Feature and Follow • 6

Feature and follow is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's view and Alison can read as a great way to find new book blogs. 


This week's question - Have you had a character that disappointed you? One that you fell in love with and then "broke up" with later on in either the series or a stand-alone book? Tell us about him or her. 

WWW Wednesday • 15

WWW Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Miz B of shouldbereading.com

What are you currently reading?  I am still reading The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo with my daughter and In Leah's Wake by Terri Guiliano Long.

What did you just finish reading? I just finished reading Jenny Pox by JL Bryan. What a BLAST! Check out my review tomorrow!

What are you going to read next?  Guess what I got in from the library this week? Dreams of Joy by Lisa See.  FINALLY!  I feel so bad for The Chosen Soul.  I am distracted from it by soo many other shorter and quicker reads.

That's what's going on in my reading world.  As always, I am looking for the next best read, so please share what you're reading with me!

Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday • 5

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Shouldbereading.com. Anyone can join in the fun.

This week's selection is from Jenny Pox by JL Bryan.

"They wore bright, wide smiles. It was a look that would grow ever more familiar to Jenny in the coming years of school, the one that was extra friendly and sweet to hide the cruelty lurking behind it."

pg. 9


Happy Reading Everyone!

IMM • 7

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by thestorysiren.com. eReaderMo version of this weekly feature will be posted almost every sunday.

To my greatest chagrin, I received more books this week. I was holding off on getting more books until I read the ones I had in my nook.  But somehow I got more. Why? I can't resist a free book that's why! I love the Netgalley! Following these folks, I will never go without a book to read. The books I received this week are definitely all adult reads and I am excited to have some non-fiction books included in the mix.

Here's what I got this week:

Feature and Follow • 5

 Feature and follow is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison can read as a great way to find new book blogs. 


This week's question: Fight! Fight! If you could have two fictional characters battle it out (preferably from books), who would they be and who do you think would win?

YA Review • Dangerous

Dangerous
Alycia Linwood
Series: The Element Preservers #1
Release date: August 6 2011
by Smashwords


Ria is an 18-year old girl who has just started going to the University of Magic, a special university for those who have one of the four elements: fire, water, air and earth.  There she meets Michael, a boy whose element is different from hers, which makes their romantic involvement seem impossible because mixing of elements can have horrible consequences. She also feels threatened by Adrian, a very dangerous magic disease carrier.  Magic disease, which surged as a result of bad mixing of elements, turns people into cold-hearted killers, who have a strong desire to take someone's element as  they do not have their own. Ria's best friend, Paula, is fascinated by Adrian like most girls at the University and wants him to help her with her research about the disease.  All Ria's beliefs are put to test when she starts having the symptoms of the disease and the only person who she can turn to is Adrian - goodreads.com synopsis

WWW Wednesday • 14

WWW Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Miz B of shouldbereading.wordpress.com.

What are you currently reading? I am reading The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo with my daughter and Jenny Pox by JL Bryan.

What did you just finish reading? I just finished reading Dangerous by Alycia Linwood.  My initial impression of this book was right.  My review will be posted tomorrow.

What are you going to read next? I am getting back to The Chosen Soul.  I cannot resist the siren call any longer.

That's what's going on in my reading world.  As always I am looking for the next best read, so please share what you're reading with me!

Happy Reading all!

Mo

IMM • 6

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by thestorysiren.com. eReaderMo version of this weekly feature will be posted almost every Sunday.

Last week, I shared books on my IMM that were for my children. This week I received some free reads from Netgalley (thank you!) that were definitely for just me and just in time too because I'm getting back on the "reading wagon" to enjoy them. Life got a little bumpy this past week taking care of my family and staying ahead of the work-wave at work. I never seemed to have enough time in the day to do all the things I needed to do, so I found myself crashing every night instead of reading my book as usual. I did get to read with my children though in case you were wondering :D

Feature and Follow • 4

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison can read as a great way to find new book blogs.


This week's question -  What is one book you would be nervous to see a movie adaptation of because you think the movie could never live up to the book?

