Monday, May 31, 2010

Blogoversary Contest

The time has come for my first blogoversary! It's been an awesome year of commenting, finding fun new blogs, and lots of books. To celebrate, I decided to host a contest.

Here are the (gently used) prizes up for grabs (all prizes are US/Canada only, unless otherwise specified):

The Private Series - Books 1 - 9 by Kate Brian(One winner will get these)
Private
Invitation Only
Untouchable
Confessions
Inner Circle
Legacy
Ambition
Revelation
Paradise Lost

Donut Days by Lara Zielin (Arc)
Soulless + Changeless by Gail Carriger
Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandall
Mr Darcy Vampyr
The Dashwood Sister's Secrets of Love
Sloppy Firsts
Bedeviled - Shani Petroff
Cindy Ella - Robin Palmer
Ghost Huntress 2, The Guidance
Dust of 100 Dogs - A.S. King
Plus by (Arc)
Monster Variations by Daniel Kraus
Geek Charming -Robin Palmer

$15 to The Book Depository (this option is open internationally, please indicate if you are an international entry via the form below)

Finally, I'm having a separate contest for anyone who makes me a blog button. I'm not very good at even simple html. So, instead of failing at it myself, if anyone makes me a blog button, they will be entered to win a $20 to The Book Depository. This prize is also international, because they ship worldwide.

1st prize - The Private Series books 1-9
2nd prize - 3 books from the list
3rd prize - 2 books from the remaining list
4th - 9th prize - 1 book from the remaining list
Another winner will get a $10 GC

Be sure to fill out the form to enter, and leave a comment below!

CONTEST CLOSED

Sunday, May 30, 2010

In My Mailbox (May 30)

In my mailbox was created by Kristi of The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Here are the books I got this week...

I had a fairly good week library-wise. Of course, now I have three weeks to read them all, plus keep working through my TBR pile of books that I own.

Library:

The Body Finder
by Kimberly Derting

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself. (From Goodreads)

The Pale Assassin by Patricia Elliot

Spoiled, beautiful, fourteen-year-old Eugenie de Boncoeur is accustomed to outrageous privilege. The French Revolution may rage around her, but Eugenie's luxurious lifestyle is only improved by visits from her brother, Armand, who is especially doting since the two were orphaned. What Eugenie doesn't know is that their guardian has promised her in marriage to the wealthy, vengeful Le Fantome, a revolutionary who is nursing a secret grudge against her family. As the Revolution becomes increasingly violent, Eugenie is shipped off to convent school. Finally, there is no place in France that is safe for her. Eugenie dusts off her lightly used brains and rises to the challenge of survival. Soon she is in the thick of turmoil and romance, confronting spies, secret agents, and double-crossing suitors in her quest to get out of France alive. Sympathies shift, and every choice can change--or end--a life. (From Goodreads)



Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.

Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans. (From Goodreads)





V For Vendetta by Alan Moore

A powerful story about loss of freedom and individuality, V For Vendetta takes place in a totalitarian England following a devastating war that changed the face of the planet. In a world without political freedom, personal freedom and precious little faith in anything comes a mysterious man in a white porcelain mask who fights political oppressors through terrorism and seemingly absurd acts. It's a gripping tale of the blurred lines between ideological good and evil. (From Barnes and Noble)




Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

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



The Zookeeper's Wife
by Diana Ackerman

The New York Times bestseller: a true story in which the keepers of the Warsaw zoo saved hundreds of people from Nazi hands. When Germany invaded Poland, Stuka bombers devastated Warsaw—and the city's zoo along with it. With most of their animals dead, zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski began smuggling Jews into empty cages. Another dozen "guests" hid inside the Zabinskis' villa, emerging after dark for dinner, socializing, and, during rare moments of calm, piano concerts. Jan, active in the polish resistance, kept ammunition buried in the elephant enclosure and stashed explosives in the animal hospital. Meanwhile, Antonina kept her unusual household afloat, caring for both its human and its animal inhabitants—otters, a badger, hyena pups, lynxes.

