Booksellers Without Borders: 10 things

Showing posts with label 10 things. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

10 Books by L.M. Montgomery You Should Read After Anne of Green Gables

If you're like most people I encounter (even most book people), you probably don't recognize the name L.M. Montgomery. At least until you hear that she wrote Anne of Green Gables and then a little light bulb goes off.

I have been a fan of Montgomery's works for basically my whole life. So much so that I wrote my Master's thesis on her Emily trilogy. And presented a paper at the academic conference held every other year on Prince Edward Island. And went to Green Gables TWO DAYS IN A ROW because I didn't get to see enough the first time.

And it always makes me sad that few people know this wonderful woman wrote so much more than just Anne. And, while I love Anne of Green Gables, it isn't even my favorite of her books.

So here you go. My list of the 10 Montgomery novels you might want to check out if you liked Anne... or even if you didn't! Montgomery has something for everyone!

1-3. The Emily trilogy.

After I just told you I wrote my thesis on this are you even a little surprised? And, yes. I know that it's three books, but Emily of New Moon, Emily Climbs, and Emily's Quest really form one narrative and, while you could read the first book alone, you can't get the full picture of Emily without reading the whole trilogy.
Emily has lived alone with her father after the death of her mother. He's encouraged her imagination and her desire to record her experiences in writing. When he dies, Emily goes to live with her two old maid aunts, where she finds a rich family history and inspiration in everything she does. As she pursues her dream of becoming a writer she faces opposition from a family that doesn't understand her and finds encouragement in the unlikeliest of places. Emily is a writer, a dreamer, and a fierce and independent woman. While Montgomery fans are divided on their approval of the ending of the book, I have always been a fan of it. Emily is a heroine I can cheer for and I've always felt a kinship with her passion for houses and her love of reading and writing.

4. The Blue Castle

Talk to any Montgomery fan and it probably won't be long before this book comes up. And, if my recent experience at the conference is accurate, many would choose Barney as their favorite Montgomery man.
Valancy has spent her life under her mother's thumb. She's worn, eaten, said, worked, and practically even thought only what her mother approves of. But when she gets the news that she has a rare heart condition and will most likely die within a year, Valancy decides she's only going to do things that make her happy. She moves out of her mother's house and experiences joy for the first time. The most fairy-tale-esque of Montgomery's works, this romance makes me smile every time I read it.

5. Jane of Lantern Hill

This book will always hold a special place in my heart as I read it aloud to both of my sisters.
Jane lives with her sweet but sad mother and her domineering grandmother in an austere house in the middle of town. Everything Jane likes seems to be forbidden, from laughing to pets to her friendship with the housemaid next door. Then the letter arrives and Jane learns that her father isn't dead after all. He's alive and well and insisting that she come spend the summer with him on Prince Edward Island. Jane is feisty, intelligent, and determined. She has a passion for life, but lacks much of the impulsive recklessness of Anne (for me, in a good way). She is loyal and loving and her story makes me laugh and cry.

6. Rilla of Ingleside

Technically this is the 8th book in the Anne series, but the narrative focuses on Anne's youngest daughter, Marilla "Rilla" Blythe. It stands alone quite well, so you don't have to read the rest of the Anne books to enjoy it.
Beginning just as the war does, the book follows Rilla and her brothers, sisters, and friends as they face the realities of war on the Canadian home front during World War I. The adults are by no means absent, (particularly Susan, the sarcastic housekeeper who keeps things running at Ingleside and is one of my favorite characters) but the focus is on the impact the war had on an entire generation of young people who went to war or watched their brothers and lovers go off to war and had to deal with the deprivations and uncertainty as they stayed behind. This book makes me tear up just by thinking of it. There are some truly beautiful story lines and some truly tragic ones. A lovely coming of age story juxtaposed against a horrific conflict.

7. A Tangled Web

I read this for the first time recently and absolutely fell in love with it.
When the matriarch of the Dark/Penhallow clan realizes she is dying she holds a grand clan meeting and announces that she has chosen someone to inherit the famous old Dark Jug. The only thing is that they all have to wait a full year after her death before they get to learn who that person is. Old and new rivalries, romances, and quarrels spin through the clan as they each try to be worthy of the jug. This novel, one of the only other ones Montgomery wrote for adults, weaves together so many threads of narrative that it would be easy for it to be overwhelming, but she handles them all with a deftness and a keen insight into human nature. A complex family saga with clever humor and not a little bit of biting realism, this book is one I will be returning to again and again.

