Books for Christmas!

So...we're a bit behind on reviews. But we've traveled SO MUCH this past week or so that we're pretty much bushed. I thought I'd post a list of books we got for Christmas, or at least the top favorites since we got quite a few. Feel free to comment and let us know your favorite gifts (in particular books) for Christmas.
(Click for pictures and summaries!)
Elantris
The Blind Side
The Book Thief
Girl in the Arena Camilla
The Mad King
The Wreckers
The Ear, The Eye, and The Arm
Just Ella
...there were plenty more bought at a Goodwill book store and other lucky thrift stores - it was a good month for books. :)

Of course, besides these were desperately trying to make it through library books, such as the new Alex Rider book, Monstrumologist, and The Secret Under My Skin. I started the Exchange, but couldn't get past the character's personality, so that was a Failed to Finish....


And finally, I got Ryan this set for Christmas, which is based on Agatha Christie's mysteries, of course, starring the infamous Hercule Poirot (Set 1). This set is played by David Suchet, the penultimate Poirot, and we love watching the episodes over and over again. The episodes include:
The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim
The Veiled Lady
The Lost Mine
The Cornish Mystery
Double Sin
The Adventure of the Cheap Flat
The Kidnapped Prime Minister
The Adventure of the Western Star
How Does Your Garden Grow?

We hope you all have a great New Years, and promise more reviews when we get back home, which should be this weekend.

Girl In The Arena, by Lise Haines

Girl In The Arena, by Lise Haines
Young Adult, 2009

Lyn is the daughter of seven neo-gladiators, with a mother whose sole purpose is to be a gladiator's wife; over and over again. Surrounded by the violence, death, and limelight of the "Glad" life, Lyn finds her opinions differ quite strongly from those that are closest to her. When she becomes bound by the by-laws to marry her father's murderer, she challenges everything she's known about this life, even if it means losing her own.
This was not what I expected at all. It is very tame on the violence side despite the topic, and instead pursues a more philosophical approach to gladiators. I felt the ending was rushed and I personally wanted more closure, but it was a fascinating idea. I think there might be a sequel in the future based on the ending, but I'm not sure.
Graded a B.

Friday Finds (8)

I've been in such a book slump lately. I'm irritated by cliche plots and mimics of things I've recently read.... I'm taking a few books on vacation with us (which is why we may be in and out for the next few weeks...), and so is Ryan, but if you have any suggestions let us know. So far we're taking Girl in the Arena, Raider's Ransom, the new Alex Rider book (Crocodile Tears), Martha Stewart Cupcakes (oh come on, how can you not read a book about cupcakes?!), Monstrumologist, The Exchange, and the Overnight Socialite. Whether or not we get to them is a whole other story - we might be having too much fun with family. :)

Meanwhile, a few Friday Finds (hosted by innumerable other book blogs):



The Plain Janes, by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
From fantasticfiction.co.uk:
When transfer student Jane is forced to move from the confines of Metro City to Suburbia, she thinks her life is over. But there in the lunch room at the reject table she finds her tribe: three other girls named Jane. Main Jane encourages them to form a secret art gang and paint the town P.L.A.I.N. -- People Loving Art In Neighborhoods. But can art attacks really save the hell that is high school?
I'm not usually a graphic novel-type, but it looks cute.




All The Lovely Bad Ones, by Mary Downing Hahn
From Fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Travis and his sister, Corey, can't resist a good trick-so when they learn that their grandmother's sleepy Vermont inn has a history of ghost sightings, they decide to do a little "haunting" of their own. Scaring the guests proves to be great fun, and before long, the inn is filled with tourists and ghost hunters eager for a glimpse of the supernatural. But Travis and Corey soon find out that they aren't the only ghosts at Fox Hill Inn.
Mary Downing Hahn is usually worth a shot, although I'm not big into these kind of ghost stories.



The Monstrumologist, by Rick Yancey
From fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore War throp, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a gruesome find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.
An interesting idea, as long as it doesn't get too gruesome.

Meanwhile, have a wonderful week before Christmas!

Christmas Giveaway Ended!

