Lisa Loves Literature

Another Jekyll, Another Hyde by Daniel and Dina Nayeri

2012-02-08T21:32:00.000-06:00

Another Jekyll, Another Hyde by Daniel Nayeri
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First I want to thank both Netgalley and Candlewick Press for the chance to read this egalley. I don't think I reviewed either of the first two books on Goodreads, you'll have to go to my blog at http://misclisa.blogspot.com/ to find those reviews. But I really enjoyed the first two: Another Faust and Another Pan by Daniel and Dina Nayeri. And so, I was so excited when I saw this 3rd one on Netgalley, I immediately requested it. It seems like it was forever before they accepted my request, I began to get worried I wouldn't be approved, but I was, and I'm so happy, because I was NOT disappointed in any way, shape, or form!
Let me say this was a perfect ending to a great series! The books are modern day versions of some classic tales, which you can tell from the titles: Faust, an old German tale about a man who is unsatisfied with his life, so he sells his soul to the devil; Peter Pan, a boy who stays a boy forever, and has a band of boys who follow him, and then there is Wendy too; and finally, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the story of the man with the mild doctor personality by day, and the monstrous personality at night. All stories are well updated in this series. They are also some of the most original teen stories out there. They're not the usual paranormal romance, I believe they could get teens inspired to go back and read the actual original stories they were based on.
We started in the first book meeting Madame Vileroy, the beautiful and mysterious governess/guardian of 5 teens, all who have in a way sold their soul to her for what they want, beauty, success, smarts, athleticism, etc. However, she is basically like the devil, in that their wishes don't quite turn out the way they want, and she is almost defeated in the end, and three of the teens escape. Oh, and this story takes place at the prestigious Marlowe school in NYC.
In the 2nd book we meet the Darlings, Lucy and John, who go to Marlowe because their father is a history professor, and researches into ancient Egypt. Because of some ancient artifacts that are loaned to the school for a special exhibit, the underworld is let out to take over the basement of the school. The new mousy school nurse seems to be a part of it, and we learn that she is Madame Vileroy, back to seek bone dust, the stuff that makes her immortal and beautiful. Peter is a new kid at school, there because he follows these artifacts, because he too has an interest in the bone dust, and the mousy nurse.
And finally, the 3rd, and what seems to be the final installment. Thomas, who used to date Belle, one of Madame Vileroy's charges, before she dumped him, now has to deal with Vileroy and his father getting married. Of course she isn't who you'd want for a stepmother, one reason for Thomas is that he is heartbroken and confused at Belle leaving, and what he thinks he saw before she left, and part of the reason is that she needs her son to be "re-born" in order for her to regain what she needs to be her normal, beautiful, immortal self. And she has chosen Thomas to be the "vessel" I guess you would say. Which leads to a whole Jekyll and Hyde scenario, and Thomas begins to have blacked out times that he cannot remember.
(Spoiler alert!!!)
In the end, I think there is no way you can say that the evil isn't destroyed. I believe this villain is gone, they defeated her. And that is the way that I want some stories to end. I want there to be an end to the evil. Kind of like Harry Potter destroyed Voldemort. Sometimes it is okay for evil to really go. And this is the perfect way it was done.
This goes in on my A-Z Challenge as my "A" entry.

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Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2012-02-05T10:57:00.000-06:00

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First, I have to say thanks to my employer, Barnes and Noble, and also Harper Collins Children's Books for giving me the chance to read this as an Advanced Readers Copy.
Okay, once again, I think that I give this a 4 instead of a 5 because I didn't like the ending! Not that it wasn't a good ending, don't get me wrong. In fact I wish I could rate 4.5 instead of just 4 or 5, but the ending irritated me. I'm really a bit tired of love triangles. I won't say who the love triangle is with, I'll let you read the book itself and see who the 2 boys are, but I don't feel it was needed with this series. To me, the 3rd book could have been about the search for Lena's mother, who she glimpses and comes in contact with briefly in this book. And trying to help the guy she now has feelings for survive the "deliria" she now knows well.
I was so happy when I found out that there was a second book in this series as I was so mad with the way the first one, Delirium, ended. It sucked that she lost her love, Alex at the end. In a way it made me as mad as the first and only Nicholas Sparks book I ever read, in that it made me feel all good inside and like the system could be overcome and people could be happy, but then BAM! true love is gone because one of them dies.
Pandemonimum is a really good second book. As many sophomore books have been lately, they've just kind of moved the series along, didn't necessarily quite live up to the original, but were necessary to keep the series going. This one blows that all away. It moves the story along with enough action and plot to keep up with the original in my opinion.
Lena is now living in the Wilds. We are told her story through flashbacks in between what is happening when she must re-enter the Society to help with furthering the fight for those who want their own choice to love or not. When she first gets to the Wilds she is in bad shape, she has been on the run, by herself, and without Alex, she doesn't know how to survive, and so barely manages to stay alive, until she is found by members of the resistance, or Invalids, as they are called in the cities. They nurse her back to health, and soon require her to start contributing to their camp in a way that everyone else does. And as soon as she does start feeling better, Lena goes back to what we know she loved best in Delirium, running. Every winter they must move their camp south in order to survive. And they must send scouts out to make sure their way is safe. Well, as they move along, sooner than planned due to a message from their contacts on the inside that things have gone wrong, they end up losing a few of their group. This sends them in to the city to try to help further the resistance. Lena must go in undercover, and join into the opposition as a member. At a big rally, things go wrong. Lena is following Julian, the leader of the DFA - Deliria Free America's son. And she gets kidnapped at the same time he does. They must fight their way out to freedom, and find that there may have been some betrayal by someone they wouldn't have suspected.
Often books that jump back and forth like this can be confusing, but the way the author does this really worked for me. I really liked this book, except for the ending, mind you.
One other thing I have to point out that amused me so much I had to tweet about it as I read it. The vans that are used kind of as police type vehicles, they have the name of the department, the City of New York, Department of Correction, Reform, and Purification as an acronym which reads: CRAP. Funny? Or is it just me?

I will be counting this as the "O" in my A-Z Book Challenge for the author's last name.

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300 Followers in January Giveaway Winner!

2012-02-01T15:55:00.000-06:00

First I want to say thank you to all of you who were already followers that tweeted about my giveaway to help, as well as all my new followers who helped me reach that and go one more than 300!. I really appreciate having new followers, and I will try to go back and follow all of you as well. Just give me a bit of time. January has been a more busy month than planned, and so I wasn't able to participate in all the blog hops to help get my numbers up, so I'm glad I made.

Anyway, what you all want to know is who is the winner, right? Well, congratulations go to Erin Kate! I have emailed you today to get your mailing address so I can get that $15 gift card to Barnes and Noble out as soon as possible.

And those of you who didn't win, don't go anywhere! This month I'm going to have some giveaways of some ARCs I have. Now, they aren't brand new ones, they're mostly a year or two old, but I think they're some pretty good ones, so we'll see about those. I haven't quite decided how I want to do this, but once I figure it out I'll get it posted.

Well, another busy night, so I won't be doing Waiting on Wednesday this week. I do plan to do Follow Friday for sure!

Pure by Julianna Baggott

2012-01-30T17:46:00.000-06:00

Pure by Julianna Baggott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I saw this ARC on the table at the Barnes & Noble where I work, and at first didn't think it could be YA as big of a book as it was. But I picked it up and read about it, and thought it sounded right up my alley. And I'm very glad I picked it up. I've not read any of this author's other books that she wrote under other names, but they don't necessarily sound like my type as I see what they were, one name is N.E. Bode, who I have seen those books, the other name is Bridget Asher. But, I will definitely be awaiting the next book in this series because I really liked this one, and am eager to see where it goes next. It's a definite dystopian, end of the world novel. I like that in this case the heroine, Pressia, is not perfect, in fact no one in this world outside the Dome is perfect. She's scarred, and burned, from the detonations, and like everyone else, she has fused to something that she was in contact with when it happened. Her arm has a baby doll as her hand. She lives with her grandfather, and as she is getting close to the age of 16, she is worried about being taken by the OSR to serve in the army to fight against the Dome. The Dome that sent messages right after the detonations that they would be back to help and save them some day. Yet, this has not happened. And the people outside have turned on those inside, hating the "Pures". Even creating nursery rhymes about catching and killing them to breathe the dust from their ashes to cure themselves. Pressia escapes when the OSR comes from her, only to run into the Pure who has left the Dome on purpose. His name is Partridge, and he has left because he believes that his father lied, and his mother survives somewhere out in the wastelands. Together Pressia and Partridge turn to a rebel named Bradwell for help. There are run ins with the OSR, and secret links to the Dome, man made special forces that are more animal than human. And while they think they've found what they've been looking for, have they really, or have they just found more questions and more reasons for revenge against the dome?
I liked how the science, realistic or not, was brought into the story. I liked that the main character, Pressia, is not a perfect beautiful outcast like in other books. Her romantic partner isn't either, he was fused with birds on his back. While I will admit it was a bit long at times, it all worked out, and there wasn't a time when I was bored. I was always eager to get back to it when I'd had to put it down. I don't know that it is "the next Hunger Games" but I do think that people who enjoyed that series will be interested in this. It is it's own type of book. As one quote on the cover says, it is more apocalyptic than Hunger Games really. And, as usual, the problem with reading ARCs is that then I have even longer to wait to read the next installment in the series!
This will count as the "P" in my participation in the A-Z Book Challenge.
And while you're here, don't forget to go sign up for my 300 Followers in January Giveway of a $15 gift card to Barnes and Noble. I need 1 more follower by tomorrow, January 31st if this is going to happen!

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Waiting on Wednesday - The White Glove War (Magnolia League #2) by Katie Crouch

2012-01-25T16:05:00.000-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases that we're eagerly awaiting! This week the book I've chosen is The White Glove War, the sequel to The Magnolia League, by Katie Crouch. Here is the blurb from BarnesandNoble.com:

Every society has its secrets.

The members of Savannah's Magnolia League have it all: money, beauty, power, and love. Some may call them lucky, but we know better. Spells, potions, and conjures are a girl's best friends, and thanks to the Buzzards -- a legendary hoodoo family -- the Magnolias never run out of friends.

Golden girl Hayes Anderson would never dream of leaving the League or Savannah, where there's no problem that can't be fixed with a cup of Swamp Brew tea -- served in a bone china cup, of course -- and no boy who can't be won over with a Conjure Up a New Love spell.

But when danger lurks and family secrets are unearthed, Hayes discovers that her life may not be charmed after all.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, you can see my review of the book here. I got the first as an egalley from Netgalley. I hope the 2nd is provided as well. This book doesn't come out until July, so it's going to be a summer read for me.

What are you eagerly waiting on this week?

And while you're here, don't forget to enter my 300 followers in January giveaway for a $15 gift card to Barnes and Noble, time is almost up to get in, and I still need 6 more followers by then to even give this away!

Feature and Follow Friday #1

2012-01-20T15:50:00.001-06:00

Feature and Follow Friday is a joint effort between bloggers to increase your blog following it is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.This week's question is:
What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get your hands on a book?
Hmm, this is a hard one. The craziest thing I can think of is standing in line for hours to get a book at a midnight release. I've probably done crazier things to try to meet awesome authors! One of my favorites I follow on Twitter and I know she's from NYC, so when I went to NYC for the 1st time to visit my sister, I just tweeted and asked if she might want to meet me somewhere so I could get her authograph and meet her, and she did! Turns out we hit it off pretty well, many things in common, and she has hung out with my sister a few times. One time I found out last minute about an author that was going to be coming to Kansas City, and it was on a day I was out of town taking the Praxis to get another teaching certification, and I decided spur of the moment to call and reserve a spot and drove straight from where I was taking the test to the location to meet the author. So, that's the craziest things I can think of.

While you're here, why don't you check out my 300 followers in January giveaway? Guess I'm going to have to find a new way to get followers after this month any way if GFC is going to quit. But for now, come and sign up and help me get to 300 followers in January!

So, what is the craziest thing you've ever done?

Waiting on Wednesday - Once (Eve #2) by Anna Carey

2012-01-18T16:28:00.002-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly awaiting.
This week I've chosen the sequel to the dystopian teen novel Eve by Anna Carey. I got to read Eve as an egalley from Netgalley, and would love if I get to do the same with the sequel. Here is the plot summary from Goodreads:

Sixteen years have passed since a deadly virus wiped out most of the Earth’s population. After learning of the terrifying part she and her classmates were fated to play in the rebuilding of New America, eighteen-year-old Eve fled to the wilds and Califia, a haven for women determined to live outside the oppressive rule of the king of New America. However, her freedom came at a price: she was forced to leave Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. Eve quickly learns that Califia may not be as safe as it seems and soon finds herself in the City of Sand and the palace of the king. There she uncovers the real reason he was so intent on her capture, and the unbelievable role he intends her to fill. When she is finally reunited with Caleb, they will enact a plan as daring as it is dangerous. But will Eve once again risk everything—her freedom, her life—for love?

Brimming with danger and star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo and Juliet.

What are you waiting to read?

While you're here, don't forget to stop by and sign up for my 300 followers in January giveaway!

The Death Cure by James Dashner

2012-01-16T14:52:00.000-06:00

The Death Cure 9 Copy Floor Display by James Dashner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First I want to say that this is from my TBR pile, so fits into my TBR Reading Challenge. I lucked out and got this book on Black Friday. The bookstore I work at opened at midnight to have special sales, and this was one of several teen books that they had for 50% off! 20% better than my employee discount, and so I couldn't pass it up. Now if only I could find my ARC of the first book in the series. :-) This will also fit into my A-Z Reading Challenge as my D book.
I think this was a good follow up/conclusion to the Maze Runner series. It had lots of suspense and action. We got to see almost all the characters again, and see how they ended up. We got some more information on why the gladers were chosen, about being immune to the Flare, etc. I wish we'd had more time with Teresa, still not sure how I feel about her. Also, without giving anything away, I wish we'd been able to get Thomas's memories back and know more about what happened. The good thing is that there is supposed to be a prequel, and I'm looking forward to reading that and hopefully learning all the things that are still stuck in my mind. I purchased a copy of the book that had some "classified" documents in the back, and so I believe that probably gave a little hint to what will be in the prequel and what happened before we jumped right into the middle of the story in Maze Runner. As I said, a good read, I'm sure most people who enjoy this series will be satisfied with how it ended.
I apologize for my kind of quick and short review, it was really good, but I had a couple egalleys and ARCs sitting in my house that I got AFTER I started this, and so I've been chomping at the bit to get started on those. But I didn't want to quit this and go back later, I wanted to see it all the way through.
One last thing, don't forget to promote my 300 Follower Blog Giveaway by signing up here! Think I've got about 13 more followers to hit that last I checked.

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Waiting on Wednesday - Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

2012-01-11T15:47:00.001-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases that we're eagerly awaiting! This week the book I've chosen is Insurgent, the second book in the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. Here is the blurb from Goodreads.com:

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

I was left wondering at the end where it could go from there, and things were left so just up in the air, that I knew there had to be more coming! This is a long wait on the publishing date, not till May! It'd be cool if I can get an ARC of it like I did with Divergent, but it rarely happens that way. Oh well, I'll be ready when it is out for sure!

Don't forget to enter my 300 Follower Blog Giveaway.

What book are you eagerly awaiting?

The Slayer Chronicles: First Kill by Heather Brewer

2012-01-07T11:57:00.002-06:00

First Kill by Heather Brewer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. I have to say that I loved the Vladimir Tod series by Heather Brewerand really enjoyed it! Loved the vampire theme from a different point of view. Loved this world that she created. So I entered into the Slayer Chronicles not quite sure how I'd like it, because I kind of liked the vampires better this time, unlike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where you do root mostly for the slayer. And, I didn't really like Joss that much, which this book was about, because of how he tried to slay Vlad in the other series. But, let me say, this book totally blew my preconceived thoughts on this. You knew from the original series that Joss had become a slayer because of his younger sister Cecile getting killed by a vampire. We learn in this book that Joss's uncle Abraham actually didn't want him to be the one in the family to carry on the slayer tradition, he actually thought Henry, Vlad's best friend/drudge, or Henry's older brother would be better. I guess that is funny to me because I know how they actually are with Vlad. But after reading about Joss's life, I did get to feel that I liked him. And learning that kids were mean to him because he had this almost magical strength and endurance. Then his parents almost treating him invisible after his sister died, you can see why he became the boy we know in the Vlad Tod series. And you really get on his side when you learn about how his uncle treats him when he goes to begin his slayer training, and what that training entails. Wow, although I don't agree with some of the things Joss does with the slayers and his uncle, I can see why he is that way, and the story is so good. You know there is possible a "mole" in the group of slayers, and while you want to suspect Uncle Abraham because of what a jerk he is, there are other possibilities, and each are given in a way that makes you think, and wonder. The twist at the end, I thought was sad, and was another way that I was disappointed in how Joss reacted to his situation. But, as I said, it leads right on to where the story is going to go. Such a great story. Heather Brewer is such a great author, I can't wait to read the next in the Slayer Chronicles.
Oh yeah, this is the first book read as part of my TBR pile reading challenge. I know it's not that old of a book, but it's one I bought, and was so excited when it came out, but then because I was in the middle of something else, probably an e-galley from Netgalley, I put it aside. So now it counts as my TBR pile. Great one to start this challenge with! And it also is going on my A-Z Book Challenge as my "F" title.

