Fluidity of Time

Pure by Julianna Baggott

2012-02-12T13:02:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads): We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .
Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.
Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .
There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.
When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

And here's what I thought: You know, I am pretty sure I will not be able to do justice to this book in this review. That might sound like a strange thing to say, but I have come to realize, after reading a few reviews on other blogs, it's clear that I'm probably not going to be able to do as good of a job.   So, I'll keep this brief, and give you links to two of the reviews I saw recently that were really well written (Lit Addicted Brit and The Book Smugglers)

I think this is a book that readers will either really love, or really dislike. I really liked this book. In fact, I liked it so much that I stayed up way to late to finish it (guaranteeing I'd be drinking an extra soda the next day at work to keep my eyes open), and when I got to the end and discovered it was "Book #1", felt like throwing it because I couldn't believe I was going to have to wait to find out what happened next.

As you can see from the above summary, this book takes place after a cataclysmic event, and where some people have been able to escape into a Dome, which protects them from the harmful effects. Those effects on the rest of the population are pretty horrendous --- people are fused to different things, or each other, when the Detonations hit.   I think this is one of the things that set this book apart for me, from different post-apocalyptic books I've read: that the survivors and the environment have been completely changed in such a way that in some instances, they have been combined. There is a horror element to this that really had me pausing at points just because I was trying to imagine what this would look like.   I liked that --- I like being completely horrified by something in a book because it's so fantastically awful and fascinating at the same time.

The characters in this book really ranged from likeable to unlikeable for me --- I liked Pressia, but didn't always like Partridge .... but that was okay, because I found them interesting. Perfect? No. But interesting? Yes.   And there are some oddball characters thrown in there as well, where I wasn't sure why they were there or what they had to do with the story.   However, I don't always need there to be a reason for someone; sometimes, it's enough just to encounter someone and leave it at that (after all, everyone we meet in our daily life doesn't have a huge, lasting impact).

I think what I probably liked the most about this book was the writing. The author does a good job with describing the people, the setting, etc. in a way that I could imagine those things clearly. I never felt like her writing was overwrought, or that the dialogue was weird (a pet peeve of mine is when people speak in such a way that it's completely unbelievable).   I felt like the author created this awful, fascinating world and I just couldn't help but turn the pages (even if I had to pause occasionally to just take it all in). Some things were a little predictable, but then something else would be revealed and completely blow my mind -- and I liked being kept off balance like that.

So, I'm going to leave it at that. For me, this book had the right combination of pacing (at times, a bit slow, but I was okay with that), interesting characters, a storyline that kept my attention, and an overall idea that I found interesting (the whole elite small group of survivors versus the large group of scarred survivors who are rebelling).   This won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I think it's a fine addition to the newest wave of dystopian books, and a story that I think would appeal to adults and older teens.   Personally, I really enjoyed this book and now can't wait for the next installment.

First lines: There was a low droning overhead a week or so after the Detonations; time was hard to track. The skies were buckling with dark banks of blackened cloud, the air thick with ash and dust. If it was a plane or an airship of some sort, we never knew because the sky was so clotted. But I might have seen a metal underbelly, some dull shine of a hull dipping down for a moment, then gone. We couldn't yet see the Dome either. Now bright on the hill, it was only a dusky glow in the distance. It seems to hover over the earth, orb-like, a lit bobble, unattached.

Thoughts on the cover: Perfect. Eye-catching and completely relevant to the story, it's what I consider to be an excellent job of the cover art matching the book, and also selling the book (it draws the eye, making you pick it up .... and then the synopsis inside the cover does the rest).

The Truth About Us by Dalene Flannigan

2012-02-10T08:47:00.005-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads) : What happens when the past catches up to the present and the truth surfaces? Three women, roommates back in college, find their lives forever altered when one of them feels compelled to confess the secret sin of their past.

And whose truth is it?

'The Truth About Us' weaves the past and the present in a page-turner that explores the shifting quality of truth, and the cost of secrets.

And here's what I thought:   I have to admit, I wound up liking this book a lot more than I thought I was going to. Not that I didn't think I was going to like the book .... but I found that I was eagerly reading it, and whipping through parts of it because I couldn't stand to not know what was going to happen next.

As you can see from the summary, this is the story of 3 women, all very different from one another, but who share an awful secret. The story is told from all three of their viewpoints (although not necessarily in first person), and alternates between them. Grace, the first woman we meet in the story, was probably the one I liked best of the women, although I liked Erica, as well. She has a straightforward way of thinking, and a wry sense of humor that I liked. She is the one who tells the story in first person (which is a clue).

Erica is the next one we meet. She's married, and has just discovered her husband has been unfaithful. What I found interesting about Erica is that she's very private, but her inner thoughts are definitely revealing -- and intriguing. I won't say that I liked her 100% of the time, but actually, when she's interacting with Jude, I did like her. She has a way of using humor as a defense, deflecting some of what Jude is intent on pushing onto her.

Jude, the third woman, is difficult to like. At least, I found I didn't like her. She is the roommate that was the big partier, the drinker, the one who slept around. Now, she has found Jesus --- which is just fine, but now, she feels like she needs to confess this secret from their shared past .... and she's really, really pushy about it. And self-righteous, which is probably the most annoying thing about her. I understood that Jude had issues from her own past, and I had some sympathy for her ---- but her single-minded determination to do what she thinks is right, regardless of what really might be right, was kind of frustrating.

When Jude calls Erica to talk to her about their shared secret, it's clear this is something big. "...that's when Erica felt it; the shift, the veer of deviating balance, the visceral recognition that nothing would ever be the same again. If the day had not been ruptured enough, here was the big bang." (p 11)

And then, the story really picks up. There is a bit of back-and-forth as we learn about what happened in the past, and then what is happening now --- and as we get closer to Jude revealing the secret, the tension really builds.

And I think I'll leave it at that. This isn't a very long book -- it's 204 pages. However, there's a lot in this story. There's the relationship between the three women -- their past relationship as roommates, and their present lives that are now intersecting. There's the issue of Erica and her husband and what's going to happen to their marriage. It's about keeping secrets, and how that can change people. There were parts that weren't easy to read ..... there are a few pretty ugly things in this book, but I felt they weren't blown out of proportion, or didn't make sense to be in the story.

I liked how the author wrote these three women, and the story. These characters were so clear that I instantly felt like I knew them. I liked the pace, and how I wasn't sure what was going to happen. I also liked how I didn't like Jude -- but I couldn't not read about her (kind of like when your eye is drawn to something really ugly or awful). I was glad that the author didn't make it so that Jude completely controlled everything. In fact, at one point, when Erica stands up to her, I was cheering (inside, quietly).

I don't know if this is a story all readers will like, so I'd encourage you to look at the other reviews on GoodReads. I was reminded of what I liked in Margaret Atwood's The Robber Bride, another book about 3 very different women who know each other in college, and whose lives intersect again.

First sentences: I used to feel embarrassed, no, unworthy of my name, Grace. I'm tall, nearly five feet, ten inches and I have thick legs. When I was eight years old, standing in the kitchen making two more rum and cokes -- three ice cubes, rum to this line, coke to here - I overheard my mother slur that I took after my father.

Thoughts on the cover: Well suited to the story, with the three images, and the water.

Wordless Wednesday - door knocker in Venice

2012-02-08T06:30:00.000-08:00

Book Blogger Confessions ..... on deadlines

2012-02-06T06:53:00.000-08:00

Now that it's Monday, it's time for another Book Blogger Confessions, a meme co-hosted by For What It's Worth, along with Tiger from All-Consuming Media on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, to discuss some of the challenges that are unique to book bloggers.

This Monday's question is: Deadlines for reviewing and blogging. Do you set them? How do you keep them? What do you do if you can't meet a deadline?

I will admit, shamefully, that I have sometimes blown past a promised deadline. As hard as I try, it has happened, and I always feel awful about it.

I don't really like deadlines the most of the time, and if I'm asked to give a review, I will give a general idea of when my review will appear. Usually, I need about 2-3 weeks. However, I so ask the author/publisher (whoever has requested the review) if they have a specific date, or date range in mind. If they do, I mark it in my calendar and I try to make sure I have the book read and my review written before that date.

But does this always work? Um.... no. Like many bloggers, I have a full-time job. And a husband. And a life outside reading and blogging. That means that sometimes, I don't get in as much reading time as I would like, or I don't get my review written on time. But, I do my best.

For blogging, I try to keep on a somewhat regular schedule --- Monday memes like this one help keep me on track. I try to post a book review 1-2 times per week, usually on Mondays or Fridays. I do keep my Wednesdays open for Wordless Wednesdays, and my Sundays open for an occasional post, as well. This works better with my work schedule, and I've found it's easier when I have a pattern to follow.

I'm looking forward to seeing what other bloggers have to say on this topic. Have a great Monday (and week)!

TGIF and Book Appeal

2012-02-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

We've reached end of another week (yay!!!) --- and that means, among other things, it's TGIF at GReads!
Today's question is: Book Appeal: When you're browsing GoodReads, the library, or another blogger's reviews, what grabs your attention to make you want to read it?

I get a lot of my books from my library, so when I'm browsing the new book section, unusual-sounding titles will catch my eye. I also keep my eye out for books I've been meaning to read (and keep forgetting to grab), or a familiar author. Cover art sometimes does make me pick up a book, but not always (mostly because there isn't enough room on our displays to put the books with their covers facing out -- so I'm looking mostly at the spines). The one book that did catch my eye this week is Caitlin's Kiernan's newest (that book's catching everyone's eye right now -- see image below).

When I'm looking at books on GoodReads and blogs, an interesting-sounding summary and review will make me want to pick up the book. I've seen reviews on blogs for books that I don't think I would have chosen, but the reviewer made it sound interesting --- and it's great to then discover a new book that I probably wouldn't have known about.

Have a great Friday, everyone!

King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard

2012-02-01T16:38:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads): King Solomon's Mines (1885) is a popular novel by the Victorian adventure writer & fabulist, Sir Henry Rider Haggard. It tells of a search of an unexplored region of Africa by a group of adventurers led by Allan Quatermain for the missing brother of one of the party. It is the 1st English fictional adventure novel set in Africa, & is considered to be the genesis of the Lost World literary genre.

And here's what I thought: This is the first book in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Challenge hosted by Booking in Heels. I had never read this book, although I was a bit familiar with what it was about --- and while it wasn't the kind of book I would normally pick up for a read, it was pretty interesting.

Written in 1885, this is an adventure novel that takes place in Africa, a country the author was quite familiar with. Haggard's writing style is pretty descriptive, and it's clear that he had knowledge of Africa, and hunting, and African culture. Quatermain's voice throughout the story is quite clear --- in fact, I could practically hear him narrating this book (and I think this could be an interesting audiobook, depending on who was reading it). Haggard also has a bit of humor coming through in the story, especially when he's describing one of the other characters, Captain John Good, R.N. Good is one of those men who seems to maintain his clean appearance and good manners, no matter what the situation. He is described as such: "There he sat upon a leather bag, looking just as though he had come in from a comfortable day's shooting in a civilized country, absolutely clean, tidy, and well-dressed. He had on a shooting suit of brown tweed, with a hat to match, and neat gaiters. He was, as usual, beautifully shaven, his eyeglasses and his false teeth appeared to be in perfect order. and altogether he was the neatest man I ever had to do with in the wilderness." (p. 269 my edition). Those false teeth make a significant appearance later in the story.

This book reminded me a bit of an Indiana Jones adventure (except with hunting), and to be sure, there is a lot of action going on here, and a bit of mystery, as well. Hunting isn't really my thing, however, so I admit the parts where Quatermain is hunting elephants (and some other animals) were ones I skimmed a bit. But, I enjoyed other parts quite a bit --- which I was surprised by. I suppose I was thinking this would be a "men, men, men" book, and it was --- but the Indiana Jones-esque feel and pace made it an enjoyable read. I don't know if this is a book I'll re-read again, but I appreciate it for what it was when it was written, and feel it's a classic for good reason.

For more about the author, Wikipedia has a goodarticle.
First sentences: It is a curious thing that at my age - fifty-five last birthday - I should find myself taking up a pen to try and write a history. I wonder what sort of a history it will be when I have done it, if I ever come to the end of the trip! I have done a good many things in my life, which seems a long one to me, owing to my having begun so young, perhaps. At an age when other boys are at school I was earning my living as a trader in the old Colony. I have been trading, hunting, fighting, or mining ever since.

The Rook by Daniel O'Malley

2012-01-30T18:16:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):

"The body you are wearing used to be mine." So begins the letter Myfanwy Thomas is holding when she awakes in a London park surrounded by bodies all wearing latex gloves. With no recollection of who she is, Myfanwy must follow the instructions her former self left behind to discover her identity and track down the agents who want to destroy her.

She soon learns that she is a Rook, a high-ranking member of a secret organization called the Chequy that battles the many supernatural forces at work in Britain. She also discovers that she possesses a rare, potentially deadly supernatural ability of her own.

In her quest to uncover which member of the Chequy betrayed her and why, Myfanwy encounters a person with four bodies, an aristocratic woman who can enter her dreams, a secret training facility where children are transformed into deadly fighters, and a conspiracy more vast than she ever could have imagined.

Filled with characters both fascinating and fantastical, THE ROOK is a richly inventive, suspenseful, and often wry thriller that marks an ambitious debut from a promising young writer.

And here's what I thought: How about this: Imaginative. Clever. Engaging. And that's just the main character! I loved this book. Loved it so much that I started recommending it to people when I was halfway through it, and when I was done, didn't want to return it to the library (but I did). There were so many things I enjoyed about this book ---- so let's start with the story and work our way up to the main character, okay?

As you can see from the above summary (I love that GoodReads does all the heavy lifting so I don't have to write a summary, myself), Myfanwy (pronounced Miffany ... like Tiffany but with an M) wakes up with no recollection of who she is. Luckily, her previous self has left her all kinds of notes, which tell her a bit about herself, and her work. I really loved this idea, that a character is discovering who they are, while we are, based on notes left by themselves. And the world O'Malley has created here is our world, with just that bit of a supernatural twist to make it fun. So there are plenty of things that are recognizable, and then new things thrown in (kind of like the show Supernatural... or Sanctuary). I liked how the author gave us this secret organization, full of its own odd characters (some likeable, some dangerous... some both), and a mystery to figure out. Going through it, I had my suspicions about who might have wanted Myfanwy dead.... and then would frequently change my mind and choose another person. Loved it.

