At the beginning of the year, Momma Remmers applied for and received the Laura Bush Grant, $5500 for fiction books only. A dream come true, I know. So before I left for school, I gave Momma Remmers my huge theoretical TBR List (theoretical implying I don't have the books, but I want to read them). When I went to visit Momma Remmers at her library at the high school, she had a HUGE surprise for me — a huge box full of books (the books I requested!) that I can take with me during break to read! So my original "To Do List" just grew exponentially:
Finish "The Source of Miracles" (Review)
Finish listening to "Confessions of a Shopoholic" (Own)
Read "Merry, Merry Ghost" (Library — 12/30)
Read "Inside Out" (Review)
Read "Elmer, the Christmas Elf" (Review)
Read "Lucifer Rising" (Review)
Read "Comfort Living" (Review)
Read "I Used to Know That" (Review)
Read "Death Beauty" (Review)
Read "The Man Who Loved Books Too Much" (Review)
Read "Some Girls Are" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
Read "The Van Alen Legacy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Post all the Guest Reviews I've received for My Holiday Book Review Campaign
Read "Love You, Hate You, Miss You" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "Truly, Madly: A Novel" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
Read "Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "Sea Change" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "Jumping off Swings" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "Before I Die" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "Embellish" (Review)
Read "Gone" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "Cracked Up to Be" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "How to Buy a Love of Reading" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "Oh.My.Gods." (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "Dark Places" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "Nothing But Ghosts" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "According to Jane" (Library — Momma Remmers)
Read "Catching Fire" (Library — Momma Remmers)
I know, it's going to be a crazy break. And while I may not to read ALL of these books, I'm going to try my hardest. I am so excited! First though, I need to finish "The Source of Miracles" — TONIGHT!
"Inside Out is a fun story about the little frog who thought God had made a mistake and made him ugly. It is about learning that beauty is truly found on the inside and that each of us has our own gifts to offer the world and that we are all beautiful in our own way, just as God made us."
I hadn't read the provided summary before reading this book, silly I know, so I was utterly surprised when, in the second stanza, I saw the word "God." I'm not exactly sure why this took me by surprise, it just did. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I began this book.
I soon realized that this book wasn't about the cute Owl on the page, but more about the frog that goes almost unnoticed. While short, this book is a wonderful read full of depth. The illustrations are beautiful, the language used is musical, and the message is exquisite.
I will be keeping this book tucked away until the time comes for me to read to my future family. I would 'warn' readers, that the message is a very Christian message and directed towards a Christian child audience. If you are looking for a book to read to your children to teach them about God's plan and individual beauty — this is the perfect book.
I am very much inspired by Marilyn's statement on the back of her books: "She is determined to pass along the values that were instilled in her as a child so that children raised in today's commercial society might know a different way to view their surroundings and cope with the hurtful things we sometimes experience while growing up in today's world." I think that this book successfully and admirably accomplishes this.
Thanks to Marilyn Randall, via Bostick Communications, for mailing me a copy of this book for review.
Monday morning, the day after I spent all that time updating my Mac, I get an email from the Tech Center saying my PC is fixed. Well you can just imagine, I am so excited. I go pick it up, start it, and it works great! EXCEPT, my enter key is missing. MISSING! I make a phone call and they tell me it was missing when I brought it in, but if I'd like, I can bring it back in and they'll see if they can fix it. My initial reaction is this: "You've had my computer for three weeks and it's had a MISSING enter key and you didn't just think, 'hm, maybe we could fix this for her'!" Ok, not a big deal, I'm still breathing. So I continue working on my Mac — I have a paper due Tuesday morning at noon. I'm up until 5am on Tuesday working on it, I go to bed, get up at 8am and continue working on it. Ten minutes before class, I save the document to a flash drive, take said flash drive to my newly fixed PC to print it on my HP printer — and, Oh My Gosh, they deleted WORD from my computer!
It was a rough day.
Anyway, my last final was on Tuesday and I've officially finished my last week of finals (until grad school). Wow. I don't know how I managed it with a broken computer — but I did it. I got home yesterday and am enjoying every minute of it. I plan on getting a lot done during break in regards to catching up on some reading and enjoying my life a little — it was a very rough semester. Below, you will see a massive "To-Do" list in regards to break.
Again, sadly, due to finals week, I didn't get around to reviewing anything for the second week in a row (gasp! gasp!) But, I spent five hours on Saturday listening to "Confessions of a Shopaholic" on my way home to Northern Minnesota and I will finish "The Source of Miracles" tonight (my review is coming up tomorrow). I did post my review policy, please check it out (feedback is appreciated). Plus, I had a quick giveaway of "Mr. Darcy's Dream" that Joanne won!
Gina was this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of And Tango Makes Three. Please share some book love and visit her at Book Dragon's Lair. .
My new holiday campaign to collect Guest Reviews has been a great hit — we've acquired 43 reviews! Thanks to everyone who has donated! Campaign ends January 4th and is open to absolutely everyone!
I gained one follower and now have 31 amazing followers. Welcome and Thank you!