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Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

2012-01-04T16:22:00.000-06:00

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First, I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but wow, how striking is this cover? And it's not just a fancy pretty picture, there are clues and hints to what is going to happen in the book on the cover, and I really like that! But on with the review. When I first started reading, I was a little unsure if I was going to like it. See, I'm not a big fan of fantasy, which to me includes books with dragons and other magical creatures. Which, this book has. I also kind of had thought this was dystopian novel, but maybe not now that I've read it, and normally I'm not a fan of "distant worlds" or other dimensions. But once I got into the story, I loved the characters, and actually got into the intrigue of what might be happening, maybe because it could be kind of sciency in a way. And I liked that. And while it didn't go quite the way I was thinking at the end, it still ended okay. And I'm ready for part 2!
Ana is our main character. In the society she was born into, souls are reincarnated over and over. There are always the same people, no one new, until Ana is born, and the soul they were expecting, does not come back. Because of this Ana's "mom" Li, treats her cruelly and calls her a "no soul". Her father leaves, and she doesn't get to know him. When Ana reaches a certain age, I think it's about 17 or 18? Anyway, it is 3 years later than the normal souls leave their parents, she finally takes off from her mother's house, to head to the city of Heart so she can try to find out why she was born. But barely leaving the house, she is attached by Sylphs, a magic creature that burns when it touches you. She gets backed up in what seems to be an unescapable situation, and she is rescued by a boy about her age named Sam. Sam takes her under his wing, even as defensive as she is, and takes her back to his house and tries to help her in her quest. He calls Ana a "new soul" and believes she has worth and value. Ana has never known anyone that gave her the chances he gives her, and even though he has secrets too, will those secrets help her, or hurt her as she learns more about his past lives? And while there are many in town who feel like her mother, and despise her for taking another soul's place, there are many good people too who treat her with respect and friendship.
Such a great book. The romance is good, I like the way the town is going, and how they keep track of their past lives. I do find it a bit weird that they get reincarnated as male or female, and can't imagine how weird that would be. But hey, it works for the story. This is the first book on my A-Z Book Challenge as my "I" title.

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2011 Challenge Wrap Up

2012-01-01T12:09:00.001-06:00

I really only participated in one real challenge, and that was The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge. I did also set a goal on Goodreads to read 100 books this year, and I did, although I actually read more than that because I'm not sure I counted books I'd already read on there, but anyway. I did meet the Debut Author Challenge, and here are the books I read:
XVI by Julia Karr
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Entwined by Heather Dixon
Wildefire by Karsten Knight
Ashfall by Mike Mullin
Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz (My favorite debut author, AND I got to meet her!)
Those That Wake by Jesse Karp
Dark Parties by Sara Grant

My goal was to read 12, and I did, but there were also several more that I read that I didn't necessarily include, like The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch, Deviant by Adrian McKinty, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton, and Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon.

Hopefully I'll get my challenges done this year. My TBR Pile Reading Challenge, and the A-Z Book Challenge. I wonder if I can set a new goal on Goodreads? I'm thinking to set it at 125 for this year. Not to overdo it. Plus, I'll be reading manuscripts for a new publishing company that should be putting out its first books this fall, so can't quite count those yet. So, did you meet your reading goals and challenges this year?

Let's get this blog going!

2012-01-01T11:17:00.001-06:00

Okay, I'm so close to 300 followers! I'd like to get there by the end of January, and see how much farther I can get. I will be looking for some giveaway hops to get involved with, but for now, I'm going to do my own giveaway. I'm giving one $15 gift card to Barnes and Noble away. And, for every 50 followers past 300 that I may possible get in January, I'll give away ANOTHER $15 gift card to Barnes and Noble. Sorry this isn't International. I figure I'll try those Book Depository giveaways out after I get to 500 followers, hopefully sometime in 2012. Plus, as I work for Barnes and Noble I have to support them. For now, this is my plan. Please fill out the form below by January 31st, and I plan to announce a winner a day or two after that, maybe more than one!
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Darkness Under the Sun & The Moonlit Mind by Dean Koontz

2011-12-31T16:28:00.006-06:00

Last post of 2011! Wow, so glad this year is over, the beginning pretty much sucked, the end has been better, and hoping that 2012 turns out really good, especially if it is the last year we have according to all those people who say the end of the world is coming. :-)

So, recently I was trying to figure out exactly what was the last Dean Koontz book I read. A couple years ago I just didn't have the money to keep buying his books when they came out in hardcover, and I can't quite remember when I stopped. So I got online and looked up a list of his boks in the order they were published. Well, I think I found my answer, but I also found 2 books that have only been available as e-books, and they were kind of companion novels to the last book, What the Night Knows, and the newest one that came out this week, 77 Shadow Street. Since they were both short, I'll include them both in one blog post.

First, Darkness Under the Sun, was written I think after the book it goes with, What the Night Knows. The main character in this is a boy named Howie. He is disfigured because his father tried to burn him over a custody dispute. Howie goes to the top of a building to watch the town around him without having to be a part of it. The day we read about at the start of this novella he is not alone when he gets up there. There is a man, a very tall, also pretty messed up looking man. This man is Alton Turner Blackwood, the killer from the book this goes with. Howie and this man become friends, so much that Howie invites him to come live in the room above their garage. The man says he has to think about it, but asks Howie to bring him pictures of the house, as well as his mother and sister. Howie brings the pictures and then leaves. When he comes back, the man is gone, the pictures have been torn, and Howie suddenly knows what he's done. He runs home to find the killer getting ready to attack his family. And he is able to scare him off. But it turns out he's now given the killer an idea of how he can kill and earn the fame he wants. Later on he sends a letter to Howie telling him this. Good story, not sure if it really leads me into wanting to read the book. In fact, it has the first chapter or so at the end, and now I'm not sure if I've read the whole book, or if I just read these two chapters at the back of whatever book came before it. It was a very Dean Koontz story, exactly what you'd expect.

The 2nd story, The Moonlit Mind, was available before the book it goes with was released this past Tuesday. And let me say, I REALLY enjoyed this one. It reminded me of some of the earlier works of Koontz that I really enjoyed. Like Twilight Eyes, Strangers, Watchers (all by Koontz), as well as Anouther Faust by Daniel Nayeri. Just something about it really was the type of book I liked. And now I'm really eager to read 77 Shadow Street. This novella is also with a young main character, a 12 year old boy named Crispin who has lived on the streets since he was 9. He ran away from his mother and step-father's house after his younger sister and brother disappeared. The way they disappeared was very mysterious. It seems as if there is a cult or satanic rituals going on in this house. And very strangely there is a miniature replica of the mansion that Crispin is really intrigued by. And it turns out that replica has a connection to all that is going on. Crispin has also made friends with the "Phantom of Broderick's" or as she calls herself, Amity. Amity works and lives at Broderick's department store. And Crispin, and his dog Harley, named after his younger brother, stay there nights as well. But Crispin can't stay in any one place too long, for soon the people from his past will come looking for him, and have caught up to him in the past. Amity also has a scary past. And together they will try to overcome them. This is a great lead in to the book, although the first few chapters of the book at the end of this novella, don't quite match the tone of the novella, but hopefully it will get back to what I liked about this.

TBR Pile Reading Challenge

2011-12-30T15:31:00.004-06:00

Working part time at a bookstore, I get a lot of ARCs and also books that have stripped covers, and so I have lots of books to be read. I also see books I want as they come in, and then buy them with my discount. Not to mention for a year or two I belonged to a book club and I got some good deals on books that way. And finally, working as a teacher, those book fairs at school not only help the school library out, they have some darn good deals! So I have at least 300 books needing to be read sitting in my 2nd bedroom/office. I found through several blogs that I follow a link to this challenge which is being sponsored by Evie @ Bookish.

Basically I am setting a goal to read a certain number of the books from my TBR pile between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. The books have to have been published in 2011 or before, can't be any new books, otherwise they don't count in cleaning out the TBR pile! There are 5 different levels of how many books you think you will read. You can increase and go up levels if you think you'll read more, but you cannot back down. You can list your books in this post if you want, but I'm not going to do that. I'm going to pick the books up as they strike my fancy. So I will mention they're for this challenge when I review them, and then I will have a wrap up post at the end that lists them all.

Another cool thing is that there will be contests and giveaways with this challenge! To find out more about this, follow either of the links above, the picture, or the name of the host. I, personally, am choosing level 2: A Friendly Hug, as I am going to do my best to read at least 1 a month, for a total of 12 for the year. Not much of a dent in my 300 TBR pile, but maybe I'll get further. Here is a list of the awesome hosts for this challenge:

Evie @ Bookish

Nicole @All I Ever Read

Bonnie @ Hands And Home

Donna @ Book Passion For Life

Caitlin @ WatchYa Reading

Rie @ Mission To Read

Vicky @ Books, Biscuits, & Tea

Christa @ Hooked On Books

Jenna @ Fans Of Fiction

Angel @ Mermaids Vision

Feature and Follow Friday #16

2011-12-30T13:45:00.003-06:00

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly event sponsored by Parajunkee and Allison Can Read. The purpose is to expand your blog following by a joint effort between bloggers. This week's question is:
The New Year is here - and everyone wants to know your New Years Blogging resolution! What are you going to try to revise, revamp, and re-do on your blog for 2012?
Well, that's a hard one. While I'm considering moving my blog or maybe re-doing the background (adding another dog to the header now that I have a puppy too), the main thing I want to do more of this year is scheduling blogs. I only learned about doing that this past fall. I know, I know, I'm behind. But I plan to use this to make sure that I am blogging once a week for sure. I can get my Waiting on Wednesdays set up ahead so that I know I will always have one once a week. Also, according to NetGalley, some of the publishers want you to wait until about a month before a book's actual release before you post a review. So I can use the scheduling for that, and actually already have one scheduled for a book that doesn't come out until August! So I've already started.
So, what are your resolutions for your blog?

Waiting on Wednesday - Underworld by Meg Cabot

2011-12-28T13:00:00.008-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we get together to discuss upcoming books that we are eagerly awaiting.

This will of course be the last one of 2011! Yay! I have a hard time doing this some time because there are soooooo many books out there that I am looking forward to. So I scrolled through my Goodreads list for one I had on my to-read list that already had a picture for the cover.

My choice this week is Underworld by Meg Cabot, which is a sequel to her book Abandon. Here is the summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead. Not this time. But
she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and
hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final
journey. Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety. Because
not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up
after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance .
. . on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves. But
while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers
could be lurking for her there . . . and they might have more to do with its
ruler than with his enemies. And unless Pierce is careful, this time
there'll be no escape.

Can't wait to go on with this story. I just really enjoyed it! What is your WOW?

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

2011-12-28T12:34:00.001-06:00

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins, first off let me say I LOVED this book. I like the new take on the afterlife. This was a different paranormal romance, no vampires, werewolves, angels, fairies. There are immortal beings, and in a way, they are kind of like vampires. These immortal beings though live on the feelings or emotions of mortals. They can take it during events like concerts, like the band that Cole is in. Or they can take you to the Everneath where you will be right next to them for 100 years while they get the sustenance they need to last another 100 years. Now, this 100 years in the Everneath is much longer than how much time actually passes on the surface. And normally, after you've been here, you age too. But for some reason, Nikki, our main character, doesn't age after this 100 years with Cole. And she wants to go back, back to a face, a boy she knew. She went with Cole because she was sad, her mother had died, things with her social life were not at the greatest, and so she let him take the pain away. But by going back, instead of staying with Cole and doing what he wants her to do, to stay with him forever and maybe take over the Everneath, she now owes the shades, the creatures that connected them, and after a short time back, about 6 months or so, they will pull her back into the Tunnels, a horrible dark place she is told. But Nikki wants a chance to actually tell her family and friends goodbye this time. She needs to see the guy whose face she saw the whole time, Jack, at least one more time. Cole is there the whole time trying to win her back.

This story was so good. I had to know what would happen. I loved the mythology in it, as well as the way those myths could be re-interpreted to fit this story. I'm so glad to see on Goodreads that there is a sequel, because I need to go on with this story. I'm not ready for it to end. And you won't be either.

And, isn't the cover beautiful!

View all my reviews

A - Z Book Challenge

2011-12-27T14:57:00.004-06:00

So, I really only did one book challenge last year, the Debut Author Challenge hosted by

The Story Siren. And I'm now debating whether to do that one again this year or not. But this is a challenge that sounds really interesting and different. So I'm going to try it. I'm going to go with the "B" method, of just as I read adding titles to the the list. In order to make this list, what I'll probably do is make a post, and then just add to it as I add books to the list and update it. Not sure how else to keep a list on my blog right now. I'm not so great with all the design stuff. But if any of you have suggestions on how I can do it, I'd love it! I'm kind of at the mercy of using Blogger's little widgets right now.

If you're interested in participating, just click on the button at the top of this post and follow the instructions to get involved!

A- Another Jekyll, Another Hyde by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
B-
C-
D- The Death Cure by James Dashner
E-
F- First Kill (The Slayer Chronicles) by Heather Brewer
G-
H-
I- Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
J-
K-
L-
M-
N-
O- Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
P- Pure by Julianna Baggott
Q-
R- Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves
S- Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz
T-
U-
V-
W-
X-
Y-
Z-

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

2011-12-25T14:58:00.001-06:00

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got to read the first book in this series, Unearthly as an ARC a few months before it came out the beginning of this year. So I'm glad I was able to get this egalley from Netgalley and HarperTeen. It means the amount of time between reading them is the same for people who wait for each book to come out, and I like that. This was probably the 2nd angel series I read, I gave it a try after I liked Hush, Hushand I enjoyed it as well. In this book we jump in about where we left off. Clara is with Tucker, the boy she decided to save in the book before, even though her purpose seemed to be directing her to save Christian, who it turned out was also an angel-blood. Tucker knows the basics about Clara being an angel. In this book though, Clara gets a new vision, and since she's sure she failed her purpose, she thinks that it will be someone she loves who dies. She soon finds out that it will be, but not who she first imagines. And when she finds this out, it leads to all sorts of changes in her life. But the Black Wing from the first book is back. But her father also comes back. And she learns all sorts of things about herself, as well as angels in general. And her brother is hiding something, we do find out what, but still unsure quite why he is acting the way he is, we are left wondering at the end.

Once I got back into the book and remembered all from the first book, I got sucked back in and it was a book I had trouble putting down. So I'm sure people who enjoyed the first one will be glad to pick this one up. It actually left me ready to read the next in the series, which I'm sure there will have to be.

View all my reviews

Breaking Dawn Movie Review

2011-12-17T11:24:00.002-06:00

Yeah, yeah, I know this is a book blog, but as Breaking Dawn is a movie based on one of my favorite book series, I think this works. I personally felt this was the best of all the movies so far. I do have a few complaints, as anyone would. First, one thing I loved in the book was the banter between Jacob and Rosalie, the dumb blonde jokes, and then when Rosalie made the bowl into a dog dish to bring Jacob his food. That was left out, and I was a bit disappointed. Second, a lot of people laughed at the part where the wolves were talking, but I didn't think that was bad. I mean, come on, we're talking a movie about vampires that sparkle and werewolves that can communicate telepathically. How else would they do that? I was okay. One part that made me cringe was when Emmett and Jasper came to take Edward to his "bachelor" party. The way they laughed and shoved each other around down below Bella's window was kinda dorky and stupid seeming. Also, I know Alice is supposed to be the "fashion" queen, and I know I'm not really a fashionista, but at the beginning when she's got on shoes that are a lighter color than the hose/tights she is wearing? I can't stand that look, it looks dumb to me. And the other part that really made me cringe was at the wedding the way they were showing Alice and Jasper dance as if it was really stunning and impressive, but it was only a little jump they did. Really? Kinda dorky.
Other than those complaints, I loved it! I know people have complained there wasn't much action, and I can see their point, but the movie ended at the EXACT point I wanted it to. Although not sure the dress Bella is in is really what was descrbied in the book, so may be a little disappointed in how the next movie starts. But we'll see. I've seen it 3 times, and know I'll see it at least 2 more times. If not more as usuall. And now, well, I've got to wait until next November to see the next one! Which sucks because that means I'll have to go to New York again to see it. :-)
Anyway, I'm looking forward to my Christmas break from teaching and actually getting some reading done! So that I can post more book reviews on here.

Crossed by Ally Condie

2011-12-15T15:31:00.001-06:00

Crossed by Ally Condie

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First let me say that I need to take a cue from something I saw The Story Siren say, that she doesn't read other reviews. Because in the case of this book, I wonder how much of my dissatisfaction is because I read other reviews of people that were not completely pleased with this book. I also wonder how much is because it is the "sophomore" book in the series, which often aren't as good as the first. Let me be clear, it wasn't bad, it was a good story, but it just didn't live up to how much I loved the first book in the series,Matched. After thinking about it, here is why I think that is. I liked the whole society part of the first book, the 100 books, movies, songs, etc. I liked being a part of all that. This book took our characters out of that society and put them out in the wilderness basically. And while I do enjoy books like that, it just didn't keep up with where the first story went. It reminds me of my displeasure with Mockingjay, the 3rd in the Hunger Games trilogy. I think I didn't enjoy the 3rd book because there was no "hunger games" in it. It sounds as if the 3rd book in the Matched series may get back to the setting that pulled me in to the series in the first place. And I did like learning more about Ky, as well as about the people who weren't in the society, and why things became the society like that. All in all I believe it furthered the story, told us what we needed to know, but I'm ready to read on and hopefully get back into the society.

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Waiting on Wednesday - Fear (Gone #5) by Michael Grant

2011-12-14T17:54:00.005-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event sponsored by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This is where we share the books we are eagerly anticipating the release of.

This week I've chosen Fear (Gone Series #5) by Michael Grant. I first learned of this series when I was reading for the Truman nominees a few years ago. I was hooked and begin burning my way through them. And these are some thick books! But really quick reading, hard to put down. In the series all adults have disappeared, basically anyone above a certain age. Turns out that whatever did happen, the town is now inside a giant dome and they can't see what is outside. And when the kids turn that age, they can, but don't always have to, disappear as well. Inside the dome there are monsters and of course there are kids who are "bad" in the Lord of the Flies way almost. So here is a synopsis of this book from Goodreads:
This is a blood-pumping, white-knuckle sci-fi thriller of epic proportions. Night is falling in the FAYZ. Even though it's been nearly a year since everyone over the age of fifteen disappeared, the sun has continued to shine on the kids of Perdido Beach. Now, though, the gaiaphage has blotted out the sun and plunged the FAYZ into perpetual gloom. Divided and dispirited, the survivors face their greatest enemy yet - the darkness of their own minds ...

I can't wait to read this and continue on with the story. What book are you eagerly awaiting?

Feature and Follow Friday

2011-12-09T15:48:00.010-06:00

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly event that helps you expand your blog following by a joint effort between bloggers. It is sponsored by Parajunkee and Allison Can Read. This week's question is:

Keeping with the spirit of giving this season, what book do you think EVERYONE should read, and if you could, would you buy it for all of your family and friends?

