Books and Bikinis Summer Reading Challenge

Life After Jane is hosting this rocking idea of a summer reading challenge; Books and Bikinis.

Yes girls and boys summertime is upon us and that means it's time for BEACH READS! To get in the summer spirit and to help cool you off, I'm proposing the Books and Bikinis Summer Reading Challenge. This is an easy one, so don't worry. All you have to do is read 10 books this summer that have a water theme! It's a great summer for it because there are so many mermaid books coming out and what better way to cool off than with stories that make a splash.

She has a great starter list over there, plus a Mr. Linky to others that have decided to take the challenge.

Here's a few books I've decided to include (links are to my review):

1. The Forbidden Sea, by Sheila Nielson
2. Sea, by Heidi Kling
3. Sea Change, by Aimee Friedman
4. The Summer of Moonlight Secrets, by Danette Haworth
5. Secondhand Charm, by Julie Berry
6. Between Two Seas, by Marie-Louise Jensen
7. Star Crossed, by Linda Collison
8. Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tail, by Carolyn Turgeon
9. Everlasting, by Angie Frazier
10. Girl in The Shadows: Daughters of the Sea, by Kathryn Lasky

Memory Monday: Locked In Time, by Lois Duncan

Locked In Time, by Lois Duncan
Young Adult, 1985

Nore visits her father and his new family in Louisiana for the summer, just before she heads off to college. But time seems to stand still there, and people aren't what they seem. Nore must solve the mystery of this place before she or her father become killed...and yet she seems to be the only one who knows something is wrong.
Raspberry: Interested by the summary, I grabbed it from a book sale for 50 cents. I started it with lower expectations - Duncan's books always have fascinating plots, but sometimes I can't handle the stress of reading them. This, however, seemed a departure for her writing. Nore's situation was incredibly realistic, and while you were scared it wasn't horror-movie scary, more shocking scary at the reality of what is possible. The romance isn't overdone, and the characterization was fantastic. When I finished I mulled for days over other ways it could have ended and whether or not I liked how it finished. It can really get you thinking, and despite being so very very different from The Adoration of Jenna Fox, it makes you think in the same way, and perhaps could be a companion book for those that liked it. (Although this is more mystic than sci-fi.)
Graded a B+.

Reader's Habits

This meme has popped up a couple of places, but I found it on Storywings, a blog I really enjoy. (So click on the link and check it out, already.)

Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack:

Usually not, although I have discovered Black Pepper and Sea Salt chips (best brand is the Archer Farms from Target), and they are incredibly addictive. Usually, though, I'm too engrossed to stop and have some chow.

What is your favourite drink while reading?

I drink mostly water, but I really like the Strawberry Lemonade that Santa Cruz puts out. It's organic, if you go to look for it in your local grocery store.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?

Absolutely not. I'm impeccable with my books. A few exceptions would be books I have studied in the past for a class, or that are so incredibly written they demand highlighting and notes. Ex: Les Mis, Anna Karenina...etc. In those cases I have a specific copy just for marking up.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?

Random pieces of paper come in handy, particularly when you're interrupted by a very persistent 2-year-old.

Fiction, non-fiction, or both?

Fiction, although I like really well written non-fiction. I don't seek it out, (non-fiction) but if I see something that looks interesting, I'll grab it.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?

I can stop just about anywhere. Unless it's particularly engrossing, like the endings, or the stressful climaxes...then people just get pillows thrown at them so they'll go away. :)

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?

No, of course not! Who does that?! If I get irritated by an author, though, I'm more inclined to not finish it or fume about it until I've calmed down before I finish it.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?

No. I have been reading long enough to get the gist of what a word means from the context. Plus, authors tend to reuse certain words over and over again.

What are you currently reading?

Hmm. Nothing, actually. I'm in-between books. But I'm about to choose between The Case of the Gypsy Goodbye, by Nancy Springer (Enola Holmes mysteries) or The Pretty One, by Cheryl Klam. I know, very different books. But both have been checked out and are due!

What is the last book you bought?

Straw Into Gold, by Gary Schmidt, and no I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I love Schmidt's writing. (He won the Newbery honor for Wednesday Wars, which was fabulous.)

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?

I almost always am reading more than one, unless what I'm reading is particularly amazing. I tend to get distracted or forget that I've even started a book until I see it by my bedside at night or sitting on a chair the next morning...

Do you have a favourite time/place to read?

The couch or my bed. I like to prop my knees up and use them to balance my book on.

Do you prefer series books or stand alones?

Stand alones. I am notorious for not having the patience to continue reading a series.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?

Patricia Wrede. John Flanagan's Ranger Apprentice series. Tisha. Victoria Hanley. Kristin Cashore. Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl.