With her exuberant prose and exquisite sensitivity to the natural world, Diane Ackerman engages us viscerally in the lives of the zoo animals, their keepers, and their hidden visitors. She shows us how Antonina refused to give in to the penetrating fear of discovery, keeping alive an atmosphere of play and innocence even as Europe crumbled around her.

Check back tomorrow to enter my blogoversary contest!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Book Review: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

Seventeen-year-old Bronwen Oliver doesn't just want a family. She has one of those, and there's nothing terribly wrong with them apart from bickering grandparents, an image-obsessed mother and a brother she describes simply as Jesus. But there's no natural sense of connection between Bronwen and her family, leaving her with the belief -- and the hope -- that she was switched at birth, that she was never supposed to be Bronwen Oliver but someone else entirely.

When she begins dating college senior Jared Sondervan, she finds herself thoroughly embraced by the loving family she has always wanted and does not hesitate to say yes when Jared proposes on her 18th birhday. Plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her junior year of college become plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her freshman year of college. And a wedding so soon isn't exactly what Bronwen wants. But Jared is. And his family is. Or so she thinks.

Before Bronwen can determine what she truly wants, she must first determine who she truly is, and the answer, she discovers, is only partially what she thought it was. She wasn't switched at birth, but she's also not Bronwen Oliver and hasn't been for a very long time. (From Goodreads)

I finished this book a week ago, and I'm finding it hard to write out how I felt about it. There were a few aspects I really enjoyed in the book. On the other hand, there was one major issue that kept me from enjoying the story more.

One thing that this story did well was depict loss within a family. Bronwen's father died when she was a child, and it's fairly obvious to the reader that this loss still haunts the family. This loss wasn't dealt with in a healthy way, and there was a lot of healing that still needed to be done by the characters. I actually thought that this made the story more interesting. It made me feel some compassion for that characters that I didn't like (Bronwen's mother/brother). I also really liked Bronwen's stepfather. His character was always there for Bronwen, even though she tried to push him away. He lightened up some scenes with a wink, or a comment, and it was obvious that he knew her better than she knew herself. The love story between Bronwen and Jared was another aspect of the story that I enjoyed. Bronwen and Jared are both in different places in their lives, and I loved how both characters had to acknowledge that.

I guess the major issue for me was that the ending felt lacking. I felt that the resolution of Bronwen's family issues should have just been...more. Family was one of the most important aspects in this book, in my opinion, and the issue seemed to be resolved too quickly. I think that this stems from Bronwen's mother, who was insufferable throughout the book. If I were her daughter, I'd have some deep-seated resentments that couldn't be solved without some therapy.

I really enjoyed the first part of the book, but the ending was a disappointment for me. Nevertheless, I'll check out more from McCahan, because this book showed a lot of potential.

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else
By Erin McCahan
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books
272 Pages
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Rating: C

Part of Around the World Tours

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (May 26)

This was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Waiting on Wednesday shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

The Body at the Tower (The Agency 2) by Y.S. Lee

This is another colourful, action-packed Victorian detective novel about the exploits of agent Mary Quinn. At a young age, Mary Quinn is rescued from the gallows and taken to Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. The school turns out to be a front for a private detective agency. At age 17, Mary takes on her first case (A Spy in the House). In this, the second book of the series, Mary Quinn sets out to uncover the truth behind a suspicious death at St. Stephen's Tower, better known as the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. The accident occurred after hours in a highly public part of town and despite the presence of night watchmen. Mary, disguised as Mark Quinn, becomes a builder's assistant to find out the truth about the body at the tower.

Published by Candlewick
Release Date: August 10, 2010 (aka too far away)

I really enjoyed the first book in this series (review coming soon), and can't wait for the sequel!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Teaser Tuesday (May 25)

What is Teaser Tuesday?
It's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and here are the rules:
Grab your current read...
Open to a random page
Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page
Don't include spoilers

"The end of the world started when a pegasus landed on the hood of my car. Up until then, I was having a great afternoon."