Again, this is a really hard question this week! I think that I would actually have to pick a book that really touched me because of what I personally deal with in my own life, as well as family members I've had do this. The book 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. I especially want to recommend it to all middle school age kids. I know it is really about high school students, but I see my students saying these mean things to each other all the time. And I think the way the girl in the book describes how these little things that people say affect her, after all she's been through, is very realistic. It's so easy to just let your bad mood cause you to be rude or short with another person, not thinking about how it affects what they're already dealing with in their lives. And I guess along with this book, I'd also recommend the book How Full is Your Bucket by Tom Rath. This taught me a long time ago to think about how when another person doesn't say hi when you walk by or smile, or whatever, it's not necessarily anything to do with you, so don't take it personal, and also, realize how what you do or say can be taken personal by someone else, and do your best not to fall into these traps. I think the 2nd book is something to help you live by, and the first is good for those who are either suffering from depression, or who maybe are bullying, to see what they are actually doing to someone.

Okay, I think this post is kind of depressing for me today! Sorry about that! What books did you pick?

Epic Giveaway by author Beth Revis!

2011-12-07T17:56:00.004-06:00

You have got to go enter this contest! Not only are there a ton of prizes available, as explained in the video below, but she is donating $1 per entry (up to 1000 entries) to charity!

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

2011-12-07T17:24:00.002-06:00

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi from Netgalley. I have to admit when I first started reading it, I had a few thoughts I wasn't going to really enjoy it. The dystopian future seemed a bit to out there at first. And I'm not sure why, because a lot of the technology they started with in this book is similar to what is in other books like Bumped and even Skinned, the 2nd of which is one of my favorite series. I guess the part where they went into the pod where all the plants were dead, and the way the guys with the main character, Aria, acted about the fire and all that. But when Aria was betrayed because what happened with the fire was caused by a high ranking official's son, and sent out into what they called The Death Shop to make it on her own, I was hooked. I knew as soon as she went to talk to the official that was probably going to happen. Just had a feeling. She meets up out there with the Outsider who had saved her from the fire that night. The outsider has what I'd consider a mutation, probably caused by whatever had driven so many people to live in the Pods. He has what she needs to try to find her way to where communication was lost with her mother in another Pod. He needs this eye piece tech as well because he believes he can use it to get his nephew back, who was kidnapped by the Dwellers he assumes so they can get the information Aria recorded on there of the Official's son. Out in this wilderness they come across all kinds of "real" nature, something that Aria has only experienced as what would be called virtual reality. Her body also starts reverting to its natural state. And in one thing that to some people may be TMI, to me, I wasn't sure how she got by in the clothes she had, she got her period, but didn't know what it was. Not sure how she dealt with it either. Call me crazy, but I wanted to know for sure. Other than that, the relationship between her and the outsider Perry develops in a fair way I felt. And as we got to the end, where once again we were left hanging, I found myself wanting to read on, and sad that it was over and I'd have to wait to learn more. I think this will be a good new dystopian series.

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Waiting on Wednesday - Darkness Falls (Immortal Beloved #2) -Cate Tiernan

2011-12-07T16:42:00.007-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly awaiting.

This week I've chosen Darkness Falls by Cate Tiernan, the sequel to Immortal Beloved. It is set to be published January 2, 2012.

From Goodreads.com:

Nastasya has lived for hundreds of years, but for some reason, life never seems to get any better. She left her spoiled, rich girl life to find peace at River's Edge, a safe haven for wayward immortals. There, she learned to embrace River's Edge, despite some drama involving the sexy Reyn, who she wants but won't allow herself to have. But just as she's getting comfortable, her family's ties to dark magick force her to leave. She falls back into her old, hard partying ways, but will her decision lead her into the hands of a dark immortal? Or will it be her first step to embracing the darkness within her?

I got the first book on sale when Borders was going out of business. I really enjoyed it, and am now eager to move on and find out what happens next in the story.

What is your most anticipated book this week?

Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

2011-12-03T12:51:00.002-06:00

Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I know this book has been out for awhile, but I've seen it at the store and picked it up and thought about reading it. However NetGalley offered a free download of it in preparation for the latest book in the series being released, so I went ahead and downloaded and read it. Okay, so first I have to agree with some other reviewers that this starts out JUST like Twilight. The mysterious boy saves the girl from a car crash. This boy is hot and cold toward her. Yet his touch and something about him just mesmerizes her. The girl is Camelia, the boy is Ben. Well, Ben has a history, it is rumored he killed his girlfriend, but the police found him innocent, so he didn't get charged with it. But everyone at school believes the rumors, and gives him a hard time. Now, Ben is the new one at school. Turns out he wants to go back to a normal life, public school, as he's been homeschooled since his girlfriend died to deal with these same kind of issues. Camelia is intrigued as I said, but about this same time she also seems to have picked up a stalker of some sort. And she doesn't quite know who it is. It begins with a picture of her left in her mailbox. And it goes on to creepy phone calls, and more violent things such as someone breaking into her room and tearing things to shreds, like a gift this same stalker left at her windowsill. And to top it all off, Ben has a power, and it seems this power can help Camelia, but could also be what caused his girlfriend to die.

Getting past the part that was so identical to Twilight, I really got sucked in. There were so many people that could have been the stalker. The author set the clues and false clues up so well. I won't spoil it and tell you who it was, but I will list all the people I thought it could be as I read, Ben of course, her friend Wes, her ex-boyfriend Matt, the guy she worked for at the Pottery shop, the guy her best friend had a crush on, and even her best friend Kimmie, all stood out at times as possibly being the stalker. Was it one of them? Like I said, I won't spoil it for you, you need to read it yourself. It was really creepy trying to figure out who it was. I guess I'll now have to go on and read the other books in the series.

View all my reviews

Follow Friday #14

2011-12-02T16:53:00.007-06:00

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop that helps expand your blog following by a joint effort between bloggers. It is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. This week's question is:

What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to books? Maybe you don't like love triangles or think plots. Tell us about it!

Wow, this is kind of a hard question this week! Just because I'm not sure what pet peeves I have with books. I either like them or I don't. I know that with realistic type fiction, I have trouble when I can't relate to the main character, especially if there is any romance. As someone who is in their late 30's and single, never been married, it is hard for me to read about women who are unhappy in their marriages. I'm not saying I don't think those kind of stories aren't realistic, they just don't speak to me. So, not sure if that is a pet peeve, but that is something that I do think about a lot when it comes to choosing books to read.

What are your pet peeves? Surely you have better, more thought out ones than I do.

The Katerina Trilogy, Vol. I: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

2011-12-02T16:43:00.005-06:00

The Katerina Trilogy, Vol. I: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this as an e-book from Netgalley. I normally wouldn't enter the Goodreads contest to win a copy of a book I've already read, but I did really enjoy this, and since it is part one of a series, I'll want to have it to re-read before the next one comes out probably. I really liked the story to begin with. The characters really grabbed me, and it was fun to kind of read about "royalty" in a way. To read about girls who were supposed to only get married and be good wives. Yet our main character, Katerina, doesn't want that kind of life. She wants to be a doctor. Now in her country, women have been banned from going to medical school. Her father supports her, along with another doctor, and says he will help her to go to a school that does allow women. But this is not the main storyline, although it is a big part of her life. Katerina can see a light around people, a light that tells something about whether they are close to death or not. And she soon finds out, this may be because she is a necromancer. In this world there are vampires, and fairies, and zombies, and all kinds of magical things, ghosts, etc. And it is a world of it. The light and dark sides. Katerina is needed by both sides. One needs her for a ritual to help their son ascend, and then they want her powers for other things later on. The other side needs her to be able to raise a creature that can save them from the dark. The one side, the son says he's in love with her, but Katerina doesn't trust his family, or him. The other side has a soldier/royal son who irritates her, and he doesn't trust her because he can tell what her power is. But soon, a spark grows between them as they continue to be thrown together in all these dangerous situations. But Katerina may have to deny her true feelings, as the other side threatens her friends and family if she does not marry their son and do as they ask.

Now, as I've said, I really enjoyed this book. When I picked it up, I had trouble putting it down. The story was very thought out, all the background of the families and all the paranormal situations and entities. It ended at a point that I'm very eager to read on past and find out what happens, and that's the problem with reading advanced readers copies, since it isn't even published yet, now I have to wait until it's published, plus probably another year before I'll get to read on. I wish when I got an ARC of a series, I could just get all the rest early too. But I'm sure all readers feel that way. Anyway, my only complaint with this book has to do with some of how it was so involved. I feel like the book just started in with some of the paranormal stuff, but didn't really explain it well until later, which was a bit confusing. Also, Katerina didn't know she was a necromancer, or that vampires were real, but she did know there were fairies? Seems weird to know about that and not the rest. But all in all, a great book, and I totally got past that once I got into the story.

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Follow Friday #13

2011-11-25T13:27:00.008-06:00

It is time for this week's Feature and Follow Friday, hosted by Parajunkee, and Allison Can Read. This is a blog hop that expands your blog following by a joint effort between bloggers.
This week's question is:

It's Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., so we want to know what you are thankful for - blogging related, of course! Who has helped you out along the way? What books are you thankful for reading?

First I am thankful for all the years I have been employed by the Barnes and Noble book company. It is through them that I got my first ARCs. I also met my friend Charlotte, who has her own blog: Charlotte's Web of Books and kind of inspired me to start blogging about books. Along my journey, I've learned lots about book blogging from people like The Story Siren, and even Parajunkee. Even non-book bloggers have helped, like another of my friends from the bookstore, Greg at The Confounded Cook, inspired me with his consistency and dedication to his blog. So many authors that I've met and talked to online through Twitter keep me going too. I also am a big fan of Netgalley.com, another site I learned about from my friend Charlotte, that helps me get to read egalleys of books. And finally, I have to once again thank my bookstore job, as they allowed me to have a table in the store this past summer and fall that had my book recommendations as well as a sign advertising my blog. So that was really cool! And I want to thank Parajunkee for letting me be a featured blogger, and helping me to increase my blog following. I'm thankful for all the great bloggers I meet who share new book titles that I may not have heard of before.

So, what are you thankful for in your book blogging world?

One Lovely Blog award!

2011-11-23T10:09:00.022-06:00

Thanks to Samanth at The Written Escape for giving me the One Lovely Blog Award! I know many bloggers don't want to do awards, and I understand that it takes time to do this, but for now I'm grateful and will continue to participate as long as I have the time to do it.

Now it is my turn to award 15 other bloggers with this award. So here we go:

1. Lea at LC's Adventures in Libraryland

2. Christy at Love of Books

3. Valen at The Readers Heartstring

4. Kate at Musings of a Book Lover

5. Giselle at Xpresso Reads

6. Nia and Nhien at Your Average Bookworms

7. A Bird's Eye Review

8. Joder at Words of Wisdom from the Scarf Princess

9. Tribute Books Mama

10. Kristen at Such a Teenage Bookworm

11. Robyn Book Reviews

12. Pretty in Fiction

13. Michelle at Oh! For the LOVE of BOOKS!

14. Ninja Girl Reads

15. Anne at My Head is Full of Books

I tried to not pick anyone who had an "award free blog" so if I did, I apologize, I didn't see where you said that on your blog. For those of you who I did nominate, you need to now nominate 15 of your favorite blogs to pass the award onto as well.

Waiting on Wednesday - Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz

2011-11-23T09:25:00.011-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event sponsored by Jill at Breaking the Spine, where we spotlight upcoming releases that we're eagerly awaiting.

This week I've chosen a book that I am eagerly awaiting for many reasons. Not just that I loved the 1st book, but that I got to meet the author last Friday when I was in New York, and now I'm even more excited! My book this week is called Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz, and it is the sequel to Spellbound. In this 2nd book, Emma is hoping things will go back to normal now that she has broken the centuries old romantic curse keeping her and Brendan apart. She is now getting used to being a witch though. Still dealing with the cliques in her school, it is helpful that Brendan is the most wanted boy in school, and her boyfriend. But there is something else out there that still wants to break them apart, and get their own powers from them. The release date is next March.

The exciting thing? I got to read the prologue when I met Cara last week! And it was so intense and I can't wait to keep reading! When I was in New York I got to meet Cara, and even had a chance to hang out with her for a little bit. Later in my trip I made sure to go to the Belvedere castle in Central Park, which features in a very exciting scene in Spellbound, and get my picture with the book taken there. Cara was so nice, and it was so neat to learn about her and where these stories first came from. She gave me the bit of a push to get back to working on my novel that I was about halfway through when I ran out of time and motivation to keep writing. Meeting her only reinforced my thoughts that authors are my rock stars!!

What authors have you met, and do you feel the same way I do about them?

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

2011-11-13T15:07:00.007-06:00

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So I've been a fan of Maureen Johnson since I first began following her on Twitter. I even got her to reply to me one time, a long time ago though. I hadn't read her books yet, just knew her name from working in the children's department at the bookstore where I have a part time job. I immediately picked up her books once I saw how funny she was because I just knew anyone who could be so funny in 140 characters or less had to be an asesome writer. And she is really good. I've read her Scarlett series, 13 Little Blue Envelopes, and Devilish. And now I've read The Name of the Star, which I hear is going to be the first in a series. And I'm very glad to hear that because I really enjoyed this book.

I have also been fascinated by the Jack the Ripper stories ever since reading the book by Patricia Cornwell: Portrait of a Killer: Jack The Ripper - Case Closed as well as the movie From Hell which starred Johnny Depp, and the guy who plays Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies.

In this book, our main character is Rory, who is from Louisiana, but is now attending a school in London because of her parents traveling for their own jobs. She is attending a boarding school that just happens to be right near the whole Ripper scene. And, just as she arrives, someone has begun to imitate the Ripper murders. Rory also has some other weird things happen. She keeps seeing people that no one else sees. She soon realizes that she has the ability to see ghosts, one of which may be responsible for the new Ripper like murders. She also discovers she's not alone in having this ability and that she may be able to use it to help out and save more people from dying.

View all my reviews

Follow Friday #12

2011-11-11T15:56:00.006-06:00

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly event that expands your blog following by a joint effort between bloggers and it is hosted by Parajunkee and Allison Can Read.

This week's question is:

In light of 11/11/11 and Veteran's Day, tell us about your favorite soldier and how he or she is saving the world. Fictional or Real life.

This is a hard one. I don't actually know any specific soldiers out fighting right now. So I am going to go back to my grandpa and my uncles. All served in the military in foreign countries. My grandpa Moritz during the Korean war. So he is my favorite soldier, and he passed away several years ago, but I thank him for what he did in the past.

Who is your favorite soldier?

The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

2011-11-09T18:39:00.001-06:00

The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this book from Netgalley, and am so glad I did! I'm a huge fan of Robin Wasserman's books because of the Skinned series, which I think is now called the Cold Awakening series. But anyway, this is a really good book. It is one that makes me realize why I can never finish any of the books I start. The depth of the detail and the back story in this is incredible! I love books that use letters or flashbacks to historical diaries or events like this one does. In a way this is a Da Vinci Code type of book in that it brings in an ancient religious sect. I also like the sciencey part to it, as I am a science teacher. This was a big book, lots and lots of story to read. It starts out and says where it starts is the middle of the story. But really, while it is kind of the start of the whole 2nd part, the 2nd part is HUGE! Not in a bad way, just you get to that part and it's not really the middle of the book, just the middle of the story. I do like that it starts like that, so that you know kind of what is to happen, but you don't know just what will happen after that until you get to that part. I loved that I was kept guessing on whether the boyfriend, Max, was a bad guy or a good guy the whole time. So many clues led you back and forth. And the cousin, the unknown guy who shows up after Chris's murder, again, you don't know if he's good or bad. I kind of wanted to like Eli, hated him at first for how he talked to Nora, the main character, but as the story went on, really liked the love-hate relationship they had, I often enjoy those types of stories.

The story talks about an elusive machine that is supposed to get the maker/user in touch with God, it is called the Lumen Dei. The way it works at the end when they finally get it together is really good and totally adds to the whole story, and makes up for waiting all through the story to know what it will really do, although you're not left knowing what actually happens.

Great book, I'll be putting it as a staff recommendation at the bookstore where I work when it comes out in January.

View all my reviews

Waiting on Wednesday - Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

2011-11-09T17:41:00.006-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights upcoming releases we are eagerly awaiting.

Last week I veered off the path a bit with all the books I'd been waiting on in the past, but now were released, yet I hadn't had time to read them yet. This week I'll be back on track.

I didn't know until I posted about not liking the ending that Delirium by Lauren Oliver was going to have a sequel. Then I was a little better with the way it ended. So now, I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver.

I now know this is going to be a dystopian trilogy. In this book we continue with Lena Holloway from the first one. In this society, all people are mandated to get "the cure" which cures you of the disease of love. Lena fell in love with Alex though, and he with her, and they tried to make their escape. Unfortunately, Alex didn't make it (the reason I didn't like the ending), and now Lena must go on without him outside of the society. It is slated to be released March of 2012.

November RAK

2011-11-05T14:46:00.006-05:00

Well, I signed up to do RAK last month, and got 3 different books! It was awesome! I'm sure a lot of that was because it was my birthday month. However, I'm a little ticked at myself because I can't find the emails to remember the people that sent me the books. And I know I saved them just to have for this blog post! Well, I did send a book, a Nook e-book to one of the people that sent me a book. So you'd think I'd still have their information somewhere, but no, again, something happened and I can't find it. I wonder if when I was trying to save my school emails as they were changing our system at the district where I teach, if somehow they got mixed up in those emails and I'll have to search through that mess. Hopefully at some point I can find them, and come back and edit this post to give thanks publicly to those people who made it a great birthday month.

I received Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler, which I've already read and reviewed. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab, which is on the list to probably read later this month. And finally, The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, which I do still have the email from Erika at http://readspect.blogspot.com who sent this to me. I still have hers because the book came with a Karma seed for me to pass on. Which is part of why I am doing RAK this month. I need to pass this along. You can read about the Karma seed program here: http://thekarmaseed.org/home

Here is my wishlist from Amazon.com: http://amzn.com/w/16GT1JWQAYZ35

And my top 5 that I'm hoping for this month are:

Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

Crossed by Ally Condie

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

The Death Cure by James Dashner.

