars to prove it. Moving to Shakespeare was her attempt at starting her life with a clean slate. Lily is no longer than same person she was before and she has taken self-defense classes and martial art classes to make sure it never happens again. But no matter how much she doesn't want to get involved in the murder of the landlord, Lily finds out that in order to protect herself, she has to find the real killer.

This is the first book in the Lily Bard series by Charlaine Harris. Lily is a no-nonsense woman who was once a victim of a national-wide media-covered crime. It hardened Lily and also destroyed any semblance of a normal life she could have led in her hometown. So, Lily moved from town to town until she came to Shakespeare, Arkansas (picked because Shakespeare was a 'bard' like Lily's last name). I really liked Lily as a character, she was gritty and strong, but she also is kind and compassionate. She cares deeply for an older woman for whom she cleans, has a distrust of policemen, is hestitant about developing friendships with too many people, and could wipe the floor clean with any woman and quite a few men.

I enjoyed the first book because it was my initial view of Lily's life, but I like the other books in the series more because Lily begins to have a relationship with a man in the later books that seems to ground Lily's character more and gives her more depth of emotion. All in all, I really liked this series by Harris. So far, I have had 3 different series by Harris and I have really enjoyed each of them. Part of the books' charm is the southern flare that Harris portrays- which to me as a Midwestern is interesting and refreshing for a change.

Great Storytime Books

2009-09-10T10:38:00.001-07:00

These are two fabulous pictures books that I have purchased this summer for my library's picture book collection. The books are fun, interactive, humorous, vibrantly colored and the kids love them. I recently read Can You Make a Scary Face? in a storytime session and the kids were so into it, that I was tempted to read it again. And Rhyming Dust Bunnies is great for older kids because it allows them to use their language skills and practice rhyming. I had read it to classes of 1st graders before the Summer Reading Program began this year, and they were so loud and boisterous that it was hard to calm them down afterwards. I highly recommend these picture books and anything else by Jan Thomas.

Wishlist

2009-09-03T08:07:00.001-07:00

The Amulet: The Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi

I love Kibuishi's illustrations. They are beautiful. And this graphic novel series is fine for young readers who are just starting to get into graphic novels. (This is the 2nd book in the series and I have waited for over 2 years for it.)

Fire by Kristin Cashore

I was a huge fan of Graceling by Cashore, so I am eagerly awaiting this novel coming out in October. I also would like to get a copy of Graceling because I had borrowed it from the library when I initially read it, but I believe I would like my own copy of it as well.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Ok, I already got this book from the library, but I am still going to buy my own copy because I know it is a series I am going to want to re-read again. I am fast becoming a fan of Suzanne Collins writings- I am planning on starting the Gregor the Overlander series because I haven't read them yet.

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

This is 2nd book in the Alpha & Omega series. I loved the Mercy Thompson series by Briggs and picked up the first book in this series to give it a try and liked it. So now I want the 2nd book. I also just loaned the first Mercy Thompson book and the first Alpha & Omega book to my sister and she read the both in a matter of hours. So, now I have to give her the rest of them because she liked them too. Seriously, you should try the Mercy Thompson series, they are awesome.

Yay!

2009-09-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

I got Catching Fire today from my library! Woot, Woot!

P.S. You can't see it, but I'm doing my happy dance!

3 Columns

2009-08-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around with my blog layout the last couple of days and am now fully satisfied with its look. I switched backgrounds and added a left sidebar. By myself- or with the help from a website. I decided to add the left sidebar when I saw a post of Paradox's blog. This is the post about her recent changes and it has links on how to add a sidebar if you don't know how to do it yourself. So, what do you think about my new look?

One word: Wow!

2009-08-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

As I was scanning through my Google Reader feeds, I came across the post by Librarilly Blonde. She talks about how Entertainment Weekly posted a 'review' of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I went to read the actual review at EW and it is so antonishingly disgraceful that I wish EW would remove it as a review. The author of the review, Jennifer Reese, clearly did not even read the book and her summarization of the events in Hunger Games is just plain laughable.

I feel sympathetic towards Suzanne Collins because a national magazine clearly assigned the wrong person to review her book. Good thing so many bloggers have read and reviewed the book- spreading the word about a truly amazing series. I for one, cannot wait for next week Tuesday to snag my own copy of the book. I was floored by Hunger Games and I am sure I will enjoy Catching Fire.

The Terrible Plop

2009-08-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

by Ursula Dubosarsky

This is such a cute picture book. The charming rhymes, the fantastic pictures- make this book a fantastic read-aloud. The book is sort of a new version of "Chicken Little" but rather than the sky falling, there is the terrible PLOP! Six little bunnies run away and spread the story of the terrible PLOP, inciting all the other animals to run as well. Until they get to the bear, who is sure nothing is scarier than him. So, he drags the littlest bunny back with him to where the teribble PLOP is- only the littlest rabbit finds the real source of the PLOP and is not scared anymore. Just a really cute book. It would be perfect for storytimes and I cannot wait to try it out!

Harper Connelly Mysteries

2009-08-26T16:32:00.000-07:00

Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris & Grave Surprise by Charlaine Harris

Since I enjoyed the Sookie Stackhouse series, I thought I would try some of Harris’ other books. I started with the Harper Connelly series, because it was still kind of paranormal and borderline mystery. (I tend to not like straightforward mysteries.) Well, I read the first book and liked it a lot. Harper Connelly is a mess of a person on one hand, and extremely strong in another sense. She survived a lightning strike but as a result, she can find dead bodies. And each time she finds one, she relives the last moments they experienced. So, in order to survive a lightning strike, having a sister abducted and being unable to find her for years, and then making a living finding lost people after the cops gives up- it could really mess a person up, understandably so. But in order to go through that pain and emotion again and again, you would have to be one strong person. Lucky for Harper, she has her pseudo-brother Tolliver to help her along and take care of her when she becomes exhausted, frightened or in danger. And she has his back too.

In Grave Sight, we are introduced to Harper and Tolliver and get the background on their relationship, their family history, and why they live their current lifestyle. They are contracted by a woman to find her dead son’s girlfriend, who he was accused of killing and then committing suicide. Well, on Harper’s first outing, she finds the girlfriend plus another body, a missing hunter from years ago. So she proves her ability to the townsfolk. And she lets them know that it was not the boyfriend who killed the girl, but rather they were both murdered. (Since she saw their final last moments alive.) However, Harper did not see who killed them. Since Harper did the job she was hired to do, Tolliver and her begin to leave. But they are called back to the town when another person is murdered and it may be linked to the previous two murders. Harper and Tolliver both become entangled in the investigation, but when Tolliver is arrested on a trumped up charge, Harper knows that the only way to get out of the little town is to solve the murders and then leave as fast as they can- hopefully still alive.

In Grave Surprise, Harper and Tolliver are in Memphis to do a college demonstration for a paranormal course. While Harper is proving her ability –i.e. standing on graves and telling the name of the victim and how they died- she comes to a grave that has not one body, but two. And the second body happens to be a girl from a previous case Harper and Tolliver had worked on, but never found. A young girl by the name of Tabitha who was taken from her home while watering the flowers and her mother was inside. Instantly, Harper and Tolliver know that it was no accident that they discovered the body of Tabitha- someone had wanted them to find her. Once again, Harper and Tolliver have to interact with the girl’s family- who are surprisingly grateful to Harper,-local officials, the FBI and some other extraordinary characters. But something happens during the course of their stay in Memphis that Harper was least expecting- and throws off her entire routine and view of life. In order to find Tabitha’s killer and find some semblance of her own former lifestyle, Harper has to find a new inner strength in order to survive.

The Last Olympian

2009-08-26T12:21:00.000-07:00

by Rick Riordan

“All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of a victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows.
While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time.
In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.” (from the publisher)

I have been a fan of this series since I first started it- which was only two years ago. I made pretty fast time getting caught up in the series and for me personally, I actually liked this series more than Harry Potter (gasp! I know!). But I have always had a fondness for Greek mythology and history- and I loved this book because Riordan did such a good job keeping true to the myths about the gods and lesser gods. And I have to say, that this book did not disappoint. It picks up right in the heart of the battle, with a sneak attack on Kronos’ ship and it just keeps on building in action and tension. In this volume, Percy is caught between two friendships that are starting to become something more, his father’s kingdom is under attack which means his brother is also in danger, and Percy and the other half-blood kids are the only defense that stands between Kronos’ army and Mount Olympus. With all this pressure, Percy also has to look out for his mom and stepdad because the attacks are taking place in New York. Nico makes a re-appearance in this book, which I very much enjoyed. I’m hoping he will play a more active role in other books if Riordan continues with the series.

When the book ended, I cannot say I was disappointed that it was left open-ended. I want more books in the series to be written. I would like more books about Percy- even if he was just briefly mentioned and the main character was someone else. I liked the little twist with Rachel Dare- that was pretty cool and not something I saw coming. And I liked that the minor gods were given recognition and that Hestia, goddess of the hearth, played a larger role than I first assumed in this book. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and look forward to any more that Rick Riordan might put out in this series.