-The Last Olympian, Page 1, by Rick Riordan

Sunday, May 23, 2010

In My Mailbox (May 23)

In my mailbox was created by Kristi of The Story Siren, who was inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Here are the books I got this week...

For Review:

Deception (Haunting Emma #1) by Lee Nichols (Published by Bloomsbury USA/Release Date: June 8, 2010)

When Emma Vaile’s parents go missing while away on a mysterious business trip, she’s left all alone in her creepy old house. But her brother’s very cute best friend, Bennett Stern—Emma’s knight in J. Crew armor—arrives unexpectedly to whisk her away to New England. There, Emma settles into his family’s museum-like mansion and enrolls at an old-fashioned private school. She quickly finds friends in the popular legacy crowd at Thatcher and spends her free time crushing on Bennett. But the eerie visions she’s been hiding from everyone have gotten worse. Emma has memories of Thatcher that she can’t explain—it’s as if she’s returning home to a place she’s never been. Finally, Emma confides in Bennett and learns she is a ghostkeeper, a person who can communicate with ghosts. Bennett brought Emma to Thatcher to protect her, but now he needs her help tracking an other-worldly murderer.

A rich New England setting filled with mystery, tradition, and prep-school intrigue make Deception the perfect choice for fans of series like Kate Brian’s Private, as well as all those paranormal fans. The shocking ending will leave readers desperate for book two. (From Goodreads)

I'm part of the blog tour for this one, and I'm really excited! Check back for my review in early June.

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan (Published by Arthur A. Levine books/Release Date: June 1, 2010)

Seventeen-year-old Bronwen Oliver doesn't just want a family. She has one of those, and there's nothing terribly wrong with them apart from bickering grandparents, an image-obsessed mother and a brother she describes simply as Jesus. But there's no natural sense of connection between Bronwen and her family, leaving her with the belief -- and the hope -- that she was switched at birth, that she was never supposed to be Bronwen Oliver but someone else entirely.

When she begins dating college senior Jared Sondervan, she finds herself thoroughly embraced by the loving family she has always wanted and does not hesitate to say yes when Jared proposes on her 18th birhday. Plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her junior year of college become plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her freshman year of college. And a wedding so soon isn't exactly what Bronwen wants. But Jared is. And his family is. Or so she thinks.

Before Bronwen can determine what she truly wants, she must first determine who she truly is, and the answer, she discovers, is only partially what she thought it was. She wasn't switched at birth, but she's also not Bronwen Oliver and hasn't been for a very long time. (From Goodreads)
Part of Around the World Tours

Purchased:

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves. (From Goodreads)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Book Review: Middleworld by J&P Voelkel

"As I see it," said Max, "all that stands between humankind and the end of the world is two talking monkeys, a crazy archaeologist covered in red paint, and a couple of kids with blowguns. Am I right?"

Fourteen-year-old Max Murphy, video-gamer extraordinaire, is furious when his archaeologist parents cancel the family vacation to go on a dig in Central America. Buy things go from bad to worse when Max is summoned to join them, only to discover that his parents have vanished. With the help of Lola, a fast-talking, quick-thinking Maya girl, Max embarks on a quest to find out just what's going on. Soon Max and Lola are running for their lives in the perilous rainforest, as they unlock ancient secrets, meet mysterious strangers, and begin to understand that, in San Xavier, nothing is ever as it seems.

Fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to Max Murphy. But can a teen whose biggest talent is for video games rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save himself from the villainous Lords of Death? (Synopsis from Random House website)

I'm a big fan of anything involving ancient history, so when I was given the chance to read Middleworld, I couldn't say no. One of the most interesting things about this book was the plot. This wasn't your typical adventure story. The story is full of mystery and action, but it ties in a lot of interesting information about an amazing ancient culture. That was something that really set this story apart. It seemed to aim for an accurate depiction of an ancient culture, and the Maya still living in South America. I can't think of any other books that involve the Maya, which is one of the reasons that I enjoyed this book so much.