Like I mentioned, I am so excited to be home for break. I plan on spending a lot of time reading and doing blog related things to recuperate before next semester. My "To Do" list for blog related things — not just reading:
Finish "The Source of Miracles"
Finish listening to "Confessions of a Shopoholic"
Read "Merry, Merry Ghost"
Read "Inside Out"
Read "Elmer, the Christmas Elf"
Read "Lucifer Rising"
Read "Comfort Living"
Read "I Used to Know That"
Read "Death Beauty"
Read "The Man Who Loved Books Too Much"
Read "Some Girls Are"
Read "The Van Alen Legacy"
Post all the Guest Reviews I've received for My Holiday Book Review Campaign
Well, it's been a month since my last bookshelf post. I feel like my book shelf has changed dramatically — mostly due to the huge dent I made in my review TBR pile: Lighting Their Fires, Prince Harming Syndrome, and The Recipe Club. Plus, after my Thanksgiving at the Inn Giveway, I lost TWO more books. It's been a crazy couple weeks.
Here is my bookshelf as a whole
Notice my green journal, "A Death for Beauty," Ipod, alarm clock, Purell, and fan on top? First shelf is my Harry Potter books for class
Second shelf is divided: the left side is Review/Recreational Reads and the left side is dedicated towards textbooks. Notice I only have two more Review Reads (as of write now) — very excited! I feel like I'm making progress!
The final shelf is, apart from the curlers, what I have read and need to take home to 'clear' my shelves. Although, the two massive books are literature unit books for my educational methods class. I won't be taking those home, and will, in fact, be quite glad to return them to the library soon.
A few weeks months ago I asked for your opinion: what books would you recommend to my students. I had a fantastic response. If my stats for that post are any indication, this question has been asked many times before and people, especially teachers, are still looking for those great recommendations. Well, after asking my mom (a school librarian) and the librarian at my school, I'm finally making public what we have put together. I'm pretty sure everybody can find something on this list; I know that nonfiction is an area I need to work on as well and as I'm expecting one nonfiction read from my students by the end of the semester I've set the same standard for myself.
If you'd like to look at these lists in a Google Doc format: Recs from Readers and Recs from Teachers
Here are the recommendations from other readers: Title of Book Diary of Anne Frank In the Garden of Beasts Manhunt Farewell to Manzanar Graphic Novels: Maus and Persepolis Half Broke Horses I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed What is the What I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Freakonomics Under the Black Flag Cleopatra: A Life All But My Life Freedom Riders Einstein's Refrigerator Brothers in Arms The Devil In The White City Little Princes 360 Degrees Longitude Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
You Had Me at Woof Decoded Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us Night Eat, Pray, Love I am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee I am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee The Glass Castle The Children's Blizzard Rocket Boys Stitches: A Memoir
And here are the recommendations compiled by two fantastic school librarians:
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Like last week, this week I've accomplished next to nothing in regards to the blog. I have, however, somehow stayed one step ahead of homework. It was a crazy week at school; I had TWO Harry Potter papers due on Monday, THREE presentations on Tuesday, ONE LARGE (12 pages) Harry Potter paper due on Wednesday, a presentation and a test on Thursday, and Friday I left for the Cities to attend "Beauty and the Beast" with my mom. I ended up starting that large HP paper on Tuesday night at 8pm and SOMEHOW finished by 3am. Like I said, "one step ahead".
I am still hosting a contest — "Thanksgiving at the Inn" is the perfect book to come out of the Halloween season with. I loved it! AND I decided to extend the deadline until November 15th! I am slightly disappointed that more people aren't interested in it — only one so far! And I have TWO copies to giveaway! Pity... (hint hint).
This week I reviewed a grammar book, posted my October Wrap Up post, photos of my bookshelf, and a Halloween Recap post.
Leslie was also this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of Perfect Chemistry. Please share some book love and visit her at That Chick That Reads.
Still at 30 amazing followers.:)
My goal for this week is to, again, stay ahead of the homework AND focus a bit more on my recreational reading and this blog. Hopefully next week my Sunday Salon will be a bit more exciting.:)
(Again, for the third week in a row...) Also, each week I'm going to start making a "To Do" list for blog related things — not just reading. It's soon to be the time of year when I'll be sending the HTML address for Miss Remmers' Review out to prospective school districts and I want to make sure it is "spot on". if you have any ideas as to how to make this blog more awesome — please let me know.
Rewrite/hone my Guest Reviewer 's post.
Rewrite/hone my Mission post.
Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Circle of Souls "
Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Vengeful Spirit "
I'd like to welcome this week's Guest Reviewer, Leslie from That Chick That Reads!
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From Amazon.com...
"Tough guy Alex is primarily known by his classmates as a dangerous member of the Latino Bloods gang. He’s not exactly thrilled when Brittany Ellis, the school’s seemingly perfect beauty queen, is assigned as his lab partner—and the feeling is more than mutual. But Alex’s bravado works against him when he impulsively accepts a bet that he can get Brittany in the sack. The romance that follows will not surprise any reader, yet Elkeles gives it heart by constantly switching point of view from Alex to Brittany to provide dual running commentaries on their minute-by-minute insecurities and urges. Brittany’s controlling parents and sister with cerebral palsy are well drawn, but it is Elkeles’ rendition of Alex and his life that is particularly vivid. Sprinkling his speech with Spanish, his gruff but tender interactions with his family and friends feel completely genuine."
