Just wanted to let everyone know that I will probably be MIA for a few days. I am in California at a family reunion and the hotel that was supposed to have wireless Internet does not. I am also in the middle of midterms so any chance I get to spend on the Internet will need to be used for research.
In book related news, I got my hands on an ARC "Witch and Wizard" by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet and am enjoying it so far. Very interesting plot and is turning out to be a quick read.
In case I don't get to post again, have a good weekend! Hopefully I'll be up and running more frequently Wednesday of next week.
October 23, 2009
October 15, 2009
Thursday Update
Today was such a yucky day! It was the first really cold day and of course it had to rain. My winter coat and boots are out for the season I think... :/
On this yucky day I finally managed to get all the boxes and trash out of my apartment from when I moved in (that was 5 months ago to the day). But everything is finally done! I also spent some time to do a bit of cleaning and put out some Halloween decorations!
Yes it is a little late, but I'll probably leave them up until I put up my Christmas Tree.
I thought I had a lot more decorations... they may have gotten left behind at my old apartment.
On this yucky day I finally managed to get all the boxes and trash out of my apartment from when I moved in (that was 5 months ago to the day). But everything is finally done! I also spent some time to do a bit of cleaning and put out some Halloween decorations!
Yes it is a little late, but I'll probably leave them up until I put up my Christmas Tree.
I thought I had a lot more decorations... they may have gotten left behind at my old apartment.
"The Monstrumologist" is Menacing
"The Monstrumologist"
This book was awesome. It was both scary and full of gore. Sometimes gore is unnecessary, but when it comes to a book about monsters and the scientists who study them, it was very fitting. There were so may scary parts in the book, scenes in cemeteries and a psychiatric hospital are some of the highlights. Yancey did a wonderful job describing the monsters in a truly terrifying way. From the very beginning of the book when the corps of one of the Anthropophagi is described it is clear that these creatures will be brutal killers and I was not disappointed. Even the inside cover of the book is creepy! Even if you aren't planning on buying the book, it is worth just picking it up at the book store to look at.
"The Monstrumologist" has more than just terror and adventure. All the characters in the book were well developed. Even though I didn't like Warthrop, he was a great character to see unfold. It was hard to watch Will Henry follow him so devotedly after the way Warthrop treats him. Each new character introduced had a story and personal demons. I can definitely see that there is room for this series to grow based off of the characters alone. That isn't even considering the many terrible creatures that Yancey can dream up in the next books. I am looking forward to more in the series, but I'm not really sure what can top the first book. What can be more terrifying than graveyards and mental institutions?
Rick Yancey
5
5
These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed.
But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets.
The one who saved me...and the one who cursed me.
So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore Warthrop, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a gruesome find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.
Critically acclaimed author Rick Yancey has written a gothic tour de force that explores the darkest heart of man and monster and asks the question: When does a man become the very thing he hunts?This book was awesome. It was both scary and full of gore. Sometimes gore is unnecessary, but when it comes to a book about monsters and the scientists who study them, it was very fitting. There were so may scary parts in the book, scenes in cemeteries and a psychiatric hospital are some of the highlights. Yancey did a wonderful job describing the monsters in a truly terrifying way. From the very beginning of the book when the corps of one of the Anthropophagi is described it is clear that these creatures will be brutal killers and I was not disappointed. Even the inside cover of the book is creepy! Even if you aren't planning on buying the book, it is worth just picking it up at the book store to look at.
"The Monstrumologist" has more than just terror and adventure. All the characters in the book were well developed. Even though I didn't like Warthrop, he was a great character to see unfold. It was hard to watch Will Henry follow him so devotedly after the way Warthrop treats him. Each new character introduced had a story and personal demons. I can definitely see that there is room for this series to grow based off of the characters alone. That isn't even considering the many terrible creatures that Yancey can dream up in the next books. I am looking forward to more in the series, but I'm not really sure what can top the first book. What can be more terrifying than graveyards and mental institutions?
October 13, 2009
Teaser Tuesdays
"The Forest of Hands and Teeth"Carrie Ryan
Excerpt from page 7:
I know that in my life there have been breaches but I also know that I am very good at blocking out the memories that serve me no purpose. I can fear the Unconsecrated well enough without them.
Excerpt from page 7:
I know that in my life there have been breaches but I also know that I am very good at blocking out the memories that serve me no purpose. I can fear the Unconsecrated well enough without them.
I am 100 pages into this book and it is killing me that I need to stop reading to do homework. I was sitting in a small diner eating lunch and I had no idea that over an hour went by. That says a lot!
Teaser Tuesdays was started by MizB on her blog. On Teaser Tuesdays participants are asked to grab the book they are currently reading and open it to a random page. Then fist two "teaser" sentences on that page between lines 7 and 12. The key is to entice readers to pick up the book without giving away any spoilers.