YA Review - The Alchemist

The Alchemist
Michael Scott
Series: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #1
Release date: August 28th 2008 (ebook version)
by Random House Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase 

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day.  It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life. The records show that he died in 1418. But his tomb is empty. The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is  hidden within the book he protects - the Book of Abraham the Mage.  It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it.  Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it. Sometimes legends are true. And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time. - goodreads.com synopsis

WWW Wednesday • 13

WWW Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Miz B of shouldbereading.wordpress.com.

What are you currently reading?
I am reading Dangerous by Alycia Linwood.  At first, I was not sure how to take this book, however I am beginning to enjoy it.

What did you just finish reading?
I finished reading The Alchemist by Michael Scott and I LOVED it!  I am definitely hooked on this series and I am seeking out all the other books in the series now.

What are you going to read next?
I am planning to read Jenny Pox by JL Bryan. This book I received ala goodreads.  It appears to be very good and I can't wait to start it..  I am also reading The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo with my daughter at her request.  I still have to get back to The Chosen Soul.  This book is calling to me!

I am on Spring vacation next week!  Guess what I'm going to be doing...

That's what's going in my reading world. As always, I am looking for the next best read, so please share what you're reading with me!

Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday • 4

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Shouldbereading.com.  Anyone can join in the fun.

This week's selection is from Dangerous by Alycia Linwood.

"I got his DNA." I smiled stupidly "And now he's probably going to kill me."
She just ran her finger through her hair, not knowing what to say. I simply took a seat in one of the chairs and started telling her everything that happend. Damn, I was in some serious trouble and I had no idea how to handle it.

pg. 28

Happy Reading Everyone!

Adult Read Review - Just Like That

Just Like That
Margo Candela
Release date: April 3rd, 2012

Goodreads / Amazon

Love new goes out of fashion...

Leslie Quinn might have been dumped by her longtime boyfriend, but she still has her determination to make it as a top stylist at an exclusive Manhattan store. Busy dodging knives from her back stabbing co-workers, Leslie keeps her focus on doing the best possible and going on the occasional (and unsuccessful) blind date to keep her friends off her back. When her manager offers her a last minute plum assignment, Leslie packs her bags to meet a mysterious client who is in need of a complete wardrobe overhaul.  She soon realizes that this mystery man holds the key to her success at work and also to her heart - goodreads synopsis.

IMM • 5

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by thestorysiren.com.  eReaderMo version of this weekly feature will be posted almost every Sunday.

Feature and Follow • 3

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison can read as a great way to find new book blogs. 

This week's question - Have you ever bought a book BECAUSE of a bad review?

WWW Wednesday • 12

WWW Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Miz B of Shouldbereading.wordpress.com.

What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading The Alchemyst by Michael Scott.  This book is fantastic and I love it!

What did you just finish reading?
I just completed Just Like That by Margo Candela.  It was a fun ADULT read that I enjoyed immensely.

What are you going to read next?
Well, I definitely have to read Dangerous by Alycia Lynwood. I have a review due soon on that.  I am also going to read The Froggy Prince a children's story I received from goodreads to review as well.  I accidentally mixed up the books on my list and started reading The Chosen Soul by Heather Killough-Walden, which is turning out to be a great story! I can't wait to get back to it!

So that's what's going on in my reading world. As always, I am looking for the next best read, so please share what you're reading with me!

Happy Reading!

Spring Reading Thing 2012

I just came across this challenge on MizB's blog and I am very inspired by this challenge.  It's hosted by Callapidder Days and despite the prize being offered (which I am not qualified for anyway because of my late entry), it looks like a great deal of fun!