If you're interested in participating this month, here are the links you need:

First, go sign up here: http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/2011/11/random-acts-of-kindness-november-sign.html

To see who else is participating so you can choose who to send a gift to, go here:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0As4fr55TjlOydHpyV1VVNUFSMUxlS0ZmWmtya1VpdUE#gid=0

Hope you'll join in as this is a great thing to be a part of.

I'm thankful for Nancy Drew

2011-11-03T18:56:00.005-05:00

I'm a huge fan of Beth Revis, I loved her debut novel Across the Universe. She is having this awesome contest in honor of Thanksgiving by asking fans to post about their favorite titles and the winner will receive all 19 of the signed books listed, as well as some awesome swag!
So I decided to do this, as hard as it will be to pick just one book.
One of my first choices would have been the author's first choice, the Narnia series. Like her, this was a series that I read over and over. I still have my copies of the books, and they are tattered and dog-eared, showing how much I read them and loved them. To me, a book that is loved isn't all pristine and perfectly new looking.
But I didn't want to be copying, so instead, I chose the book series that I really see as my entry into being the avid, obsessed reader that I am today. I remember one weekend, I think I was in about 3rd or 4th grade probably, we were at the JCPenney's outlet store across the Missouri-Kansas state line. We went there probably once a month looking for good deals. I remember stopping with my mom in front of a display of these yellow books. I don't remember the whole experience, but I think my dad went on with my brother while my mom and I stopped and looked. For some reason, she bought me a large number of them. I think at least 10 were bought at that time. I took them home, and devoured them. And soon bought almost all of them. I am missing a few, but still consider buying them at the bookstore I work at just to complete my set. I don't know what it is about them, but I loved stepping into the world. I loved the mystery, Nancy and her friends Bess and tomboy George. Her boyfriend Ned. It was like hanging out with friends. From this book I moved on to probably Narnia next, or maybe A Wrinkle in Time, another series I got sucked into and loved. But I am thankful that this series got me started on the path to loving reading the way I do now.

Gateway 2012-2013 Nominee 5: The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith

2011-11-03T17:47:00.001-05:00

The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It is not really historical fiction, but it goes back and does get into some history and it is a ghost type story as well. In a way it reminds me just a little bit of Ghosts I Have Beenone of my favorite series ever when I was younger. I like that this has the history along with the ghost story. And I also enjoyed reading from the viewpoint of a teen boy who has a black father and a white mother. It was interesting to read his take on his father's crusade to get reparations. This book also jumped between viewpoints of Law Walker, and the "crazy" girl in town, Katie Mullen. It turns out that Law had a crush on Katie when they were younger, before she became the crazy girl. But his mother didn't let him ask her to the dance because she lived on the wrong side of the town. Law's mom and dad are well to do. Katie is not. In fact she lives with her step-father, because her father died in the military, and her mother died later. But now Katie sees ghosts. She wants to believe it is just hallucinations, until she draws one of the ghosts and when Law sees the drawing, he doesn't know how she knows what those things looked like. She has to come to terms with the fact that things in her past may not be quite as she has believed. And Law must figure a way to do what he wants and not completely disappoint his father who has his own plans for Law.

I really enjoyed this book. Couldn't wait to get back to it whenever I had to put it down. It was also nice that I had some extra time when I was reading this so that I did not have to take too long to read it.

View all my reviews

Book Blogger Hop #12 and Follow Friday #11

2011-10-28T12:19:00.007-05:00

The Book Blogger Hop is sponsored by Jen at Crazy For Books. Just read at her site that this will be the last one of these for a while. So sad! But I understand, it does take a lot of time I'm sure to do all of this, as I know I've not been able to keep up with doing this every week. But this is basically a place to connect with other book bloggers and readers.

This week's question is: What is your favorite Halloween costume? Even if you don't celebrate, what kinds of costumes do you like?

Well, I actually dressed up last Saturday night for a friend's party. On Monday night I'll be at home, with a big bowl of candy, hoping to have some trick or treaters. Last year I didn't have very many, which was disappointing, as that is one part of Halloween I've enjoyed as an adult. My favorite costume is one that I can't fit into anymore, but still have. Even when I lost weight last year, I believe certain parts of my body have either not lost weight, or have settled to a different postion that made me unable to zip the dress all the way up. Probably almost 10 years ago, my mom sewed me the famous pink Marilyn Monroe dress, the same one Madonna wears in her Material Girl video. That is my favorite costume. I wish I could wear it at least one more time. But because it is homemade, and so fitted, there was no way for my mom to "let it out" in the bust area, so I was unable to wear it.

Follow Friday is sponsored by Parajunkee and Allison Can Read.

This week's question is: If you could have dinner with your favorite book character, who would you eat with and what would you serve?

Hmm, that is kind of a hard question. Because I think I'd like to have dinner with Edward from Twilight, and of course, he wouldn't really be eating anything so I wouldn't have to serve anything. Or, I would like to have dinner with Jacob, and we'd go to a nice steak house for dinner. I know, that is probably a cliche answer, but it is what it is. My best answer.

So, do you have a favorite Halloween costume? And who would you choose to have dinner with?

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

2011-10-27T02:36:00.002-05:00

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I actually really liked this book. I think the subject of anorexia is one that is very overlooked sometimes. I liked the irony in a girl who was anorexic being in charge of famine. I liked that the other riders, Death, War, and Pestilence, were portrayed in a somewhat different way than you normally see. I like the choice that Famine was given. This book did speak to me personally, not that I'm anorexic, but that I struggle with weight, and I understand the feeling of looking in the mirror, and what you see is not what others see. There are times I leave my home and I thought what I put on looked good in my mirror. Then I get to school and walk by a window and see my reflection and hate how fat I look. Or I'm somewhere like a party, in an outfit I planned and thought made me look really good, then I see a picture later and think wow, how fat I really am, and why don't I see that in the mirror when I look. And then other people will say how good I look, and I don't think I look like that. For a long time, when I was younger, I never understood how anorexics could look in a mirror and feel fat, when all I saw was barely any person there. But now that I can't trust my own eyes when I look in a mirror, I get it. And I think this book showcases that very well. I like that at the end it isn't just easy for her to begin eating and be normal. She thinks she can, but soon that "thin voice" is back in her head telling her how many calories, or minutes exercising each food will cost her. And making her feel guilty for even thinking of eating one french fry.

I look forward to reading the next one in the series, Rage. This was a quick read, as it is a short book, and I think there could probably have been more detail to flesh the story out and make it last a bit longer if there was anything that wasn't perfect about the book, that's it.

View all my reviews

Waiting on Wednesday - New Style

2011-10-26T17:25:00.013-05:00

Okay, what I mean by "New Style" is that I know I'm not doing the exact correct thing here, but I'm so far behind on reading since school started back in August, that I kept thinking about how many new books were out that I'd been waiting on, but hadn't had the time to read them yet. So, hopefully Jill at Breaking the Spine doesn't mind too much if I veer off course this week. Instead of choosing one book that is not published yet that I'm eagerly awaiting, I want to share the books that have recently been published but I haven't had time to read them yet.

First is The Death Cure by James Dashner. This is the 3rd, and as far as I know at the moment, final book in the Maze Runner series. According to bn.com:
Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

Second is Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick, the 3rd, and I think final in the Hush Hush series. According to bn.com: The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

Third is The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson. I enjoy following Maureen Johnson on Twitter, she is so funny. And I've read a few of her others, 13 Little Blue Envelopes, Suite Scarlett, Devilish, to name a few. The 3rd one was the closest to my normal type of book, I mean paranormalish. But this new one sounds really in my area, and I did get it for my birthday, so it will be one of the next ones I read. According to bn.com:
The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.
Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

Fourth is First Kill (The Slayer Chronicles #1) by Heather Brewer. I loved her Vladmir Tod series. I love following her on Twitter, and I was so excited to get to meet her last spring! I was so excited when I heard about this series which will fill in the summers between the Vlad Tod books, but from Joss, the vampire slayer's, point of view. Here is the summary according to bn.com: Joss McMillan’s perfect life crashes down the night he witnesses his sister’s murder — at the hands of a vampire. He then finds out his family’s secret heritage: They are part of the Slayer Society, a group whose mission is to rid the world of vampires. Joss is their new recruit. As Joss trains, bent on seeking revenge for his sister, he discovers powers that could make him the youngest, strongest Slayer in history. But there is a traitor in the Society, one whose identity would shake Joss to the core . . . if the traitor doesn’t kill him first.
With over a million copies already in print, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is still sinking its fangs into new readers every day. Now, bestselling author Heather Brewer brings us the other side of the story, from the perspective of Vlad’s former friend turned mortal enemy: vampire slayer Joss McMillan. This is the first in a series of five books that can be read alongside Vlad Tod or entirely on their own.

The 5th book I came up with, and I know there are many more, is The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore. This is the sequel to I Am Number Four, which I only picked up to read in the first place due to some of the controversy about who the author really was. I'll let you do some research into that on your own if you're interested enough. Here is the storyline according to bn.com:
I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.
Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?
They caught Number One in Malaysia.Number Two in England.And Number Three in Kenya.They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.
I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.
And I'm ready to fight.

So, as I said, I hope that the blog who does this meme isn't upset with me for diverging from the normal way of doing this for this week. I just really wanted to do a blog about this, and it felt kind of like I was "waiting" so I decided it fit perfectly under "Waiting On Wednesday" because instead of waiting for a book to be published, I'm waiting to have the time to read them!

Must Read Monday #1

2011-10-24T17:39:00.005-05:00

Just found this meme through someone I follow, and it is sponsored by Fans of Fiction. It is called Must Read Monday, and I love the creativity behind it! You pick a book based on whatever the theme is, and you explain why it is a must read. But you must explain it using an acrostic poem. This week's theme is paranormal, which can include paranormal romance. I just read a really good one I'd like to share, but since the title is so long, I decided not to do it for my first foray into this meme. Instead I'll go with another really good one I read this past spring. I chose Abandon by Meg Cabot.

Ancient stories of the underworld

But who really believes in them anymore.

An accident nearly took Pierce's life

Near death, but she came back

Doing her best to move on with life isn't easy, so she moves to her mother's birthplace

Oh but still he finds her, and still he wants her to come live with him

Now she must decide her own fate.

Wow, now that I do this, it might be easier next time to do a longer title to fit more in. Hope I've given some idea of the book with this poem. It was fun if anything.

Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman by Harlan Ellison

2011-10-23T11:27:00.005-05:00

Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman: The Classic Story by Harlan Ellison

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I read this book after hearing about an author challenging the movie In Time that comes out next week starring Justin Timberlake. The movie is about people only living until the age of 25, and for any time after that they work to earn it. Living until 25 though, means that you don't age past that. You pretty much look that age as long as you have time. You get paid in time, you pay for things in time. It looks like a really interesting movie.

I can see how the idea could have come from this short story, but honestly, the movie looks to have gone in a bit different direction. The people in the book are killed if they are late or waste time. It doesn't talk about using time as currency or only living till a certain age. So while I can see the basis of the idea, I don't see the actual whole plot of the movie in this short story.

The story is kind of weird and hard to follow, something many other reviewers on here like about it. And I can understand that. But it wasn't really enjoyable to me to read. I liked the idea behind it, but wish it had made more sense.

Check out the movie trailer and see what you think:

View all my reviews

Tighter by Adele Griffin

2011-10-23T11:04:00.002-05:00

Tighter by Adele Griffin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I borrowed this book from my friend Kim, who won it from a contest here on Goodreads. I actually saw this book before then on the shelf at the bookstore where I work, and blogged about it in one of my Hazards of Working at a Bookstore entries. So I was very excited she won it and I got to borrow it.

I'm going to start with what I didn't like. I didn't like the drugs part. I totally understand why the character was taking them, well, I understand based on what the author wrote it as. But I guess I'm just a goody-goody in that I don't like that she couldn't overcome the drugs even when things seemed to be looking up for her.

Okay, on to the good stuff. The main character is Jamie, and she is spending the summer as an au pair on this little island. She gets to go live in this huge house and take care of the little girl. She doesn't learn till she gets there that the au pair from the year before died tragically. She also doesn't know that the little girl's big brother will end up hanging out with them all summer. Weird things start to happen. Jamie also finds out that she looks eerily similar to the au pair from the year before, and as has become something that haunts her at home, she is seeing the girl's ghost, along with the boy that she died with. The story was really good, one I didn't want to put down while I was reading, and the twist at the end was so good, I needed to go back in the book and try to see why I hadn't figured it out earlier. Not a spooky ghost story to me, but an intriguing one.

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The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

2011-10-23T10:42:00.003-05:00

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the first book I read by this author, The Replacement. So I knew I would enjoy this one right away, and was so excited when I won an ARC from Goodreads.com. I was a little disappointed at first that it wouldn't be a sequel to the first book, as I feel that one left open for a sequel. But the premise to this story was really good as well. I was fortunate in that I picked this book up at a time when I actually had some time to read, and I got it all read within about 3 days time, the majority of it yesterday. Once I picked it up and started reading, I was just sucked in and had to know where it was going. What I love about this author's books is that she is so descriptive, and the storyline, background, history of the world, etc., they are all so involved. Even with all the fallen angel stories that are out, and even some now about demons as not so bad of people, this has it's own originality.

The main character is Daphne. She lives in Pandemonium, which is a city in Hell. The interesting thing about this city is that when they open the furnaces of hell, everything burns. They must close doors and windows and cabinets to protect things that are not from that city. Daphne is the daugher of Lillith, a demon, and Lucifer, the devil. She has many half brothers and sisters, most are demons like her mohter, but one is her brother Obie. Obie has gone to earth, but he chooses to save lost souls, whereas her sisters choose to take from the men.

We begin with a boy showing up in Pandemonimum bleeding and lost. Obie helps to save him, and then afterwards, Obie chooses to go live on Earth to stay, as he has fallen in love. When Daphne's mother sees that Obie disappears, she sends Daphne to earth to find him, as Lillith cannot go herself. Daphne still feels a connection to the boy who her brother saved, his name is Truman. And she feels that he may have an idea to where her brother might have disappeared. So she goes to Truman (I love that this is the character's name), for help. But it is not safe for Daphne on earth, there is the archangel Azriel who wants to kill and destroy all demons who come to earth, in order to save the humans. Together they must pass through several obstacles and dangers to find Obie, and it is possible that they may not all survive. But who will give their life for love?

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Gateway 2012-2013 Nominee 4: The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork

2011-10-15T11:28:00.001-05:00

The Last Summer Of The Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of the books I read to help with selecting next year's Gateway Award nominees. I did really enjoy it. Didn't think I would, again, like many of the titles on the list this year, it is not my normal type of book. But I really liked the story, and got involved with the characters. At first I was irritated with the main character, Pancho, as he just didn't want to connect with anyone. Just pushed everyone away in his search for vengeance for his sister's death. I totally understood though, his need for vengeance. I can feel in the same situation that I would probably think the same way. I liked the D.Q. character, and again, I can see feeling the same way he did about his sickness and how he wanted to deal with it. I did feel it was a bit predictable with how the whole relationship with Marisol turned out. Obviously it wasn't a Nicholas Sparks type of book where she would fall in love with the terminally ill patient. But once it said something about how she would feel about Pancho, I knew at some point she would tell D.Q., and he would be upset, which he was. But I do like how he realized that was wrong, and how he came around to understand it. Overall, I think it would be a good read for kids on all sides. Even the way the vengeance portion turns out was a good, realistic seeming way, with a bit of a lesson in it.

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The Hazards of Working at a Bookstore Vol. 4.1

2011-10-09T21:10:00.011-05:00

Wow, I can't believe how long it has been since I blogged! School is so busy, 3 jobs are crazy! I also am thinking I may not be able to read the nominees for next year's Gateway. I am going to get a friend, and maybe some students to help me. But I'm getting an opportunity to help someone who is opening a new publishing company, and that is really something that I think will be a help to me in the future, something to put on a resume, and something I really want to do. I've got a ton of books written for my hazards posts since I haven't done one since August. So, again, I'm going to divide them into different categories. Today's category is Teen and Young Adult, 3 books I'm going to share.
First is Following Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci. I read the first one a year or two ago, and really enjoyed it. I didn't know there was going to be a sequel until I saw it on the shelf at the store. In this story a body was found in Steepleton and the main character Torey posts it on his blog. A college reporter hops a plane to get there and try to get the story to launch his career, while Christopher's younger brother just wants to find some answers.

The 2nd book is The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch. This is kind of a futuristic/dystopian/science fiction story. There's been war after war in America. People not wiped out by that are dying from illnesses such as strains of the flu. The main character is 15 year old Stephen. He's traveling across America with his dad and ex-marine grandfather. His grandfather dies, and his father is in an accident and so he must find somewhere to go and he ends up in a town called Settler's Landing, a town that seems so perfect for this afterworld. He falls in love with the town outcast, and it turns out the "elders" of the town want to remake their town back to the way things were before the collapse.

Third is a book I've seen on the shelves for awhile, but haven't really picked it up until recently. And it sounds interesting. It's called Reckless by Cornelia Funke. The main character's name is Jacob Reckless. He is able to go to a hidden world through a portal in his father's study and has gone for years, finding lost items and solving quests. One day his younger brother follows him through the portal, and he is attacked and infected. When he comes back Jacob must figure out a way to save him before he becomes a monster from the other world.

October RAK

2011-10-02T10:19:00.011-05:00

So, I haven't done this since this summer, too busy really. But when I heard that you could now buy a specific book for someone's Nook, and I have a Nook, I thought I'd sign up again and try it out. Plus, it is my birthday month, just like it is the Book Nympho's, (mine is October 22nd) so it might be fun if I get anything this month.

My List

COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:
Please read carefully & follow all rules!
Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the sidebar).
Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.
Once you receive a RAK, send us an email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble as well.
At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post. This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!
Easy peezy!!
Links you will need:
Sign up for October [HERE]
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If you have any questions regarding RAK, please contact us via the following: rakbybooksoulamates @ gmail . com
Good luck to all the giveaway participants and thanks for joining and passing on the kindness!
You guys ROCK!!