Thanks for all the entries - winners have been emailed, so please double check your emails and your spam boxes too (all comments have been coming to my spam box lately). There were 4 winners instead of 3 since some people only wanted one or two, so that worked out nicely.
For those of you that won, you have to get back to me by tomorrow (Thursday) night since we're going out of town.

p.s. In case anyone is interested, this time we didn't use random.org - I don't think that site is very random. So, we literally put everyone's name in a hat however many times you had an entry and then pulled them out. It was MUCH more random... :)

Emily and the Silent King, by Irven Keppen

Emily and The Silent King, by Irven Keppen
Juvenile, 2009

Emily and her siblings suddenly find themselves in another world after wandering into the woods behind their New Jersey home one evening. As they try to find a sorceress that can return them to their own world they learn how this world has been tortured by the minions of the Silent King, who can be overcome by a single word. Emily discovers that she has powers that she never imagines as she comes to realize that she must face the Silent King to be able to return home. Apologies for the Kindle Edition picture.
Trackgeek: Pretty much a predictable fantasy novel, as they travel the children visit the elves (who live in trees), the dwarves (who live in a mountain), and fairies.
Graded a B-.

Terrific Authors on Tuesdays: Avi

Today's author is Avi, a huge favorite of ours. Because he's written an inordinate amount of books, we're only including the novels here. To see the list of series (which include Crispin, Beyond the Western Sea, and Tales From Dimwood Forest), click here. This Newbery Award and Newbery Honor Award winner is an incredible writer - guaranteed even if you're not a fan of the plot, you walk away feeling like you've been there.
No summaries, but again, check out fantasticfiction.co.uk for those. Our grades are included:

Snail Tale: The Adventures of a Rather Small Snail (1972)
No More Magic (1975)
Emily Upham's Revenge: A Massachusetts Adventure (1978)
Raspberry: B+.
The History of Helpless Harry: To Which Is Added a Variety of Amusing And Entertaining Adventures (1980)
Shadrach's Crossing (1983)
Bright Shadow (1983)
Devil's Race (1984)
Wolf Rider (1986)
The Fighting Ground (1987)
Something Upstairs (1988)
Raspberry: A-.
The Man Who Was Poe (1989)
Raspberry: A.
Trackgeek: A.
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (1990)
Raspberry: A.
Trackgeek: A.
Who Stole the Wizard of Oz? (1990)
Windcatcher (1991)
Nothing But the Truth: A Documentary Novel (1991)
Blue Heron (1992)
Raspberry: B+.
Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway? (1992)
City of Light, City of Dark: A Comic-book Novel (1993)
The Bird, the Frog, and the Light: A Fable (1994)
Smuggler's Island (1994)
Raspberry: B+.
The Barn (1994)
Sometimes I Think I Hear My Name (1995)
Tom, Babette and Simon: Three Tales of Transformation (1995)
A Place Called Ugly (1996)
Finding Providence: The Story of Roger Williams (1997)
Night Journeys (1997)
Perloo the Bold (1998)
Man from the Sky (1999)
Midnight Magic (1999)
Raspberry: B+.
Punch With Judy (1999)
Amanda Joins the Circus (1999)
Keep Your Eye on Amanda! (1999)
Abigail Takes the Wheel (1999)
Romeo and Juliet - Together (And Alive!) at Last (1999)
Captain Grey (2000)
Raspberry: A-.
Trackgeek: B+.
Encounter at Easton (2000)
S O R Losers (2000)
The Christmas Rat (2000)
The Grow Home (2001)
Don't You Know There's a War On (2001)
Trackgeek: B+.
Prairie School (2001)
The Secret School (2001)
The Good Dog (2001)
Silent Movie (2003)
The Mayor of Central Park: A Told Tale of Many Tails (2003)
Never Mind!: A Twin Novel (2004)
The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant) (2004)
The Book Without Words: A Fable of Medieval Magic (2005)
Trackgeek: B.
The Traitors' Gate (2007)
Raspberry: B+.
Iron Thunder (2007)
A Beginning, a Muddle, and an End: The Right Way to Write Writing (2008)
The Seer of Shadows (2008)
Raspberry: A-.
Poppy and Ereth (2009)
Hard Gold: The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859 (2009)
Murder At Midnight (2009)

For more information about Avi and his books, check out his website.