8. The Story Girl

If you remember the tv show The Road to Avonlea, then you'll be familiar with some of the characters in this novel, as the series was based on this book. Unique in its execution - the only novel told not only in first person but also from a boy's perspective - the novel also has layers of narratives.
Beverley and Felix have come to stay with their uncle while their father travels on business. Part of the story is Beverley's memories of daily life with his cousins and friends as they work, play, and get into quite a bit of mischief. The rest of the story is made up of Sara Stanley's stories. The title character has a story for every occasion and a gift for telling those stories to their greatest potential. Beverley repeatedly notes that he can't capture the tone and expressions the Story Girl employs, but he is driven to try to capture them in print. Less a narrative than a collection of stories woven together in the lives of the group of children, there is a sweetness in the novel that always makes me smile.

9. Pat of Silver Bush

Pat feels different from many of Montgomery's novels for me. I have been trying to figure out why this is. I think it's partly because Pat has a whole, cohesive family unit - both parents still living and siblings. I think it's also partly because Pat lacks that imaginative streak and "book smart" intelligence that so defines many of Montgomery's heroines. Pat loves beauty and she loves Silver Bush and all it contains with a passion that rivals most romance novel plots.
The book has less of a plot than many Montgomery novels, but it captures the intense love and trials of a child who is so happy they can't bear change, even if the change might bring something good. There's a little bit of Pat inside me and I can't help but love her and her story. Also, Jingle may be my favorite boy out of the lot.

10. The Alpine Path

This was originally written as a series of autobiographical essays printed in a magazine. Montgomery reconstructed her life and career based on her journals and letters. Since Montgomery is known to have rewritten her journals and reconstructed her perspective on situations or events, this is an interesting look into Montgomery's perception of herself and the picture she wanted to present to the public. A short but interesting look into the author for anyone who likes autobiographies or is curious to learn a little bit more about Montgomery.

Did I miss one of your favorites? Decide to read one of these based on my review? I'd love to hear about it! Leave a comment!

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

10 Things I Loved About The Agency Series by Y. S. Lee

Mary Quinn was only twelve years old when she was sentenced to death. Turning to thievery after the death of her parents, she managed to scrape out an existence on the streets of Victorian London, but after being rescued from the gallows and given a home in a school for girls, her life took a turn for the better. Now she's seventeen and learns that the school is more than it seems. She's given the chance to train as a spy in an agency of women who take advantage of the way girls and women are overlooked and taken for granted. As she faces a variety of mysteries, villains, challenges, and a chance at romance, Mary has to deal not only with the dangers of her work but also with the weight of her past and her heritage. Can she come to grips with who she is or will she lose everything she's worked to gain?

I received the second book of the series - The Body at the Tower - at BookExpo America several years ago. I couldn't read them out of order, of course, so I tracked down the first book. After reading the first two I had to read the third and fourth as well!
This review contains some mild spoilers for the series, since I'm looking at it as a whole, but I'll try to keep it as spoiler free as possible.
So here we go - 10 things I loved about Y. S. Lee's Agency series

