You have probably noticed the blog has been pretty quiet in the last few days. I got a new job! I am transitioning to a brand new school district and have been busy with planning and organizing for the new school year which is less than a month away. I'm very excited though a bit nervous. I hope to return to my regular blogging schedule once I am settled which will hopefully be before the first week of September. Thanks for your patience and hope to see you all soon!
Description: A. J. Fikry's life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island-from Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who's always felt kindly toward Fikry; from Ismay, his sister-in-law who is hell-bent on saving him from his dreary self; from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who keeps on taking the ferry over to Alice Island, refusing to be deterred by A.J.'s bad attitude. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. These days, A.J. can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly. And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It's a small package, but large in weight. It's that unexpected arrival that gives A. J. Fikry the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It doesn't take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J.; or for that determined sales rep, Amelia, to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light; or for the wisdom of all those books to become again the lifeblood of A.J.'s world; or for everything to twist again into a version of his life that he didn't see coming.
Review: A.J. Fikry is a curmudgeon and a book snob who owns Island Books on Alice Island, a summer destination off Massachusetts. He lost his wife, Nic, in a car accident and is grieving, trying to numb his pain by drinking until he passes out. Meanwhile Island Books drifts toward bankruptcy. Then, within a span of days, his rare copy of Poe's Tamerlane worth hundreds of thousands of dollars is stolen from his home, and 2-year-old Maya is deposited at his bookstore. Fikry cannot bear to leave the precocious child to the system once it becomes apparent her single mother has drowned herself in the sea. Both of these events dramatically change and reinvigorates his life and his bookstore. The next happenstance is the encounter with Amelia Loman, a quirky traveling sales representative for Knightley Press. The two start off on the wrong foot with their separate tastes in 'literature' but Amelia's tenacity and vibrant, gregarious personality draws Fikry to her. Soon a slow burn, cute romance begins. Book lovers will find a lot to love about Fikry, particularly his musings on what makes books and reading so pleasurable. Maya is a sweet girl who I would immediately be friends with if I met her in real life and it was a pleasure to see her grow right before our eyes into an intelligent teenager. Lambiase, a local police officer was a nice surprise to see as a reluctant reader who discovers a new passion for reading and learning. While there is really no clear villain in this book, Fikry's brother-in-law, Daniel Parish, a once best-selling author riding out a descending career arc and serves as a clear contrast of our protagonist. The plot folds pretty predictably, however the mystery of the stolen Tamerlane book is dropped for majority of the book and pops up suddenly in the last few chapters almost making the incident a moot point since it really did nothing more than spur the change in Fikry's transformation, which I found to be a bit disappointing. Overall The Storied of A.J. Fikry is a quick and enjoyable read with a nice balance of sentimentality, humor, and a touch of bittersweet. I think book lovers and those who love stories about selling books and finding love would find a lot to enjoy here. Don't be surprised to see this book listed for book club titles.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some strong language and a couple of fade to black sex scenes. Recommended for older teens and adults. If you like this book try:The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Shaffer and Annie Barrow or The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
In the 1940s a superhero named The Green Turtle was created by unknown cartoonist named Chu Hing. The Green Turtle didn't have notable superpowers but he seemed to be able to avoid bullets. He was an superhero, defending China in the World War II against the invading Japanese army. The story goes that Hing wanted his superhero to be Chinese but the publisher didn't agree and asked him to make his character white. Seemingly Hing was not happy about it which might explain why Green Turtle's face is never to been seen in original works, always covered with something; mask, his own arm, weapons etc. Unfortunately, Green Turtle never made it in the market which left the legacy containing only few volumes of the superhero adventures. However, there remained unanswered questions about the Green Turtle: why and how did he become a superhero? Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew recreate the origin story of the Green Turtle in The Shadow Hero. Many thanks to First Second and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced reader's copy of the book.
Description: In this origin story for the classic comic book hero the Green Turtle, Hank, the nineteen-year-old son of Chinese immigrants, resists his mother's attempts to make him a superhero at first, but when tragedy strikes he assumes the role of a caped crusader. Aided by one of the four spirits of Chinese mythology, Hank becomes the Green Turtle and sets out to rid Chinatown of the gangsters who have intimidated everyone for years and murdered his father.
Review: The Shadow Hero is a creative take on the superhero genre. Instead of a science experiment gone wrong which leads to incredible powers, we are given elements of magic, Chinese history, and mythology. Yang and Liew tackle and create the origin story of a lesser known superhero named the Green Turtle. In this graphic novel The Green Turtle is cast as an unlikely 19-year-old young man, Hank, the son of Chinese immigrants who own a grocery store in 1940s America. When his mother is rescued by a superhero, the loving but overbearing woman decides that it's Hank's fate to become a hero himself, and she does everything in her power to push her son in that direction. Though Hank initially shies away from assuming the role of caped crusader, when tragedy strikes, he's eventually inspired to call himself the Green Turtle, and fight back against gangsters who have been intimidating his family and many others in Chinatown. The action packed illustrations have a nostalgic feel to them and sets up the gritty/hard boiled setting of Chinatown. The text plays expertly with cliches and stereotypes about Chinese culture without ever becoming heavy-handed or obvious and actually gave the graphic novel some depth. I really liked the inclusion of the immigrant experience along with learning new things about the Chinese mythology such as the four spirits of China, one of whom allies himself with Hank's father and then aides Hank in help fighting the bad guys. The Shadow Hero is an enjoyable read and perfect for those to pick up while they wait for their favorite superhero movie to hit the movie screens.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some minor language and some violence. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.
If you like this book try: Secret identities: the Asian American superhero anthology edited by Jeff Yang
If you know of any young readers who need some adventure, action, and humor in their summer reading schedule, be sure to hand them Ninja Librarians: The Accidental Keyhand. I found the book to be a quick, fast, and enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more by the author. Many thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced reader's copy of the book.
Description:Dorrie Barnes had no idea an overdue library book would change her life. When Dorrie and her brother Marcus chase her pet mongoose into the janitor's closet of their local library, they accidentally fall through a passage into Petrarch's Library -the headquarters of a secret society of ninja librarians who have an important mission: protect those whose words have gotten them into trouble. Anywhere in the world and at any time in history. Dorrie would love nothing more than to join the society. But when a traitor surfaces, she and her friends are the prime suspects. Can they clear their names before the only passage back to the twenty-first century closes forever?