And Myfanwy? She's a treat of a character -- practical, clever, a bit ruthless once she becomes comfortable with herself, and with a good sense of humor. It's obvious that the Myfanwy we meet at the beginning is not really the same woman she was before. It's almost like she's able to shed the somewhat timid person she was before, and just be a bit more confident --- after all, she doesn't have much to lose. As her previous self explains, she has risen to the top ranks in the organization by being a superior administrator ---- but it turns out that there is much more to Myfanwy than meets the eye. As she discovers things about herself (not just from the notes and letters and large binder of material she's left for herself), she really turns out to be quite extraordinary.

I think the author did a great job with not only the storyline, characters, and pacing .... but he also does an exceptional job of writing a female main character. What I mean is: I never stop believing her for a moment. What I sometimes find in stories, when authors write a main character of the opposite sex, that there is something that gives me pause, or gets me stuck momentarily. It is a fact that men and women use language differently (linguistics), and this is the kind of thing that can happen where I'm reading along and suddenly there's a trip ...... I think to myself, a woman (because I'm female), just wouldn't say that that way. The one example that always stands out in my mind is Robert Hellenga's book, The Sixteen Pleasure, where all was going swimmingly until the main character said something so ... male. This never happened in this story. That's one of the things that really made this a wonderful read for me.

Extra points go to the author for giving Myfanwy a pet bunny.

I believe I'll be recommending this book quite a lot, especially to readers who like Simon Green's Secret Histories series. I'm really looking forward to seeing what's next from this author (and will be treating myself to a copy of this book, hopefully, as soon as I have a bit of extra pocket money).

Here's an example of some of the writing I enjoyed:

p 98 --- "Leather-covered armchairs were occupied by the elderly, the plump, the male. This is not to imply that the occupants possessed only one of the above characteristics. They were all, without exception, male. Plumpness or age or both were preferred, but not mandatory."

p 62 "Myfanwy looked herself over in the mirror. The hair she had swept back in a clip was coming loose, and her suit (although far more expensive than Ingrid's) was rumpled. She'd neglected makeup entirely, and those damn black eyes lent her the appearance of a raccoon. A raccoon that had gotten hit in the face. After a lifetime of poor nutrition."
First sentences: Dear You, The body you are wearing used to be mine. The scar on the inner left thigh is there because I fell out of a tree and impaled my leg at the age of nine. The filling in the far left tooth on the top is a result of my avoiding the dentist for four years. But you probably care little about this body's past. after all, I'm writing this letter for you to read in the future. Perhaps you are wondering why anyone would do such a thing. The answer is both simple and complicated. The simple amswer is because I knew it would be necessary. The complicated answer could take a little more time.

Thoughts on the cover: I love how simple it is, with the crest and four images -- simple, striking, and perfect for the story. I wish all covers could accomplish this.

The Good Luck Knot by Melissa Field

2012-01-28T09:22:00.000-08:00

Summary (from the author):

A year has passed since Jordan hit rock bottom and ended up having her stomach pumped. She swears to everyone she's changed and suicide is no longer first on her to do list. So maybe she still smokes a lot of weed and carries a flask around, but still, she's changed, and she's really getting fed up with the constant questioning. She wishes everyone could see what she does – that she's found love with Guatam and he's helping her get on with her life.

It isn't until Gautam betrays her and the relationship implodes that she begins to worry herself. She cannot stay in the same small town she grew up in and maintain the image that everything is okay. She needs to get away and clear her head. Far away. Like maybe to the farthest place on Earth. When she announces she's taking a job in Antarctica her friends beg her to stay. No one wants her to be so far away and alone. It doesn't matter though. She's going.

Six months there pass too quickly. Something has changed inside her and awakened a need to understand. She needs to understand herself, her decisions, her family, her past, life, God, death, all of it. Why was she so ready to die? Why is she now so ready to live? She cannot go home until she understands something, anything. Because if she can't find out the how's and why's she might end up right back where she started, with a beer in one hand and a razor to cut her arm in the other.

Bali, Alaska, and Mongolia are amongst the places she travels to while seeking hope and answers. Being so far away gives her perspective on her life and the people in it. She can suddenly see now what she's put everyone through, and a new fear settles into her. What if she finds all of her answers, but returns home to people who are fed up with her unstable ways?

The Good Luck Knot is a book about hope, love, forgiveness and finding ourselves in the most unexpected ways. It begins with a metaphor assimilating a person’s life path to the folding of a paper crane. Each chapter is a fold, and the book goes back and forth in time, itself a reflection of the origami metaphor. Just as a paper crane folds into itself, showing no beginning or end, The Good Luck Knot’s final chapter connects to the first, reflecting this endless flow. Jordan’s search for herself, God and love in a seemingly random Universe ties into this, and the paper crane is a theme in many chapters.

And here's what I thought:   I was contacted by the author for a review of her book, and while this didn't sound like my usual read, I agreed to give it a try. What I found when I read this book was that there were parts that I found interesting, but that the book didn't really catch me. However --- please note that this is the kind of book that I think readers either have a very personal connection to, or it just doesn't resonate with them. So, let me explain.

While this book is fiction, it reads like a very personal story. I felt like there was less a storyline running through the book than a continuous exploration by Jordan to discover more about herself, and where her life was headed. There were times when I felt like I was almost too privy to what was going on in Jordan's mind and because I didn't always feel like I connected to her, it was a bit distracting ---- kind of like when you're having a conversation with someone you don't know very well, and they tell you way too much about something personal to them.

There are some things about this book that I did like. The author, herself, has traveled quite extensively, and those parts of the story read very clearly --- I can tell that she is familiar with these places.   I liked her use of the paper crane as a metaphor in the book --- as you can see from her summary, the crane folds over into itself, and the storyline in this book does the same. Once you get used to the bit of back-and-forth in time that sometimes happens, it does all come together.

While I didn't feel a strong connection to Jordan, I found her to be interesting.   Because we learn about her through her experiences, and basically get into her head, you get a very direct approach to the main character. At times, I found this to be a bit exhausting, and I think it's just the way I reacted to Jordan --- and again, this is a very personal reaction. I am sure there are other readers who will make a connection with this character and really enjoy the book. Just because it didn't happen for me is not really the fault of the author.

So, I'm giving this the rating I'm giving it just because I wasn't that wild about it. It wasn't really anything in particular that I didn't like --- it's more like trying a new food, and thinking, hmmmm.... interesting..... but I'd rather have something else. Hopefully, that makes sense, and if this book sounds good to you, you'll give it a try.

First sentences: She stared at the small paper crane, following the creases up and around. It sat in her palm, perched on the lifeline wrinkle. She turned her head up, her arm relaxed. The crane fell beside her into the grass. Her gaze went up, higher and higher, deep into the crown of the maple tree. A cool breeze passed through the field. A shiver went up her as leaves rustled. Her eyes closed. She listened.

Thoughts on the cover: Definitely pretty, but I would have gone with some kind of image of a paper crane, since it figures heavily in this story. This cover art does have what look like looped threads, so I like that, but I'd still go with a crane or cranes.

If you'd like to learn more about the author, she is on GoodReads, where you may also find information and more reviews on this book.

Author Melissa Field

TGIF --- Buy or Borrow ????

2012-01-27T07:46:00.000-08:00

I think I'm liking this whole TGIF thing...... and I appreciate that Ginger over at GReads hosts and has a question for us every week. This week's question is: Buy or Borrow: Where do your books that you read come from? The bookstore? The library? Do you prefer to own a book, or have it on loan?

I'm a librarian, so I do get most of my books from the library. Because I order books for part of our collection, I'm always looking at journals, reviews, etc -- so I'm always filling up my tbr (to be read) list with new books. Plus, just walking around here, I see books on the different displays that catch my eye. I'm also a big believer in the "try before you buy" way of doing things.

I don't buy a lot of books for two reasons: 1) I don't have a lot of extra money to spend (Librarians don't typically make a ton of money) and 2) I don't necessarily want to own every book I read. I read a lot, and if I really, really love a book and want it for myself, I'll buy it. Otherwise, I can always check it out from the library again.

When I buy books, I try to always go through my local independent bookstore (we've got a great one with two locations near me), or I browse at the local used books store. I also really like Book Depository UK because I can get my favorite British author's books, with free shipping. I also sometimes get a free copy of a book from a publisher, author, or LibraryThing, which is always a treat.

So, that's my story. What's yours?

Late, late, late ..... but finally remembered --- the Giveaway winner!

2012-01-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Well.... this is a bit embarrassing ....... I was supposed to do a giveaway on the 15th. For the Brunch I had on December 18th. I had a note on my calendar and everything because I just knew I would forget about it --- and I still forgot it. I could blame this on recent stress brought on by a sick husband (he's much better) and sick bunny (still working on getting better), but the fact is: I just plain forgot.

So, without further ado ... there were 5 comments, and Random.Org chose comment #2. So, I apologize here, and will apologize to the lucky commenter, and will also apologize to Sasha (who no doubt was wondering if I fell off the face of the earth). And, I'll throw in a little something extra when I send out my prize package. Thanks to everyone who did leave a comment back in December!

did you forget something???????

True Random Number Generator
Min: Max: Result:2

Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala

2012-01-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):  Joy Delamere is suffocating...

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take his words - tender words, cruel words - until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe... if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.:

And here's what I thought:   I liked that this story was somewhat edgy, and that it brought real-life issues of homeless teens into the forefront. The story is full of characters with flaws, even the characters who seem a bit too good to be true at first --- and I liked that.   The pacing is even, and I liked how the story built as Joy not only made her way through her days, but also in how the story's backstory was built up through Joy's memories, and reflections on her immediate past (the time right before she decided to leave home).   I felt the author did a good job of making a lot of things very authentic; she doesn't romanticize what it's like to be a teen living on the streets.   The story is powerful, and I liked how the author handled not only Joy and her story, but the other characters around her (not just Creed, but May and Santos, as well).

I did find Joy to be kind of frustrating ---- she decides to run away, and she does a bit of planning, but then once she gets into the city, she has no idea what she's going to do, how she's going to eat, or stay warm.... and what about when her medicine runs out?   I suppose this is realistic, and you know, if she had all of these things planned out, the story wouldn't be as good, or as real.   As an adult reading this, though, those were some of the thoughts that I had about Joy and her plan to live on her own, among Seattle's homeless teens.    I also wasn't sure if I liked the ending because it felt a little too neatly wrapped up.

However, overall, I liked this story, and thought it was a pretty good read.   I suppose that's why I gave it two ratings, because I felt it wasn't all the way up to a 4, although it was pretty close.

First sentences:   Slyt. Slyt. Sliding metal cut through the still night, spiraling ribbons of hair into the sink. But better the sound of scissors than the rattle of my lungs. One wrong breath would set off the alarm.

Thoughts on the cover: I think it's ok, although it's not my favorite. I'm not sure if it's the yellow of the font, or the fact that it looks almost too pretty overall --- but I would have liked something a little grittier, considering the storyline.

TGIF -- Book Recommendations

2012-01-20T06:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! Another week has somehow whipped by.... and today, I'm sitting at home waiting for the snow to begin so I can start planning my shoveling strategy. Yes, fun, fun, fun. But, I'm also planning on some quality time snugged on the couch with a book. That way, I can have a little relaxation time before I have to go to work tomorrow.

But anyway -- the whole point is: It's Friday! And it's TGIF at GReads, too! This Friday's question is: Which book from the last 10 you've read would you recommend to a friend?

I'm actually going to recommend two today, one nonfiction and one fiction.

Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil yes, a book about olive oil. It's more interesting than you might think --- I use a lot of olive oil when I cook, and I learned a lot. And, it has a pretty even pace, so it reads like fiction (in other words, it's not a dry, boring book).

And, I'm also recommending this book, which I'm about 1/4 of the way through, and really enjoying:

The Rook by Daniel O'Malley. I started this book the other night and I'm loving it so far -- it's imaginative and full of dry humor, and I like the main character.

Here's the summary (courtesy of GoodReads): "The body you are wearing used to be mine." So begins the letter Myfanwy Thomas is holding when she awakes in a London park surrounded by bodies all wearing latex gloves. With no recollection of who she is, Myfanwy must follow the instructions her former self left behind to discover her identity and track down the agents who want to destroy her.

Have a wonderful Friday -- and a great weekend!!!!

Wordless Wednesday --- poppet photo

2012-01-18T08:07:00.001-08:00

A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

2012-01-17T11:18:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads): It should have been a short suspended-animation sleep. But this time Rose wakes up to find her past is long gone— and her future full of peril.

Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten subbasement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now, her parents and her first love are long gone, and Rose— hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire— is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes— or be left without any future at all.
And here's what I thought: As you may be able to tell from the above summary, this is a re-telling of the Sleeping Beauty story, set in a futuristic Earth. However, this is no Disney-fied story where Rose is perfect, birds fly around her head, singing (or was that Snow White), and there is a Prince Charming. Rather, this is more like a fairytale with a bit of horror, science and politics mixed in. And - don't let the fact that this is technically a little science-fiction-y scare you away ---- it's not hard science fiction that's all about space travel and math. Rather, it's about one girl's journey to not only figure out what she's going to do now that she has re-joined the living world, but also, her attempt to discover what is real about her past.

Rose isn't a perfect character, and I actually didn't really like her at times because I felt she was annoying. However, as the story progressed, I started to understand her, and why she was the way she was ..... because she had not only spent 62 years in stasis, sleeping away all of those years, but also because her parents had deliberately kept her in a very sheltered existence. Once her character started developing, and becoming a bit more rounded-out, I felt more comfortable with her.

I thought the author did a good job of re-working a story that many of us are familiar with, and then adding in some things that really made me think. For example, it turns out that Rose's parents frequently put her into stasis just because they could (because they needed to travel and didn't want to deal with her, or they found her annoying, or any reason they thought of) --- when you think about it, that's pretty horrifying. The idea of your parents imposing not only their rules on you ..... but then stealing years of your life by putting you into a stasis sleep.... and never explaining, never apologizing. The author also gives us the Dark Times - a time period that begins and ends while Rose is in stasis, but a period which completely changes the world. And, I felt the author made it seem pretty believable --- there is mention of genetically modified foods and seeds causing problems with not only agriculture, but with human reproduction, as well.

