Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

4. 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!)

5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Mine is from p.75 of Here on Earth : A Natural History of the Planet by Tim Flannery

It’s ironic that just as we’ve found a way to read the genetic chronicles documenting our ancestors’ travels, increased human mobility is leading to such a mixing of our genes that, within a few dozen generations, the clues to our ancestors’ wanderings will be obliterated. Then, we will have returned to the genetic state that prevailed before we ever journeyed out of Africa: all humans forming a single, genetically uniform population.

Happy Reading!

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The Ice Princess A Review

The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg

Genre: Adult Fiction Mystery

Publisher: Pegasus

Won from Shelf Awareness

Book Description:

At the start of Läckberg's haunting U.S. debut, the first of her seven novels set in the Swedish coastal town of Fjällbacka, biographer Erica Falck returns home to sort through her deceased parents' belongings and work on her next book. But this is not the same hometown she grew up in. Summer tourists are turning the former fishing village into a thriving resort, and Erica's controlling brother-in-law is pressuring her to cash in by selling the family home. The apparent suicide of childhood friend Alexandra Wijkner contributes to Erica's grief. Once inseparable, they drifted apart before Alex's family abruptly moved away, and Erica feels compelled to write a novel about why the beautiful Alex would kill herself. Läckberg skillfully details how horrific secrets are never completely buried and how silence can kill the soul. A parallel between the town's downward spiral and the fate of one of Fjällbacka's wealthiest families adds texture..

Review:

This is a new author of Scandinavian fiction and the first one I’ve been able to enjoy. This is a well-written novel and the novel moves at a steady pace and you don’t get bored by the plot. I love the twists and turns that are throughout the novel and when the murder is solved you don’t know who it is until it’s revealed.

The budding romance between Erica and the cop investigating the murder adds a human touch to the story and blends in well with the plot. I highly recommend this book to any mystery/crime lover and if you’ve read other Scandinavian authors in this genre, give her a test drive.

Camilla Lackberg is the #1 bestselling author in Sweden and more of her books are to be published for release here in the States. I can’t wait to read her next novel. To learn more about the author and her books visit her website at http://www.camillalackberg.com/.

Happy Reading!

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Children's Author Dies

I saw this on January magazine's blog.

RIP Diana Wynn Jones

Though it’s mostly unconfirmed at time of writing, Saturday morning, the Twitterverse was a-buzz at the loss of well-loved children’s author Diana Wynne Jones who reportedly passed away after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. She was 76.

“We’re sad to confirm our wonderful and inspiring author Diana Wynne Jones passed away today,” came a tweetfrom HarperCollins UK children’s division. “She will be much missed.”

Bestselling author Neil Gaiman, a dear friend of Jones’, tweeted, “Rest in Peace, Diana Wynne Jones. You shone like a star. The funniest, wisest, writer & the finest friend. I miss you.”

Jones was born in London in 1934. She is best known for her novels of fantasy and magical realism for children and young adults including the Chrestomanci series and the novels Howl’s Moving Castle andDark Lord of Derkholm. You can read reviews of two of Jones’ books on January Magazine here and here.

Prince of Mist Review

The Prince of Mist by Carolos Ruiz Zafon

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Checked out from local library

Book Description:

It's war time, and the Carver family decides to leave the capital where they live and move to a small coastal village where they've recently bought a home. But from the minute they cross the threshold, strange things begin to happen. In that mysterious house still lurks the spirit of Jacob, the previous owners' son, who died by drowning.

With the help of their new friend Roland, Max and Alicia Carver begin to explore the strange circumstances of that death and discover the existence of a mysterious being called the Prince of Mist--a diabolical character who has returned from the shadows to collect on a debt from the past. Soon the three friends find themselves caught up in an adventure of sunken ships and an enchanted stone garden--an adventure that will change their lives forever.

Review:

This is the third book of Ruiz Zafon’s that I’ve read and loved. If you like literary fiction then you’ll enjoy this book. All of his books have a mystical quality about them and the writing is wonderful.

This was actually the first book he ever wrote, but only the third to be published. I love the intrigue and mystery underlying in the story and hated for the book to end.

This is a young adult read, but advanced readers will enjoy this book. It’s hard to review without giving away the plot, so I’ll just let the book speak for itself.