Secret Santa

I entered a blogging Secret Santa, and this past week I got a package in the mail with these two books:


Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell
(Our copy is the Dover edition, but I couldn't find that cover.)


Wenny Has Wings, by Janet Lee Carey
(You may remember her from Dragon's Keep, a favorite of mine.)

Many thanks to our Secret Santa!

Memory Monday: A Cricket In Times Square, by George Selden

A Cricket in Times Square, by George Selden
Juvenile, 1960
Newbery Honor Award

Chester Cricket is a talented musician that finds his way to Times Square, eventually making friends with a boy Mario, Tucker Mouse, and Harry Cat. Together they help Mario's family, Chester gets a course in classical music, and eventually is able to find his way back to Connecticut where his home is. There are about a half a dozen sequels in particular about his friends, Tucker and Harry.
A darling story with a lot of laughs and sweet moments. I love how the Chinese guy calls him a 'clicket'. Cracks me up every time I read it. If you've never had the chance, take a moment to read this short but wonderful book.
Raspberry: A
Trackgeek: It's been so long, I can't honestly grade it.

Legally Blonde, by Amanda Brown

Legally Blonde, by Amanda Brown
Adult, 2001

Elle Woods is USC's infamous blonde - president of a sorority, and winner of multiple contests that include physical appearance, no one ever takes her seriously. Until she joins law school in pursuit of Warner Huntington III. Then she becomes the laughing stock of southern California as she tries to combine her pink personality with the conservative-suits of Stanford. But then a case comes along that just might be perfect, and just might show her what she's really made of.
I'm sure you've all seen the movie, which I thought was really cute. The book is of the same ilk, but not quite as tight of a story, leaving a lot of loose ends.
Graded a B-.

Spotlight!

We're being spotlighted today over at Bookworming in the 21st Century, by Kristen. So go on over and check it out. :)

The Game of Sunken Places, by M T Anderson

The Game of Sunken Places, by M T Anderson
Yound Adult, 2004

When Brian and Gregory receive an invitation to stay at a distant relative's strange manse . . . well, they should know better than to go, since this is a middle-grade adventure novel. But they go anyway. Why not? Once there, they stumble upon The Game of Sunken Places, a board game that mirrors a greater game for which they have suddenly became players. Soon the boys are dealing with attitudinal trolls, warring kingdoms, and some very starchy britches. Luckily, they have wit, deadpan observation, and a keen sense of adventure on their side. (Summary by fantasticfiction.co.uk)
Trackgeek:
Intriguing fantasy taht kept me puzzled about what was really going on until the end.
Graded a B.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly
Juvenile, 2009

Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so much bigger than the green ones.With a little help from her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist, she figures out that the green grasshoppers are easier to see against the yellow grass, so they are eaten before they can get any larger. As Callie explores the natural world around her, she develops a close relationship with her grandfather, navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, and comes up against just what it means to be a girl at the turn of the century. (From fantasticfiction.co.uk)
Trackgeek: I enjoyed the storytelling in the book and the development of Calpurnia as she grows up and enjoyes becoming a naturalist with her grandfather as her guide.
Graded a B+.

The White Giraffe, by Lauren St. John

The White Giraffe, by Lauren St. John
Juvenile, 2006

Martine ust travel to South Africa to live with her grandmother on a game reserve after her parents die in a fire in their home in England. There she is enthralled by the animals but still fails to be able to fit in just as she had in England. There are many mysteries that surround her, there is the rumor of a white giraffe living on the reserve and there is the mystery of why her grandmother is so distant, and the mysterious circumstances of her grandfather's death at the hands of poachers.
Trackgeek: A nice short concise story. The mysticism of the book is a little odd, but still, a quick read that allows for Martine to develop and find things out about herself and move past the grief of her parents deaths. Graded a B-.