I don't know if I would say the book was perfect, but the pacing was so even, and the author kept me guessing at what was going to happen next --- that I found myself reading and reading. I have seen some mixed reviews of this book on GoodReads, so if this sounds like a book you might want to pick up, maybe go over and see what other people have to say, as well. However, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a really interesting and thought-provoking way to re-work the Sleeping Beauty story.

First lines: I'd try to hold on to my stass dreams as long as I could. It's a game I would play, struggling to keep track of those misty images that were always so easily lost. I'd try to keep myself in stasis, keep my heart beating too slow to feel, refuse to wake up my lungs. Once or twice I managed to hold on so long that Mom panicked and turned on the resuscitator.

Thoughts on the cover: I like that there is the rose, with the thorny briar, and how the light is shining through it --- it's simple enough, but still eye-catching.

Book Blogger Confession..... for Monday the 16th

2012-01-16T07:27:00.000-08:00

I discovered For What It's Worth while hopping around the blogosphere, and came across this Monday meme. Co-hosted with All-Consuming Media, these two bloggers have come up with a discussion topic for the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month. I didn't see the first one, last Monday, but I thought it might be interesting to participate in the one today.

Answer the question: Have you ever had reading/blogging slumps? How do you work through them or work around them?

I definitely have experienced reading slumps, and blogging slumps, as well. Reading slumps are almost a bit easier for me to deal with, and luckily, it's not something that happens often. I read a lot of different genres, and a fair amount of nonfiction, so I don't always get in a rut. However, when I do, it's usually because I'm not reading anything that's striking me as really great, or resonating with me. To beat a reading slump, I usually re-read something that I really like --- a/k/a "comfort reading." A comfort read can be something like a Maeve Binchy story, an Anne Perry mystery, or even a book by one of my favorite authors. A comfort read is usually a book where I remember the story and characters pretty well, and where I know the ending ..... but I still enjoy the read. The other thing I have done to get out of a reading slump is to do a mini read-a-thon ---- I read and reviewed a bunch of Roald Dahl books a while back, and that was fun --- and completely got me out of my slump.

in manageable ... and bit-too-big size

Blogging slumps are a bit trickier for me. Occasionally, I find myself struggling with a bit of the blues. Actually, I like to think of it like Winston Churchill described his depression --- "The Black Dog." Sometimes, it follows me around a bit too much and even though I try to lock it in another room, it gets out to keep following me ..... and enticing it with treats doesn't always work, either.

Either way, I do sometimes get in a bit of a slump where I don't think anyone is reading my posts, and maybe it's just completely stupid that I write them..... and then I pinch myself and get going again. I try to keep myself on a schedule, and that helps, too. I look forward to certain days, for example, like Wednesdays, when I can go to Wordless Wednesdays and see different blogs and photographs. Visiting other blogs is nice, too -- just reading what other people are saying and leaving a few comments is helpful. Having a good read to blog about helps, too ---- I started blogging just to get my own thoughts out there, and if I remember that, then everything else falls into place. After all, the Black Dog is just a dog -- -sometimes, it's a bit of a beast, but I always do tame it (or at least shrink it to the size of a strawberry, so it doesn't bother me much). And, my slumps don't last very long most of the time, I'm happy to say.

I'm looking forward to seeing what other bloggers have to say on this subject --- maybe I'll get some good "slump-busting" ideas!

TGIF --- 2012 Must Reads

2012-01-13T08:10:00.000-08:00

Friday again? I don't know about you, but I'm glad it's the end of the week! And, it's TGIF at GReads --- today's question is: Which books are at the top of your list to be read this year (old or new releases)??

I have a few books checked out from the library that I'd like to get to by the end of the month, but I have my eye on a few titles that will be coming out in the next months, as well. Plus, I need to get cracking on my classics for the one challenge I signed up for.

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else has chosen --- Happy Friday, everyone!!

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

2012-01-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads): Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

And here's what I thought: I did not want to stop reading this book. Every time I had to put it down to go to work, or to get some sleep, I looked forward to picking it up again. And, when it was finished, I wished there was more.

As you can tell from the summary, Cam has spent a lot of time being sick, and when we meet her in this book, she's in pretty good condition, but it's clear that good health isn't a given for her, and her health issues have really ruled her life. However, she never seems to feel sorry for herself, and while she's a bit sarcastic at times, I really liked her. She seems like the kind of girl I would have wanted to be friends with when I was 16. Obviously, her time spent being ill has shaped how she views the world, but I found her character to be really interesting, and actually, very real.

I will admit, part of what I liked about this story was where Cam, her mom and her sister go to Maine. I have visited Maine twice, and both times, had a wonderful trip, so I guess I have a soft spot where that's concerned. However, Promise isn't like anywhere I've been --- things happen there that don't seem possible... but it's not over the top. What I mean is, it's not obvious miracles/magic etc. --- it's more like the setting for Practical Magic (by Alice Hoffman).

I liked how the author wrote the other characters, as well. I felt all of them were believable, and they work well to give insight into Cam, as well. I also liked that the author set part of the story at Disney, where Cam and her family work --- it was like seeing a bit behind the curtain there. In fact, when I think about it, the two main settings in Florida and in Maine are like characters unto themselves, which is pretty cool.

I refuse to give up any spoilers here. But ---- when I finished the book, I did get a bit choked up. I think it was a combination of what happened in the story, and also the fact that I had finished the story ---- I was enjoying reading this book so much that I just wanted more. There was something about this book that just resonated with me, and while I know that isn't going to happen with every reader, I'd definitely say this is a book I think a lot of people will enjoy. So, right now, in the mood I'm in --- giving this the first 5-bottle rating of 2012!

First lines: When Campbell's father died, he left her $1,262.56 - as much as he'd been able to sock away during his twenty-year gig as a fire dancer for the "Spirit of Aloha" show at Disney's Polynesian Hotel. Coincidentally, that was exactly how much her fat uncle Gus was asking for his 1998 Volkswagen Beetle in Vapor, the only color worth having if you wanted to have a VW Beetle. Cam had been coveting it every since she was six, and it was worth every penny. It blended into the mist like an invisible car, and when she drove it, she felt invisible, invincible, and alone.

Thoughts on the cover: I thought it was an interesting way to do the cover, where the photo is inside an outline of a feather. Eye-catching, and I thought it went well with the book.

Wordless Wednesday -- wisteria on Isola Madre, Italy

2012-01-10T16:55:00.001-08:00

While I'm Still Myself by Jeremy Mark Lane

2012-01-09T09:29:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads): Synopsis
A passionate December love affair.
The meeting of an unexpected traveler.
The consequences of protecting a young new acquaintance.
A journey into an unknown past.

In the stories of While I’m Still Myself, Jeremy Lane eloquently describes the life changing impact of the brief encounter, showing that life and love are not shaped by an entire lifetime, but by the fleeting moments with unexpected people in unexpected places.
And here's what I thought: I had been contacted by the author about reviewing his book, and I was curious --- and, I discovered some pretty good stories as a result.

I like short stories from time to time for a number of reasons. First, if I put down the book after I've finished a story, I don't have to worry about being lost when I pick up the book again because I'm beginning a fresh story. Second, if I'm not wild about a story, I have plenty of other ones (hopefully) in the collection to read, and one of those will probably strike me. That did not happen in this book.

What happened was this: I liked all of the stories. The author has a somewhat spare way of writing, but the way that he crafts his sentences, characters and stories, I never feel like something's missing. Does that make sense? How about this: reading these stories is like appreciating a beautiful chair designed by Frank LLoyd Wright (see photo at the bottom of this post) --- it's simple and elegant, and everything you need is right there, without any fuss. Maybe that analogy makes less sense.

Each story in this collection is relatively short, and each has a thin thread that connects it with the rest of the stories. I didn't think the connection was so strong that I felt I could predict any of the storylines, which was nice. Actually, it was very nice. At times, I had to go back and re-read part of a story just because I wasn't sure I was understanding what was happening, and as a result, I slowed down a bit when I read these stories, and took my time with them.

The characters found in these stories are pretty varied, and sometimes, quite unexpected. In the first story, the main character falls in love with a girl who seems just perfect ... until she reveals an awful secret. Or, in another story, just when you think things are going to turn out okay for the character, there is a snag. And, I'm okay with that --- I don't always need sweet and happy endings and, in fact, I like it when things don't always turn out wonderfully because then I wonder about the story, and the characters, and I wonder what happens to them. I found it interesting that there was a fragility to some of these characters, which made me invested in them right from the start. One of the stories, The Pebblestone Five, comes to my mind -- the characters seem strong and fragile, all at the same time, and there is a tension running through the story that kept me on edge.

I'm glad the author contacted me about reading his stories, and I'd encourage everyone to give them a try. They might not be the kind of thing you usually read, but I'd invite you to try at least one, to see if they resonate with you, too. This book is due out officially tomorrow, January 10th (please click on the GoodReads link at the top to learn more)

First lines from one of the stories: As a toddler, healthy and gorgeous with curly, blonde hair and cream-colored eyes, Annabel Shay would roam about the house, ignoring everything bought for her, and find a corner, a bag, a cranny of any kind and begin to rip everything from the location in order to see what the inner workings might tell her. This was a constant bother to her parents, Jack and Millie. Yet in between the warnings and the swats on the hand, Jack would marvel at her unending curiosity, it being more than he had ever seen, and he would wonder how this characteristic would manifest itself in the later life of his beautiful daughter. (p 18)

Please note: I read an electronic ARC of this book, so any page numbers or quotes may change upon final publication.

Frank Lloyd Wright Robie chair

Library Lagniappe --- on patience

2012-01-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.
Margaret Thatcher, in Observer April 4, 1989
British politician (1925 - )

I found myself thinking about this quote today, while working at the library. Why? Because lately, the whole concept of patience has been on my mind .... because of e-readers. Let me explain.

Our library subscribes to a product called Overdrive, which allows us to provide access to downloadable e-books and audiobooks to our patrons. As a reader, you may already be familiar with Overdrive if your own library offers it. It's actually a pretty nice product, as it has a collection of audiobooks and e-books, and recently, Overdrive worked out a business deal with Amazon to offer e-books for Kindles. And, most of the time, it's pretty great.

But right now, our Reference staff has been working hard to keep up with questions from people who just got some kind of e-reader for Christmas --- and some of these people expect us to 1) know everything possible about how to make it work, and 2) be able to fix any kind of problem .... with a snap of our fingers.

Thus, my little quote about patience at the top of this post, and the inspiration for today's Library Lagniappe. If you, or someone you know, has an e-reader (a Nook, a Kindle product, an iPad, a tablet, etc) and you go to the library for help with downloading stuff, please keep this in mind:

Library staff often do not get these devices for in-library use, so sometimes, the first time any of us have seen a device is when someone brings it into the library. This means ----

* Sometimes, we operate a lot on theory, but not on actual practice. I own a Nook, so I'm very comfortable with troubleshooting that device. I do not own a Kindle product (any of them), and until last week, had not physically seen a Kindle Fire.

* We have a lot of information from Overdrive about how to make Overdrive work with these devices. However, their information isn't always perfect, which means we sometimes have to search for a solution to a problem. I know it may be hard to believe, but we do not magically have all of the answers --- we are librarians, and we know how to find them.

* We are not allowed to touch your device if you bring it in to the library. We can show you where to touch on it, etc., but we are not allowed to touch it, ourselves. And also ..... if you call us on the phone and ask for help, we cannot magically see you, your computer, or your device. All we can do is go on what you are telling us, and try to help.

and finally ---- We are doing the best we can, so please bear with us. Overdrive and Amazon worked out their deal and didn't let us know until the day the e-books became available, so we all had to scramble to come up with instructions for our library patrons, and figure out how the downloading process works (because it's very, very different for any Kindle device than it is for any other e-reader). Then, Amazon came out with things like the Fire, which work differently, as well. We are working as fast as we can to keep up with the changes, and the technology, and how to get that information to our patrons. We do not work in the world of Harry Potter and do not know a specific spell to make the downloading work, work faster, etc.

So .... we do our best to be patient with the technology, and all I ask is that people be a bit patient with us. We almost always get to the root of the problem and get everything working, as quickly as we can... and a with a smile. Even if it takes 45 minutes. Yes.... you might find that exhausting, and so do we.

Thank you!!!

Book Nooks (8) - open porch

2012-01-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

Book Nooks -- Every weekend! Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)

Show us something pretty!

Commentary: This seems like the perfect place to curl up with some good reading material and maybe something cool to drink. The open air and outdoor space seem pretty relaxing.

Details: Found at DNT Custom Design

Join in: Add your own Book Nooks post

Book Nooks is a weekly meme featuring a collective gallery of pretty and comfortable places for book lovers to enjoy a nice read.
Book Nooks posts go up every weekend (we're counting anywhere from late Fri. through early Mon. as a weekend), so please feel free to jump in whenever you like, with your own post - that just means more nice things to look at!

TGIF!

2012-01-06T07:32:00.000-08:00

Since it's a new year, thought I'd try something different on a Friday -- TGIF @ GingerReads!   I've seen a lot of bloggers's TGIF posts, and since I am glad that it's the end of another week, figured I'd join in.

So -- this Friday's question is: Reading Resolutions: What are some of your reading goals for the new year?

* I resolve to read more books that are on my personal bookshelves. I plan to revisit some of my favorites, and also read books that I bought and haven't gotten to yet. I don't usually buy a lot of books, and when I do, they tend to be ones that I have already read ... but I have a handful sitting there that I picked up because they looked good and I should read them and find out.

* I resolve to read some classics. I signed up for the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Challenge this year, and that will get me reading some classics.   Actually, I can't wait!

* I resolve to get through my review requests in a more timely manner. Once in a while, I let something completely slip and I'm going to get better about that.

I think that's it, at least, for right now.    I'm more or less happy with the amount that I read, and I'm looking forward to doing lots of reading in the new year.   However, I'm sure I'll get some more ideas as a I visit around and see what other readers have to say for this Friday's question.