October 11, 2009
On My Chair
This is where I post the books that I borrow from the library, buy, or I receive via mail in the last week.
"The Grand Tour" 
By Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
Dear Reader,
We are having the most wonderful time on our tour of Europe with our new husbands, Thomas and James. We've been shopping in Paris, sightseeing in the Alps, and riding gondolas in Venice-there's nothing like exploring the Continent!
However, there have been some troublesome moments. There was the midnight intruder who left behind a fashionable Turkish slipper. We also always seem to be running into the same peculiar people on our visits to ancient sites. An, oh yes, there was our discovery of the mysterious parcel that hints at a murderously magical plot of international importance!
Clearly, this isn't quite the calm and relaxing journey we were expecting, But this Grand Tour is turning out to be the best adventure of our lives!
Love, Cecy and Kate
I saw this book and fell in love with the cover. I also found out that it is considered "steampunk", which is a genre I haven't read much of. I am all about reading outside my comfort zone.
"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"
By Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline StevermerDear Reader,
We are having the most wonderful time on our tour of Europe with our new husbands, Thomas and James. We've been shopping in Paris, sightseeing in the Alps, and riding gondolas in Venice-there's nothing like exploring the Continent!
However, there have been some troublesome moments. There was the midnight intruder who left behind a fashionable Turkish slipper. We also always seem to be running into the same peculiar people on our visits to ancient sites. An, oh yes, there was our discovery of the mysterious parcel that hints at a murderously magical plot of international importance!
Clearly, this isn't quite the calm and relaxing journey we were expecting, But this Grand Tour is turning out to be the best adventure of our lives!
Love, Cecy and Kate
I saw this book and fell in love with the cover. I also found out that it is considered "steampunk", which is a genre I haven't read much of. I am all about reading outside my comfort zone.
"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"
By John BoyneBerlin 1942 When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance. But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences.
This book was at the library and I had to pick it up. I have heard great things and I have to read it before I see the movie. I'm 4 chapters in and enjoying it so far!
Fire
This book was at the library and I had to pick it up. I have heard great things and I have to read it before I see the movie. I'm 4 chapters in and enjoying it so far!
Fire
By Kristin CashoreShe is the last of her kind...
It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.
Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don't need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven't, you'll be dying to read it next.
"The Day the Falls Stood Still"
By Cathy Marie Buchanan
Steeped in the intriguing history of Niagara Falls, this epic love story is as rich, spellbinding, and majestic as the falls themselves. 1915. The dawn of the hydroelectric power era in Niagara Falls. Seventeen-year-old Bess Heath has led a sheltered existence as the youngest daughter of the director of the Niagara Power Company. After graduation day at her boarding school, she is impatient to return to her picturesque family home near Niagara Falls. But when she arrives, nothing is as she had left it. Her father has lost his job at the power company, her mother is reduced to taking in sewing from the society ladies she once entertained, and Isabel, her vivacious older sister, is a shadow of her former self. She has shut herself in her bedroom, barely eating-and harboring a secret. The night of her return, Bess meets Tom Cole by chance on a trolley platform. She finds herself inexplicably drawn to him-against her family's strong objections. He is not from their world. Rough-hewn and fearless, he lives off what the river provides and has an uncanny ability to predict the whims of the falls. His daring river rescues render him a local hero and cast him as a threat to the power companies that seek to harness the power of the falls for themselves. As their lives become more fully entwined, Bess is forced to make a painful choice between what she wants and what is best for her family and her future. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of Niagara Falls, at a time when daredevils shot the river rapids in barrels and great industrial fortunes were made and lost as quickly as lives disappeared, The Day the Falls Stood Still is an intoxicating debut novel.
This book was a fantastic price and it had wonderful reviews.... I couldn't pass it up! I may not get to it for a while, but it ended up being almost 75% off.
Feel free to share the books you received this week by leaving a link to your blog. This meme (In My Mailbox) is brought to you by Kristi's (The Story Siren)
Steeped in the intriguing history of Niagara Falls, this epic love story is as rich, spellbinding, and majestic as the falls themselves. 1915. The dawn of the hydroelectric power era in Niagara Falls. Seventeen-year-old Bess Heath has led a sheltered existence as the youngest daughter of the director of the Niagara Power Company. After graduation day at her boarding school, she is impatient to return to her picturesque family home near Niagara Falls. But when she arrives, nothing is as she had left it. Her father has lost his job at the power company, her mother is reduced to taking in sewing from the society ladies she once entertained, and Isabel, her vivacious older sister, is a shadow of her former self. She has shut herself in her bedroom, barely eating-and harboring a secret. The night of her return, Bess meets Tom Cole by chance on a trolley platform. She finds herself inexplicably drawn to him-against her family's strong objections. He is not from their world. Rough-hewn and fearless, he lives off what the river provides and has an uncanny ability to predict the whims of the falls. His daring river rescues render him a local hero and cast him as a threat to the power companies that seek to harness the power of the falls for themselves. As their lives become more fully entwined, Bess is forced to make a painful choice between what she wants and what is best for her family and her future. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of Niagara Falls, at a time when daredevils shot the river rapids in barrels and great industrial fortunes were made and lost as quickly as lives disappeared, The Day the Falls Stood Still is an intoxicating debut novel.