Another appealing aspect was the expertise of the authors, who spent years researching the story. Their website shows pictures of their travels, and their blog also talks about their trips. I really thought that their experiences made the book that much more interesting. There was information about the Maya throughout the story (including some pronunciation help), and some fun information, and a recipe, in the back of the book. Knowing that the authors spent time learning about the culture made me appreciate the way the facts were seamlessly woven into the fictional aspects of the book. I also appreciated was the way the story addressed the 2012 Maya calendar myth. You know the one, right? Supposedly, the calendar ends in December of 2012, and that predicts the end of the world. Well, not so according to Middleworld. I thought that the authors did a great job of tying that into the story as well. I personally was unaware that there was no archeological evidence that that calendar stopped in 2012.

The only issue that I had was with the character Max. For the first half of the story he was extremely whiny, and I found it hard to sympathize because of this. Over the course of the book, Max realized that he had been behaving pretty horribly, and began to change. I personally wish that these changes has started sooner, and that they had been a bit more gradual. I did enjoy his character in the second half of the story, however.

Middleworld ended with a great setup for the sequel, and I'll definitely be picking it up. For those of you who hate cliffhangers, don't worry. The authors did a great job of tying up the loose ends, and the story feels complete. It did, however, leave me wondering what would happen next. I can't give away too much, but I will say that there is definitely more to Max's story. If you're interested in learning a bit more about the Maya culture, and want an exciting read, I'd definitely suggest picking this one up.

Middleworld (The Jaguar Stones, Book One)
By J&P Voelkel
Published by EgmontUSA
415 Pages
Rating: B-

Thanks to Jenny for this one!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Teaser Tuesday (May 18)

What is teaser tuesday?
It's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and here are the rules:
Grab your current read...
Open to a random page
Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page
Don't include spoilers

"It's such a cliché," said Max. "Why do bad guys always want to rule the world?"
-Middle World, Page 295, by J&P Voelkel


Monday, May 17, 2010

A Movie Trailer (or 2) on Monday

There are a bunch of movies coming out this summer that I'm really excited about. I've already shown the trailer for Beastly, but there are a bunch more that I'm excited about.


Shrek Forever After



Ok, honestly I thought 3 was a letdown. I have hope, however, that this one will redeem the series (and be the final movie).

Release Date: May 21

Inception



Warning: The music in the trailer is overly dramatic. This one is directed by Christopher Nolan (directed The Dark Knight), and has Leonardo DiCaprio, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. What more is there?

Release Date: July 16

Saturday, May 15, 2010

In My Mailbox (May 16)

In my mailbox was created by Kristi of The Story Siren, who was inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Here are the books I got this week...

Due to my graduation last weekend, I didn't end up posting an IMM. So, this week will contain all the books I've received/gotten from the library for the past two weeks.


For Review:
Middleworld (Jaguar Stones #1) by J & P Voelkel

In the ancient city of Itzamna, Lord Six-Rabbit wakes up screaming. A great warrior king of the mighty Maya, he has dreamed he was a lowly, flea-bitten monkey. How could this be? Was this some sorcery sent by his half-brother, Tzelok, the evil priest?

1200 years later, in Boston, Massachusetts, 14-year-old Max Murphy is looking forward to a family vacation. But his parents, both archaeologists and Maya experts, announce a change in plan. They must leave immediately for a dig in San Xavier, the tiny Central American country where his father grew up. Max will go to summer camp. Max is furious. He's always suspected that his parents cared more about the Ancient May than about him and this proves it. When he's mysteriously summoned to San Xavier, he thinks they've had a change of heart. But he's met at the airport by one of their colleagues, who explains that his parents have gone missing at the remote Maya temple of Ix Chel. He also tells Max the legend of The Jaguar Stones, the five sacred stones of Middleworld (the Maya name for the world of men) which enabled Ancient May kings to wield the powers of living gods.

And so begins Max Murphy's wild adventure in the tropical rainforests of San Xavier. During his journey, he will unlock ancient secrets and meet strangers who are connected to him in ways he could never have imagined. For fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to this papered teenager. Can Max rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save the world from the Lords of Death, who now control the power of the Jaguar Stones in their villainous hands? The scene is set for a roller-coaster ride of suspense and terror, as the good guys and the bad guys face off against a background of haunted temples, zombie armies and human sacrifice. (From Goodreads)


From Library:


Heist Society by Ally Carter

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own--scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat's dad needs her help.