So I happened to be at B&N pre-ordering Blood Promise when I decided to get this book. I didn’t have to pay for BP right there and then so I had some extra cash and decided to get it. I initially saw this on Eleni’s blog, La Femme Readers and saw how much she enjoyed it so I decided to get it. I didn’t get around to the book in like forever, but I can not believe how amazing it turned out!
The story line is captivating and it was told perfectly! This novel is told from both Brittney and Alex’s point of view, which I apparently didn’t know or if I did, I just forgot. I abs loved all of the Spanish culture in this novel! I’m Hispanic myself so everything they mentioned was something that I grew up with or my parent’s did. Alex’s chapter’s appealed to me most, just because they reminded me of my home life, especially his mother. Brittney’s appealed to me because I guess I was the same way she was in High School. I was the first in the family to graduate high school and go to college so in school I was forced to be “perfect” until I broke free after my senior year. There were moments in this novel that made me both laugh and cry.
It’s honestly an amazing book. Major props go out to Simone Elkeles for creating such an amazing story! Overall I give this novel 5 out of 5 paws!
*******************
Thank you so much Leslie for such an AWESOME review! Sounds like a great read! I might have to purchase it for my classroom.
Make sure to visit Leslie at That Chick That Reads. Check out her original review. Thank you so much!
"This book was wildly addicting and honest, when I wasn't reading about it I was wondering about what would happen next." — Miss Remmers
From Amazon.com...
"Congratulations! You have been admitted to the most prestigious university in the world. Now what are you going to do?
Callie Andrews may not have money or connections or the right clothes, and she may have way too many complications in her love life, what with—
Gregory the guy she loves to hate Evan the guy she'd love to forget Clint the guy she'd love to love and Matt the guy she really should love —all vying for her attention.
But she has three fantastic roommates (best friends or her worst nightmare?) and a wholesome California-girl reputation (oops) and brains and beauty and big, big dreams.
Will it be enough to help her survive freshman year at Harvard?"
Why I read this: I'm not sure what made me read this book; I picked it up at BEA and liked the premise, but the cover really threw me off.
Plot: The plot was slow at first, but the tone of Alexis (page 1) was so fantastic it sparked my curiosity. For the first couple chapters, it was Alexis' "pre-chapter" advice that really kept me going. But once all of the characters were introduced (and I quit hearing about soccer and ACLs) and the premise was more thoroughly developed — I couldn't put this book down. I read it during Recreational Reading Fridays at school and in one class I actually laughed out loud! At first I struggled with the back and forth POV, but I found that at times I really did want to know what Gregory or Clint were thinking. It was also really fun reading about college experiences; it's homecoming at my alma mater and I'm feeling a little more than left out, as I'm the only one of my friends graduated and with a "real" job. It was fun reading all of Callie's college experiences and, I'll admit it, I googled Harvard's Graduate School. I can't help it! I miss being a student!
Characters: While fairly predictable and definitely stereotypical, these characters were honest. In reality, there are many freshmen students who fit the exact subscription of Callie and her friends. Many of you may not know, but before transferring to a small, South Dakota college, I attended San Diego State University my freshman year. While reading "The Ivy," I found myself thinking back on my own crazy freshman year. I did everything I was supposed to do, I joined a sorority, I participated in several campus activities, instead of spending hours in the library I watched Grey's, I spent hundreds of dollars on clothes and accessories and soon found myself broke — in retrospect, I completely changed who I was. And why not? I was half way across the country from my family. It took that year for me to realize that I don't belong in California — I'm a midwest girl all through. (Yes, there is a point to this). I feel like the same thing is happening to Callie in "The Ivy;" she's completely changed who she is in order to break onto the "scene." I can't judge her because, hey, I've been there! I can't wait to see what happens next to Callie, I hope she makes the right decision. Besides "The Duff," I haven't read such an honest novel in a very long time.
Cover: As previously stated, this cover didn't draw me to the book.
Random Thoughts: I love that Lauren is from California, went to Harvard, and is now writing creatively. She's 23 years old (same as me) and has really inspired me — hey, if she and Kody Keplinger can do it... what the heck am I waiting for! I am so excited for the next book!
Final Thoughts: While it did take a while to get into it, after the first couple chapters this book was wildly addicting and honest, when I wasn't reading about it I was wondering about what would happen next.
BBAW is finally here and I am so excited to welcome Chachic from Chachic Book's Nook.
You're from the Philippines! That is so cool! Are there other book bloggers in your area? If so, what are they! I'd love to visit their blogs! I'm so glad you think it's cool that I'm from the Philippines! There are actually a number of book bloggers here. I only started blogging this year but I noticed that there have been Filipino book bloggers for several years and more and more are popping out lately. I noticed that we didn't have a site that brings together all Filipino book bloggers so I decided to create Filipino Book Bloggers (http://filipinobookbloggers.wordpress.com/) . I know the name isn't that creative but I'm happy to get to know some of the book bloggers out there. We're having our first meet up soon and I'm really excited for that.
That's so awesome about the meet up! I hope it goes awesome! Because English is your second language, is it hard to read YA novels written in English? What about writing the reviews? Here in the Philippines, we actually use English as the medium of instruction. The Philippines was colonized by the United States and it was Americans who established education in the Philippines. All of our subjects, starting from nursery up to college, are taught in English except for Filipino and a couple of other History subjects. That's why English books aren't translated to Filipino over here and I'm comfortable with reading books and writing reviews in English. Also, I've never mentioned this on my blog but I actually work with Americans. I'm a research analyst for a Business Process Outsourcing company and I report directly to people in the US.