Review: Ninja Librarians: The Accidental Keyhand reminded me a lot of the Indiana Jones movies except it features librarians and a really cool library. Dorrie and her brother Marcus literally drop into a strange new world when they crash through the floor of their New Jersey public library and into a library that transcends space and time. The siblings discover they have landed in Petrarch's Library, a web of libraries from different places and times, with doorways to ancient Greece and to their modern-day hometown of Passaic, New Jersey. At the Petrarch Library, "lybrarians" train to become agents, or "ninja librarians" as Marcus calls them, who go on missions to rescue imperiled writers, including Socrates. Dorrie and Marcus use their temporary stay in Petrarch's Library to become apprentices, learning swordplay from Cyrano de Bergerac and the deceptive arts from Casanova. I love how the author uses both historical and literary figures in the story. Those familiar with Cyrano and Socrates will understand the hints dropped within the plot while others will be intrigued to learn to find out more. I also really appreciate the author giving younger readers an inside look at the daily duties of a librarian which include reference, research, and cataloging amongst other things. The "lybrarians" aren't your caricature figures who shush you constantly, but rather people you want to hang out with and learn from them. As Dorrie and Marcus attempt to return an accidentally stolen document to the archives, they uncover other secrets and mysteries. The lead-up to the kids' discovery of Petrarch's Library is a bit slow, but it allows you to get a better sense of the characters, but once Dorrie and Marcus are in the Library, the melding of fantasy, adventure, and history is enlightening and the story takes off. Dorrie is a smart, observant, wannabe sword fighter, who is struggling to build her self confidence. Marcus is an adorable and typical teenage brother: a mix of hormones, sarcasm, and obsessed with Star Wars, but he does genuinely care for his younger sister. I really like watching the sister and brother duo work together. I don't think you can have too many good sibling relationships that are in books. The Library is a vivid, well-drawn world that you wish would really exist in real life so you can visit. There is also a large supporting cast of characters that have distinct personalities and their special talents and knowledge seem natural. This book does have a feel for a series beginner, and I hope we get to see more of Petrarch's Library and more of Dorrie and Marcus.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4-6.
If you like this book try:The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein,
In an inspired collaboration, Kiersten White, an author of urban fantasies and paranormal, pairs up with artist Jim Di Bartolo to create a dark, moody, and mysterious hybrid novel. While it is certainly exciting to see authors experiment with the novel form, In the Shadows still feels unfinished and much left to be desired. Please note that this review is based on the advanced reader's copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
Description:Cora and Minnie are sisters living in a small, stifling town where strange and mysterious things occur. Their mother runs the local boarding house. Their father is gone. The woman up the hill may or may not be a witch. Thomas and Charles are brothers who’ve been exiled to the boarding house so Thomas can tame his ways and Charles can fight an illness that is killing him with increasing speed. Their family history is one of sorrow and guilt. They think they can escape from it . . . but they can’t.
Review: In the Shadows consists of two alternating narratives, one in prose and one in vividly colored, sometimes horrific wordless graphic novel panels. It isn't immediately apparent if or how the two narrative threads are related. As a reader, I kept turning the pages to see how these two narratives collide and I had many theories running through my mind as I read. The written narrative story is about two sisters, Cora and Minnie, who live with their mother in a boardinghouse in Maine. After spying on the town witch and getting caught, Cora blames herself for the death of her father the next day. When a mysterious stranger, Arthur, comes to board, along with two brothers from New York, Minnie involves them in the folklore of their sleepy Maine resort town, only to discover that they are in an evil place, surrounded by watchers, and in more danger than she could have ever thought possible. While the characters have distinct personalities, we only get brief sketches of their lives and I wanted to know more about them, particularly with the character of Arthur who drives the mystery and seems to know the answers but refuses to share them with any of the other characters and even the reader. Like the characters there are subtle romances that run throughout the story, however, I was never convinced of any of them since the characters were underdeveloped. For most of this slow moving story, you are wondering what exactly is going on. Though the illustrations are stunning and in color, I felt they were included in the narrative at the wrong time since the events in the graphic panels take readers across the globe and spans from the turn of the 20th century to the present, which is distracting because the written narrative story is only happening in one time period which is the late 1800s. As a result the graphic panels are more distracting, which is what I'm sure what the creators had no intention of doing. Though we finally do get some answers to the mystery we were introduced in the novel, I had many more unanswered questions such as how and why did the secret society start in the first place? Why did Arthur and his family only know of the secret society? Overall In the Shadows is an ambitious attempt at creating a hybrid novel, a combination of written and wordless illustrations to tell a story, but unfortunately it feels more like a rough draft storyboard rather than a novel.
Rating: 3 stars
Words of Caution: There is some minor language and disturbing images. Recommended for Grades 7 and up. If you like this book try:Balefire by Cate Tiernan, Prophecy of Sisters by Michelle Zink
Manga Mondays is a meme hosted by Alison at Alison Can Read where bloggers can share their passion for reading mangas. It's a great place to get new manga titles to try and to meet new bloggers. There are only three more volumes left in this series! I'm curious to see how this series ends.
Description:While Tsukasa recuperates from his amnesia and head injury, a fellow female patient takes to visiting him. This seemingly well-meaning girl soon becomes a rival to our beloved Tsukushi. Meanwhile we catch a telling glimpse into Sojiro's past and meet his first female friend. Later, Yuki uncovers a message from this friend meant for Sojiro's eyes only.
Review: Luckily in this volume we don't have too much melodrama. The sickly sweet girl that Tsukushi meets at the hospital is infamously known for stealing other people's boyfriends. Thankfully with Tsukasa reverting to his old mean, grumpy self, he is not in the least concerned with being in a relationship. I'm sure Tsukasa will get his memory back. I'm also sure that a huge break through will happen in the next volume but I'm not exactly sure what that could be. Meanwhile Tsukushi is still taking Tsukasa's memory loss in stride. She is trying different tactics that might help spark his memory back. While the drama between Tsukushi and Tsukasa is happening, I became more interested in learning more about Sojiro's storyline. We are given hints as to who he was afraid to open up his feelings to and how he had lost the girl that he cared for. Yuki is still pining for Soijiro and plans to help him make up for his regrets. I only hope that Yuki doesn't get hurt in the process. Overall this was a fun volume and it doesn't end with a cliffhanger. Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some minor language. Recommended for teens.
If you like this book try: Boys Over Flowers Vol 34 by Yoko Kamio, Kare Kano: His and Her Circumstances by Masami Tsuda, Mars by Fuyumi Soryo
I've been interested in Greek Mythology for as long as I could remember. When I came across Kerry Greenwood's Delphic Women which retold the myths of Jason and the Gold Fleece, the Trojan War and its aftermath from the point of view of the important female characters, I knew I had to read them. Greenwood makes the myths come alive and provides a different spin on characters who were once thought to be weak and one dimensional.
