Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):  Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station - and a werewolf in the closet. Her new late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged is a raging success, but it's Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew?    From the Publisher (Warner Books)

And a little note:  I tend to grab my summaries from GoodReads for a few reasons.   First, I see no need to reinvent the wheel.  If someone has already written up a nice summary, I don't feel the need to write another one.  Second, because I am quoting the entire summary, I avoid any plagiarism (which is why I'm now giving the link to the GoodReads summary also).   Third, I'm a bit lazy.  I'd rather just get on with writing my thoughts on the book (which refers back to the first reason, as well).   :)

And here's what I thought:  I had actually read this book a while back, because one of my friends was raving about it.  I actually liked it very much (and still do), but didn't get past the third book in the series.   Not because I didn't like the series, but just because I forgot by the next time a new book in the series came out.  Re-reading this was fun, and made me think it might be a nice idea to pick up all of the books in the series and just have a "Kitty feast."    So on to the book --- Carrie Vaughn has created a great character in Kitty Norville.  She's smart and tough, (but not too wise-ass), and she's pretty realistic about what it's like to be a werewolf.  I thought it was great that the story really begins when Kitty's hosting one of her usual radio shows, and it turns into a whole "let's talk about vampires and werewolves" show.  The story progresses along with a good pace, and there are some strong supporting characters here, as well.   I like that in Vaughn's world, she has Kitty explain about the whole "mass conversion" (at least that's what I call it) from human to wolf.  On page 63, Kitty basically explains, "We were bigger than regular wolves -- conservation of mass, a two-hundred-pound man becomes a two-hundred-pound wolf, when a full-grown Canis lupus doesn't get much bigger than a hundred pounds or so."  Not to be picky, but I always have a difficult time when *ahem* in certain stories (*or should I say, movies*), the werewolf is HUGE, and seems to be more than twice the size/weight of the human.   Vaughn also does a nice job with Kitty and how it is when she changes into a wolf -- the wolf becomes like an alter ego, another self.   This book was a pretty quick read, and a great story.  

And, there's a fun playlist in the Acknowledgments before the book starts.  I would totally agree that this would be a great soundtrack to this book. 

This book met one of the challenge categories for my Hogwarts challenge.  I'm determined to start ticking off these through July and August!!  Challenge category:  Transfiguration - read any book that has trans or figure in its title, is about shape shifting, has a shape shifter in it, or is about anything having to do with changing one thing into another

Teaser Tuesdays!

Can't believe it's this late in the day and I haven't posted my Teaser yet!!!!  Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's teaser comes from BirthMarked by Caragh M. O'Brien:  "Gaia could hear his boots approaching over the cobblestones, and still she kept her gaze studiously on a flowering vine that grew on the wall beside her.  He brought a faint scent of coffee with him, a scent from freedom."    p. 139

Numbers by Rachel Ward

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):   Whenever Jem meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die. Burdened with such an awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance.

And here's what I thought:   Actually, let's look at that summary for a moment.   As soon as Jem looks into someone's eyes, the date of their death pops into her head.  Not the most fun of talents.  Of course, when she's a little kid, she's not sure what the numbers mean, but then her mom dies, and it becomes quite clear that that string of numbers is actually a death date.    When she meets Spider, Jem is a foster home, isn't really enjoying school too much, and doesn't enjoy making friends (because of the whole death-date talent).   The nice thing about Spider, is that he's persistent, and he's also a bit of a loner, like Jem.   Things seem to be going okay, with Jem slowly getting to know Spider, when the two of them ditch school to go into London and visit the London Eye (if you're not sure what this is, here's a link).  But the fun stops there --- Jem and Spider are waiting to go up, Jem starts noticing that everyone's number is the same.  Like, everyone is supposed to die that day.  On the Eye.

Understandably, Jem freaks out and drags Spider with her to get away from everyone -- which is a good thing because moments later, the Eye explodes.  Because she and Spider have been spotted in the vicinity, they worry that the police will think they're part of the bomb plot --- and so the two of them take off.   This is where the story really picks up, with Jem and Spider on the move, trying to avoid being spotted, and worrying about where they'll sleep (and where they're going to get some food).   The whole thing with Jem's ability takes a back seat to the whole need-to-survive plot, and while it comes up again at one point, for a while, it's not the main focus.  However, Jem has seen Spider's number --- and it's coming up in a few days.   No spoilers -- you'll have to read the book to see what happens.

That's a little bit more about the story, so here's more about my thoughts on the book.   First off, I liked that this was set in Britain.  I've been there before, and I was somewhat familiar with London, and Bath, and the British-English slang didn't throw me off at all.   Ward did a nice job with the characters, making them pretty believeable, both in how they spoke, and in how they handled the situations thrown at them.  Jem's only 15, so she's not always perfectly cool with being on the run, or not knowing what's going to happen next; she's sometimes whiny, or grumpy (or flat-out pissed off).   Spider's got a few issues of his own, and although he takes pretty good care of Jem, he's not perfect, either.   This is realistic.  And by the way, these kids aren't gorgeous, thin, beautiful --- they're normal-looking (more or less - Spider's really skinny).  Thank you, Rachel Ward!!!     This book has a great pace that seemed to just pick up and then gallop along --- I just sat and read and read and read, because I wasn't sure what was going to happen next (and I needed to know).    I also liked how Jem's ability to see these numbers, while important in the book, wasn't the only focus of the story.   But, there were completely unrealistic elements, as well, like when Jem's in Bath Abbey and people start finding out about her ability.   Didn't quite jive (does that make sense?)

