Two And A Half Book Lovers

An Announcement

2011-08-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

After nearly 2 years we're saying goodbye....for now. We've decided to 'shut down' the blog for lack of a better term. We'll leave it up, at least until all the reviews get moved to Goodreads, but with the onslaught of taking care of multiple children and knowing it'll just get more hectic as each year progresses (i.e. we may not even be in the U.S. next year), right now it just makes sense to cut back on a few things.

HOWEVER

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come and see me on Goodreads! Ryan is very busy and doesn't have the time to really keep up a Goodreads account, but I have one and it is constantly being used. I am still adding and reviewing (although in shorter ways) on there and it's current and up to date. I also have a huge 'to read' shelf that's fun to browse.

Thanks for those of you that loved us - hopefully we'll be back in a few years. Meanwhile, see you on Goodreads!

Sigrun's Secret, by Marie-Louise Jensen

2011-07-15T17:40:00.000-07:00

Sigrun's Secret, by Marie-Louise Jensen
Young Adult, 2011

from Goodreads: 'Their garments are black as night. They carry torches in their hands, darkness and anger in their hearts. They are coming.' When a dark family secret is exposed, Sigrun's peaceful life is shattered. Forced to pay for her parents' misdeeds, she finds herself exiled from all she knows - and from the boy she loves - for three long years. Yet more secrets lie ahead; not least the power Sigrun finds awakening in herself, seemingly passed to her from a mysterious amulet. Can she use her new-found gift to save herself and those around her from the dangers they face? And will true love wait until her return?

Raspberry: A few pages in, I realized that this was a sequel to Daughter of Fire and Ice. And although it was a stand-alone novel in its own right, I thought the continuation of characters but the focus on new lives and people was well done. I liked Sigrun, and if she felt slightly familiar, well, it was still an excellent character. I loved her blossoming abilities, her interactions and friendships as she grew, and her unwavering loyalty to what was right. I would have liked a little back-story to her romance so that it didn't appear to just 'happen', but it was a sweet ending with bittersweet moments, and an enjoyable read.

Graded a B+, or on Goodreads, 4 out of 5 stars.

Many thanks to Oxford Publishing who provided me with this free ARC, actually two since one got lost in the pathetic-ness that is our local post office.

Book Battle 2011: Round 2

2011-06-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today we are announcing our winner for our Round 2 contestants: Bloody Jack: Being An Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy, and Stravaganza: City of Masks. If you're just tuning in, this is our second year judging for the annual Book Battle, by The Shady Glade. It's a lot of fun, and this year's theme is Best Overlooked - as in, the best overlooked books in YA literature. Here is the bracket if you want to predict (similar to March Madness - click for bigger version):

With all that in mind, here are our reviews of these books, both of which were excellent. We've set them up side by side for an easier comparison:

Bloody Jack                                                        Stravaganza: City of Masks
by L. A. Meyer                                                    by Mary Hoffman
YA, 2002                                                              YA, 2002

Summary: Both books are adventure stories, so well matched for this round.
Bloody Jack: (from Goodreads) Life as a ship's boy aboard HMS Dolphin is a dream come true for Jacky Faber. Gone are the days of scavenging for food and fighting for survival on the streets of eighteenth-century London. Instead, Jacky is becoming a skilled and respected sailor as the crew pursues pirates on the high seas.
There's only one problem: Jacky is a girl. And she will have to use every bit of her spirit, wit, and courage to keep the crew from discovering her secret. This could be the adventure of her life--if only she doesn't get caught. . . .
Grade: A-
Stravaganza: (from Goodreads) Lucien is seriously ill but his life is transformed when an old Italian notebook gives him the power to become a stravagante, a time traveller with access to 16th century Italy. He wakes up in Bellezza (Venice) during carnival time and meets Arianna, a girl his own age who is disguised as a boy in the hope of being selected as one of the Duchessa's mandoliers. Arianna gives Lucien her boy's clothing and he is selected as a mandolier himself, becoming a friend of fellow-stravagante Rodolfo, the Duchessa's lover, and saving the Duchessa's life when she is threatened by an assassin hired by the powerful di Chimici family. For state occasions the Duchessa uses her maid Giuliana as a body-double but Guiliana commits the fatal mistake of revealing the secret to her fiance Enrico and a sequence of devastating consequences unravels. Meanwhile Lucien has met the original stravagante, the Elizabethan alchemist William Dethridge, and he begins to understand that he may be called to follow in his footsteps.
Grade: A-

Cover: For both books I tried to get the cover I felt was best overall, since both books have had multiple publications. I think in both instances the covers are alluring, drawing you in to the plot as well as any jacket flap.
Bloody Jack: B+
Stravaganza: B+

Characters
Bloody Jack: Mary/Jack was very well developed, but the rest of the characters weren't. It seemed a little more focused on one person rather than a group of characters interactions.
Grade: B+
Stravaganza: We enjoyed the characters immensely - the children acted their ages, and everything felt very authentic. Many situations could have been stunted or difficult for the characters to interact, particularly with a topic like time travel, but it never felt that way at all.
Grade: A-

Writing
Bloody Jack: The writing was accurate historically, with plenty of description, but not overly so. It dealt with a few sensitive issues tactfully, and overall was easy to digest.
Grade: B+
Stravaganza: The writing was lively, engaging and well done. It handled a sometimes unbelievable situation believably, which takes some skill.
Grade: B+

Worthy of being 'overlooked'?
I felt this was an important grade - after all, what we're saying is that these books should have received the same raves that major bestsellers do.
Bloody Jack: While this doesn't necessarily appeal to the popular trends, it's a fine example of accurate enjoyable historical fiction that deserves notice.
Stravaganza: I particularly hate time travel of any kind and yet I found this an entirely enjoyable read. After being talked into it by Trackgeek, I was delighted to find a book that handled such a scientifically ridiculous notion in an entirely believable and enjoyable way. Plus, the storyline and characters were handled very well, making it something you want on your shelf to reread.

Overall Grade
Raspberry:
    Bloody Jack: B+
    Stravaganza: A-
Trackgeek:
    Bloody Jack: B+
    Stravaganza: B+

The Winner:
It was incredibly difficult - as you can see, both books frequently got similar grades in each category. However, one was slightly better overall, and we both felt the the book that should win was...
Stravaganza: The City of Masks

Head over to The Shady Glade for more winners of Round 2 of Book Battle 2011!

Friday Finds

2011-06-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

I know we've been a bit slow about posting things, but you CAN see all our updates on Goodreads. We add books we've read (or even failed-to-finish) as well as those we've stumbled across that we're hoping to read some day.

Some finds we've discovered lately: (click the title to go to the Goodreads page)

Wisdom's Kiss, by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

YA, September, 2011

from Goodreads: Princess Wisdom, known as Dizzy, longs for a life of adventure far beyond the staid old kingdom of Montagne.
Tips, a soldier, longs to keep his true life secret from his family.
Fortitude, an orphaned maid, longs only for Tips.
These three passionate souls might just attain their dreams while preserving Montagne from certain destruction, if only they can tolerate each other long enough to come up with a plan. Tough to save the world when you can't even be in the same room together.

Wreckers, by Julie Hearn

YA, March, 2011

from Goodreads: The lid gave, eventually, with surprisingly little noise. Nothing splintered. Nothing broke. No hinges flew, or even creaked, and for a second or two nothing happened at all. Then came the first scream. It blew out a candle, that scream ...'Shut the lid! ...SHUT THE LID!' And so the box was slammed shut, hidden away, and forgotten about. But what lay within was only dormant ...waiting for the time when it would be released, and let loose upon the world. And that time was about to come ...That time is now.

Blood Red Road, by Moira Young

YA, June, 2011

from Goodreads: Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Cross My Heart, by Sasha Gould

YA, April, 2011

from Goodreads: Laura della Scala knows nothing beyond the convent walls which have trapped and bound her since she was twelve years old. A single night will change her life. She will soon learn the difference between an arranged marriage and true, reckless love. Venice is a dangerous city. Intrigue, romance and power lie at its heart and secrets run through the blood of its rulers. They call Laura 'La Muta'. The Silent One. She is about to break her silence ...but at what cost?

The Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater

YA, October, 2011

from Goodreads: ... a pair are swept up in a daring, dangerous race across a cliff--with more than just their lives at stake should they lose.

Harry Potter World Cup

2011-06-16T15:23:00.000-07:00

Apparently the twins who play the Weasley brothers (Fred and George) have set up a World Cup for Harry Potter characters. While there's a little silliness factor involved, there will be actual voting and winners starting June 20th. For the bracket and to vote, click here.

Blank Confession, by Pete Hautman

2011-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Blank Confession, Pete Hautman
YA, 2010

from Goodreads: Shayne Blank is the new kid in town--but that doesn't stop him from getting into a lot of trouble very quickly. The other kids don't understand him. He's not afraid of anything. He seems too smart. And his background doesn't add up. But when he walks into the police department to confess to a murder, it quickly becomes apparent that nothing is as it seems. There's more to Shayne--and his story--than meets the eye. As the details begin to fill in, the only thing that becomes clear is that nothing about Shayne's story is clear at all.

Raspberry: This short book (170 pages) intrigued me from the beginning. I enjoyed it like I thought I would, and halfway through was comparing it to the Outsiders. The characters were well done without embellishment, and the story told in a raw up-front sort of way without being dirty. I was a bit let down by the ending. I think it would have been better to let the reader guess about Shayne, keeping the mystery alive. Plus, the ending actually hurt my image of Shayne and was a bit of a let down. However, a well-done book that will definitely stick with me.

Graded a B-.

Memory Monday: Bella at Midnight, by Diane Stanley

2011-06-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

Bella At Midnight, by Diane Stanley
Juvenile/YA, 2006

While reading for the Book Battle, 2011, I find myself rereading old forgotten favorites. I stumbled on this one at the library this weekend and remembered it fondly. I read it in 2007, so not too long ago, but it's definitely one of those good books passed by and forgotten that shouldn't be!

Bella is raised by her wet nurse when her cruel and unkind father, a wealthy knight, refuses to have anything to do with her. Growing up friends with Prince Julian, she is happy and content until she finds out her true roots and is forced to return home. Meanwhile, Prince Julian is called away to be a goodwill hostage between warring nations before he has a chance to apologize to Bella for a moment of meanness. When a plot that could destroy the peace in the land and Julian's life are revealed, it is up to Bella to save the day. With smatterings of fairytales throughout, this is a sweet story to be read over and over.

Raspberry: While the story doesn't quite have the depth of some fractured fairytales I've read and loved, it does charm you with its sweetness overall. The characters are well done, if simple, and the writing is straight-forward. For fans of Jessica Day George and Shannon Hale, this book is a great addition to any girl's shelf.

Graded a B.

Book Battle 2011!

2011-05-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce that we are going to be judges for Book Battle 2011 as hosted by The Shady Glade! We had so much fun doing it last year, and are really looking forward to this year:

The original nominated list is here if you're curious, and the short list from which I'll be judging is here - 24 books carefully narrowed down. If you've got opinions about what will win or what will make the top 5, go ahead and comment - I'd love to see what everyone guesses.

The one book I nominated was On Viney's Mountain, a sweet book that really didn't get much notice and was quite well done. It didn't make the short list, however, so I'm giving you a little plug so you put it on your to-read list.

Happy Reading, and to keep up to date on what we've read lately even if we're slow about reviewing (still not getting a lot of sleep...), feel free to add us as a friend on Goodreads!

2011-04-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

On The Volcano, by James Nelson
YA, 2011

Katie and her widowed father have always lived on their own, high up in a place few intruders would dare approach: alongside the crater of a collapsed volcano. They've built a simple but happy life for themselves, far from the frontier perils of the world below - until a long-promised birthday trip to the rough-and-tumble town of Badwater takes an ugly turn and brings the outside world much too close. With it comes grave danger and unimaginable loss, but also something Katie had barely dreamed possible for herself: a heart-pounding but tender romance, the kind to build a life on.

Raspberry: As a geologist, I was completely taken in by the title, of course and it just looked like 'my kind' of historical fiction. It was a lot of fun to read because it wasn't just a growing up story - it had dashes of Gary Paulsen and a little Louis L'Amour thrown in. Some of the content is a bit intense, and I would recommend it for perhaps older teens, and of course specifically for girls. I thought the ending a bit rushed and the romance slightly washed over, but it was a sweet story and definitely worth reading.

Graded a B.

She's here!

2011-04-27T17:20:00.000-07:00

We've been a bit MIA these past few weeks/days because of this little squirt. She came by c-section, got an Apgar of 10 (unheard of at the high altitudes around here) and is named Hazel. We're loving on her so much we've cut back a bit on reading, but we still are, I swear! I will post when I can, in fact, I have a couple books on their way from the book depository, so never fear, we'll be back. :)

Wither, by Lauren DeStefano

2011-04-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

Wither, by Lauren DeStefano
YA, 2011

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.
When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Raspberry: I must confess to being unsure about how I feel about this book. On one hand, it's a fascinating idea with interesting details and a set of well-defined characters. On the other...well, it's the start of a trilogy, which of course means the publisher just wants to make more money, so they're thinning out a plot that could realistically have been written in 1 - 2 books. Also, a big part of the plot is that wives are chosen so they can have children in order to carry on the human race while they look for this antidote. If that's so, then it seems like a complete waste to destroy the life of someone who can bear a child. There are a few inconsistencies like that, but I'm hoping that the subtle hints written in mean that there are many many lies about what's actually occurring. I want to give the next book a chance, but if those inconsistencies are still around (i.e. the world is flooded and only North America survives? Check out a topo map sometime - North America isn't the high point of the world.), I wouldn't be able to finish it. However, if it's all a part of some giant conspiracy or plot that I haven't dreamed up yet, then the author may be a bit of a genius - it all hinges on what happens next.
I would also compare this book to Matched, by Ally Condie. Before some of you go 'what?!', I would say, look at the basic plot ideas - dystopian, girl falls in love with someone she's not supposed to, government conspiracy and eugenics type programs, and even the way they both end (hopeful but not quite in the clear). So, if you liked Matched, you'll like Wither. On the other hand, if you hated Matched, you might still enjoy Wither - it was written in an entirely different style and may be what you were looking for in the first place.

Graded a B-.

Silverfin, by Charlie Higson

2011-03-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Silverfin (The Young James Bond series), by Charlie Higson
YA, 2005

from the publisher:
FILE NOTE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL - AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY Subject: James Bond Age: 13 Description: dark hair that falls in a comma above his brow, despite efforts to control it; blue eyes; tall for age; surprisingly strong; fluent French, good German. Essential components: A villain so vile no white fluffy cat would go near him A girl - blond, green-eyed, named Wilder Lawless One fast car. Additional detail: Sinister experiments at a remote castle in the Scottish Highlands The disappearance of a young boy Britain building to war in the 1930s.

Trackgeek:
Having read a couple of the original Ian Fleming James Bond books (Fleming also wrote Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang oddly enough) I was curious to see what they would do with Bond as a kid. The story was interesting, nothing off the charts, but a good read, especially for the mid teens. Fans of Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series will enjoy this similar (although not quite as good) set.

Graded a B-.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand

2011-03-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand
Adult, 2010

from Amazon.com:
On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.

Trackgeek: An intense book, I found the story of Louis Zamperini fascinating. I love reading sports (eg running) history (other works like Bowermen and the Men of Oregon) but haven’t really read a lot of war history. Zamperini’s story was incredible and the insight into WWII was superb.

Graded an A.

No Such Thing As Dragons, by Phillip Reeve

2011-03-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

No Such Thing As Dragons, by Phillip Reeve
Juvenile, 2009

Ansel's new master slays dragons for a living. He says he's hunted the monstrous worms all over Christendom and has the scars to prove it. But is Brock just a clever trickster in shining armour? Ansel is sure there are no such things as dragons. So what is the man-eating creature that makes its lair in the crags of Dragon Mountain? Ansel and Brock must climb the ice face to discover the terrifying truth.

Trackgeek:
A nice simple, fun fantasy story suitable for the 10-14 age group.

Graded a B.

God Is In the Pancakes, by Robin Epstein

2011-03-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

God Is In the Pancakes, by Robin Epstein
YA, 2010

from Goodreads:
Fifteen-year-old Grace Manning is a candy striper in a nursing home, and Mr. Sands is the one patient who makes the job bearable. He keeps up with her sarcasm, teaches her to play poker . . . and one day cheerfully asks her to help him die. At first Grace says no way, but as Mr. Sands’s disease progresses, she’s not so sure. Grace tries to avoid the wrenching decision by praying for a miracle, stuffing herself with pancakes, and running away from all feelings, including the new ones she has for her best friend Eric. But Mr. Sands is getting worse, and she can’t avoid him forever.

Raspberry:
On one hand, this book has all the makings of a cliche - girl and her family abandoned by their father, tenuous relationships with that family but on the mend, best friend becoming something more...really it could have been quite predictable. And in many ways, it was. But what I love about Grace is that she is 15. Things don't just fall into place and overnight she doesn't just know what to do. She suffers through high school like many of us did - in the shadows - and secretly enjoys that her mother makes her work. She wants something more with her best friend but doesn't realize it right away. She wrestles with whether to tell her sister and her mother how she feels about things, worried she'll make things worse. And like most girls, it's funny what the perfect dress will do for your confidence.
In the end, this isn't a breakthrough phenomenon, but it is a story that is true to itself without allowing the cliches to overcome and make it into what a lot of teen fiction (drama?!) is today. A thought-provoking book that asks (and sometimes answers) questions without whacking you in the face.
Graded a B.

Note: There is a significant amount of swearing, including one instance of the f-word.

Matched, by Ally Condie

2011-03-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Matched, by Ally Condie

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Raspberry:
Drawn in by that gorgeous cover and the dystopian plotline, I checked Matched out as soon as I could. However, multiple reviews said it didn't live up to expectations, and although I'm not sure who said it (I believe multiple people?), someone compared it to The Giver with a love triangle. I told my husband that sounded grand to me, and wasted no time giving it a shot.
Matched is an interesting plot which reminded me nothing of The Giver and more of The Sky Inside, by Clare Dunkle. It has an enormous amount of potential except...it's as if the publisher decided to milk it for all it was worth into a trilogy (or whatever plans they have for it). The truth is, it was a lot slower than a dystopian novel should be, or at the very least a lot more was written down for this first part of the plot than needed to be. However, the twists are enjoyable, the ideas unique and I intend on giving Crossed, the next in the trilogy, a try.

Graded a B-.

Fallen Grace, by Mary Hooper

2011-03-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Fallen Grace, by Mary Hooper
Young Adult, 2010

from Fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Grace Parkes has just had to do a terrible thing. Having given birth to an illegitimate child, she has travelled to the famed Brookwood Cemetery to place her small infant's body in a rich lady's coffin. Following the advice of a kindly midwife, this is the only way that Grace can think of to give something at least to the little baby that died at birth, and to avoid the ignominy of a pauper's grave. Distraught and weeping, Grace meets two people at the cemetery: Mrs Unwin and James Solent. These two characters will have a profound affect upon Grace's life. But Grace doesn't know that yet. For now, she has to suppress her grief and get on with the business of living: scraping together enough pennies selling watercress for rent and food; looking after her older sister, who is incapable of caring for herself; thwarting the manipulative and conscience-free Unwin family who are as capable of running a lucrative funeral business as they are of defrauding a young woman of her fortune.