Description: From Mount Olympus, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, yawned. Even perfection can be tedious. "My Lord," she called to Apollo, "Sun God and brother. Let us play a game with mortals—my power against yours." And so Cassandra, the golden haired princess cursed with the gift of prophecy, and Diomenes, the Achaean with the healing hands, become puppets of the gods. Their passions are thwarted, their loves betrayed, their gifts rendered useless for the sake of a wager between the immortals. Doomed, magnificent Troy is the stage, and Cassandra and Diomenes the leading players in this compelling story of the city's fall. Both have found love before, and lost it. Will they find each other in the light of the burning city? And, if they do, can their love survive the machinations of malicious gods and men?
Review: What is stronger: love or death? Cassandra is the second book in the Delphic Women series featuring a new reimaging of popular female figures in Greek Mythology. As the title suggests, Cassandra is the focus of this novel as we watch the horrifying fall of Troy. Like Medea, Greenwood uses popular myths and new additions to the story along with well researched time period to recreate the Cassandra myth. Cassandra and her twin brother, Eleni, the children of King Priam and Queen Hecube of Troy, are a priestess and priest of Apollo the sun god. When a bored Aphrodite makes a wager with Apollo for a golden apple, the lives of Cassandra and Achaean healer Diomenes, called Chryse, are forever changed as they become pawns of the gods. Cassandra, as some of you know, is cursed with the gift of prophecy after rejecting to sleep with Apollo. While she can clearly see what will happen to her beloved city Troy, she cannot tell others what she knows. While Cassandra is growing and learning in Troy, we see Chryse becoming a gifted healer whose life is forever changed when he is called upon to treat his first love, Elene (aka Helen) of Sparta, the most beautiful woman in the world. Though she's married to Menelaus, Elene is nevertheless sought by many powerful men, and a war will soon be fought over her. When Elene runs off to Egypt with Cassandra's arrogant brother Pariki (Paris), the Achaeans have the perfect excuse to declare war on Troy even though they know that the Trojans would gladly have given her up had she not remained in Egypt. The story then follows the major events of the Trojan War. I was completely sucked in to this new story of Cassandra. Normally, Cassandra is depicted as the frail girl who harbors a horrible curse and eventually gets kidnapped, raped, and killed, however, she is a completely different person in Greenwood's version. In this book, Cassandra is a strong female character even in the worst circumstances. She never backs down and continues to fight against the gods. Chryse is an equally fascinating character who meets famous mythical figures and is passionate about medicine. Though their story lines are told in alternating chapters they eventually intersect in an interesting fashion. The ending of Cassandra's story was a nice surprise and I'm very curious to see how it pans out in the next Delphic Women book, Electra. The destruction of Troy is vividly illustrated and the settings come to life as their own characters in this book. I thought it was very interesting how Greenwood approaches romantic love as their are several relationships throughout the book. It was not uncommon for the people of this time to have more than one romantic partners. If you are a serious fan of Greek Mythology I would definitely recommend picking up the Delphic Women series by Kerry Greenwood.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is strong violence including rape and sexual situations throughout the book as well as language. Recommended for mature teens and adults who enjoy and are serious about Greek Mythology.
If you like this book try:The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Antigoddess by Kendare Blake
Have you ever had a house guest who overstayed his/her welcome and made you wonder if he/she will ever leave? This pretty much summed up my feelings about the Mortal Instrument series. Thankfully City of Heavenly Fire is last book in the series.
Description: Darkness has descended on the Shadowhunter world. Chaos and destruction overwhelm the Nephilim as Clary, Jace, Simon, and their friends band together to fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother. Nothing in this world can defeat Sebastian--but if they journey to the realm of demons, they just might have a chance.
Review: I have been disenchanted with the Mortal Instrument series especially after City of Fallen Angels. I was hoping the second trilogy would flesh out the secondary characters as promised, but unfortunately they are still regulated to the shadows as Clary and Jace take center stage. City of Heavenly Fire is a tome, clocking over 700 pages long. While the book looks like an epic and is crammed with action scenes in any space it can find, it feels anticlimactic. There is not enough depth and plot to really justify the large page count or frankly the second trilogy. We are once again asked about nurture versus nature as Sebastian becomes a megalomaniac much like his father. Unlike Jonathan who was complex, Sebastian comes off as a spoiled brat who is prone to throw tantrums when things don't go his way. I found Sebastian to be boring and his incest tendencies a bit too much for me to handle. The romance in the City of Heavenly Fire was just okay. There is enough tension in the various romantic couples to keep things interesting. Some are trying to go to a new level in their relationship while others are trying to define theirs or even salvage them. In other words, there was the same drama that took place in the other five books in this series. The fifty page or so epilogue wraps everything up perfectly in a nice tight bow. As I mentioned earlier, there were plenty of action scenes in this book. There are even characters who die, but for me, the deaths of these characters didn't have much of an effect on me. I thought they were pretty arbitrary and didn't really add anything to the story. I have to say that my favorite parts of the story really relate to picking up the allusions to the infinitely better series, Infernal Devices, and discovering more about Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackwood, the main characters of the upcoming Mortal Instrument spin-off series called The Dark Artifices. These characters are the ones that grabbed my attention as I lost interest in our main characters. I do have to make a note that if you were unaware that a spin off was in the works, the inclusion of Emma and Julian's introduction does seem to be a non-sequitur to the overall plot arc of the book. Overall City of Heavenly Fire was a chore to read only because I was satisfied with saying goodbye to the characters for the first time. In my opinion, the series was better to end at book 3 with City of Glass rather than to drag on. I'm not 100% sure if I'll read the Dark Artifices when it comes out.
Rating: 3 stars
Words of Caution: There is strong fantasy violence, some language, a small fade to black sex scene, and some crude humor. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.
If you like this book try: The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare, Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
Manga Mondays is a meme hosted by Alison at Alison Can Read where bloggers can share their passion for reading mangas. It's a great place to get new manga titles to try and to meet new bloggers. There are only four more volumes left in this series! I'm curious to see how this series ends.
Description:Tsukushi's on-and-off boyfriend Tsukasa is hospitalized after a gruesome head injury! While his life hangs in the balance his devious mother shows no emotion at all! Could a mother really be so heartless?! Even if Tsukasa is able to survive, he may never be the same again...
Review: Volume 32 has a good balance of romance and drama. Tsukushi and Tsukasa's mother never got along and in this volume they come to an understanding after a big confrontation between them, which nicely closes this thread to the overall plot arc. Both women realize they want what is good for Tsukasa but how they define 'good' is very different. The plot switches its focus to Tsukasa's well being after we learned that he was severely injured in the last volume. Now that he is out of the danger zone, Tsukushi and the F3 find out that he has selective amnesia, he has completely forgotten Tskushi and reverted back to the way he was before. I felt horrible for Tsukushi as she tried her best to jog Tsukasa's memory and fails. If that's not bad enough, there's a new rival for Tsukasa's affection who is hiding behind a wall of seemingly "real" friendliness. How long will it take Tsukasa to remember? And will this loss of memory have any harmful side effects to the relationship he and Tsukushi have worked and fought so hard for?