September Titles to Relish

2009-08-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

“All 16-year-old Cameron wants is to get through high school—and life in general—with a minimum of effort. It’s not a lot to ask. But that’s before he’s given some bad news: he’s sick and he’s going to die. Which totally sucks. Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a loopy punk angel/possible hallucination with a bad sugar habit. She tells Cam there is a cure—if he’s willing to go in search of it. With the help of a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf and a yard gnome, Cam sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America into the heart of what matters most.” (from the publisher)
Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

“Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.” (from the publisher)

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

“Micah freely admits that she's a compulsive liar. And that may be the one honest thing he'll ever tell you. Over the years she's duped her classmates, her teachers, and even her parents. But when her boyfriend, Zach, dies under brutal circumstances, the shock might be enough to set her straight. Or maybe not. Especially when lying comes as naturally to her as breathing. Was Micah dating Zach? Or was Sarah his real girlfriend? And are the stories Micah tells about inheriting a "family gene" real or are they something that only exists in her mind? Breathtaking in its plotting, and narrated by one of the most psychologically complex young women to emerge since Sybil, Liar is a roller-coaster that will have listeners grasping for the truth. Honestly.” (from the publisher)

The Everafter by Amy Huntley

“Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this - she is dead. And alone in a vast, dark space. The only company Maddy has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things she lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that, with these artifacts, she can re-experience - and even change - moments from her life.
Her first kiss.
A trip to Disney World.
Her sister's wedding.
A disastrous sleepover.
In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and frightening truths about her life - and death.” (from the publisher)

Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

“As the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar, Bilquis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn't normal. Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her time training as a soldier in her order's ancient battle against the Unholy.
Billi's cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem, gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He's ready to reclaim his place in Billi's life, but she's met someone new: amber-eyed Michael, who seems to understand her like no one else, effortlessly claiming a stake in her heart.
But the Templars are called to duty before Billi can enjoy the pleasant new twist to her life. One of the order's ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have protected for hundreds of years -- a cursed mirror powerful enough to kill all of London's firstborn. To save her city from catastrophe, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than any of the Templars could have imagined.” (from the publisher)

Secret Society by Tom Dolby

The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don't Mind by Kirstin Cronn-Mills

“I borrow the car again from Grandma and drive out to my hill. I scream I AM A BIG FAT ZERO, plus I AM SWEARING OFF KISSING FOREVER, and I HATE BEING A SECRET SEX FIEND, about sixteen times each. Then I sit very still and watch a hawk swirl over the fields. I have to get a new life before I go crazy.
Sixteen-year-old Morgan lives in a hick town. Her mom was killed in a car accident when she was two, her dad drinks, and her stepmom is a non-entity. Her boyfriend Derek is boring and she can't stop staring at her coworker Rob's cute butt. Then there's the kiss she shared with her classmate Tessa . . . But when Morgan discovers a devastating secret about the one person she completely trusted, her entire world crashes and she must redefine her life and herself.
Compelling and complex, The Sky Always Hears Me is a fast-paced narrative with raw humor and a heart-wrenching twist.” (from the publisher)

The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler

“When her mother moves them from the city to a small town to open up a cupcake bakery, Penny's life isn't what she expected. Her father has stayed behind, and Mom isn't talking about what the future holds for their family. And then there's Charity, the girl who plays mean pranks almost daily. There are also bright spots in Hog's Hollow—like Tally, an expert in Rock Paper Scissors, and Marcus, the boy who is always running on the beach. But just when it looks as though Penny is settling in, her parents ask her to make a choice that will turn everything upside down again. A sweet novel about love, creativity, and accepting life's unexpected turns.” (from the publisher)

Ash by Malinda Lo

“In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted. The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash's capacity for love-and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.” (from the publisher)

The Eyes of a King by Catherine Banner

“Ten years have passed in war-torn Malonia since the king and queen were murdered and the throne usurped by Lucien and his rebel troops. The people believe the prince has been exiled to a far-away land, saved by a prophecy that threatened those who would harm him. But they ask themselves, Is the prince still alive? Has he actually been murdered along with his parents? A country on the brink of revolution awaits his return in silence.
Leo is a rebellious soldier-in-training with secret powers. When wandering home one night, he stumbles upon a mysterious black book lying in the snow. Its strange aura and empty pages both frighten and fascinate him. Soon the pages begin to fill with the stories of Anna and Ryan in England – a country that is only a fairy tale in Malonia. When tragedy strikes, Leo tries to rid himself of the book but its stories haunt even his dreams. In The Eyes Of A King, a fast-paced novel with a unique style, these three fifteen-year-old characters, and the parallel worlds of contemporary England and the dictatorship of Malonia, become increasingly entangled.” (from the publisher)

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

“A monster-hunting doctor and his apprentice face off against a plague of monsters in the first book of Rick Yancey's new series, The Monstrumologist.” (from the publisher)

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

“Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts to “breathers.” Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable. They know the dirt on everybody . . . and Cass loves dirt.
She’s on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of all of the poseurs in her school. But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass’s whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her help to contact his recently deceased mother, but Cass is less than enthusiastic.
Kicking and screaming, Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim’s life. And she’s more surprised than anyone when she realizes that maybe some living people aren’t so bad if she’d only give them a chance.” (from the publisher)

Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

“Reaching the end of their tense and desperate flight in THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO, Todd and Viola did not find healing and hope in Haven. They found instead their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss, waiting to welcome them to New Prentisstown. There they are forced into separate lives: Todd to prison, and Viola to a house of healing where her wounds are treated. Soon Viola is swept into the ruthless activities of the Answer, aimed at overthrowing the tyrannical government. Todd, meanwhile, faces impossible choices when forced to join the mayor’s oppressive new regime. In alternating narratives — Todd’s gritty and volatile; Viola’s calmer but equally stubborn — the two struggle to reconcile their own dubious actions with their deepest beliefs. Torn by confusion and compromise, suspicion and betrayal, can their trust in each other possibly survive?” (from the publisher)

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

“Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.” (from the publisher)

Catwalk: Strike a Pose by Deborah Gregory

“Sashay, parlay! The design competition at Fashion International High School heats up as each design house struggles to produce its first—and hopefully award-winning—line. Tensions are cropping up in the House of Pashmina, and it’s not clear whether Pashmina and her best friends will weather the runway. They’d better scramble if they want to win a real shot at a fashion career and an all-expenses-paid trip to Florence!” (from the publisher)

Forest Born by Shannon Hale

“Rin is sure that something is wrong with her…something really bad. Something that is keeping her from feeling at home in the Forest homestead where she’s lived all her life. Something that is keeping her from trusting herself with anyone at all. When her brother Razo returns from the city for a visit, she accompanies him to the palace, hoping that she can find peace away from home. But war has come to Bayern again, and Rin is compelled to join the queen and her closest allies—magical girls Rin thinks of as the Fire Sisters—as they venture into the Forest toward Kel, the land where someone seems to want them all dead. Many beloved Bayern characters reappear in this story, but it is Rin’s own journey of discovering how to balance the good and the bad in herself that drives this compelling adventure.” (from the publisher)

The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade

“The mysterious Mr. Socrates rescues Modo, a child in a traveling freak show. Modo is a hunchback with an amazing ability to transform his appearance, and Mr. Socrates raises him in isolation as an agent for the Permanent Association, a spy agency behind Brittania’s efforts to rule the empire. At 14, Modo is left on the streets of London to fend for himself. When he encounters Octavia Milkweed, another Association agent, the two uncover a plot by the Clockword Guild behind the murders of important men. Furthermore, a mad scientist is turning orphan children into automatons to further the goals of the Guild. Modo and Octavia journey deep into the tunnels under London and discover a terrifying plot against the British government. It’s up to them to save their country.” (from the publisher)

Newsgirl by Liza Ketchum

“It's the spring of 1851 and San Francisco is booming. Twelve-year-old Amelia Forrester has just arrived with her family and they are eager to make a new life in Phoenix City. But the mostly male town is not that hospitable to females and Amelia decides she'll earn more money as a boy. Cutting her hair and donning a cap, she joins a gang of newsboys, selling Eastern newspapers for a fortune. And that's just the beginning of her adventures. Participating in the biggest news stories of the day, Amelia is not a girl to let life pass her by—even and especially when it involves danger!” (from the publisher)

Love the title

2009-08-24T15:00:00.001-07:00

I came across this today in a catalog while I was working on my collections. What do you think? I think it is an awesome title!

How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

It comes out October 1st, 2009.

The Silver Kiss

2009-08-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

So last month, there was a new cover posted for The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klaus. I really enjoy the new cover as I was never very partial to the old one which was issued in the 1990's or the one that was recently in 2007. What do you think? Would you buy the new book based off the cover alone? I know I would and I've already read the book.

P.S. I still like Blood & Chocolate more.