Raspberry:
Mary Hooper is a master at historical fiction, and Fallen Grace is no exception. She is historically accurate, and frequently uses bits of real life stories to pattern hers. But my favorite thing about Mary Hooper is her ability to take a rather edgy/scary topic (i.e. rape, murder, etc.) and handle it tastefully and respectfully, understanding both her audience and just how much information they need to proceed with the story.
Grace is a girl you can admire - her head is on her shoulders and she's a heroine to love, and the intricate plot is Dickens-like in its portrayal of good versus evil.

Graded an A-.

Guest Reviewer: The Lemon Jelly Cake, by Madeline Smith

2011-03-08T14:13:00.000-08:00

The Lemon Jelly Cake, by Madeline Smith
Young Adult/Juvenile, 1952

Helene and her best friend, Gracie, enjoy the delights of growing up in a small town in Illinois in the early 1900s. Helene's Mother is known throughout the community for her Lemon Jelly Cake, which she regularly makes for church socials and whenever special company comes. When a certain lawyer from another town begins to come to dinner fairly often and the Lemon Jelly Cake becomes his favorite, Helene observes events through the innocent eyes of a carefree child.
GG:
Widely acclaimed, and sweetly written (60 years ago) account based loosely on the childhood of the author. Supposedly a book of humor, I found it to be sprinkled with some charmingly funny bits, but ultimately was saddened by the dalliance of the child-narrator between her mother and a wealthy and persistent attorney. Although, in the end, the resolution is meant to be satisfying, to me the pain of the possible infidelity left a bad taste in my mouth. Perhaps this is because I've been married 30+ years and am crazy in love with my husband. There are many marriages built on trust, fidelity, faith and friendship but it is rare we find books devoted to such unions.

Graded a B-.

2011 Newbery Medal

2011-02-22T11:05:00.000-08:00

I'm a little behind here, but thought I'd post the latest and greatest from the ALA site - the Newbery award winners. I must confess to not having read a single one of them, but all look noteworthy based on their summaries:
(from the ALA website)

2011 Medal Winner

The 2011 Newbery Medal winner is Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool, published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
The town of Manifest is based on Frontenac, Kan., the home of debut author Clare Vanderpool’s maternal grandparents. Vanderpool was inspired to write about what the idea of “home” might look like to a girl who had grown up riding the rails. She lives in Wichita with her husband and four children.
“Vanderpool illustrates the importance of stories as a way for children to understand the past, inform the present and provide hope for the future,” said Newbery Medal Committee Chair Cynthia K. Richey.

2011 Honor Books

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm, published by Random House Children's Books, a div. of Random House, Inc.
Sassy eleven-year-old Turtle finds her life turned on end when she is sent to live with her aunt in Depression-era Key West. With vivid details, witty dialogue and outrageous escapades, Jennifer Holm successfully explores the meaning of family and home… and lost treasures found.

Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus, published by Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams.

Shipwrecks, whaling, a search for home and a delightful exploration of cultures create a swashbuckling adventure. This historical novel is based on the true story of Manjiro (later John Mung), the young fisherman believed to be the first Japanese person to visit America, who against all odds, becomes a samurai.

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen, published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Welcoming her readers into the “wild, enchanted park” that is the night, Joyce Sidman has elegantly crafted twelve poems rich in content and varied in format. Companion prose pieces about nocturnal flora and fauna are as tuneful and graceful as the poems. This collection is “a feast of sound and spark.”

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia, published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

The voices of sisters Delphine, Vonetta and Fern sing in three-part harmony in this wonderfully nuanced, humorous novel set in 1968 Oakland, Calif. One crazy summer, the three girls find adventure when they are sent to meet their estranged poet-mother Cecile, who prints flyers for the Black Panthers.

Guest Reviewer: This Family of Women, by Richard Peck

2011-02-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

My guest reviewer, GG is back, bless her heart, with another YA book she enjoyed:

This Family of Women, by Richard Peck

YA/Adult, 1984

This novel spans the 100 years between 1840 - 1940 and the lives of 5 generations of women.

Guest Reviewer GG: The stories of the women interwined in funny, sad, and sometimes shocking ways. Definitely not a book for children, but perhaps a good warning for high school aged girls. No one has a perfectly happy life, and in fact there's a lot of suffering in this book I was peeved at the ending of the story of June and Andy, and I'm letting Richard Peck know it.

Graded: 3 stars (out of 4)

Guest Reviewer: Tell Us We're Home, by Marina Budhos

2011-02-16T08:58:00.000-08:00

Tell Us We're Home, by Marina Budhos
YA, 2010

Jaya, Maria, and Lola are just like the other eighth-grade girls in the wealthy suburb of Meadowbrook, New Jersey. They want to go to the spring dance, they love spending time with their best friends after school, sharing frapps and complaining about the other kids. But there's one big difference: all three are daughters of maids and nannies. And they go to school with the very same kids whose families their mothers work for.
That difference grows even bigger - and more painful - when Jaya's mother is accused of theft and Jaya's small, fragile world collapses.
Guest Reviewer GG: This was a nicely done story about three immigrant girls and the challenges they face. The story inevitably leaves you hanging, but not without hope. I think it should be required reading for a high school social studies class.
Graded: 3 1/2 stars (out of 4)

Top Authors?

2011-02-10T18:49:00.000-08:00

You may (or may not) have noticed that we (or really, I, since Trackgeek doesn't keep tabs like I do) have switched from Shelfari to Goodreads. It was a difficult decision - I felt disloyal and I will miss it, but Goodreads is just bigger and better. For crying out loud, they send me emails when new books are being added from authors I read. And their latest? Top authors I've read.
Now, I must say, some of them it's hard to count. I mean, at one point I added something like 40 Agatha Christie books because I went through a phase in college where that was ALL I read. So, I'm going to ignore those authors whose numbers are so high because I devoted much of my childhood/high school experience to them (Carolyn Keene, anyone?). Not that that's bad, but I wanted to know currently what I seem to be reading the most. So. This list is authors that I have read in the past FOUR (4) years. If you feel that's cheating, go ahead. Yell at me. :)

So, here are the top 10, and in case you're curious, they DO count anything on your 'to read' shelf.

Ahem:

1. Patricia Wrede, with a whopping 14.
2. Lloyd Alexander, 12.
2. Eva Ibbotson, tied to Mr. Alexander with 12.
3. L. M. Montgomery, who yes was a favorite childhood author, but whose books I have continued to read as an adult, so hats off to Ms. Montgomery and her 11.
4. C. S. Lewis, 10. Of course when you remember there are already 7 in the Chronicles of Narnia...
5. Vivian Vande Velde, is a surprising 8.
5. Charles Dickens, 8.
5. Margaret Peterson Haddix, another surprising 8.
And to round out the top ten, here are all the authors that had 7 - sorry, it's a lot!
Margaret Haddix, Anthony Horowitz, J. K. Rowling, John Grisham, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robin McKinley, Sharon Shinn, Sherwood Smith, Avi, and Gail Carson Levine

And for curiosity's sake, the authors that I 'passed' in between the above listed authors:
Agatha Christie
Carolyn Keene
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Roald Dahl

I think there are a few quirks to fix - anything, for example, with Jane Austen in the title was counted towards Jane Austen. And sometimes I found doubles - perhaps I'd read two editions, but when you say you read The Hobbit, for example, you don't count it as two of Tolkien's works, just one read twice. At any rate, I thought it was a lot of fun. Anyone else have a list? Any surprises?

Shadow, by Jenny Moss

2011-01-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

Shadow, by Jenny Moss
YA, 2010

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
It was prophesied at her birth that the queen would die before her sixteenth birthday. So Shadow, an orphan girl the same age as the young queen, was given the duty to watch her every move. And as prophesies do tend to come true, the queen is poisoned days before her birthday. When the castle is thrown into chaos, Shadow escapes with a young knight, whom she believes was betrothed to the queen.
Unsure of why she is following Sir Kenway, but determined to escape as far as possible from the castle, her long-time prison, Shadow sets off on an adventure with the handsome knight who has been charged with protecting her. As mystery builds, and romantic tension does, too, Shadow begins to wonder what her role in the kingdom truly is. Soon, she learns, it is up to her to save her land.

Interesting premise, right? Immediately draws you in with all the required elements, yes? I really enjoyed this story as a whole and was captured quickly by the intrigue and mystery it provided. I must confess I did guess the 'twist' as it were, but it wasn't necessarily obvious. What was obvious was how slow it took me to get through the book despite my consistent reading. At one point I stopped for a break and was surprised to find there was still half a book left - so a caution, it does have a slower pace. The writing was passive in many areas and frankly wasn't very good. While this distracted heavily from the book, the plot was still good enough and engaging enough that I was motivated to finish it.
The characters were interesting, the ending appropriate and as I closed the book I debated the grade. If when I finish a book it has my imagination twirling, that's one thing, but if I finish a book and my imagination is rewriting it? That's a whole other. I still gave it a decent grade, but I feel that Jenny Moss hasn't yet reached her full potential - if the girl can step it up on the writing then we can expect great things.

Graded a B-.

The Seven Towers, by Patricia Wrede

2011-01-05T17:25:00.000-08:00

Patricia Wrede has consistently been a favorite author of mine, and with fabulous publications like Sorcery and Cecelia and The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, you can understand why. Her older works, though, are frequently out of print and difficult to find unless you peruse used book stores with a vengeance. I was delighted to see a reprinting of her 1984 novel, The Seven Towers, though (at my local bookstore) and grabbed a copy:

The Seven Towers, by Patricia Wrede
Young Adult, 1984

Eltiron, Prince of Sevairn: caught in the web of his father's intrigues. Crystalorn, Princess of Barinash: promised in marriage to a prince she's never seen. Ranlyn, the desert rider: forced to choose between friendship and honor. Jermain, the outlaw: exiled from court for the crime of telling the truth. Vandaris, the soldier: who left the life of luxury to wield a sword and lead an army. Carachel, the Wizard-King: who does not understand the awesome power he commands and Amberglas, the sorceress: who may not be quite as fuddleheaded as she seems.. Seven players in a game of deadly magic. Seven Kingdoms at the edge of destruction. Seven Towers holding a dark and dreadful secret.

I must confess there were a few false starts for this one. But once I stuck around, I was pleased with the plot and character development. In many ways it reminded me of Graceling - different, of course, but I think those that liked Graceling might turn to this one when looking for something else to read. (Sorry there is no link to a review of Graceling - I read it prior to starting this blog.)
I will say that the biggest reason it took me a while to get into it was the sheer number of characters. I kept thinking of my creative writing instructor and how he'd tell us not to introduce so many characters, or at least not all at once, and this fell right in the face of that. However, it was a fun plot with a dash of romance, and I enjoyed it. I'm much more likely, of course, to pick up Mairelon the Magician or one of Wrede's other later publications, but this just proves that she got better with time - a feat most authors cannot claim.

Raspberry: B-
trackgeek: B+

Top Books of 2010

2010-12-31T10:38:00.000-08:00

The truth is we're a bit behind on reviewing a few of our 2010 reads. However, I thought I'd give you a comprehensive list of all the books that made the grade of an A or A-. I could be amazing and list every book we read on this post, but really, it's easier if you just click on 2010 in our blog archives near the bottom of the page.

Ahem: (links are to our reviews)

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, by Anne Bronte
Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
The Legend of Jimmy Spoon, by Kristiana Gregory
The Great and Only Barnum, by Candace Fleming
Anne of Green Gables Series, by L. M. Montgomery
The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexander Dumas
The Princess Bride, by William Goldman
Tisha, by Robert Specht and Anne Purdy
Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Flavia de Luce Series, by Alan Bradley
The Adoration of Jenna Fox, by Mary Pearson
A Spy in the House, by Y. S. Lee
The Attolia Series, by Megan Whalen Turner
The Case of the Gypsy Goodbye, by Nancy Springer
The Lady in the Tower, by Marie-Louise Jensen
Sabriel, by Garth Nix
Basil of Baker Street, by Eve Titus
A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle
Crown Duel, by Sherwood Smith
Lady Grace Mysteries: Assasin, by Lady Grace Cavendish
Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, by Sonora Carver
The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien
Daughter of Fire and Ice, by Marie-Louise Jensen

Because most of the above list is Memory Mondays, it feels a bit like cheating. So Ryan and I are including our top 10 B+ books from 2010. There are others that were also graded a B+, but these were the favorite of that list:
(In no particular order)

On Viney's Mountain, by Joan Donaldson
Birthmarked, by Caragh O'Brien
When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead
Swan Kingdom, by Zoe Marriott (reread)
City of Masks, by Mary Hoffman
At the House of the Magician Series, by Mary Hooper
Sea Change, by Aimee Friedman
The Body at the Tower, by Y. S. Lee
Sherwood Ring, by Elizabeth Marie Pope
Princess of Glass, by Jessica Day George

There are SO many good books that got a B+, B, B-....many out there that deserve a read or two. Feel free to browse our archives. This is just the best of what we've read this year. We had nearly 200 posts, so if you don't find something fun on this list feel free to look around.

The Roaring Twenties: Double Review

2010-12-28T08:36:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a nice holiday season. We had a lovely Christmas with lots of chocolate and a darling 2 year old squealing over every tiny thing.
Now that things have settled down a bit, I can hopefully get back into the groove of reviewing! I must confess I haven't been reading nearly as much, but I noticed a definite trend in the past couple of weeks: The roaring twenties! That exotic decade where women are devastatingly feminine but tried so hard to hide their figures under boyishly cut dresses. Where speakeasies and the prohibition were the hot topics, and long hair was so passe. It was a decade that almost didn't seem to fit between the 1910s and 1930s. And here we are almost 100 years later, as if we can't help being fascinated. And really, you can't.

Bright Young Things, by Anna Godbersen
Young Adult, 2011

from the publisher:
Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star. . . .
Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined - and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will.
The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.
Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall - together and apart.

I've had this on my Shelfari bookcase since I heard it was coming out, and then was very patient until my library finally put it on the hold shelf for me. Anna Godbersen wrote the Luxe series and I was a big fan of her writing and creativity. She doesn't fail this time around. Her first paragraphs immediately transport you back to the 20s and within a few words you're caught up in the excitement the author has concocted for you.
The characters are thankfully each their own unique person, and the streets of New York are delightfully captured by Godbersen without seeming cliche or touristy. Cordelia's new relationship with her father was believable, but her new relationship with brother Charlie was odd. I never quite understood whether they liked each other or not - the trust there seemed to hang on an edge one minute and be solid the next. However, I'm sure many questions will be answered in Beautiful Days, the sequel due out December, 2011.

Graded a B+.
(Note: The plot was a B-; the writing brings it up.)

And then a similar book, a debut this year was published around the same time. Was I skeptical? Absolutely. Anna Godbersen has one thing going strong for her - she can write. No matter how good of a plot Vixen had, could it live up to those expectations?

The Flappers: Vixen, by Lila Fine and Jillian Larkin
(Note: Lila Fine is mentioned on this particular cover and fantasticfiction.co.uk. However, only Jillian Larkin is given credit in the copy I read and on Amazon.)
Young Adult, 2010

Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle - and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she's engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago's most powerful families, Gloria's party days are over before they've even begun . . . or are they?
Clara Knowles, Gloria's goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch - but Clara isn't as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she'll do anything to keep hidden. . . .
Lorraine Dyer, Gloria's social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria's shadow. When Lorraine's envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone's going to be very sorry. . . .

The story line is intriguing. I expected many similarities to Godbersen's book, although there were less than I had anticipated. The plot keeps moving and you learn to love one of the characters, hate the other, and wonder about the third. And then of course there is Marcus. What would we do without men like Marcus haunting our books and making the girls fall in love with him? A fun wrench in the bike, the plot overall was decent. In its own way, in fact, just as good, if not better as Godbersen's plot. However, the writing didn't quite reach the high expectations I set for it - perhaps I should have read this one first.

Graded a B-.
(Note: The plot is about a B/B-, the writing keeps it at a B- overall.)

And the sequel, Ingenue, is also due out next year. Perhaps another double review? :)

Daughter of Fire and Ice, by Marie-Louise Jensen

2010-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to have yet another of Marie-Louise Jensen's books ready for review. I read it a few weeks ago, but the holidays/pregnancy are catching up with me! I actually couldn't find this on Amazon and while I considered Book Depository, my husband was going to England, and bless his heart, he got me a copy. He actually got me a few other works that the US is behind on publishing, but this one I HAD to read first:

Daughter of Fire and Ice, by Marie-Louise Jensen
Young Adult, 2010

from Marie-Louise Jensen's website:

"A sense of menace grew on me all morning. A shadow of approaching doom. That was the first warning…"

Stolen from her family by a cruel Viking chieftain, Thora's future looks bleak. Yet Thora has visions, and in one she foresees a daring escape with a new companion. Seizing this chance involves stealing a ship bound for Iceland - but someone must die. The journey is dangerous, and a fateful encounter will change the course of their lives. Soon Thora will know hardship and the bitterness of forbidden love. And all the while she and her new-found companion fear their crimes may catch up with them….

This time around, Jensen added a bit of magic or ability, if you will, that adds a little spice to Thora's adventures. And while the story starts off at a happily normal pace, it doesn't stay that way. Before you know it your breath is catching, your heart is racing and you're punching pillows with reckless abandon. And then of course, there's the Viking history and culture that is fascinating, written 'up close' so you can appreciate their situations, sympathize with their every day problems, and experience it all first hand for yourself. Of course, I told my husband more than once (while reading it) that I never wanted to be a Viking! Everything ends as it should, thankfully, and you close the book with satisfaction (although your pillows may be a bit worn out).
My only problem comes from one chapter that bothered me mostly because I'm married. (And I feel that marriage should come with total and complete fidelity.) However, that's a personal opinion and is not reflective of Jensen's writing.
So, the final word? Read it!

Graded an A-.

For more reviews of Marie-Louise Jensen's books:
The Lady in the Tower
Between Two Seas

Failed to Finish Friday

2010-12-17T08:13:00.000-08:00

I'm not a huge fan of these posts, but....well, they happen. And what's more, these were books that I was a) looking forward to big time, and b) looking forward to big time by other people.

Pegasus, by Robin McKinley
YA, 2010

I know I just heard audible gasps from people. What? You couldn't finish THIS?! I know, I know! When I go out of town, I bring sometimes upwards of half a dozen books to read, and then slam through them in a few short days. But this time...while I liked the plot idea and the characters, it was a bit of a slow start. Plus there were times where it was written very passively, almost languidly if you can write languidly. I think I may give it another shot in the future - after all, this is Robin McKinley for crying out loud. But for now I'm depressingly adding it to my 'failed to finish' list.