Gateway 2012-2013 Nominee 3: Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

2011-10-02T09:39:00.002-05:00

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had been wanting to read this book for a long time. The whole zombie book trend has really hooked me I think. And this book did not disappoint. In fact, you'll notice I gave it 5 stars, and lately, even books that have been really good have only gotten a 4 from me. But I felt this was really different, had something new. Not sure exactly what I'd say was "new", but I did really enjoy this.

I didn't start out with the description of the book thinking that it would be this good though. This is a boy main character, and in this future world, when you reach a certain age, you must get a job or you don't get as many rations. In a way, the ration part, reminds me a bit of The Dead-Tossed Waves. Because one of the characters in that lost his sister because he was looking to get her money to live on by joining an army. And it was a zombie book. But going on, Rot & Ruin started out with the main character hitting the age and going to look for a job. The different jobs that were available were pretty interesting. Looking at pictures of lost loved ones and trying to predict how they would now look as a zombie. Checking the fences around the town to make sure they were strong enough to keep the zombies out. Working in a factory to squeeze the "juice" out of the dead zombies to make "cadaverine", a scent used for those who went out to hunt the zombies. Staying in the lookout towers to keep an eye on the zombies, the job his friend Chong gets. And finally, the job his brother has, zombie hunter. After either not being qualified for some of the jobs, or not wanting the others, Benny ends up working with his brother Tom.

Benny does not respect his brother. His first memory is of his mother handing him to his brother, and telling him to run as his father was attacking them as a zombie. And Benny cannot believe his brother left his mother to die. So now Benny cannot believe the big tough reputation his brother has as a zombie killer.

I thought this would be just a book about a boy learning how to hunt zombies and coming to respect his brother through that. But it was more. Learning to realize that the zombies weren't evil, they were just a disease that had taken over the bodies. The main story being that just normal people were really the ones that could be evil. The family stories, the "First Night" stories, I just felt all of it was really good. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in the series. Of course it will have to wait till I finish reading the books for Gateway nominee list, but it will be probably in December.

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Gateway 2012-2013 Nominee 2: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

2011-09-24T12:48:00.003-05:00

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So, as I started this book, I really didn't think I was going to like it because the main character, Sam, is just so unlikable. And I know that was the whole point of it, but still, I just didn't think I'd ever feel sorry enough for her that I could get into it. And that was disappointing because I loved the book by the same author. And it was also bad because it is one of the possible nominees for next year's Gateway books that I have to read since I am a reader/selector again. It just seemed to me like a cross between the book A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray.

However, once I got into the book, I got sucked in. Every morning that Sam woke up, I wanted to see what she would do differently. It was the whole chaos theory in action. What did Sam need to do differently, first to save herself from dying. And then, when that didn't work, and she woke up again, what was it she actually needed to fix in order for it all to end? And how would she get it fixed? In a way, it brought my thoughts back to by Jay Asher. The reason I think this, is because even though the main character is so unlikable, just seeing how each little detail of what she did, or changed, affected those around her, well I think it's something good for teens/people to read. All these titles make me think of the book , a book my school district used as kind of a theme one year for the school year. It's a book I think everyone should read at some point in their life, the younger the better. I just think sometimes, myself included, that people don't realize how something they say off-handedly or out of their own frustration can really hurt someone else in a way they never intended.

So even though I was sure I was not going to give this book any higher than 3 stars, I ended up with 4, which is pretty good for me with a character I didn't like. Once you get into it, like I said, it's hard to put down until you know how each day ends, and if what she's done will fix it.

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200th Follower Giveaway Winner!

2011-09-21T19:23:00.005-05:00

Thanks to those of you who entered the contest. I did what I said I would, wrote your names on paper and threw them in a bowl, then pulled one out. The name that I pulled out was Liza over at Book Crook Liza. Congratulations Liza! Thanks for entering, and I'm now following you as well!

I'm so excited to go see Scott Westerfeld tomorrow night. However, I just figured out tonight that I only own the first two books in the Uglies series. I must have checked the rest out from the library. So now I must decide, do I go ahead and try to find time tomorrow night to run to Barnes and Noble, the store I work at, to buy them with my 30% discount, or should I just purchase them from the bookstore, our local independent competitor, at least for getting in authors, that is actually hosting him. Now, we have a location of our store right almost across the street from where this is going to be, so maybe I'll just go there and get them so I can get my discount. 30% is 30%. Although I swear somewhere up there is another of the books that I haven't read before, so need to go do some digging and make sure before I buy it again.

Again, congrats to Liza, and I'll be emailing you after I publish that to find out how you'd like it personalized, and to get your mailing address. As I live in Missouri, it shouldn't take long for it to get to you in Kansas!

Gateway 2012-2013 Nominee 1: Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers

2011-09-19T16:05:00.003-05:00

Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So, this is the first book I read for the 2012-2013 possible Gateway Award nominees through the Missouri Association of School Librarians. I've already 2 others on the list, but that was a while ago. Anyway, on with this review. It's also the first book that I ever checked out as an e-book from our public library! Very cool. And one other first, the very first Walter Dean Myers book I've ever read. Lots of firsts for this book.

This book reminded me of a few that I read for the Gateway award last fall, specifically . Both were good, and while not normally the type of book I would pick out to read, I can totally see the audience in my classrooms who would really want to read them. I'm so glad that I've gotten the opportunity to be a reader selector for the past few years for the different Missouri award book nominees. It has really given me more insight into books for all readers, and if I ever get the chance to be a school librarian, I'll feel even more prepared.

The main character is Reese, short for Maurice. He is in a juvenile detention center, jail for juvies basically. His crime was stealing prescription pads and giving them to someone so that person could then write fake scripts for drugs to sell. We start out the book with Reese hearing he has a chance to possibly get out early, and part of it is being a part of a new work program the center is trying. This center is called Progress. The job is working at a retirement home. At this home he meets a man named Mr. Hooft, who really is of that generation that doesn't trust black people and judges him as a criminal. Meanwhile, Reese is dealing with the other kids back at the detention center. While he's not in for a violent crime, he can lose his temper so quick and become extremely rough. And he actually does this most of the time in order to protect another inmate who keeps getting picked on, to the point where Reese is afraid this kid will be killed. But fighting is fighting, no matter why, and so he gets punished every time as well as the other person. And keeps putting his chance of early release in jeopardy.

I really liked the story between him and Mr. Hooft. It had parts that made me smile. I liked that deep down this kid was good, that he wanted to be good, but there were things in his environment that just kept getting him down and pushing him a step backward from his goals. I think the portrayal of the people working at the center is probably realistic, and kind of sad to think of. I know kids I can recommend this to, and I will. Good book.

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200th Follower Giveaway! (A little late, but better late than never!)

2011-09-18T19:09:00.007-05:00

I reached over 200 followers thanks to Parajunkee and Alison Can Read featuring me a couple weeks ago on their Feature and Follow Friday. But with being so busy back to teaching my darling middle school science students, I haven't had a chance to do this. And, also thanks to being so busy, I'm going to just do a plain old comment type entry. This week I'm planning to go see Scott Westerfeld when he comes to town. I plan to get his latest book in the Leviathan series, Goliath autographed by him and give it to the winner of this contest. So, if you are interested in winning this book, all you have to do really, is be a follower of my blog and then comment that you would like to win this autographed copy. On Wednesday at 3 pm CST, I will choose a winner from the comments by putting their names on a piece of paper and throwing it in a cup and pulling out a name. I will email that person and ask what name they would like to have it autographed to, as well as their mailing address. If I don't hear from the winner before I head down Thursday night, I will just get a generic autograph. I hope people are interested in getting this. Can't wait to see him myself!

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

2011-09-18T19:01:00.002-05:00

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was unsure whether to go ahead and post a review of this since it doesn't come out until January, but saw that everyone else seemed to, so here goes. First I'd like to also mention that I got this as an egalley from Netgalley.

Again, people call this a dystopian book, but to me this isn't what I consider dystopian. It is science fiction to me. There is a disease that starts to take out a whole island population, I think in Canada. Of course the government decides on a quarantine to keep it contained. This virus starts by making you feel like you have the flu, then you become really friendly and gossipy and will say whatever is on your mind. The main character is Kaelyn, and she first is introduced to this virus when her friend's father who has been sick says some really kind of prejudiced things to her when she is at their house one day. The story is told through her letters that she is writing to a boy who used to be her best friend. She is writing him because she was not nice to him right before he left the island. So we get to see the whole thing through her eyes. We get to hear about the people of the island panicking when they feel that the government has left them to die. Her father is actually a doctor who deals with this type of issue and so he is at the hosptital constantly and Kaelyn and her mother and brother must make it without him. She also has an uncle and cousin on the island, who it ends up they must take care of them as well at a point.

I like the science details, not too detailed for just anyone to read, like a teen, but enough that as someone who would have been really into the science at that age would be sucked in. Maybe it is the fact that I just saw the movie Contagion recently as well, but it was a good book, and I was hooked. Like another review on Goodreads said, it started a bit slow, but once the disease started taking over, I was at a point I didn't want to put it down. Can't wait to put it on my recommendation table at the bookstore where I work!

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100 Most Popular YA Books - How Many Have You Read?

2011-09-17T11:16:00.006-05:00

I saw this on the Bookish Brunette, as well as another blog a while back, and kept meaning to do it. The book I just finished isn't published till January, so I need to check with Netgalley to see if that publisher wants me to wait till closer to publishing time to review first.

The books:
• I've read will be in bold

1. Alex Finn – Beastly
2. Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
3. Ally Carter – Callagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)
4. Ally Condie – Matched
5. Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
6. Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
7. Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
8. Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4)
9. Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)
10. Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
11. Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)
12. Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2)
13. Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
14. Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
15. Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)
16. Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
17. Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3, 4)
18. Christopher Paolini – Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)
19. Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)
20. Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2)
21. Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3)
22. Ellen Hopkins – Impulse
23. Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
24. Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
25. Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)
26. Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere

27. Gail Carson Levine – Fairest

28. Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3)

29. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

30. James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2)
31. James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
32. Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
33. Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4)
34. Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
35. John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
36. John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
37. John Green – Looking for Alaska
38. John Green – Paper Towns
39. Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)
40. Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)
41. Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)

42. Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2)

43. Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)
44. Lemony Snicket – Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
45. Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)
46. Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)
47. Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
48. M.T. Anderson – Feed
49. Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1, 2, 3)
50. Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

51. Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)

52. Markus Zusak – The Book Thief
53. Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
54. Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
55. Mary Ting – Crossroads
56. Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)
57. Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)
58. Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
59. Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
60. Meg Rosoff – How I live now
61. Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
62. Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)

63. Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road

64. Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
65. Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
66. Michael Grant – Gone (1, 2, 3, 4)
67. Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
68. Neal Shusterman – Unwind
69. Neil Gaiman – Coraline

70. Neil Gaiman – Stardust

71. Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
72. P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
73. Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)
74. Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

75. Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist

76. Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
77. Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
78. Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere carnal over 40 winks
79. S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)
80. Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
81. Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
82. Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key
83. Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
84. Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
85. Scott Westerfeld – Leviathan (1, 2)
86. Scott Westerfeld – Uglies (1, 2, 3)
87. Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
88. Shannon Hale – Princess Academy
89. Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern (1, 2, 3, 4)
90. Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
91. Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)
92. Stephanie Meyer – The Host

93. Stephanie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)
94. Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
95. Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3)
96. Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)
97. Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
98. Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)
99. Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3)
100. Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped

Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog, as I am planning to give away an autographed copy of Scott Westerfeld's new book: Goliath, 3rd in the Leviathan series. And if I can get the contest closed by this Wednesday, then I will be able to get it personally addressed to the winner when I meet him Thursday night.

Eve by Anna Carey

2011-09-13T18:44:00.005-05:00

Eve by Anna Carey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More review later. But for now I'll just say thank goodness I know there is going to be a 2nd part, I need to know what happens next!

Above is what I first thought after finishing the book, and below this is my full review.

So, I got this book from Netgalley. I've been looking forward to reading this ever since I first saw it on some other bloggers' sites. The story is another dystopian setting. However, I read one or two reviews, and got kind of nervous about it. Someone said it was the same thing as some other recent dystopian novels. So I was worried I might feel that way as well. However, once I got into it, I was pleasantly surprised that it was different, and it did grab me to where there were times I didn't want to put it down to do what I needed to do. Were there similarities to books like Delirium? Yes, but not enough that it wasn't its own story. The fact is that in this future time, there is a virus that has killed off many people, and girls are now put in schools to make sure they are raised properly, and can go out into the world ready to be successful. It turns out though, that this bright future Eve has worked so hard for, even coming in at the top of her class, is all a lie. So she runs away.

She runs into Caleb, who at first she fears as she has been taught to do all her life in school. But soon she comes to trust him and think that life might actually be okay out here, as long as she can be with Caleb.

The twists and turns in this were pretty good. There were some sad parts, and some happy parts. As I said in my original review, I'm so glad this is listed as a part 1 of a trilogy, because I need to know what happens after this book ends.

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Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon

2011-09-06T16:51:00.008-05:00

Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I got this book as an egalley from Netgalley, through Cedar Fort Publishers. It was an interesting retelling of Cinderella. I wasn't so excited by it though, that I couldn't put it down easily. I enjoyed that in this book the prince is not Prince Charming. That the heroes were actually people working for the prince. The stepsisters are just sisters, annoying, but not evil. The mother is also not evil, just absentminded and stressed since their father disappeared. I liked the use of a fairy tale within the fairy tale. The tale of how each person is connected with a tree was an interesting storyline. I'd like to see that a little bit more explored. I didn't like the fact that Cinder and Ella were 2 separate people, that just didn't sit well for me for some reason. Even though it was a very creative way to tell the story, just didn't seem to be my cup of tea. But, it is definitely a retelling of a fairy tale in a new and creative way, and I will recommend it to people who enjoy that type of story. This is a short review as I don't want to say it wasn't good, it just wasn't as good as I'd hoped.

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All You Desire (Eternal Ones #2) by Kirsten Miller

2011-09-04T09:31:00.010-05:00

First I want to say welcome to all my new followers! I am working on going through all my comments and visiting all of you, but it's slow going as I try to work it in between my Labor Day activities, grading, and trying to read. But I intend to get to all of you in the next few days if I haven't stopped by yet. Also, now that I've reached 200 followers, I believe it's time for another giveaway, and I'm thinking a Barnes and Noble gift card. So be on the look out for that in the next week or so.
I was so excited when this book came out because I loved the first one, Eternal Ones. But since I read the first one as an ARC, it seemed an extra long time since I'd read it. So when I first picked up the book it took a little bit to remember the whole story exactly. But once I got into the story it all started coming back, and I got sucked right into the story. And it got to where all I wanted to do was read, but as seems to be happening since school started back up, I didn't have as much time. My adorable little puppy Dora, also kept me from reading as much. So it took me much longer than it should have, because if it wasn't for the puppy, I'd have probably finished it late one night in bed.
We start off with Haven and Iain in Italy, Iain is thought to be dead, which they did because he was wanted for a murder, that he didn't commit. Also, Adam, the guy who has loved Haven in all her lives, but is evil, has promised Haven one lifetime in which he will let her live her life without his interference. Her childhood friend Beau, who she learned also was with her in past lifetimes, calls to let her know that he has met someone who says he is Beau's soulmate from a past life, and Beau is going to meet him in New York. Shortly after Beau becomes incommunicado, and Haven receives a call from another friend back home, Leah, who can see the future. She tells Haven that Beau is in trouble, and there is a woman in NY that can help her. When Haven tells Iaian who this woman is, he tells Haven this woman is really a fake. But she has to go anyway as she will do anything to save Beau. As Haven is really sure that Adam must have something to do with Beau's disappearance, she accepts the woman's proposal to try to entrap Adam to get him to help her, and maybe find out what he's done. The woman is part of an ancient group of women called the Horae, also reincarnated, who are trying to get Adam away from the world so he will quit causing so many people to die.
But as Haven hangs around with Adam, he tries to show her how he is changing to be a better person for her. Haven is warned that he's opened a school to make zombies out of the young reincarnated kids to make them his slaves. So she goes to visit the school, and is instead very impressed by what is being done for these kids, so they are not made to feel freaks for the very things she had to go through as a child. She begins to really believe Adam has changed for the better, and is not sure she wants to help the Horae imprison him anymore. There are some twists and turns, and the story keeps you guessing till the end on who is really the bad guy in keeping Beau hidden.
As with the first book, I loved again going back to read about the past lives and how history was worked into them. A great book, and I now can't wait to see what happens in the next one as this left off with another cliffhanger in a way.

Feature & Follow Friday #10

2011-09-01T19:31:00.001-05:00

Follow Friday is sponsored by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. And this week the Featured blogger on Parajunkee is ME!! I'm very excited about this, and am looking forward to all the new bloggers I will meet this week! Over on Alison Can Read the featured blogger is Once Upon a Prologue. This week's question is:

If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?

My answer to this might be a little different than what you normally see me blog about. I would have to say the first book I thought of is A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. It is the first and only one of his books I ever read. I read it because I heard the movie was coming out, and I like to try to read the books before I see the movie. Anyway, if you've read it, or seen the movie, you know what happens at the end. This book was such a feel good book to me. The popular boy has to make up for mistakes he's made and he ends up having to work with the town's nerdiest girl. But as he works with her, he begins to really get to know her, and even fall in love with her. I loved this story, because I always felt in school like I was the nerdiest girl there. But then, it turns out she has cancer, (I think it was cancer, some deadly disease anyway), and she dies! I was so mad. I hated that this book made me feel all good inside and then jerked the rug out from under me. So I refuse to read anymore of his books.
One other book that I wasn't quite pleased with the ending was Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I didn't like that the ending wasn't any more of a happy ending. I know most dystopian novels are not, but I'd would have liked to see it with this one.

The Hazards of Working at a Bookstore Vol. 3.3

2011-08-29T19:11:00.012-05:00

Haven't done one of these in awhile, again, school really cuts back on time. Most of these are going to be adult novels, and I believe I'll have one with some more teen later this week.
First is Stories for Nightime and Some for the Day by Ben Loory. This book's title first caught my attention. When I picked it up to read the back, I saw that it sounded interesting. The author has created modern day fables. It's an interesting universe with televisions that talk, animals that live in apartments, and other absurd situations. It is one of the Discover Great New Writers picks at Barnes & Noble (the bookstore I work for) this fall.