New Series that I Love

2009-07-31T12:56:00.000-07:00

I found a very kicka** heroine to like in Mercy Thompson. I was at the bookstore looking for something new to read, saw a display with Blood Bound on it and immediately liked the book by the cover and book description. But then, I had to track down which book came first in the series- which would be Moon Called. So, I bought the first book because I was just going to try it. I finished the book the next day, and because I liked it so much, I wanted to continue reading the series without picking up another book and getting distracted with that. So, I ended up going to the bookstore again and bought the 2nd and 3rd books in the series and then another mass market by Patricia Briggs, which I'll post about later.

I savored the 2nd and 3rd books a little more slowly this time, so it took me about a week to read the two books. I really enjoyed these books. Mercy is a very intriguing character. She is a VW mechanic by trade, a 'walker' born, part Native American, raised by werewolves, and has vampires and fae for friends. What is there not to like?

Yay! Surprise Mail for Me!

2009-07-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday before I left for work, I opened my door and found a package. I picked it up and noticed it was from Random House. I thought, "Hmm... what's this?" And then I opened it and found a copy of "The Girl Who Played with Fire" and a bunch of temporary dragon tattoos! I had totally forgot that I had entered a drawing to win a copy of the book. I was so excited.

I plan to put up a picture of me with the book soon. I promised a co-worker that I would. You would not believe how many corny lines I heard when the first book came out -"Hey, I just read a book about you!" Oh yeah? "Yeah, it was the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Ha... ha... ha...

Love Attack

2009-07-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have been reading some manga series lately and rather than going out and buying the volumes (because that would be majorly expensive), I am trying to get them through the library. But it is really frustrating when you get Vol. 4 and Vol. 6 of the series, but you don't have Vol. 5! So, I am still patiently waiting for Vol. 5 to be delivered to me before I read Vol. 4.

Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge

2009-07-31T12:04:00.001-07:00

I am in the process of reading these anthologies as part of the Sookie Stackhouse reading challenge. So far, I have read "Many Bloody Returns" and am currently reading "Powers of Detection."

Charlaine Harris' story in "Many Bloody Returns" was funny because it shows a lighter, more amusing side of Eric- who is like a little kid waiting for his idol to show up at his 8th birthday party. Only in Eric's case, his idol is none other than Dracula- who may or may not be a still-surviving vampire.

I eventually want to purchase the first 8 books in the Sookie Stackhouse series, but I am waiting until I have a good coupon for Borders or B&N to buy the complete set that recently came out. Good luck to everyone else who has joined the Sookie Stackhouse reading challenge or is reading the series because they love the show!

Vacation lag

2009-07-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

I was on vacation last week, so while I do have books that I read- I just haven't written the reviews yet. And I totally started a new series that I love! Besides that, I have made two trips to the bookstore, received a very cool package today in the mail and gotten more books for my Sookie Stackhouse reading challenge. Now I just have to find the time to read everything!

Dead and Gone

2009-07-15T16:03:00.000-07:00

by Charlaine Harris

Ok, so I had joined the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge and I was doing really well, if I must say so myself. And then I got to #9, Dead and Gone. I was going to wait and borrow the book from the library- but I found that I could just not stand to wait- it would have been over a month until I got the book. So, I went out and bought it. And I am so glad I did. I really enjoyed this volume. I have to say, that I was not a fan initially of the Sookie and Eric relationship, but now it is starting to grow on me. I still like Bill the best, but I don't mind Eric as much as I used to. Maybe it's because he doesn't seem as arrogant now that he has remembered his and Sookie relationship from when his memory was wiped.

Back to this volume, I cannot believe all the stuff that goes down!! There's the whole problem with Jason and his wife, Quinn shows up again, there's Sookie great-grandfather, the Weres are coming out of the closet, and oh yeah, there's a war going on between the fae- and Sookie is a target because of her great-grandfather. I really wish the Amelia and Dawson relationship could have continued, I hope readers don't see that last of Quinn, and I am wondering what is going to happen next in Sookie's love life- is it going to be Eric again or will Bill finally make a comeback?

Oh, and I really hope Bubba continues to make an appearance in all the books- I just love that the King is a vampire!

August Titles to Relish

2009-07-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

Immortal by Gillian Shields

Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness. Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.

Ruined by Paula Morris

Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There's just one catch: Lisette is a ghost. A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle. As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend - and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey-she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?

Tombstone Tea by Joanne Dahme

In order to be accepted by the “in crowd” at her new high school, Jamie accepts a dare to spend one night in a local cemetery collecting rubbings from ten gravestones. Once inside the gate of the dark and frightening burial ground, Jamie meets Paul, a handsome boy who works as a caretaker at the cemetery. Paul explains to Jamie about Tombstone Tea: a fund-raising performance in which actors impersonate the people buried in the cemetery. The actors are supposedly rehearsing on this particular evening, but Jamie quickly discovers that they aren’t actors at all but the ghosts of men and women buried in the cemetery. When one woman decides to adopt Jamie to replace her lost daughter, our heroine fears she may never escape the cemetery.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Fade to Blue by Sean Beaudoin

Sophie Blue started wearing a black skirt and Midnight Noir lipstick on her last birthday. It was also the day her father disappeared. Or spontaneously combusted. Which is sort of bad timing, since a Popsicle truck with tinted windows has started circling the house. Kenny Fade is a basketball god. His sneakers cost more than his Jeep. He's the guy all the ladies (and their mommas) want. Bad. Sophie Blue and Kenny Fade don't have a thing in common. Aside from being reasonably sure they're losing their minds.

Meridian by Amber Kizer

Half-human, half-angel, Meridian Sozu has a dark responsibility.
Sixteen-year-old Meridian has been surrounded by death ever since she can remember. As a child, insects, mice, and salamanders would burrow into her bedclothes and die. At her elementary school, she was blamed for a classmate’s tragic accident. And on her sixteenth birthday, a car crashes in front of her family home—and Meridian’s body explodes in pain. Before she can fully recover, Meridian is told that she’s a danger to her family and hustled off to her great-aunt’s house in Revelation, Colorado. It’s there that she learns that she is a Fenestra—the half-angel, half-human link between the living and the dead. But Meridian and her sworn protector and love, Tens, face great danger from the Aternocti, a band of dark forces who capture vulnerable souls on the brink of death and cause chaos.

Andromeda Klein by Frank Portman

Andromeda Klein is a quiet, booky girl with an unexciting life. Until her world takes a turn for the weird. Strangely and suddenly Andromeda’s tarot card readings have begun to predict events with bizarrely literal accuracy. It seems impossible, but it looks like her once-upon-a-time-partner-in-occultism, Daisy Wasserstrom, has begun to harass her. Which wouldn’t be quite as strange if Daisy hadn’t died the year before. But what is weird is getting arguably worse. Omens, dreams, cards hidden inside a hollowed out book, and images from a file of comics drawn by a previous inhabitant of her family’s suburban duplex are all coming together to contain hints of buried truths concerning her family, her circle of “friends,” her cat, and her secret, estranged, much older and forbidden boyfriend-in-theory. And as Andromeda tries to figure it all out, she finds herself in a whole world of creepy you couldn’t even begin to make up.

Troy High by Shana Norris

Homer’s Iliad, the classic tale of love and revenge, is shrewdly retold for teens in Troy High. Narrated by Cassie, a shy outsider who fears that an epic high school rivalry is about to go up in flames, the story follows the Trojans and Spartans as they declare war on the football field. After the beautiful Elena—who used to be the captain of the Spartan cheerleaders—transfers to Troy High and falls madly in love with Cassie’s brother Perry, the Spartans vow that the annual homecoming game will never be forgotten. The Trojans and Spartans pull wicked pranks on each other as homecoming approaches. And the Spartans’ wildcard football star, Ackley, promises to take down the Trojans’ offensive line. But the stakes are raised when Cassie is forced to choose between the boy she loves (a Spartan) and loyalty to her family and school. Troy High will seduce readers with its incendiary cast of mythic proportions.

Breathless by Jessica Warman

When Katie Kitrell is shipped off to boarding school by her distant father and overbearing mother, it doesn’t take her long to become part of the It Crowd. She’s smart, she’s cute, and she’s an Olympic-bound swimmer who has a first class ticket to any Ivy League school of her choice. But what her new friends, roommate, and boyfriend don’t know is that Katie is swimming away from her past, and from her schizophrenic older brother, Will, who won’t let her go. And when he does the unthinkable, it’s all Katie can do to keep her head above water.

As You Wish by Jackson Pierce

Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes. Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Snap by Carol Snow

Madison Sabatini thought she knew who she was: an almost-sophomore with a bright future; the newest photographer on her school paper; a shopaholic with great hair and a fabulous wardrobe. Then, in a flash, everything changed. Now she's stuck in Sandyland, a gloomy beach town in the middle of nowhere, living with her parents in a crappy hotel "suite." Instead of spending the summer with her friends at home, she's hanging out with pink-haired Delilah, an artist who works in a shop called Psychic Photo, and a skater boy named Duncan who's totally not her type. Except, maybe he is . . . Determined to make the best of things, Madison throws herself into her one passion: photography. But when strange figures start appearing in her pictures—people who weren't there when she snapped the shots, people who are later reported dead—she begins to question everything about who she is . . . and who she wishes she could be.

Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge

2009-07-07T15:00:00.001-07:00

Author of the Sookie Stackhouse series: Charlaine Harris

1. Dead Until Dark - FINISHED
(It was ok)

2. Living Dead in Dallas - FINISHED
(Liked it a lot)

3. Club Dead - FINISHED
(Loved it, but what the h***, Bill?)

4. Dead to the World - FINISHED
(Liked the book, but not some of the development- I mean, really, Eric?)

5. Dead as a Doornail - FINISHED
(Again, I liked the book a lot, but wow, Sookie never gets a break in the love department!)

6. Definitely Dead- FINISHED
(So far, I think this one is my favorite- I'm digging Quinn, I like Amelia, and I want to know more about Claudine)

7. All Together Dead- FINISHED
(Liked the book, loved Quinn's outfits more and Eric as a priest-Hilarious!)

8. From Dead to Worse- FINISHED
(Ok, I really liked this one. And the way it ends, fabulous! I liked this one more than #6)

9. Dead and Gone- FINISHED

Shannon Greenland

2009-07-07T14:50:00.000-07:00

The Specialists: Fight to the Finish by Shannon Greenland

This is the last book in the series and the author Shannon is making it very easy for fans of hers to read the last book before it is published. Every week, Shannon posts a new chapter of the book on her website. I was so ecstatic when I found out that I could read the last book- but I'm finding it hard to be patient. I want to read it all now- but I will curb my desire to read it all now, that way I might forget how sad I'm going to be because the series is over and I won't be able to read about GiGi and the Specialists team anymore.

If you're interested, head on over to Shannon's website and check out Fight to the Finish as well as the rest of her books.

Book Synopsis: "When someone close to TL disappears, The Specialists pull out all the stops. GiGi is brought into another mission along with Bruiser and Mystic. This time, it’s a fight to the finish, and someone doesn’t make it out alive."

Sounds pretty intense, doesn't it?!

Sookie Stackhouse

2009-06-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

I am currently reading the Sookie Stackhouse series. I had previously read the first book in the series, and enjoyed it, but had never really gotten around to reading the other books in the series. Well, then I watched True Blood on HBO one night when they were doing a marathon. And I loved it. I was already a fan of Anna Paquin, so I thought it was awesome that she was doing the TV series, and I just love her as Sookie. When the series came out on DVD, I had to buy it- good thing I had a $5 dollar coupon! (And can I say, I just love the way Vampire Bill says Sookie- it makes me laugh all the time!) So, I thought I would continue reading the series and now I am onto the 3rd book, with the 4th and 5th all lined up and ready to go.

I just signed up to partake in a reading challenge for this series. If anyone else would like to join, visit Beth's site. It starts July 1, 2009 and goes until June 30, 2010. Good luck to all who decide to join!

Girl #3

2009-06-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

by Nichole McGill

“From the outside, 14-year-old Syd Johanssen seems like a typical teenage girl — busy delivering newspapers, training with her high school track team, and hanging out with her friends. Under the surface, though, things aren’t what they seem. Her family life leaves a lot to be desired: her workaholic mom turns up her nose at Syd’s offbeat tastes, and she hasn’t seen her dad in months. Even more troubling, Syd can’t shake her fascination with the highly publicized kidnappings and murders of two local girls. Her friends think she’s nuts to obsess over such a morbid subject, and Syd’s afraid to tell them she’s started having visions of the murdered girls. Syd’s obsession turns to terrifying reality when she realizes she’s being stalked on her paper route. Tense and fast-paced, Girl #3 is a vivid portrayal of the dangers girls have to watch out for, and how, in the darkest of hours, a friend can be found in the most unlikely of places.”- from the publisher

This book is a slim volume that packs quite a story. Throughout the entire novel, the reader is aware that the narrator, Syd, is retelling what happened to her, in a kind of stream of consciousness format. More than once, Syd flashes back to different parts in her past, and then tells the reader that she got off track- so that the reader is as much of the process in Syd’s retelling of her story as Syd herself. There is no linear unfolding of the story, it circles around, double backs, and then circles around again. It isn’t until the epilogue that we get our first, somewhat chronological narrative. But all that makes the book a truly interesting process of reading, because the reader feels as if they are inside Syd’s head- reliving the moment with her, with all her sidethoughts and flashbacks, when she almost became girl #3.

Syd is a fairly typical 9th grader. She doesn’t have a lot of friends, being more concerned with running track, biking, and trying to understand her parents’ divorce. One day, Syd’s life changes forever- that day she sees Girl #2. A girl who has been dead for a while, and who was buried the week before. At first, Syd thinks she made it up- she didn’t really see what she thought she saw. Until more weird things begin to happen.

1. Her friend Alice thinks she sees Girl #1 when they are on the bus together.
2. Syd sees Girl #2 again.
3. Syd runs into her secret crush, literally, and they talk for a bit.
4. Syd sees her father again- at a dress rehearsal for her aunt's wedding.

And then comes the day when Syd almost becomes Girl #3- but with her training and help from the ghost of Girl #2, she may be able to survive.

Sorry!

2009-06-29T14:09:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone,

I'm sorry, but this month I did not get out a 'Titles to Relish' post. I got busy and dissatisfied with things that I was trying to read and just wasn't feeling up to blogging about books. But, I do have some reviews from books read during my funk- so I apologize and thank you all for putting up with me.

-Ashley

Undead and Unwelcome

2009-06-29T14:05:00.001-07:00

by MaryJanice Davidson

Since this series was first published- in the pretty pastel, girly mass markets- I have been a fan. I LOVED the Queen Betsy series- I thought it was fresh, funny, and hot. And then I read Undead and Unworthy and I was so disappointed. Everything I had liked about the series took a really dark, and kind of unexpected turn. It was like the author was trying too hard to be like some other vampire romances out there- when what made MaryJanice's series great was that it was funny and light. Thank the stars that this volume in the series is returning to the more light-hearted volumes that the author started with. My faith in MaryJanice has been restored with this volume and I recommend it to everyone who enjoyed MaryJanice’s earlier books. (Unfortunately, if you are like me, you will still have to read Undead and Unworthy because it is part of the series and I like to read my series in order.)

The Knife of Never Letting Go

2009-06-29T13:17:00.000-07:00

by Patrick Ness

A while back, CCBC out of Madison came to our library to do a workshop on children’s and young adult fiction from 2008. This book was one of the last books they talked about- along with Hunger Games. They called them the dystopic duo. One of the librarians called Hunger Games a cliffhanger. The other librarian said that The Knife of Never Letting Go is like that cliffhanger, only you managed to pull yourself up onto safety- and then, the unthinkable happens- the entire cliff collapses beneath you. And I gotta say, they were pretty accurate. The entire time that I was reading the book, I was on pins and needles, wondering why the townsmen were after Todd and Viola, would they reach safety, what was the true history of Prentisstown, and what really happened to the women in Prentisstown? Each time that you thought a question might be answered, more questions arose- but I still could not put the book down. Now, this is the first book in the trilogy- so I still don’t know how things are going to unfold, but Book 1 sure is a chaotic, bumpy, engrossing read.

Manga

2009-06-11T16:36:00.001-07:00

I have been on a manga kick lately. So far I have read the first four volumes of High School Debut, the first three volumes of Love*com, the first two volumes of Beauty Pop, and the first volume of Sand Chronicles. I really like all of these different series so far- but then again, I’m a sucker for romance plots, so why wouldn’t I like them?

I like High School Debut because the main character, Haruna, is such a tomboy who wants a boyfriend, and so asks the cute and popular Yoh to be her coach on how to dress appropriately and score a boyfriend.

I am really enjoying Beauty Pop –Kiri, the first-year student in this series, is a wonder of a stylist- but she has no inclination to be a ‘world famous’ stylist. If anything, Kiri helps the people who everyone else mocks- but I also like her because she always seems to be sleepy and she has a really cute cat. Kiri is butted up against Narumi, who is part of a high school stylist team called the Scissors Project. Narumi wants to be a ‘world famous stylist,’ but in a competition against Kiri, he may not win as easily as he thought.

Love*com is a funny series about two teens – Risa and Otani- the tallest girl and shortest boy in the class, who are constantly paired up together and continually bicker. But, when they decide to ban together to find significant others, they may end up liking each other more than their supposed crushes.

I’ve only read one volume so far of Sand Chronicles, but I liked it. Ann and her mother recently moved back to her mother’s hometown after her parents got divorced. If that wasn’t enough stress, Ann’s mother is sickly and then dies. Now, Ann is in a strange town with grandparents she doesn’t know, and has no friends. But then, she meets Daigo and they begin hanging out. Soon, Daigo and Ann are doing housework at a wealthy home in the town as a way to earn some money, and they end up befriending the children who live there- Fuji and Shika. These four friends spend a lot of time together, but as they grow older, more feelings develop between some of the characters, and may end the friendship they share.