How do you organize your books? (by genre, title, author's last name, etc.)
Ah. I am in a 2-bedroom apartment and have an enormous amount of our 2000 books in boxes. However, a variety of bookshelves are up and crammed full. They're mostly by genre, at least as much as stuffing shelves can be!

A Spy In The House, by Y. S. Lee

A Spy In The House, by Y. S. Lee
YA, 2010

Mary Quinn is saved from a hanging at age 12 by an innocent woman who offers her the chance to become something more. Now it's 1858, and at age 17, Mary is the newest spy for The Agency, a women-only group that solves mysteries of the day in a variety of situations.
Raspberry: An engaging premise, I was immediately reminded of a cross between The Magician's Ward, by Patricia Wrede (if you haven't read that series, do it NOW), and the Enola Holmes mysteries by Nancy Springer. The mystery is engaging, the romance sweet but not over-played, and the ending, while it leaves you hanging for the sequel, satisfying. At least for the present.
Fortunately the sequel, The Body at the Tower, is promised for August of this year, and I am anticipating running out to purchase it!
Graded an A-.

And a note on the cover - it's perfect. It's beautifully done anyways, but the girl on the cover looks very much the way you imagine her by the time you're finished reading.

The Long Way Home, by Andrew Klavan

The Long Way Home, by Andrew Klavan
YA, 2010
Homelanders, book 2

In the continuing story of Charlie West, our hero has come to terms with his situation and is on the run trying to clear his name and figure out his past year that is a blank in his head. With action-packed scenes and a grit your teeth ending, it doesn't disappoint. I did like the first book (The Last Thing I Remember) a little better, but I'm still pumped to read book 3. Rumor has it that it's called The Truth of the Matter and is slated to come out this year.

The Singer of All Songs, by Kate Constable

The Singer of All Songs, by Kate Constable
YA, 2004

Calwyn has the power of ice-call, the ability to sing to manipulate ice. When her and the priestesses of her homeland of Tarsis have their ice-wall breached by an outlander, it brings an adventure that restless Calwyn seems to have been waiting for.
Raspberry: I've been meaning to read this book, as it seems like a similar style to Tamara Pierce or Alison Croggon. I enjoyed the tale of adventure and if it seemed to drag in areas, each scene still had a purpose. The idea of singing or chanting to create magic was a fascinating idea, and never at any time was it predictable.
Graded a B.

Giveaway: Lady Vernon and Her Daughter, by Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway

Lady Vernon and Her Daughter, by Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway
Adult, 2009

In a fleshed-out interpretation of Jane Austen's Lady Susan, this mother and daughter teamed up to create this pleasant addition to any Austen collection. When Lady Vernon and her daughter are left penniless after her husband's death, they confront his brother who had promised to take care of them financially. Plagued by gossip and rumors, and worried about their futures, it's up to the witty Lady Vernon and her daughter Fredericka to take matters into their own hands.
Raspberry: I was pleasantly surprised by this novel, and agree with my mother who said that 'It ought to be made into a movie'. The language and history seems authentic and very Austenian in its style. The characters are complexly connected, and perhaps the plot is slightly too intricate for that time period, but it makes for a charming story with just a touch of mystery. The romance is sweetly funny, and while it ends perfectly as only a fairy-tale can, you close the book in great satisfaction.
Graded a B+.

GIVEAWAY!
And now for the best part. We're giving away a very gently read copy of Lady Vernon and Her Daughter. It's hardback and everything, with the cover pictured above.
To enter, please use this form.
Extra entries are available, but to enter all you need do is put in your screen name and email address.
Good luck! The contest ends June 17, 2010 and is open to U.S. only.

We're Back!

Actually, we're only back for about 10 days before we leave again. Trackgeek is doing research in CA and this last time I went to visit my parents (great opportunity for the grandparents to see the 'half'), and this time around I'm going with him. BUT the good news is we have lots of reviews for you AND a giveaway - stay tuned for Monday's post!

Memory Monday: Keturah and Lord Death, by Martine Leavitt

Keturah and Lord Death, by Martine Leavitt
YA, 2006

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Keturah Reeve is a beautiful young woman of sixteen who lives with her grandmother in a cottage near the forest owned by Lord Temsland. Keturah is renowned in the village for her captivating storytelling, and this beautifully woven novel is a response to a request from Keturah's eager audience for yet another of her fascinating tales. She tells of her experience of being lost in the forest, her eventual meeting with a dark figure on horseback who is Lord Death and her bargaining with him for her life-and for the lives of the villagers who are threatened by an onset of the plague.
Raspberry: I know this only came out 4 years ago, but I really enjoyed it and thought it deserved a 'revival' of sorts. It is a fascinating plot with interesting characters. Now, I must confess that I can't remember if I graded it a B or a B+, but I will regrade it after I read it again. Of course, since I recommended it, Trackgeek won't give it up, so I'll have to wait until he's done. :)