Mary - I liked how resourceful and determined she was. Yet she really struggled with how to survive in a world where she was considered a second class citizen on several different levels. She has to learn how to be comfortable with who she is and with the choices she's made.
James - The banter between Mary and James was probably my favorite part of the books (and there was far too little of it in the fourth one!). I liked how he developed as a character. It was nice that he had his own family and other things to deal with, even though the series was focused on Mary.
Their relationship - minor spoilers - I really appreciated that Mary and James went their separate ways at the end of the first book. And I liked the way Lee brought them believably back together again. The development of their relationship happened at a good pace, I thought.
Spies! - I really enjoyed the way Lee played with the cultural mores in Victorian England. And even if there wasn't a female agency like this, I know there had to be women who would have excelled at that kind of subterfuge. Because women were often overlooked and would have been able to gain information as servants, governesses, etc.
The setting - Lee did a good job of evoking Victorian England through the little details - the clothes, the food, the descriptions of setting woven in through the mystery.
The ethnic issues - minor spoiler - Mary is half Chinese and I really appreciated the way Lee dug into the prejudices and challenges of Asian people in London at the time. It's not something I've ever really heard about before and she wove it into the narrative in such an interesting way.
The mysteries - I liked the way that each book had its own distinct mystery which was wrapped up by the book's end. There were larger threads that carried through the series and call backs to earlier events and people, but it was kind of nice having a sense of closure at the end of each book. Also, each mystery was different and had its own challenges and approaches to solving it.
The layers - There was the larger mystery, but there were also plenty of other things going on to flesh out the stories and the characters - conflict in the Agency, Mary's conflicted feelings for James, trying to figure out who she is apart from the Agency, dealing with her past, James dealing with his brother and familial obligations - it just made for a much more interesting larger story. And I thought Lee did a good job of balancing all those different layers.
A complete story - I'm kind of glad I didn't get around to reading this until now, because I was able to read all four books one right after the other and get the whole story. I thought Lee did a good job of keeping you reading and wanting to know what happens in the next book and then by wrapping it up well in the fourth book. There's a real sense of closure but also a recognition that there are still a lot of possibilities left for Mary (and James).
The ending - Spoilers! - I liked the way the fourth book tied back to the first book and wrapped up the loose ends from the first mystery. I especially liked the way Lee wrapped up Mary's family story as well. It just completed the larger story pieces really nicely.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

10 Things I Loved About The Girl Who Could Not Dream by Sarah Beth Durst

Sophie has a pretty great life. She loves her parents and their bookstore. She loves her pet Monster. But most of all she loves helping distill dreams which are sold to the clients who come secretly looking for the chance to live out a fantasy. Sophie is particularly fascinated because she never dreams and is under strict instructions to never drink any of the dream potions herself. But when a stranger learns of their secret and Sophie's parents disappear, Sophie finds herself on a quest to discover the truth, making surprising allies and a few new enemies as she tries to save her parents and herself.

Here are my 10 Things I Loved about The Girl Who Could Not Dream by Sarah Beth Durst.

Sophie - She makes such a great protagonist. She is a very nuanced and complex character. She's shy and a little unsure of herself, yet also spunky and willing to do what needs to be done to save her parents. She has realistic reactions to the events that take place but doesn't let herself get pushed around, willing to stand up for herself and the people she cares about.
Monster - MONSTER. Oh man, he is a monster worthy of Monsters, Inc. I love him so much. I mean, come on, he's smart, he's funny, he's loyal, he "helps" Sophie do her homework, he loves cupcakes. I want one.
Ethan - I loved the development of his character. I found that his reactions to everything were so believable as well and I loved the development of his friendship with Sophie and his joyful embracing of the craziness they encounter.
Mr. Nightmare - *shudders* A truly creepy antagonist. Perfect for the story.
Glitterhoof - I won't say more because spoilers but hahahahahaha man I loved that character.
The Concept - I loved the idea that dreams could be collected in, what else, dreamcatchers, and distilled down to be used by people who wanted to live in a fantasy world. And the idea that dreams could come out into the real world - both exciting and terrifying and Durst explores both perspectives.
The Writing - I enjoyed Durst's writing style. She conveys all of the action and humor really well, the language is perfectly suited to the main audience and she has respect for middle graders abilities.
The Humor - I laughed so much through this book. It's not a comedy per se, but it's just filled with situations and dialogue that are hilarious.
The Crying - Oh man, no specific spoilers, but something happened toward the end of the book that had me actually sobbing, something I was not expecting when I started. It wasn't out of left field, though. It fit perfectly in the narrative.
The Ending - I loved the way everything was wrapped up. The ending made me so super happy. It was very satisfying.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

10 Things I Loved About Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick

Truly Lovejoy is twelve years old, almost six feet tall, the middle of five kids, and is once again having to start over at a new school, this time in the tiny little town of Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire. Half of the town is named after the Lovejoys, but that doesn't make Truly feel like she belongs. In fact, her entire life has felt inside out and upside down ever since her father was injured by an IED in Afghanistan and became the Silent Man. They had to leave their house in Texas to move to Pumpkin Falls so he and his sister can take over their parents bookshop. But when the bookshop starts failing and a first edition autographed copy of Charlotte's Web goes missing Truly gets caught up in a mystery bigger than she can handle on her own. As she follows clues left in a hidden letter Truly starts to get to know some of the other kids and finds that maybe family and friends are what truly make a place home.