Happy Friday, everyone!!!!     And thank you. Ginger, for getting my Friday off to a good start!!!

Wordless Wednesday - poppet photo

2012-01-04T08:35:00.001-08:00

Girl Meets Boy -- edited by Kelly Milner Halls

2012-01-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):What do guys and girls really think? Twelve of the most dynamic and engaging YA authors writing today team up for this one-of-a-kind collection of "he said/she said" stories-he tells it from the guy's point of view, she tells it from the girl's. These are stories of love and heartbreak. There's the good-looking jock who falls for a dangerous girl, and the flipside, the toxic girl who never learned to be loved; the basketball star and the artistic (and shorter) boy she never knew she wanted; the gay boy looking for love online and the girl who could help make it happen. Each story in this unforgettable collection teaches us that relationships are complicated-because there are two sides to every story.

And here's what I thought: I think it's an interesting way to write a story --- 2 people, each writing one character's side of the story. All of the stories are relatively short, so it's like one short instance out of two people's lives, but you come at it from two different viewpoints. And, depending on the people, it can seem like two completely different occurrences.

I thought all of the authors did a good job of collaborating on the stories. Although I liked some stories more than others, I found all of them interesting. And the nice thing about a book of stories is that you can easily finish one and if you put the book down, you don't feel lost when you pick it up again. The other thing I really liked about the stories was that they weren't all completely predictable. What I mean is: I couldn't predict that I knew what was going to happen, or what a character thought had happened. Every so often, I'd get thrown for a loop. It's also nice that the characters are diverse in background and ethnicity --- I think that a lot of readers will find at least one character they feel they sync with (or find a story by an author they know and like).

First lines (from the first story): My name is John Smith, and though I'm aware that an overwhelming number of men use my name to check in to motels they shouldn't be checking in to, I try to be a man of virtue. Okay, I'm sixteen; a boy of virtue.

Thoughts on the cover art: I like how the two are entwined, and up in a tree --- and I like wondering about these two: is he just staring up at the leaves, sighing, and she's sleeping? Is she listening to his stomach rumble? Nice, and suits the book.

Please note: I received an ARC of this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers -- as a result, any and all quotes and page numbers may differ upon final publication.

Actually, not........

2011-12-30T09:14:00.000-08:00

actually, not really.

I had been planning to do many things in December.    These things did not include: having to replace our house's HVAC system, having dental surgery, and being struck down by a nastyawful (yes, I believe I just made up that word.... and it perfectly suits) flu this last week.

Needless to say, things have not gone as planned.    But, we're almost at the end of this year, so I'm sure that January will bring many good things to all of us.   Personally, now that I'm finally feeling better, I plan on spending some quality time this weekend catching up on my reading....   and then making sure I get posting again!   Thanks for bearing with me.

And blah blah blah ... enough about me!   I'm also looking forward to being online this weekend and seeing what all of you have been up to!

Hope everyone has a wonderful New year's weekend!!

Merry Holidays!

2011-12-23T11:08:00.000-08:00

I'm coming up on a three-day weekend, since my library will be closed .... and I plan to indulge in some reading. So, wanted to wish everyone a nice holiday and hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Bookie Brunch -- with a giveaway!!!!!

2011-12-18T10:53:00.000-08:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Bookie Brunch!!   Bookie Brunch is a weekly meet-up, held every Sunday, where bloggers can have a virtual beverage of choice and chat about a particular bookie topic of interest.   The discussion is open from Sunday through Wednesday and you're welcome to drop by at any time to add in your opinion, or read what other people have to say.   The discussion is open as well to general readers or bloggers in a different field, authors, publishers and publicists.

This Brunch, my guests are: Melody from Book and Music Lover, Stevie , Amanda from Geeky Fairy Tales, and Sarah Olivia from The Book Bunny. I'm sorry, but as of the time when I'm finishing up this post, we're waiting on a few guests --- so stay tuned for updates.

Our discussion question is: If you could invite three authors to dinner, who would be on your guest list, and why?

Courtesy guidelines: Thank you for coming! All thoughtful comments will be considered and probably get a response from fellow bloggers. In fact, you’re encouraged to talk and share viewpoints or include links to relevant materials.    We’d like everyone to have a nice time. Differing viewpoints are just fine, even if strongly expressed, but inflammatory or off-topic comments will be removed.

So, let’s begin the Brunch, shall we?    I always forget to ask people what they’d like to have as their virtual drink, so I suppose I’ll just pass around a nice pot of hot cocoa today. Extra marshmallows to anyone who wants them.

Sarah had her answer for me right away:

Wow, such an easy yet hard question at the same time. I must warn you though, throughout my answer I may fangirl and gush over characters/authors exc. I'll start off with YA and then do my Adult author. First I would love to meet and have dinner with Scott Westerfeld the author of the Uglies series as well as the Midnighters series, exc. I would talk about the books his favorite foods, who and who inspire him, and the list would go on. I would have tons of fangirl moments if I could have dinner with him. Believe me. I would choose Scott Westerfeld because the Uglies series is what really got me into reading and as I said before I would love to talk about the books and characters and everything to do with Uglies, and even his other series. (I've read everything but Leviathan) To have dinner with him would be such a wonderful experience.

The second author I would love to have dinner with would be Richelle Mead, author of the Vampire Academy series. I would have so much fun talking with her about all the exciting twists and turns in the Vampire Academy series and all the relationships between the characters. Just I love this YA vampire series. I would also have way too much fun gushing about Dimitri. And I still remember going through the series (while they were still being released) and having to wait for the next one. And not wanting to finish it because I would have to wait for the next one and also wanting to finish it so badly so I could know what happened. It's amazing that I still remember that much about it and would love to just be able to talk to her and eat good food.

Last and certainly not least, my Adult author. Stephen King. Need I say more? A man who I swear, has a never-ending imagination. To write so many books, so many good books is amazing. I honestly would probably meet him and not be able to say anything. Haha lame I know but I get that way sometimes. But don't we all? If I met him and had dinner I would love to talk about all his different books, what inspires him, and talk about his many books and all the characters he has created.

To meet these three authors, at all would be amazing. I would have such a gush fest it would not even be funny.
I would like to thank Sasha Soren and Jo for inviting me to be a guest blogger. And now I'm off to daydream about this fairytale dinner.
Sounds like it would be an interesting dinner, for sure!!!!

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I took a bit of time thinking about who I would invite to dinner --- and I am glad that this is one of those hypothetical situations, because if I was ever in the presence of any of these authors, especially at the dinner table, I would most likely be so awestruck that I’d just sit there quivering.

My first choice would be Ray Bradbury. He’s been writing for such a long time, and has written some of my favorite stories, that I think he’d make a fascinating dinner guest. Something Wicked This Way Comes is one of my all-time favorite books, and I just love savoring it every time I read it. I’m sure Mr. Bradbury would have some great things to share over dinner.

My second guest would be Audrey Niffenegger. You might be familiar with her as the author of The Time Traveler’s Wife and The Night Bookmobile. I admit that I haven’t read her newest book (but, of course, would do so before I had dinner with her). I did have the opportunity to hear her speak once, and I found I was just captivated by her. She’s an interesting person, and I think she’d provide some thought-provoking conversation over dinner.

And last, China Mieville. I’ve already rhapsodized plenty about this author on this blog. I am a HUGE fan of this man and his work ---- and I think that he’d be the perfect guest for dinner. He’s extremely intelligent, and has a great sense of humor --- and he’s fascinating to listen to. I was fortunate enough to meet him earlier this year, and while I was completely awestruck in his presence (yes, completely …. I froze), it was really something to hear him speak. Again, I’m glad this is a hypothetical dinner, because I seriously don’t know what I’d do with him at the dinner table.

I believe he just may be perfect. Yes.

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Stevie , aka SableCaught, has had a chance to join in, and since she's a vlogger, you may listen to her choices:

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Brunch is now in full swing ---- so your comments and thoughts are welcome!!!!!

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GIVEAWAY DETAILS: A lovely prize pack: Multi-title DVD, angel book, blank journals and a tote! Courtesy of me, I have a lovely embossed blank journal (sorry, no picture on that one), and a lovely book about Guardian Angels. It’s actually a book with three sets of angel cards to go with it (kind of like a tarot of angels). I’ll also be including some chocolate and other goodies to go with what Sasha is offering ------

Courtesy of Sasha Soren, an adorable little tote bag and a lovely little butterfly book.. Cute and quirky, the bag folds up into a bee with clip and is super-nice to pop into your purse, bag or pocket to have on hand. Dimensions are 14-3/4" H x 14-3/4" W and it holds up to 18 lbs. Pretty and practical, beautiful butterflies grace the covers of this handy 64-page blank notebook and it’s small and light enough to slip into a coat pocket or tote, perfect for quick notes on books or places.

and

Multi-title DVD: The Timeless Romance Collection
About: Settle in for a marathon of romantic movies, with this multi-title DVD. Four romantic films, including the original A Star is Born, Eternally Yours, The Lady and the Highwayman, and Power, Passion, Murder. This would be a really nice gift for someone who loves costume drama - and melodrama.

I never seem to be able to get the YouTube embedded properly and working, so I’m doing what I know will always work:   a LINK.   Shown here is the Trailer, A Star is Born (original film, 1937, Technicolor). This technicolor romantic drama stars Janet Gaynor as an aspiring Hollywood actress, and Fredric March as an aging movie star who helps to launch her career. Original film, not a remake.   (More)

Eternally Yours: Anita Halstead, swept off her feet by magician Arturo, finds the results less than magical... (More)
The Lady and the Highwayman: Based on romance author Barbara Cartland's book, Cupid Rides Pillion, the film is a swashbuckling tale of romance, jealousy and betrayal set in England during the Restoration of Charles II, starring Emma Samms as the notorious Lady Castlemaine. Beautiful period costumes and settings; a spirited romp through a bit of England's history. (More)
Power, Passion, Murder: Set in 1930s Hollywood. A top-billed actress, on the surface, has it all, but that's not the whole story. Murder, scandal and intrigue mark this intimate look at 1930s Tinseltown - a town of secrets. (More)

So, as you can see, Sasha and I will be providing a mellow and enjoyable prize pack, and some goodies to enjoy, as well.    Please note: DVD is Region 1, although a multi-region DVD player
should be able to play it. Check your region

WIN this cute prize package! International. Through January 15, 2012.
Details: To win this prize package, please leave email info and thoughtful or interesting comment below. A winner will be picked at random. If host and guests agree that a specific visitor comment is substantial, outstanding, or in some other way has particular merit, they can override random.org pick at their discretion. Please note - open internationally, but DVD manufactured for Region 1 only. Check your region . Through January 15, 12 midnight EDT.

Bookie Brunch is the creation of Sasha Soren (Random Magic).   More about Random Magic can be found in these links - feel free to browse: Find Random Magic: Print | Kindle
Explore Random Magic: YouTube
| Tumblr |
Twitter

Bookie Brunch winners .... from November Brunches

2011-12-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

I had mistakenly thought I needed to run the random.org on these a while ago .... then was corrected. Then, I realized it was December 15th yesterday, which meant it was the real date to run the randomizer to pick the winners.

Winners!!!!!

So, without further delay ----
My Brunch from November 9th had 10 comments. Random.org chose: Comment #10! (vvb32 Reads)

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 10

My Brunch from November 18th had 11 comments. Random.org chose: Comment #8! (Lisa)

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 8

I will be emailing both of the winners so that I may send their information to the most gracious and lovely Sasha Soren, who offered both of these Brunch prizes.

I am hosting Brunch this upcoming Sunday, so feel free to drop by and add in your thoughts! And congrats to the winners!!!!

Watch Where You Step: Going to the Dogs by Jenepher Field

2011-12-15T14:16:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads): Jenepher had lost count of the number of times she’d heard this mantra from her energetic and ambitious husband, Louis. But she didn’t imagine that upon Louis’s retirement from his orthopedic surgery practice, he would charm her into starting a business they knew nothing about, building a new house and a pet boarding kennel in the beautiful countryside of Washington State. Swept along by the current of his drive and enthusiasm, as she has been many times before, Jenepher starts to learn about boarding and caring for dogs and cats. Watch Where You Step is the story of their struggles and success, and of the ways in which they evolve and grow, finding both new points of friction and new appreciation for one another as they design and build a house and a business. They learn to expect the unexpected as they cope with issues they didn’t plan for, including septic system logistics, flash floods, unreliable employees, irrational pet owners, and pets who could teach Harry Houdini a thing or two about the art of escape. Rich threads of humor and love run through their lives as they come to realize they have invested in a business that is full of heart as well as full of mayhem. Join Jenepher and Louis on the wonderful adventure of a lifetime!

And here's what I thought: I had been approached about giving this book a read and a review, and thought it might be nice to try something a little different than what I was reading at the time. As you can see from the above summary, this is one person's memoir about her life, especially in a time period when she and her husband retired. What I thought was interesting about the book was that although there was a focus on the boarding kennel that the author and her husband opened, the author also wrote about her upbringing, and relationship with her mother. The book doesn't necessarily proceed in a straight timeline, but rather, proceeds more or less, with references backwards occasionally to give detail or context.

I admit that I wasn't as taken with the writing as I was with the subject material. My family had a dog when I was growing up, and we've had other dogs in the family since -- and I admit I do like a good dog story now and again (and reflect quite fondly on James Herriot's stories). It was interesting to read about the author's experiences with not only opening the boarding kennel, but with some of the customers, as well. What I was surprised by at times was how she and her husband dove into this idea of having a kennel business, despite not really having any experience at all --- that takes some courage! Admittedly, I didn't always understand their decisions, and at times, it felt they were a bit naive about what they were getting themselves into. However, that's what makes this a thoughtful memoir.

Overall, a very nice book, especially if you are an animal lover. It didn't resonate with me completely, but I thought it was an okay read.

First sentences: A shiver of...something...ran through me. Excitement? Anticipation? Anxiety? I didn't know. There was so much to look forward to; it was probably a little of each. Here we were, behind the desk: Louis, Mary and I, waiting for the first customer to arrive.

Thoughts on the cover: Interesting, with the golden yard and trees with the red barn and ominous-looking sky.