Hunger Games

2009-06-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

by Suzanne Collins

Okay, so I am a little behind on things- but I have to say it was kinda deliberate. I tend to drag my feet when popular series or books are being discussed. So, with everyone raving about Hunger Games, I was stalling on reading it. Despite my colleague raving about it, I didn’t read the book. I bought the book (because I knew I would love it), but I didn’t read it. Last week, I read the book. I didn’t turn on my TV that night. When I ate, it was with the book open next to me. When I got ready for bed, I continued to read. And read. Finally, at 3:00 am the next morning, I finished the book. It’s a good thing I get to work late some days, because there was no way I would have been able to get up at 6:30am like I usually do. I loved the book. I knew I would, which is why I bought it. I will re-read the book again before I starting Catching Fire because I don’t want to miss anything that is mentioned in the second book. I was completely engrossed and satisfied with Hunger Games. When it ended, I didn’t want it to end. I knew Katniss’ story would continue, and I wanted the rest of it at that very minute. I cannot wait to read the next book in the trilogy- but my biggest concern is how I am going to wait even longer for the third book to be published!

love*com

2009-05-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

by Aya Nakahara

"Risa Koizumi is the tallest girl in class, and the last thing she wants is the humiliation of standing next to Atsushi Otani, the shortest guy. Fate and the whole school have other ideas, and the two find themselves cast as the unwilling stars of a bizarre romantic comedy duo. Rather than bow to the inevitable, Risa and Atsushi join forces to pursue their true objects of affection. But in the quest for love, will their budding friendship become something more complex?" -from the publisher

I've read the first two volumes so far in this series and I am really liking them. Risa is a bit of a tomboy- she's not a girly girl and her height makes her stand out, which further exacerbates how much of a tomboy she is. As a class representative, Risa is usually paired with Atsushi Otani, the other class representative, for all sorts of projects and duties. Otani, who is a popular student and athlete, is also rather short. So, their pairing up tends to draw a lot of attention. And since they don't really like each other, their animosity draws even more attention. After seeing so many of their friends becoming couples, Risa and Otani make a resolution/bet to get a boyfriend or girlfriend before the other, with the loser having to buy the winner a grand prize. But, in the process, they may develop feelings for each other, and that was not in the game plan.

Very cute- I like the plot line so far and I like the manga- but sometimes I have a hard time figuring out which character is which because sometimes certain characters appear androgynous or metrosexual, so I have to pay greater attention to the dialogue to figure out who the characters are. I know this is probably because I am unfamiliar with the fashion styles of that age range and culture, but it frustrates me all the same. Despite my problems, I really do like this manga and would recommend it to any teenage girl who wants to try or likes manga.

Ironside

2009-05-27T15:43:00.001-07:00

by Holly Black

I have to say that I liked this book as much as Tithe. I liked the series as a whole, and I liked how the author left the book kind of open-ended. I mean, Kaye is a relatively young person/faery still, so deciding what she wants to do for the rest of her life is a big step. And her decision to split her time between the human world and the faery world was an interesting twist that I don't know if I really saw coming. I mean, she fought to be Roiben's consort, but then she is going to spend only half her time with him? I did like how Kaye came clean with her mom and got back the original Kaye (who oddly is still really young).

I also liked how Corny and Luis were tied together, which also tied in the second book in the series. I would have liked to see more of Val because I thought she was pretty cool, but I liked the split narrative focus on Kaye and on Corny.

Overall, I was very pleased with the last book and I am excited for any future books that Holly Black might come out with.

A Modern Faery's Tale

2009-05-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

For a while now, I had wanted to read this series of books by Holly Black. But, I didn't have the time and then I got caught up in other books and other authors and so on. Three days ago, I checked out Tithe. That night, I finished it. The next day, I checked out Valiant. That night, I finished it. Today, I checked out Ironside, but I don't know if I will have the time to finish it tonight (I'm going shopping, instead!) Nevertheless, I hope you get my point. It has been a while- a rather long while- since I have been so enthralled in a book that I was unable to put it down.

Tithe by Holly Black

In Tithe, we meet Kaye. Kaye is a sixteen year old girl who has had to grow up fast with a mother who is more set on reaching her dreams than worrying about her daughter finishing school, having enough food to eat, and being safe from male predators. So, Kaye has always been a kind of protector of her mother. One night after her mother finishes a band set, Kaye deflects her mother's boyfriend from stabbing her mother in the back. After this incident, Kaye and her mother go back to her grandmother's house in the countryside. With this move, it is revealed that from little on, Kaye has been able to see faeries, three of which are her friends. One night, when Kaye is out partying with her friend Janet, see is able to make a broken carousel horse come to life - and also enchants her friend's boyfriend (though not on purpose). When Kaye flees the scene and is walking home in the rain, she stumbles across a wounded faery knight, whom she aids. It is not soon after this that Kaye's faery friends reveal that she may not really be a human, and send her on a journey that can free the solitary faeries or end her life.

Valiant by Holly Black

In Valiant, we meet Valerie. Valerie is a seventeen year old female lacrosse athlete who likes her life- she has a best friend, a boyfriend, and a mom who loves her even if she doesn't always know how to show it. But in a matter of hours, Valerie's life is turned completely upside down and all she wants to do is get away from it all- to find a new identity and forget her old one. So, Valerie runs away to New York, meets two kids in a cafe, and starts hanging out with them. Dave and Lolli are two homeless teenagers- who are rather strange, and talk about faeries and things in the shadows, but they are better than nothing and at least they have a place to crash at. At first, Val thinks Lolli, Dave, and Dave's brother Luis are just weird- but then she starts to see things -like a woman with hooved feet, a gargoyle with feathers that moved. After many days of the other kids' talking about faeries, Val finally has enough and wants to see truly for herself. Bad idea, because this gets her indentured to a troll for a month. On the other hand, it might have been the best idea she ever had because one night, Val saves Ravus' life, thus making him indentured to her. Her request to Ravus, that he teach her how to use the glass sword in his home. And this begins their teacher-student relationship that becomes more involved, with Val risking her life once again to save Ravus, Luis, and Dave.

I loved these books. The character depth in these books was amazing- I was able to fully immerse myself in both girls -even though they are completely two different types of personalities and I generally liked the supporting cast of characters. I liked the dark atmosphere of both books- which felt the same in both- even though one was set in the countryside and the other was in an urban environment. And I really enjoyed seeing how the author tied the two books together with the court environments and the repeating character of Roiben, but either book could be read without the other.

And, I have to say when comparing this series with Melissa Marr's "Faerie" series, I BY FAR like Holly Black's "A Modern Faery's Tale" series better. Both are dark, both deal with faery courts, but Black's characters are better developed and more likeable for me than those that appear in Marr's series. Black's books are DEFINITELY worth picking up if you enjoy dark paranormal stories that have a hint of romance in them.

Lookalikes

2009-05-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am gonna borrow Alea's "Lookalikes" from her blog Pop Culture Junkie for this post. I randomly came across the second cover when I was browsing some Independent Publishers flyers and I knew I had to post about it.

One book is a YA novel and the other is a book of collected stories about bosses. Weird.

Turning Japanese

2009-05-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

By Cathy Yardley

“Meet Lisa Falloya, an aspiring half-Japanese, half-Italian American manga artist who follows her bliss by moving to Tokyo to draw the Japanese-style comics she's been reading for years. Leaving behind the comforts of a humdrum desk job and her workaholic fiancée, Lisa has everything planned—-right down to a room with a nice Japanese family—-but hasn't taken into account that being half-Asian and enthusiastic isn't going to cut it. Faced with an exacting boss and a conniving “big fish” manga author, Lisa risks her wedding, her friends, and her fears for a shot at making it big.” –from the publisher

I don’t think this synopsis does the book any justice, so I am going to try to give it a better description.

Lisa Falloya, is half-Japanese, half-Italian American and she badly wants to be involved in the manga publishing world, but she fights going to Japan kicking and screaming when she receives a year-long internship to work at a Japanese manga publisher. It is only through the pressure from her two best friends to take this great opportunity and some convincement from her boyfriend that she even agrees to go to Japan. And, after a couple of weeks there, Lisa is all set to come home, but once again her friends tell her to suck it up and continue her internship- since how many Americans ever see the inside of the manga publishing world? So, Lisa plods on- not really enjoying her stay in Japan until she begins hanging out with Yukari (her roommate and daughter of her host family) and getting involved in a small manga side-project with Morimoto (a male editor and the original creator of the small manga side-project) and Chisato (a brow-beaten female assistant artist to a diva manga artist). It is after spending time with Yukari, Morimoto, and Chisato that Lisa begins to feel more at home in Japan and she begins to be more assertive than she used to be. Finally, Lisa has found her niche- she always had a passion for manga, but never really had any goals or aspirations beyond her old, comfortable life in Groveton, NY. But winning the Comic Con manga contest, getting an internship at a manga publishing house in Japan, and moving there- Lisa has come to really enjoy her life and her job. At with this new-found zeal, Lisa begins to have doubts and realizations of her life before she moved to Japan. Lisa begins to re-exam her relationship with her boyfriend/fiancée, her friendship with her two best friends, and whether or not she will move back to the United States at the end of her year-long internship? But, right when Lisa begins to consider living in Japan- her life there takes a rocky turn and she may be forced to move back home again.