I checked this out from my local library.

Happy Reading!

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Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

4. 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!)

5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Mine is from p.85 of The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

For the first time in his life, he felt that time was going faster than he wished it to and he could no longer take refuge in his dreams. The wheel of fortune had started to turn, and this time he could not stop it.

Happy Reading!

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The Faculty Club Review

The Faculty Club : A Thriller by Danny Tobey

Genre: Adult Fiction

Publisher: Atria

Checked out from local library

Book Description:

This debut novel reads like an ungainly combination of Grisham’s The Firm, Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, and Turow’s One L, with a bit of Hogwarts from Harry Potter thrown in for good measure. Tobey, a Yale Law School graduate, gives his hero, Jeremy Davis, a total game changer when Davis, an unsophisticated but bright boy from Texas, product of a local college, is accepted into an East Coast law school that is only identified as “the greatest law school in the world.” The rewards pile up precipitously for Davis as soon as he arrives at the school whose graduates rule the world. A former attorney general for the U.S., now a distinguished professor, singles out Davis for a potentially prestigious research project and invites him to a meeting of a secret, exclusive club. At this point, the plot swerves from One L and The Firm into The Da Vinci Code, as Davis is plunged into a literal tunnel, finding codes and mazes and a murderous ritual at its center. The first-person narration sounds more like the voice of a teenybopper than that of a law student. There are exciting moments here for fans of high-concept thrillers, but there is little in the way of a cohesive narrative.

Review:

This was an interesting read. Most schools have a secret society, but I doubt that have one like this. The book was enjoyable and had some good elements like suspense and action, but the characters were a little shallow and could have been developed better. I liked how Jeremy goes against his friend Miles’ suggestion to just walk away and forget everything and ends up being the good boy his parents taught him to be.

Happy Reading!

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Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

4. 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!)

5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Mine is from p.36 of The Faculty Club by Danny Tobey

I was spending entire nights in the library, running home to shower as the sun came up, then stumbling into class and fighting to keep my eyes open. I came to know every nook and cranny of Edwards Library: the grand façade with columns so high you had to crane your neck to see the capitals; the upper floors with shelves lit by naked bulbs, the shaved-pencil smell of books that hadn’t been touched in years.

Happy Reading!

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Mal and Chad Review

Mal and Chad : The Biggest, Bestest Time Ever! by Stephen McCranie

Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel

Publisher: Philomel Books

Library Thing Early Review Win

Book Description:

Mal is a super kid genius and Chad is a talking dog, but no one knows it. What's it like to be so extraordinary and yet so invisible? Not even Megan, Mal's secret crush, has any idea that Mal is anything more than a dork. Fortunately, Mal and Chad are best friends with a penchant for adventure . . . even if the time-traveling does get them grounded by Mal's mom.

Introducing the first in a series of illustrated chapter books by talented newcomer Stephen McCranie that are laugh-inducing, clever, and full of heart. Give this to any kid who's a reluctant reader or is just leaving picture books and be prepared to answer the question: "When can I read the next one?"

Review:

This is my first review of a graphic novel. This one is geared to boys ages 9-12. This was a fun book to read and I think all children will enjoy this adventure that Mal and his dog Chad have.

Mal is given an assignment at school to write about what he wants to be when he grows up. He and Chad “try out” different jobs to see what Mal wants to be when he grows up. He turns in his assignment and what he chooses will surprise you.

This was a Library Thing Early Reviewers win and sent to me for review free of charge.

Happy Reading!

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Spring Books

SPRING BOOKS TO WELCOME THE SEASON

Since spring is slowing starting to show up I thought I’d share some books with you for spring.

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

Discusses the reckless annihilation of fish and birds by the use of

pesticides and warns of the possible genetic effects on humans.

Spring: a spiritual biography of the season

A delightful collection reveals how nature celebrates rebirth and

renewal, exploring the delicate balance between the new and the

ancient and evoking the sense that springtime is a time of poignant

renewal, youth merged with age, and giddy joy tempered by wisdom.