Wordless Wednesday - streetlight in Verona, Italy

2011-12-14T07:30:00.001-08:00

11/22/63 by Stephen King

2011-12-13T12:19:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads): November 22nd, 1963 was a rapid-fire sequence of indelible moments: Shots ring out; a president slumped over; a race to the Dallas hospital; an announcement, blood still fresh on the First Lady's dress. But what if President John F. Kennedy didn't have to die; if somehow his assassin could have been thwarted? For Maine schoolteacher Jake Epping, those hypothetical what if's become real possibilities when he walks through a portal to the past. Without special skills and still unfamiliar with his new/old surroundings, he struggles to discover a way to change the history he left.
And here's what I thought:   There have been a lot of reviews written of this book, and while I could go on and on about the story, I don't think I will.   As you can see from the summary, the basic idea is this: guy goes back in time to see if he can prevent the Kennedy assasination.

I will admit that there are some Stephen King books that I never liked too much, like Pet Semetary, and, most recently, Full Dark, No Stars.   However, there are King books that I have read over and over again. I wore out my paperback copies of The Stand, and The Talisman (which he co-wrote with Peter Straub).    His best books, in my opinion, are those where the writing isn't too gory, but the psychological stuff is what really gets into your head and is scary.

In this book, the scary idea is time. What happens if you go back? Can you change one small thing and have it make a difference? What about the butterfly effect?

I loved how King approached the whole thing; not just the going back in time thing, but what that would actually mean if you were to do it.   Example: Jake goes back to the late 1950s when he begins, so he needs to make sure he has the right money (no 2011 nickels or dimes). There's a great little part where he tries to make a phone call and accidentally puts in the wrong-era coin. He needs to remember not to talk about current events, or current songs. He has to be aware of what people are wearing.    These are the kinds of details that really make the story interesting for me --- all the things that Jake needs to keep straight, just from the beginning.

The part about Kennedy and Oswald is interesting, but I admit that I got more pulled in to Jake's story about the town he moves to, and the high school he teaches at, and Sadie, the woman he falls in love with. Typical for King, we have a flawed hero, an ordinary man who can perhaps do something extraordinary, or whose very being has a larger purpose.   I like that, and I think it makes for an interesting story.

The other thing I found really thought-provoking in this book was the idea of going back in time, yet with the knowledge you have in your current time. Admittedly, I have always found it a horrifying idea to imagine waking up one morning and being back in high school, but with all the knowledge I have now.   I mean, it's easy to think of things you might change --- I'd take better care of myself, and I wouldn't let the mean people get me down. But here's the thing: what if I made some kind of small change, and changed my future around completely? I don't know if I'd like that.

I found this a thought-provoking story, and good book by an author I enjoy. Size-wise, I think this could have been trimmed a bit without too much repercussion, but I found I was spending a lot of time reading and enjoying.   And now you can see why I haven't posted a review lately --- because I've been reading this 842 page book!

First sentences: I have never been what you'd call a crying man. My ex-wife said that my "nonexistent emotional gradient" was the main reason she was leaving me (as if the guy she met in her AA meetings was beside the point).

Thoughts on the cover: Eye-catching, especially if you look at the back cover, which has a modified newspaper headline. Actually, the size of this book is what makes it eye-catching (I found myself doing arm exercises with it in between reading it)

Book Nooks #4 -- light and airy

2011-12-11T13:42:00.001-08:00

Book Nooks

*Every weekend*

Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)

Show us something pretty!

Commentary: This is my kind of spot: loads of books nearby, and a big window looking out onto trees and nature. Light, airy and comfy!

Image source: Our Fine House.com
31 days of Autumn Inspiration. The link has other nice pictures and ideas for reading nooks!

Join in: Add your own Book Nooks post

Wordless Wednesday -- balcony in Verona, Italy

2011-12-06T13:48:00.001-08:00

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

2011-12-06T11:32:00.001-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads): The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

And here's what I thought: The author takes some interesting ideas: dystopia, a police state, and X-Men-esque abilities, introduces us to a teenage girl, and gives us a really read-able story. There are definitely a lot of threads woven together in this book, and combined with the steady pace, I found this was a real page-turner.

I think the thing I liked most about this book wasn't the story, or the characters, but the writing, itself. Juliette writes in a stream-of-consciousness style a lot of the time, and once I got used to that, I really liked it. I thought it was cool that lines or words would be crossed out -- which gave me insight into what Juliette was really thinking. Example: (p 95) "I watch him swallow hard and take a tiny breath and immediately I sense something is wrong. I move closer and a quick. stiff shake of his head tells me not to. ~~I do not touch people I do not get close to people I am a monster.~~ He doesn't want me near him. "

The way that Juliette writes, you really get a sense of emotion, what is going on underneath the surface. That's something I sometimes feel can be missing from a story, and I liked how the author used this technique of Juliette journaling to not only tell the story, but also let us in to Juliette's head. Very cool.

Here's another example of the writing that I liked: "Killing time isn't as difficult as it sounds. I can shoot a hundred numbers through the chest and watch them bleed decimal points in the palm of my hand. I can rip the numbers off a clock and watch the hour hand tick tick tick its final tock just before I fall asleep. I can suffocate seconds just by holding my breath. I've been murdering minutes for hours and no one seems to mind." (p 127)

I found some parts of this book absolutely delicious to read.

First sentences: I've been locked up for 264 days. I have nothing but a small notebook and a broken pen and the numbers in my head to keep me company.

Thoughts on the cover: Very arresting, even if the girl on the cover didn't match up in my mind with the main chracter in the book.

Just an update......

2011-11-28T16:43:00.001-08:00

why yes, I am a bit grouchy......

I know I usually post book reviews, and photos on wednesdays, and sometimes a brunch here and there....   and have not really posted much lately.

Yes, this is a personal post ... so if this isn't what you'd like to read, please come back on wednesday to see a photo of Verona, Italy.

Anyway .... just wanted to say that I am trying to get back on track, and I am reading .... I'm just feeling a bit grumpy and out of sorts. What I'm reading I then don't feel like writing about (even though the books have been great). I guess I'm just not feeling super-inspired.   And, I'm feeling a bit thick in parts, so cutting down on the food and upping the exercise to deal with that. ugh.    And, frankly, in addition to not feeling inspired about blogging, I'm feeling like Cranky Librarian after 2 straight work days of grouchy patrons. And, coming to the work-filled ending of an online class.   see? grump, grump, grump.

So. What I am doing is reading, and reading what's on everyone else's blogs, even if I'm not commenting. I will be making more of an effort to pull up my socks and find some inspiration. Getting a new HVAC system in the house on Wednesday (oh yes, the awesome fun of being a grown-up and a homeowner), so maybe will go for a short walk in the woods and re-set my attitude. And hopefully, will have a book post by the end of the week.

Thanks for your patience. And, if you have any words of advice on what inspires you, I'm all ears!

Book Nooks #3

2011-11-24T09:53:00.001-08:00

Book Nooks -- *Every weekend*
Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)

Show us something pretty!

Commentary: This seems like such a quiet place to read, and I like the ceiling light fixture.

Details: Hearst Castle Library

Source: Murray on Travel (photo by Bruce Murrary)

Join in: Add your own Book Nooks post

You might also enjoy...
* The Magic Lantern, by Sasha Soren - Browse some of the more offbeat movies based on Jane Austen novels. See also: The Fortune-Teller's Gift.

Book Nooks is a weekly meme featuring a collective gallery of pretty and comfortable places for book lovers to enjoy a nice read. Book Nooks posts go up every weekend (we're counting anywhere from Fri. through Sun. as a weekend), so please feel free to jump in whenever you like, with your own post - that just means more nice things to look at!

Book Nooks #3

2011-11-24T09:47:00.001-08:00

Book Nooks -- *Every weekend*
Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)

Show us something pretty!

Commentary: This is a view of the kitchen, but I imagine how nice it would be to sit in that window seat with a book, while waiting for some brownies to come out of the oven.

Details: This is from a house in Wales, which was built for maximum regard for the environment. Check out the source site for more photos, and info about the house.

Source: Simondale

Join in: Add your own Book Nooks post

You might also enjoy...
* The Magic Lantern, by Sasha Soren - Browse some of the more offbeat movies based on Jane Austen novels. See also: The Fortune-Teller's Gift.

Book Nooks is a weekly meme featuring a collective gallery of pretty and comfortable places for book lovers to enjoy a nice read. Book Nooks posts go up every weekend (we're counting anywhere from Fri. through Sun. as a weekend), so please feel free to jump in whenever you like, with your own post - that just means more nice things to look at!

Book Nooks!

2011-11-24T09:30:00.001-08:00

Book Nooks -- *Every weekend*
Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)

Show us something pretty!

Commentary: I like how deep the window seat is, and how the curtains divide it. Plus, the windows let in lots of natural light.

Details: Location and artist unknown, not given in original post.

Source: Apartment Therapy

Join in: Add your own Book Nooks post

2012 Challenge -- selected!

2011-11-24T09:13:00.001-08:00

After some deliberation, I have chosen my one challenge for 2012: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Challenge from Booking in Heels.

Here's the skinny about the challenge: For those who don't know, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was a film released in 2003 based on a graphic novel by Alan Moore (of Watchmen fame). The movie features various classic book characters who all form a League to stop various classic villians from taking over the world.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to read the original book featuring each of the main characters and post a review of each between 1st January 2012 and the 31st December.

I think I can definitely do this. I've seen the movie (yes, it's not the best movie in the world, but I do love me some Sean Connery.....). I've updated my Challenges Page accordingly, so stay tuned for reviews!!

Wordless Wednesday -- peacock on Isola Bella, Italy

2011-11-22T20:24:00.001-08:00

Library Lagniappe .... being thankful

2011-11-21T18:23:00.001-08:00

I am not a huge fan of Thanksgiving. I'm not anti-Thanksgiving, but I tend to see it more as just a "food holiday." I usually work the day before and the day after, and while I like turkey, I have it when I want it, not just on Thanksgiving.

But I digress. What I do like about Thanksgiving, other than the amazing pumpkin pie crunch I'm making to bring on Thursday, is that it is a good opportunity to take a bit of time and reflect on what I'm thankful for. So, I thought I'd work that into a Library Lagniappe post.

I am thankful for the fact that I changed careers to become a Librarian, because even though it meant taking a pay cut from my previous career, it means that I am in a position where I can help people and make a difference (instead of working through in-bins of paperwork every day and feeling like it made no difference at all).

I am also thankful for the patrons who come in, and return my smile, even if they don't stop at the desk. I'm one of those people who smile at everyone, and I will tell you --- not everyone smiles back. In fact, many people don't smile back. So, when someone does, it just makes your day. Extra points go to one of my favorite patrons, a man I call "Tall, Dark and Handsome" -- he is not only one of the nicest people to look at, but he has an amazing smile. Yes, I know I'm married .... so is he, and it's perfectly okay if we smile at one another.

I am thankful for the people who say "thank you" because they make up for the ones who don't. Simple, really, but it can give you quite the lift when one person says thank you.

I am thankful for these kinds of interactions, because now that I work with the public, I am much more aware of how I am when I interact with people. I make sure I say please, and thank you, and smile. Even if I'm grumpy --- because I know how it feels to be on the receiving end.

And, I'm thankful to be where I work, with people I like, in a nice work environment. Even on the worst day, I can always count on a smile from a co-worker ---- or, at the very least, a stroll down an aisle to find some great reading material.

Thanks to everyone who visits their library, and supports us! I didn't want to leave that out. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!

Book Challenges and me .... the truth comes out...

2011-11-20T13:07:00.001-08:00

Well, now that we're nearly to the end of 2011, I am looking back at the Challenges page on this blog and have come to some conclusions: Yes, I signed up. Yes, I read books. No, I really didn't participate. So, started with a clean page.

I always have the best of intentions. I see new, shiny book challenges on everyone else's blogs, and I think: yes, of course, I read so much, yes, it will be fun and awesome .... and I start off on the right foot, I really do. And then..... I read other things, not for the challenges. And when I do read challenge-fulfilling books, I forget to link them to the challenge.

I am now accepting that it tends to all be for naught, as I reach the end of another year and have yet to complete a challenge. So, I have decided, that in 2012..... I will choose one challenge. Just one. I have found a simple one that sounds good, so I will do my bit and post about it soon.

I do admire everyone who keeps up with their challenges, and if I can get through the one I chose for 2012, without mishap, I might be brave enough to tackle a second one.


this should be a stack of books....

Re-set from previous Brunch ......

2011-11-20T12:13:00.001-08:00

So, yes ..... apparently, I was whipping along and landed on the wrong date. It was very nicely pointed out to me that the previous Brunch giveaway is STILL OPEN-- it's meant to last until dec. 15, 2011.

So, please keep commenting, if you like. And please visit today's Brunch, where there is another giveaway!

Bookie Brunch and giveaway

2011-11-18T05:51:00.001-08:00

Bookie Brunch is a weekly meet-up, held every Sunday, where book bloggers can have a cup of tea and chat about a particular bookie question of interest. The discussion is open from Sunday through Wednesday, and you’re welcome to drop by any time to add your opinion or read what other people have to say. This discussion is open as well to general readers or bloggers in a different field, authors,
publishers and publicists.

Courtesy guidelines: Thank you for coming! All thoughtful comments will be considered and probably get a response from fellow bloggers. In fact, you’re encouraged to talk about it and share viewpoints or include links to relevant materials. We’d like everyone to have a nice time. Differing viewpoints are just fine, even if strongly expressed, but inflammatory or off-topic comments will be removed.

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This Brunch, my guests are: Amanda-Lee, who blogs at StoryWings, Jenny at Let Them Read Books, Tiffany from About to Read, and Brenda from Reading Fairy Tales.

Our discussion question is: How do you discover new books? Do you look for recommendations on book blogs, ask your friends, go to the library? All of the above? None of the above? Have you ever received a book recommendation from a completely unexpected source?

First up is Tiffany, who said:

I discover new books from other bloggers, publisher catalogs, and Goodreads. Bloggers typically get me really excited for a title--especially if a lot of people are raving about it. I also get recommendations from friends, and will read a book they suggest if they loved it themselves or think it is something I would enjoy.