I thought this book was very well written and had a great plot. This novel provides insight into what the publishing world of manga is like in Japan and draws some really neat comparisons between American publishing and Japanese publishing. I really enjoyed the moments when certain Japanese traditions were mentioned, like White Day or the Cherry Blossom picnic, and the juxtapositions of Japan’s culture and America’s culture-such as clothing, food, Starbucks, bathrooms, train systems, red-light districts, eating, house slippers, school systems, Italian food and more. I thought Lisa Falloya was a very likeable main character, whose insecurities and emotions were easy to relate to. And there was also a great supporting cast of characters, like Yukari, Perry, Stacy, Ichiro, and Akamatsu/”Yoda”.

I highly recommend picking this book up – it is a fast, fun read that would be perfect for traveling or the beach.

North of Beautiful

2009-05-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

by Justina Chen Headley

I really enjoyed this book. I was already a fan of Headley's with Girl Overboard (which I really liked as well), but I am completely sold on her work now with North of Beautiful.

From the back, Terra looks like an average teenager, but she's not. Terra was born with a port-wine birthmark on her face. Her entire life, Terra has felt defined by her birthmark. At home, at school, in her art -Terra hides her true self under a mask of control and makeup. The chance meeting between Terra and a guy on vacation in her hometown, Jacob, results in a friendship unlike any Terra has had before. Jacob seems to understand Terra in a way that no one at her high school does, not even her boyfriend or best friend. Jacob likes Terra without her makeup- when she shows her birthmark and embraces all that she is- flaws and all. Jacob even understands Terra's home life- which is far from perfect. Her father is controlling and mean- constantly belittling his wife and children. Her mother has become overweight and unhappy-turning to food for comfort with her abusive husband. And Terra has not seen or heard from either of her brothers in a while- so she is left to fend for herself and run interference between her mom and dad.

In an attempt to embrace life and get away from her dad for a while, Terra and her mother go on vacation to China- along with Jacob and his mother, who are trying to find Jacob's caregiver from when he was in the orphange. It is in China, that both Terra and her mom begin to find answers for themselves- and it only took them traveling halfway around the world to do it.

A great book - I highly recommend it!

High School Debut, Volume 1

2009-05-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

by Kazune Kawahara

"When Haruna Nagashima was in junior high, her life consisted of playing softball and reading comics. But now that she's going to high school, Haruna decides to put all of her energy towards getting a boyfriend and having the high school romance of a lifetime. To help in her quest, she enlists cute upperclassman Yo Komiyama to coach her as she eschews her jock tendencies and turns herself into the kind of girl who can catch a guy. Yo agrees, with one catch: Haruna had better not fall for him!" -from the publisher

I've only read the first volume of this series so far, but I loved it! It is cute, has a great story line and interesting characters. Can a jock girl become Miss Popular? That is what Haruna wants to do- she wants to change how she acts, dresses, and is viewed by boys to get a boyfriend. So she asks the most popular boy in school to be her coach and help her get a boyfriend. But whether or not Yo and Haruna's friendship can remain platonic is what makes me want to continue reading the series. Very cute and funny- I recommend this series to all girls.

June Releases to Relish

2009-05-07T14:51:00.000-07:00

Girl #3 by Nichole McGill

“From the outside, 14-year-old Syd Johanssen seems like a typical teenage girl — busy delivering newspapers, training with her high school track team, and hanging out with her friends. Under the surface, though, things aren’t what they seem. Her family life leaves a lot to be desired: her workaholic mom turns up her nose at Syd’s offbeat tastes, and she hasn’t seen her dad in months. Even more troubling, Syd can’t shake her fascination with the highly publicized kidnappings and murders of two local girls. Her friends think she’s nuts to obsess over such a morbid subject, and Syd’s afraid to tell them she’s started having visions of the murdered girls. Syd’s obsession turns to terrifying reality when she realizes she’s being stalked on her paper route. Tense and fast-paced, Girl #3 is a vivid portrayal of the dangers girls have to watch out for, and how, in the darkest of hours, a friend can be found in the most unlikely of places.” –from the publisher

Giving up the “V” by Serena Robar

“What's so wrong with waiting?
Spencer Davis just turned sixteen. But unlike most hormonal teenagers who seem obsessed with sex -- like her entire crew of friends -- Spencer just doesn't get it. She'd rather wait for the right guy and the right moment. But that moment may be arriving sooner than she'd thought. Enter Benjamin Hopkins, a new transfer student who seems to have his eyes on our V-card-carrying heroine. He's gorgeous, funny, suave, athletic, and capable of making Spencer's knees wobble with a single glance. Spencer has never felt this way about anyone before, but is Ben truly V-worthy?” –from the publisher

Just Another Hero by Sharon M. Draper

“Suppose someone showed up in YOUR classroom carrying an AK-47.
You have a split second: To think. To act. To be a hero. But what is a hero?
That question becomes all too real for Arielle, November, Jericho, and their friends. They've been through so much: the hazing ritual that left Joshua dead and hearts aching; November finding out that she was pregnant with Josh's baby. But senior year is going well, and when the fire alarm goes off in English class, everyone assumes that crazy Jack is trying to get out of another quiz. But the alarm was pulled for a very different reason. A potentially deadly reason. There's only a matter of seconds to stop a tragedy, and all eyes are searching for someone -- anyone -- to step up and do something.
This shocking conclusion to the two-time Coretta Scott King Honor-winning trilogy by Sharon M. Draper will have you holding your breath to the very last page.” –from the publisher

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley

“Mystery and magic surround Katherine "Kat" Bab, a spirited 16-year-old with wild red hair her omen-wary adoptive mother Grace calls "wolf bait." Kat, who never knew her birth parents, is told no one wants her-except for the farmer's son she's expected to marry. Independent-minded Kat wants no part of it and sets off for London with her deaf sister Anna to unearth the truth of her parentage. When Queen Elizabeth zeroes in on fellow redhead Kat in a chance street encounter, the country lass goes royal: Her extraordinary embroidering skills land her in the queen's court, and the plot thickens as Kat finds herself circled by eager suitors . . . and those jealous of her sudden intimacy with the queen. Is she, as is rumored, the Virgin Queen's daughter? Clues to Kat's true identity are dropped for readers like Hansel and Gretel's breadcrumbs. As they revel in Kat's clear-as-a-bell, first-person observations of Tudor England's dangerous liaisons and fairy-tale gowns, teens will also relate to a girl who struggles not only to find her place but to know her heart.” –Kirkus review

The Straits by Jeremy Craig

“Life for high school student Jim Beauregard is far from all aces. When Hurricane Leland ripped through Florida, it leveled his; while his mom and little sister were trapped inside. Almost a year later, still blaming himself for their deaths, Jim lives with his overweight and disabled Aunt Mel in a FEMA trailer park. With an eviction date looming, Jim's got to earn enough money for a new place, fast.
But Jim's luck plummets when his nemesis, Hollis Mulwray; a rich, prep-school jerk who shares Jim's interest in Kathy Montgomery; dupes him into digging up a septic tank on a work site. This ends Jim's employment pretty quickly. Deciding to go all in, Jim takes his and Aunt Mel's savings to a gambling ring. There, in an old, abandoned house with dangerous (and possibly crazy) older men, Jim tries to win his life back at the poker table. But more could be at stake than he realizes.” –from the publisher

Touch by Francine Prose

“What really happened at the back of the bus?
Did they, or didn't they?
Did she, or didn't she?
Something happened to fourteen-year-old Maisie Willard—something involving her three friends, all boys. But their stories don't match, and the rumors spin out of control. Then other people get involved. . . the school, the parents, the lawyers. The incident at the back of the bus becomes the center of Maisie's life and the talk of the school, and, horribly, it becomes news. With just a few words and a touch, the kids and their community are changed forever.
From nationally acclaimed author Francine Prose comes an unforgettable story about the difficulties of telling the truth, the consequences of lying, and the most dangerous twist of all—the possibility that you yourself will come to believe something that you know isn't true.” –from the publisher

Twin Peaks

2009-04-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I have been watching the 90's TV show "Twin Peaks" and boy, is it weird. There are times where I am giggling over one of the characters one second, and then terrified in the next second. I like the storyline, and I have made it halfway through the second season so far- which is when the killer of Laura Palmer is revealed. It should be interesting to see what they do with the rest of the season- I have a feeling it is only going to get weirder and scarier.