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some minor language. Recommended for teens.
If you like this book try: Boys Over Flowers Vol 33 by Yoko Kamio, Kare Kano: His and Her Circumstances by Masami Tsuda, Mars by Fuyumi Soryo
GIVEAWAY Winner
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway. Congrats to CK Ackarie on winning the Aizai the Forgotten Giveaway! I have forwarded your information to Ms. Harris. She will contact you shortly.
After reading a slew of serious books, I needed a light, fun read that some depth to the story. I found exactly that when I picked up The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. The Rosie Project reminded me of one my favorite sitcoms, The Big Bang Theory, and I think it would be enjoyed by fans of the tv show as well as others looking for a quick, cute read. Check out the cute book trailer below!
Description: Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him that he would make a “wonderful” husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver. Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent—and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper.
Review: Don Tillman is our perfectly imperfect narrator and protagonist. A scientist who only understands logic, he unknowingly gives people the impression that he is arrogant or robotic in his manners. He enjoys and finds peace in organizing his things around his apartment knowing exactly what to eat and wear every day. He cannot understand social cues, barely feels emotion and can't stand to be touched. Don's best friends are Gene and Claudia, psychologists. Gene brought Don as a postdoc to the prestigious university where he is now an associate professor. Gene is a cad, a philanderer who chooses women based on nationality--he aims to sleep with a woman from every country. Claudia is tolerant until she's not. As Don observes Gene's behavior, he realizes that the next logical step in life is to settle down and get married. Don doesn't understand the allure of Gene's lifestyle and open marriage and he fails to understand the emotions that Claudia keeps harping about in relationships. Rather than waste his time and dating a bunch of women, Don logically starts a project called the Wife Project. Essentially each of his dating prospects must fill out an exhaustive and extensive survey that assess her interests, behavior patterns (is she messy? how much does she sleep? how much does she drinks?), hobbies, etc. Only after analyzing how the response match to Don's own desires, he will contact the woman for a date if he deems her suitable. Things get even more interesting and amusing when Gene sends Rosie, a graduate student in his department, to Don as a joke, a ringer for the Wife Project. Rosie is a vivid character who has a chip on her shoulder mainly since she can not identify her biological father. Don already dismisses Rosie as a Wife Project candidate because she is woefully unsuitable, but agrees to use science to help her find her father. The rom-com plot is nicely centered on pursuing the Father Project. Rosie and Don collide as their different personalities are polar opposites. Don learns to let loose and live a little while hanging out with Rosie. Likewise Rosie finds structure and stays on task with the help of Don. Soon hilarity in miscommunication, dismay of the Wife Project, and hormones ensue, especially when Don's and Rosie's relationship becomes complicated. The story doesn't try too hard to be funny or sweet, but it feels natural with its deadpan humor and a nudge-nudge, wink-wink humor. I couldn't help but laugh at, and with, Don as he tries to navigate our hopelessly emotional, non-literal world, learning as he goes. It was also nice to read a romance story that is told from a male perspective. If you're looking for an uplifting story that will have you laughing out loud pick up The Rosie Project. Soon you will be flying through the pages as Don finds and falls in love. Since finishing the book, I found out that the author is writing a companion novel and I can't wait to read it.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Words of Caution: There is some language, sexual situations, and crude humor. Recommended for older teens and adults.
If you like this book try: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell, The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion (coming soon in September 2014)
Today I’m excited to be part of the blog tour for Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader for Kids Only on the blog tour hosted by Kismet Book Touring. Today I have a mini-chat with Uncle John to share with you all! For more information you can check out the Tour Page.
Thank you for stopping by Books in the Spotlight! For those of us who are new to the Bathroom Reader's Institute, can you give us a little background story to the institute (i.e. how it was formed, what inspired you to create it, how many books are written, etc)?
When Uncle John was growing up, everybody in his family read in the bathroom. One day he had an idea: there are books for every other room in the house—cookbooks for the kitchen, coffee table books for the living room. Why not make a book just for reading in the bathroom. That began Uncle John’s lifelong career of bringing fun bits of unusual information to millions of fans around the world. Together with the team of demented infomaniacs he calls the Bathroom Readers’ Institute (actually, it’s a group of six writers and researchers), he scours the globe looking for the weirdest facts, the strangest stories, the grossest foods, the funniest jokes, the looniest laws, the smelliest farts, and anything else that will make his readers say, “YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!” Now, 100 books later (with 15 million copies sold), Uncle John and the Bathroom Readers’ Institute are the undisputed kings of the “throne room.”
AboutUncle John’s Bathroom Reader For Kids Only!:
Here is an exciting chance to own the very first Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader For Kids Only! in a hardcover edition with all new illustrations!
When our younger readers demanded a Bathroom Reader of their own, Uncle John put together this brain-boggling easy-to-read collection of facts, fads, quotes, history, science, origins, pop culture, mythology, humor, and more! Plus it’s full of wacky and fun illustrations and Uncle John’s famous “running feet” — those fun and fascinating facts on the bottom of every page.
Curious young readers will learn about the real Dr. Seuss, baseball superstitions, the birth of The Simpsons, how carnival games are rigged, the history of dining on scorpions and tarantulas, shocking truths about thunder and lightning, and disgusting bodily functions like ear wax production and digestion (and why they’re important), and much, much more..
The life of Gordon “Uncle John” Javna, editor-in-chief and publisher of the Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader series, reads like one of his books. There’s a lot of fun, intriguing—often odd—information lurking around every corner. He went to art school, and then went on to become a musician, real-estate developer, writer, restaurateur, president of a pre-school, brew pub owner, and editor—not all at once, mind you, but he has been all of these things.
Eventually, though, he realized that because of his love of fascinating facts (and being a bathroom reader himself), he was naturally suited, perhaps even destined, to bring the joy of trivia to the world in a fun, informative way. He assumed the pseudonym Uncle John for the Bathroom Reader series and since then, Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader has become the longest-running, most popular series of its kind in the publishing industry. To date, there are more than 15 million Uncle John’s Bathroom Readers in print and his fanatical flock of followers span from Australia to the United Kingdom and beyond.
Guided by their obsession with unusual trivia, amazing origins, and forgotten history, Gordon “Uncle John” Javna and his staff at the Bathroom Readers’ Institute have made Uncle John’s Bathroom Readers a must-have for book and gift stores worldwide for over two decades. Gordon continues to expand his porcelain province from his throne room in Ashland, Oregon.