As an international book blogger, what differences in book blogging have your noticed between international and US book blogging? One of the main differences is we don't get review copies. International shipping is really expensive so I understand that publishers would have a hard time sending review copies and it also takes a couple of weeks for the books to get here. I've never received a copy for review and most of the other Filipino book bloggers that I've talked to also haven't received any review copies. The books that I review on the blog are given as gifts, bought, or borrowed.
On a positive note, I love it when US book bloggers are amazed with some of the things that I mention in reviews like how I've never seen snow or how we don't have public libraries over here. You don't have public libraries! Wow, that really makes me appreciate my library. You host a meme called "Want Books?" where readers can highlight books that they want but can't have either to it not being released in their country yet, not having the money for it, a far-out release date, etc. Where did you come with the idea? When is your weekly post up? How many bloggers generally participate? I love the photo too! Are you familiar with the meme Waiting on Wednesday (WoW), which is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine (http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/) ? In WoW, you can feature upcoming releases that you're eagerly waiting for. I used to use that meme but then I realized that it would be better if there's a meme that lets you feature books that have already come out that you can't get for some reason. Instead of complaining about books not being available here, I thought it would be better if I could create a meme to highlight them. So that's how I came up with Want Books. I put up a post every Saturday and anyone can participate. It isn't a popular meme though and only a handful of book blogger friends have participated. I don't mind because I don't think I'll ever run out of material for the meme, there will always be books in my wishlist.:)
I see that you have a giveaway ending TOMORROW! What is it and who is eligible? Yes! I have a Mortal Instruments giveaway but sadly, it's only for residents of the Philippines. All you need to do to enter is tell me what review of mine is your favorite and why. Learn more about it here. We both read a lot of YA, what books would you recommend to struggling young adult readers? Oh gosh, I have so many recommendations! Here you go:
Fantasy The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith Sasharia En Garde duology by Sherwood Smith The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud The Changeover by Margaret Mahy
Fairy Tale Retellings Beauty by Robin McKinley The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
YA Contemporary Fiction Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols Jessica Darling books by Megan McCafferty
Historical Fiction Sunbird, The Lion Hunters, The Empty Kingdom by Elizabeth Wein A Countess Below Stairs, The Reluctant Heiress and A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson Thanks for all the great recommendations! Wow! I'm going to steal one of your questions because it was so good! What is your "good read" preference — contemporary YA, epic fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction or dystopian? I read read books from all of those genres but I have a special place in my heart for epic fantasy.
What are your comfort reads? Books that you go to on a rainy day for a reread when nothing seems to be going your way. The books that I listed in the recommendations section are my favorites so they're really my comfort reads. I've reread most of those several times already.
What book are you pinning for — that you can't wait to get your hands on? Oh so many! Check out my Want Books meme because I have weekly posts on books that I'm pining for. Although if you're asking for books that are yet to be released, I can't wait to get Bayou Moon and Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews, Pegasus by Robin McKinley and Seer of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier.
Chachic, thank you so much for stopping by! It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you and discovering your blog. Readers, please remember to stop by and visit Chachic at Chachic Book's Nook.
I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it clickhere. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course.
For Review:
Thanks to the publisher, I received a copy of "A Death for Beauty" by Alberto Rios Arias. Thank you!
Won:
From the library:
Text Books
Don't be sad for me — I have so many books to read (for recreational and for school). I'm relieved to only find one book in the mail this week.
Sticking with the classroom theme of "Fairytales" this week, today's book talk is on "Beastly" by Alex Flinn. A retelling of the classic, "Beauty and the Beast," "Beastly" adds a modern twist to the old classic.
I really like this book trailer, but I don't see an embedded code — so go check it out at YA Books and More.
Now for the review: Beastly.
I highly recommend this novel to any student who loves fairy tales with modernity. Yes, it is cliche and predictable (but aren't all fairy tales?). It has a great story behind it all that reinvents "Beauty and the Beast" for the modern day reader. There is a movie based on the best-selling novel being released in 2011 — keep a look out.
This book is on the classroom shelves and in the HS library system.
"When Bella Swan moves from sunny Phoenix to Forks, Washington, a damp and dreary town known for the most rainfall in the United States, to live with her dad, she isnt expecting to like it. But the level of hostility displayed by her standoffish high school biology lab partner, Edward Cullen, surprises her. After several strange interactions, his preternatural beauty, strength, and speed have her intrigued. Edward is just as fascinated with Bella, and their attraction to one another grows. As Bella discovers more about Edwards nature and his family, she is thrown headlong into a dangerous adventure that has her making a desperate sacrifice to save her one true love."
Well, I was pleasantly surprised. I shouldn't be that surprised — what with all of the praise and all. I found myself yearning (yes, actually yearning) to watch the movie — even though I really disliked it! I'm not quite sure what that was about — but, really... I was counting my cash and getting ready to drive the thirty miles to the nearest Walmart (but then discovered that I only had $24 and couldn't afford the movie AND the gas that would be necessary to get the movie — so what did I do? I asked my parents of course to pick it up for me on their way back from a golfing tournament in South Dakota). I still don't think I'll really enjoy the movie — but just the idea of connecting with the characters on that level (alright, I'll admit it — Edward is amazingly Darcy like).