Star Crossed, by Elizabeth Bunch
YA, 2010
*Note: My cover was different.

You remember Bunce from A Curse Dark as Gold. I never reviewed it here (I have no idea why.), but I did enjoy it. A Rumpelstiltskin retelling, it was very enjoyable - not perhaps a top favorite that year, but definitely something I'd reread in the future. So, I waited breathlessly for her latest, crossing my fingers that it was another keeper.
Digger is an interesting inquisitive character who's as street smart as they come. And her situation is full of coincidences and mishaps that push the plot forward. But everything felt very very much like historic London with a pinch of Italy thrown in. Because it was SO similar to that London feel, it frustrated me when it wasn't. History didn't fit her needs, so she created a new country - I'm fine with that as long as the new country is unique enough to be its own. I know this is incredibly nit-picky of me, but it's a small pet peeve that drove me nuts until finally abotu a third of the way through I gave up. This one I can also see trying again at some point, but not in the near future.

Hopefully our next posts will be a bit more positive. We haven't read a lot - many pressing commitments over the holidays, etc. But I can give you a hint - I read Bright Young Things and loved it.... :)

Some great news!

2010-12-03T17:29:00.000-08:00

So, a lot of why we're slow to blog (but still reading, I swear!) is of course the holiday season, but another big part is some big wonderful fabulous news...

We're expecting! It's a girl, which we're very excited about since we already have a boy. For a fun opportunity to vote on our name ideas, go here. I'm due in April, and although it changes our family proportions, our blog name will stay the same. :)

Meanwhile I'm in the middle of The Two Towers (I just finished Fellowship of the Ring). I'm rereading the trilogy since it's been at least....10 years?! But on my bedside table at this moment just waiting is Pegasus by Robin McKinley and Bright Young Things, by Anna Godberson. Two much-looked-for books this year!

Again, feel free to give us your two cents worth by voting:

Or if you don't like the options, hey, give us some more ideas!

Memory Monday: The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien

2010-11-29T09:20:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving (for you U.S. folk). We stuffed ourselves with pie and turkey and gravy and...oh man was it good!
Today we have a fabulous Memory Monday for you - a classic no matter what kind of books you like to read:

The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien
Adult, 1937

Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy preludes with a book that can stand on its own two feet - a feat that is incredibly rare for an author. The journey of Bilbo Baggins and his adventures, particularly the finding of the "one ring" is a tale for everyone, and a rereadable one to boot.

Bilbo Baggins is a quiet hobbit who spends his days eating, smoking and doing nice normal things like hobbits do. Until one day Gandalf the Grey Wizard changes everything with a mark on his door, and before he knows it he's whisked off to adventure. With giant spiders, hungry trolls, angry dragons, and plenty of treasure, it's a tale you won't be able to put down.

I must confess this was my favorite of Tolkien's books to read as a teenager, and I read it over and over justifying that reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy once or twice was enough. Years later I find that while I still love the Hobbit, I've grown into the rest of the trilogy and find myself wanting to read that over and over instead! For those that have read or watched the movies, go back and read The Hobbit! You'll find yourself completely delighted with Bilbo's adventure.

Graded an A-.

By Royal Command, by Mary Hooper

2010-11-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

By Royal Command, by Mary Hooper
Young Adult, 2008
At the House of the Magician series, Book 2

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Lucy has become a firm fixture in the household of Dr Dee, a real-life figure who was court magician to Queen Elizabeth 1. Lucy, in return for saving the queen's life, has been told that she is to work as a spy for Her Grace and that she is to remain with the Dee family and await further instruction ...And then Lucy hears unexplained cries in the Dee house, and finds a young girl imprisoned there. What is Dr Dee doing? Lucy means to find out. This is a thrilling historical story, full of intrigue and royal plots and counter-plots, from the acclaimed Mary Hooper.

Mary Hooper is one of those authors you can always count on for a fun and well-written read. While I prefer some of her other books, (At the Sign of the Sugared Plum or The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose), this series still holds up to her name and has been an enjoyable read. Lucy is one of those characters that's real - you don't love her too much for her to be unrealistic as you spend chapters with her shaking your head when she messes up or rooting her on when she finally succeeds. I like Tomas too, although sometimes he feels a bit distractive, but then boys usually are.
What I also love is Hooper's ability to take a risque topic and make it squeaky clean. You can always recommend any of her books to anyone without worrying, although I recommend most of her works for around age 14 - 16. (This is, of course, a recommendation - my husband in his late 20s is enjoying this series as well!)
Don't forget, of course, to start with At the House of the Magician, book 1 in the series.
Graded a B.

(I don't have trackgeek's grade yet - he's busy reading Dune, by Frank Herbert, a first for him.)

Book to Movie: The Little White Horse, by Elizabeth Goudge

2010-11-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

The other day I found this hiding in the shelves at my library:

The Secret of Moonacre, 2009
with Dakota Blue Richards

Based on The Little White Horse, by Elizabeth Goudge, this is a sweet little fairy-tale. If I had to guess what prompted it's conversion to the cinema, I'd say it was J. K. Rowling commenting that it was one of her favorite books.
After her father's death, Maria Merryweather goes to live in Moonacre with her Uncle Benjamin and Miss Heliotrope her faithful companion. There she quickly overcomes her 'fine airs' and learns to ride, explores the dangerous forest, and quickly realizes her fate as the current Moon Princess.
While there are many discrepancies between the book and the movie (making it frustrating to those of us that have read the book), it was a cute story. The acting wasn't particularly good, and while there were a few laugh-out-loud moments, they were awkwardly placed.

Graded a C+. (By both Raspberry and Trackgeek.)

The Little White Horse, by Elizabeth Goudge
Juvenile, 1946

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
The beautiful valley of Moonacre is shadowed by the memory of the Moon Princess and the mysterious little white horse. When Maria Merryweather comes there on a visit she finds herself involved with an ancient feud. She is determined to restore peace and happiness to the whole of Moonacre Valley. And Maria usually gets her own way.
This sweet story has the authenticity that many of those 'old school' stories have. The writing is well done and the characters enjoyable. While it wasn't quite the gem that The Secret Garden is (for example), it held up on it's own feet and has a rightful place on our shelves.
I highly recommend the book over the movie and suggest that fans of The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, and other classics would enjoy this fairy tale.

Graded a B.

Shutterfly

2010-11-15T07:54:00.000-08:00

I'm not big into advertising here - after all, we all come to talk books, right?! But Shutterfly has a fabulous promotion where they give you 50 free holiday cards to write up a post about them.

The truth is, I actually use Shutterfly quite a lot. I've made photobooks for Grandparents, who beg for them each year for Christmas. I've ordered pictures, and played around with a few of their other projects like calendars and baby announcements.

They're easy to use - at least I've found them a whole less complicated than their competition, and there is always a coupon or two to help alleviate the cost. So hop on over!

Want to get your own free holiday cards? Check that out here.

Scarlet Moon, by Debbie Viguie

2010-11-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Scarlet Moon, by Debbie Viguie
Young Adult, 2004
Once Upon a Time series

From fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Ruth's grandmother lives in the forest, banished there for the "evil" that the townsfolk believed she practiced. But if studying the stars, learning about nature, and dreaming of flying is evil, then Ruth is guilty of it too. Whenever Ruth took food and supplies to her grandmother, she would sit with the old woman for hours, listening and learning.
When she wasn't in the woods, Ruth was learning the trade of her father, a blacksmith, now that her brother would never return from the Crusades.
Amidst those dark days, a new man enters Ruth's life. William is a noble with a hot temper and a bad name, and he makes her shiver. But the young man is prey to his heritage, a curse placed on his family ages ago, and each male of the family has strange blood running in his veins. Now Ruth must come face-to-face with his destiny at Grandma's house.

Raspberry:
Ok, that last line? Had me on the floor laughing. A little Red Riding Hood tale? uh...
But I was pleasantly surprised by Viguie's plot ideas and the twists scattered throughout. Fans of werewolves would enjoy this story - while it's definitely predictable, it's comfortably so, making it a light easy read. It's not one of my favorite of the Once Upon a Time series, but for those that like a sweet fractured fairy tale, it fits the bill.
Graded a B-.

Friday Finds

2010-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

There's a variety of memes out there where people show the latest 'finds' they've added to their TBR list. So basically I'm telling you I didn't start it - I want to give credit where credit's due, but I'm very much copying because Friday Finds is such a great way to find new reads!

Just 3 today:

On The Volcano, by James Nelson
April, 2011

The Revenant, by Sonia Gesler
June, 2011

Between the Sea and Sky, by Jaclyn Dolamore
June, 2011

At The House of the Magician, by Mary Hooper

2010-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

My wonderful husband brought back books from the UK for me, including:

At The House of the Magician, by Mary Hooper
Young Adult, 2007

While this has been available through the UK for a couple of years, the US barely just got around to publishing the first of the series, with more to follow. I, however, will be ordering the other two books from Book Depository so I don't have to wait.

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Lucy has been forced to run away from home as she fears for her safety from her drunken father. She is taken on as a maid at the house of Dr Dee, court magician, upon whom Elizabeth I relies heavily, even down to advising the date of her coronation. The household is strange and sinister, and Lucy has a nose for intrigue ...And she has more than enough to satisfy her: Lucy stumbles across a plot to assassinate the queen and has to find means to warn her...

Raspberry: Interesting plot, with plenty of potential for the sequels (By Royal Command and The Betrayal). It isn't my favorite of hers, but it lives up to expectations. Lucy is precocious and curious, but with a head on her shoulders that makes her lovable instead of annoying. The ideas are interesting, and my only complaint is that I didn't have the rest of the books there to finish at once.
Graded a B.

Trackgeek: Graded a B+.

I'm (Raspberry here) an absolutely HUGE fan of Mary Hooper. No one does YA/Juvenile historical fiction better than her. At the Sign of the Sugared Plum is a favorite and a good starting point for you newbies. One of her latest, Newes From The Dead was oddly intriguing, and even a modern story about internet friends - Amy - is well told and creepily accurate. The fact is, the woman can write.

For those of you that are fellow faithful followers of Mary Hooper and are crying for more, may I recommend:
Marie-Louise Jensen
The Lady Grace series

Memory Monday: Caught in Crystal, by Patricia Wrede

2010-11-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

I love Patricia Wrede. She is an author I remember as being one of the first to introduce me to a world of make-believe like no other. The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Sorcery and Cecelia...she just keeps hitting the nail on the head. We found this for mere cents on Amazon and decided to try it out. I slogged through it as well as I could but ended up setting it aside knowing full well that I'd just wasted a bookmark. The only thing is...this is the 4th in the series. Technically, though, it's first chronologically, so we figured we'd try it first. Let this be a lesson to all readers - read the books in the order they were published!
I handed it off to Trackgeek and his review follows:

Caught in Crystal
Lyra series, Book 4
Young Adult / Adult, 1987

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
There stands a twisted tower.. hidden in the Windhome Mountains. Something is imprisoned there - the Sisterhood of Stars does not know precisely what, but something is bound tight with a wizard's spell so that it can never escape again. Kayl is one of the few to have looked upon the Twisted Tower. She has no desire to see it again - she left the Sisterhood long ago, settling down to a quiet life. Her sword lies unused in a secret place beneath the stones of her hearth. But something evil is leaking from the Tower. And now a sorceress and a wizard have appeared on Kayl's doorstep, demanding she take up the sword again.

Trackgeek:
It was fun for us to finally get our hands on a copy of one of Wrede's Lyra series. While still a good book it definitely moved at a different pace than most of her other novels. Another interesting twist is that the main character is an adult, whereas in most of the rest of her work that I have read that characters definitely fall in the juvenile or teen demographic.
Graded a B.

The Lyra Series:
1. Shadow Magic (1982)
2. Daughter of Witches (1983)
3. The Harp of Imach Thyssel (1985)
4. Caught in Crystal (1987)
5. The Raven Ring (1994)

The Looking Glass Wars

2010-11-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Looking Glass Wars, by Frank Beddor
Looking Glass War Series
Young Adult, 2004

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Alyss, born in Wonderland, is destined to be a warrior queen. After a bloody coup topples the Heart regime, Alyss is exiled to another world entirely, where she is adopted into the Liddell family, renamed Alice and befriended by Lewis Carroll. At age 20 she returns to Wonderland to regain her sceptre, battle Redd and lead Wonderland into its next golden age of imagination.

Trackgeek:
While a tad silly on the premise of the story, I can appreciate twisting Lewis Carrol's original storyline. It seems only fitting considering how off the wall Carrol's imagery and writing is in the first place. The writing was very descriptive and the plot moseyed well, keeping me engaged, even while reading in a laundromat.
Graded a B-.

The Accidental Sorcerer, by K. E. Mills

2010-11-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Accidental Sorcerer, by K. E. Mills
Rogue Agent Series
Adult, 2009

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Gerald Dunwoody is a wizard. Just not a particularly good one. He's blown up a factory, lost his job, and there's a chance that he's not really a Third Grade wizard after all. So it's off to New Ottosland to be the new Court Wizard for King Lional. It's a shame that King Lional isn't the vain, self-centered young man he appeared to be. With a Princess in danger, a talking bird who can't stay out of trouble, and a kingdom to save, Gerald soon suspects that he might be out of his depth. And if he can't keep this job, how will he ever become the wizard he was destined to be...

Trackgeek:
This was a really interesting plot idea. I enjoyed the characters and the twists on magic and the commentary on bureaucracy. The plot moves along nicely and sets up what promises to be a good series.

Graded a B+.

Faithful, by Janet Fox

2010-11-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Faithful, by Janet Fox
Young Adult / Adult, 2010

from School Library Journal:
It's May of 1904, and 16-year-old Maggie Bennet should be planning her debut into Newport society. Unfortunately, her father has other plans. He takes her to Yellowstone National Park, following a lead on Maggie's mother, who disappeared the year before and is presumed dead. Upon their arrival, Papa reveals that they are broke and he has taken a job as architect at the park. As Maggie tries to start a new life and piece together the mystery of her mother's connection to Yellowstone, she is torn between her conflicting desires. She longs to take her proper place in society, something offered by George Graybull, the rich and powerful but arrogant and shallow older man who is courting her. At the same time, she wants freedom and true love, represented by Tom, the kind but poor son of a geologist. The story follows Maggie's struggle to overcome her own prejudices and society's limitations. The wilderness of Yellowstone, which is lovingly and beautifully depicted, reflects her inner turmoil and yearning for freedom, deemed madness in her bohemian mother.

I have been wanting to read this forever - a historical fiction novel set in Yellowstone? The geologist in me was delighted. I loved the different scenes of Yellowstone, the paintings her mother captured of the raw beauty, and the change that Maggie made in her own self. I thought the plot overall was a bit of a dramafest, and the inconsistencies in some of the characters was very distracting. The romance was cute, but not overbearing, and I felt that while the book fell short of expectations, it was still a sweet little read.

I put YA and Adult, because even though it's a YA book, I think many adults (at least of the female variety) would enjoy it.

Graded a B-.

Shadow of the Dragon, by Kate O'Hearn

2010-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

We're back! Yay! Shout hooray! And I'm THRILLED, because my husband brought me back a huge load of books from the UK that aren't published in the US yet. So, awesome.
Expect some more Marie-Louise Jensen, and Mary Hooper for starters!

Shadow of the Dragon, by Kate O'Hearn
Juvenile / Young Adult, 2008

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Under no circumstances are girls EVER to be allowed anywhere near dragons. The penalty for any girl caught breaking the first law is DEATH. Kira is twelve, and strong willed. The daughter of a retired dragon knight, she yearns for adventure and dreams of following in her father's footsteps astride her own magnificent mount. But this can never happen. According to the 'stupid laws' of the kingdom, she must be married by thirteen. Kira hates it, but being a girl she has no choice. Then Lord Dorcon arrives, in a whirl of destruction and fire and Kira knows the real fight is just beginning. To stand a chance of seeing her family again, and to protect the life of her younger sister, she will need every bit of willpower she can find. Let the battle commence.

On a whim I checked this out of my mother's local library while I was a-visiting. While in the teen section it definitely had more of an older juvenile feel, which is why I've put it in both labels. Kira is an interesting girl...I have a hard time imagining a 13-year-old being quite that mature, but it was a sweet story about two sisters and all that they fight for. I highly recommend it to jr. high age girls, although again, it is in teen and there's plenty of boys to root for in it too.

Graded a B.

Jane, by April Lindner

2010-10-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

So, I thought we'd come back home today and I'd start up posting again - I do have a few fun books to share with you. However, emergencies and mean airlines struck and we're out of town until Halloween. Which isn't a bad thing, it just means we're missing home like crazy.
I do have, however, a review for you - finally, right?!
I have long awaited the publication of this book:

Jane, by April Lindner
Young Adult, 2010

In a modern retelling of Jane Eyre, Jane Moore is forced to drop out of college when her parents die leaving her nearly penniless. Taking a position as a nanny to a heartthrob musician seems temporary, but as the attraction grows between her and rocker Nico Rathburn, hard decisions have to be made as mysteries and long-dead secrets unfold.

So...the truth is, no matter how good of a writer someone is, they can't really replace an incredibly classic like Jane Eyre. And I wouldn't WANT them to. But I can compare the obvious - do they do a good job with the characters? Does your heart ache for Jane as much as it does in the original? So character by character I'll tackle that for you:
Jane - Lindner's best character, she was soft, warm-hearted, sensible and very much the Jane Eyre type I expected. Her moral fiber is something both rare and appreciated in the modern world and I loved that she had the guts to stand up for herself and her beliefs.
Mr. Rochester (aka Nico Rathburn) - this was a harder one. On one hand, yes he was the broody melancholy grump I expected, and yet...he wasn't. Lindner used the F-word over and over to try and define his character, which was something I hated (and used as my excuse to return the book - I don't like books in my house with that word in it). And yet he, like Rochester, seemed to appreciate Jane for who she was, understanding the worth of someone not based on outward appearance but true inner beauty.

The rest of the characters I'll leave for your perusal. Just to reiterate a few cautions - the F-word was used over and over. If this was a movie it would be rated R solely on the swearing. Also, Jane does sleep with him prior to the big 'unveiling' if you will, of the secret. I didn't like that at all - Jane is a paragon of morality and I had hoped Lindner would keep her that way. Combined (or really even separate) this makes this very much an adult book to be read with caution.

Graded a B-. It would have been a B if the above situations/swearing were not a part of it. I thought it was very written with an engaging plot, so my reservations are personal preference.

Why we've been missing.

2010-10-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

I feel I owe any readers an explanation on why we haven't been around. Beyond the slump we talked about last week, we've been a bit distracted by our 'half':

I call this look the 'smolder'.