The Silent Governess, by Julie Klassen

The Silent Governess, by Julie Klassan
Adult, 2010

From the author's website: Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret; she never intended to overhear his.
Raspberry: I enjoy Julie Klassen's books, and have reviewed The Apothecary's Daughter, but not Lady of Milkweed Manor, although I enjoyed it as well. This book, while having an engaging plot and even being Eva Ibbotson-esk, wasn't quite as intricate as her earlier works.
Graded a B-.

Birthmarked, by Caragh M. O'Brien

Birthmarked, by Caragh M. O'Brien
YA, 2010

from Booklist:
Gaia is 16 and works in Western Sector Three with her mother delivering babies, “advancing” the first three per month to live a better life inside the city. It’s a wrenching routine Gaia doesn’t question until her parents are mysteriously arrested by Enclave authorities. Gaia’s rescue attempt is fraught with peril—the burn scar on her face marks her as a “freak” who would never be allowed into the Enclave’s exclusive gene pool—and soon she herself is tossed into a cell with other female physicians.
Raspberry: O'Brien's ideas are fascinating - for those of you that have read The Line, this is what you were hoping for: a dystopian society with inequality, revolutionaries, and a kick-butt heroine. I liked that Gaia (great name for the type of character she is, by the way) acted 16 in the beginning, but slowly seemed to 'grow up' as she figured out what was really going on. I liked that she had the innocence to plunge into the adventure head first, and the knowledge to handle it. A few scenes were a bit hazy - almost like the action was going too fast, and the romance, while exactly what you wanted, felt a little under-developed since it happened in such a short amount of time. I was very upset with the ending, since it was a bit of a cliff-hanger, but I understand that it was a set-up for book 2. (According to O'Brien that should be in 2011.)
Graded a B+.

For Caragh's website, click here - more reviews are listed on her website.

YA Book Bloggers Battle: Round 1!

We're part of the first round of judges for the YA Book Bloggers Battle, and are delighted to present for judging:


Jessica's Guide To Dating on The Dark Side, by Beth Fantaskey
YA, 2009


VERSUS



Silver Phoenix, by Cindy Pon
YA, 2009

I'm so glad that we did this competition, as it forced me to read books that I normally wouldn't pick up. In fact, my library has had these two on the shelves for months and I would pass them by with a shrug of my shoulders. I'm not a big fan of vampires for starters. I can get past the whole werewolf thing, angels, you name it. But vampires? Blood-sucking? Teeth in the neck, destroyed by sun thing? It's not often I find one of those main characters a good find. When I do it's usually written by Annette Curtis Klause or Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. I'm also not a huge fan of the mystical Chinese world that the cinema can provide, and thought it wouldn't be any better in a book.
In both cases I was wrong, making this a harder decision than I anticipated:


Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side:
This book was without a doubt the biggest surprise I've read in a long time. I laughed over and over and over again for the first half of the book. At one point I even turned to my husband and through tears of laughter suggested we buy the book for my mother! I'm not sure Beth Fantaskey (Fantaskey?!) meant it to be quite as funny as I took it, but I can guarantee some laughs no matter how hard-core vamp-lover you are(n't).

The Characters: B+
Jessica is a normal teenage girl who discovers that she is of royal vampire blood when her long-lost fiance Lucius shows up looking like...well, the undead. What could have been a roll-your-eyes plot was hilarious as Lucius pokes fun at the guy Jessica dates. Or as he uses his overly protective machismo to put high-school boys in their place. I liked that every one acted his or her age, and that despite the fantastical ideas, everyone seemed realistic.
The Plot: B-
As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed the first half. The second half seemed such a flip, though, as Lucius does things you don't expect and confuses everything you've come to understand about him and Jessica. The ending drove me nuts, and not in a good way. I just had a hard time with a few of the ideas about vampires, and not just because I'm not a 'vampire person'.
The Writing: B-
Overall, not too shabby by a long shot.
The Cover: B
Cute, but a little silly, especially after reading about all of her amazing dresses.


Silver Phoenix:
This is very much a mythical book that incorporates the history and religion of China with the fantastic. Part love story, part adventure, I enjoyed the characters, the abilities she gained, and the mention of lots of yummy Chinese food. I seriously wanted pot-stickers when I was done reading!