Truly's Family - I loved the portrayal of Truly's family. Books about big families can sometimes feel cliche, but the Lovejoys felt so authentic. The teasing, the caring, the conflicts - all rang very familiar (as someone from a big family).
Truly's Siblings - Yes, I know they're part of Truly's family, but I particularly loved her siblings. Hatcher and his nickname for Truly and the way he sees her when she gets lost in the shuffle, Pippa's lisp and habit for being brutally, kid-speakingly honest. The way they all love each other but also drive each other crazy added a great layer to Truly's story.
Truly - Her voice was well developed through the story. The first person narrative really allowed her to shine through and reveal her frustrations, insecurities, and strengths. I thought she was so authentically drawn.
Truly's Bird Watching Hobby - I loved the way Truly classifies everyone she meets by determining what kind of bird they remind her of. It's a really interesting way of showing a sort of coping mechanism she uses to classify her world that is constantly shifting and changing.
Truly's Friends - I loved how different they were and how they complimented each other. The way their friendships developed was done well, too, with different relationships developing at different speeds and being affected by the different events and challenges they face.
Pumpkin Falls - If I didn't want to live in Stars Hollow, I would totally live in Pumpkin Falls. I loved the picture of small town life and the way everyone knows everyone for better or for worse. Complete with the quirky characters and nosy busybodies that managed not to feel cliche.
Aunt True - What story about a big family moving to a tiny town to operate a book store would be complete without a quirky world-travelling aunt who lives over the shop and has a cat? Yet once again Aunt True is an interesting and entertaining character who has a sweet relationship with Truly and the rest of the family.
Silent Man - I appreciated the way the author dealt with the effects of Truly's father's injury on the whole family, especially the kids. It was heartbreaking to see the way Truly and her brothers and sisters feel a bit like they're walking on eggshells. They have to be careful not to say something that would remind their father of what he's lost or that might make him withdraw back into himself. It was a rough subject to deal with and I thought she handled it well, without a "miracle" cure in the end.
The Mystery - Although it wasn't a huge mystery, I liked the way the coded letters helped Truly get to know the town better and develop friendships with other kids in the town. And I liked that they were able to solve the mystery. It was a light and fun adventure and I liked that.
The hope that, since this is labelled as "A Pumpkin Fall Mystery," there might be more hi-jinks in store for Truly and the rest of the Pumpkin Falls crew.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

10 Things I Loved About A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan

Farrah is good at math. Really good. As in, she has a gift, good. But all she wants is to be normal, so her friends don't know. Then one night she spots a code embedded in one of the teen shows she watches with her friends and when the code leads her to a terrorist plot, Farrah suddenly finds herself on the run for her life with a young and admittedly cute FBI agent. As the threat to her safety escalates (as well as her attraction to John), Farrah has to let her true self shine or risk losing everything.

So here are my 10 (non-spoilery) Things I Loved about Annabel Monaghan's A Girl Named Digit:

Farrah aka Digit: I really enjoyed her story arc. I totally understood her desire to hold back on her math/pattern intelligence as a way to just get through her senior year of high school, but I appreciated the way her perception of herself (and her friends) grew over the course of the book. I also liked the way both sides of her "gift" were presented - both the positive (the good that was done through applying it) and the negative (the OCD type tendencies she could fall into).
Her parents: I liked the fact that they cared for her and that Digit got along with them as well. It was nice to see a cohesive family unit in a young adult novel.
Her brother, Danny: who is the main person to call her Digit. I liked that the siblings got along okay as well. It was refreshing to not have the tension be in the main character's family for once.
John: I liked the way his character was slowly built throughout the novel. Monaghan did a good job of revealing things just slowly enough to keep the interest going.
John's dad: Cracked me up. I really liked his character, for the short amount of time he was there.
Farrah's friend Olive: Even though she isn't present in much of the book, her character really shone through the brief bits that are there. Enough so that she left an impression and I want to see more of her!
The codes: I've always been fascinated with secret codes and I loved the way they all worked together to crack the various messages and codes to uncover the terrorist plot.
The action: Running for their lives, trying to solve the mystery in time to save people, being betrayed - all made for a quick read as I wanted to find out what happened next!
The camp: Okay, so there are bits of this that are a bit cheesy and a few things about the plot (particularly the very end) that stretch believability a bit. But it's a good and enjoyable kind of cheesy (at least it was for me). It's hard to have a light-hearted romance-y novel that's dealing with a girl running from terrorists who want to torture and kill her, but somehow Monaghan manages to pull it off.
There's a sequel. I'm definitely going to be looking up the next chapter in Digit's adventures.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