We've also had family in town, friends pass away, and travel plans coming up. I just wanted to make sure you all knew we were still here, just giving things their due priorities. Reading has been a bit sparse, but Trackgeek is reading the Accidental Sorcerer, and I'm reading a very old Patricia Wrede book - Caught in Crystal, but seriously it has been several days since we started them because of our packed schedules.
Hope everyone's having a wonderful start to your Autumn, and don't worry, we'll be back full blast soon. :)

Red Handed, by Gena Showalter

2010-10-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

I heard quite a bit of hype about this book/series from multiple friends on Shelfari and the like. Someone even used it as a Memory Monday, which kind of made me laugh when I realized it was only published a few years ago. However, it does seem to be one of those books that people read and loved that got lost in the cracks. While I'm not a huge fan of the cover (kind of intense in a psychotic way, yes?) I was intrigued by the synopsis and the huge following it created and gave it a shot. Actually, I gave it a shot a couple of months ago but never got around to reviewing it as I had such a hard time deciding what grade to give it.

Red Handed, by Gena Showalter
Young Adult, 2006

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Phoenix Germaine has been trying to earn back her mother's trust after going into rehab and kicking Onadyn -- the drug of choice for New Chicago teens. But when a party in the woods turns into an all-out battle with the most ferocious aliens Phoenix has never seen, she's brought home in what appears to be an Onadyn-induced state. Hello, reform school.
Except, what her mother doesn't know is that Phoenix has just been recruited to join the elite Alien Investigation and Removal agency, where she'll learn to fight dirty, track hard, and destroy the enemy. Her professional training will be rigorous and dangerous, and the fact that one of her instructors is Ryan Stone -- the drop-dead gorgeous, nineteen-year-old agent she met in the woods that night -- doesn't make things any easier. Especially when dating him is totally against the rules....

Gena Showalter is better known for her romance novels, and of late her Intertwined series, none of which I've read. But I must say I was incredibly impressed with the world she created in this series. This futuristic world with a variety of new ideas is entirely believable - a feat in and of itself. And while thrown at first by Phoenix's previous drug addiction, I appreciated that she wasn't perfect, that she'd overcome it and become a better person for it. I did want more of a story about aliens and less about the training, but I think that's why it's a series and not a stand alone. And while the sexual tension was well done, I wasn't a big fan of that part of the epilogue (I don't want to give away spoilers.).

Note: Not appropriate for younger readers, even perhaps younger teens - I'd say 16 and up ish. There's swearing, but I honestly forget how much, drug use, sexual tension, and there is sex, but it's more something they talk about that happened instead of describe.

Graded...and here's the hard part. Overall I'd say a B, but the PG-13 stuff was enough that I'd say that dragged it down to a B-.

Book to Movie: Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken

2010-10-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

I decided to put the movie title in instead of the book title, because let's face it - how many of us knew this was a true story? Ok, and of those who knew who read the book? I mean, check out the most boring cover....

A Girl and Five Brave Horses, by Sonora Carver (yes, THE Sonora Webster Carver)
Biography, 1961

Sonora Carver was a free-spirited confident young girl of 18 when she answered an ad and joined Dr. Carver on his escapade of high-diving horses - a show where a girl riding a horse dived off a 40-foot tower into a pool of water. This biography tells you about how she got started, how she trained, the horses and their different methods, her accidents, her falls, her sister coming along for the ride, her marriage and her love of diving through anything. A beautiful tale well written and engrossing, I urge you to read it. Yes, it's different from the movie, but the essence is the same, and Sonora's personality is something you shouldn't miss.
I recommend seeing the movie first - it'll make it more real to you and perhaps give you that last umph to hurry and check out the book.

Graded an A-.

Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, 1991
starring Gabrielle Anwar (Yep, that Gabrielle, the one that plays Fiona on Burn Notice.)

Same story, but admittedly glorified a bit by Disney. Al is a whole lot cuter than he was in real life, and thank heavens younger. There are cute side characters, sweet moments, all in all a very Disney family movie, but oh so re-watchable. I think anyone from my generation (that's female, anyway) has seen this movie a dozen times. If you haven't? DO IT.

Graded a B+.

Slump

2010-09-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

The truth is, we're in a bit of a slump. Every once in a while we get pulled out by a book only to be tossed back in by something else we try, so reviews are a tad scarcer lately.

What I CAN tell you is that I'm reading a biography that was made into a movie that any girl from my generation has seen at least a dozen times. Hint? Sure. It stars a cute girl on a hot TV show (now in it's 4th season) who kicks some rear and always wants to give bad guys their due.

Speaking of book to movies....any great ideas out there of some I should highlight?

The Unidentified, by Rae Mariz

2010-09-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Unidentified, by Rae Mariz
Young Adult, October, 2010

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Fifteen-year-old Katey (aka Kid) goes to school in the Game - a mall converted into a 'school' run by corporate sponsors. As the students play their way through the levels, they are also creating products and being used for market research by the sponsors, who are watching them 24/7 on video cameras. Kid has a vague sense of unease but doesn't question this existence until one day she witnesses a shocking anticorporate prank. She follows the clues to uncover the identities of the people behind it and discovers an anonymous group that calls itself the Unidentified. Intrigued by their counterculture ideas and enigmatic leader, Kid is drawn into the group. But when the Unidentified's pranks and even Kid's own identity are co-opted by the sponsors, Kid decides to do something bigger - something that could change the Game forever.

Trackgeek:
I was impressed by the vivid description of a future scenario where schooling had been taken over by the business sector where advertising and selling were the two main objectives. I had a bit of a problem with the lack attitude toward learning. It just seemed that the learning "challenges" that the kids would get sent to them (or were sent to Kid in this case) were fairly weak and happened rarely. Of course that might have been part of the point of the social commentary- that in the future the kids wouldn't be challenged as much- simply because money, selling and popularity were more important. As with most futuristic novels (ie Phillip Reeve's Mortal Engines) it is always fun to see the way that the author envisions language developing.

This is definitely a novel for the older teen based on the grittiness of the subject matter, teen's behavior towards authority figures and suggestive language.

Grade: B-

Online Launch Party for The Body at the Tower, by Y. S. Lee

2010-09-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

I got an email from the talented author, Y. S. Lee, and she's pumping all of us up for a great big party! To quote from her email:

Walker Books UK and Candlewick Press are co-hosting the parties, and we’re all providing prizes. I’ve got Agency t-shirts and stickers to give away, and my publishers are offering up books (of course!). I’d love to see you there (and of course, you can attend whichever party you like – the times are intended to be convenient).

So where is this great party?!

Date: Tuesday, September 28
Time: 4pm BST (UK/Europe) or 4pm EST (US/Canada)
Place: Twitter
Hashtag: #bodytower

For a refresher, my reviews for A Spy in the House and The Body At The Tower are linked respectively.

Between Two Seas, by Marie-Louise Jensen

2010-09-23T07:08:00.001-07:00

After the raving success of The Lady in the Tower, I ordered a used and battered copy of Between Two Seas from Amazon for 79 cents. I hadn't read anything in over a week?! and this was my 'come back' book.

Between Two Seas, by Marie-Louise Jensen
Young Adult, 2008

Publisher's Description:
'Travel to Skagen and find him. Give him my letter. Seek a better life, Marianne! Promise!'
Bound by a vow made to her dying mother, Marianne sells her few belongings and leaves Grimsby. Her destination? Denmark, where she will search for her father, Lars Christensen-the golden-haired fisherman her mother fell in love with many years before.
The journey will be long-and dangerous for a young girl traveling alone. As Marianne boards the fishing boat that will carry her across the North Sea, she wonders: will Denmark be the fairy-tale land she has dreamt of? Will she find happiness there? Will the father she has never met welcome the arrival of his illegitimate child?
And why didn't he return for her mother, as he promised he would?

This one continues to carry the motif of 'escape' and adventure, although it is a completely different story from Lady in the Tower. Marianne travels to Denmark, alone and with surprising confidence and will for someone who has grown up poor and looked down on. Jensen's heroines seem to possess remarkable strength - girls who really stand up for themselves and are comfortable with who they are. Marianne does have some things to settle, like the mystery of her absentee father, but the small town she lands in works for her, and instead of whining and complaining she figures things out bit by bit. The romance is cute, although quick - I'm not a huge fan of love at first sight, but it worked out alright. I think the thing that made me rear back a bit was the climactic scene at the end with...well, I don't want to spoil it for you. I just felt that this kind of character with her strength and growth from the past year would be a more forgiving person - even if it was just being too tired to stay upset anymore.
At any rate, it was an enjoyable read, an excellent addition to my shelves.
Graded a B+.

I am eagerly waiting the opportunity to read Daughter of Fire and Ice - it's plot sounds similar to the only Napoli book I like - Hush, and of course I'm delighted to know Jensen is still publishing and that Sigrun's Secret will be out early this next year.

Lady Grace Mysteries: Assassin, by Grace Cavendish

2010-09-22T09:42:00.000-07:00

This is one of those series I've wanted to try for some time and...I'm SO GLAD I did!

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Assassin, by Grace Cavendish
Young Adult, 2004

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
It's the spring of 1569 and 13-year-old Lady Grace, the youngest lady-in-waiting to the Queen, finds herself at a glittering ball choosing amongst three suitors. But the Queen's generosity turns deadly as threats, dark secrets, and even murder descend on the Tudor court. And it is up to Grace to use her intelligence, stealth, and curious nature to solve the mystery that threatens the very lifeblood of England.

I really enjoyed this quick mystery in journal form. Grace is a cute, confident, and believable character. I like her 'side kicks', and the history is right on target. The author (who uses the pseudonym Grace Cavendish) takes plenty of creative license, but that's what makes it fun. I read so many varieties of Elizabeth I's personality, that I never know what to believe, but I liked her version. Don't hesitate to try these works, they're enjoyable from beginning to end!

Graded an A-. I recommend this first book for the pre-teen audience, but I'm hoping that as the series progresses Grace gets older and grows up a bit. Anyone who enjoyed the Enola Holmes mysteries or even as young as the Theodosia Throckmorton mysteries could enjoy these.

There are twelve books so far in the Lady Grace series, and I am looking forward to reading all of them. I believe omnibuses are being published starting next year with the first two with what looks like a much better cover.

Book to Movie: Cirque du Freak

2010-09-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Out of purely morbid curiosity I picked up the movie Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant when a copy appeared at the library. Because of it's dark cover and darker plot I almost didn't watch it. Then, at the last minute, I popped it in and thought I'd give it a few minutes. I was surprised to find I watched it all.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009)

I believe the movie is based on the first three Cirque du Freak books, told in narration by Darren Shan. He and his best friend Steve sneak into a cirque du freak to see fantastic beings of all kind, including a vampire and his spider assistant, Madam Octa. Determined to have Madam Octa, Darren steals her, only to get the bad karma back when she bites Steve. In exchange for Steve's life, Darren agrees to become the vampire's assistant, giving up his life as he knows it. But things are so simple when Steve finds out much more than he should about Darren's new life.

I was surprised to find a real story line here, and thrown off by a few twists that even I didn't suspect. The vampire is likable but not lovable, and while being a freak is shown as a lonely life, what I appreciated most is that it didn't try to glorify being a vampire. While this wasn't Academy Award material by any stretch, and I won't ever buy it, I thought it was an interesting view. I'm interested to find out if they'll continue making them.

Graded a B-.

Cirque du Freak
Young Adult, 1999

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Darren goes to a banned freak show with his best mate Steve. It's the wonderfully gothic Cirque du Freak where weird, frightening half human/half animals appear who interact terrifyingly with the audience. Darren -- a spider freak -- 'falls in love' with Madam Octa -- an enormous tarantala owned by the circus proprietor. Darren determines to steal the spider so that he can train it to perform amazing deeds. But his daring theft goes horrible wrong. The spider bites his best mate and Darren has to sell his soul to an evil vampire to get the antidote.

After watching the movie I decided the check out the book despite it's ugly and creepy cover. It's not only much thinner than expected, but less scary as well. This is one of those series that has a multitude (12) of books in order to milk readers for extra money - as short as these books are it would have been very easy to combine two or even 3 of them like the movie did. The differences were slight except for a couple things - first, in the book I felt there was no motivation for good guy Darren to all of a sudden steal Madam Octa, whereas the movie showed a few events leading up to that decision. Second, there's a girl in the movie adding a bit of a romantic intrigue. I'm not sure if in later books she shows up, but she's definitely not in the first.

Graded a C+.

Friday Finds

2010-09-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

I apologize for my lack of these lately. When I get swamped I find I skip Friday Finds, but who really notices, right? Well, I look forward to other people's Friday Finds, and when they skip one I feel a little dejected. So here's to no one feeling dejected. :)

The Last Full Measure, by Ann Rinaldi

Salt, Maurice Gee

-no cover available-

The Unwanteds, by Lisa McMann
If I remember correctly, this is a dystopian novel and won't be published until late 2011 early 2012? Some one have more info on this?

Crusade, by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

House of the Star, by Caitlin Brennan

The World Above, by Cameron Dokey

2010-09-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

I really really really really enjoy fractured fairy tales. In fact, of all the stories in my head that I've started to write down, my favorite is....a fractured fairy tale. So, the Once Upon a Time series really hits the spot for me. Now, it's true there's a little hit and miss involved. If you're new to the series or have read one that made you go 'eh', may I suggest Crimson Thread, by Suzanne Weyn - I never reviewed it, I have no idea why, but it's my favorite of them so far.

The World Above, by Cameron Dokey
Young Adult, 2010

Gen and her twin brother, Jack, were raised with their mother's tales of life in the World Above. Gen is skeptical, but adventurous Jack believes the stories--and trades the family cow for magical beans. Their mother rejoices, knowing they can finally return to their royal home.
When Jack plants the beans and climbs the enchanted stalk, he is captured by the tyrant who now rules the land. Gen sets off to rescue her brother, but danger awaits her in the World Above. For finding Jack may mean losing her heart....

I thought this retelling was fascinating - I mean Jack and the Beanstalk is really kind of a boring and a little bit weird (Fee Fie Foe Fum?), but told this way it made whole heck of a lot more sense. There was a little Robin Hood thrown in there too that added to the adventure and intrigue, and of course everyone falls in love. I felt, though, that everything was a bit rushed. The adventure wasn't very exciting since for the most part everything went their way. Even the bad guy turns out to be alright. And since everyone fell in love on sight...there just wasn't much left to tell of those stories.

Graded a C+.

The Year of Secret Assignments, by Jaclyn Moriarty

2010-09-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

Today I have the pleasure of crossing off my TBR list something that has been on there forEVER:

The Year of Secret Assignments, by Jaclyn Moriarty (Don't you LOVE her last name?!)
Young Adult, 2004
(1st book in what isn't technically a series, but what follows are other novels that use the same setting/characters...etc.)

A tenth grade English teacher attempts to unite feuding schools by launching a pen-pal project. Best friends Cassie, Emily and Lydia initiate the correspondence, and are answered by Matthew, Charlie and Seb. Emily and Lydia are more than pleased with their matches, but quiet Cassie has a frightening experience with Matthew. When Lydia and Emily discover that Matthew has threatened their fragile friend, the Ashbury girls close ranks, declaring an all-out war on the Brookfield boys. Soon, the couples are caught up in everything from car-jacking and lock-picking, to undercover spying and identity theft.

This was completely a mixed bag for me. On one hand, I loved the banter back and forth between letters, the crazy 'secret assignments' and in some cases the cute falling for each other when they decided to meet. I was a bit put off by some of the language, and while the bantering remained cute, it was used with most characters making some of them seem a bit clone like. I felt like Cassie's situation was almost too serious to discuss in the book....and yet, it wasn't. The Matthew situation was almost too unrealistic....and yet, it wasn't. It's very hard for me to know just how I feel about a book that closed both good and bad for me. I can say I probably won't read any more of this 'series' per se, but then...we all know I'm not much of a series person at any rate, right?

Graded a C+.

Memory Monday: Crown Duel, by Sherwood Smith

2010-09-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I love Memory Monday because of the opportunities it gives me to share favorite books I've read, or reread. I didn't come up with this meme, but I'm grateful for whoever did long long ago.

This time I'm cheating a little - Crown Duel is the name of the first book in a duo, followed by Court Duel (and later with a prequel published titled A Stranger to Command). However, Crown Duel is also the title of the book published with both stories in it - Crown and Court Duel. You see, you MUST read both, it's absolutely imperative, and you will be delighted you did:

Crown Duel, by Sherwood Smith
YA, both books published in 1997

Young Countess Meliara swears to her dying father that she and her brother will defend their people from the growing greed of the king. That promise leads them into a war for which they are ill-prepared, which threatens the very people they are trying to protect. But war is simple compared to what follows, in peacetime. Meliara is summoned to live at the royal palace, where friends and enemies look alike, and intrigue fills the dance halls and the drawing rooms. If she is to survive, Meliara must learn a whole new way of fighting-with wits and words and secret alliances.

Both books are fabulous with scenes where you can't turn the page fast enough to romance that makes you want to reread it to intrigue where you're double checking what someone said in that last chapter - are they really on her side?! And you're never really sure until the very end. Meliara can be exasperating and lovable all at the same time, Vidanric is the quick-witted hero that grows on you. (Despite being blond. I must say I always picture him instead with darker hair which is much much better.) An excellent read, one I peruse at least once a year.

Graded an A-.

Interview: Julie Berry

2010-09-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am so very excited to host an interview with Julie Berry, talented author of Amaranth Enchantment (a young adult fantasy novel), the upcoming Secondhand Charm (another young adult fantasy novel, click the link for my review), and the Splurch Academy series (juvenile graphic novels).

As the youngest of 7 did you ever feel bullied or overshadowed? Did you ever do anything to get them back?

My siblings weren’t the bullying kind, but they were older enough and smarter enough to always have the upper hand. My constant yearning was to belong to the Big Kids’ Club, something the difference in age between us would always deny me. That didn’t stop them from exploiting my pathetic eagerness. They got a big kick out of asking me to get them snacks and drinks, find their keys, or change the television channel, and, golden retriever that I was, I always did it. Once, though, when my older sister wouldn’t stop tickling me, no matter how I screamed, I dumped her orthodontic retainer in the toilet. She fished it out, hollering mightily, and tried to disinfect it by boiling it. The plastic shrunk and warped, and my parents had to buy a new one, which wasn’t cheap. I got in huge trouble. Revenge, I learned, wasn’t as sweet as it’s made out to be.

What stack of books do you have on your bedside table right now?

The book I’m carrying with me everywhere I go is YOU ARE HERE: A PORTABLE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE by Christopher Potter. It’s a fascinating, concise guided tour through the vastness of the cosmos and the even greater vastness of the atom and its nucleus. It’s also a history of science and philosophy, and I find it as riveting as the best novels I’ve ever read. Possibly more. Also on my bedside table (or actually, piled in untidy heaps on the floor next to my bed, and jammed into bureau drawers) are WICKED by Gregory Maguire, THE RESTAURANT AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE by Douglas Adams, and THE CONFESSIONS of Saint Augustine. My scriptures always live there too. There was a much larger pile there, but I recently cleared it away and put things back on the bookshelves, assuming their time had not yet come.

Splurch Academy books - I haven't read any of those, but are they based on the antics of brothers or sons (those clever ones you've got?)?