But ANYWAY!:) I enjoyed this book and found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it (always a good indicator of a good book). The narrative tone really sucked me in from the first page — I could feel Bella's despair of moving and I could relate to her hatred of the rain and clouds. I'm a Minnesota girl through and through — but I much prefer a sunny snowy day than a cloudy rainy day. The sarcasm really unique — I don't think I've ever read anything that I can compare it too... so honest. But it was subtle too — not over done. It was probably my favorite part of the book.
Of course, if you've read about my love/hate relationship — I should address how I feel about Bella, and I'll try not to compare it to 'movie Bella'. She seemed like she was or wanted to remain independent — but after meeting Edward she seemed very clingy and needy — but I've never been in love so it could just be me. I think I didn't hate her as much as I thought I would because I loved the narrative and tone so much. So unique and just, I don't know, against the grain. So much of YA literature seems to depict the same heroine. Bella brought a very refreshing voice to the mix.
I will say, that it really bothered me that Stephanie Meyer felt like she had to constantly remind readers that Bella was clumsy. Obviously, because of the ending, I'm sure. But still — it was over done and completely redundant. Very annoying.
And obviously, I'd better at least mention Edward Cullen. While I'm not completely crazy about 'movie' Edward — I really like 'book' Edward (gasp!). Not Darcy-obsessed, but I can see why Walmart is running with the Edward craze.
Overall, I can see why people like this book. I'll definitely be starting New Moon tomorrow, if not tonight.
I read Twilight while watching bits and pieces of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on ABC Family. I thought it was kind of tragically ironic.
Please welcome Connie, from LitMuse, as this week's Guest Reviewer.
******************* North of Beautiful — Justina Chen Headley
"Terra Rose Cooper is stunning. A tall blonde with a trim body, she could easily be a model. Except for one thing. Terra was born with a port-wine stain birthmark that covers the right cheek of her face. And she is ashamed of it. Her self-esteem suffers from it as well as being under the thumb of her controlling father. Terra longs to get away from her small Washington town and it seems like all her dreams are going to come true when she gets an acceptance letter from Williams. But, her father will not allow her to go and it seems like she is stuck under her father’s thumb, like the stain is stuck on her face no matter how many laser surgeries. But, she meets an odd, Chinese, goth boy and her future trajectory is changed." It took me awhile to get into the story but, I’m glad I persevered. It was a wonderful story of self-acceptance and beauty. The characters all have their problems and subplots that intrigue me as well as the main story – the mother’s relationship to their father, Terra’s two brothers who seem to be never there, Terra’s relationship with Erik and Karin. I also really loved the play on words. Terra’s father is a cartographer and the book is filled with map imagery of charting lives and borders… Wonderfully connected into the story that it adds another layer of the story. My favorite part is their journey to China. I’ve only been there in 2007 and it was my first time over there and travelling overseas. So it was nice to read the experiences that Terra and her mom had over there. Like seeing the hutongs and comparing it with the modern China and walking the Great Wall. Not to mention, geocaching. I never heard of it and now am very interested in finding more about it. Overall, a wonderful, reflective story. ******************* Thank you so much, Connie! What an awesome review! If anyone else has a great book to recommend to high school students, please email me (my profile has the address). Check out this post for more information on how to become a guest reviewer.
Please remember to check out Connie's blog, LitMuse, and share some book love. To Connie's original review, in my blog.
Thanks again, Connie! This is already on my book list! Check out what Megan from WriteMeg thinks about this book! Read her review!
Once again please welcome Sheila, from One Person's Journey Through a World of Books, as this week's Guest Reviewer. This is Sheila’s second time as a Guest Reviewer – check out her review of The Book Thief. ******************* Nothing But Ghosts – Beth Kephart “Grief and all its anguish is at the heart of this story. Reeling from her mother’s death, Katie, 16, takes a summer job on a nearby wealthy estate as part of a work crew constructing a gazebo. As she bonds with her fellow teen worker, Danny, she stumbles across secrets about the beautiful, rich recluse who lives in the big house. Why has wacky Miss Martine not been seen for over 50 years? Is the hole that they’re digging really for the gazebo? With the help of the glamorous town librarian (yes, glamorous), Katie and Danny research local lore in newspaper files and microfilm. The connections between solving the mystery and Katie’s bereavement struggle are sometimes overstated. Her first-person present-tense narrative is clear and lyrical, though, especially in her portrayal of her genius dad, an artist who asks, “How do you paint regret?” and in her discovery that “beauty and sadness can both live in one place.”I found Beth’s writing to be wonderful and detailed. I enjoyed the flash backs of Katie’s mom and even though she was a character who had passed on, her presence in this book is sensed as well as felt, and I think appropriately so. I could imagine the pain of Katie losing her mother at such a tender age, yet trying to be strong for herself as well as her dad – as her dad was for her. The mystery of Miss Martine in the book is actually a salvation for Katie and her dad. While going about doing what they do, they stumble blindly into something that not only brings them fully into the situation… but binds them together. As the book ends I had a sense of good things to come. The book left me feeling that they would be alright, that doors were opening to a future that in the final chapter as they all sit around the dinner table. This book is categorized as Young Adult and I can see this being enjoyed by that age group. I certainly enjoyed the read and I will be looking for more from Beth Kephart in the future. Readers, I recommend you spend some time this summer with Nothing But Ghosts. ******************* As always, I really want to thank Sheila for taking the time to come up with such a great review! If anyone else has a great book to recommend to high school students, please email me (my profile has the address). Check out this post for more information on how to become a guest reviewer. Please remember to check out Sheila's blog, One Person's Journey Through a World of Books, and share some book love.