For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in history-or at least her family's (very crooked) history.
(From Goodreads)

Purchased:

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

A New York real estate tycoon plunges to his death on a Manhattan sidewalk. A trophy wife with a past survives a narrow escape from a brazen attack. Mobsters and moguls with no shortage of reasons to kill trot out their alibis. And then, in the suffocating grip of a record heat wave, comes another shocking murder and a sharp turn in a tense journey into the dirty little secrets of the wealthy. Secrets that prove to be fatal. Secrets that lay hidden in the dark until one NYPD detective shines a light.

Mystery sensation Richard Castle, blockbuster author of the wildly best-selling Derrick Storm novels, introduces his newest character, NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat. Tough, sexy, professional, Nikki Heat carries a passion for justice as she leads one of New York City's top homicide squads. She's hit with an unexpected challenge when the commissioner assigns superstar magazine journalist Jameson Rook to ride along with her to research an article on New York's Finest. PulitzerPrize-winning Rook is as much a handful as he is handsome. His wise-cracking and meddling aren't her only problems. As she works to unravel the secrets of the murdered real estate tycoon, she must also confront the spark between them. The one called heat.
(From Goodreads)

Won:

I won some fun swag from Mandy Hubbard, author of Prada and Prejudice, and You Wish. This included a signed post card, and My Little Pony puffy stickers! Yes, you read that right. Now, I love stickers, so I geeked out a bit when I saw those. So, another big thanks to Mandy!

What did you get this week?

Friday, May 14, 2010

Book Review: Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell

Iris is ready for another hot, routine summer in her small Louisiana town, hanging around the Red Stripe grocery with her best friend, Collette, and traipsing through the cemetery telling each other spooky stories and pretending to cast spells. Except this summer, Iris doesn’t have to make up a story. This summer, one falls right in her lap.

Years ago, before Iris was born, a local boy named Elijah Landry disappeared. All that remained of him were whispers and hushed gossip in the church pews. Until this summer. A ghost begins to haunt Iris, and she’s certain it’s the ghost of Elijah. What really happened to him? And why, of all people, has he chosen Iris to come back to?


Part of 1 Arc Tours

Shadowed Summer, Mitchell's debut, was a book that kept me in suspense from start to finish. While there were a few things that I think could have improved, I really enjoyed the story.


One of the things that I most enjoyed about the book was the setting. Mitchell described summer in Louisiana in a way that made me feel as though I was there (that was pretty impressive, considering it was only 30 degrees the night I finished the book). Mitchell's description of life in a small town was excellent as well. I grew up in a small town, and I've experienced the extreme boredom that comes along with it. At least in Ondine, Iris had a few places she could spend time.

I think that some of the characters could have been developed a bit more. Particularly Collette, who I thought was a bit predictable. She became jealous of Iris, and I thought it was easy to predict the conflict that would arise because of that. This book was also a fairly short read. While some people may really enjoy this aspect, I thought that more length could have allowed Mitchell to offer a bit more insight into her characters.

Overall, I thought that the paranormal aspect of the book was handled extremely well. I wasn't able to figure out what had happened to Elijah, and parts of the story gave me the creeps. The plot was unique, and I appreciated Mitchell's ability to describe life in a small southern town. There were a couple issues that I had, particularly with Colette, but I thought it was a strong debut.

Shadowed Summer
By Saundra Mitchell
Published by Delacorte
192 Pages
Rating: C+

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (May 12)

This was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Waiting on Wednesday shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

Withering Tights by Lousie Rennison

Hilarious new series from Queen of Teen – laugh your tights off at the (VERY) amateur dramatic antics of Talullah and her bonkers mates. Boys, snogging and bad acting guaranteed!