The Splurch Academy books aren’t based on anything my kids have ever extent, on how I think they think. Or perhaps I should say, how I think they’re wired. My greatest hope for the series is that other disruptive boys – and girls – will take as much dark delight in Cody Mack’s naughty heroics as I do. In my family we have a great weakness for cute, naughty little things, which means we don’t always train our puppies as firmly as we should. It’s hard being a disciplinarian-mother to clever, naughty boys, for the simple fact that it’s hard to keep a straight face. I’ve learned, though, to be an ornery gargoyle to my kids when I need to. So I wrote the Splurch books to celebrate that naughty, hysterically funny side of young-boy-dom.

What was your inspiration for the plot of Amaranth? What about the plot of Secondhand Charm?

I didn’t start out writing Amaranth with a clear sense of the plot in mind. I only knew a few basic things about how I wanted the story to end. What drew me into the story was Beryl’s world, as I imagined it. I wanted to explore the idea of a paradise, a world without ugliness or guilt or death. I wanted it to have a spiritual reality that transcended, if possible, the inevitable wrinkles such utopias often reveal if examined too closely. It’s hard for me to conceive of a perfect world, but I still wanted to try. From there it was clear that if someone was trapped in exile from such a place, it would create a kind of yearning that can fuel a strong character and a strong story. As I developed Beryl and her world, it became clear to me that I would need someone from this world – Lucinda – to encounter Beryl, and free her. And Lucinda would need powerful yearnings of her own.

The charms themselves were what pulled me into Evie Pomeroy’s world as I wrote Secondhand Charm. I liked the idea of humble, homespun trinkets being a clue to some larger magical secret. And I thought there could be a lot of humor and fun in love charms and good luck charms having far more potency than they ought to. From there, the rest of Evie’s story tumbled out.

Of all the characters you've written, who is your favorite?

Someone asked me, not long after Amaranth came out, who my favorite character was, and I answered “Lucinda,” without hesitation. When I write someone’s story, particularly in first person, they are the one I feel closest to. Their concerns become my own, and in some sense their defeats do as well. So they become the unquestioned favorite. But as the writing recedes in my memory, sometimes the quirky, idiosyncratic supporting characters remain more memorable. Lucinda’s friend Peter ranks high on my list, as does her goat, Dog. In Secondhand Charm, the feisty Widow Moreau is a particular favorite.

If you could take any 3 books with you on a deserted island, which 3 would they be?

Oh, this is a tough one. I have so many favorites that it effectively amounts to no favorites. I suppose I would want to bring books that are long, and dense, and complicated, to give me much pondering pleasure as I sizzle under my coconut tree. (I wouldn’t last long. I’m deathly pale.) In particular, I’d want to take books I haven’t read yet. So, I think I’d vote for something I haven’t yet read by Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and/or Dickens. I could take Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell, since I really liked it but never found time to finish it. Or maybe Middlemarch by George Eliot. I’d also be very interested in finding works of philosophy, science, history, or the classics. There’s so much to learn in life, and so little time. This is my great and constant frustration. But all this pre-desert island book shopping begs the question – if I was able to put this much planning into my shipwreck, couldn’t I just avoid getting on the boat in the first place?

Any advice for those budding authors out there?

The advice you always hear is still the best. Read all you can. Write regularly. These are the main things, so if they’re all you can do, do them. If possible, find writer friends who are committed to developing their craft, and work with them. Beyond those three things, I’ll add this. Writers, like most artists, can be riddled with self-questioning and self-doubt. It’s natural, and to the extent that it keeps you humble and working hard, it’s a fine thing. But on some level, you have to decide to believe in your potential if you’re going to give this writing thing a serious crack. You have to believe in the stories you want to tell. Balance that belief with self-critique and hard work and late nights reading and all the study of craft you can cram into your head, and you’ll have done all that anybody can honestly do to give the world a new story. I’m not aware of any author, famous or otherwise, whose process is fundamentally different from that one.

So, hurry and head on over to your library/bookstore, etc. to find a copy of her books and read them! Secondhand Charm is slated for October, 2010, but her other books are all already published. Splurch Academy graphic novels are also illustrated by her sister, Sally Faye Gardner, who sadly doesn't have a website.

Thanks Julie for stopping by! Feel free to leave questions or comments for Julie here and I'll make sure she gets them.

Secondhand Charm, by Julie Berry

2010-09-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to share with you Julie Berry's latest young adult book. I enjoyed Amaranth Enchantment (which received a B), and 'wahooed' when I got this in the mail!

Secondhand Charm, by Julie Berry
Young Adult, October 12, 2010

Publisher's description:

In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. And a gypsy's charms - no more than trinkets when worn by others - are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents and charms have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's son. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy-next-door. When the prince's entourage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all....But this young girl's destiny is no mere romantic fairytale. Her fate, and the journey she is about to embark upon, will take her far from her tiny village, uncovering serpentine powers and a legacy she never dreamed possible.

From page one I was captured by Evie's sweet personality. So many heroines can seem to overtake a book, but Evie told her story allowing others around her to have theirs too. Part of me was a bit thrown away by Clair, her snake 'familiar' of sorts. I think in retrospect, though, that that must have been how Evie felt - a bit taken aback by a serpent so willingly attaching himself to her. The love story was sweet - you knew what would happen, and yet you worried it wouldn't! I loved some of the cute banter, and I have to share a bit of it with you: (A few parts in between are cut out - I can't type up the whole book!)

I took a deep breath, gathering all my courage. "Aidan," I said, and he turned to look at me. "Will you take me with you?"
He stopped walking. So did I.
"D'you mean, just the two of us, walking?"
I nodded. "I don't see any other way."
He took off his cap and shook dust off the brim, but his eyes never left me. "Well...how's that going to look?"
My words poured out. "Aidan, if I don't get to University on time, I'll never get to..."
"What will we say, when people ask us to give account of ourselves, as we travel?"
I found myself staring at his boots. "We could...we could say that we're married?"
Aidan's eyes opened wide.
"I could say I was your sister,"I stammered, " but isn't that, somehow, less safe? For me? If people thought I was your wife, they would be more inclined to leave me alone."
"Men don't seem to leave you alone, do they." It wasn't a question.
I felt my cheeks grow warm. "Honestly, I don't know what's happened , all of a sudden, it's never been like that before."
Aidna was watching me with an amused look, and I realized in an instant what a vain, coquettish thing that was to say.
"I don't mean...." Oh be quiet, Evie! But I had to go on. "What I mean is that, never in the past..." Oh, help. "It's probably got something to do with the gypsies."
"The gypsies?"
I forced out a laugh. "Their magic trinkets. I bought a few ornaments at the feast day," here I gestured to my charms. "One of them, she said, was a love charm. Ever since then..."
My voice trailed off. Immediately I bit my lip.
"So, you bought a love charm from the gypsies, did you?"
"The point is, will you take me with you, or no?"
"I'll take you, Wife," he said, "as far as Chalcedon, but then I'm seeking an annulment.

Is that the cutest?!

I also noticed a familiar flavor as I read it, and by Chapter 2 I realized what it was - Secondhand Charm feels a lot like a Gail Carson Levine book. I was delighted to discover that it remained so, and fans of Levine should feel free to gobble up this tale as well.

Graded a B.

I'd like to note that I read an ARC, so changes aren't final.
And remember, stay tuned for an interview with Julie!

Star Crossed, by Linda Collison

2010-09-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Star Crossed, by Linda Collison
Young Adult, 2008

from the author's website:

Patricia Kelley has been raised a proper British lady--but she's become a stowaway. Her father is dead, and her future in peril. To claim the estate that is rightfully hers, she must travel across the seas to Barbados, hidden in the belly of merchant ship.

It is a daring escapade, and the plan works--for a time. But before she knows it, Patricia's secret is revealed, and she is torn between two worlds. During the day, she wears petticoats, inhabits the dignified realm of ship's officers, and trains as a surgeon's mate with the gentle Aeneas MacPherson; at night she dons pants and climbs the rigging in the rough company of sailors. And it is there, alongside boson's mate Brian Dalton, that she feels stunningly alive.

I checked out this book because it sounded intriguing, and truthfully, fit the bill for 'my kind of book'. An adventurous runaway who comes into her own and of course finds romance in unexpected ways? Sign me up!

Patricia is such an interesting character. On one hand you just hate her - she's shallow, immature, selfish, and I almost put the book down on multiple occasions. However, this is one of those rare books where you can actually see the heroine grow up. Did it take awhile? Oh yes, in fact I'd say it took too long - it was nearly the end before you decided maybe you liked her. But it was an interesting journey; one where she learned so very much. The other characters were a bit underplayed, and I would have liked to have gotten to know them better. The ending was so very open, driving me a bit nuts - I mean, sure, things ended the way you wanted them to, but...you leave wondering if maybe they just didn't.

There are a few adult situations, so I would recommend this only for older teens on up.

Graded a B-.

The Demon King, by Cinda Williams Chima

2010-09-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

A long time ago I read the Warrior Heir by Chima and enjoyed it. Because of my prejudice against series, I had a hard time picking up the rest, but recommended them to Trackgeek who devoured them faster than they could be published. When The Demon King came out, I was begged and begged to put it on hold at the library. I should have taken it as a hint and just bought it for him, but I was a little slow on the uptake.

The Demon King, by Cinda Williams Chima
Young Adult, 2009

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for himself, his mother, and his sister Mari. Ironically, the only thing of value he has is something he can't sell. For as long as Han can remember, he's worn thick silver cuffs engraved with runes. They're clearly magicked-as he grows, they grow, and he's never been able to get them off.

While out hunting one day, Han and his Clan friend, Dancer catch three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. After a confrontation, Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to ensure the boy won't use it against them. Han soon learns that the amulet has an evil history-it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

Meanwhile, Raisa ana'Helena, Princess Heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight. She's just returned to court after three years of relative freedom with her father's family at Demonai camp - riding, hunting, and working the famous Clan markets. Although Raisa will become eligible for marriage after her sixteenth name-day, she isn't looking forward to trading in her common sense and new skills for etiquette tutors and stuffy parties.

Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea-the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But it seems like her mother has other plans for her--plans that include a suitor who goes against everything the Queendom stands for.

Trackgeek: I enjoy Cinda Chima's books quite a bit and was excited to see what she could do outside of her original series. As for the Demon King- I found the basic plot construction to be well done and I enjoyed the world in which she placed her characters- it was interesting and involved and fun to read about. The only draw back was how long it took to go not far in the plot and then the book ends and you are left sitting there waiting until the end of September when the next book comes out. Raspberry and I constantly have this conversation about how authors seem to be bent on creating humongous plots that never seem to have any closure- or take 600 pages to get to the point where you think something is going to happen and then take 2 more 600 page books to actually finish the story. What happened to being able to get a good plot down and developed in 300 pages? Anyway, I definitely recommend the book for the teen audience and anyone who enjoys teen fantasy.
Graded a B+.

A Summer Giveaway - Results and "A" Books!

2010-09-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

On the giveaway form I said you could get an extra point for recommending a book that you think is an "A" or an "A-", but you only get the point if we haven't read it (or if it's already 'in the works').
I compiled a list of the books, and while there were many duplicates, I thought it was a decent enough list to peruse for more TBRs:
(Just to clarify - these are not MY "A"s or "A-"s, these are from the entries for the giveaway.)

Purge, by Sofi Oksanen
The Dark Divine, by Bree Despain
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County, by Tiffany Baker
The Language of Secrets, by Dianne Dixon
Before I Fall, Lauren Oliver (already on my TBR list)
Raven Stole The Moon, by Garth Stein
The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery
Inside Out, by Maria V. Snyder (already on my TBR list)
If I Stay, by Gayle Forman (I've read this, but I must not have reviewed it on our blog.)
Tell Me A Secret, by Holly Cupala
Lockdown, by Alexander Gordon Smith (I tried, and I don't mean to be a pansy, but it was too intense for me.)
The Piper's Son, by Melina Marchetta (only out in Australia so far)
The Hollow Kingdom, by Clare Dunkle (I love this book. I did an author review here.)
Crown Duel, by Sherwood Smith (Another favorite.)
East, by Edith Pattou (And ANOTHER favorite.)
The Lantern Bearers, by Rosemary Sutcliff
Daughter of the Forest, by Juliet Marillier (I enjoyed this fractured fairy-tale of the Seven Swans story.)
Wolfskin, by Juliet Marillier
Cotillion, Georgette Heyer
Fire, Kristin Cashore (See my review here.)
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins (See my review here.)
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis (May I beg you to read them in the order they were published. NOT the way they've reprinted them chronologically.)
The Visitation, by Frank Peretti
Son of Hamas, by Mosab Hassan Yousef
The Bone Garden, by Tess Gerritsen
Bloody Jack, by L. A. Meyer (tried 3 times...)
Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater (See my review here.)
The Singer of All Songs, by Kate Constable (See my review here.)
Dream Spinner, by Bonnie Dobkin
Graceling, by Kristin Cashore (I read this before we got our blog, but it got an A-.)
The Year of Secret Assignments, by Jaclyn Moriarty (on my shelf to read right now!)
The Cry of the Icemark, by Stuart Hill (for some reason I think we own this but haven't tried it out yet...)
Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow
Epic, by Conor Kostick (Trackgeek read this.)
Poison Study, by Maria V. Snyder (I've read this and debated over the grade since.)
Birthmarked, by Caragh O'Brien (See my review here.)
A Small Free Kiss in the Dark, by Glenda Millard
Thirteen Days to Midnight, by Patrick Carman (Already on my TBR list.)
The Parasol Protectorate, by Gail Carriger (tried it..)
Embers, by Laura Bickle (On my TBR list.)
Sparks, by Laura Bickle
Master of None, by Sonya Bateman
Promise, by Kristie Cook
The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, by Leanna Renee Hieber (Read it.)
Mind Games, by Carolyn Crane
Born In Trilogy, by Nora Roberts
Monica McCarty
Strange Angels, Lili St. Crow (tried it...I want to like it, I do, so perhaps I'll have to give it another shot some time.)
The Book Thief, by Marcus Zusak (We own it and it's just sitting there waiting to be read.)
Insatiable, by Meg Cabot
Runaway, by Meg Cabot
Blue Bloods, by Melissa de la Cruz
In Her Shoes, by Jennifer Weiner
Keeping Faith, by Jodi Picoult
The Sky is Everywhere, by Jandy Nelson
Deception, by Lee Nichols
Shade, by Jeri Smith-Ready
Just Listen, by Sarah Dessen
Along For the Ride, by Sarah Dessen

Also, I couldn't find a great image to go with this, but it's Banned Book Week. And while there are books that I won't read, for the most part they're not ever even found on those lists! For banned book week challenges, go here - and let me know what you're doing! Since I've read most on those lists anyways, I'm not doing anything special, but just thought I'd do a quick shout out.

Book to Movie: Minority Report, by Philip K. Dick

2010-08-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

It took Minority Report to open my eyes to a brilliant science fiction writer, Phillip K. Dick.

The Minority Report, 2002
starring Tom Cruise
rated: PG-13

Based on the short story by Philip Dick of the same name, and directed by the infamous Steven Spielberg, this sci-fi action thriller rivals The Matrix for sheer genius. Set in the future, 'Precrime' specializes in taking down would-be killers and other law-breakers by catching them before they commit the crime. The catch? They haven't actually committed it yet. But the precognitive psychics know they will, right? When John Anderton (Cruise) is confronted with his own name, he knows he's not a killer, and runs for his freedom. But actions have been set in motion, and before he knows it he'll be confronted with the ultimate question - does he have a choice?

A fabulous plot, a non-stop action movie, it was amazing from start to finish, and seriously just jaw dropping the entire time. Spielberg and others changed the plot, modernizing it from the original short story, making it better in a way. However, I didn't like some of the characterization - Anderton turns out to be a drug-user, and there are a couple of scenes that made you wonder if perhaps it ought to be rated R. That said, it was a top notch film all the way.

Graded an A-.

The Minority Report, by Philip K. Dick
Adult, 1956

With the same basic plot line as the movie, Minority Report confronts John Anderton with the fallacies behind 'Precrime'. Such a fabulous idea all packed into a few pages! I don't think it matters if you watch or read first, since they are so different in their styles. For coming out in the 50s, it was a short story way ahead of its time, yet so behind ours in many ways. Read it, and then check out his other works.

Graded a B+.

Need some motivation to read Philip Dick? What you don't know is that his short stories are the inspiration for these famous movies:
Blade Runner (1982)
Screamers (1995)
Imposter
Paycheck (2003)
Minority Report (2002)
Total Recall (1990)
The Adjustment Bureau (2010)

And coming soon:
King of the Elves (Disney, 2012)

Memory Monday: A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle

2010-08-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

This week we have a fine old favorite:

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle
Juvenile/Young Adult, 1962

Despite the rash of disappointing covers, this book remains a classic nearly 50 years later. The first in the series of book about the O'Keefe and Murray families, it is arguably the best. (This doesn't excuse not reading the rest.) Winner of the Newbery Award, this Sci-Fi/Fantasy favorite should be on your shelf!

Meg Murray has always felt a little 'off', not fitting in and being just too smart. Her disappeared scientist father plays the catalyst for her adventures, with a new friend Calvin and her genius little brother Charles Wallace helping her along the way. With new ideas like folding space and tesseracts, this book is a page-turner from start to finish.

Grade: A

The series includes: A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, Many Waters, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, although a few other books include characters from this series. Try L'Engle's other works and check out her website.

Review and Interview: The Body At The Tower, by Y. S. Lee

2010-08-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed A Spy In The House so much, that I gave it an A- AND offered it (or its sequel, The Body At The Tower) up for grabs in a giveaway.

I impatiently waited for The Body At The Tower to come, and while Amazon was a couple of days late (I gave the post man a pointed look when he handed it over.), it didn't lessen my excitement any! I immediately read and enjoyed Ms. Lee's latest and then I did something truly marvelous. I interviewed her! I don't do interviews as often as I should, but that's typically because I have to feel motivated to talk to that author. In this case it was a complete delight. But I'm getting ahead of myself....first the review!

The Body At The Tower, by Y. S. Lee
Young Adult, 2010

Mary Quinn is back again, this time trying to discover the mystery behind the suspicious death at the clock tower. Only this time, she's disguised as a boy. If only she didn't keep running into someone who sees past her disguise...

First, I want to say how much I love these covers. A Spy In The House has a similar one, and while the background is perfectly appropriate per the mystery, what I love best is the depiction of Mary. Her exotic looks draw questions to both her identity and heritage, which I won't giveaway since it's a nice subplot of book 1. The point is that the cover seems to catch that exotic flavor without being too obvious.
The story was intricate, like the last book, but this time disguising Mary as a boy, the way she was before she was rescued. Only, in this case it isn't for her safety, it's so she can more easily solve the case. I think I prefer Mary as a woman - she has more confidence and she just seems so much more like the powerful with-it girl she is. (Oh, don't worry, she's a woman plenty in this one, I was just musing about her personality.) And again, of course, I love the banter between her and J----. There were a couple of crass references to gender role - I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but a couple of suggestive comments sort of rubbed me the wrong way. However, I enjoyed the mystery, loved the romance, sighed heavily at the ending (since of course it leaves you on tenterhooks), and am eagerly awaiting the 3rd book (which I hear will be titled The Traitor and the Tunnel)!