Thanks again, Sheila, for the great review and for being the first Guest Reviewer to make a second appearance! Thanks!
I had starred this post awhile ago — like in April at Good Books and Good Wine and have been meaning to put together a post. I can now cross this off my endless To Do list!
I did okay (read 24/100) — but I'd like to have done much better. I look forward to reevaluating where I stand later on in the year!
Read On my TBR List
100. Hate List by Jennifer Brown 99. Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix 98. A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly 97. Among The Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix 96. Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Claus 95. Forever by Judy Blume 94. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale 93. Tithe by Holly Black 92. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott 91. Wings by Aprillynne Pike 90. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green 89. Angus, Thongs And Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison 88. Marked by PC And Kristin Cast 87. Maximum Ride series by James Patterson 86. The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 85. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson 84. I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak 83. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli 82. The Mediator series by Meg Cabot 81. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen 80. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin 79. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 78. Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen 77. Evernight by Claudia Gray 76. If I Stay by Gayle Foreman 75. Life As We Knew It series by Susan Beth Pfeffer 74. Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston 73. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa 72. Alana: The First Adventure series by Tamora Pierce 71. Stardust by Neil Gaiman 70. Unwind by Neil Shusterman 69. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech 68. Paper Towns by John Green 67. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles 66. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith 65. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli 64. The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time by Mark Haddon 63. The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell 62. Blue Bloods series by Melissa De La Cruz 61. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous 60. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie 59. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt 58. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen 57. Eragon by Christopher Paoloni 56. Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine 55. The Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith 54. Fallen by Lauren Kate 53. The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett 52. The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot 51. Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke 50. Number The Stars by Lois Lowry 49. Lord Of The Flies by William Golding 48. The Maze Runner by James Dashner 47. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares 46. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver 45. The Summoning series by Kelley Armstrong 44. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher 43. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson 42. Ender's Game series by Orson Scott Card 41. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones 40. Wake series by Lisa McMann 39. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 38. Are You There God? It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume 37. Looking For Alaska by John Green 36. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 35. A Great And Terrible Beauty series by Libba Bray 34. His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman 33. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 32. Romeo And Juliet by William Shakespeare 31. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain 30. Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr 29. Forest of Hands And Teeth by Carrie Ryan 28. Holes by Louis Sacher 27. The Outsiders by SE Hinton 26. The Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger 25. The Princess Bride by William Goldman 24. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson 23. The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank 22. Uglies series by Scott Westerfield 21. Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia 20. Poison Study series by Maria V. Snyder 19. Book Thief by Markus Zusak 18. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carlson Levine 17. Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead 16. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick 15. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 14. Anne of Green Gables series by LM Montgomery 13. The Giver by Lois Lowry 12. The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare 11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater 10. Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis 9. A Wrinkle In Time series by Madeline L'engle 8. Graceling series by Kristin Cashore 7. Percy Jackson And The Olympians by Rick Riordan 6. Nick And Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan 5. Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen 4. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee 3. Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer 2. Harry Potter series by JK Rowling 1. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
"Every free moment I found myself drawn to this book! My planning period, my study hall, my lunch — all I wanted was to read this book." — Miss Remmers
From Amazon.com...
"I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster. You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell. Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly... beastly."
Oh. My. Goodness! This was an absolutely fantastic novel! It's been on my list for a while, but it wasn't until this weekend that I saw the movie trailer (released in June) that I decided I had to read it NOW! I drove all over town (so I basically went to Walmart and Target) and was so bummed that I couldn't find it. But everything happens for a reason; the next day this book came in the mail! Turns out I had purchased it from Bookcloseouts.com! (Whoops!) I started reading it the next day and could not put it down!
I finished this book on the second day of reading it while at school. Every free moment I found myself drawn to this book! My planning period, my study hall, my lunch — all I wanted was to read! I finished a few minutes before school was out with this huge sigh. A sigh filled with happiness and with regret that it was over.
The only thing that bothered me about this book were the predictability and obvious cliches. I knew going into this novel it was going to be predictable and full of cliches, but Flinn laid them on pretty hard. Throughout the novel there these online chat dialogues. I thought these could have been left out completely. The other chatters depicted other famous fairy tales such as "The Little Mermaid" and "The Frog Prince." The story was already a cliche that everyone is familiar with, why add these minute ones? They didn't add anything to the story; they just seemed silly. Other than that, I think Flinn did a okay job of making the story as "un-cliche" and predictable as possible when retelling a fairy tale. There were only a few lines that were awkward and "sappy" (p.282), for instance. These small annoyances were noticeable when reading, but when looking at the novel as a whole these are small, minute details that don't distract from the wonderful, modern, retelling of "Beauty and the Beast."