10 Things I Loved About The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

Christopher is actually pretty happy with his life. He's the apprentice to an intelligent and kind apothecary, has the opportunity to study and learn many different things, and his best friend is always up for trying to blow something up. Everything is good, that is, except the mysterious and deadly cult that seems to be targeting apothecaries. When everything in Christopher's life turns upside down, he will have to use every lesson Master Blackthorn taught him to solve the mystery and escape the doom that is starting to close in on him and everyone he knows.

You can learn more about Kevin Sands and his books on his website, Facebook, or Twitter!

And now, the 10 things I loved about The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands:

The genre: It's a historical mystery! I love well-written middle grade novels set in the past. And well done mysteries. So, to find them both in an adventurous, crazy, fun book was so wonderful.
The details: Somehow Sands weaves in so much historical detail that the period just oozes through. I felt completely immersed in the world, but it never felt didactic. overdone, and never a single info dump that I can remember.
The sense of time: This is kind of connected to the previous point, but I really appreciated the acknowledgment of how pervasive religious belief was in the 17th century.
Christopher: He seemed so real, not only just as a boy, but also as a boy of the period. It felt authentic. Sometimes authors can tend to assign too many modern sensibilities to children set in a historical period, but Sands does a great job of avoiding this, but still making Christopher completely believable.
The concoctions: I loved all the bits of scientific details and how Christopher uses his knowledge to mix up things to help him get out of (and sometimes into) trouble.
The friendship: I absolutely adored Christopher and Martin's friendship. They were everything best friends should be: similar, yet different - complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses, and loyal.
Martin's sisters: They were adorable and strong and intelligent and I wanted so much more of them!
The twists and turns: What good is a mystery without a ton of crazy twists and turns? The mystery spins you around, revealing things at just the right rate to keep you intrigued but not frustrated.
The secret passage: I love a good secret passage. How much fun would it be to find a secret room in real life? I'll take experiencing it second hand in a good book if I can't experience it for real.
Bridget: Every boy needs a pigeon sidekick. Adored Bridget.

So there you have it! What are you waiting for, go out and grab a copy for yourself!

I received this advance reader copy via BookExpo America

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

10 Things I Loved About Blood of the Queen by Amalia Dillin

If you haven't read Honor Among Orcs you should go check out my review and interview, and then read the book and then read this book because this series is awesomesauce.
Arianna escaped the horrors of her father's house and survived the treacherous journey over the mountain and all of the dangers she faced with the orcs and elves who wanted to kill or control her. But her new husband, Bolthorn, is now worried about his missing brother and Arianna feels completely inadequate for the responsibilities that will fall on her shoulders as Gythja - leader with her husband of the Hrimthursar clan. Add to that the new powers she doesn't quite understand and a baby on the way and Arianna is facing a lot of uncertainty. Can she and Bolthorn rescue his brother and cousin without losing themselves in the process? And can Arianna face her past and break free of the hold her father still has on her?

This book is available today so go buy it!
Check out more about Amalia at her blog or on GoodReads, follow her on Twitter, or like her page on Facebook.
You can also check out our other posts related to Amalia's books.

Now check out the 10 things I loved about Blood of the Queen. I've avoided spoilers of this book, but it is a sequel, so if you haven't read the first book, just be aware I'll most likely be spoiling that one to some extent :)