I have a few close friends who love to read, and whenever we find a book that is to-die-for, we share it with each other. While we were in college, it was a bit like an informal book club (miss those days!).

Jenny added her thoughts:

Hey ya'll! Thanks for having me today! This morning I'm sipping on my hazelnut coffee with Almond Joy creamer . . . mmmm!

I discover new books just about every day! I find most of them on blogs and on Goodreads, but I also find them at the library and *gasp!* at the bookstore! I follow many bloggers who have the same tastes in reading as myself. Last week I added my 1000th book on Goodreads and I've created a series of shelves to help me keep track of how I find books to read. So far, "Saw it on a blog" has the most books with 96. I know book bloggers work hard and I believe they are instrumental in helping books find an audience, and I wanted to prove it by keeping track of the books I add to my reading list because of a blog. Goodreads comes in a close second. I love the daily emails that tell me what my friends are reading and I end up adding many books to my list and also striking up great book conversations. My Goodreads friends recommend books to me all the time, and I have three fantastic reading gal pals in real life who also share their favorite books with me.

I find new books from other online sources, too, like NetGalley, Shelf Awareness, Amazon Vine, and publisher newsletters. My library sends out an email every week with all of the new titles they've acquired, and mostly I find books I already wanted to read and add them to my check-out list, but occasionally I find a new one to add to the list. And lastly, I don't visit physical bookstores very often, but when I do I usually walk out with twice as many books as I'd intended to buy going in. I'm usually shopping the sale tables, and though I'm looking for books from my wishlist, I usually pick out one book that's new to me. I don't know that I've gotten a recommendation from an unexpected source, but I have been amazed at how wonderful Twitter is for readers, writers, and publishers. I put off signing up for ages, and in the four months I've been tweeting I continue to marvel at what a fantastic networking tool it is. And yes, I do have a "Saw it on Twitter" shelf! Thirteen books and counting . . .

Amanda Lee, sipping on a skim mint hot chocolate, had this to say:

Most of my new books come from other bloggers. Whether I just happen to be checking out what they're doing and see a cover I like or if it's a reviewer I regularly read giving a rave review on a certain book. It all depends if I like the cover though, I never read a book that I don't like the cover of.

That's why I like going into book stores, because if any covers jump out at me, I will pick the book up to see if it interests me. I haven't actually discovered many "new to me" books recently, I am currently trying to catch up on all of my series books and working through my Shelfari wish list. I also regularly check my favourite author websites - particularly those that write stand alone novels such as Jennifer Echols - to see what they are currently doing.

I don't have any friends who read, so I don't get any new books from that kind of source. Probably the most surprising book rec I got was from a publisher I am on good terms with, they sent me their current release (Embrace by Jessica Shirvington) for review. I had never heard of it but I thought the cover was nice. When I picked it up...I couldn't put it down, it's become one of my top series.

And me? Well, I get almost all of my books from the library, with a smaller number of them coming from publishers or authors who ask for a review. Since I'm a librarian, I'm always ordering new books for the collection, and I'm always reading reviews (professional journals, newspapers, online sources, book blogs) ---- and it's easy for me to place holds on things that are coming in to the library. I'm also surrounded by reading material, both old and new, so I never run out of books to take home with me. There's no way I could buy all the books I read, or have room in my house for them -- and I probably wouldn't want to buy everything I read, anyway. Getting books from the library lets me try before I buy. And if my library doesn't have something? No problem --- I look for it through interlibrary loan.

The blogging community has been both a wonderful thing and a bad thing, as far as alerting me to new books. It's wonderful, because I learn about books from other bloggers, read reviews, and see beautiful cover art. The bad thing is .... my tbr list is out of control. Seriously -- it's like that demon plant, Audrey, from Little Shop of Horrors. However, is that such a bad thing?

A HUGE thank you to all of my guests!!! And, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's comments, as well!!
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And now, we have the details on the giveaway, courtesy of Sasha Soren!

Now you won't have to wonder if the movie is as good as the book or not - win this classic novel and matching movie version. This set features a paperback edition of The Age of Innocence with a new, beautifully designed cover and a DVD of the feature film, nestled together in a sturdy case. This could be a nice treat to keep for a rainy weekend.
About the book: Edith Wharton's novel is a masterful portrait of desire and betrayal set during the sumptuous Gilded Age of Old New York, a time when society dreaded scandal more than death. This is Newland Archer's milieu as he prepares to marry conventional socialite May Welland. But when the mysterious Countess Ellen Olenska returns to New York, Archer falls deeply in love with her. Torn between duty and passion, Archer struggles to make a decision that will either courageously define his life - or mercilessly destroy it. (Publisher desc.)

I have been having issues with Blogger and embedding videos --- so to see something quite cool, please click HERE.
note: Music track is Un día llegará (Amazon MP3)

About the DVD: Daniel Day-Lewis and Michelle Pfeiffer star in this luminous adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel about heartache and hypocrisy among the high society of Old New York's Gilded Age. Day-Lewis plays Newland Archer, the upstanding attorney who is engaged to lovely but ordinary socialite May Welland, but who secretly longs for the more passionate life represented by Countess Ellen Olenska. The psychologically astute and powerfully romantic film was nominated for five Academy Awards. (Publisher desc.)

Details: To win this charming book-and-DVD set, please leave email info and thoughtful or interesting comment below. A winner will be picked at random. If host and guests agree that a specific visitor comment is substantial, outstanding, or in some other way has particular merit, they can override random.org pick at their discretion. Please note - open internationally, but DVD manufactured for Region 1 only. Check your region . Through December 31, 2011, 12 midnight EDT.

Brought by: Sasha Soren (Random Magic).More about Random Magic can be found below - feel free to browse: Find Random Magic: Print | Kindle
Explore Random Magic: YouTube
| Tumblr |
Twitter

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Be a guest at an upcoming brunch: @StoryWings

Bring goodies for a giveaway: @StoryWings

Suggest a question: @LiederMadchen

Browse Bookie Brunch discussions (after July 2011, archive): The Fluidity of Time

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-15T18:31:00.001-08:00

Bookie Brunch - with a giveaway!!

2011-11-09T15:09:00.000-08:00

It's Sunday, which means it's time for Bookie Brunch!!! BookieBrunch is a weekly meet-up, held every Sunday, where book bloggers canhave a cup of tea and chat about a particular bookie question ofinterest. The discussion is open from Sunday through Wednesday, andyou’re welcome to drop by any time to add your opinion or read whatother people have to say. This discussion is open as well to generalreaders or bloggers in a different field, authors, publishers andpublicists.
Courtesyguidelines: Thank you for coming! All thoughtful comments will beconsidered and probably get a response from fellow bloggers. In fact,you’re encouraged to talk about it and share viewpoints or include linksto relevant materials. We’d like everyone to have a nice time.Differing viewpoints are just fine, even if strongly expressed, butinflammatory or off-topic comments will be removed.
This Brunch, my guests are: Sarah (Sarah Says Read), Melody (Book and Music Lover), Jessica from Shut Up! I'm Reading and Gabriel (Gabriel Reads).

Our question is: Doescover art influence what you read? If you aren’t familiar with anauthor, and you don’t like the cover art, would you try the book? Haveyou ever loved the cover art, and didn’t enjoy the book?

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Jessica has a great feature on her blog, called Judging a Book by its Cover, so I figured she'd be the perfect person to invite to Brunch this Sunday. And here's what she had to share with us:

Does cover art influence what you read?

I try not to let it influence what I read too much...but sometimes I can't help myself. Take the book I'm reading now, forexample, Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma. The cover art for it isGORGEOUS and the moment I saw it, I knew that I needed to read it.

If you aren’t familiar with an author, and you don’t like the cover art, would you try the book?

If it's an author I don't know,and the cover art is particularly awful, then honestly I probablywouldn't pick it up. However, if I then heard great things about thebook or author, I'd pick it up and ignore the cover art.

Have you ever loved the cover art, and didn’t enjoy the book?

Actually,yes, this has happened in quite a few cases: Untraviolet by RJAnderson, Anxious Hearts by Tucker Shaw, Dark Parties by Sara Grant, andPossession by Elana Johnson. So there's some definite proof that thecover definitely isn't always as appealing as what's inside.

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Sarah had her own thoughts to add, *Enjoying hot orange tea with lots of honey*

Cover art definitely influences what I do and don't read,to a certain extent. Who doesn't love a good-looking or interestingcover? There are books that I picked up off a shelf because the covercaught my eye and I read for no other reason - and I ended up lovingmost of them. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory was one, Eragon by Christopher Paolini was another. The covers were just so pretty that I had to check them out!

As for bad cover art... I'll still try the book if it looks interesting or if it comes really highly recommended. Perfect Fudge by Hazel M. Larsen is a great example - it's a self-published book so the cover art wasn't great, but Jenn (at http://completelybooksessed.blogspot.com/)recommended it and she was so enthusiastic about it. I read it, and itwas actually a pretty great read, so don't let bad cover art fool you.Another good example is The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula le Guin. She is an amazing sci-fi / fantasy author, but most of her older covers are just awful.

I'm sure there's a book I've read that had a great coverthat I didn't like, but I can't think of any examples. They either mustnot have been that bad, or were so bad that I just blocked them from mymind. I definitely support judging books by their covers - I think thatif a cover appeals to you, there's a good chance the book itself will aswell. Just don't forget that there are always exceptions out there!

Thanks, Sarah!!!

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And now, I'll weigh in with my own opinion ---- I think cover art has more influence on readers than some people think it does. If a book has an appealing cover, I think it gets picked up more. I see this all the time in my library ---- there are books with beautiful covers, and they get checked out, even if they aren't probably the most amazing read, and there are other books which get great reviews, and sound good, but because the cover art isn't too good, they just sit on the shelf. I was talking about this with one of my friends recently and we thought it could make an interesting book display if we were to grab some good but ugly books, re-do the covers, and then put them in a display. It would be a bit of work (especially since books aren't all one size), but I think it could definitely be interesting.

ugly...

much better.

Personally, while I do sometimes pick up a book because of the cover art, I grab most of my books at the library based on reviews and summaries (which, as a librarian, I'm always reading), and, actually, the title, if I happen to be browsing the new book area. I have read great books with uninspiring cover art, and so-so books where the cover art is gorgeous. I've also read books where the copy I have has ugly cover art, but then a newer edition comes out with a much prettier cover (this happened with one of the books I got for the library and it was annoying ---- I was glad people have checked out the book many times, despite the ugly cover).

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Melody had her bit to add in: Cover art definitely influences what I read. I know I should never judge a book by it's cover, but I do it a lot anyway. The cover art is what makes the first impression and I feel it is very important. If the cover is interesting then I want to read what the book is about. If I'm not familiar with an author and don't like the cover then I will not try the book unless someone recommends it to me. There have been some cases where I really liked the cover art but did not like the book. Fallen by Lauren Kate is one of those. I absolutely adore the cover of that book, I think it is very beautiful, dark, and mysterious. However when I actually read the book, I did not enjoy it at all. It is very disappointing when that happens.

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And now, here is the GIVEAWAY!!! About: Once a month on a Monday night, eight students gather in chef Lillian’s restaurant kitchen for a cooking class. The students have come to learn the art behind Lillian's soulful dishes, but it soon becomes clear that each one unknowingly seeks a recipe for something

beyond the kitchen... (More) and please click HERE to see the author discuss her book (because the html doesn't want to cooperate today) Clip courtesy of PNWA
Browse: Excerpt   | Recipes

Details: This could be a nice gift for a favorite foodie, or just a cozy read for chilly weather. To win this book, please leave email info and thoughtful or interesting comment below. A winner will be   picked at random. If host and guests agree that a specific visitor comment is substantial, outstanding, or in some other way has particular merit, they can override random.org pick at their discretion. International. Through December 15, 2011, 12 midnight EDT.

Goodies brought by: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)

Find Random Magic: Amazon | Kindle
Explore Random Magic: YouTube | Tumblr | Twitter

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Be a guest at an upcoming brunch: @StoryWings

Bring goodies for a giveaway: @StoryWings

Suggest a question: @LiederMadchen

Browse Bookie Brunch discussions (after July 2011, archive): The Fluidity of Time

A Bitter Truth by Charles Todd

2011-11-09T06:31:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads) : World War One battlefield nurse Bess Crawford is featured for a third time in A Bitter Truth. Bess reaches out to help an abused and frightened young woman, only to discover that no good deed ever goes unpunished when the good Samaritan nurse finds herself falsely accused of murder.

And here's what I thought:   Well, that summary doesn't tell you much, does it?   I hadn't been familiar with Bess Crawford as a character before this book, but I quickly warmed up to her, and to this story.

I read Anne Perry's books, including her Inspector Monk books -- where there is a character named Hester, who is a nurse (she nursed during the Crimean War).   This book is set during the time period of World War I, so Bess has seen some time on the front lines of war.   Needless to say, she's a very straightforward, capable person who thinks through things rationally.

One night, coming home for Christmas leave, she finds a woman huddling in her doorway, trying to keep out of the bad weather. In helping her, she gets pulled into the woman's family drama, and ultimately, a murder mystery.

I thought Todd had a really nice touch with this story, and with Bess. I had thought Charles Todd was a male author, but, as it turns out, "Charles Todd" is a mother-and-son writing team. The writing is so seamless - I'm not sure how they write together, but they do a great job! There are enough characters to make things a bit confusing, so just when I thought I knew what was happening, there would be a twist.   I also liked how realistic things were -- both the English customs and manners of that time, as well as the horrors of war.   This is the third Bess Crawford book, and I'm now looking forward to finding the first two and settling in for some good reading.

First sentences: A cold rain had followed me from France to England, and an even colder wind greeted me as we pulled into the railway station in London. As I handed in my ticket, I looked for my father, who was usually here to meet me. Or if he couldn't come, he generally sent Simon Brandon in his place.

Thoughts on the cover: I really like the juxtaposition of the fancy iron and the softly blurred figure of a woman -- it's a great choice for a mystery.