Duo Review: Green Rider, by Kristen Britain

Green Rider, by Kristen Britain
Adult, 1998

Karigan is suspended from school for fighting and leaves for home, only to run into a famed Green Rider who carries a message of great importance for the King. With his dying breath he asks her to carry it for him. Not knowing the forces that guide her, and trusting that her horse knows best, she defeats death and hides from the Shadow Man as she makes her way to the city. But that isn't the end, as she quickly becomes involved in the politics, intrigue, and magic she was destined for.
Raspberry: I enjoyed this fantasy tale, although it reminded me heavily of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I felt like the writing could have been crisper, and I was confused about who was the love interest in the end...hopefully the other books answer that question.
Graded a B.
Trackgeek: I really enjoyed the pace of the plot as the story unfolded. I liked that you only figure things out as they are necessary. While the themes bear some resemblance to typical fantasy motifs, I found the way they were portrayed bearable. The most frustrating part was the lack of a little more romantic development. By far the best fantasy novel that I have read in the past year. Graded an A-.

Stealing Heaven, by Elizabeth Scott

Stealing Heaven, by Elizabeth Scott
Adult, 2009

Dani has been stealing ever since she can remember, going from house to house with her mother, then moving before anyone is on to them. But one day Dani makes a friend. And meets a guy. And before she knows it, she wants to stay, to be normal, and to have a real life.
A cute plot, I enjoyed the dialogue between her and her love-interest. On the other hand, I didn't appreciate some of the swearing, and in places the writing did seem a little forced. Elizabeth Scott makes me want to move to Heaven (North Carolina?) with her descriptions. I was a little upset she didn't stay and continue a friendship with Allison - it felt like running away which seems a bit cowardly. At any rate, I'll stop trying for a philosophical discussion and grade it a B-.

Crows and Cards, by Joseph Helgerson

Crows and Cards, by Joseph Helgerson
Juvenile, 2009

Summary from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
1. Beware of slivers,
2. and gamblers,
3. and aces.

Zebulon Crabtree found all that out the hard way back in 1849 when his mother and father shipped him off to St. Louis to apprentice with a tanner. Too bad he had serious allergies to fur and advice from his parents. Hearing the beat of a different drummer, Zeb takes up with a riverboat gambler who has some special plans for him, crosses paths with a slave who turns out to be a better friend than cook, and learns that some Indian medicine men can see even though blind. And then there's the Brotherhood - the one that Zeb can't seem to get out of . . .
Review by Trackgeek:
It was a well-told, humorous tale, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the 1840s and the way it described the expansion West.
Graded a B+.

The Maze Runner, by James Dashner

The Maze Runner, by James Dashner
Young Adult, 2009

When Thomas comes to, he finds himself in a metal elevator, knowing nothing about himself except his first name. As the doors open, he's greeted by other 'Gladers', all part of a community behind stone walls. Outside these walls is a maze - and perhaps the only way out. Together, this community works together to survive while they find that answer.
But one day a girl is dropped off with a cryptic message. And then the supplies stop coming. The end is coming, and they'll have to work a lot faster if they plan on surviving at all.
I think the plot was very intriguing, although a little different than what I expected. I would agree with other reviews - I did find the pseudo-swearing a little annoying, but not enough to keep me from enjoying the book. There's definitely a cliffhanger, and definitely a lot of unanswered questions, but it was a fun read that I finished quickly.
Graded a B.

Princess of the Midnight Ball, by Jessica Day George

Princess of the Midnight Ball, by Jessica Day George
Young Adult, 2009

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all - true love - to conquer their foes in the dark halls below.
Raspberry: I loved this sweet fractured fairy-tale. It had engaging characters and inventive ideas. I didn't understand some of the other problems, like why the king couldn't afford smaller things and other problems in the kingdom, although the King Under Stone and his characters were so well fleshed-out that I hardly noticed.
Graded an A-.

Friday Finds (7)

Hosted by so many different blogs, I'm also doing Friday Finds and this week bring you some fun ideas for books to read:


It Happened One Night, by Lisa Dale
Lana Biel has always wanted to shake the dust of Vermont off her feet and see the world, one exotic country after another. But when a lighthearted spring fling changes her life forever, she turns to the one man whose strong shoulders can lighten any burden: her best friend, Eli Ward.
Not sure if this one is just a cute book or a ridiculous romance, but we'll see when it comes in at our library.