If you like Greek mythology, New Adult romance and a touch of the paranormal, check out The Chrysomelia Stories by Molly Ringle. The story centers around Sophie Darrow - a normal college freshman - who is abducted by a man she’s never met before and tricked into eating some pomegranate. What follows is her realization that she is no other than Persephone and her kidnapper – Hades himself.
As the official release date (June 27) of Underworld’s Daughter approaches, the second book in the series after the very successful and well received Persephone’s Orchard, we are very happy to point you towards an awesome giveaway!
The lucky winner will be receiving:
• Signed copies of both books
• 1 oz Persephone’s Pomegranate Blend looseleaf tea by Dryad Tea (black tea with pomegranate and vanilla)
• 25 plantable paper mini-flowers with wildflower seeds, by PaperSprouts (on Etsy)
• $5 Starbucks card
• Pegasus Greek coin pendant necklace from PartsForYou (on Etsy)
To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter below. If not, never fear, the publisher will be offering more awesome giveaways like this one in the coming weeks.
And if you haven’t read Persephone’s Orchard yet, there’s good news there too since the ebook will be only $0.99 on all major bookstores for a limited time starting on June 27!
About the books:
The Greek gods never actually existed. Did they? Sophie Darrow finds she was wrong about that assumption when she's pulled into the spirit realm, complete with an Underworld, on her first day at college. Adrian, the mysterious young man who brought her there, simply wants her to taste a pomegranate.
Soon, though she returns to her regular life, her mind begins exploding with dreams and memories of ancient times; of a love between two Greeks named Persephone and Hades. But lethal danger has always surrounded the immortals, and now that she's tainted with the Underworld's magic, that danger is drawing closer to Sophie.
New immortals are being created for the first time in thousands of years thanks to the tree of immortality discovered by Persephone and Hades. But Sophie Darrow is not one of them. Nikolaos, the trickster, has given the last ripe immortality fruit to two others, the reincarnations of the gods Dionysos and Hekate: Tabitha and Zoe, currently Sophie's and Adrian's best friends.
While the disappointed Sophie struggles to remember Hekate and Dionysos from ancient Greece, she must still face her daily life as a mortal university freshman. Tabitha and Zoe have their own struggles as they come to terms with being newly immortal and their own haunting dreams of past lives and loves. The evil committed by Thanatos invades all of them in heartbreaking memories, and worse still, Sophie and her friends know their enemies are determined to kill again. And even the gods can't save everyone.
I've seen books by Joshilyn Jackson taken out quite frequently at my library, but I never read her books before. When I saw her latest book, Someone Else's Love Story, the premise and the reviews sound promising. I thought I would give it a shot.
Description:I fell in love with William Ashe at gunpoint, in a Circle K For single mom Shandi Pierce, life is a juggling act. She's finishing college; raising her delightful three-year-old genius son, Nathan, aka Natty Bumppo; and keeping the peace between her eternally warring, long-divorced Christian mother and Jewish father. She's got enough to deal with before she gets caught in the middle of a stickup in a gas station mini-mart and falls in love with a great wall of a man named William Ashe, who steps between the armed robber and her son to shield the child from danger. Shandi doesn't know that her blond god has his own baggage. When he looked down the barrel of the gun in the gas station he believed it was destiny: it's been exactly one year since a tragic act of physics shattered his universe. But William doesn't define destiny the way other people do. A brilliant geneticist who believes in science and numbers, destiny to him is about choice. Now, William and Shandi are about to meet their so-called destinies head-on, making choices that will reveal unexpected truths about love, life, and the world they think they know.
Review:Someone Else's Love Story is an enjoyable read though there are parts that I had issues with the story. The novel captures the ambiance and customs of a Southern life. It is part of a coming of age story though the main character is well in her twenties and part of a love story though the identity of the love interests are a bit of a mystery. Shandi is a young woman preparing for college but finds herself caught up in a real-life drama. Shandi has a miracle baby named Nathan, but she and her BFF, Walcott, call the precocious 3-year-old genius Natty. The events leading to Natty's birth and Natty's biological father is a mystery and it is slowly unveiled as the story progresses. I didn't get the sense that Shandi is in her twenties, but I pictured her more like sixteen. Her voice is very young and she still seems to be a pawn used in the chess game of her parents' divorce. As Shandi moves out of her mother's home to her successful physician father's condominium in Atlanta, she, Walcott and Natty become caught up in an armed robbery. It's during this robbery that Shandi meets William Ashe, a giant of a man with a palpable, lingering sorrow. When William takes a bullet during the robbery, Shandi decides to take on William and starts caring for him on the day he leaves the hospital. The instant love for Shandi made me roll my eyes a bit, but I was more interested in learning about William and his tragic loss. In fact I was hoping these two characters would not get together because then it would ruin the character building both characters have as they both help each other cope with their dilemmas. As I continued to read the story, I wanted to know about the mystery surrounding Shandi's pregnancy. When the truth was revealed, I was a bit alarmed at how a serious issue was dealt with so matter of factually. I don't agree with how this plot line was handled and it made me lower my rating. Perhaps I'm over thinking about it and not understanding that forgiveness is the higher road taken. Overall, Someone Else's Love Story feels like a summer read though you may be a bit irritated with the main character. Despite my issues I did like it enough to recommend it to others.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Words of Caution: There is an allusion to sexual assault, sexual situations, and some language. Recommended for older teens and adults.
If you like this book try: Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman, The Whole Golden Egg by Kristina Rigggle, The Book of Someday by Dianne Dixon
Today author, Sherry Soule has some exciting news to share with us! She will be publishing a brand new upper YA / Sci-Fi romance series: the “Starlight Saga” with scorching-hot character chemistry, exciting suspense, and epic romance on June 26, 2014.
To help promote this interstellar love story, Lost in Starlight, Sherry is doing this fun guest post to share the news with fellow booklovers. Today, Sherry has decided to interview her main character.
Meet Sloane Masterson, the heroine of the Starlight Saga!
If a headstrong, gutsy, and imperfect heroine, with an eccentric fashion sense appeals to you, then you'll love Sloane. If you’ve already read the novel, this interview should be amusing and insightful. And if you haven’t read Lost in Starlight yet, hopefully this fun character interview will pique your interest.
Things that I think make my protagonist unique and not your typical (“perfect” YA heroine):
Zombie fangirl
A girl with major curves
Horror Movie reviewer
Foodie
Self-esteem issues
Geek magnet with a rather large bosom
A chick who favors the dark-side in appeal
***
Please state your name: Sloane Elizabeth Masterson
Astrological sign: Taurus
Age: 17
Height: 5’4”
Weight: About 140 or so…
Hair /Eye Color: I have longish blond hair dyed a bright purple and hazel eyes.