Graded a B+.

And now for the interview!!!
Y. S. Lee kindly answered all of my questions, but in case you need more, her website is here.

1. Your PhD in Victorian Literature and Culture - first of all, I'm sure every female is jealous of such a fun degree, but second, what was your undergrad in? Did you get a masters? What motivated your PhD, and what was your Dissertation about?

My undergrad was a dual concentration in history and English literature, since I've always been reluctant to choose one over the other. I did get a Masters, but that wasn't focused on a particular area. I started my PhD because I thought I wanted to be a university professor. Although I changed my mind pretty quickly about that, I loved the research aspect and it was an easy decision to finish the degree. My dissertation was about working-class masculinity and the way it's represented in Victorian novels and autobiographies. It's published as Masculinity and the English Working Class and you can read a review of it here, if you're truly curious: http://inscribe.iupress.org/doi/abs/10.2979/VIC.2009.51.4.723

2. How many books will be in this series? Do you have any other series or novels planned? (Say yes, please. :)

This is a tricky question right now because I planned the Agency novels as a trilogy, but couldn't pack everything I wanted into the third book, The Traitor and the Tunnel. So I'm currently working on a fourth Mary Quinn novel. And yes, I have another stand-alone historical novel planned and a bunch of ideas for others, including another series.

3. Along those same lines, do you have a publication date and cover yet for #3?

The Traitor and the Tunnel will be published in spring 2012 by Candlewick (North America) and, tentatively, June 2011 by Walker Books (UK & World). I haven't seen the new Candlewick cover yet, but I'm so impatient. I know it's going to be gorgeous and relevant.

4. What kind of flowers would you want in your nosegay/tussie-mussie?

I love wildflowers, weeds and poppies, and all the kinds of flowers that Send the Wrong Message About a Young Lady.

5. I'd love to know what you're reading and enjoying - are you on Goodreads or Shelfari?

I love talking books but am terrible at updating book lists. I have a representative list up at LibraryThing: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/yslee/yourlibrary and started keeping track at my website: http://yslee.com/the-author/what-i-read/ but have fallen off the wagon (again). Sorry! Also, I just finished James Ruddick's Death at the Priory in one huge gulp, and recently really liked Armadillo by William Boyd and What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell.

6. Along THOSE lines, what are your top 10 favorite books - now, without looking around at shelves or peeking anywhere, just off the top of your head.

George Eliot - Middlemarch
Madeleine L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Jane Austen - Persuasion
Jane Gardam - Old Filth
Claire Tomalin - Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self
LM Montgomery - Emily of New Moon
Wilkie Collins - The Moonstone
Shakespeare - The Sonnets
Dorothy L. Sayers - Gaudy Night
Alan Moore & Kevin O'Neill - The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, vol 1

7. If you could only take 3 books with you to a deserted island, which 3 would they be?

Oh, man. Um, Middlemarch, the Sonnets and Gaudy Night. I'm going to move on now, because I could dither over this question all day.

8. What food would you never say no to?

Potato chips! (Tacky, I know.)

9. What books do you read to your little boy?

He likes a lot of made-up stories. In print, his current favourites are:
Sarah Hayes & Barbara Firth - The Grumpalump
Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler - Tiddler
Mara Bergman & Nick Maland - Oliver Who Travelled Far and Wide
Anna Dewdney - Llama Llama Red Pajama

10. And what is your favorite fashion bit about the Victorian era?

My favourite fashion factoid: after crinolines grew massive and women stopped wearing layer upon layer of petticoats, they could pee anywhere. Their pantalettes had a slit that just meant they stood with their feet slightly apart and let go. I have never tried to verify this claim because I'd be crushed if it were untrue.

I hope you enjoyed the interview - for those that want an extra entry to the giveaway, leave a comment here. A REAL comment, if you please. Perhaps what you'd put in a nosegay. Or what books you'd take to a deserted island...

Bruiser, by Neal Shusterman

2010-08-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Neal Shusterman is one of those authors you keep an eye on - whenever a book of his comes out I make sure I double check the flap to see if I want to read it. His stuff is sci-fi/fantasy at its best - well done, with an edge that sets him apart. I haven't read much of his, because reading him can be a bit stressful (I get nightmares easily. I know. I'm an adult, but that's just how my head works.), but I encourage those that haven't heard of him to try him - you won't regret it.

Bruiser, by Neal Shusterman
Young Adult, 2005

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Tennyson:
Don't get me started on the Bruiser. He was voted "Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty" by the entire school. He's the kid no one knows, no one talks to, and everyone hears disturbing rumors about. So why is my sister, Bronte, dating him? One of these days she's going to take in the wrong stray dog, and it's not going to end well.
Bronte:
My brother has no right to talk about Brewster that way - no right to threaten him. There's a reason why Brewster can't have friends - why he can't care about too many people. Because when he cares about you, things start to happen. Impossible things that can't be explained. I know, because they're happening to me.

First of all, don't you LOVE those names? I could totally name a little girl Bronte - how cute is that?! Second, uh, I'm not actually reviewing this. Trackgeek is. So he's going to take it away:

Trackgeek: I an incredibly interesting plot. I guess that I shouldn't give away what is going on with Brewster, because figuring out what's happening and how it affects him is fuel behind the plot. What I can say is that it is an interesting phenomenon that gets you thinking about what we give and take from those we love. It was very thought provoking while keeping your eyes wide open the entire time.
It was clean with some mild swearing. Highly recommended for teens on up.

Graded a B.

The Shadow of the Bear, by Regina Doman

2010-08-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Shadow of the Bear, by Regina Doman
Young Adult, 2002

In this modern day retelling of Snow White and Rose Red, Blanche and her sister Rose befriend a scruffy looking boy named 'Bear'. But Bear has a secret that he's hiding as he slinks between dark alleys at night and everyone seems to want to know where he lives...and does it have anything to do with the murder everyone's talking about?

I'm a big fan of fractured fairy-tales, so I was delighted to find yet another author to oblige. I realized just be looking at the cover (which isn't bad...not great, but not bad...) that it was published by a Christian publishing company. This can be a good and a bad thing - you get squeaky clean literature, but sometimes get distracted from the plot by sermons. This time around it was just clean - SO clean, in fact, that some teens might say it was unrealistic. I hope very much there are still teenagers like the ones portrayed in this book out there, that it isn't unrealistic - Christian or no.

Sorry for the brief soap-box. At any rate, it was a cute story with a twist of a mystery attached. It ended a bit too perfect like many fairy tales are apt to do, but it was an enjoyable read, and I hope to try her others at some future date.

Graded a B-.

Book to Movie (4): Basil of Baker Street, by Eve Titus

2010-08-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is technically a Memory Monday as well - Basil of Baker Street was published over 50 years ago and is found in the 'nostalgia' section of our library. A cute series of books, I read the first after finding out it was what the movie The Great Mouse Detective was based on:

Basil of Baker Street, by Eve Titus
Juvenile, 1958

Basil is the mouse-counterpart of Dr. Sherlock Holmes, and his stories are told from the viewpoint of his friend and colleague, Dr. David Q. Dawson. They are silly, cute, and imaginative little stories, perfect for whetting the appetite for future Holmes readers.
Suggested for ages 5 - 8 (ish).
Graded an A.

The Great Mouse Detective, 1986

More of a suggestion of the plots created by Eve Titus, the Great Mouse Detective's plot is much more complicated. While the story is as ridiculous as any child could wish for, it is a bit over the top. Clips of Basil Rathbone's voice (Sherlock Holmes in the old black and white series) are played in the movie, and Vincent Price plays the bad guy - of course. While the movie has it's place, may I recommend the book instead.
Graded a B-.

The Diamond Secret, by Suzanne Weyn

2010-08-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Once Upon a Time series has some gems and some let-downs, but when this retelling of Anastasia came out, I didn't hesitate to check it out of the library. A big fan of the Romanov mystery, I've always enjoyed the different conclusions authors come up with:

The Diamond Secret, by Suzanne Weyn
Young Adult, 2010

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Nadya is a mischievous kitchen girl in a Russian tavern. Having nearly drowned in the Iset River during the turmoil of the Revolution, she has no memory of her past and longs for the life she cannot remember.
Then two young men arrive at the tavern and announce that Nadya's long-lost grandmother has sent them to find her. Yearning for family and friendship, she agrees to accompany them to Paris for the joyful reunion. Nadya eagerly embarks on her journey, never dreaming it will be one of laughter, love -- and betrayal.

This read very similarly to the Disney movie that came out awhile back. Basically Anastasia has lost her memory and the guys that are in it for the reward money realize she's the real deal. While this version was a little more detailed, especially with the nitty grittys of traveling across Russia, Germany and into France on mostly foot, it did have the same basic but sweet romance and lovable characters. I did feel that the villain could have been...well, more a villain - it was a little underplayed. And the ending felt a little abrupt. However, it was a cute story, and a sweet version of what could have happened.

Graded a B-.

Want more fractured fairy-tales? Check out the entire series:
(I've read a variety of these, but don't typically review them. Violet Eyes has a link to my review, and I know Crimson Thread, while I didn't review it, I enjoyed quite a bit.)

The Storyteller's Daughter by Cameron Dokey (The Arabian Nights, 2002)
Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey (Sleeping Beauty, 2002)
Snow by Tracy Lynn (Snow White, 2003)
Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguie (The Little Mermaid, 2003)
Scarlet Moon by Debbie Viguie (Little Red Riding Hood, 2004)
Sunlight and Shadow by Cameron Dokey (The Magic Flute, 2004)
Spirited by Nancy Holder (Last of the Mohicans and Beauty and the Beast, 2004)
The Night Dance by Suzanne Weyn (The Twelve Dancing Princesses, 2005)
Golden by Cameron Dokey (Rapunzel, 2006)
Water Song by Suzanne Weyn (A Retelling of The Frog Prince, published October 2006)
Before Midnight by Cameron Dokey (Cinderella, published March 2007)
The Rose Bride by Nancy Holder (The White and the Black Bride, 2007)
The Crimson Thread by Suzanne Weyn (Rumpelstiltskin, 2008)
Belle by Cameron Dokey (Beauty and the Beast, 2008)
Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey (Mulan, 2009)
The Diamond Secret by Suzanne Weyn (Anastasia, 2009)
Winter's Child by Cameron Dokey (The Snow Queen, 2009)
Violet Eyes by Debbie Viguié (The Princess and the Pea, 2010)
The World Above by Cameron Dokey (Jack and the Beanstalk, 2010)

Review and Giveaway!: The Bent Sword, by Stephen Gashler

2010-08-18T06:00:00.001-07:00

A friend of ours from when my husband and I were dating, has recently published a book, and asked if we would review it. For those of you that don't know, we won't review a book sent to us by an author unless it's a B- or better so we only give them good press. AND, we're so cool, we're giving away a copy as well!

The Bent Sword, by Stephen Gashler
Juvenile/Young Adult/Adult, 2010

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
When a daydreaming peasant named Steffin decides to take control of his own destiny, an adventure begins that has serious consequences. Though his adventures are reckless, Steffin's passion is contagious, and he eventually recruits men to fight against his nemesis, the Lord of Boredom. Yet, the journey is difficult, and problems constantly block the path these comrades are taking. Will the Lord of Boredom succeed in quelling what could be the greatest of all adventures?

Trackgeek: I picked this up and could immediately tell this was my friend's voice coming out through the pages. The story was humorous and a bit farcical but was amusing and moved along well. I did like the device of the book within the book and the movement of dreams into life. It made for an interesting way to convey the power of our dreams and the ability for us to achieve great things in our lives. The voice of the story really feels like something that you would expect at a story-telling festival- quick moving, frequent plot twists and an ending that keeps the story alive.

Grade: B-

Giveaway:
This is U.S. only, ends September 17, 2010, and yes there are extra points available. One of them includes commenting on Stephen's blog...

To enter, fill out this form.

And p.s. for you international folk and everyone who just wants another great giveaway...don't forget to enter "A" Summer Giveaway! We're giving away two favorites, so hurry and enter!

Toads and Diamonds, by Heather Tomlinson

2010-08-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

When I first found this book, I wasn't particularly fond of the cover, but the title suggested a fractured fairy tale based on those two opposite sisters - one who was kind and had diamonds fall from her mouth, the other who was mean and ugly (of course) and had toads fall from her mouth. A fan of fairy tales, I put it on hold, and enjoyed this twist using Indian culture and lore added to a favorite story.

Toads and Diamonds, by Heather Tomlinson
Young Adult, 2010

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Diribani never expected to meet a goddess at the village well, much less one who grants her a remarkable gift: flowers and precious jewels drop from her lips whenever she talks. Tana is happy for her beloved stepsister, yet when she encounters the goddess, she finds herself speaking snakes and toads. While Diribani's newfound wealth brings her a prince, Tana is chased out of the village because the province's governor fears snakes, though thousands are dying of a plague spread by rats. As their fates hang in the balance, each sister struggles to understand her gift. Will it bring her wisdom, good fortune, love . . . or death?

I was intrigued by the idea of both sisters being decent - and although it's made clear that Diribani is beautiful and Tana is merely 'normal', I liked that they were basically on even ground as well. I expected a little more selfishness from the mother, and her character never seemed to get finished. The romance between the two couples was cute, but the ending stopped a bit too soon for me - so many questions were left unanswered.

Graded a B.

Heather Tomlinson has also written The Swan Maiden and Aurelie.

Memory Monday: Sabriel, by Garth Nix

2010-08-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Garth Nix is one of those intensely unique authors that is so individual that you either love or hate him. While he has a few books that I have read and 'nixed' (sorry...bad pun), for the most part it's hard not to love the imagination and writing of Garth Nix.
This is one of his young adult novels, the beginning in a trilogy:

Sabriel, by Garth Nix
Young Adult, 1995
Old Kingdom Trilogy, book 1

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
Sabriel is sent as a child across the Wall to the safety of a school in Ancelstierre. Away from magic; away from the Dead. After receiving a cryptic message from her father, 18-year-old Sabriel leaves her ordinary school and returns across the Wall into the Old Kingdom. Fraught with peril and deadly trickery, her journey takes her to a world filled with parasitical spirits, Mordicants, and Shadow Hands -- for her father is none other than The Abhorson. His task is to lay the disturbed dead back to rest. This obliges him -- and now Sabriel, who has taken on her father's title and duties -- to slip over the border into the icy river of Death, sometimes battling the evil forces that lurk there, waiting for an opportunity to escape into the realm of the living. Desperate to find her father, and grimly determined to help save the Old Kingdom from destruction by the horrible forces of the evil undead, Sabriel endures almost impossible challenges whilst discovering her own supernatural abilities -- and her destiny.

Trackgeek: The plot was absolutely fantastic. The details to the plot were incredibly creative and fascinating. The characters were well done - basically the guy can write. It was pretty dark - the evil guy is basically a world-class villain, but good conquers evil, and the girl gets the guy rounding out a nice ending.
Grade: Some of the best fantasy I've read in quite awhile, so I'm going to give it an A-.

Raspberry: It's been at least 6 or 7 years since I read this and I can't honestly grade it, but I do remember thoroughly enjoying it - enough to recommend it to Trackgeek and enough to try it out again soon!

Note: This is definitely for the older teen audience as well as adults.

Friday Finds

2010-08-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I love posts about new books to read and hope for. In fact, my TBR list is so large that I despair of ever finishing it. However, I can't seem to stop myself, and am sharing some find with you this week in hopes that I drag you all down with me. :)

The Shadow of the Bear, by Regina Doman
This is the first in a fractured fairy-tale series that I recently discovered through a friend on Shelfari. While I have no idea if they're any good or not, I am a fan of fairy tales, and they all sound delightfully unique.

Eon, Dragoneye Reborn, by Alison Goodman
This was recommended to me by my dad awhile back, but I just couldn't get up the motivation to read it. However, once I saw it on the YA Fantasy Tournament, I decided I was being silly. Eona must be the kind of character I'd love if she's that amazing, so it's back on my TBR list.

Cloaked, by Alex Flinn
January 25, 2011

Alex Flinn is the new buzz word around the internet, first and foremost for her upcoming movie based on her thoroughly enjoyable book, Beastly.
Wikipedia states:

Flinn has stated that her upcoming novel, titled Cloaked, is a melange of several fairy tales, including The Frog Prince, The Shoemaker and the Elves, and The Six Swans. Set in Miami, it tells the story of a teen who works at the shoe repair counter at a posh South Beach hotel until he is sent on a quest by a princess, whose brother has been turned into a frog and set loose in the Florida Keys.

The Magic Thief: Found, by Sarah Prineas
Having enjoyed the first two books in this series, I already have this on hold!

Just a note: A variety of blogs have Friday Finds on the web, and it's not something I came up with, merely a terrific idea I'm borrowing.

The Darkangel, by Meredith Ann Pierce

2010-08-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Darkangel, by Meredith Ann Pierce
Young Adult, 1982

from fantasticfiction.co.uk:
The servant girl Aeriel must choose between destroying her vampire master for his evil deeds or saving him for the sake of his beauty and the spark of goodness she has seen in him.

Ok, first, that description is so incredibly vague, and if you want to find more about The Darkangel and it's trilogy, check out the wikipedia description. Feeling more like a revamped fairy tale (no pun intended), this story is about how Aeriel becomes the maid of sorts for the Darkangel's wives. When he gets one more wife he'll become a full vampire and words like apocalyptic and end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it start being banded around.

I enjoyed the idea - the simple but kind girl who saves the man with remnants of good in him. It felt incredibly dark, however, and I just felt grey all over when it was done. I also wanted more interaction between her and the darkangel to make the love possible, but on the other hand...it worked as is. The story behind who he is was interesting and really added to the depth of the book, and I liked the pseudo-Aslan character as well, although I'm sure C. S. Lewis turned in his grave a bit.

Graded a B-.

Note: Things can get a little violent and/or graphic. It's not something you read to 'feel good', so perhaps lay off it when you're having a 'rainy day'. :)

If you liked this, you might enjoy these (or vice versa):
Companions of the Night, by Vivian Vande Velde
Midnight Predator, by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
The Silver Kiss, by Annette Curtis Klaus

YA Fantasy Showdown

2010-08-10T17:12:00.001-07:00

Ok, so a few blogs have a post up about this, and I just got so excited I have to too.
It's a battle of the fiercest, the best, the brightest of YA Fantasy characters, and they are oh so cleverly matched!
Check out the blog that explains why it was put up, the inspiration (go Drizzt!) behind the set up, and get ready to rumble!

Oh - and in case you didn't know - go to the character descriptions to read a little more about them and vote!

Book to Movie: Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke

2010-08-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

First off, I'd like to just stand up and brag a little - we're at 100 followers. I realize this isn't as much compared to a few old-timers out there with 1000, but it's a good start, and one I hope to keep going strong. So, woot!