What I really like about the series are the unique characters. And they each have their own stories that get explored. I only hope that enough of them are resolved by the time that I finish the series, so that I am not too disappointed.
These are some of the characters that I find funny:
Lucy, the sheriff's receptionist is hilarious.
Andy, a deputy is usually good for some laughs
Pete, the husband of Katherine and a nice, older man (the scene with the fish in the coffee pot was hilarious)

One of my favorite parts, though, was when Big Ed was telling Cooper the story of how Nadine lost her eye - and the other FBI agent could not stop laughing- that was a great scene.

After Nadine's breakdown, she becomes an interesting character too. She now is super-strong because she has extremely high levels of adreniline running through her and she has reverted back to her high school self rather than her true middle-aged self. Ed's reaction to her new self is pretty funny, as well.

If you haven't seen the series, it is worth looking into because the characterization is so typical of the 90's. It has great music and the filming of it is fantastic.

One Lovely Blog Award

2009-04-23T12:58:00.000-07:00

My thanks to Katie at Katie's Book blog for the award.

This award is given to new blogs and blogging friends.
The rules to follow are:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Vanessa at Books for Life

Mrs. V at Mrs. V's Reviews

Tiqa Khairi at Good Girls Read Books

Erika at Kiss My Book

Hillary at The Book Reader

Marie at Cupcake Witch

Liyana at LiyanaLand!

Cat at Beyond Books

Paradoxical

Sarah at GreenBeanTeenQueen

Carol at Bookluver-Carol's Reviews

Karin at Karin's Book Nook (this one is new to me!)

Carrie at Carrie's YA Bookshelf

Abby at Abby (the)Librarian

Charlotte at Charlotte's Library

The Silver Door

2009-04-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

by Holly Lisle

I have finished the second book in this series and loved it. I like the characters, I love the plot history, and the packaging of the book is just fantastic. The cover art, the font, the font color (it's blue, not black, BLUE!)- I love it all. This installment in the series uncovers more about the Sun Wizards and their magic. Genna and her friends are studying the Sun Wizards but feel that their education is taking too long when they have a deadline for "the-end-of-the-world-as-they-know-it" hanging over their heads. Impatient to do something proactive, their instructor gives Genna and her friends individual assignments that are almost impossible to finish. Only, Genna's assignment lands Catri and her is serious trouble- and in the mouth of a dragon. Someone has set up Genna to die- thus ending all future hope for the nightlings and humans. Lucky for Genna and Catri, the dragon doesn't eat them -though it wants to- but transports them to a beautiful palace and the now deserted home of the Sun Wizards. Here, Genna and Catri try to learn all they can about the Sun Wizards, solve the riddles given to them by the dragon, and return home to continue the fight for human and nightling life. But will Genna and her friends succeed or will the force behind their near-death experience defeat them all?

Love it!

2009-04-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

Can I just say that I love the title for this book:

The Beef Princess of Practical County.

Is that not an awesome title?

The book is by Michelle Houts and was released this month, so if you are curious, here is the plot synopsis:

"After years of waiting, it is finally Libby Ryan’s turn to shine at the Practical County Fair. Libby is filled with excitement as she and her granddad pick out two calves for her to raise on her family’s cattle farm, in hopes of winning the annual steer competition. Against her father’s advice, Libby gives the calves names, even though both steers will eventually be auctioned off. After a few months of preparing for the Practical County Fair, Libby finds that she is growing closer to her steers with each passing day, and the pressure to win Grand Champion is mounting.Luckily, Libby can count on her best friend to get her through most of the county fair chaos. Yet once reality sets in and she realizes that her steers will soon be sold to the highest bidder, the chaos in Libby’s heart becomes too much to bear." -from the publisher

May Releases to Relish

2009-04-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

Slept Away by Julie Kraut

"What’s this city girl’s worst nightmare? Summer camp.Laney Parker's a city girl through and through. For her, summertime means stepping out of her itchy gray school uniform and into a season of tanning at rooftop swimming pools, sidewalk dining in the Meatpacking District, and—as soon as the parents leave for the Hamptons—parties at her classmates’ apartments. But this summer Laney’s mother has her own plan for Laney—Camp Timber Tops—and faster than a girl can pack her eye cream, she’s shipped off. Now, splattered with tie-dye fallout, stripped of her cell, and going through Diet Coke withdrawals, Laney is barely hanging on. But when she realizes her summer crush is untouchably uncrushable in the real world, she has to start asking herself some serious questions. Can camp cool possibly translate to cool cool?Sleepaway camp might just turn this city girl’s world upside down." -from the publisher

Dull Boy by Sarah Cross

"Teenager Avery Pirzwick flies around town each night looking for crimes to stop and people to help with his super strength. He wants to do good with these secret powers that have so messed up his life. He's had to quit wrestling to keep from hurting his opponents, and his parents' checkbook has taken a hit for damages incurred. When Cherchette Morozov, an odd European woman with powers of her own, offers to help, Avery wonders if she's his savior. That's thrown into doubt when he befriends Darla, Sophie and Nicholas, who have their own secrets, and super-intelligent Darla is certain Cherchette is no Charles Xavier of X-Men fame. Soul searching, teen angst and super-battles (with humor) ensue. Cross's first is a funny teen-super-team origin story . . . without an awful lot of action. Avery's sarcastic, self-deprecating narration is a highlight, as is the strange array of superpowers. The characters' normal, goofy interactions are the focus until the page-turning finale. A good bet for all teen sections-just not all superhero fans." -Kirkus Reviews

Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

"Madison Avery's junior prom killed her-literally. She doesn't know why a Dark Reaper came after her‚ but that didn't stop her from stealing his amulet‚ which she discovered allows her soul to continue living on in a temporary body. But now she's being babysat by a disgruntled Light Reaper who's supposed to be training her‚ while angels try to figure out what's supposed to happen to her next. But Madison can't stay out of trouble for long‚ so along with her prom date Josh (who is getting cuter by the minute) and her guardian angel Grace‚ Madison takes matters into her own hands-only to discover that she is fated to become one of the most powerful leaders in the realm of the dark and light reapers. Well‚ if she believed in that stuff." -from the publisher

Darkwood by M.E. Breen

"This unique tale shines with utterly believable strangeness. Annie lives with her aunt and uncle in an area where crops don't grow and people fear being snatched by the bestial kinderstalk in darkness. Night falls suddenly in this moonless land. Overhearing that her uncle's selling her to the Drop, where (she discovers later) miners hang by rope over a cliff to chisel precious ringstone out of the rock face, Annie runs away into the night. She has only the dress on her back-with secret pockets sewn into it by her beloved late sister-and two loyal, knowing cats. A garden, grossly vivid for wintertime, reeks of the same "tinny sweetness" as the docile miners. Through repeated captures and escapes, with fairy-tale motifs always present but never dominating, Annie slowly unravels the mysteries of her circumstances. Readers sometimes know more than Annie, sometimes less. Breen's finely tuned storytelling-pithy description, quick and keen emotion, broad trust of readers' intelligence-offers equal gratification whether readers spot clues and connections early or late. Both grounded and wondrous." -Kirkus Reviews

Otherworldlies by Jennifer Anne Kogler (PB edition)

"Fern communicates with her dog, blisters from just moments in the sun, and has correctly predicted the daily weather for more than two years. Even so, she's always seemed to be a normal twelve-year-old girl . . . until one day when Fern closes her eyes in class and opens them seconds later on a sandy beach miles away from school. When Fern disappears again, this time to a place far more dangerous, she begins to realize exactly how different she is.
With the help of her twin brother, Sam, Fern struggles to gain control of her supernatural powers. The arrival of a sinister vampire in town—who seems to have an alarming interest in Fern's powers—causes Fern to question her true identity. Who is she? More importantly, who can she count on? Soon Fern finds herself in the middle of a centuries-old battle—one that could destroy Fern and endanger everyone she loves." -from the publisher

Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph

"High school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class. But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out — doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tere surprises herself by blossoming behind the mike into confident, sexy Sweet T — and to everyone's shock, she's a hit! Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ's awesome taste in music. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest — and a prom date with Sweet T is the grand prize — Sweet T's dream could turn into Tere's worst nightmare..."