Next is The Second Assistant by Clare Naylor. This has actually been on my TBR list for quite awhile. I think I first saw it as a bargain book at the store, and picked it up, but put it back down. It seems to fall into my chick lit category. The main character is Lizzie, and she has left Washington to work for a law firm in Hollywood. She wants to move up the ladder in Hollywood, and won't let anyone keep her from doing that.

Third is another chick lit book, The Waitress by Melissa Nathan. This looks pretty humorous. Main character is Katie, she has all kinds of ideas of what she wants her career to be. But for now, she is as the title says, a waitress. She's kind of waiting for Mr. Perfect to just show up out of the blue, although her dating track record doesn't suggest that any such think should happen. She ruins a chance with the perfect guy on the very first date. But soon he'll come back into her life along with other guys from the past.

Fourth is a book about one of my favorite tv shows: Supernatural. It is called The Mythology of Supernatural by Nathan Robert Brown. This book will explore the religious aspects, like the angels and demons, as well as the folk tales that many of the creatures and stories are based on.

Fifth is Sweetly by Jacson Pearce. This is an updated retelling of Hansel and Gretel basically. It sound really great. The main characters are brother and sister Gretchen and Ansel. Gretchen's twin sister was kidnapped by a witch when they were younger, and their stepmother kicks them out when they are teenagers. They find their way to a small southern town where they are invited in by the owner of a sweet shop. It leaves you wondering if this Sophia is the witch, or is there someone else using her to get the children? I love the cover, can you see the witch's face on it?

Sixth is The Pilo Family Circus by Will Elliott. This is a book for people who are scared of clowns and enjoy reading books about clowns that really are evil. The cover is creepy enough. The main character is Jamie, who has just been told by a trio of psychotic clowns that he has 2 days to pass an audition to join the circus, whether he wants to or not. This circus is supposedly between heaven and hell and is where many of the world's most horrible things have happened. When Jamie becomes a clown, he becomes JJ, the most vicious clown of all. And JJ wants Jamie dead.

The final book I'm going to talk about is more of an activity book. It is called Zombigami by Duy Nguyen, and basically it is an origami book where you make zombies! Very cool. I can see a lot of my students having fun with this book!

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

2011-08-28T11:18:00.004-05:00

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got to read this as an e-galley from Netgalley.com, provided by Egmont USA.

Our main character is Alex. She has a tumor in her brain, that is probably not able to be cured, even after some new type of treatment, that is these little things called pebbles that are inserted into her brain and that are supposed to fight the cancer. So she has gone out on her own to climb a mountain, and spread her parents' ashes where they asked. She knows how to hike and camp, her parents used to do this with her. She now lives with her grandmother, who is worred about her going off by herself, but understands. Once out on the mountain, she runs into an older man and his sullen granddaughter, Ellie. Shortly after this, there is an electromagnetic pulse that kills Ellie's grandfather, while causing both Ellie and Alex to pass out. When Alex wakes back up, she notices things seem different. Her normal constant background headache is gone, and her sense of smell seems heightened. As she and Ellie walk towards the Ranger's cabin shown on the map they have, they encounter several obstacles. First is running into some teens Alex had seen in the parking lot. Only now, they're eating the dead bodies of the other campers at a campsite. Alex and Ellie must run away, and the next danger they find is a pack of wild dogs, also out to kill and eat them it seems. While trying to escape the dogs, a guy in his 20's attacks them, zombie like. They are saved by a guy named Tom who shoots this guy. Tom, Ellie, and Alex get to the Rangers' station and stay there for a while as the weather turns to winter. Soon Tom realizes that older cars and trucks might still work, and they find an old truck that they fix up to try to escape and find more people and provisions. As they travel they get attacked by people who steal their truck, and kidnap Ellie. It seems all kids have changed into the zombies, and only people older than 60 seem to have lived. But since Ellie is a child who has not changed, there are settlements that will take them in. They shoot Tom in the scuffle, and now Alex must try to save him and find Ellie. Tom is injured so bad he must stay behind, and then Alex must go on to this town, called Rule, to try to find Ellie. She gets to Rule, and finds a new type of civilization. And Alex must decide whether to stay in the somewhat safety of this town, or continue searching for Ellie, and now Tom has dissappeared as well.

I like the cause of the disaster in this book. I'm one of those people who has to know why people have become zombies, or everyone has died off, etc. And this book is the way I like it. I see the trend of electromagnetic pulses causing destruction in books. And I think it's a good thing to trend. We still have all the diseases causing the "end of the world", and that is still a concern, but the EMP is a new thing that is a real possibility as well. I like how in this book the EMP not only causes all the electronic equipment to quit, it also affects people and animals. Which, from a science teacher's point of view, is such a great thing to get kids thinking and asking questions. I've heard this called a dystopian book, but to me it's not, it's more of an apocalyptic story. Since we get to go along with all that happens from before until after the EMP. The storyline seems realistic to me. We have losses of characters, and they get injured and don't just miraculously have the main characters surviving it all unscathed. I'll definitely be putting this as a staff recommendation at the bookstore where I work, as well as suggesting it to the students at the school where I teach. Great book, and I can't wait for the sequel to find out what happens next.

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My 2nd Blog Award!

2011-08-21T16:06:00.003-05:00

I know a lot of people don't do blog awards, but so far I've received 2, and for now I'm okay with it. This one was given to me by Robyn Book Reviews.

And now I am going to pass it on to 3-5 blogs with under 200 followers. I am going to share this award with:

It's Like a Whirlwind Inside of My Head.

Lauren Elizabeth Morrill.

A Book Addict's Haven.

A Corner of My Bookshelf.

Caught in the Pages.

Congratulations to these 5 awesome blogs, and here's hoping this award will help get them some new followers.

Here is how you should share this award with others:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

2. Reveal your 3 to 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

3. Copy and Paste the Award on your blog.

4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.

5. And most of all, have bloggity-blog fun!

Book Blogger Hop #12 and Follow Friday #9

2011-08-19T08:34:00.011-05:00

Seems like I'm only able to fit this in about every other week now that school is getting started again. So let's just get started! Book Blogger Hop first:

The Book Blogger Hope is put on by Crazy For Books. It's a place for book bloggers and readers to come together over the weekend and chat about books. This week's question is:

What's the longest book you've ever read? (Other than the bible or any other religious text.)

Well, there are several that I would have to say, not sure which is the longest, either one of Stephen King's books, or one of the longest Harry Potter books, or maybe Breaking Dawn. Those were all pretty long. Another really long one was Swan Song by Robert McCammon. Also Gone With the Wind and its sequel Scarlett were both really long. As well as maybe North and South. I'm thinking probably the longest is Stephen King's The Stand, I think I found it has 464,218 words.

Next is Feature and Follow Friday.

This is sponsord by two sites: Parajunkee.com and Alisoncanread.com. This is a blog hop that expands your blog by a joint effort between bloggers. This week's question is:

If you could write yourself a part in a book, what book would it be, and what role would you play?

Hmm, I feel like I've answered this one before somewhere else, and I'm not exactly sure again what to say. Maybe I would write myself into the Twilight series before Breaking Dawn, and be Jacob's girl that he imprints on before Renesmee comes along. While I love Edward, I kind of feel he is supposed to be with Bella. But I think I would love a guy like Jacob. So that's my quick answer to the question.

What are your answers to those questions? I looked up the top 10 longest novels, and one of them, Les Miserables is sitting in my pile of books to be read, but have you read any of them?

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

2011-08-18T21:26:00.003-05:00

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I waited a little extra long to read this because first I had to wait for this author to come to town when I would actually get the copy I had to buy in order to get into the event. But it was well worth the wait. If it wasn't for the new puppy I got about a week ago, I'd have been done a lot quicker. But puppies tend to need attention. Anyway, this was a very good conclusion to the series. While it definitely left off with some questions of what would happen next, it was done in a way that you don't have to know. Yes, I'd love to know what all Cole was able to figure out, and how the wolves do, but I'm okay with where it ended. One thing that I had a bit of trouble with, and you'll find I say this quite often, was the jumping back and forth between characters. Sometimes that frustrates me, I want to continue with a character when it jumps to a new one. Sometimes I get confused on which character is being used at the moment, but not with this book. I knew exactly who it was. You could tell from each point of view because the characters really had their own personalities that were so different, you just knew from the first line who it was. At least I did. I gave it only 4 stars because of my issues with the multiple point of view, but that is really the only thing about it I didn't like. Like I said, all the stories were tied up good enough to end. There were some sad losses of characters, but that is really needed in a good book. Loved it!

In this book we are seeing Grace as a wolf, and the trouble trying to keep her human. Isabel's dad is trying to kill the wolves for what they did to her brother, and he is finding support. Cole is trying to find a cure for Grace, as well as just finding out how the whole thing works. And Sam just wants Grace back, but he must learn to live with things from his past, as well as seeing his father figure pulled down from the pedestal he's always held him up on. And just to remember how cool it was to meet Maggie Stiefvater, here's my blurry picture from that day!

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The Hazards of Working at a Bookstore Vol. 3.2 Part 3

2011-08-16T08:51:00.010-05:00

Okay, the last part of this volume of the books I see when I work at the store. Just in time too, as I work again tonight! And as it is a Tuesday and there will be new books out, I'm sure I'll find even more! These books are mostly adult fiction or maybe some nonfiction that I've seen and am interested in. So here goes.
First is called The First Days: As the World Dies by Rhiannon Frater. This is another zombie book, I can't believe how much I'm getting into these types of books. From what I read, these are already an internet sensation, I guess it will be a trilogy. The two main characters are Jenni and Katie, who become a zombie fighting team shortly after they get up the first morning in this book. They must rescue Jenni's stepson from a camp. They finally find refuge in a tiny Texas town, where both women find attraction to the leader. Should be an interesting read. The cover draws you in, and it is a pretty big book, so lots of detail I'm guessing.

Second is Heaven's Shadow by David S. Goyer and Michael Cassutt. This is a space sci-fi book. It's about a giant object heading towards our sun. Two spaceships are sent from Earth to try to reach it and explore it. Both want to reach it first, but when they do, they find it is from an intelligent race trying to communicate with Earth, and they need our help. I'm often hesitant about space sci-fi, due to the fact that I'm not a big Star Wars fan, it's okay, and I do like the first two series of Star Trek, but not all of them. I like it to be related to the Earth still, and this sounds as if it will be.

Third is Dark Rising by Greig Beck. I guess from what I find online, this is a second in a series, but as I read about the first, I don't know that I'm as interested in that storyline. It is also a sci-fi book. In this a large amount of gamma radiation is detected under Iran and everyone is worried it is a weapon. It turns out there is a lab beneath this area, but nothing in it, because there is now a black hole there. There's a creature in a dark cave, soldiers bodies are being drained of fluids, Iran is preparing for the return of a prophet, Israel is threatening nuclear war. Some good things and bad things in this.

Fourth is To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn by Sandra Byrd. I am, as I have said before, intrigued with the whole Anne Boleyn story, ever since the movie The Other Boleyn Sister came out and then I read the book, and then I watched the Tudors and was hooked. This is a novel, but historical fiction, so I enjoy reading that. It is actually the story of Meg Wyatt who is supposedly Anne's best friend since childhood. She of course follows Anne to the court and is one of her maids. Meg also in this story comes close to worrying about her life and her true love at Anne's downfall. The facts are that their families did grow up near by, and that Meg's brother did have a romance with Anne, and when Anne was executed, Meg and her sister did tend her, and Anne gave her jeweled prayer book to Meg.

Fifth is a book called My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me by Hilary Winston. Now, I feel like I've already wrote about this, but if I did, I didn't mark it in my notebook that I try to keep track of these books in. The author of this is actually a TV writer, and this is an autobiographical look at her dating life and other adventures. She finds out that her ex has written a novel based on their relationship where she is the "fat-assed girlfriend". This sounds like a really funny book, it is humor, not a novel, but a fun biography type book.

And finally is i am DACHSHUND by Mavis Duke Hinton. I think this is a print on demand book, not sure if it is a kid's book though. But it is a story about the dachshund. Which I love dachshunds as you can tell from the top of my blog page. Which reminds me, I need to add a picture of my new dachshund puppy somehow. This is the dachshund's story, his name is Shadow I think, and his point of view of the world around him. Sounds cute to me, but that's because I love all things dachshund.

The Hazards of Working at a Bookstore Vol. 3.2 Part 2

2011-08-15T09:52:00.013-05:00

This is the 2nd part to my regular posts about the books I see when working at the bookstore that I want to read. As I said in part 1, this is actually a couple weeks' worth of books, so this part will be the 6 teen books on my lists.
First is Between by Jessica Warman. This is a ghost story, but with a realistic fiction slant of anorexia. The main character is Elizabeth, who is a popular girl. She wakes up after a party to find her body drowned in a swimming pool. She meets another ghost, a boy named Alex, who died in a hit and run accident. Together they try to figure out what happened to her, and they learn that no one in her group, including herself, can be called completely innocent in this death and situation.

Second is Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay. It turns out we have the whole story wrong. Juliet didn't kill herself, she was murdered by Romeo. He made her a sacrifice so that he could be immortal. But Juliet was granted immortality as well. She's spent the last 700 years fighting for true love against those that Romeo would destroy. Until, of course, she finds someone she wants to love, but can't, and now Romeo is working to destroy her love.

Third is Tankborn by Karen Sandler. Now I'm excited to say I was able to get this as an e-galley on Netgalley, so I will get to read it soon! It is a sci fi book, about genetics, which I am intrigued by. Kayla and Mishalla are best friends, they also are GENS, Genetically engineered non humans. They were gestated in a tank, then raised in slums, and at the age of 15 sent to work as slaves. They are the lowest of all beings. Kayla goes to work for a trueborn, or highest of all begins. Mishalla goes and works for children who are disappearing in the night. When they happen to meet up again, they decide they must figure out where these children are disappearing to because Mishalla has a feeling something horrible is happening to them.

Fourth is The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab. The Near Witch is an old story told to frighten children. Or at least that is what Lexi believes until a boy that no one knows shows up one night outside her home. Another saying the village has is that there are no strangers. The night after he shows up, children start disappearing. Sounds like a good mystery, and is described as part fairy tale, part love story. Another that I'm anxious to read!

Fifth is The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson. The main character is Janice Wills, and she is really into anthropology. She figures you can learn a lot just by knowing basic anthropologic theories. Like how dancing can be a good mating ritual, if you're good at it. Janice is a smart girl, and so isn't used to hot guys talking to her, until it happens, and then she must become a part of the group of people that she's been making her observations about.

And finally, the last teen book for this post is The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted. The main character is Lucy, and one day a woman shows up at her doorstep who is identical to her mother. Turns out her mother has an identical twin that she was separated from at birth, and both grew up in totally different environments. Lucy's mother decides to give her sister the life she didn't have growing up. But soon Lucy has trouble telling the two apart, and is unsure what exactly this twin is after.
Tomorrow, or later tonight maybe, I'll blog the 6 adult books on my list.

The Hazards of Working at a Bookstore Vol. 3.2 Part 1

2011-08-14T14:04:00.008-05:00

So I'm waaaaaay behind on doing one of these. I have 16 books to talk about. So I'm going to do it in 3-5 parts. I've sorted the books out based on age first. Then within the teen books and adult books I have 6 or more in each category. So those two may get two of their own posts each. But for today I'm going to start with the children's level books.

First is a book that the title and premise just cracked me up! Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to NOT Reading by Tommy Greenwald. Charlie Joe Jackson is like many of my students, a VERY reluctant reader. He has gotten so far in life, all the way to middle school, not ever having to read a whole book, thanks to his best friend Timmy McGibney. But now, Timmy is tired of covering for Charlie Joe, and now Charlie Joe must figure out a way to pass class, and hopefully keep his record going of NOT reading a book.

Second is a book called The Wikkeling by Steven Arnston. The cover is what drew me in, it's kind of creepy, as the name might set you off. This seems to be a somewhat futuristic, maybe even dystopian type of book. The main character is named Henrietta. Everything in her world is computers and technology, all childredn are watched by cameras at all times of the day, to make sure they are SAFE. Henrietta goes to a very competitive school, and doesn't have a lot of friends until she meets Gary and Rose. All of them have these headaches with no cause they know of. Then Henrietta finds a wild cat in the attic above her bedroom, which leads to seeing another creature, with the long fingers you see on the cover, that calls itself a wikkeling. Of course the three must solve a mystery and try to beat this scary creature.

Third and final children's level book is called The Witches' Guide to Cooking With Children by Keith McGowan. First again, you have to love the title of this book! It's totally like a fairy tale told from the other side. Our main characters are Sol and Connie who have moved to a new town. The first person to really welcome them is an older lady and her dog, who carries a bone around in his mouth. Sol is a bright boy, and so knows that the bone is a human bone. And now they must determine what secrets are in this small town.

Beyond the Grave by Mara Purnhagen

2011-08-13T22:08:00.002-05:00

Beyond the Grave by Mara Purnhagen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got to read this early as an e-galley through NetGalley from Harlequin. I'm so mad though because I forgot there was a 2.5 in the series called Haunting the Night and so I didn't read it before. And it's so stupid because it was a free e-book! Oh well, I downloaded it and will go back and read it. I still really enjoy this series, and this book was no less enjoyable.
We join back in with Charlotte and her mom is still in a coma. Charlotte is trying to do what she can in secret to communicate with the spirit world to try to help her mom. After defeating the Watcher, she is sure it has to be something spiritual causing her mom to be in a coma. It turns out the Watcher is not gone though, and there are other people out there, called Protectors, that can help against Watchers.
I love reading about paranormal investigators as I really enjoy shows such as Paranormal State, and I like going on ghost hunts. So it is neat to read about a family that does this. I enjoyed the flashback in this book as well to learning about some past ghost hunts the family had been on. Expect a review of part 2.5 after a couple more books on my list.