This book was a fantastic price and it had wonderful reviews.... I couldn't pass it up! I may not get to it for a while, but it ended up being almost 75% off.
Feel free to share the books you received this week by leaving a link to your blog. This meme (In My Mailbox) is brought to you by Kristi's (The Story Siren)
October 10, 2009
"Dairy Queen" is Delicious
"Dairy Queen"
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
5
Synopsis: When you don’t talk, there’s a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.
Harsh words indeed, from Brian Nelson of all people. But, D. J. can’t help admitting, maybe he’s right.
When you don’t talk, there’s a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.
Stuff like why her best friend, Amber, isn’t so friendly anymore. Or why her little brother, Curtis, never opens his mouth. Why her mom has two jobs and a big secret. Why her college-football-star brothers won’t even call home. Why her dad would go ballistic if she tried out for the high school football team herself. And why Brian is so, so out of her league.
When you don’t talk, there’s a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.
Welcome to the summer that fifteen-year-old D. J. Schwenk of Red Bend, Wisconsin, learns to talk, and ends up having an awful lot of stuff to say.
I really loved this book! I randomly just grabbed the audio off the shelves at the library the other day and I could not stop listening to it. Not only was the story awesome, but also thought Natalie Moore did a beautiful job making D.J. come to life through her narration. I really felt a connection with D.J. as a character even though she is very different from me (I could definitely relate to the older brother football star thing though). Even though she works on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, her life is more complicated than anyone I know. Catherine Gilbert Murdock created a character that anyone can root for in "Dairy Queen". I also really enjoyed the characters Brian and Curtis. Curtis may say very littler, but I just like the interactions that he has with D.J. It is a very believable brother-sister relationship. Murdock's character Brian was also very interesting to me because he never quite did what I expected him to. He surprised me a lot of the times, which I found nice. Even though the book was quite charming, it definitely hit on some hard issues addressing homosexuality and less than perfect family life.
Whether you listen to it on audio, which I strongly recommend, or pick up a paper copy, I think almost anyone will enjoy this book. I think I would suggest it to people who enjoy Sarah Dessen's books. It seems to hit along those lines with the family issues, friends, romance, and what it means to find yourself. I will definitely be reading more of Murdock's books and hope to get my hands on both "The Off Season" and "Front and Center" soon!
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
5
Synopsis: When you don’t talk, there’s a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.
Harsh words indeed, from Brian Nelson of all people. But, D. J. can’t help admitting, maybe he’s right.
When you don’t talk, there’s a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.
Stuff like why her best friend, Amber, isn’t so friendly anymore. Or why her little brother, Curtis, never opens his mouth. Why her mom has two jobs and a big secret. Why her college-football-star brothers won’t even call home. Why her dad would go ballistic if she tried out for the high school football team herself. And why Brian is so, so out of her league.
When you don’t talk, there’s a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.
Welcome to the summer that fifteen-year-old D. J. Schwenk of Red Bend, Wisconsin, learns to talk, and ends up having an awful lot of stuff to say.
I really loved this book! I randomly just grabbed the audio off the shelves at the library the other day and I could not stop listening to it. Not only was the story awesome, but also thought Natalie Moore did a beautiful job making D.J. come to life through her narration. I really felt a connection with D.J. as a character even though she is very different from me (I could definitely relate to the older brother football star thing though). Even though she works on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, her life is more complicated than anyone I know. Catherine Gilbert Murdock created a character that anyone can root for in "Dairy Queen". I also really enjoyed the characters Brian and Curtis. Curtis may say very littler, but I just like the interactions that he has with D.J. It is a very believable brother-sister relationship. Murdock's character Brian was also very interesting to me because he never quite did what I expected him to. He surprised me a lot of the times, which I found nice. Even though the book was quite charming, it definitely hit on some hard issues addressing homosexuality and less than perfect family life.
Whether you listen to it on audio, which I strongly recommend, or pick up a paper copy, I think almost anyone will enjoy this book. I think I would suggest it to people who enjoy Sarah Dessen's books. It seems to hit along those lines with the family issues, friends, romance, and what it means to find yourself. I will definitely be reading more of Murdock's books and hope to get my hands on both "The Off Season" and "Front and Center" soon!