Job: High School student and reporter for the Haven Gazette with my own horror movie column
Vehicle: VW Jetta
Dog/Cat: I have a fluffy black cat named Jinx.
Favorite food: Cheeseburgers with extra mustard
Describe yourself in three words: Dependable, Independent, Sensitive
Greatest flaw? I guess I can sometimes be somewhat obnoxious at times and I can be extremely opinionated. My BFF says that I’m offensively curious because of my job as a HS reporter.
Best quality? I think I’m very trustworthy, genuine, open-minded, and fiercely independent
Hobbies? Watching movies, shopping, posting reviews of horror flicks, and reading.
What frightens you most? Fear of the unknown. And the thought of being normal and boring.
Favorite color? Purple—duh!
What do you think would make a perfect first date? Cuddling with a cute boy while watching a zombie flick with a tub of buttery popcorn!
Thanks for answering all of my questions, Sloane.
Thank you so much for hanging with Sloane and me today. It’s been an honor to reveal a different side regarding one of my favorite characters with all of you. If you haven’t seized your copy of this interstellar love story, Lost in Starlight yet, please do so.
Please mark your calendars to buy your copy of Lost in Starlight on June 26th 2014! Read the first five chapters for free on wattpad!
High school reporter Sloane Masterson knows she has one helluva story when she witnesses hottie Hayden Lancaster bending forks with his mind. Like any good journalist, Sloane sets out to uncover the truth, even if it includes a little stalking. When the superhuman feats start to pile up and the undeniable heat rises between them, Hayden has no choice but to reveal his secret: he’s an alien hybrid. They’re as different as night and day—she’s a curvy, purple-haired, horror junkie and he’s a smoking hot, antisocial, brainiac—yet the intense fascination between them refuses to go away. Even at Hayden’s insistence that dating each other is “off limits” and crazy dangerous, their fiery attraction threatens to go supernova. Now Sloane’s dealing with creepy government agents, über snobby extraterrestrials, and a psycho alien ex-girlfriend out for revenge. After a crash course on the rules of interstellar dating, Sloane must decide if their star-crossed romance is worth risking her own life....
Readers, I would like to introduce you to a brand new YA author, Mary Jean Harris, whose debut historical fantasy novel, Aizai the Forgotten, is being released today!
About Aizai the Forgotten:
With an otherworldly horse borrowed from an astrologer, and armed with a strange magical device, seventeen-year-old Wolfdon Pellegrin sets off through seventeenth-century France and Spain to fulfill his dream of finding the forgotten realm of Aizai.
One obscure book, by the philosopher Paulo de la Costa Santamiguero, has given him a lead to start his journey—go to the northern coast of Spain, where a portal to Aizai supposedly exists. Though death and danger loom ever near, nothing can dim the longing for Aizai kindling within Wolfdon’s heart. Yet even as he strives to discover the mysterious realm’s secrets and fate, a frightening truth becomes clear—one that may cost Wolfdon everything, including the future.
About the Author (from her Goodreads page):
I write and read fantasy and historical fiction, both novels and short stories. I'm interested in most fantasy, historical, and esoteric books, and I love old books too. I love reading lots of books at once, though I usually only write one story at a time. I am also a student at Carleton University studying theoretical physics with a minor in philosophy. I love ancient philosophy, especially Plato, Plotinus, and Lao-Tzu.
GIVEAWAY
In honor of releasing her debut novel, Ms. Harris has generously offered to giveaway one (1) ebook copy of her book to a lucky reader. This giveaway is open internationally and will run through Saturday JULY 5th. To enter, simply leave your name along with an email address in the comments so I can direct the winner to Ms. Harris. Good luck!
Savage Girl by Jean Zimmerman has an attention grabbing premise: What would happen if a wealthy couple with everything they could possibly imagine came across a so-called "feral child" in a tawdry Nevada sideshow and decides to bring her back to New York and convert her into a society belle? Though light on the suspense, Savage Girl is an intriguing historical fiction.
Description: Bronwyn, a very smart eighteen year-old girl raised in the wild by wolves in Nevada, is adopted in 1875 by the Delegates a wealthy Manhattan couple, and taken back East to be civilized and introduced into high society, but the men who seek to be her suitors start turning up dead.
Review: Savage Girl is marketed as a historical fiction/murder mystery and its blurb grabbed my attention right away. Set in the 1870s post-Civil War America, the book's plot centers around a serial killer whose rampage ranges from a rough mining community in Nevada to upper-class Manhattan. Our narrator Hugo Delegate, Harvard-educated son of one of New York's wealthiest and most socially connected families, is locked up for the gruesome murder of another New York dandy. He willingly claims his guilt, but we can easily tell that he is taking the blame for someone else who has committed the real crime. Sensing a story folded in a Hugo's confession, Hugo's expensive lawyers demand he tell them the true story from the beginning. Hugo starts with his family's visit to Virginia City, Nev., home of his father Freddy's silver mine. Soon, Hugo's parents, eccentric liberals interested in the nurture/nature debate raised by Darwin, are eager to adopt a young girl they have discovered in a Virginia City freak show, the girl's owner of which claims she was raised by wolves. Of unknown origins, she speaks Comanche as well as a smattering of English, and her performance involves a set of mechanical claws and a swimming tank. The unknown girl, whose name turns out to be Bronwyn, travels on the Delegates' private train to New York, where the Delegates plan to give her a makeover a la My Fair Lady and show her off as their prized possession and a symbol of compassion and philanthropy. Bronwyn captivates her audiences, particularly males and never manages to shake off her mysterious aura. Soon one grisly murder after another seems to follow in Bronwyn's wake, the victim always a man who has shown his attraction to Bronwyn's considerable charms. Is Bronwyn, with her animal-like instincts, the killer? Or is it Hugo, with his past mental problems, his capacity to black out and his love for Bronwyn that borders on jealous insanity? I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this book. Zimmerman zeroes in the the mannerisms and social issues of the late 1800s much like Edith Wharton did, which for me, was the highlight of this book. I was shocked to find out that cases of feral children being sold and "trained for society" was common especially when a bloody Civil War about slavery was recently over. Unfortunately, the mystery surrounding the serial killer is not as prominent in this book and it felt underdeveloped with new clues and a hurried solution appearing at the end of the book, which made me disappointed. I would still recommend it to those who enjoy a well written historical fiction and are interested in learning the social, political, and philosophical issues that are the driving issues of post Civil War America.