Spring forward: the annual madness of daylight saving by Michael Downing

Both light-hearted and scholarly, Downing's text takes readers through

the history of Daylight Saving Time, from its beginnings with the

passage of a federal law "to save daylight" in 1918, through ongoing

debates about the pros and cons of the practice and its economic and

social impacts. The revised edition incorporates recent developments

since publication of the 2006 edition, including the Daylight Saving

amendment passed in 2005 and activated in 2007, which extends the

length of the Daylight Saving Time period by one month. This work is

academic while remaining accessible to the general reader.

Prairie spring: a journey into the heeart of a season by: Pete Dunne

A portrait of spring and the unfolding drama of man versus the

environment in the heartland of North America.

Chasing spring: an American journey through a changing season by Bruce Stutz

The author recounts his three-month car journey through the unfolding of an American spring,

during which he observed bird migrations, the melting of Rocky Mountain snow, the blooming of

desert wildflowers, and a tornado outbreak.

Appalachian spring by Marcia Bonta

The author records her observations of the changes brought by the coming of spring to the

woods and fields of Appalachia, supplementing her own insights with the research of natural

scientists.

Happy Reading!

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Grimm Legacy Review

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Publisher: Putnam

Library

Book Description:

Feeling left out from her stepfamily at home and from her classmates at her new school, Elizabeth is delighted when she gets a job at the New York Circulating Material Repository, a library that loans objects of historical value. She's particularly intrigued when she's given access to the Grimm Collection, a secret room that holds magical objects from the Brothers' tales, e.g., seven-league boots, a mermaid's comb, and the sinister mirror from "Snow White." However, when the items start to disappear, she and her fellow pages embark on a dangerous quest to catch the thief, only to find themselves among the suspects. This modern fantasy has intrigue, adventure, and romance, and the magical aspects of the tale are both clever and intricately woven, from rhyming charms to flying-carpet rides. The author brings the seemingly disparate elements together in the end, while still making certain that her protagonist's problems are not completely solved by the world of magic. Shulman's prose is fast paced, filled with humor, and peopled with characters who are either true to life or delightfully bizarre. Fans of fairy tales in general and Grimm stories in particular will delight in the author's frequent literary references, and fantasy lovers will feel very much at home in this tale that pulls out all the stops.

Review:

This was a fun read. This is a great adventure story for girls 9-12 and a good replacement for Harry Potter fans. I would love to work where Elizabeth does and see all the things the Grimm brothers collected while writing their stories.

There is suspense, drama, humor and a little romance in this novel. If you have a young girl looking for a good fast read then I recommend this book.

I checked this book out from my local library.

Happy Reading!

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A Killer Plot Review

A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams

Genre: Mystery

Publisher: Penguin

Purchased

Book Description:

In the small coastal town of Oyster Bay, North Carolina, you'll find plenty of characters, ne'er-do-wells, and even a few celebs trying to duck the paparazzi. But when murder joins this curious community, the Bayside Book Writers are there to get the story...

Olivia Limoges is the subject of constant gossip. Ever since she came back to town-a return as mysterious as her departure-Olivia has kept to herself, her dog, and her unfinished novel. With a little cajoling from the eminently charming writer Camden Ford, she agrees to join the Bayside Book Writers, break her writer's block, and even make a few friends...

But when townspeople start turning up dead with haiku poems left by the bodies, anyone with a flair for language is suddenly suspect. And it's up to Olivia to catch the killer before she meets her own surprise ending.

Review:

This was a fun read. I love Olivia and her poodle Captain Haviland. She is eccentric, but lovable. She becomes an amateur detective after a visitor to her beloved town. She receives help in solving the mystery by her fellow book writers.

The characters are believable and the mystery is riddled with haikus and speculation as to who is the killer.

If you like cozy mysteries and a quick read then you’ll love A Killer Plot.

I purchased this book from my local used bookstore.

Happy Reading!

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Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

4. 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!)

5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Mine is from p.57 of Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

I expected a library hush in the MER, but it was fairly noisy, especially in the carved staging case where we three pages were working. The radiators hissed like lovesick lizards, the dumbwaiters chimed when they arrived, and the pneums came thumping and banging into their baskets like baby meteorites, while all around us the windows shimmered and glowed.

Happy Reading!