Here's my list of books

• Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs
• Obsidian - Jennifer L. Armentrout
• Dangerous - by Alycia Lynwood
• The Chosen Soul - Heather Killogh-Walden
• In Leah's Wake - Terri Guiliano Long
• Room - Emma Donoghue
• Dreams of Joy - Lisa See
• Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke
• Jenny Pox - J.L. Bryan
• Singled Out - Sara Griffiths
• The Hunt - Andrew Fukuda
• Bad Mother: A chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities & Occasional moments of grace - Ayelet Waldman
• A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
• The Alchemyst - Michael Scott

I am very excited to be taking part in this challenge and I look forward to checking out other reader's book lists as well. I expect my To-Read list will grow exponentially.  Just in time for summer! Woot!

Teaser Tuesday • 3

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be reading. Anyone can join in the fun.

This week's selection is from The Alchemyst by Michael Scott.

"You've left the safe and mundane world you one knew," Nicholas Flamel said seriously, looking at each twin in turn. "Nothing is at it seems. You must learn to question everything. To wait before moving, to look before stepping and to observe everything."


pg. 43

Review - Afrika

Name: Afrika

Author: Colleen Craig

Date of publication:

Publisher:

Synopsis
For thirteen-year-old Kim, travel to South Africa with her journalist mother will mark the end of her childhood and the beginning of a remarkable journey. Expecting nothing more than three months in her mother’s homeland, Kim comes to terms with the country’s diverse and often shocking history. The Truth and Reconciliation Hearings in post-apartheid South Africa open her eyes to the tragedy and brutality of its segregationist policies. Kim’s first meeting with her relatives, her contact with schoolmates and cousins, bring her face-to-face with the realization that she is not as removed from this powerful story as she thought. As her mother struggles with her past, Kim becomes more and more determined to unlock the secret that has always kept her from knowing her father. Helped by the young son of a long-time family servant, whose own father was a casualty of Apartheid history, Kim eventually unlocks her mystery and brings her mother and herself to their own truth and reconciliation. - Goodreads.com




My thoughts

I loved this book! This is the story of a young girl who came to South Africa with her mother with a plan to learn more about her heritage and she learned a lot more about herself than she bargained for.  Against the backdrop of the unfolding events surrounding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Kim our 13-year old protagonist discovers why true Afrikaaners spell Africa with a K, why some truths are too painful to consider and why sticking a pencil in your hair is not as casual an act as it seems.

I fell in love with the characters in this book.  Kim is the typical budding teenager, headstrong, defiant and a girl who knows it all.  She is a very complex character that vacillated between being a typical teenager who looked with disdain on her mother's lack of fashion sense and being a naive little girl unable to comprehend the forces of human oppression that she was suddenly faced with. The relationship between Kim and Rianna was dynamic. At times it seemed that Rianna was present only by the force of Kim's will alone.

I loved that this book made no apologies for the cultures it described. It highlights in simplicity the horrors of apartheid, but also shows the intricate nature of the relationships between cultures and classes. I enjoyed the friendship that Kim shared with Themba and his family. The bond between Kim and Themba was powerful, intimate and boundless, strengthened by sharing the pain they two of them felt being "fatherless".

I wish the book shared more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission itself.  The effects of this event are still reverberating in South Africa today but the book I felt diluted some of its meaning and purpose. That being said, this was a lovely read. This book moved at a leisurely pace that was easy to follow, yet exciting and kept you on the seat of your pants. A great YA read for "teenagers" of all ages.

In My Mailbox (IMM) • 4

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by thestorysiren.com. eReaderMo version of this weekly feature will be posted almost every Sunday.

This week, Netgalley was great to me. Thanks to some tips from friends on Formspring, I updated my profile with some pertinent information and voila! books to review. I also took advantage of a special on Barnes and Nobles and bought two new books. Now, I've got a really full docket of books to review, which is great!


Here's what I got this week:

 Barnes & Nobles bargain buy!

 Barnes & Noble bargain buy!

 From Netgalley
This was sent from Netgalley to feed my eReader. I didn't even request this one. I was very excited to get it.

From Netgalley














I also received Always Upbeat by Stephanie Perry Moore from Netgalley. I couldn't locate an image from for this one, but it looks really great!


That's my IMM for the week! I'm always looking for the next best read, so please share what you're reading with me!