The Characters: B
Ai Ling is a passionate girl who escapes a horrible marriage to go find her father who has been missing for months. On the way she meets Chen Yong who has a past of his own that he's trying desperately to figure out. Ai Ling is a fiesty girl who doesn't just stand by and watch things happen. She truly participates and is very much not the kind of girl that just stands and screams when a monster appears. (Don't you hate those?) Chen Yong is a perfect hero, and his own side-story is interesting to watch as it unravels.
The Plot: C+
It was very much what you expect in the way of a Chinese fantasy story - the monsters are hard to picture, and everything seems...well, doomed for most of the book. The ending was nothing but what I'd expected, but still bothered me a lot. I truly enjoy fantasy, but sometimes things could get a bit heavy for me, and the ending nearly drove me to tears. I enjoyed the lessons in culture as the intricacies of betrothals, homes, relationships, etc. were explained.
The Writing: B
The writing was definitely decent - I would say most of my raised eyebrows were aimed at the plot. I particularly liked her style at the beginning before Ai Ling's journey.
The Cover: B-
It's pretty - I love the way her hair is done.

As you can see, it's kind of a toss-up, although in the end I felt overall that the better book was:

Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side, by Beth Fantaskey

Anyone read them both and have a say?

Girl In The Shadows: Daughters Of The Sea, by Kathryn Lasky

Girl In The Shadows: Daughters Of The Sea, by Kathryn Lasky
Juvenile/YA, 2009

Publisher's Description:
Daughters of the Sea tells the story of 3 mermaid sisters who are separated at birth by a storm and go on to lead three very different lives. Book 1 is about Hannah, who spent her early days in an orphanage and is now a scullery maid in the house of rich, powerful family. She is irresistibly drawn to the sea and through a series of accidents and encounters discovers her true identity. Hannah realizes that she must keep the truth a secret but she also knows that soon she will have to make the choice - to be a creature of the land or the sea.
Raspberry:
I loved this sweet story about Hannah and her life 'before the sea'. Some events were simplified for, I assume, the appropriate reader ages. But it's a sweet story, and I look forward to the other books in the series. Best for ages 10 - 14, and of course particularly girls.
Graded a B.

The Last Thing I Remember, by Andrew Klavan

The Last Thing I Remember, by Andrew Klavan
YA, 2009

Publisher's Description:
He's strapped to a chair. He's covered in blood and bruises. He hurts all over. And a strange voice outside the door just ordered his death. The last thing he can remember, he was a normal high-school kid doing normal things--working on his homework, practicing karate, daydreaming of becoming an air force pilot, writing a pretty girl's number on his hand. How long ago was that? Where is he now? Who is he really? And more to the point . . . how is he going to get out of this room alive?
Raspberry:
Well, the description got me, the cover got me, and I grabbed this book as soon as my (very slow on the uptake) library got it. The writing is bit off, at least for an action book, and a few times I went 'huh?' as I was reading. And yet the plot is so good that it overrides that, and before you know it, it's over and you're trying to catch your breath. It's definitely a cliff-hanger, so make sure you pick up the sequel, The Long Way Home, which is fortunately already out on shelves. The third book is due out in September this year and so far is called Flashback.
Graded a B.

Heads Up: Violence - including torture, but it's pretty mild, and lighter swearing.

The Body Finder, by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder, by Kimberly Derting
YA, 2009

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies - or at least those that have been murdered. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Raspberry: At first this book felt extremely cliche. However, I was quickly drawn into the murder mystery and the suspense that built, coinciding with Violet's abilities. The truth is, it really WAS like most YA books - a heroine that feels like she's different, a guy that acts older romantically than high school boys are known to be, etc. I did like that the parents were great - no bashing of them, and very supportive of Violet. I also thought the romance was cute, although frustrating at times, which I can't decide if that's good or bad.
Graded a B.

Memory Monday: Rebecca Tingle

Rebecca Tingle is a little-known author who has only published two books so far - both accurately historical fiction. Despite not even having a blog or a website (that I can find), I have never failed to find either of her books in any library.


The Edge on The Sword
YA, 2001

The cover isn't very pretty - at least the girl looks a bit odd, but don't let it fool you. Inside is an engaging story about the oldest daughter of King Alfred of Wessex; Aethelflaed. It tells her story in a thoroughly wonderful way. You feel like you know Flaed, and can step along side her as she goes from learning to read and write to learning the basics of war, to uniting England with her marriage. Tingle does a fabulous job being incredibly accurate for the 9th/10th century history, and you get a real taste of what life was like at that time.
Graded a B.



Far Traveler
YA, 2005

This stand-alone novel is the story of Aelfwynn, the daughter of Aethelflaed. It's been awhile since I read this one, but I enjoyed it just as much as Edge On The Sword. It is again a great piece of historical fiction and deserving of a read!
Graded a B+.