Wordless Wednesday - poppet in milkweed

2011-11-09T05:56:00.001-08:00

Brightwing by Sullivan Lee

2011-11-07T08:36:00.000-08:00

Summary (courtesy ofGoodReads): Edgar and Mallory Battle are on the run after a spectacularly violent escape. Now, with a trail of bodies behind them, they need a hostage against the inevitable standoff with the police. Their first doesn't last long, thanks to sociopathic Mallory. Edgar has been hiding his brother's crimes since they were kids. Now he's torn between family loyalty and self-preservation.

They carjack Lucy Brightwing, a criminal fresh from her own heist, with a fortune of uncut gems hidden in her vehicle. She could escape - but she won't abandon her millions. She could kill the Battle brothers, but she has to be careful. For one thing, if the law investigates, they'll find her ill-gotten loot. For another, her own life is sacred. She's the last member of a Florida paleoindian tribe thought to be extinct - the Tequesta. With her share of the money she plans to buy, bribe and blackmail her way into her own ancestral tribal lands in the heart of the Everglades: a Tequesta nation.

Lucy leads the brothers into her beloved swamp, determined to kill them. But when she falls for Edgar she must decide whether to risk her heritage and the future of her tribe to save the doomed brothers.
And here's what I thought:   Actually, I was intrigued even before I started the book, because here is what the Acknowledgments page says: "For my sister M. Who begged me to kill Mallory." Okay -- color me curious.      While I thought this book was a bit of a slow starter, I got the impression that the author did that on purpose ---- you start out a little slow, and you think: Oh, okay, I know what's going to happen.....         And then, the pace starts to pick up.    We have two stories that are interconnected: Lucy, who is on a mission, and the two Bartle Brothers, who are also on a mission (to escape being caught by the police).   The two brothers reminded me a little bit of the two men in Of Mice and Men, in how Edgar was always trying to keep an eye (and a handle on) on Mallory. Or, you could think of these guys as the two brothers in From Dusk 'Til Dawn. Either way, it makes for an interesting pairing. When the two brothers first encounter Lucy, Edgar thinks she's going to be an easy target, but it soon becomes very clear that Lucy's no wimp. I liked that.   I liked how Lucy was smart, and pretty matter-of-fact about things --- she completely throws Edgar for a loop, and I liked how that added to the story, and created some tension.   I also liked how Lucy's background was worked into the story -- she's a fully developed character, not just some cardboard female.

You do have to get used to the back-and-forth narrative in this book, but once you do, I think it's a good story.   I got the impression that the author really enjoyed writing this story, and her characters (yes, even Mallory -- he's a real nasty piece of work, but I see how writing a character like him could be kinda fun).    I also got the feeling that the author was very familiar with her setting --- everything in this story felt very real.   That's always nice, because you don't find yourself being snagged on some detail that doesn't add up (that always bugs me, when the rhythm of my reading is interrupted).    There is some romance here, which I guess I didn't feel was completely necessary, but which added some interesting tension to the story.     The way Lucy is written, I wasn't surprised that Edgar was drawn to her.   And what happens to Mallory in the end? Not telling!!!!

This was a quick-paced story with interesting characters.   If you're looking for a book that's a combination of thriller and drama, with a bit of romance mixed in, you might want to give this one a try.

First sentences: It was a shame about the hooker. Lucy Brightwing left the high class call girl tied with her own thigh highs and convincingly roughed-up in the lobby of a diner that opened for breakfast. The early fry cook would find her, and probably not rape her, since she knew from a background check he had a clean criminal record. Lucy always did her research.

Thoughts on the cover: A bit too much mist for me. I don't mind the woman, or the gun, and I like the Everglades-y touch .... but the mist makes it look like there are elements of a fantasy novel here (like there's some kind of magic surrounding her). I'd like a bit harder looking image, to drive home that this is a fast-paced thriller.

If you'd like to learn more about the author, you may find her on her blog, or on GoodReads.

Wordless Wednesday - steel roots spiky sculpture

2011-11-01T17:34:00.001-07:00

Smoketown by Tenea D. Johnson

2011-11-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):    The city of Leiodare is unlike any other in the post-climate change United State. Within its boundaries, birds are outlawed and what was once a crater in Appalachia is now a tropical, glittering metropolis where Anna Armour is waiting. An artist by passion and a factory worker by trade, Anna is a woman of special gifts. She has chosen this beautiful, traumatized city to wait for the woman she's lost, the one she believes can save her from her troubled past and uncertain future.
When one night Anna creates life out of thin air and desperation, no one is prepared for what comes next-not Lucine, a smooth talking soothsayer with plans for the city; Lucine's brother Eugenio who has designs of his own; Seife, a star performer in the Leiodaran cosmos; or Rory, a forefather of the city who's lived through outbreak, heartbreak, and scandal. Told through their interlocking stories, Smoketown delves into the invisible connections that rival magic, and the cost of redemption.

And here's what I thought: This book reminded me a lot of what I like about many of China Mieville's books: a fascinating setting that is both intriguing and disturbing, and a story that completely captures me.   As you can see from the above summary, there are multiple characters in this story who encounter each other, and whose stories are intertwined and woven into each other, as well. Anna is, I feel, the real main character in the story -- we get to know her as the story progresses, and she is the focus of much of the book. What I really liked about this story, other than the setting (which is a character wholly unto itself; it is that alive), is that Anna's story is revealed bit by bit, sometimes without much of an explanation. She is not an open book, but rather, like an intricate puzzle box; you have to carefully go bit by bit to get to the center of her.   I loved that.

This book is also beautifully written. The author's prose is descriptive without being overwrought, and most of the time, I had a very clear picture in my head of a character, or a setting, or what was happening to someone. I loved how it seemed the author would set something up, and then reveal it through her words -- does that make sense?   It's almost like watching some detailed film where details are a bit smudgy, and then start to come into focus.   Sometimes, I felt like what I was reading was crafted, not just written --- the words chosen as if the author were writing a poem.   Here's an example (p. 14): "Already the night looked lighter, as if dawn were a short nap away and here she sat, a crime on her lap and unleashed power in her hands."

Maybe it's just me. But I really, really liked this book. Reading it made me feel quiet and thoughtful, and it made me want to read more from this author.

First sentences: Anna Armour had had her fair share of failed resurrections. There had been the lichen when she was three and the dragonfly at six - the sad twisted platypus that her mother took away before it ruined her tenth birthday. Since the day of her mother's death when Anna was fourteen, she hadn't brought anything to life.

Thoughts on the cover: I really like this cover -- it's simple, but it captures the feel of the story perfectly.

Daily Cemetery photo -- last one!

2011-10-31T12:18:00.001-07:00

Daily Cemetery Photo - Hannah Wall, Maine

2011-10-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

Daily Cemetery Photo - Huldah Randall, Maine

2011-10-30T12:55:00.001-07:00

Skulls, or skulls with wings, are common on older stones (late 1700s), and I found a number of them when I took a trip to Maine a few years ago.

Daily Cemetery Photo - Forest Home, Milwaukee

2011-10-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

Bookie Brunch -- we have a winner!!!!

2011-10-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks very much to everyone who not only attended Brunch, but who left great comments! Very fun! And congrats go out to Commenter #14, Pabkins at Mission to Read! An email has been sent, and the package will be on your way shortly!!

Thanks again -- it was a great Brunch to host, and I really did appreciate everyone stopping by!!!!

the winner gets a crown! and maybe a carrot.

The winner was chosen via Randomizer (see below):

I have yet to figure out how to get the widget to look right, or if I get it on my blog, to then generate a number. So, I went, generated, and copied this part:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 14 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Daily Cemetery Photo - Kneeling Angel

2011-10-29T06:53:00.000-07:00

Could be the last Hop .....

2011-10-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

what's this about no more hopping?

Friday means it's time for another Book Blogger Hop, although our host, Jen, has indicated that after this weekend's Hop, it's on hiatus (could be permanent). So, before I answer this week's question, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jen for putting in the hard work for the Hop every week. She's got a blog that's chock-full of cool things, and while the Hop was the reason I found her, and why I started visiting her blog every week, I found other things on her blog to enjoy, as well. I also discovered a lot of nice bloggers and great blogs through the Hop -- so thanks for that, as well.!!

This week's question is: “What is your favorite Halloween costume?Even if you don’t celebrate, what kinds of costumes do you like?”

When I was a kid, my costumes were more or less determined by my Mom. When I was really little, I was a tiger for a few Halloweens (in a costume passed down from my siblings). But, even when I got older, it seemed Mom had the final say -- going as a "gypsy" was something that happened more than once because it was really easy to grab old clothes and throw them on.

Death

Once I was in my 20s, and had the opportunity to go clubbing in Chicago around Halloween, there was a lot more freedom. I think the easiest, and most fun costume I came up with was Death (from Neil Gaiman's Sandman graphic novels). A black wig, some face paint and an ankh and I was all set! I haven't dressed up for a long time, although the last time I did, I did a variation on this.

I do get a kick out of seeing little kids dressed up, and how creative their costumes can be. There was a little Halloween trick-or-treat parade in our library yesterday, and they all looked so cute!! Babies dressed as bumblebees are one of my favorites!!!

Happy Hopping, everyone!!!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

2011-10-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):   This is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss. The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming. . . .
This monster, though, is something different. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.
It wants the truth.

And here's what I thought: I had been waiting for this book ever since I first heard about it, and thus had set myself up to expect a really great read. And that's what I got: a really great read ... that broke my heart at the end.   I don't want to spoil anything for you, but what I will say is this: this book is one of the best stories I have read this year. Maybe in the last few years. It's not very long, but I found myself thinking a lot about it once I would close the pages for the night (I read this before bed over a few nights).   Conor's an interesting character: he's funny, and he's frustrating, and he's real.   There were moments in this story when I would think, okay, it's all going to turn out just fine, don't worry .... and then I would keep worrying.

That's not to say that this is an awful, sad book. It is sad, but it has thoughtful moments, and bits of light that shine through.

Patrick Ness (The Knife of Never Letting Go, etc) wrote this book based on a story by Siobhan Dowd. He also wrote a lovely introduction to the book, where he tells us a bit about her, and why he wrote the book.   I almost felt like this introduction was a story unto itself, and I re-read it more than once.

And let me say a bit about the illustrations that appear throughout this story --- they are awesome. Definitely evocative and emotional, they make this book -- without it, it would be a good story, and a good book; with them, it becomes something awesome.

First sentences: The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do. Conor was awake when it came. He'd had a nightmare. Well, not a nightmare. The nightmare. The one he'd been having a lot lately. The one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming.

Thoughts on the cover: Perfectly suits the story. 'Nuff said.

Daily Cemetery Photo - angel in crystal ball

2011-10-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

This was a photo I manipulated in Flickr - cropping, and then using the crystal ball effect.

The Luminist by David Rocklin

2011-10-27T12:19:00.000-07:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads): Photography comprises the bright, tensile thread in the sweep of The Luminist, drawing tight a narrative that shifts between the prejudices and passions of Victorian England and those of colonial Ceylon. It binds the destinies of Catherine Colebrook, the proper wife of a fading diplomat, who rebels against every convention to chase the romance of science through her lens, and Eligius, an Indian teenager thrust into servitude after his father is killed demanding native rights. The Luminist is a weave of legend and history, science and art, politics and domesticity that are symphonic themes in the main title, the story of an enduring and forbidden friendship. Catherine and Eligius must each struggle with internal forces that inspire them and societal pressures that command them. Rocklin’s is a bold landscape, against which an intimate drama is poignantly played out. Just in this way, our minds recall in every detail the photo snapped at the moment of pain, while all the lovely scenes seem to run together.

And here's what I thought: Okay. I am going to start right here by saying that my review is going to be nowhere as well written as the review I saw yesterday. So, if you would like to read an elegantly written, beautifully done-up review of this book, please click on over to What She Read.

But here's what I thought: Reading this book was like reading pure poetry. It also was like going to a museum and seeing an intricate painting, full of fine detailing and shading. Does that make sense?

This isn't a quick read. Instead, this is a book meant to be read slowly, lingered over and digested. I will admit, it didn't quite capture me right away, although the more I read, the more I found myself caught up in the story. The author does require some devotion -- you can't skim anything here, or you'll become quite lost. At times, I felt like I wasn't quite understanding what was happening, but then it would all start to come back together. This book is beautifully written, and the story is compelling --- but I would make sure you have some time set aside once you decide to read it. I will say that although the characters didn't always make me love them, I still found them very interesting. Definitely not a book that I might have grabbed for myself based on the description, but I'm really glad that I read it. I'll be interested to see if this will come out in audiobook at some point --- having the right person read this one would be quite the experience.

Thanks very much to Tracee at Pump up Your Book for contacting me about this one !!

First sentences: The noises outside her window were of wind and the near sea, of clay chimes kilned to crystalline tones. Natives not opposed to Britishers had strung them at off heights from the thatching of her bungalow roof to ward off demons during her pregnancy. Their sound filled her sleep and informed her dreams.

Thoughts on the cover: A photograph taken by Julia Margaret Cameron, it's arresting -- I kept coming back to the cover while I was reading the book, and studying the details of this woman's face.

Daily Cemetery Photo - Forest Home, Milwaukee

2011-10-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

Library Lagniappe -- special Halloween version

2011-10-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

Zombie librarian

A friend of mine suggested that I do a "scary librarian" post for October, which I thought sounded like a good idea --- but then, I realized I could do a "scary patron" post much more easily.   So, here's a Library Lagniappe about some of the top kinds of scary patrons:

1) The drinker.   Once in a while, I have someone come up to the desk who has had a bit too much before they walked in the library (their fumes usually precede them). I try not to think about how they arrived (because the thought that they drove here is pretty awful).    These patrons tend to ask somewhat odd questions, or completely garble their question, making it a bit tricky to help them find what they need. On occasion, they can become a bit testy, making things tricky for staff. Luckily, I've never had someone become violent.

2) The stinker. 'Nuff said, I think --- I know that some people can't help it, so I'm not hard on these people. However, whether it's too much perfume, heavy nicotine smell, or just plain old b.o., I'm glad we have a small fan at the desk (we don't have great air circulation in our library, so this little fan comes in handy).

3) The "charmer." While this kind of male patron can be somewhat amusing, he can be pretty annoying. The Charmer likes nothing more than to ask a question that involves going down into the stacks, where he can then chat you up (and ask you out) while you're trying to find what he's looking for. His other tactic is to come up to the desk and take something off of it (like your pen) while trying to come off as cute and funny. Uh, yeah. No.