Rating: 3.5 stars Words of Caution: There are allusions to sexual assault and sexual situations though never explicit. There are some disturbing images such as mutilated body parts in the book and some language. Recommended for adults.
If you like this book try: The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawson, The Ghost of Mary Celeste by Valerie Martin
I've had books by Joan Bauer on my to be read shelf for quite some time. It's not until finishing and loving Almost Home did I realize how much I am missing by not picking up her books sooner. Don't be fooled by the book's adorable cover, Almost Home addresses serious issues but it also features a very strong and likable heroine named Sugar Mae Cole and a wonderful uplifting story of hope and resilience even when facing the darkest moments in ones life,
Description:When twelve-year-old Sugar's grandfather dies and her gambling father takes off yet again, Sugar and her mother lose their home in Missouri. They head to Chicago for a fresh start, only to discover that fresh starts aren't so easy to come by for the homeless. Nevertheless, Sugar's mother has taught her to be grateful no matter what, so Sugar does her best. With the help of a rescue dog, Shush; a foster family; a supportive teacher; a love of poetry; and her own grace and good humor, Sugar comes to understand that while she can't control the hand life deals her, she can control how she responds.
Review: Almost Home is a moving and powerful story of a young girl who overcomes adversity. Through months of homelessness and her mother's breakdown, sixth-grader Sugar Mae Cole and her puppy, Shush, demonstrate what it means to be sweet and resilient. It only took me just a few pages to love and root for Sugar, the writer of thank-you notes and poetry, dog-walker, parent-educator and trust-trainer who is forced to grow up quickly despite her very young age. Through her first-person narration with notes, emails and poems we are introduced to Sugar's family problems: an unreliable, gambling addict and alcoholic father and her enabling mother who has low self esteem and acts like a child. In addition to the problems at home, she is faced with the fact that she is homeless and without the support of her beloved teacher. While these serious topics could easily make Almost Home dark and filled with melodrama, Bauer addresses many important and sensitive issues with grace and frankness. Through her wonderful and heart wrenching poems, Sugar tries to sort out her own mixed emotions about how her life is unraveling right before her eyes. Thankfully, Sugar has adult role models who support her and give her glimpses of light in her dark world such as her grandfather, King Cole; Mr. B., the sixth-grade teacher who encourages her writing and stays in touch; and, finally, Lexie and Mac, experienced foster parents who provide a safe haven but know when to let go. Sugar's voice is convincing and realistic, both as storyteller and young writer; her natural good humor shines through despite the dark undertones of her story. There are many times when Sugar's poems or internal dialogue had me choked up with emotion and wanting to grab her from the pages and give her a hug. I'm grateful that Bauer did not shrink away from approaching tough issues and offers a great opportunity for a discussion. Quirky supporting characters, both human and dog, add to the book's appeal. Sugar is a very strong heroine that will be admired by both young and adult readers alike.
Rating: 5 stars
Words of Caution: Mature themes such as alcoholism, gambling addiction, depression, and domestic abuse are addressed in the book. Recommended for strong Grade 5 readers and up.
If you like this book try: Also Known as Harper by Ann Haywood Leal, How To Steal A Dog by Barbara O'Connor, Waiting For Normal by Leslie Connor, Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voight, Hound Dog True by Lisa Urban, and Keeping Safe the Stars by Sheila O'Connor
If you are reluctant to pick up a nonfiction book in fear of being bored to tears, look no further than Steve Sheinkin's award winning book, Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon, as this book reads like a classic spy thriller which so happens to be a true story.
Description:In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned 3 continents. In Great Britain and the United States, Soviet spies worked their way into the scientific community; in Norway, a commando force slipped behind enemy lines to attack German heavy-water manufacturing; and deep in the desert, one brilliant group of scientists was hidden away at a remote site at Los Alamos. This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb.
Review: Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon weaves together tales of scientific and technological discovery, back-alley espionage, and wartime sabotage in a riveting account of the race to build the first atomic weapon. I found this book very hard to put down even though there is no big surprise on how this story ends. I was enraptured by the storytelling and how the famous and the infamous cast of characters such as Robert Oppenheimer and spy Harry Gold are brought to life in this book. Black and white portraits of key players appear in photo-montages that begin each of the book's four sections. The author pulls information from numerous sources to supply every chapter with quotations that swiftly move the narrative forward. Suspenseful play-by-play moments, particularly when focusing on intrigue and spies, will captivate the reader. Though I knew the story of the making of the bomb, I didn't realize how much intrigue and spying was involved. The epilogue also brings the reader up to speed on how the creation of the atom bomb doesn't just stop at the end of World War II, but also has consequences throughout other parts of history such as the arms race during the Cold War and the potential of nuclear war in volatile countries will give readers pause and goose bumps. Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon is a must-read book and definitely one of the best books I've read thus far this year. I highly recommend it to middle schoolers, teens, and adults especially if you enjoy the spy and thriller genres or if you are curious about history and science. There are lots of notes and biographical references found in the back of the book if you would like to learn more.
Rating: 5 stars
Words of Caution: There is some minor language and mature themes in the book. Recommended for strong Grade 7 readers and up.
If you like this book try: The Ultimate Weapon by Edward Sullivan, The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages, The Wives of Los Alamos by TaraShea Nesbit
Manga Mondays is a meme hosted by Alison at Alison Can Read where bloggers can share their passion for reading mangas. It's a great place to get new manga titles to try and to meet new bloggers. There are only five more volumes left in this series! I'm curious to see how this series ends.
Description:Mysterious men have knocked out Tsukushi and her boyfriend Tsukasa. The two awake to find themselves alone on a boat, a situation that reeks of the diabolical handiwork of Tuskasa's maniacal mother Kaede. Will the two of them survive this insane twist of fate?
Review: Volume 31 begins with what might seem like another diabolical plan created by Kaede, Tsukasa's mother, to separate our love birds yet again. Tsukasa and Tsukushi are kidnapped and placed on a boat with no one else on board. The two quickly start to bicker about who is responsible for this set up. What seems to be dangerous situation actually turns quite comical as the real people behind this master plan is revealed. Having Tsukushi and Tsukasa isolated from everyone else was actually quite nice to read. Both of these characters have fought very hard to show other people that they are serious about their relationship, however, both harbor their own insecurities such as "why do you like me?" or "do I have the capabilities to make you happy?" While it was definitely very far fetched to believe these characters having deep discussion and thoughts about their relationship instead of freaking out about being kidnapped and on a deserted island, I did like these quiet, honest moments between Tsukushi and Tsukasa. This volume ends in a cliffhanger as Tsukasa's kidnapping was televised all over Japan. When he is spotted, there is a huge swarm of media and press trying to ask him questions for their interviews. In a quick moment Tsukasa is falls forward and is bleeding. He has been attacked by someone in the large crowd and rushed to the hospital! Good thing I have the next volume on hand to see what happens next.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some crude humor, minor language, and a few scenes of underage drinking. Recommended for teens and up. If you like this book try: Boys Over Flowers Vol 32 by Yoko Kamio, Kare Kano: His and Her Circumstances by Masami Tsuda, Mars by Fuyumi Soryo
Reading a beloved book series is like coming home to friends and family. Night Broken is the latest book in the Mercy Thompson series. With new characters, mythology, and villain, Night Broken is one of the highlights in this series.