The Unit, by Ninni Holmqvist
One day in early spring, Dorrit Weger is checked into the Second Reserve Bank Unit for biological material. She is promised a nicely furnished apartment inside the Unit, where she will make new friends, enjoy the state of the art recreation facilities, and live the few remaining days of her life in comfort with people who are just like her. Here, women over the age of fifty and men over sixty-single, childless, and without jobs in progressive industries-are sequestered for their final few years; they are considered outsiders. In the Unit they are expected to contribute themselves for drug and psychological testing, and ultimately donate their organs, little by little, until the final donation. Despite the ruthless nature of this practice, the ethos of this near-future society and the Unit is to take care of others, and Dorrit finds herself living under very pleasant conditions: well-housed, well-fed, and well-attended. She is resigned to her fate and discovers her days there to be rather consoling and peaceful. But when she meets a man inside the Unit and falls in love, the extraordinary becomes a reality and life suddenly turns unbearable. Dorrit is faced with compliance or escape, and.well, then what?
An interesting premise....an adult version of Gemma Malley's books maybe?





The Horse Boy, by Rupert Isaacson
In an attempt to help his son with autism, a father goes to Mongolia on an adventure that will change both their lives.
I believe this is being made into a movie, but I could be mistaken.




Sorry - no cover available yet!
Princess of Glass, by Jessica Day George, due to be released 2010
Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other's countries in the name of better political alliances - and potential marriages. It's got the makings of a fairy tale - until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince.
I like her versions of fairy tales - they're always a fun read.





Heart of Light, by Sarah Hoyt
On a luxury magic carpetship in 1889, an English couple travel to Cairo for their honeymoon. Except for a brush with a dragon, the voyage is uneventful. But for Nigel Oldhall and his beautiful Indian-born bride, Emily, the holiday hides another purpose. Within hours of arriving in the teeming city, they are plunged into an extraordinary struggle among demons, murderers, and magic. In Cairo, Nigel can no longer hide his secret from his wife: he is on a mission to rescue a ruby that will ensure Queen Victoria's hold on Africa forever. But the search has already swallowed up Nigel's older brother—and now it has put his own Emily in mortal danger. But is she the innocent Nigel imagines? Soon, separately and apart, the two will set off for the heart of the continent among conspirators and traitors, all seeking the ruby and the gifts and curses it offers them—and all of humankind.…
This looks like it's a fun read - fortunately it was published last year so it should be easier to find than the others.

Fire, by Kristin Cashore and Guest Review

Fire, by Kristin Cashore
Young Adult, 2009

A companion but really unrelated to Graceling, Kristin's previous book, this story is about Fire, a monster (in this case they're beautiful) who's ability at mind control is enormous, but kept under wraps because of the terror her father created when he was alive. (Sorry for the run-on sentence.) Despite her self-control, she finds the kingdom has need of her skills if they're going to survive and keep a good king on the throne. And while she's at it, she might find her true self - and her true love.
I'm posting this cover instead, because I like it better than the one I have. I believe this is the UK cover. And I was in the middle of this months ago, but we went out of town...I loaned it to my dad....so I finally finished it last night and was pleasantly surprised. A little passive in its writing, it does take a bit to get into. However, it is an intricately woven plot with interesting characters and ideas. Would I change things? Absolutely. But would I read it again? Absolutely.
Graded a B.

My dad (otherwise known as Opa online) read this book and said he liked it - not as much as Graceling, but definitely would give it a B+. Just thought someone else's two cents would be fun to share.

Candle Man, Book One: The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance, by Glenn Dakin

Candle Man, Book One: The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance By Glenn Dakin
Juvenile, 2009

Theo lives a sheltered protected life- believing that he has a horrible illness. His guardian keeps him inside except for a brief walk in the cematary once a year. All this changes when two robbers break into the mansion and Theo finds out about the legend of the Candle Man and some surprising things about himself that lead to his escaping his guardian and trying to figure out the competing wishes of the two secret societies of London- the Society of Unrelenting Vigilance and the Society of Good Works. For the age group of 9-12 the book does a good job of moving quickly through the plot and yet not making you feel as if you are totally lost by all of the details. The writing is simple at times, but still flows just fine. Grade: B
Note: Posted by Trackgeek