Today's book to movie was a little differently approached. When I was a children's librarian, I noticed that Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke was immensely popular. While the back of the book synopsis didn't really get me at 'Hello', I appreciated that it catered to the right ages and let it at that.

A couple of years ago, however, the movie came out. When it did I heard a variety of oral reviews from children to adults either complaining about how the movie didn't do the book justice, or it was their favorite movie to date. Not having read the book and not feeling it was really my 'speed', I didn't bother watching it.

And then a couple of months ago Blockbuster went out of business in my area. I wasn't paying too much attention until someone said all movies were on huge discount. I hopped on over and was pleased to find a variety of movies for 3 bucks, some even cheaper. Inkheart was one of them, and I thought it was worth a shot.

And THEN, a couple of weeks ago we remembered we had it, pulled it out and watched it.

Inkheart (2008)
starring Brendan Fraser

from the Amazon.com review:
When Meggie’s father, Mo reads aloud from books, he brings the characters to life--literally. Mo discovered his power when Maggie was just a baby. He read so lyrically from the the book Inkheart, that several of the book’s wicked characters ended up blinking and cursing on his cottage floor. Then Mo discovered something even worse--when he read Capricorn and his henchmen out of Inkheart, he accidentally read Meggie’s mother in.

Meggie, now a young lady, knows nothing of her father's bizarre and powerful talent, only that Mo still refuses to read to her. Capricorn, a being so evil he would "feed a bird to a cat on purpose, just to watch it being torn apart," has searched for Meggie's father for years, wanting to twist Mo's powerful talent to his own dark means. Finally, Capricorn realizes that the best way to lure Mo to his remote mountain hideaway is to use his beloved, oblivious daughter Meggie as bait!

Raspberry: This is, of course, the premise for both the book and the movie. The movie is cute and well done considering...but really much more suited for children. I can't imagine ever really wanting to see it again, but it was enjoyable for a one-timer.
Graded a B-.

Trackgeek: The movie held fairly true to the book, except plot changes that made the movie not as open to a sequel as the book. In someways I liked the completeness of the movie better than the book (all though the whole happy ending part may seem more pat than the book). An enjoyable family movie.
Graded a B.

Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke
Juvenile, 2003

The plot is the same as the movie, although I didn't feel as motivated to read it as Trackgeek did. His review:

Enjoyable - I like the author's unique ideas, especially the effects of bringing characters to life from books by reading them out-loud. I liked the greater emphasis on the details of characters coming out of the book. It was more based on how good a person could read, etc. and it seemed more realistic than just they read and it happened. The characters were well done, doing a little more developing of Capricorn, and the author's intent. What's enjoyable is that the back story that the author never wrote applies to the characters, creating a base for a real person/character.
Graded a B.

Dull Boy, by Sarah Cross

2010-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Dull Boy, by Sarah Cross
Young Adult, 2009

from the publisher:
What do you do if you can deadlift a car, and you spend your nights flying to get away from it all? If you're fifteen-year-old Avery Pirzwick, you keep that information to yourself. When you're a former jock turned freak, you can't afford to let the secret slip.

Trackgeek:
Interesting twist on the superpower/mutant genre. One nice part of the book was that it didn't have the teenagers acting quite so much like college students like many other books in the Teen genre. Some good plot ideas, but over all not amazing. The highlight for me was the mention of Wagner's Ring Cycle and leitmotif.

Grade: B.

Book to Movie: Your Ideas!

2010-08-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

While we have slowly become experts on Books to Movies, I have been hoping to pick your brains for a few ideas. (I hate that expression.)
Perhaps you have an old favorite you'd like to tell us about:

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

Or a new favorite you're looking forward to:

Flipped, by Wendelin Van Draanen

We'd love to know what you're wishing we'd review!

A few coming up:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Inkheart
Random Harvest
The Man from Snowy River
The Inheritance

Book to Movie: A Gravestone Made of Wheat, by Will Weaver

2010-08-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

My mother is a big fan of independent films, something I typically don't have much use for. The script usually needs some work, the costumes, cinematography, etc. just isn't up to par. Ironically, I find the acting to usually be pretty decent, but rather than risk it, I usually just steer clear. However, visiting my family's place a couple of weeks ago I was told I just had to see this movie, Sweet Land.

Click to get the full effect of the picture...

Inge is a mail-order bride from Germany post WWII. The man she is to marry is an American farmer originally from Norway as well, and having never met they are to be wed the minute she arrives. However, no one trusts Inge and her German accent, and despite their best efforts no one will marry them. Inge steps up, though, and does the laundry, cooks good food, and helps harvest in the fields. And slowly, slowly, the local people come around as they see what kind of woman she is.

This is a sweet story, with plenty of humor. The scene above is Inge teaching her husband how to dance. I truly enjoyed the simplicity of the story and how well it was acted and played out. I wanted things to be slightly more fleshed out, and a few things were a big vague, but it was a cute movie that I hope to see again someday.

Graded a B.

After watching the movie we all wondered if it was based on a book. In fact, it's a short story by American author Will Weaver. Published in 1989, A Gravestone Made of Wheat is the very short but very to-the-point story of a young Norwegian-American farmer who receives a letter from his parents (back in Norway) about a young woman that would be willing to be his wife. He has no idea what she looks like and yet he knows he'll never get another opportunity, so he says sure send her on over. The writing is well done, the story cute, and the ending satisfying.

Ironically, it had one of the same problems as the movie - I wanted things to be much more fleshed out. I wanted to know more about these characters, who they were and the in-between bits you don't get to see. The ending was sweeter in the book, in a way that almost made me want to cry.

Graded a B.

I realize they both got the same grade, but if I had to pick I'd choose the movie to win for the details and extra scenes they were able to add. I felt the script, while lacking Weaver's touch, was still well done.

"A" Summer Giveaway

2010-08-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

This should make everyone excited....we're having a wonderful giveaway inspired by the summer. My father said he never really entered giveaways because I hadn't given away anything that I graded an A. I responded that of course I hadn't - I never wanted to give those away! But this time around we're offering two up for grabs (links to our reviews included) that we've read this summer:

A Spy in the House Or The Body at the Tower.
If you need to start the series or we'll preorder the sequel for you.

The Lady in the Tower OR Between Two Seas, by Marie Louise Jensen OR Daughter of Fire and Ice
All are historical fiction and stand-alone novels.

Also, if anyone would like to donate an "A" or "A-" book to the giveaway, please use the contact form on the right. We'd love to have you participate!

A few rules - PLEASE read for my sake. :)
1. There will be one US winner and one international - with the provision that The Book Depository ships to you.
2. These may be used and/or paperback depending on what I can find - I'm going for cheapest here, especially since there's two winners.
3. There will be a 'comment contest' - whoever is in the number one spot by the contest end gets an extra couple of points. Don't worry about adding those, I'll do it for you. You can see who's in the lead on the left side.
4. I have a number of family and friends that read this blog and who typically hesitate to enter. Please DO - I don't show favorites when drawing names with a random number generator. :)
This giveaway ends September 1, 2010. I'll draw names on the 2nd.

To ENTER - Fill out THIS FORM.

Friday Finds

2010-07-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Just an FYI - I've decided to stop 'numbering' my posts, whether they be Friday Finds or Book to Movies...etc. You can click on the appropriate label at the bottom of the blog to see more of the same.

I returned only this past Monday from visiting family. While it was both fun and exhausting, I did one of my favorite things while I was there. I browsed a local favorite bookstore of mine for new or rereleased titles in the young adult and juvenile sections. All of these are published already, so I hope that makes it easier to find them to read!

The Magician of Hoad, by Margaret Mahy

Hazel, by Julie Hearn

(she also wrote The Minister's Daughter and Ivy.)

Magic Below Stairs, by Caroline Stevermer

(Coauthored Sorcery and Cecilia with Patricia Wrede. She's a bit of a mixed bag, but you can always count on her for good plot ideas.)

Alphabet of Dreams, by Susan Fletcher

Crossing Stones, by Helen Frost

Reread: The Swan Maiden, by Zoe Marriott

2010-07-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile I reread a book that I've enjoyed. I don't usually review them, my justification being I already know I like them. Then I realized that of course I should be reviewing them, because who doesn't want a good book recommendation? I find I typically read books over again that got at least a B or higher. You can click on those labels at the bottom of the blog.

The Swan Kingdom, by Zoe Marriott
Young Adult, 2007

from the publisher:
Shadows fall across the beautiful, lush kingdom after the queen is attacked by an unnatural beast, and the healing skills of her daughter, Alexandra, cannot save her. Too soon the widowed king is spellbound by a frightening stranger, a woman whose eyes reflect no light. In a terrifying moment, all Alexandra knows disappears, including her beloved brothers, leaving her banished to a barren land. But Alexandra has more gifts than she realizes as she confronts magic, murder, and the strongest of evil forces, and is unflinchingly brave as she struggles to reclaim what is rightfully hers.

This is a fractured fairy-tale, of course, of the Seven Swans - you know, the time honored classic where the brothers are turned into swans by an evil witch who married their father. The sister has to knit shirts out of nettle in complete silence. It's a beautiful story, if done correctly. I've always been a big fan of Juliet Marillier's Daughter of the Forest (I love her poetic writing.), and read it shortly before my first reading of this version.

In this retelling, I completely adore the quiet romance that sidelines. It doesn't crowd out the main plot, but sweetens it instead. I love that there are only 3 brothers - heaven knows 7 can be hard to keep track of. It makes them more individual. Also, the witch step-mother is perfectly horrendous, someone you can truly hate. I could go on, but the fact is that Marriott is great at characterization, playing each as she would a game of chess, with the ending a satisfying checkmate.

Graded a B+.

Witch Dreams, by Vivian Vande Velde

2010-07-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Vivian Vande Velde (whose name I'm entirely jealous of) is one of those authors that you sit up and pay attention to. Her books have plots that are slightly atypical with an ending more ironic than expected, but frequently satisfying. When I come across a book of hers I haven't read (in this case, one that my library doesn't have, but my mother's did - hurray!), I always give it a chance. Oh sure, she's a bit of a mixed bag, but her books seem to stick with you - you never forget a Vande Velde book.

Witch Dreams, by Vivian Vande Velde
YA, 2005

from Booklist:
Ever since her parents were brutally murdered, 16-year-old Nyssa has searched for a way to confirm her suspicions about the killer, perhaps using her extrasensory ability to share in others' dreams--a dangerous gift that smacks of witchcraft. After one such "bespelling" reveals a flaw in her assumptions, Nyssa's investigations, combining supernatural elements and traditional gumshoe methods, end with a revelation about the facts as well as a thrilling psychological twist.

I must confess this was to date my least favorite of VVV's books. I was completely thrown off by her brother's....ah...situation as discovered at the end. I also thought that while the ending completely worked, it was a bit rushed. The whole story has hints of Nyssa being a bit mad - something you brush off as people not understanding her abilities. And yet...somehow you close the book wondering if she is truly a bit off. Or more than a bit. This made it harder to like Nyssa, and I like to enjoy my heroines. But then, this wouldn't be a VVV book without a little oddity mixed in, yes?

Graded a B-.

Cover note: Eh. Not a huge fan. I probably wouldn't have picked it up had it not been a VVV book.

A Summer of Kings, by Han Nolan

2010-07-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

A Summer of Kings, by Han Nolan
YA, 2006

from Booklist:
Overshadowed by perfect siblings and saddled with a reputation as a slow, stubborn, late bloomer, 14-year-old Esther expects the summer of 1963 to be life-changing. Her hopes are fulfilled when her parents offer a room in their Westchester, New York, mansion to an African American refugee from southern racial violence, whom some call a murderer, others a "victim of prejudice and circumstance." Recently introduced to the militant teachings of Malcolm X, 18-year-old King-Ray Johnson chafes at fraternizing with "white devils," but Esther's dogged overtures eventually result in a tentative, turbulent bond.

I enjoyed this sweet simple story, and was pleased to see Nolan's perspective on Malcolm X's ideas - ideas that rarely come out in a juvenile or young adult setting. I enjoyed watching myself both come to love and hate King-Roy. One of the final scenes is almost earth-shattering in its moment of truth, and I love that Esther 'comes into her own'. While the civil rights movements can bring a variety of emotions to surface, I appreciated that this was simpler, easier to understand. Nolan brings out the intensity of the situation without overwhelming you.

Graded a B.

Memory Monday: Last of the Breed, by Louis L'Amour

2010-07-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

As a teenager I almost wouldn't read anything but classics. Yes, I mean big thick doorstops like Oliver Twist, Les Mis, Anna Karenina, Count of Monte Cristo...I was, of course, not stupid enough to tell friends at school that's all that I read. I remember running out of books to read, and perusing my parent's bookshelves for something - anything - to read before bed. My dad had a stack of Louis L'Amours and I grabbed one. And then proceeded to read the rest of them as fast as possible. While westerns are just action/adventure books, with the plot remaining roughly the same, there was something inherently romantic about a cowboy's tale to a 14 year old.
For years, Louis L'Amour has regaled us with tales of the Old West of America. Cowboys, gunslingers, ranch hands, treasure hunting, Indians, wars, you name it, if it was there, it got talked about. These stories sum up to about 89 books, not counting poems, non-fiction, plays...

My favorite, however, is a bit of a departure for L'Amour. Last of the Breed is the more modern tale of Joe Mack, a U.S. Air Force Major whose aircraft is forced down in Russia. When he escapes a Soviet prison camp, he is forced to trek across the bitterly cold Russian land during winter, with only his Sioux instincts for a guide. Meanwhile, a Yakut native, Alekhin is tracking him to his death.

Ok, ok, it's a bit manly sounding. But the plot is intense enough to keep your focus and there is a bit of a romance. (I know, of all the places, the bitter snow-buried backwoods of Russia?!) Think the Bourne Identity without the gadgets.
Graded a B.

Not interested in westerns? Even this post couldn't get you hyped up? Then let me point you towards a few that might change your mind: (All by the same Louis L'Amour)
Passin' Through
Hondo
Son of a Wanted Man
Mustang Man
The Iron Marshall
Jubal Sackett

How do you read so many books?

2010-07-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how often I get asked this question. Usually it's by friends and family who are trying to understand how I juggle momhood with any kind of hobby at all. And while there are definitely times where packing in some reading time is hard...for the most part I don't have a hard time finding the time to read.
Let's put it this way. We all have hobbies, yes? And we all have a certain number of things that have to get done in a day, yes? And we all have just the 24 hours in a day...so the question is, what is it you do with those 24 hours to fit in reading? (Much less keeping up a current book blog!)

I find that when my child naps is a good time to get some rest myself. If I'm not tired, that means snuggling up to a good book. Other times I read in the evening for a few minutes before bed, something my husband does also. Beyond that are times we travel or go places where I can read - I always make sure I have a book at the ready. I'm also a big fan of enclosed playgrounds where I can let my little one run wild while I get a chance to read (unless, of course, I'm telling him not to eat rocks).

I know one woman who reads at red lights. She says she has it down to a science, and rarely gets honked at for missing the light change. Think that's desperate? I have resorted to reading while walking and pushing a stroller at the same time. It's a feat of multi-tasking for sure, not something I think most men could handle!

So how do you do it? When do you read and blog and read some more?!

The Education of Bet, by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

2010-07-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you haven't noticed my penchant for the 1800s...well, you don't read this blog enough then. I almost always pick up a cover with a girl in a fabulous period-piece dress, and if it has the barest semblance of an interesting plot then I check it out. I don't always strike gold, of course. But frequently....yes.

The Education of Bet, by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
YA, 2010

Elizabeth (Bet), is an intelligent girl in Victorian England, but without any chance of a real education. Her best friend Will has grown up by her side, wishing to go into the military instead of the schools their uncle sends them to. Bet comes up with a plan to switch places, she posing as a boy in school while he goes off to the glories of the military. At first it seems a crazy idea, but it works. And before she knows it, Bet is getting everything she dreamed of - with allies in unexpected places.

I loved the cover, which very nicely suggested anonymity for a 19th-century girl in a tricky situation. I was surprised by how thin it was, but dug in right away.
I enjoyed Bet's character for starters. While she seemed a little understated at times, I realized that was because of her situation in life and that time period when women were not allowed to go to school or really do much outside of the home. I also was worried about the switch, but Baratz-Logsted pulled it off well. It didn't seem too unrealistic, but still made you stress out about anyone discovering the ploy.
Overall, it was a sweet cute story, that made me laugh in a plenty of places. I wished for things to be fleshed out a bit - Will's story in the military, her studies and experiences in the classroom, etc. I also felt the ending was unrealistic in regards to the love interest. On one hand, it's believable, and of course you want people to end up with each other in the end, but it just seemed so....pat.
Despite little things like that, I recommend this for some light reading, perhaps at the beach this summer?
Graded a B-.

The Oracle of Dating, by Allison Van Diepen

2010-07-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Oracle of Dating, by Allison Van Diepen
Young Adult, 2010

from the publisher:
For five bucks, the Oracle of Dating will tell you:
* How to flirt
* If that cute guy you're crushing on likes you, too
* Whether your new romance will last through lunch period
* And much more
What she won't tell you? Who she is.

I think this was such a fabulous idea....I mean, I read the flap and thought 'hey, I want that job'. And her articles she writes for her blog are right on key - and sometimes hilarious to boot. While that part of the plot kept me going, the rest seemed to fall a little flat. In the end I enjoyed it, but not enough to pick it up and read it again. However, I am now officially a convert of the oracle of dating blog....
Graded a C+.

Book to Movie (3): Sleeping With the Enemy

2010-07-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty careful about what I watch, sifting out anything with the F-word or sex scenes, etc. But one weekend in college I was alone, and the movie Sleeping With The Enemy came on. The title sounded pretty risque, but I noticed Julia Roberts was in it, and since it was on TV it was edited down to a PG version. I intended to give it 5 minutes, but was hooked immediately, jaw on the floor the whole time. Now, years later, I decided to read the book:

Sara Gray fell in love with Martin Burney in what seemed like a fairy-tale romance. He was charming, knew all the right things to say, and everything seemed perfect. But on her honeymoon he hit her, and before she knew it, it had become a cycle. After each 'episode', he gives her a gift, and apologizes profusely...but she knows it'll just happen again. Carefully she plans an escape in faking her own death, knowing it's her one shot. Carefully, she changes her name, only takes jobs where she gets cash, and wears a wig. But she can't relax yet - somehow, Martin will find out. And when he does, he'll come and kill her.

After a summary like that, I'm sure you're wondering why I even read it. I have a relative who has been in a very similar relationship with an-ex husband, making it seem so very real. It was a bit much - the movie is over in an hour and half, but the book continues on for quite a bit longer than that. But Nancy Price has a way with words, and as she writes about the emotional turmoil in each of the character's minds, it's as if she's been through it all herself. While the story was incredibly stressful to read, it hit the nail on the head with all aspects of an abusive man and his constant desire to control and manipulate. If you know someone who always dates these kind of men, this may be the perfect book for them to read, and perhaps Price's complete understanding of the situation will help them leave before it's too late.
It had plenty of swearing, sexual tension, and she comments frequently on her sex life with Martin prior to his hitting her - how it was different. A very adult book, please be cautious in recommending it, particularly to women who may have been abused and are trying to heal.
While the writing was excellent, an A- for the most part, I'm going to grade the book overall as a B-.