And a few words about the whole death-date, predestination thing -- it's an interesting idea that Rachel Ward has here.  Jem can see the date people will die, but that's all she knows: a date.  She doesn't know how, she doesn't know exactly when.   And, she really doesn't feel like it's something she should tell people (which I kind of agree with).   However, the dates never seem to change -- once she sees a date, it's set.  That means, no matter what the person does, or doesn't do, that it's set.   Does this mean that we're pre-determined to have something happen, no matter what?   If our destiny is completely out of our control, that would be a little depressing, wouldn't it?   And, in this story, there's another question: Do the numbers appear just because Jem can see them?  Or, are they there no matter what?  In other words --- because she sees the number, is she setting that date, and setting events in motion?    It's interesting to sit and think about a few of these ideas after finishing the book.

The Stuff of Legend - Book 1: The Dark

The Stuff of Legend - Book 1: The Dark by Mike Raicht and Brian Smith (illustrated by Charles Paul Wilson, III)

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):  The year is 1944. As Allied forces fight the enemy on Europe’s war-torn beaches, another battle begins in a child’s bedroom in Brooklyn. When the nightmarish Boogeyman snatches a boy and takes him to the realm of the Dark, the child’s playthings, led by the toy soldier known as the Colonel, band together to stage a daring rescue. On their perilous mission they will confront the boy’s bitter and forgotten toys, as well as betrayal in their own ranks. Can they save the boy from the forces of evil, or will they all perish in the process? The Stuff of Legend is a haunting and ultimately redemptive tale of loyalty, camaraderie, and perseverance.

And here's what I thought:  Let me start by saying that although this is a graphic novel, and it involves toys, this isn't really a book for children.   It's not cutesy; it's serious.  When a group of favorite toys loses their boy to the boogeyman, it's scary.  The Boogeyman has dark, frightening tendrils that grab the boy and pull him into the Dark (looks like his closet).   As the summary says, some of the toys gather a group together, determined to rescue the boy from the Boogeyman, embarking on a dangerous mission into the realm of the Dark.    The toys all become transformed when they enter the realm (the stuffed teddy bear becomes a huge, fierce bear, the piggy bank becomes a real pig, etc).  And just in case you think this is a whole Pixar, Toy-Story, everything is brightly colored and not too scary ---- think again.  There is real danger conveyed in these beautifully drawn illustrations, and everything is washed in a sepia tone that indicates just how serious the situation is for these toys.  And some of the toys might have agendas of their own, which will put the mission in peril.    This is a great story, which left me biting my fingernails at some parts (and now that I finished the book, wanting to know when Part II will be published).

And a little side note:  I don't mean to put down Pixar's Toy Story movies here.  Quite the contrary, I just meant to contrast the two stories.   I just saw Toy Story 3 last week and loved it (even thought it got me choked up at times).    I was one of those kids that didn't play with dolls; I played with stuffed animals.  All of them had different personalities (and voices, if necessary), and I had great, imaginative adventures with them.   I used to imagine, like I'm sure most kids did, that my stuffed animals came alive when I was asleep, and had even more adventures on their own.  And, I've never quite completely grown up about that, I think.  I had a hard time when my mom gave away a big bag of my stuffed animals without asking me, and worried that they were going to good homes.   Let me note, I was in my early twenties when she and my sister did this (and if they had just asked me, I would have taken all of them).  And, I still have some stuffed guys in my home now.   I suppose I'll always have a soft spot for these kinds of stories, where toys come to life, and have adventures --- and I'm fine with that (even if I do get all choked up when I watch Toy Story and then need some serious hugs from my husband!). 

Where I got this book:  Library!

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):   Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf.
As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever?

And here's what I thought:   I had been reading other bloggers' reviews of this book and they seemed pretty varied between liking this book, and not really loving it.   So, I decided to pick it up and give it a try (the baeutiful book cover was also part of the allure).  Of course, I had to wait for it  (I was on the holds list at our library).    What I found was a good story, although one that had a few flaws in it.   I'm not going to have any spoilers here, and you can see the summary of what the book's about above.   Overall, I actually liked the story.   Claire isn't a perfect character, and has moments of being a little.... whiny.   However, I think she's pretty realistic for a 16 year-old who's just figuring out she's going to be in for some big changes.   She's not happy about it, and she'd much rather concentrate her energy on Matthew --- who, of course, happens to be the son of a major-league jerk, and the enemy of her mother's pack.   I felt that the author did a good job of adding some mystery into the story, and making it hard to tell at times who the rogue werewolf is.   I also like how Christine Johnson made the pack all-female, and how being a werewolf wasn't seen as a curse at all, but as a gift from the Goddess.    I suppose I could do a little paragraph here about female-power, and monthly curses....but I won't.   I know you're glad I didn't.