This book is fast paced and is a real "hook, line, and sinker." I'm so excited to add this book to my classroom shelves. I think all readers would love this book, but it is aimed more towards middle school or early high school.
From Amazon.com... ""THE GIRL MADE OF COOL" is Fox's vibrant new novel and the centerpiece of this collection. Here, Fox tells the story of a young man and woman who are falling in love with each other, but the young woman doesn't know it. She believes that she's falling in love with the man's far more handsome, more perfect friend. As the story unfolds and deepens, we see how these two highly talented young men must suffer, struggle, and wage battle to woo this young woman. This, as all the while, she grows into an ever greater beauty, a more charismatic personality, and an all-the-more alluring woman."
The book "up for grabs" this time is "The Girl Made of Cool" by Alan Fox. If you'd be interested in receiving this book all you have to do is email me at google [at] gmail [dot] com with your address AND a review of your favorite book for me to put up as a Guest Review. The first person to do this wins — simple as that. The review can be one that you've used at your own blog — simply copied and pasted. Once I get an email, I'll comment on this post who will receive "The Girl Made of Cool". Please make sure that I don't already have a review of the book by looking in the left sidebar. Reminder: Please read my Contest Policy — at this time I can only afford to mail books to US addresses. I apologize for this inconvenience.
""THE GIRL MADE OF COOL" is Fox's vibrant new novel and the centerpiece of this collection. Here, Fox tells the story of a young man and woman who are falling in love with each other, but the young woman doesn't know it. She believes that she's falling in love with the man's far more handsome, more perfect friend. As the story unfolds and deepens, we see how these two highly talented young men must suffer, struggle, and wage battle to woo this young woman. This, as all the while, she grows into an ever greater beauty, a more charismatic personality, and an all-the-more alluring woman."
I had a hard time sitting down to read this novel because, first of all, the cover didn't catch my attention at all. Lately there have been many discussions throughout the blogosphere on the importance of covers and whether or not readers should let this get the best of them. Unfortunately, I couldn't help it. This cover neither grabbed my attention nor intrigued me to pick up the book. Because of this I picked up the book out of obligation to the author.
This negative, or rather indifferent, attitude toward the book really hindered my opinion of the book until I finally let go of those feelings and read, even if it was out of obligation. Almost immediately I realized how wrong I had been. The language is absolutely beautiful and fluid, almost poetic really. The characters, while a little bit generic, were easy to relate to. Despite the language being positively beautiful, at times, it seemed almost choppy and somewhat repetitive: "They were all young, Ridly*, Jayne, and Chet — Chet was the eldest. They were, all three, recent graduates. They were all fresh out of school and entering the adult world. Now Chet was off to a running start. To a flying start" (14).
The plot, again while almost generic, really came to life and grabbed my attention once I got over my "cover issues," I realized that despite having generally generic characters and a generic plot, there is nothing generic about this story.
However, due to the fact that I, a passionate reader, had such a hard time actually opening this book and reading it, I will not be keeping this book for my classroom. This book will be passed on in a "Quick Giveaway" this week: Stay Tuned!
*Misspelling in the novel.
To the FTC, with love: Review book from the author
I'd like to welcome Carla Buckley, author of "The Things That Keep Us Here, " as my guest. Everybody say, "Hello Carla."
Tell us a bit about you — who is Carla Buckley? I’m a wife, mother of three, and coddler of two small dogs. Growing up, I was passionate about both art and writing, studied both in college, worked as an artist and a writer afterward, but it wasn’t until I decided to stay home following the birth of my first child that I narrowed my focus to writing.
How long did it take you to write "The Things That Keep Us Here?" Six months to produce a draft I could share with my literary agent, another six months working on the feedback she gave me, then a final six months revising it with my editor.
Explain the process you went through after you had finished writing the novel. Usually, after I’ve finished a manuscript and sent it off to my agent to be shopped to publishers, I immediately begin writing the next book. This time, however, I held off. The Things That Keep Us Here was a different kind of book to me, one that represented a huge leap forward in my writing, and I wanted to see how it fared before I re-committed myself to the writing process. The Things That Keep Us Here was turned down three times--because publishers didn’t want to touch the topic of bird flu--before it found a home at Bantam Dell, with an editor I’m privileged to call mine.
Do you have any writing habits or anything you HAD to do before sitting down to write the novel? Years ago, a screenplay writer taught me how to plot according to a three-act structure, and that’s what I follow before I begin writing: I set up the three acts, each with their turning points, and pretty much lay out the entire novel in my head before I start.
There is a lot of scientific information that, as a non-scientist, sounds completely plausible in your novel; where did you get this information or are you a closet-scientist? I am a confirmed non-scientist! In school, science terrified me, with all its intricacies and seeming irrelevance, and I avoided it wherever I could. It’s ironic, perhaps, that I married an environmental scientist, which allowed me to see science from a different perspective, and understand its own serene beauty. When I undertook to write The Things That Keep Us Here, I did a great deal of research: I read everything I could on avian influenza, and interviewed scientists from The Ohio State University who actually do the work that my character, Peter, does. It’s these scientists, whom I acknowledge in my book, who made the science leap from the page for me.
