So, I started a new job this week and I'm still adjusting to a new, busier, crazier schedule. But the good news: I like the job so far! Better news: it's Friday!
I'm super excited about Maggie Stiefvater's new book The Scorpio Races. You should all check out her trailer for it, which I have conveniently put in this post...enjoy!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Review - Chime
Chime, by Franny Billingsley
Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.
Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know. -summary from Goodreads
I absolutely adored this book, and would read it again in a heartbeat. The writing style is lyrical and musical and haunting; perfect for a book that is set in this world, but has a part of it in another world. I loved the characters. Briony, Eldric, Rose, Tiddy Rex...even the characters who don't get a lot of page time are fully developed. By the end of the book, you know them. And no one is a caracature. I loved Briony's sass and spirit, even though her heart was broken; and I loved that Eldric was fun and irreverant, but with a hidden maturity. And as far as the story goes, I loved the way it unfolded so delicately. You know pretty early that there's more to the story than what Briony knows and believes, but you have to stick with her as she finds it out.
Bottom line: read this book!
Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.
Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know. -summary from Goodreads
I absolutely adored this book, and would read it again in a heartbeat. The writing style is lyrical and musical and haunting; perfect for a book that is set in this world, but has a part of it in another world. I loved the characters. Briony, Eldric, Rose, Tiddy Rex...even the characters who don't get a lot of page time are fully developed. By the end of the book, you know them. And no one is a caracature. I loved Briony's sass and spirit, even though her heart was broken; and I loved that Eldric was fun and irreverant, but with a hidden maturity. And as far as the story goes, I loved the way it unfolded so delicately. You know pretty early that there's more to the story than what Briony knows and believes, but you have to stick with her as she finds it out.
Bottom line: read this book!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Review - Under the Dome
Under the Dome, by Stephen King
Under the Dome begins with a bang - literally. A mysterious force field appears out of nowhere, causing plane crashes and car crashes along the perimeter of Chester's Mill, Maine. All attempts at breaching the Dome -- from acid to bombs -- fail. The town's population -- at least those who were in town on Dome Day -- are stunned and confused. Some in the town have big secrets to hide, others see this as an opportunity to seize power and control, some see the Dome as their chance to get away with whatever they want, and others are just trying to figure out what in the world is going on.
I read this book for book club, and have to say that I really enjoyed it. I haven't read a ton of Stephen King's books, but of the few I've read this is my favorite so far. I don't really do horror, and this was more of a drama/adventure/mystery type book. Horrific only as you see what kinds of things human beings are capable of doing to each other (and I will admit, there were a few things that made me go ewwwwww. Junior, you are one sick puppy). Sometimes I have a problem with King's pacing in his books, but this book was very well-paced for such a huge story. I was also impressed with the characterization in the book, particularly given the large cast of characters. There was a fun good guys-bad guys element to the book, which was also maddening at times because WHY ARE THE BAD GUYS GETTING AWAY WITH THIS JUNK! I was invested, that's for sure.
Bottom line: fun, entertaining, and slightly disturbing.
Under the Dome begins with a bang - literally. A mysterious force field appears out of nowhere, causing plane crashes and car crashes along the perimeter of Chester's Mill, Maine. All attempts at breaching the Dome -- from acid to bombs -- fail. The town's population -- at least those who were in town on Dome Day -- are stunned and confused. Some in the town have big secrets to hide, others see this as an opportunity to seize power and control, some see the Dome as their chance to get away with whatever they want, and others are just trying to figure out what in the world is going on.
I read this book for book club, and have to say that I really enjoyed it. I haven't read a ton of Stephen King's books, but of the few I've read this is my favorite so far. I don't really do horror, and this was more of a drama/adventure/mystery type book. Horrific only as you see what kinds of things human beings are capable of doing to each other (and I will admit, there were a few things that made me go ewwwwww. Junior, you are one sick puppy). Sometimes I have a problem with King's pacing in his books, but this book was very well-paced for such a huge story. I was also impressed with the characterization in the book, particularly given the large cast of characters. There was a fun good guys-bad guys element to the book, which was also maddening at times because WHY ARE THE BAD GUYS GETTING AWAY WITH THIS JUNK! I was invested, that's for sure.
Bottom line: fun, entertaining, and slightly disturbing.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Odds and ends
Hello strangers! I have been prepping for vacation, going on vacation....and I'm not quite advanced enough yet in this blogging thing to have prepared stuff to post while I'm gone so...there you go. Of course I've still been reading, and will hopefully get back to posting regularly very soon. In the meantime, happy reading everyone!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Review - What Happened to Goodbye
What Happened to Goodbye, by Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen has quickly become one of my go-to, contemporary YA authors. When I'm in the mood for a story with heart and humor, and a story with characters that you grow to love, and a romance that feels real and honest, I reach for a Dessen book. What Happened to Goodbye is her newest release. Since her parents divorce, Mclean has lived mostly with her dad, moving around every few months with his job as a restaurant consultant. She uses these moves as a chance to reinvent herself. New name, new girl. A way to avoid her anger and inner turmoil after her parents divorce; a way to avoid getting too close to people. She doesn't have to be real, she just has to slide into her role. But Mclean's walls start crumbling when she and her dad move to yet another town, and Mclean makes some friends that force her to be genuine, make connections, and work through her past.