Description: An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right. Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy. Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.
Review: Night Broken is the eighth book in the fabulous Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs. I highly suggest reading this series in order in order to get a better appreciation of the character growths and plot arcs of this story. Mercy and Adam aren't known for their relationship dramas and any misunderstandings between them get aired out quickly, which is one of the reasons why they are one of my favorite couples. When the synopsis of this book came out, particularly the mere mention of Christy, Adam's ex-wife I was really curious to see how Briggs would create a bump in the road for Mercy and Adam without being overly melodramatic. I was very pleased to find out that not only did the Christy subplot added much needed tension in the wolf pack, it actually moved things forward both plot and character growth wise. Instead of resulting to sulking and jealousy, Mercy takes Christy's surprise visit with grace and lots of patience, more than any of her fans can muster. Mercy remains in control and proves to the pack that she is indeed the wife of the Alpha. The dynamics of the wolf pack were really interesting to read as they struggle to figure out their own loyalties and preconceived notions. I was really surprised by the development of Honey, whom I really liked in this book. In addition to the Christy's sudden arrival and the mystery behind her stalker, we are introduced to a new coyote walker who has a lot of things in common with Mercy. I can't wait to learn more about him and his connection to Mercy. We also get more sightings of Coyote, the trickster and father of Mercy who always manage to make an appearance at the wrong place and wrong time. Unlike the previous books, Night Broken is filled with nonstop action, few unexpected surprises, and it was hard to put down. With the series possibly coming to an end, I'm really curious to see where Briggs takes her character and world to next.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Words of Caution: There is some strong language, strong fantasy violence, and disturbing images. Recommended for mature teens and adults.
If you like this book try: Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs, Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, Chicago Vampire series by Chloe Neil
I was very much looking forward to reading E. Lockart's latest novel, We Were Liars, this year. I've heard nothing but great things about the book yet stayed away from reviews in fear of spoiling the surprise ending. I started this book with no preconceived notions and I think that really helped my enjoyment of it. My only qualm about the book is that is too short and I wanted more in the end. Many thanks to Delacorte Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Description:A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island. A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy. A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive. A revolution. An accident. A secret. Lies upon lies. True love. The truth.
Review: We Were Liars is a quick yet nuanced read that will equally appeal to adults as well as teens. Cloaked in secrets, greed, and deception, it is best to read We Were Liars without knowing anything about the book. On her fifteenth summer at her family summer cottage, Cady's life is torn apart. Cady Sinclair's family uses its inherited wealth to ensure that each successive generation is blond, beautiful and powerful. Those who fall outside of these three categories are not recognized nor deemed worthy individuals by the family patriarch. Cady's cousins and aunts are reunited each summer by her mother's father on his private island. Everyone leads a charmed, fairy-tale lives which is a clever idea that is reinforced by the periodic inclusions of Cady's reworkings of fairy tales to tell the Sinclair family story; however, these fairy tales aren't the Disney-happily-ever types but rather much more cut throat and dark like the original Grimm tales. After a nice setup, we begin to examine all the skeletons in the Sinclair's palace closets and the various personal sacrifices that are made to keep the pristine image upright. What I loved most about this book is the author's refusal to simply make her characters pure evil or pure good, each of the characters have their own motive, which might make the family's foreshadowed tragedy predictable or even satisfying. Instead, she humanizes them (and their painful contradictions) by including nostalgic images that showcase the love shared among Cady, her two cousins closest in age, and Gat, the Heathcliff-esque figure she has always loved. Though increasingly disenchanted with the Sinclair legacy of self-absorption, the four believe family redemption is possible--if they have the courage to act thus creating the suspense about how the four teens acted and which version of their actions is the real truth. Their sincere hopes and foolish naivete make the teens' desperate, grand gesture all that much more tragic. You can argue as to who are the winners or losers in this book, which for me makes this book a great choice for a book discussion. Riveting, brutal and beautifully told, We Were Liars is hard to put down and much harder to forget.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Words of Caution: There is some strong language, underage drinking, and mature themes. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try:What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell, If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
Manga Mondays is a meme hosted by Alison at Alison Can Read where bloggers can share their passion for reading mangas. It's a great place to get new manga titles to try and to meet new bloggers. There are only six more volumes left in this series! I'm curious to see how this series ends.
Description:Just as Tsukushi thinks she can attend school unnoticed, the entire school starts bullying her and she finds herself in a love triangle with the two most popular boys, that’s when the real trouble begins! Tsukushi is drawn into the drama of the business affairs of the rich Domyoji family. This puts Kaede, Tsukushi's sworn enemy and Tsukasa's mother, in the tough position of having to show Tsukushi gratitude. Tsukushi's trip to New York takes another shocking turn when someone close to her admits his true feelings for her!
Review: Before I started reading Volume 30 of Boys Over Flowers, I was worried that this volume would ruin my enjoyable reading experience of this series. The foreshadowing of love triangle rearing its ugly head was high on the horizon as Rui became closer to Tsukushi and the drama between Tsukushi and Tsukasa took another turn when Tsukusa told Tsukushi go back home to Japan and forget him. I was so angry at Tsukasa at the end of the previous volume, but I knew there had to be a reason behind his aggravating decision and in this volume we find out why. While the drama is still on full force in this volume, we can see how much our characters have grown. Tsukushi doesn't waffle her feelings between Tsukasa and Rui and is upfront, honest when telling Rui how she really feels. Similarly, Rui accepts Tsukushi's decision and tells Tsukasa to not throw away his chance at happiness. Unlike Tsukushi and Rui, Tsukasa is not happy with his choice to turn Tsukushi away. He regrets his decision and tries to find Tsukushi. We find out that though he wants to be responsible and spear head his family's business, he doesn't want to do it on his mother's terms but on his own. I was surprised that I ended up liking this volume and I am sure there is more drama still to come.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some minor language in this volume. Recommended for teens.
If you like this book try: Boys Over Flowers Vol 31 by Yoko Kamio, Kare Kano: His and Her Circumstances by Masami Tsuda, Mars by Fuyumi Soryo