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

"Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words. Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever." -from the publisher

Books I Recently Got From the Library

2009-04-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

These are just some of the books that I got recently from the library. I am particulary excited about The Graveyard Book and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson
"An engrossing debut thriller, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has been an international sensation, a bestseller in its native Sweden and throughout Europe. It features an unforgettable heroine: a brilliant 24-year-old punk-goth computer hacker and private investigator named Lisbeth Salander. Together with Mikael Blomkvist, a financial journalist on a most unusual assignment, she tracks a serial killer through a dangerous maze of business, political, and family secrets." -from B&N

Vamps
by Nancy A. Collins
"When the sun goes down, New York's true elite all head to one place: Bathory Academy, where the young ladies of the finest vampire families are trained in shapeshifting and luring their prey. Bathory's reigning queen, Lilith Todd, is the daughter of a powerful vampire businessman, and she knows exactly what she wants from life. She wants to look beautiful for eternity and party till the sun comes up with her gorgeous boyfriend, Jules. And she doesn't want any New Blood upstarts standing in her way. Enter Cally Monture, an unexpected threat from a trash zip code. When their first meeting leads to tragic results, Lilith is hungry for revenge." -from the publisher

The Fortunes of Indigo Skye
by Deb Caletti
"Eighteen-year-old Indigo Skye feels like she has it all - a waitress job she loves, an adorable refrigerator-delivery-guy boyfriend, and a home life that's slightly crazed but rich in love. Until a mysterious man at the restaurant leaves her a 2.5 million-dollar tip, and her life as she knew it is transformed. At first its amazing: a hot new car, enormous flat-screen TV, and presents for everyone she cares about. She laughs off the warnings that money changes people, that they come to rely on what they have instead of who they are. Because it won't happen...not to her. Or will it? What do you do when you can buy anything your heart desires -- but what your heart desires can't be bought? This is the story of a girl who gets rich, gets lost, and ultimately finds her way back -- if not to where she started, then to where she can start again." -from the publisher

Kissing Snowflakes
by Abby Sher
"The picturesque montain ski lodge is the perfect place to spend winter break...if you have a boyfriend! Otherwise, that cozy leather couch in front of the crackling fire looks a lot less inviting. Good thing that there are lots of cute, blond, sweater-wearing ski instructors around to choose from...." -from the publisher

The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
Winner of the 2009 Newbery Award and, did I mention, by Neil Gaiman? I think that is enough of a description and an enticement.

Dragonsong & Dragonsinger

2009-04-08T12:42:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I just re-read Dragonsong and Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey. These two books are my favorite books and I was in the mood for some comfort reading. I cannot seem to get into any new books right now- even though I have Hunger Games and MAX (Maximum Ride) sitting at home for me. I'm in a funk and I don't like it.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

2009-04-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

by Carrie Ryan

This book was intense. I don't really like zombies to begin with, so reading this book was a new thing for me. I love paranormal books, but zombies just creep me out. I had tried reading other zombie books (Zombie Blondes, Generation Dead), but I just couldn't. So, the fact that I was able to finish this book despite it being about zombies, should tell you that it was a great book. To me, the book was like a cross between the movies "The Village" and "28 Days Later," only you don't know if there is any hope for salvation and the author leaves it open for you to decide. And there is more to this book than just zombies- it is a battle for survival, for life, for love, and for family. I highly recommend this book.

P.S. There was a scene in the book with a baby that still horifies me when I think about it.

Wicked Cold

2009-03-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Sorry that I haven't had a posting lately, but I haven't really had time to read any new books. I just moved into a new apartment last week- and while I was unpacked in a manner of days, I then got a wicked cold. So, now I have no voice, I have to go to work sick, I'm trying to situate my apartment, and keep on top of all my books. Hang in there and I hope to have something new soon!

Winners!

2009-03-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

The winner of a copy of Evermore and some library swag is: Katie from Katie's Book Blog.

The runner-up to get a copy of the Prince of Persia is Marie Hansen from Cupcake Witch.

Congratulations to you both and thanks to everyone who participated!

April Releases to Relish

2009-03-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

The Thirteenth Child by Patricia Wrede

"Eff was born a thirteenth child. Her twin brother, Lan, is the seventh son of a seventh son. This means he's supposed to possess amazing talent — and she's supposed to bring only bad things to her family and her town. Undeterred, her family moves to the frontier, where her father will be a professor of magic at a school perilously close to the magical divide that separates settlers from the beasts of the wild." -from the publisher

Willow by Julia Hoban

"Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, 16 year old Willow's parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy -one sensitive, soulful boy-discovers Willow's secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the "safe" world Willow has created for herself upside down." -from the publisher

Turning Japanese by Cathy Yardley

"Meet Lisa Falloya, an aspiring half-Japanese, half-Italian American manga artist who follows her bliss by moving to Tokyo to draw the Japanese-style comics she's been reading for years. Leaving behind the comforts of a humdrum desk job and her workaholic fiancée, Lisa has everything planned---right down to a room with a nice Japanese family---but hasn't taken into account that being half-Asian and enthusiastic isn't going to cut it. Faced with an exacting boss and a conniving “big fish” manga author, Lisa risks her wedding, her friends, and her fears for a shot at making it big." -from the publisher

Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter by R.J. Anderson

"Forget everything you think you know about faeries. . . .
Creatures full of magic and whimsy?
Not in the Oakenwyld. Not anymore.
Deep inside the great Oak lies a dying faery realm, bursting with secrets instead of magic. Long ago the faeries mysteriously lost their magic. Robbed of their powers, they have become selfish and dull-witted. Now their numbers are dwindling and their very survival is at stake. Only one young faery—Knife—is determined to find out where her people's magic has gone and try to get it back. Unlike her sisters, Knife is fierce and independent. She's not afraid of anything—not the vicious crows, the strict Faery Queen, or the fascinating humans living nearby. But when Knife disobeys the Faery Queen and befriends a human named Paul, her quest becomes more dangerous than she realizes. Can Knife trust Paul to help, or has she brought the faeries even closer to the brink of destruction?" -from the publisher

Purge by Sarah Darer Littman

"Janie Ryman hates throwing up. So why does she binge eat and then stick her fingers down her throat several times a day? That’s what the doctors and psychiatrists at Golden Slopes hope to help her discover.But first Janie must survive everyday conflicts between the Barfers and the Starvers, attempts by the head psychiatrist to fish painful memories out of her emotional waters, and shifting friendships and alliances among the kids in the ward." -from the publisher

The Diamonds by Ted Michael

"At Long Islands’s private Bennington School, the Diamonds rule supreme. They’re the girls all the boys want to date and all the girls want to be. And fortunately for Marni, she’s right in the middle of them. Best friends with the ringleader, Clarissa, Marni enjoys all the spoils of the ultrapopular: boys, power, and respect. But then Marni gets a little too close to Clarissa’s ex-boyfriend, Anderson. Wrong move. The Diamonds don’t touch each other’s exes. And just like that, Marni is jettisoned from Diamond to lower than Cubic Zirconia.But Marni isn’t about to take her ouster lying down. She has dirt on the Diamonds, and she’s not about to go down without a fight. Everyone knows, the only thing strong enough to cut a Diamond is another Diamond." -from the publisher

The Ruby Key

2009-03-16T10:14:00.000-07:00

(Moon & Sun series #1) by Holly Lisle

Mankind is Sunkind

And rules by the light;

Nightlings are Moonkind,

And rule in the night;

Or there will be war.

Human and Nightlings are never to meet, but when Genna and her brother Dan venture into the old forest at night, they encounter a Nightling slave who reveals a terrifying secret: Genna and Dan's village chieftain has made a dangerous deal with Letrin, ruler of the Nightlings, offering the lives of his people in exchange for his own immortality. To save the villagers and themselves, Genna and Dan strike their own bargain with the Nightling lord, but the stakes are even higher. Now, the siblings must embark upon a journey along the Moonroads, and bring back the key to Letrin's downfall.

Written in haunting, lyrical prose, Holly Lisle transports readers to the twilit realms of the Night Worlds. -from the publisher

I could not put this book down. It was fabulous- full of adventure, magic, monsters and a frisky feline. I loved the idea of moonroads- pathways that can only be traveled while the moon is in sky and that once traveled, you are forever changed. I was also intrigued by the concept of a human versus nightling war- where the human race loses and suffers the consequences greatly. I look forward to reading more books in this series - to see how Genna's and Dan's futures unfold. Recommended.

Maximum Ride Manga, Volume 1

2009-03-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

by James Patterson

I have read the entire Maximum Ride series so far and I enjoyed them. The next book is about to come out in 2 days- on March 16th. It is simply called MAX. The cover is pretty cool. But when I saw that a manga series was being issued as well, I just had to get it. I went to B&N the other day with my sister and bought it. I'm really enjoying popular authors like Dean Koontz and James Patterson trying to appeal to a younger audience by re-issuing some of their books in a graphic novel or manga format.

Contest!!

2009-03-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

I have decided to host my very first contest. Yay!!

To the winner goes a copy of Evermore by Alyson Noel and some very cool library swag.

In order to win Evermore, you can do a couple of things:

1. By following my blog, you will earn 1 entry into the drawing for the book.

(For those who already follow my blog, you are automatically entered into the drawing.)

2. Follow my blog AND post about my contest on your blog.

This will earn you 3 entries in the contest.

3. Follow my blog, post about my contest, AND add me to your blogroll.

This will earn you 5 entries in the contest.

Good luck and enjoy!

P.S. I will choose a runner-up in the contest and to them will go a copy of The Prince of Persia by Jordan Mechner. The contest ends 11:59pm March 21st, 2009.