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Promises She Keeps Review

Promises She Keeps by Erin Healy

Genre: Christian/Inspirational Fiction

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Sent to me by publisher

Book Description:

It's her destiny to die young. The man who loves her can't live with that.

Promise, a talented young singer with a terminal illness, is counting on fame to keep her memory alive after she dies. Porta is an aging sorceress and art collector in search of immortality.

When Promise inexplicably survives a series of freak accidents, Porta believes that she may hold the key to eternal life.

Enter Chase, an autistic artist who falls in love with Promise and fascinates her with his mysterious visions and drawings.

Soon, all are plunged into a confrontation over the mystery and the cost of something even greater than eternal life...eternal love.

Review:

This is a hard review to write because there are parts about it I liked and parts I didn’t. When I write reviews I prefer to write positive ones and this one is a little of both. This was the first book I have read by Erin Healy and it was not as promising as I expected.

I liked the premise of the story, but the characters could have been better developed and had more depth to them. I wasn’t pulled in by the story or the characters. Don’t let my review deter you because not every book appeals to everyone. If you read it and disagree with my review then that’s fine.

This was sent to me free of charge by phenix & phenix for my review.

Happy Reading!

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Absolute Value of Mike Review

Absolute Value of Mike by Kathryn Erskine

Genre: Middle Grade fiction

Publisher: Philomel (June 9, 2011)

Sent to me by Kathryn Erskine

Book Description:

Mike tries so hard to please his father, but the only language his dad seems to speak is calculus. And for a boy with a math learning disability, nothing could be more difficult. When his dad sends him to live with distant relatives in rural Pennsylvania for the summer to work on an engineering project, Mike figures this is his big chance to buckle down and prove himself. But when he gets there, nothing is what he thought it would be. The project has nothing at all to do with engineering, and he finds himself working alongside his wacky eighty-something- year-old aunt, a homeless man, and a punk rock girl as part of a town-wide project to adopt a boy from Romania. Mike may not learn anything about engineering, but what he does learn is far more valuable.

Review:

I loved this book. I could relate to Mike, as I tried for years to please my mom and felt that I wasn’t living up to her expectations. Mike is always taking care of his dad and keeping his life straight, but his dad wants him to be an engineer, but Mike doesn’t want to be one. When he goes to stay with his great aunt and uncle he discovers what he is good at and gets the courage to prove it to his dad and himself. He and his dad also realize what’s important in life and how to achieve it with a little hard work and perseverance.

This book will be a great read for any kid who likes stories about helping others and becoming a good humanitarian. It’s also a good story for reluctant readers.

I received this book from the author free of charge for review.

Happy Reading!

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Warbreaker Review

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Tor

Secret Santa gift from Suey

Book Description:

Epic fantasy heavyweight Sanderson (the Mistborn series) pens a powerful stand-alone tale of unpredictable loyalties, dark intrigue and dangerous magic. To keep a treaty made long ago, the king of Idris must send his daughter to marry Susebron, the God King of Hallandren. Loath to part with his eldest daughter, Vivenna, King Dedelin instead sends his youngest daughter, tomboyish 17-year-old Siri, who struggles to make sense of the schemers and spies in Susebron's court. Hoping to rescue her sister, Vivenna joins a group of Idrian operatives with questionable motives. As Vivenna comes to terms with her magical abilities, resurrected hero Lightsong questions the role of the undead Returned Gods, who command Hallandren's mighty army of zombie soldiers. Sanderson melds complex, believable characters, a marvelous world and thoughtful, ironic humor into an extraordinary and highly entertaining story.

Review:

This was an author that is new to me and I’ve wanted to read his books for some time and thanks to Suey at It’s All About Books I have.

This was a great book and a fun read. It has humor, action, adventure and even romance. If you’re new to fantasy and are looking for a good read try Warbreaker.

I love the way Sanderson helps Siri, Susebron, Vivenna and the god Lightsong evolve and grow. You also see how politics work and how wars can be made and broken.

I hope anyone who reads this book will enjoy it as much as I did.

Happy Reading!

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Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

4. 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!)

5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Mine is from p.284 of Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Vivenna stared out over the lights of the city and all of the people they represented, with all their different beliefs, different ways of thinking, different contradictions. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one who struggled to believe two seemingly opposing things at the same time.

Happy Reading!

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