Sleeping With The Enemy, 1991
starring Julia Roberts

The plot is nearly dead-on with the book, with only a few minor changes. I liked the movie better, hands down. While the book was well written, the movie made the plot simpler and easier, without too many details that weren't important. I also liked the ending better, it seemed slightly more hopeful in a release-your-breath-you've-been-holding way.
Graded a B.

Model Spy (The Specialists), by Shannon Greenland

2010-07-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Model Spy (The Specialists, book 1), by Shannon Greenland
Young Adult, 2007

from the publisher:
Teen genius Kelly James is in a lot of hot water. A whiz with computers, she agreed to help her college RA, David, uncover some top-secret information. After all, she doesn't have many friends and David has always been nice to her. All she has to do is hack into the government's main computer system. But a few hours later, her whole life changes. She is caught and taken in for questioning, only this isn't your run-of-the-mill arrest. Rather than serve a juvenile detention sentence, she accepts the option to change her name and enlist in a secret government spy agency that trains teen agents to go undercover. As if that wasn't overwhelming enough, she discovers that David works for this agency as well!

Teen agents is one of those ideas that's interesting when done well. I liked it, but wanted more meat, if that makes sense. Kelly is supposed to have a 191 IQ. You just assume it while seeing very few examples of her prowess. However, it was an engaging plot, with a fun idea. The rest of the series focuses on the other recruits. I might get to them one day, but I'm not dying to read them right this second.
Graded a B-.

The Wide-Awake Princess, by E. D. Baker

2010-07-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Wide-Awake Princess, by E. D. Baker
Juvenile, 2010

from the publisher:
Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie - blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic - can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen's true love to kiss her awake.
Joined by one of her father's guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family . . . and perhaps even find a true love of her own.

E. D. Baker (also known for The Frog Princess), has a knack for re-writing fairy-tales with her own unique voice. While The Frog Princess didn't wow me, this one completely delighted me. It was cute, it was sweet, and even funny. And more importantly, it was perfect for the age it was written for. This fun new version of The Sleeping Beauty is just the book to recommend for ages 10 - 13, particularly girls.
Graded a B.

The Karma Club, by Jessica Brody

2010-07-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

The premise for this book sounded so intriguing - a group of girls mete out justice in the name of karma - that I picked it up from the library as soon as I could. I was surprised to see that it was by Jessica Brody. She's the author of The Fidelity Files, which I had previously tried since I believe it's being made into a prime time TV show. Unfortunately it was rampant with F-words, so I immediately put it down. I was delighted to see, however, that her imaginative plots ranged to the young adult section.

The Karma Club, by Jessica Brody
Young Adult, 2010

Madison is plodding along through high-school, one step at a time, until one day she catches her boyfriend Mason two-timing her. Furious that karma hasn't stepped in yet, she forms The Karma Club, recruiting her friends who have been waiting themselves for karma to hit their exes upside the head. But just when Madison has everything figured out, she realizes she just might need to rethink her priorities if karma really is going to be balanced.

It's a fabulous plot idea - even one with a good moral. You wait and eventually people will get what's coming to them, so hang on.

My biggest pet peeve lately in young adult literature, however, is this tendency to make 16-year-olds act 21. I mean, her friends sneak her into a bar for her 16th birthday for crying out loud. The fact of the matter is that 16-year-olds are just that. 16. And they just haven't had the time/life-span yet to understand a few things. However much current television dramas encourage them otherwise, the fact is that being 16 is still young, life isn't perfect, you don't have all the answers or perfect comebacks, and high school boys are really NOT going to be the loves of your life. So, the fact that I read this book cover to cover without throwing it across the room for driving me nuts, is a testament to the enjoyable plot idea.

The characters are cute, the guy is too perfect, of course, but the ex-boyfriend is what's perfect. Seriously? He's exACTly what high school boys are like. I like that Madison learns a valuable lesson, fixes it, and moves on with her life. And I loved the pranks. LOVED the pranks. I laughed and laughed at those - I mean, who hasn't wanted to take the standard gorgeous girl down a notch?

Graded a B-.

Interview and Giveaway! L. M. Preston

2010-07-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today I have the opportunity to interview the lovely L. M. Preston:

The ideas for your books are so fun – particularly for The Pack? Where did you get them and what motivates you to get them on paper.

I wanted to write about missing kids escaping from captivity. Every day at my job, I passed a board of missing children. My heart went out to them, and I always hurt for their loss. Once a former colleague who’d been a police officer told me of a horrible case where he had located missing kids that were captured and being used in despicable ways by their captors who had enslaved them for years before disposing of them. These sad facts were the makings of The Pack.

How do you write? When?

I have a writing process that have gone through several changes and now I have found the best routine that fits me perfectly. I write the premise of the story, then do a character bio, collage of the world I’m building and create a chapter outline. Then I make myself take one month before I write. Believe me, that’s the hardest part. I usually take that time and play the story over and over in my head until most of the characters and plot is flushed out. Then I sit down to write. I usually write for 1 hour in the morning before I go to work and for 1 hour in the evening. On weekends I write for about 4 hours, but because I’m full of energy I write in 30 min sessions and take 10 minutes in between. I also love noise while writing so I tend to write on my porch while the kids are playing or I have to have a movie on.

How do you name your characters?

That’s a big secret that no one has caught onto yet. All of my main character’s names coincide with a unique purpose and trait of their characters.

SHAMIRA: Means, Guardian, defender

VALENS: means Healthy, strong and is of Latin origins. ( I actually wanted this name to be similar to my dad’s middle name – Valentino, since my husband wouldn’t let me use this name for my son.)

I noticed you lived in the Washington, DC area. What are your favorite spots?

I love the Washington Zoo, the Air and Space Museum, Georgetown, Rock Creek Park and Han’s point. Those were my favorite places to go when I was broke and wanted free entertainment. Not to mention the tons of free festivals given throughout the summer months on the Mall downtown.

What is your dream vacation? Where would you take your kids?

Well we love going to Hawaii. I even based the world I created for my upcoming book Bandits on the Hawaiian Islands. I would also love to take the family to Greece. That’s my dream, dream vacation and I promise myself that one day I will go there and take the kids with me. When they travel places I love to see their innocence and appreciation for new adventures. This year we drove to the Florida Keys and are going to Niagra Falls then to Ontario Canada. We can’t wait.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Don’t lose sight of the big picture. Once you start writing, create a platform and grow your network as you write. Join writer’s forums, start a blog where you review books. Learn the publishing business and remember at the end of the day you never give up. Map out your plan A, B and C. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box in relation to your success and define what success is to you. At the end of this journey, your happiness is what matters.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I hope that anyone that reads my books grab and absorb the underlying message in all of them. That no matter what you’ve been through, where you are at, you have the power to change and control your destiny.

If you could mirror the career of any other author, who would it be and why?

I would love to be like James Patterson. He has tentacles reaching in all genres and also co-authors with others while realizing that publishing is a business. He is always trying new ways to market his stuff. He’s a writer and a marketer. In addition to marketing his work well, his stories are fast-paced, interesting and enjoyable.

What has made you the person you are today?

I love this question. I’ve become the person I am today because of all the hurdles, trials, mistakes and tenacious spirit of hope that I have. These lessons I weave into my writing for young people, because my readers value being portrayed as smart, resourceful and fearless – which are the traits that most teens have.

What is the most interesting thing about you?

That I’m not what I seem. Most of my peers in the engineering world were shocked that I had a creative side. Most engineers are considered nerdy. Also, the fact that I’m an African American woman that loves to write science fiction. Even my friends were shocked with that. I believe that most people have varied sides to themselves that they have yet to explore. In addition to all of the above, I accomplish tons of stuff at one time. The reason…I just can’t help myself. It’s the way I’m wired. I write, work a full-time job, volunteer with MWA (Maryland Writer’s Association), teach college courses part-time and am a wife whose husband indulges her in the many vacations needed to keep my creative juices running. I kick out about 4 books a year simply because I love the writing process. I never complain about how busy I am, because for some reason I have this need to reach all of my dreams before I leave this place, and my goodness I’m gonna try.

What is the worst book you’ve ever read? Why?

Uh-oh, I hate this question because as an author I realize that my opinion is strictly that, my opinion. Let’s just say that the worst book I’ve read is a highly popular book that bored me to death and made me want to reach within the novel and choke the main character that was weak and suffered from co-dependency to the point where the secondary character was way more interesting. Now with that said, the premise of the book kept me reading in hopes that the main character would change. Only problem was it took 2 additional books within the series for it to happen.

What are you working on now?

Bandits, the first in a two book series, is about a teenage boy who was raised as a thief and mercenary by his renowned father. His relationship with his father was strained due to his father’s refusal to continue his role as a leader of the Zukar. With his father’s murder, he discovers that his father snatched then hid a treasure that is not only worth killing for – but holds a power beyond mortal control. He sets out with his brother and friends to find the treasure before his father’s murderer does. His time is running out as the killer closes in, and the price to stop the inevitable destruction of his world becomes higher than he could ever pay.

Explorer X – Beta is the second book in the Explorer X series and will be full of surprises. The world I created for this book has me excited. This will ultimately be a four book series that will come to a climatic end that is so unpredictable yet powerful. I can’t wait. I’ve outlined the entire series and am finishing up the first draft of Explorer X-Beta, which is scheduled to come out Fall of 2011. In Explorer X-Beta, Aadi realizes that it’s okay to make mistakes, that leaning on your friends make you stronger, and that people are not always what they seem. I’ll give you a hint, he’s on his way to save Dakota and Carter, but in doing so, unveils something about the species in which he and the others were created from. The depth of the deception of TECRC becomes more obvious, and the burgeoning power of each character comes to the surface.

The Pack – Retribution, brings Shamira back where she struggles with being a leader and burying herself back within. Her trust and friendships are further tested. This is due out in Spring, 2012.

Check out L. M. Preston's websites and blogs:

I love people to check out my blog which is http://lmpreston.blogspot.com also I’m having a Virtual Book Release Party with a giveaway of a free hotel night stay among other party favors at http://bookpartylmpreston.blogspot.com

To find out about my upcoming books check out. www.lmpreston.com

And here's the trailer for her latest book, The Pack:

And now that you've come this far, I'm hosting a giveaway! There will be TWO winners...

1) The publisher is offering one signed copy, a poster, and magnet.
2) I'm offering up my copy as well to a second winner.

The giveaway IS international, so let everyone know. Please fill out this form - no comment entries please.

Book to Movie (3): Stardust, by Neil Gaiman

2010-07-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am typically NOT a fan of Neil Gaiman. I know I've just shocked a few people, but he's just too much for me on so many levels....I mean, come on. Mirrormask? Really? I couldn't even figure what it was about. But the one book I tried of his that I enjoyed (please note the grade given...) was Stardust.

Stardust, by Neil Gaiman
Adult, 1997

Tristram journeys over The Wall to find a star that fell for his true love. But the faerie land will provide a series of adventures that forever changes who he is and what he will become.

I snatched this one on a whim many years ago, wasn't a huge fan, and forgot about it until the movie came out. Because the book hadn't been that memorable in a good way, I didn't bother watching the movie. But my husband and I sat down on a reliable source's recommendation and enjoyed the adaptation - enough for me to re-check out this book that I'd forgotten all about.

I have to say this - Gaiman can write. The guy's just got skills. I can't find fault with that at all. However, I was puzzled why a delightful idea for a new fairy tale had to include a couple of sex scenes. Both are limited to one short page, and both are easily skippable, but it bothered me quite a bit. Otherwise it's a very cute story. It's a bit out there, of course - I mean, I did warn you that Gaiman is...well, the writer-version of Tim Burton in a way. And that can mean his stuff is just plain odd. However, it is delightfully imaginative and completely unique for once (instead of a fractured fairy tale which lately has been just overkilled.).
I have to grade a few things separately:
Writing gets an A-.
Plot gets a B-, and if I was being mean about the sex scenes it would be a C+.

And can I just say that since it's been made into a movie does not entitle it to be shelved in the teen section? I know teens might be looking for it, but to me it clearly felt like an adult book...

Stardust, 2007
starring: Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer

The plot line was changed a little - minor details that might drive the more purist Gaiman fans nuts, but made it all the better for me. The movie is PG-13, but was quite clean. I also loved the ending better - it seemed to work better with a fairy-tale story. The acting was fun - no one was horrid, and the dead ghost princes made for a bit of comic relief, which was hilarious. Claire Danes was far superior to her counter-part, but it's overlookable when so much is happening, you don't have time to analyze little moments.

Graded a B+.

The Lady in the Tower, by Marie-Louise Jensen

2010-07-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

I saw this on a couple of TBR lists out there and was intrigued by the summary. However, I immediately hit a dead-end when I tried to find it. Looking it up on Amazon, I discovered only used copies were available since it has so far only been published in the UK. This is the same for her other works.
I purchased what promised to be a ratty beat-up copy of the book, and settled down with pages falling out of it yesterday. I finished it in an inordinate amount of time, holding up my hand to stall any nosy questions in the middle of my adventures with Eleanor (the heroine).

The Lady in the Tower, by Marie-Louise Jensen Young Adult, 2009

from the publisher:
Spring 1540 I am afraid. You are in grave danger. Mother, will you run away with me if I can free you? The servants call it the Lady Tower: the isolated part of the castle where Eleanor's mother is imprisoned after a terrible accusation. For four years Eleanor's only comfort has been their secret notes to one another. A chance discovery reveals a plot to murder her mother. Now Eleanor must free her before it is too late. But with danger and betrayal at every turn, she can trust no one. Especially not her father. Eleanor must use all her cunning to survive. For she soon realises that it is not just her mother she needs to save ...but also herself.

While things initially got off to a slow start, it didn't take long for things to pick up. I was thoroughly entranced with the main character, Eleanor, who Jensen had the sense to write as the age she is - 15. And the history was absolutely fascinating. I'm incredibly picky with historical fiction, and usually won't read it (although Mary Hooper is an obvious exception). However, in this case Jensen was accurate, thorough, and completely enjoyable. I particularly loved the jousting tournament - I was literally on the edge of my seat. The ending was a bit too good to be true, but really, I wouldn't want it any other way.
There are some very adult themes in this book, which is why it's young adult. Also, the beheadings that Henry the VIII was so famous for are described here - not as gruesomely as they could be, but nevertheless something to be wary of if recommending to younger readers.
Graded an A-.

Truly, Madly, by Heather Webber

2010-07-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Truly, Madly, by Heather Webber
Adult, 2010

The cover makes this book look like chick-lit with a capital C. However, if you take a chance and read the back, it turns out it's a mystery?! A fan of solving the unsolvable, I checked it out, intrigued.

Lucy Valentine comes from a long line of matchmakers. Professionally they have a 98% success rate, baffling competition, but their secret is the ability to see auras, matching them up without even bothering to look at their questionnaires. Lucy is the only one of her family without the gift - instead she seems to have the rather silly gift of being able to find objects. When her father needs her to take over the business for a few weeks, she balks. But rent is due, and really...it's in her blood, right? As Lucy tries to match up clients, she begins to see things they've lost. Until she shakes one man's hand and sees a dead body.

The premise is intriguing, and really, overall the mystery is a lot of fun. I didn't like her parents - the whole 'pretending' to be married bit really bothered me. But the PI who helps her out, her quirky chauffeur...there are some lovable characters here. The ending was a little too much of a surprise, but along the way it was quite difficult to guess who-dun-it, which was good enough for me. I liked her new-found confidence and how she used her ability to do worthwhile things, although some of the characters believing she had this ability so quickly was a bit hard to swallow.
This is an adult book, so plenty of sexual tension, but no sex scenes and no one does anything of the kind. Light swearing as well.
Graded a B-, and I'll probably pick up the sequels to read as they come out.

Everlasting, by Angie Frazier

2010-07-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

Everlasting, by Angie Frazier
Young Adult, 2010

I picked up this book because of it's perfect fairy-tale cover. It reminds me of The Little Mermaid, but for an older generation. I was also pleased to see that there's water in it - so it's perfect for the Books and Bikini's Summer Reading Challenge!

Camille Rowan sales aboard her father's ship in 1855. Engaged to a man who will solve all their financial problems, this is her last opportunity to spend time with her father and enjoy her freedom. But when the ship goes down in a storm, taking her father with her, Camille sets out on a voyage of her own. Her long-lost mother, a map, a cursed stone, and a sailor that is stirring her heart into something more than friendship make it the adventure of a lifetime.

I love stories set in the 1800s - however realistically boring it probably was to live at that time, I find myself easily carried away by those gorgeous dresses, and the dramatic adventures the heroines seem to live. This book was no exception. Camille is for once a girl that acts her age - 17. She has her shallow moments with regards to the handsome ship boy Oscar, and she makes irrational and irresponsible choices that even a well-mannered intelligent teenager can make. I thoroughly enjoyed the card-shark-turned friend who helps them along the danger-fraught mission, and Oscar was entirely loveable, although a little too patient with regards to Camille figuring things out.
The story itself was a bit out there, almost Lloyd Alexanderish in its oddness, but despite that and the bits that were of course unrealistic, it was an engaging story.
There's a scene of some strong sexual tension, but no one does anything naughty. There is light-swearing from sailors and the like.
Graded a B-.

Give Up The Ghost, by Megan Crewe

2010-07-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Give Up The Ghost, by Megan Crewe
YA, 2009

Publisher's Description:
Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts to 'breathers.' Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable. They know the dirt on everybody . . . and Cass loves dirt.
She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of all of the poseurs in her school. But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her help to contact his recently deceased mother, but Cass is less than enthusiastic.
Kicking and screaming, Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life. And she's more surprised than anyone when she realizes that maybe some living people aren't so bad if she'd only give them a chance.

Raspberry:
I was delighted to come across an ARC of this at a thrift store. I read it almost immediately, and was sucked in within the first few pages. Cass is right - who doesn't love dirt on other people? After awhile, though, I found her gossip and desire to shun everyone around her annoying. It makes sense considering her situation, but I breathed a sigh of relief when she finally started to make friends with Tim. I was also pretty exasperated by how deep the ending was supposed to be in regards to Tim. The guy turns out to be pretty messed up emotionally, making the light-hearted growing up story finish a bit depressing.
Graded a B-.

Spoiler Discussion!
I can't talk about this in the review in case others haven't read it, but this has been driving me nuts. Stuff like this happens in other books too, so expect these as a regular part of my reviews from now on. :)
So Tim. I don't want to try and lessen the loss of a parent any, but I think suicide (or in this case attempting it) is a bit drastic of a consequence. I haven't personally lost a parent, but I have lost grandparents, friends, and other relatives. Perhaps it's because he didn't have much of a support system and his grief needed an outlet - that I can see. But in the real world, I think a lot more adults would have been on top of it making sure he was alright.
What do you guys think?