Picture the scene: Dother Hall performing arts college somewhere Up North, surrounded by rolling dales, bearded cheesemaking villagers (male and female) and wildlife of the squirrely-type. On the whole, it’s not quite the showbiz experience Tallulah was expecting… but once her mates turn up and they start their ‘FAME! I’m gonna liiiiive foreeeeeever, I’m gonna fill my tiiiiights’ summer course things are bound to perk up. Especially when the boys arrive. (When DO the boys arrive?) Six weeks of parent-free freedom. BOY freedom. Freedom of expression… cos it’s the THEATRE dahling, theatre!!
(From Goodreads)

Published by HarperCollins
Release Date: July 8, 2010

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The Prolific Blogger Award

The Prolific Blogger Award

 

Thanks to Jenn-ay at My Tea Time is Book Time for this one! 
Here is what a prolific blogger is...one who is intellectually productive, keeping up an active blog with enjoyable content.

After accepting this award recipients are asked to pay it forward to seven other deserving blogs.

1. Juju at Tales of Whimsy...
2. McKenzie at The Book Owl
3. Emma at Booking Through 365
4. Christina at Insert Book Title Here
5. Jess at Lost in a Book
6. Morgan at Smitten with Books
7. Briana at The Book Pixie

If you haven't already, check those blogs out!

Teaser Tuesday (May 11)

What is teaser tuesday?
It's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and here are the rules:
Grab your current read...
Open to a random page
Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page
Don't include spoilers

"Kat jumped. In the dim light, she hadn't noticed the figure sitting at the other end of the limo's bench, smiling back at her"

-Heist Society, Page 12, by Ally Carter

Friday, May 7, 2010

Book Review: My Double Life by Janette Rallison

Her whole life, Alexia Garcia has been told that she looks just like pop star Kari Kingsley, and one day when Alexia’s photo filters through the Internet, she’s offered a job to be Kari’s double. This would seem like the opportunity of a lifetime, but Alexia’s mother has always warned her against celebrities.

Rebelliously, Alexia flies off to L.A. and gets immersed in a celebrity life. Not only does she have to get used to getting anything she wants, she romances the hottest lead singer on the charts, and finds out that her own father is a singing legend. Through it all, Alexia must stay true to herself, which is hard to do when you are pretending to be somebody else! (from Goodreads)

Part of Around the World Tours

I absolutely loved Janette Rallison's book, My Fair Godmother, and couldn't wait to read more from her. So when I saw the chance to read her newest book, My Double Life, on Around the World Tours, I had to sign up. While the plots of both books were strikingly different, there were aspects that I picked up in both books.

The first of which was the humor found in both books. While I think that My Double Life focused less on humor than MFG, there were still quite a few funny moments. During some scenes, I ended up laughing aloud (much to my embarrassment), and I found a few scenes funny because I really connected with Alexia. Alexia was a realistic, likable character. While not all girls look like superstars, I could definitely relate to some of her insecurities, and was glad to see her follow her heart. I also want to mention Kari, the singer who is struggling to put out her new album. At first I expected to seriously dislike her. She seemed like the typical mean girl, who felt entitled to the royal treatment simply because she was a star. By the end of the book, however, it was clear that she was struggling with insecurities, too.

A major theme throughout this book is the idea of the importance of family. Alexia has grown up without her father, but her mother and grandmother have done a great job raising her. They don't agree with Alexia's decision to accept the job as Kari's double, and that's mostly because they care, and worry about her. After all, Alexia is traveling to the other side of the country to work, without any friends or family there to help her. I did wish that we could have learned more about Alexia's father over the course of the story. Without giving too much away, it takes quite some time for Alexia to actually meet him, and I really wanted to know what he was thinking.

Overall, I thought that My Double Life was another great read from Rallison. It was funny, and the story had some depth to it. As the summer grows closer, I'd suggest this to people who want a read that isn't too heavy, but still has substance. Plus, there's a bit of romance, too.

My Double Life
By Janette Rallison
Published by Putnam Juvenile
272 Pages
Release Date: May 13, 2010
My Rating: B+

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Book Review: The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker

In this new stand-alone fairy tale, Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie—blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic—can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen’s true love to kiss her awake.