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Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield

2011-08-10T11:00:00.002-05:00

Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I got this book as an ARC from the bookstore I work along with the sequel, which I haven't read yet. But I will soon, because I really did enjoy this book. This is another zombie story. But I like that we have started in after all of it has started and it is the "after time". I like that because the story still goes back and explains why we have zombies, so you're not just left wondering how it all came about. As a science person that is important to me. Our main character is Cass, who has just woken up and is not sure exactly why she is where she is, or why she is alive. The surprise in why she is alive is that she has the tell-tale marks of having been attacked by the zombies on her back, and the strips of flesh missing on her arms tells that she was a zombie. Yet now she's not. The only thing on her mind now is finding out where her daughter Ruthie is. Her daughter who she last saw the night she was taken by the zombies.
The zombies in this story are a little different, they just want to eat the skin. And they do drink blood, or at least when they see blood it hypnotizes them. These aren't the slow, shuffling zombies really, but they are pretty stupid. At least that's what everyone thinks, although they are beginning to do things that makes people wonder. Cass meets a man named Smoke at the first settlement of people she finds. Smoke agrees to take her back to the library where she was taken to try to find her daughter.
She finds out her daughter was taken by a group of women, kind of a cult. And she must find out how to get in to see if her daughter is okay and to rescue her. So that's where the book kind of leaves off for the sequel. And it's a big cliffhanger, so I'll be ready to pick up part two pretty soon.
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Waiting on Wednesday - Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

2011-08-10T00:44:00.007-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is sponsored by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I'm trying to get back into the habit of always doing my Wednesday and Friday memes. And I'm going to try to do a future post of this so even though I'm writing it on Tuesday when I have time, it won't be published till Wednesday.

Even though I have so many sequels I'm waiting on, this week's WOW book is by an author that I don't think I've ever read. I got in our database at the bookstore where I work last night and was searching Patrick Carman's books because our Community Relations Manager told me he is coming to the store in September I think to autograph. So I figured I ought to read something of his to see if I wanted to get his autograph and add him as one of my 12 authors for my Meet 12 Authors quest this year. I still didn't decide what book to read before he comes yet, mainly because it was so busy last night I didn't have a lot of time to look through all the books. However, this book popped up as being published later this year, November I believe, and it sounded really good. Here's the synopsis from Goodreads.com:

Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares—with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night's experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . . What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden?

Sounds like a good read to me. I'll let you know later which of his books I decide to read before he comes to our store. Have you read any of Patrick Carman's books? If so, what did you think of them? I'd love to hear some other opinions.

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

2011-08-09T10:16:00.006-05:00

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this book our main character is Silla, her life just hasn't been normal since her parents died. And when I say died, the police say that her father killed her mother, then killed himself. So Silla has had to deal with that, as well as the fact that she is the one who came home and found them, got their blood all over herself, and in her hair, and she sat there, until her brother came home and called the police. She now lives with her older brother Reese and her step-grandmother. Of course as happens in many teen books, a new boy has moved to town, and he lives in the house across the cemetary from Silla. Silla receives a book in the mail from someone named the Deacon. It is her father's spellbook. And now Silla thinks that maybe her father didn't kill her mother, that maybe something else happened. Silla goes to the cemetary and tries out some magic, and it works. But the new boy, Nick, sees her. Nick has magic in his past as well. His mother is in an institution for what has driven her mad. Nick has come to live in his grandfather's house which was left to him when his grandfather passed away. His father and stepmother, who he calls Lillith, live with him. His step-mother, (Lillith is not her real name) is an author and really thinks living in the small town by a cemetary will help her write. When bad things start happening, and Silla reads about what might have happened to her parents, Nick suspects Lillith. But just who it is, well, that will be a bit of a surprise. And then, Nick and Silla must defeat this person if they want to live.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. I liked the story. I enjoy when authors insert diary entries, or else even just flashbacks to the past. And I think when they leave it so you don't know for sure exactly who this person from the past might be in the present time story it adds a bit of mystery that I like to try to figure out as I read. Now, I understand that the title is blood magic, and that means that blood is needed for the magic, but it was a little too much cutting for me at times. And I won't give it away, but when Silla attempts a new idea to get a lot of blood for one spell, well, I really couldn't stand that part. I'd rather hear about a person cutting themself in that case. I am interested to see that it is listed as a part of a series on Goodreads. And as I said, I did like the story, so I'll be looking out for the 2nd book in the series so that I can read on and see where it goes to next. Which is good, because although we find out who the person writing the flashback diary entries is, we never learn exactly who the Deacon is. I have to also say that there were some very emotional, and unexpected events in this book. Another thing I really like is that the author set it in Missouri, my home state, and where my one teen novel I sort of started is set. This is one of the authors that I met when I went to see Maggie Stiefvater, and counts towards my Meeting 12 Authors Quest. And I like that it isn't all that if you are a good guy you scrape by without being a casualty of some sort. That seems more realistic to me, and is more what I think teens read realistically. As a teen I was reading Stephen King so you know I was reading about a lot of casualties. Funny that now that I'm an adult I've gone back to reading what I was kind of ahead of at that age. But these YA books are really good these days!

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Book Blogger Hop #11 and Follow Friday #8

2011-08-05T09:31:00.011-05:00

Wow, the past week has been really busy, haven't had time to blog. I hate that! And, kind of busy today and tomorrow. Today my sister leaves to move to New York. Sad, I'll miss her, but kind of exciting because it's something she's always wanted to do, and I can't wait to go visit her! Then tomorrrow, well, I'm thinking of getting a new puppy. I still have my dachshund that you can see an image of on the top of my blog, but she's getting older, and everyone seems to think a puppy will kind of give her a little bit of life back. I'm just worried about her being jealous or sad. But I think I'm going to try it. But I decided to go ahead and jump into my normal Friday hops to get back in and meet some new people. I'm guessing a new puppy will also take away from blogging time, as well as school starting again in a couple weeks, but I'm dedicated to this blog, so I'll do my best to not let it. Let's get on with Book Blogger Hop.

Book Blogger Hop is a place for readers and bloggers to connect over the weekend and chat about books. It is sponsored by Crazy for Books. This week's question is:
What is the one ARC you would love to get your hands on right now?
This is hard because there are so many. But I think there are 3 main ones, Fever, the sequel to Wither by Lauren DeStefano; Crossed, the sequel to Matched by Ally Condie; and The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson. The first two are books that I read as ARCs in the first place. And so when you do that, (and LOVE them), you have to wait even longer for the sequels to come out because you read them early in the first place. And those two books were so awesome, I just can't wait to read on! The third, well, I love Maureen Johnson, and I've been hearing about this book for so long that I just can't wait to read it either!

And now for Follow Friday.

This is hosted by two blogs, Parajunkee.com and Alisoncanread.com. This week's question is:

Talk about the book that most changed or influenced your life (was it a book that turned you from an average to avid reader, did it help you deal with a particularly difficult sitation, does it bring you comfort every time you read it?).

I choose to talk about Twilight. I had been reading YA books for awhile, few and far between, mostly to read my state's award nominees so I could help promote them to my students. This was suggested to me by my librarian at the time. And when I picked it up, I was sucked in, couldn't put it down. Had to get New Moon the very next day because I'd swept through it so quick. And at the time, New Moon was only available in hardcover, so I gave my copy of the paperback to someone else and bought Twilight in hardcover as well. And that was it. I was sucked back into the world of teen books, in my 30's. I also love these books because I feel that they also really connected me and my sister who I mentioned at the beginning of this blog that is moving to New York. We'd become friends since she'd graduated college and come back home, but even though for her, it took seeing the first movie to really get her reading and sucked in, this series really connected us. We both can read them over and over, and our love of them lead us to both get tattoos based on the books, my first tattoo. And now, it may be the first excuse to get me to save money and go visit her in New York, as I'm planning to go visit her the week Breaking Dawn part 1 comes out, since we have been to all the midnight premieres together, but I'll have to go there, because she probably can't come home that week before Thanksgiving, and then come home again for Thanksgiving.

Those are my answers. Can't wait to hop over to other people's blogs and check our their answers as well.

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

2011-08-01T14:52:00.002-05:00

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's been so long since I read Nightshade, since I was lucky enough to get it read as an ARC. So it did take me a bit to get back into the story and remember where we had left off, but once I did, I loved the story. Calla wakes up in the presence of the Searchers, who she has lived her life fighting against. Shay is with them, as the scion he is revered by them. They explain to Calla how the Keepers have lied to her and all the Guardians about history and how they were created. She learns what the Searchers really want, and she learns they need her and her pack to help them. And in return, they promise to help her get her pack the freedom they so want. But Shay expects Calla to be completely over Ren since she chose to save Shay instead of killing him. But all Calla can think of is how Ren endangered himself to let her help Shay. They soon learn who among them in Vail had actually been with the Searchers all along. And soon Calla learns of what has happened to her pack in her absence when her brother shows up having had the most shocking punishment of all. Calla's family has been punished very harshly. Calla goes back to rescue who she can of her pack, as well as those who are still part of her pack, or loyal to her now instead of their other pack.

I can understand what some reviews are saying that they don't like about this. But I personally really enjoyed it. I think it was good to have all the background information and to learn so much about the history. Now, I started in really quick, and didn't quite get the probably correct descriptions of some of the characters, and so ones that I was thinking were older are maybe not the way I was thinking, since they seemed to be kind of involved with a younger character, Adne. I'm not sure how I feel about Shay in this one. He's kind of putting a lot of pressure on Calla. I'm really disappointed in Ren as well, but I can totally understand why she is having all the 2nd thoughts about whether to give in to her feelings about Shay, or not give up on Ren. She feels as if she's betrayed Ren, especially after she goes back and finds out what has actually happened to her pack. The story is really sad, but really gripping. I had trouble putting it down. So great book. I felt the same though as with the last few books of the Harry Potter series, or the Twilight series. I had to rush through them to know what happened, but now I have to wait forever to read the next book! That to me is the sign of a great story!

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2011 Debut Author Challenge 12: Dark Parties by Sara Grant

2011-07-31T09:52:00.004-05:00

Dark Parties by Sara Grant

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The main character of this book is Neva, and she is 16. She has lived her whole life under the Protectosphere, and feels like she is trapped. Part of the feeling comes from what her grandmother used to tell her, at least before her grandmother disappeared, and even her parents acted like her grandmother never existed. Supposedly their was nuclear war outside of this dome, and so by staying inside they are protected from the wastelands and chemicals. But to Neva and her friends, it is like a prison. So Neva and her friend Sanna plan a "dark party" to recruit their friends to do some rebellious stuff. But through this more people will disappear, and they will soon learn where their loyalties are, and if they government is really lying, and if they are, what they will do to keep their secrets and order.

I did enjoy this book, it is another in what seems to be a growing list of dystopian novels that I'm reading lately. It had some of the same elements as several that I've read though. First it had what I would call a dome called a Protectosphere over this city, state, country, not sure from the book itself, and that made me think of the Goneseries by Michael Grant. Next there were issues with reproduction it seems, or not issues exactly, but the government was trying to control it, and that reminded me of several books: Wither, XVI, and a little bit of Delirium. I liked the name of the book, although it seemed that the only mention of "dark parties" was at the very beginning of the book, and then we never really saw anything like that again. There were several things left unanswered, but as I assume from the way it ends that there will be a sequel, really has to be, hopefully those will be answered. I will read on as I said if there is another. And it is a good quick read if you like dystopian novels. I read this as an egalley from Hachette Book Group that I got on Netgalley.com.

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The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2011-07-30T11:00:00.004-05:00

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is about exactly what the title says. It is about the women who were housekeepers and more in Mississippi in 1962. These were black women, who as we read in the book were often more of a mother to the white children they were raising than their own mothers were. Yet they are treated as if they are diseased, having to have their own separate toilets, and are fired or sent to jail for things that a white person would never have to worry about. Sometimes even beat up just because they try to stand up for themselves or others. But it is also a tale of how some of the white people aren't like that. One of the main characters, Skeeter, is a white woman who wants to write a story about what she sees going on. But she wants it to be told from the help's point of view. At first she has to struggle to get these women to confide in her. They know what kinds of repercussions they could face if they are caught. And Skeeter soon learns how this will affect her as she begins losing childhood friends and even the guy she thought might be the one. In the end things pretty much turn out well, as well as things could actually get to in that time period.

I loved this book! I picked it up to read because the movie is coming out. I have to say that I normally don't jump on the bandwagon of bestselling books. Quite often they don't really stand out as something I want to read. And with this one, well I have to admit I never actually picked it up to read what it was about. But when I saw an ad for the movie, I was intrigued because the story looks really good. And once I started the book, I was hooked. I couldn't put it down. Or at least I really didn't want to even though I had to. The stories were told from 3 different views, and usually I'm not a big fan of that, but it worked for this. The 3 main personalities really helped show all sides of the story. Aibileen was the calm woman who first decided to help out Skeeter, the woman writing the book. And Minnie was kind of the emotional one who had some really extreme situations to write about. Now, I heard that there was some controversy that both sides were shown unfairly. But I disagree. I feel like this book showed all different types of people on both sides. So, in conclusion, great story, and I can't wait to see the movie!

I do have to point out one thing a woman I work with said when I suggested she read this book. She said that she didn't like stories about eccentric southern women. I thought she was just being her same old humorous self, but she was serious! I'll never forget her saying that. But this isn't really that kind of book in my opinion. So I'm going to continue suggesting to her that she read it.

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My Table of YA Recommendations at my B&N, and the latest authors I met!

2011-07-27T22:20:00.008-05:00

First, I can't believe I haven't posted a picture of my table at the Barnes & Noble where I work. I'm so proud of it! Whenever I go in I have to make sure that it is full and looks good!

Also, tonight was the night I got to meet Maggie Stiefvater. Unfortunately my picture with her turned out a bit blurry, but I'm so excited I got to meet her. She was so funny! I loved listening to her talk. And I loved her advice about writing. But I'm actually at a point where I'm thinking since I am not a good writer, and have trouble finishing a book, maybe I just want to read. But one thing she said, know basically the ending when you start writing. And with my YA novel I started, I had an idea, but didn't know what all was going to happen, so maybe that's why I got stuck really quick.

And the biggest surprise was that she had 2 other YA authors with her! One, Tessa Gratton, I have yet to read, but I bought her book tonight and got it autographed. And I have seen her book and picked it up and thought about reading it, just hadn't put it on a TBR list yet. Now it is. My goal/quest of meeting 12 authors this year was to meet authors of books I've read and liked, and so as of now, she doesn't count. But as soon as I read her book, I can put her on my list, and I'll now be a month ahead with 8 authors!

And the other author, well, I really wish I'd known she would be there, especially as I do have a copy of her book, and it is the ARC of The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff that I am getting ready to send to my 100 Follower Giveway at Stuckinbooks.com. But I got to meet and talk to her, and get my picture with her.

Winner of My 100 Follower Giveaway

2011-07-26T00:20:00.006-05:00

Thanks to all of you who entered. I had 13 different people who entered, so I'm choosing this time to just draw one winner. That winner is Valerie at Stuck in Books.com

Valerie chose the copy of The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff as her prize.

Congratulations Valerie! I hope you enjoy your prize.

100 Follower Giveaway!

2011-07-23T13:19:00.014-05:00

Contest is over!! Thanks to all who entered, results will be posted shortly!

I'm so excited! I finally passed the 100 follower mark this past week! I'm sure I'm following way more people than that, but glad to have so many more people to follow me and share their reviews with me. And as promised in earlier posts, I'm going to have a giveaway! Now, I'm kind of new to the whole Google Docs thing. I made a form, and am going to link to it in this post. Just hope that it works out for me. Just in case, if you are entering, you might want to go ahead and add a comment to this post as well with your name and email address. I'm giving you a shot at 1 of 6 giveway items, and if I get enough entries, I might even giveaway 2 of the items.

Autographed copy of Forever by Maggie Stiefvater. She is coming to my town this Wednesday, so I will have it personally autographed to you.

$10 gift card to Barnes and Noble. This can be used online at bn.com as well. I work at Barnes and Noble, so feel I need to support my company rather than other online book sources.

ARC of The Replacements by Brenna Yovanoff. I know the book has been out a little while, but it is a good one, so if you don't have it, this is a way to get it!

ARC of Sapphique (sequel to Incarceron) by Catherine Fisher, again, book is already published.

Cathy's Book by Sean Stewart, with all the little extra things in it still brand new in their envelope.

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern. Thought I'd throw in a kind of funny book.

I'm going to end this contest on Monday, July 25th, by midnight. I will announce the winner on Tuesday, and if you choose the Forever by Maggie Stiefvater, I hope to get ahold of you by email before Wednesday night at 7:00 pm CST so I can find out what name you want her to autograph it to.

Again, thanks to all my new followers, and old followers! Hope I'm offering something in this giveway that you'll be interested in! Fill out this form, and don't forget to leave a comment on this post just in case my form doesn't work.

Book Blogger Hop #10 and Follow Friday #7

2011-07-22T10:22:00.007-05:00

The Book Blogger Hop is sponsored by Crazy for Books and is a place where bloggers and readers connect over the weekend and chat about books. This week's question is:

What is the one genre you wish you could get into, but just can't?

I guess I'd have to pick steampunk probably. I would say some fantasy, but I do read some types of fantasy, so didn't think that would really count. I don't really get into Fairy stuff, but have read books with fairies, so again, don't feel I can really count. I know that SteamPunk is getting to be such a big thing, so I feel as if I should try to read it. I have friends who are kind of into the whole SteamPunk thing, don't know if they read the books too, but feel like I should be able to. Maybe some day.

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It is a blog hop where you can expand your blog following by a joint effort between bloggers. This week's question is:

Name 3 authors you would love to sit down and spend an hour or a meal with just talking about either their books or get advice on writing from?

First I would love to sit and get a chance to talk to Stephenie Meyer. When she came to Kansas City a couple years ago, she said one thing that helps me whenever I get stuck with my writing. She said she wrote the story for herself. Sometimes I get bogged down thinking, would other people like this? But when I just think about writing the story I want to tell, it helps me to get through a little more of my story.

Second would be JK Rowling. I just want to know did she have the whole thing planned out when she first started?

Third would be Dean Koontz, because I would love to talk to him about dogs and writing stories.