The flaws I found in the book weren't big enough to keep me from turning the pages.  However, there were a few "Huh?" moments --- like, in this world werewolves are known to exist, but Claire's mom's pack feels the need to keep everything a big secret.  I mean, one bad rogue doesn't make an entire group evil.   But then again, Matthew's dad is a fanatic; I don't think he'd listen to reason.  He probably hates werewolves so much because he knows he can never be one.   Is this wolf-envy?   But I digress.   Overall, even though this story wasn't perfect, it had enough elements that I enjoyed that I wanted to keep reading. 

If you'd like to read some other well-written reviews of this book, please visit:  The Book Smugglers, The Story Siren, and The Ninja Librarian.

Grabbing my bunny slippers........

Because it's time to HOP!!!!!!     
When I went over to Crazy for Books to start hopping, I discovered that Jennifer had added something new: a question to be answered!   This week's question is "Tell us your NAME and WHY YOU STARTED BLOGGING."    Jeez.... such pressure.    ;)~

Ok.  I'm Jo and I started blogging for a few different reasons.  I had become aware of book blogs, and had also become addicted to Google Reader, so I was continuously reading about books, and what people thought about books, and cover art, and stories, etc.   The more I read, the more I wanted to talk about it.  So, I did a little research, figured out what I generally thought my blog would be about, and jumped right in.  I'm not always good about posting every day, and when it's a really busy week, I seem to only post 1 or 2 times.  But, I really enjoy things like the Blog Hop, and Teaser Tuesdays, because they make me sit down and post.   However, I'm constantly reading, so I now try to take notes when I've got a book in my hand, so I can put my thoughts down in my blog.  It's sometimes hard for me to keep up with my TBR list because in addition to all the cool books I read about on other blogs, I'm a librarian --- so I read reviews for books that aren't coming out for a few months.   As a true book addict, I can't keep myself from adding them to my list (and when I order them for our library, putting them on hold for myself).  I'm coming up on a year's worth of blogging in August, and I can't believe I'm still here!   And I'm grateful for everyone who reads my posts, and follows my blog ---- thank you!!!

Goth Craft by Raven Digitalis

Yet another book that I picked up because I needed to keep going with fulfilling my Harry Potter challenge!   I feel the need to explain, since this really doesn't fit the kind of books I usually review on this blog.   However, I realized that it's July already, so I need to step it up!  So let's begin, shall we?

I had actually picked up this book when it first came into our library in 2007 because I thought it looked interesting.  And, I remember back then, finding parts of it to be enlightening --- and was wondering what else I'd get from the book this time around.  The author does make the statement in the introduction (p. 4) that "...you don't need to be Goth, or even necessarily Pagan, to get something out of this book.  It is designed for people who honestly seek to know the ways of personal transformation and expression, magick, and healing."  Goth culture is actually something I have a bit of familiarity with.  I used to find the Goth culture very appealing when I was in high school and college.  I mean, I already wore a lot of black by the time I was sixteen, and I liked the music...... what more was there, right?   Well, actually, as I started doing a little more research, there was a lot more to being a Goth than rice-powder makeup, black clothes, and a fascinating with anything put out on the Cleopatra Label.  The Goth culture, itself, is rooted in alternative culture, and actually tends to be rather introspective.  Some people might look at Goths and think they're all about Death, but it's really not about that at all.  The author points out that it's about embracing the darker side of things.  He states, "Goth, then, boils down to philosophy, to ideas expressed in numerous forms of art.  To be Gothic is to think, feel, act, and behave as a dark artist -- not because someone else told you to, and not to fit in, but because loving the darkness is simply your nature."  (p. 13).

This book covers a myriad of topics, including the different types of Goths (these range from CasualGoths, or "oldschoolers" to GlamGoths, and  beyond), types of magick, music, and other parts of Goth culture.   The author takes his subject seriously (or at least, seems to), and does a nice job of exploring the various topics in detail.  Admittedly, I checked his list of "suggested Gothic listening" on page 151 to see if I knew any of it --- and I knew most of it.   Not sure what that says about me, but I have a long love of gothic music (and industrial music).  In fact, I could have added several suggestions to the author's list that I think would fit nicely.

I don't know if this is a book I'd recommend for every single reader, but it is interesting.  If you're curious about Goth culture, this might be a book to just page through, or to read a chapter or two of.  If nothing else, it can be a great introduction to this culture, and a different way of seeing the world.   After reading this, I found I wanted to have a little listening fest -- Sisters of Mercy, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, Razed in Black, Bauhaus......     :)

This book fulfilled one of the classes for my Hogwarts Challenge:  History of Magic

Where I got this book: Library!