But who is her true love? The irritating Digby? The happy-go-lucky Prince Andreas, who is holding a contest to find his bride? The conniving Clarence, whose sinister motives couldn’t possibly spell true love? Joined by one of her father’s guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family...and perhaps even find a true love of her own.

Do you think you know what happened after Princess Gwendolyn (Sleeping Beauty) pricked her finger on the spinning wheel and fell into a magical sleep? According to Baker's new book, Disney got it wrong. It wasn't prince charming who saved Gwendolyn, it was her younger sister, Annie.

Fearing a fate similar to Gwendolyn's, Annie's parents allow only one fairy to bestow a magical gift upon their daughter. This gift means that Annie will be impervious to all forms of magic for the rest of her life. Her gift also drains the magic from others around her. This has made Annie an outcast in her family's castle. Since both her mother and sister were given the gift of beauty, it begins fades in Annie's presence. Despite this, Annie is very kind to those around her. After everyone inside the castle has fallen asleep, she takes time to make sure that everyone is in a comfortable position before she heads off to find a way to break the spell. Annie was also fairly sensible. Instead of relying solely on Gwen's obnoxious boyfriend, Prince Digby, to break the spell, Annie invited numerous other princes back to the castle.

There were a lot of other fairytale references in this book that I really enjoyed (Rapunzel, the Frog Prince). While I think that some younger readers may not recognize all of them, as an older reader I really appreciated these extra twists in the story. I also enjoyed the romance between Annie and Liam. Their feelings for each other seemed to be more genuine, because they weren't based around fairy gifts like beauty, and grace. Don't hesitate simply because it's a middle-grade book. The Wide-Awake Princess was a unique fairytale, with a strong, intelligent heroine.

The Wide-Awake Princess
By E.D. Baker
Published by Bloomsbury USA
272 Pages
Rating: B+
Release Date: May 11, 2010

Thanks to Kate from Bloomsbury USA, and E.D. Baker for this one!

Waiting on Wednesday (May 5)

This was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Waiting on Wednesday shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

Hexbound by Chloe Neill



Lily Parker is new to St. Sophia’s School for Girls, but she’s already learned that magic can be your best friend…or your worst enemy.

They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Turns out, even a little magic can turn you to the dark side. That’s why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered paranormal abilities, on top of avoiding the snobs who think they run her school, nursing a crush on a cute sophomore with a big, werewolf-y secret, and fighting the good fight with her best friend Scout as they take on Chicago’s nastiest nightlife—including the tainted magic users known as Reapers.

Then Lily’s invited to a private meeting with Sebastian. He’s hot, powerful, and offering to help her harness the magic flowing in her veins in a way no one else can. He’s also a Reaper. Lily can’t hide her suspicions. But she’ll soon find out that the line between good and evil isn’t always clear…
(from Goodreads)



Published by Gollancz
Release Date: January 20, 2011

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Swag Giveaway Winners

Thanks to everyone who entered my swag giveaway. I figured it was probably time to announce the winners.


The winners of the Forget-Her-Nots swag contest are:

Emily B

SARAH

WILOWRAVEN


So if the winners could email me their addresses, that would be great.

It's also almost time for my blogiversary, so expect a fun contest toward the end of this month!

Teaser Tuesday (May 4)

What is teaser tuesday?
It's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and here are the rules:
Grab your current read...
Open to a random page
Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page
Don't include spoilers


"Victoria didn't have time to play. She didn't have time for friends or laughing or jumping or any other thing little kids do."
-Another Faust, Page 1, by Daniel & Dina Nayeri

Saturday, May 1, 2010

In My Mailbox (May 2)

In my mailbox was created by Kristi of The Story Siren, who was inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Here are the books I got this week...

Purchased:

Changeless by Gail Carriger

Alexia Tarabotti, now Lady Maccon, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears -- leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.

But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. Even when her investigations take her into the backwaters of ugly waistcoats, Scotland, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only a soulless can.

She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.

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