So, what are your answers to these questions? And check back in the next day or so I'm going to have a giveaway for reaching 100 follower finally!

Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan

2011-07-21T20:58:00.003-05:00

Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I remember when I first saw this book, I believe it was around the same time as when The Eternal Ones came out, and at first I thought this was another reincarnation novel, and I was intrigued. But I picked it up and read that it was about "immortals" as you might guess from the title. I thought, oh no, another vampire book, and set it back down. When the Borders store closest to me was getting ready to close this past spring, I ran in and found this hardcover book there for like $4, and so I grabbed it and brought it home. I picked it up to read 2 days ago, and I was hooked!

The main character is Nastaya, or Nasty for short. (Which, I kinda hate that nickname, sorry.) But that's not her real name, she is about 460 years old, and has had many name changes because of the times changing, as well as many different passports when needed. We begin the story with her as she's lived for a long time, with her gang of immortal friends, out being crazy, drinking, partying, etc. She does this to keep her mind from remembering all the bad things that have happened in her life. Well, this night, her best friend Innocencio, or Incy for short, uses magick to hurt a cab driver, hurt really bad. Nastaya has never been a fan of magick as it always makes her sick afterwards, and she's really not a fan of using it for dark purposes like this. The next morning she wakes up still freaked out and decides she has to get away and figure out what she wants. She remembers another immortal she met years ago who told her she didn't have to live that way and if she ever wanted help, told her where she lived so she could come get help. And that's where she goes. But part of it is trying to get away from her friends for a break from them. And so she tells her doorman somewhere else, and then she goes to America to see this immortal named River. River's place is a small farm that actually is pretty old fashioned. Along with classes, they do manual labor and all share chores. Their classes consist of learning to use magick and their powers. When Nastaya gets there, of course she at first doesn't think she'll stay, as she's used to a life of excess. And there is a REALLY hot guy there, who is also really a jerk to her. While there she starts having visions, and realizes that there are some reminders she must face from the beginning of her life.

Okay, enough summary. More of my opinion. I seriously LOVED this book. Did I already say that? I love what these immortals "are". I love the new story. These immortals aren't vampires, they're just humans who live a really, really, really long time. They can be killed, but it is really hard to do. They are only born to two immortals. And when they reach their teen years, their "aging" slows down, and they tend to stay teens to 20 year old looking for a long time. And so I guess because they look like this might be why this was considered a teen book. BUT! I actually didn't feel at all as if I was reading a teen book, not that teen books are bad, as you know if you follow me, I read a LOT of them. But I really feel as if this was an adult science fiction book. Yeah, she looks like a teen, BUT, she's lived a LONG time. And all of them have, and their conversations and what they do are totally people who are adults. Again, not that teens can't read adult fiction, but just not sure why this is classified as it is. I don't care where they put it in the bookstore though, I just can't wait for part two to come out, and I think I have to wait till 2012! Yikes!

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Waiting On Wednesday - All You Desire by Kirsten Miller

2011-07-20T15:40:00.008-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

This week I've chosen the book All You Desire by Kirsten Miller. This is the sequel to her book The Eternal Ones which I was lucky enough to get to read as an ARC. Here is the synopsis from Goodreads.com:

Haven Moore and Iain Morrow have been living a blissful life in Rome, an ocean way from the Ouroboros Society and its diabolical leader. But paradise is not to last. The mysterious disappearance of Haven's best friend, Beau, sends the pair running back to New York, where they encounter the Horae, an underground group of women who have spent centuries scheming to destroy Adam Rosier. Only they can help Haven uncover the secret to Beau's whereabouts in one of her past lives. But their help comes at a price: Haven must infiltrate the Ouroboros Society, charm Adam Rosier, and lure him into a trap. It's a plan the Horae believe will save the world-but Haven and Iain fear that it may destroy the happiness they've been chasing for two thousand years.

I loved the story in the first book, it was one of several reincarnation books I found at that time to read. So I'm looking forward to reading on with the story and seeing where it goes next.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

2011-07-20T15:19:00.003-05:00

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love the theme behind this book. A bunch of random old photos found and a story built around them. Although some of the pictures were kind of boring, I was hoping for more of the really neat looking ones. But hey, they can't all be weird, right? I also liked the story. It had an original plot, one I hadn't really read anything like lately. The main character is Jacob, and he grows up with a grandfather who tells really weird stories, and has pictures to go with them! Pictures of a girl floating above the ground, clothes standing with no head, a small person holding a really big rock, and what appears to be a face painted on the back of a head, but with a real mouth! As Jacob grows up he of course grows out of believing these stories of his grandfather's. He takes from his parents that his grandfather did deal with "monsters," the Nazi's, as he escaped when his family was all taken to concentration camps, and then fought them in World War II. Until when he is 16 his grandfather calls him all freaked out. When he goes over to check on him, he finds him dead, or dying anyway, and Jacob sees, or thinks he sees a scary monster. Soon after Jacob begins seeing a therapist to help him get over the nightmares and finally figure out he didn't really see what he thought. Jacob decides to go visit this island his grandfather described growing up on to learn about what really happened there. Once he gets there, he finds more of the pictures, and find out his grandfather really did have some adventures on that island. As Jacob gets drawn into this island's mysteries, he has to make a choice on whether to stay with his new friends, or try to go back to his old life.

Now, I did like this, but it wasn't a book that I was constantly wanting to get back to in order to find out what was happening. So, good book, and I think there is going to be a sequel from what I've read from the author having more pictures to write about, as well as how the story leaves off. So, I'm a fan, and will definitely be recommending this one to students at my school, as well as customers at my store.

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Switched by Amanda Hocking

2011-07-18T11:34:00.001-05:00

Switched by Amanda Hocking

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I downloaded this book to my Nook because it was only 99 cents. At first I was only reading it on my iPhone Nook app, and let me tell you, reading a book on an iPhone is not much fun. It is like you turn the page every paragraph! I only resorted to this when I ended up somewhere where I'd had no idea I might need a book. Then, while waiting in line to see the Harry Potter midnight premiere, I didn't want to bring a bunch of books with me. Plus, I was finishing up a book on my Nook, so I just brought my Nook and figured to read whatever was on there when I finished that book. And I decided to read this next. And wow, once I really was able to read it like a real book I was sucked into the story. I really liked this! I see many reviewers have called this a Twilight knockoff. I disagree. I do think that people who enjoyed Twilight will also enjoy this, but to me the story is a bit different. The main character is Wendy. When she was a little girl growing up her mother was never happy with her, and on her 6th birthday, her mother tried to kill her with a knife, saying she wasn't really her child. Her mother was put away into a mental institute, and she lived from then on with her aunt and her older brother who had always kind of been her protector. They've moved around quite a bit due to Wendy not really trying to fit in and the problems she has. At the latest place she's at she meets a boy named Finn, who she can't quite keep her eyes off of, and he can't seem to keep his eyes off of her too. Well, it turns out that he is there to take her to the real world that she belongs in. Her "mother" was actually right all this time. In case you're wondering what "Trylle" means, it means troll, although not trolls in the way we have always described them. And we'll learn more about it in this trilogy, which I've now had to buy the rest of them, still a pretty good price for an e-book, although not the 99 cents.

I really enjoyed this, I like the characters, the world she's going into, and somewhat how Wendy is dealing with it. I can totally see her point. Like all these supernatural books lately, she is a teenager, who just wants to have a normal life after all the things she's already been through. My one hope, is that there won't be a big love triangle, as seems to be the "thing" these days. But we'll see as I read on!

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Deviant by Adrian McKinty

2011-07-15T17:59:00.007-05:00

Deviant by Adrian McKinty

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After reading the reviews already posted before I'd really gotten into this book, I was a bit nervous about reading it. But then I got into it and really enjoyed it. The serial killer aspect to the book was very interesting. I liked how really it kept me guessing, it's that guy, no it's this kid, no wait, it's that kid. I love when it takes me a bit to figure out who the bad guy is. As a science teacher I also like how it talked about Tesla and other science topics. As a teacher, can I say that while I don't think that is the proper method for helping children learn, I would be in heaven if I had a classroom of students who sat without talking when they weren't supposed to? HEAVEN!

The main character is Danny Lopez, but he is actually part Native American. He doesn't really know his real dad, but doesn't really like his stepdad either. He's grown up in Las Vegas now moving to Colorado because of a mistake he made. Also his mother will be in charge of the new casino opening up on the reservation here. His stepdad is working at the prison, with the convicts that are really close to being let go for the end of their sentences. Danny meets some interesting prisoners, on in particular who will be a help, but could be the problem later on. The girl who lives right by him, Tony, tends to just walk into his house without knocking, even going into his bedroom when he's still sleeping! But he kind of has a crush on her. He is immediately asked to join one of the secret societies in this school with its unorthodox method of teaching students. There are cats being killed, and this seems to be the work of a serial killer in the way it is being done. Danny has issues with other students at the school of course being the new kid. All in all this was a good book, I can see many boys I've taught that would enjoy it. Danny is also a big skateboarder, which is kind of difficult in Colorado with the snow.

I read this as an egalley from NetGalley.com from Abrams publisher, it will be released in October.

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Book Blogger Hop #9 and Follow Friday #6

2011-07-15T16:54:00.007-05:00

Book Blogger Hop is sponsored over at Crazy for Books. It's a place for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word. This week's question is:

How/where do you get your books? Do you buy them or go to the library? Is there a certain website you use like paperbackswap?

Good question. If you read my blog you'll know that I work at a bookstore, Barnes and Noble. So most of the books I buy come from there. I also own a Nook, B&N's e-reader. So far I've only actually purchased a couple books for it, most of them I've gotten free from a website called Netgalley.com. Every year when I participate in my state's school librarain association award nominee group, I tend to just check those books out from either the library at the school I work at, or the public library, or I can even check out hardcover books at the bookstore where I work as well. I've also been getting some books through the RAK over at Proud Book Nerd.

Follow Friday is sponsored by Parajunkee. This is a blog hop that expands your blog by a joint effort between bloggers. There is also a featured blogger each week. I'm so excited that I've gotten on the list to be a future featured blogger! This week's question is:

What do I do when I are not reading?

Okay, not sure if the incorrect grammar is to be cute, as a teacher who has to grade for those things, it bothers me to post it like that. :-) But anyway. When I'm not reading, I'm either watching tv, playing on the internet, at the movies, or hanging out with family. Or last, because it's my least favorite, working, which right now includes teaching 8th grade science, working at the bookstore, and teaching an online class for a career college. And I guess there's some sleeping added in each night as well. I actually tend to read even while I'm eating since I live alone. And I even read sometimes while watching tv. I like to shop as well, but that costs money. Reading would be a cheaper habit, if I didn't keep buying new books, because I have 300 to read sitting in my office. Oh yeah, and from the header on my blog, you can see I have an adorable mini dachshund, her name is Sydney, but as she's older, she just sleeps most of the time. Considering getting a puppy to see if that would making perk her up a bit.

The Hazards of Working at a Bookstore Vol. 3.1 Part 2

2011-07-14T11:20:00.011-05:00

Okay, part 2. I also realized I could do a part 3, as we had an upcoming catalog of YA title sitting in the breakroom at the bookstore where I work and I found 3 other books I wanted to read. But I'll post those another time. For today I'm going to just list the 4 books I saw actually sitting in the store the last two nights that I worked.
First is Lucy by Laurence Gonzales. Now, I think I've actually posted about this when it came out in hardcover, not sure. But I'm going to talk about it again just in case. It is now in paperback, and so I may have to buy it. Lucy is the story of what might happen if someone tried to breed an ape and a human. Lucy is a 14 year old daughter of a primatologist who has grown up only being around apes. She is rescued when her parent is killed in a civil war in the Congo and brought to Chicago to live. When they find out what she is, she must now prove that she has the right to continue to live her life as she has been. Sounds like a very intense book to me! And one that is right up my alley of what I like to read in adult fiction.

Second is Exes & Ohs: A Downtown Girl's (Mostly Awkward) Tales of Love, Lust, Revenge, and a Little Facebook Stalking by Shallon Lester. This is in the humor section of our store. It's a dating memoir of a person who has been a waitress, a gossip columnist, and an MTV reality tv star. Her stories include a new boyfriend finding a huge pile of Magnum condoms under her bed, getting caught stealing bacon at a grocery store, and being dumped two Valentine's Days in a row. I can't wait to read this one!

Third is My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me: And Other Stories I Shouldn't Share with Acquaintances, Co-workers, Taxi Drivers, Assistants, Job interviewers, Bikini ...And Ex/Current/Future Boyfriends But Have by Hilary Winston. Another hilarious sounding book to read about not being able to keep from saying things in work and the dating life. The author is a TV writer and things life is going well till she finds out an exboyfriend has written a novel about her where she is referred to as the fat-assed girlfriend. So she kind of strikes back with stories of her own.

And the fourth and final book I'm going to write about is This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel. I've never read any of Kenneth Oppel's books. But I've picked them up and read the blurbs before. This is the first that really caught my attention. I don't know that I've posted about it, but I already had it marked as to read on goodreads.com.

Again, tell me if you've read any of these so I know what to expect. I always like to see other people's views on books I'm going to read. Especially the awesome book bloggers that I follow!

The Hazards of Working at a Bookstore Vol. 3.1 Part 1

2011-07-14T10:49:00.009-05:00

Okay, this is either going to be really long, or I'm going to split it into a few. This is a collection of papers from working 3 days last week and 2 this week. And at first I thought I didn't find many, but I did. I found 8 (edit, only 7, 2nd book I was going to list I didn't write an author, so not sure of it). So, I'm making an executive decision right now, this will be two separate posts.
First is Anno Dracula by Kim Newman. This is an adult fiction. It begins in England, 1888. In this retelling of Dracula, he is married to Queen Victoria and basically is ruling England, turning it into an undead country. There is also another race of vampires, and a detective from this group is trying to solve the Jack the Ripper murders. I like the themes of Jack the Ripper, that is a story that has fascinated me since the movie From Hell, and the book written by Patricia Cornwell. This sounds to be another story also where vampires are trying to live among the world, similar in a way to the Sookie Stackhouse series, just at a much earlier time in history.

Second is Original Sin by Lisa DesRochers, which I guess is second in the Personal Demons series. Don't remember the first one, but this is a story about a girl named Frannie, who is kind of a good Catholic girl until her senior year when a boy named Luc enrolls in her school. She's instantly attracted to him. But he's there on a mission to take her soul back to hell, all he has to do is get her to sin. Soon the angel Gabriel shows up to try to save her soul. Sounds like a love triangle to me. And I like the use of the angels' names in this.

Third is Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George, which after looking up on Goodreads I guess is 2nd in a series as well! I've got a lot to get caught up on! Anyway, it sounds like a retelling of a fairy tale in a way, and I've really been getting to where I enjoy these. I think my enjoyment started with Gregory Maguire's dark retelling of Cinderella and Wizard of Oz. But those were so involved that these are better in a way to me. This is another retelling of Cinderella with some changes. Looks like the 1st in this series was another take of the 12 Dancing Princesses, another fairy tale I really like.
That's all for this blog. Part 2 will have 4 books from this week. All these were from working last week.
Have you read any of these? Would you recommend I keep them on my TBR list?

You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs by Laurie Graff

2011-07-14T10:21:00.001-05:00

You Have To Kiss A Lot Of Frogs by Laurie Graff

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was my latest book to keep by the big bathtub for reading while taking a bubble bath. It had some really hilarious moments. I also at first was unsure as I started reading whether it was supposed to be a memoir or was just fiction. I'm guessing from reading the "about author" part that it is based on some real stories from her life. The guys that she dates, well, some of them are just unbelievable in the way they act. The main character is Jewish, and so I enjoyed reading about the types of issues that Jewish women have when dating. In fact, the end of the book really touches on this with something called the Shiksa complex. This is where Jewish men want to find non-Jewish women to date and take home, and then when they get married, these women convert to being Jewish. There is one part where the main character even pretends to not be Jewish just to get a Jewish guy. Only at a Jewish holiday, she finally can't hold it in anymore and lets out her secret. The guy gets all upset and even says he had been going to ask her to marry him that night, but now he can't. And what's weird is that he doesn't say it's because he can't trust her for lying, it's because he doesn't want to marry a Jewish girl! It's crazy. Then she dates a guy who can't make up his mind. So annoying. But what's kind of worse is that she keeps getting in and out of a relationship with him! I could see keeping him around as a friend with benefits, but I could never let someone that annoying keep getting in and messing with my head like she seemed to do.

Karrie Kline is her name, and as an actress she moves out to LA at one point in the book. Here we get to see what dating is like out there. Again, there are some crazy men. We do get a little bit of information about her family. Like she never knew her real father because he supposedly ran away to be a clown, literally. And we do meet him in LA. At the end she gets a dog, and I loved that part. It is true that they give you unconditional love. But I disagree with her in that she is okay waiting for someone because she now has this love. I've had my dog for over 12 years now, and I still want to find a boyfriend. It's a different type of love. So the ending was a bit disappointing.

View all my reviews

Waiting on Wednesday - Fever (Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano

2011-07-13T11:09:00.007-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is sponsored by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

I haven't done this in awhile because I felt I'd pretty much listed all the books I'd really been waiting on. But, au contraire, mon frere. It's just that a lot of the books I'm not waiting on will not be published for another year because I read the first one in the series before they were published, so they've just been published and now I'm waiting. In fact, this book I'm choosing today will not come out till 2012. And at the moment I haven't found a cover for it, it is supposed to be revealed sometime this month.

Fever is the 2nd in the Chemical Garden trilogy by Lauren DeStefano. It is the sequel to Wither, one of the latest dystopian teen novels I enjoyed reading this past year. Wither is currently on my Staff recommendation table at the bookstore where I work. In this story, because humans have figured out how to live long lives, now their children die young, girls at the age of 20, boys at the age of 25. So young girls are kidnapped to be sold to rich men to have their babies. It is even possible for these rich men to basically have harems of wives. Other young girls are sold to research lab so they can try to figure out how to solve this problem.

Rhine is our main character, and she had been kidnapped away from her twin brother and forced to marry Linden to have his babies. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the first one yet. But needless to say we left off at a cliffhanger and I want to know where it goes next!