4) The Interrupter. Many people are in a hurry when they need something, which I understand. However, it's difficult to help someone when they keep talking over you and interrupting you when you are trying to determine what they need. These patrons will start off by asking if we have something, and then, as I'm trying to tell them, keep talking over me. I always stop, because I feel that it's easier to let them talk. Also, they might be saying something that will help me locate what they want. However, it's frustrating when you're trying to explain that yes, we have it, or no, we don't, but we can get it ..... and they just don't let you finish a sentence.    We have a few patrons who are constantly doing this, and after a while, you just dread it when they call.

5) The Nothing-Makes-Me-Happy Complainer. I understand that it's frustrating when you go to the library and they don't have what you want. However, it's kinda not cool to start complaining, and then be unhappy no matter what the solution is.   Example: Person comes in, needs a book for a class, and we don't have it.   They're not happy that we don't have it (which I understand). Then, they're not happy that it will take 5-7 days to interlibrary loan it. But, they're also not happy to learn that it's at a library about 20 minutes from us, where they could pick it up (why should they have to drive?). Then, they're not happy that we just don't have every textbook for every school here.   This is the kind of person who is just determined to be unhappy, no matter what. This person also usually starts to broaden their complaints to other things, like the fact that we only have one entrance, that they don't understand why we don't have more movies, etc etc etc.   We do what we can, but unfortunately, I can't wave my magic wand and make everything better.

6) The "Aren't You the Meanest Librarian" Glarer: This is the person who doesn't like it when staff politely ask them to: please take their cell phone call away from the computer area (because there are signs clearly stating we don't allow calls in that area), or to please turn down their headphones (because if I can hear what you're listening to where I sit, which is about 20 feet from the computers, it's too loud).   They feel that someone like me must be the meanest, most awfulest librarian ever --- at least, that's what they like to convey with their glares.   Yeah, sorry about that. I suppose I'm just so mean because I politely ask you to do something that either is bothering everyone else, or just isn't allowed (and this is the only area that we don't allow calls in the entire library). Yes, wouldn't it be just so nice if I'd leave them alone? Actually, yes, for me and for the person. However, my boss expects me to do my job. Which is being a Mean Librarian. Yep! That's me!

7) Lastly, the Non-Thanker.   I don't know of a really good word for this kind of patron, so I made that up.   It's always kind of a downer when you spend time helping someone and they don't even say thanks. I don't need praises, or roses, or chocolates, but a small thank-you always makes me feel absolutely great.   Not that it's all about making me feel good, mind you, but this is something that if you help several people like this in a row, you need to take a break and go have a piece of chocolate to feel better about things.

This post has been brought to you courtesy of all of those bad patrons --- and is something I'm including in the Bookie Brunch Trick or Treat Hop. Please follow the link to learn all about it and to see who else is participating (lots and lots of fun things!)

Wordless Wednesday & Daily Cemetery Photo

2011-10-26T06:17:00.001-07:00

Daily Cemetery Photo -- 2 boys, Forest Home Cemetery

2011-10-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, #1) by Marissa Meyer

2011-10-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads): Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

And here's what I thought: I enjoyed this book. I thought the author did a really neat trick with the story, using some of the elements of the traditional Cinderella story, and then turning things around and giving them a futuristic, sci-fi setting and main character. It makes for an interesting book --- just when you think you might know where the story is going, or what's going to happen next, there's a twist. I felt that Cinder Linh, our main character, was realistically written (personality-wise, although the cyborg elements also were well-written and made sense), and the story progressed along with an even pace. She's not the only well-written character, however --- even the supporting characters, like Prince Kai and Cinder's sisters, are well-rounded.

If you're not someone who reads a lot of science fiction, don't let that scare you away from this book. The science fiction elements of it are just part of the story, and while they do drive the story, and some of the decisions that Cinder makes, there's a lot to enjoy in this story: adventure, a bit of romance, a bit of mystery --- and an overall good story.

First sentences: The screw through Cinder's ankle had rusted, the engraved cross marks worn to a mangled circle. Her knuckles ached from forcing the screwdriver into the joint as she struggled to loosen the screw one gritting twist after another. By the time it was extracted far enough for her to wrench free with her prosthetic steel hand, the hairline threads had been stripped clean.

Thoughts on the cover: Perfect! Eye-catching, and gets across the cyborg/mechanical aspect of the story. And I love the font of the title -- very cool!

Please note: I read an ARC of this book, so any quotes/page numbers may differ upon final publication -- which is set for January, 2012.

Daily Cemetery Photo -- B Schaetzke

2011-10-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

Bookie Brunch!

2011-10-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

Bookie Brunch was dreamed up by Sasha Soren, the author of Random Magic, and it's a lovely opportunity for bloggers to gather on a Sunday and have a bit of discussion.

Bookie Brunch is a weekly meet-up, held every Sunday, where book
bloggers can have a cup of tea (or other beverage of choice) and chat about a particular bookie question of interest. The discussion is open from Sunday through Wednesday, and you’re welcome to drop by any time to add your opinion or read what other people have to say. This discussion is open as well to general readers or bloggers in a different field, authors, publishers and publicists.

Courtesy guidelines: Thank you for coming! All thoughtful comments
will be considered and probably get a response from fellow bloggers.
In fact, you’re encouraged to talk about it and share viewpoints or include links to relevant materials. We’d like everyone to have a nice time. Differing viewpoints are just fine, even if strongly expressed, but inflammatory or off-topic comments will be removed.

This week, I would like to welcome Amanda, Ashley, Jenni Elyse, Pabkins, Jenny Q and Jools!

This Brunch's discussion question is: Since we’re close to Halloween, I’m curious --- if you could be any magical creature for three days (three’s a good number, since it lets you have a fair run at it), what would you be? Of course, you’d be able to turn back to yourself after 3 days, so no worries about getting stuck!

Emo Fairy courtesy of DeviantArt

Today, I'm choosing a nice cup of coffee for my beverage (I'm working today, so that bit of caffeine will come in handy in a bit). I wouldn't mind being a fairy for a few days. Not a Tinkerbell kind of fairy, but something dark, that lives in the woods. I've always been a walk-in-the-woods kind of person, and I think being able to move through the forest at night, with fairy senses, would be pretty cool. I'd probably be one of those bad fairies that likes to pull tricks on people..... just because. So, a dark fairy it would be for me!!

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Next up: Amanda!

courtesy of DeviantArt

I went back and forth when I began thinking about this question. My first thought was a centaur, then I spoke to a friend who said they'd be a werewolf, and finally I decided there was really only one choice for me. Vampire. My attraction to vampires is a selfish one. I suffer from several chronic illnesses--could I really pass up being immortal, strong, and without disease? Of course, there would be sacrifices but in this case I'd only be a vampire for three days. Also, I'd like to be the Anne Rice variety. No sparkly vampire here, though I might have a conscience, I would be a monster.

You may discover more about Amanda on her sites here and here, and she also has an Etsy shop.
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Jenni Elyse had this to say:

I'd like to be a witch. I'd love to be able to do my own magic. And, the idea of being a part of the Harry Potter world. I think it would be great fun!

Jenni's got a great quote from Dumbledore on her blog: "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

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courtesy of DeviantArt

Pabkins chose a different route to go (sipping on Starbucks Iced green tea-unsweetened): If I could be a magical creature for three days - I would be Falcor from The Never-Ending Story - so a luck dragon - I would fly all over the world spreading luck to all sort of people and of course terrorizing plenty of people too because I'm just that kind of trouble maker. I know its simple but that's just awesome - plus I'd be lucky for three days so maybe I'd win lots of books - so partly selfish too!

Pabkins' blog may be found at Mission to Read , along with some cool reviews!

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Jenny Q's, chiming in, sipping on some Hazelnut coffee with Bailey's Almond Toffee creamer--have you tried their new creamers? So good!

Thank you for having me today! I am very excited to join the Bookie Brunch discussion! And what a tough question for my debut!

courtesy of DeviantArt

Hmmm . . . I wouldn't want to be a vampire, since I'm really not keen on blood drinking and I adore the sun. And though I love werewolves, I don't think I have the stomach for the raw animal diet. I thought about faeries--it would be cool to be achingly beautiful and irresistable to mortal men. But faeries have all kinds of pesky rules. You have to be really careful how you talk to faeries or you could end up stuck in a ridiculous contract binding you until death. And that whole, "If someone knows your true name they have power over you," thing is kind of dangerous, too. So that leaves witches. The possibilities for witches are endless, aren't they? They've got spells for just about anything a girl could need these days. Revenge on a bitchy coworker? A charm to make my love handles disappear? A spell to make my house clean itself? I bet I could even finagle a casting to get free Starbucks for life. Oh, and a coven of sisters to have my back...I think I could get used to being a witch!

(P.S. - Don't believe the people who will tell you I already am one. They don't mean it in that sense of the word :)

If you'd like to know more about Jenny Q, please visit her at Let Them Read Books

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Jools had this to say, indulging in black coffee with a bit of honey: The first creature that springs to mind is a fairy, I was obsessed with the Flower Fairies when I was about seven. I'd love to be the Wild Cherry Blossom Fairy (see, I still remember the name!), she was my favourite. On second thought though, to satisfy my wanderlust, I think a dragon would be great because I'd be able to cover huge distances in a short amount of time. I'd also be able to look after myself if any Uncle Vernon types came along, whereas a fairy might get squished. Dragons, depending on the mythology you follow, have some very useful and enviable abilities. The only downside, of course, is that most people would be absolutely terrified of me and run away. Actually, that could be quite nice, three quiet days spent anywhere I fancy in the world.

You may find Jools over at Inky Pages !
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Please feel free to join in the discussion!    And, if you are interested in being a guest, or a host, or would like to see the schedule, please visit StoryWings.

And, an added little something for everyone: a giveaway!!!! I have a lovely new copy of Gene Wolfe's The Evil Guest, a spanking fresh copy of Paul is Undead by Alan Goldsher, and a beautiful blank book (for writing poems, spells, whatever you like). The rules are simple: please leave a thoughtful comment, perhaps your own answer to this week's question, or a thought or two on someone else's answer.   And please leave your email so I may notify the winner.   Giveaway is also open to Brunch guests, so feel free to comment, as well!

Giveaway is open until Midnight on Friday, October 28th.   Winner will be chosen by randomizer via random.org.

Trick or Treat Blog Hop --- it's all about the candy (?)

2011-10-23T08:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat

Bookie Brunch is a weekly book chat for book lovers. A new Bookie Brunch posts every Sunday, and you're welcome to join any ongoing discussion .

In the meantime, let's have some treats for Halloween. Just click on the badges at the end of the post, for a new treat!

Here's a treat from me at FluidityofTime:

To celebrate the first day of the Trick or Treat Blog Hop, I thought I'd focus on candy. Halloween candy, of course!!    When I was a kid, I always sorted my candy at the end of Halloween night into the "good" pile and the "yuck" pile. The "yuck" pile was always good for trading stuff with my best friend, or leaving for my parents to nibble on (yes, Mom would sequester the candy after Halloween and dole it out in my lunch, a piece at a time).   So, in honor of that, I present:   The Top Five Good kinds of Halloween candy ..... and the Top Five "Yuck" kinds of candy!

Top Five Good kinds of Halloween candy:

1) The trinity of awesomeness: Milky Way, Snickers, and 3 Musketeers.   Any of these were a winner. Extra happy bonus points if a house happened to be giving away full-size bars. This almost never happened, but my friends and I would always hoped to come across one of these houses (this kind of Halloween candy-giver was almost an urban legend, but I did know kids who were lucky enough to get full-size bars on occasion).
2) Mounds bars.   I love dark chocolate -- and while the somewhat odd texture of coconut would occasionally get to me, I always loved these. Almond Joys? Not the same.
3) M&Ms. Plain or peanut -- you could never go wrong with a bag of these, especially since you could spend time once you had opened the bag, sorting them by color.
4) Starburst. Like M&Ms, these could be sorted by color and eaten accordingly. Chewy, but not in a teeth-sticking way, eating a handful of these could always be counted on to provide a great sugar rush.
5) Candy Corn.   Small, but filled with sugar. Like Starburst, these would also give you a sugar rush if you ate a bunch (and face it: who can eat just one of these little guys?)

Top "Yuck" candy:

1) Those hard, icky pieces of strange peanut butter taffy. They were always wrapped in either orange or black waxed paper, and every time I found them in my bag, I wanted to just toss them. No real flavor, and if you ever did try to get them soft enough to eat, the taffy stuck to your teeth, threatening to pull out a filling!
2) Good-n-Plenty. Slick lozenges of too-sweet-on-the-outside and weird on the inside pieces of black licorice.   As an adult, I like black licorice, but as a kid? Yuck!
3) Whoppers. They had a strange, gritty texture and they were milk chocolate (I have always loved dark chocolate).
4) Sixlets. Do you remember those? They were weird, waxy little chocolate balls that looked a bit like a round M&M and tasted totally gross.
5) Milk Duds. Hated those, and Sugar Daddies, too. I am not a fan of hard caramels that stick to my teeth. I always had pretty good check-ups as a kid, but I lived in fear of having to go to the dentist for a filling.

6) Just because I couldn't leave these off the list: Dum-Dum lollipops. Maybe it was just the name, or the fact that all of the flavors had a weird chemical aftertaste to me, but I never liked these. Tootsie Pops were way more fun, especially since they had that blob of stuff in the middle of them.   Oddly enough, I didn't like Charm Pops either -- the gum was always gritty and too-sweet (and an odd size).
7) JuJuBees and Chuckles. The former had the texture of pencil erasers, and had no flavor. The latter were strange: squishy and gritty -- never a good combination. Both of these were teeth-stickers, too!

Please feel free to weigh in with your feelings on candy, and share your likes and dislikes!

Bookie Brunch*Every Sunday*Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic). I have been both a host and a guest, and it's great! See all discussions here.

This Halloween, my favorite Halloween candy [or treat] is

Take Five

because it's crunch (pretzel and peanuts), gooey (caramel), salty (pretzel) and sweet (caramel and chocolate).

What's yours? Tell us!