October 3, 2009
Cybils Voting Is Open!
Voting is now open for the 2009 Cybils awards! Nominate your favorite books this year by going here and filling out the nomination form. There are multiple genres you can vote on, but please only vote once per category. Voting is only open through the 15h, so be sure to think about your top books and nominate them ASAP!
October 1, 2009
Legendary October Book Release
October 1st
"Ballad: The Gathering of Faerie"- Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater is a beautiful writer and I know a lot of people have been waiting for this sequel of "Lament: Faerie Queen's Deception" to appear on shelves! I loved "Shiver" and am looking forward to reading more of her works.
October 5th
"Ballad: The Gathering of Faerie"- Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater is a beautiful writer and I know a lot of people have been waiting for this sequel of "Lament: Faerie Queen's Deception" to appear on shelves! I loved "Shiver" and am looking forward to reading more of her works.October 5th
"Fire"- Kristin Cashore
I read Graceling when it first came out and loved it. I have been dying for this book to come out for months. All the amazing reviews for the book have only heightened my anticipation!
October 6th
"Van Alen Legacy" (Blue Bloods Series #4)- Mellissa De La Cruz
I haven't read this series yet, but everyone I know has been trying to get me to read it. This book is definitely going on my to read list.
October 13th
"Hush, Hush"- Becca Fitzpatrick
I have been hearing wonderful reviews for this book. I can't wait to read it and see if it lives up to the hype!
October 15th
"ArchEnemy" (The Looking Glass Wars)- Frank Beddor
This is another series that I hear is a must read. I know a lot of people who will be excited to hear that this book is coming out.
"Gateway"- Sharon Shinn
I found this book simply by browsing the new releases on Amazon. The cover is beautiful and I have trouble resisting books that involve parallel worlds.
October 27th
"Tempted" (House of Night Series #6)- P.C. Cast
I have only read the first book in this series, but I thought it was awesome. I want to read the series together, so the House of Night series is going at the top of my Christmas list!
I read Graceling when it first came out and loved it. I have been dying for this book to come out for months. All the amazing reviews for the book have only heightened my anticipation!
October 6th
"Van Alen Legacy" (Blue Bloods Series #4)- Mellissa De La Cruz
I haven't read this series yet, but everyone I know has been trying to get me to read it. This book is definitely going on my to read list.
October 13th
"Hush, Hush"- Becca Fitzpatrick
I have been hearing wonderful reviews for this book. I can't wait to read it and see if it lives up to the hype!
October 15th
"ArchEnemy" (The Looking Glass Wars)- Frank Beddor
This is another series that I hear is a must read. I know a lot of people who will be excited to hear that this book is coming out.
"Gateway"- Sharon Shinn
I found this book simply by browsing the new releases on Amazon. The cover is beautiful and I have trouble resisting books that involve parallel worlds.
October 27th
"Tempted" (House of Night Series #6)- P.C. Cast
I have only read the first book in this series, but I thought it was awesome. I want to read the series together, so the House of Night series is going at the top of my Christmas list!
Thursday Update
I am so excited that I got myself back to running at the gym today! I should really say jogging because the treadmill was only at 5.0... but it just isn't as exciting when I put it that way. I need to find some good audio books to listen to at the gym. I just finished "Dead and Gone" and need something new and exciting. If anyone has suggestions I would be grateful!
I Watched Can’t Hardly Wait last night. I forgot how many celebrities are in it. I’m not just talking about Freddie Prinze Jr., Mattthew Lillard, and Paul Walker. Sarah Michelle Gellar appears for 5 seconds. Anna Paquin plays Zach’s sister. Lil’ Kim is one of Taylor Vaughan’s friends and we can’t forget Usher as the DJ. I love watching older movies because you realize all the random people who are in them. Even though the movie is really cheesy and my high school was NOTHING like it, I still have a special place in my heart for it.
I think that is it for this week. School is taking over my life again, so I don't have too much excitement going on. Luckily it is only for 2 more months!
I Watched Can’t Hardly Wait last night. I forgot how many celebrities are in it. I’m not just talking about Freddie Prinze Jr., Mattthew Lillard, and Paul Walker. Sarah Michelle Gellar appears for 5 seconds. Anna Paquin plays Zach’s sister. Lil’ Kim is one of Taylor Vaughan’s friends and we can’t forget Usher as the DJ. I love watching older movies because you realize all the random people who are in them. Even though the movie is really cheesy and my high school was NOTHING like it, I still have a special place in my heart for it.
I think that is it for this week. School is taking over my life again, so I don't have too much excitement going on. Luckily it is only for 2 more months!
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