What is your favorite thing about your novel? This is such a great question. I’d have to say it’s the turning point in the middle, where my character Ann, surrounded by death and fear and confusion, confronts who she really is at heart, and makes an impossible choice. For me, this is what my novel is really about: who are we deep inside, when we can’t rely on someone else to save or protect us, and how do we live with the choice we make? I’ve heard from many readers on this part of the book, which delights me.
If you had to describe "The Things That Keep Us Here" in three words — what words would you choose? Frightening, poignant, and real
Where did the title come from? My original title was Flu Season, which my publisher felt wasn’t a perfect match. Over the course of six or so months, I tried out other options: Six Hours, Flight Risk. My book was sold to the UK and Germany as Out of Thin Air. None were quite right. Finally, facing a catalog deadline, the senior people at Random House got together and brainstormed, and my editor called me the next morning with the final title, The Things That Keep Us Here. I’m deeply honored that my publishing house was so invested in finding the perfect title for me.
What are you currently working on? My next book also focuses on a global threat, as shown from the perspective of the non-scientist. In it, a woman, long estranged from her hometown and her family, returns to find her sister dead and others sick from the same disease. Although I don't want to reveal the source of the illness, I will say it's based on a truly frightening phenomenon that few people are aware of, but scientists are looking into, and I predict it will start making headlines shortly.
What are you currently reading? I’m halfway through two novels, both debuts. The Murderer’s Daughters, by Randy Susan Meyers, which is a heart-rending story about two young girls who witness their father’s murder of their mother, and how their lives are forever shaped. Meyers does a fantastic job of moving the action forward, and it’s hard to believe this is her first novel. And The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book so driven by voice as this one is, and I’m loving every page.
Where can you be found offline? The very few hours that I’m not writing, I’m walking my dogs, working out at my local rec center, and ferrying my children around to their various activities. Sometimes, I make dinner! My sister is my writing partner (and the best writer I know), and we regularly get together for a many-hour lunch at a local sandwich shop to pound out various issues in both our works in progress.
Where can you be found online? My website is my online home: www.google.com. There, readers can contact me, or reach me through Facebook, Twitter, goodreads, and LibraryThing.
Any last comments? Thanks for hosting me here, Miss Remmers. It’s always a delight to meet another reader as passionate about books as I am!
Not only do Carla and I share a passion for reading — we also have similar roots. Her husband is from Northern Minnesota and it turns out that she frequently visits my own home town of Cass Lake, MN for summer vacations!
If you haven't read, "The Things That Keep Us Here, " you are definitely missing out. This is one of the best adult fiction books I've read. Highly recommend it.
This weekend I had to drag my BFF Button to see Beastly. She hadn't read the book yet so I had to bribe her by paying for her ticket — but I just couldn't wait to see it! Plus, I watched Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" earlier that day and was on a one way track.
I loved the book by Alex Flinn — check out my review of "Beastly. " And in case you haven't seen the trailer, here you go:
If you haven't read the book yet (or don't plan to), you can still see the movie. The movie did leave something rather big out at the end that they alluded to with the cinematography throughout — but you wouldn't know it was missing.
I thought that Alex Pettyfer (Kyle) did a fantastic job and he was great to look at (scarred or not). I know that Alex Flinn (the author of Beastly) has talked to the press recently about the change in the "Beast" from her novel to the screen — most notably the loss of hair and claws. To be honest, when I was reading "Beastly" I didn't really like the hair and claws bit; it felt like it was straight from the Disney movie. I really like how Kyle looked in the film because it seemed more modern and even plausible. There were a few parts where Kyle was "stalking" Lindy (same as in the book) — but he's so good to look at I didn't mind.
I really believed Pettyfer's portrayal of Kyle — it was fantastic acting on his part (albeit a bit of bad writing). I felt his pain and his heart break and, despite my feelings toward Vanessa Hudgens, I couldn't help but sit at the edge of my seat saying "KISS HER!" several times.
Vanessa Hudgens. Vanessa Hudgens made this movie awkward — almost like Kirsten Stewart awkward. Yes, at times Pettyfer was also awkward (see the trailer) but that's just bad writing. I don't know — I just didn't buy into Hudgen's portrayal of Lindy at all.
Random: I'm really glad they left out the chat room bit.
What really made this movie for me was Neil Patrick Harris as the tutor. He did a fantastic job (as always!). I found myself looking for him on screen to be the source of witty banter and conversation. He lightened the mood without taking away from the seriousness of the story. Seriously, if for no other reason — see this movie for NPH!
This movie was well paced and the ending was perfect! I don't quite remember exactly how the book ended — but the movie ending was flawless. Again, I was on the edge of my seat the last five minutes. I liked how they didn't shy away from the fact that the story is a bit cliche: "We've all heard that story." But they did it in such a way that it was new and exciting. I never doubted the ending, but I still willed it to happen.
If you didn't like the book because of the cliches — see the movie. The movie somehow eliminates the awful "nail on a chalkboard" feelings I had when I read the book. If you haven't read the book yet, go ahead and read the book or see the movie first — it's a great story with an amazing actor (Harris) and some great eye candy (Pettyfer — okay, he's a good actor too).