Again....I loved, loved, loved this book. My only "complaint" -- if you can call it that -- is that Dessen just leaves me wanting more. More Mclean, more Dave, more Riley, more Deb.
Bottom line: pick up this book when you're looking for a comfort-food kind of read.
Sarah Dessen has quickly become one of my go-to, contemporary YA authors. When I'm in the mood for a story with heart and humor, and a story with characters that you grow to love, and a romance that feels real and honest, I reach for a Dessen book. What Happened to Goodbye is her newest release. Since her parents divorce, Mclean has lived mostly with her dad, moving around every few months with his job as a restaurant consultant. She uses these moves as a chance to reinvent herself. New name, new girl. A way to avoid her anger and inner turmoil after her parents divorce; a way to avoid getting too close to people. She doesn't have to be real, she just has to slide into her role. But Mclean's walls start crumbling when she and her dad move to yet another town, and Mclean makes some friends that force her to be genuine, make connections, and work through her past.
Again....I loved, loved, loved this book. My only "complaint" -- if you can call it that -- is that Dessen just leaves me wanting more. More Mclean, more Dave, more Riley, more Deb.
Bottom line: pick up this book when you're looking for a comfort-food kind of read.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Giving Books a Chance
How much of a chance do you give a book before you put it to the side as "not for me." Do you commit each time you open the pages of a book, slogging your way through if necessary because you can't bear to not finish it once you've started? Or are you like me -- giving a book maybe 50 pages to become at least minimally appealing. I used to stick with my reading commitments more strictly, but in recent years, I've realized I just don't have time to read a book I'm not enjoying.
But here's where my habit becomes a dilemma: what do you do when a friend hands you a book saying "this book is amazing! You have to read it!" And then you just don't like it. Or can't get into it. Do you hand it back with a simple "I couldn't get into it." Or do you persevere because of your regard for the friend?
For me, I think it depends on the friend, knowing them well enough to know what they would do in the same situation. Knowing them well enough to know if their feelings would be hurt by casual disregard of the book. And knowing them well enough to know how important the book is to them.
But here's where my habit becomes a dilemma: what do you do when a friend hands you a book saying "this book is amazing! You have to read it!" And then you just don't like it. Or can't get into it. Do you hand it back with a simple "I couldn't get into it." Or do you persevere because of your regard for the friend?
For me, I think it depends on the friend, knowing them well enough to know what they would do in the same situation. Knowing them well enough to know if their feelings would be hurt by casual disregard of the book. And knowing them well enough to know how important the book is to them.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Review - Demon Trapper's Daughter
Demon Trapper's Daughter, by Jana Oliver
(This may be a first! A review written and posted immediately after finishing the book)
Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on… Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen. But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life? (summary from GoodReads)
The Demon Trapper's Daughter was a quick, action-packed read. I liked Riley, and believed that she was a 17 year old girl. In some ways an adult, and in some ways still young (and stubborn and impetuous and emotional). She's brave, but at the same time scared. I also liked Beck, Riley's father's trainee and Riley's former-crush-now-kind-of-big-brother-but-not-really. Although at times, I felt his character fell a bit into too much of a cliche. And I look forward to seeing if some of the other secondary characters - Peter, Simon, Oli, and even Martha - are fleshed out a bit more in the upcoming books. I hope they are. I also liked the concept of the book -- it made me nostalgic for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, and would definitely appeal to fans of those shows (like me!) The only real hangup I had with the book, is that the world building was lacking for me. The setting - urban Atlanta - was spot-on. I could see Atlanta around me. But the foundation of this alternate reality just wasn't developed enough for me. What are the rules of this world? Why are things the way they are?
Maybe not the best book I've ever read, but over all an enjoyable book. A nice quick read if you're in the mood for action and butt-kicking.
(This may be a first! A review written and posted immediately after finishing the book)
Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on… Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen. But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life? (summary from GoodReads)
The Demon Trapper's Daughter was a quick, action-packed read. I liked Riley, and believed that she was a 17 year old girl. In some ways an adult, and in some ways still young (and stubborn and impetuous and emotional). She's brave, but at the same time scared. I also liked Beck, Riley's father's trainee and Riley's former-crush-now-kind-of-big-brother-but-not-really. Although at times, I felt his character fell a bit into too much of a cliche. And I look forward to seeing if some of the other secondary characters - Peter, Simon, Oli, and even Martha - are fleshed out a bit more in the upcoming books. I hope they are. I also liked the concept of the book -- it made me nostalgic for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, and would definitely appeal to fans of those shows (like me!) The only real hangup I had with the book, is that the world building was lacking for me. The setting - urban Atlanta - was spot-on. I could see Atlanta around me. But the foundation of this alternate reality just wasn't developed enough for me. What are the rules of this world? Why are things the way they are?
Maybe not the best book I've ever read, but over all an enjoyable book. A nice quick read if you're in the mood for action and butt-kicking.
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