The worldbuilding - Amalia does a great job crafting this complex, political world with four different races without it feeling overwhelming or info-dumping. I like the way she weaves in all the little details about cultures and customs throughout the story.
Arianna - I like the way everything isn't all perfect because Arianna escapes her father and finds the love of her life. She's still an individual with a lot of baggage and issues to deal with along with personal strengths that help drive her forward. She's well-rounded and enjoyable to watch grow.
Bolthorn - It was nice getting to learn a bit more about him, even if the focus was on Arianna. I love the way he loves Arianna and sees the best in her. But he's well-rounded as well with his own flaws and struggles to work through and deal with.
Their relationship - Although there is a lot of other stuff going on, Arianna and Bolthorn's relationship is still a central piece of the drama. Their relationship is impacted and impacts the larger political upheavals taking place. In addition, they're a couple dealing with the shift into being a partnership and the work of being a couple with ups and downs, disagreements, and trying to figure out how to deal together with all of the things they face. It's nice to see the couple after the traditional fairy tale ending.
Isolfur - I really loved getting to know more about the water horse. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil anything, but I found this aspect of the story quite fascinating.
Isabel and Rodric - It was so interesting seeing this piece of Arianna's past and the things that are revealed through these two people who mean so much to her.
The magic - I was really interested in the way the magic was explored further with its own rules and with Arianna's struggle to understand how things work and what the cost is.
More information about Sinmarra - I like the way that this was built from the previous book and I'm excited to see where it goes in the next one. I know that's super vague, but spoilers!
The cliffhanger - oh the cliffhanger. Okay, so the book is complete and the quest they set out on was completed in its way, but so many questions. So many many questions and I need to know the answers!
So much potential - I don't think a third book has been confirmed officially but there has to be another one. There has to be because I need to know what happens! And, the way it ended it's pretty much confirming that there is more to this story. I want so much more of this world.

Update: I forgot to mention that I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. That had no bearing on my review - I really loved it this much :)

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

10 Things I Loved About The Shrunken Head by Lauren Oliver & H.C. Chester

Pippa, who can read people's pockets; Max, who can throw a knife so accurately it's scary; Sam, the strongest boy in the world; and Thomas, who can bend and fold his body in remarkable ways, all live in Dumfrey's Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. There, among a group of people labeled freaks by society, the four children have found a sort of family in each other. But after Mr. Dumfrey unveils the newest marvel, a shrunken head, a series of horrible tragedies including murder and the theft of the head itself, sets them on the trail of a dangerous criminal as they try to unravel the mystery and save the museum. Can they figure out how to work together to retrieve the skull or will they lose everything they care about?

This book just came out this week, so go to your local book store and get yourself a copy!

Here we go! 10 things I loved about Curiosity House: The Shrunken Head by Lauren Oliver & H. C. Chester.

The Tone: At the risk of using an over-used comparison, this book had a very Snicket-esque feel to it. Not in the writing style itself. Instead it was more in the sensibility of the story and the plot. It had the quirkiness and the definition of the characters and the utter lack of condescension to the audience.
Pippa, Max, Sam, and Thomas: One thing I particularly enjoyed, was the way the four main characters had such agency. They see something that needs to be done and they do it. I also loved their "freak" traits, especially the way Pippa reads what's in people's pockets rather than their minds in a traditional sense.
The Secondary Characters: There are a lot of secondary characters and some of them are only roughly sketched in, but those sketches are enough to give you a feeling for who they are - they don't feel flat.
The Curiosity House: There's just enough described to give you a good feeling of the setting, which is important for the overall tone and feel of the book, but not too much so it becomes tedious. There's a very real sense of place.
The Sense of Time: I liked that it was set in a historical period, so not only the physical place of the house, but also the sense of time provided a great backdrop for the happenings. It's all woven into the story in a very organic way with all the little historical details adding to the story.
The Mystery: I sort of had a feeling I knew where things were going, but it didn't make the journey any less enjoyable. It was interesting seeing them find their way through all of the twists and turns to figure out what was actually going on.
The Stakes: I'm not trying to diminish stories where the stakes are less physical, but I enjoy when there are significant physical stakes - people's lives in danger, their home literally at risk. It adds something, especially when there are also emotional and mental issues at stake as well. The combination of the two sides make the story more intense for me.
The Villain: I liked that there was an actual, physical villain - someone actually against the children. Though the villain isn't revealed until basically the end, I like that there is so much potential for future books.
The Artwork: I didn't even get to see all of it, because this is the Advanced Reader Copy, but what was there was so interesting and so beautiful. I liked the chapter headings, but I did wish that they corresponded better with the POV of the chapter. It sort of switches between silhouettes of Max and Pippa, but not straight back and forth so I was a little confused, and the chapters include Sam and Thomas' perspectives as well, but there weren't silhouettes of the boys. Maybe that's something that will be different in the final copy, but I found it a little distracting (though pretty).
There's More! At least I'm assuming so, since it leaves us hanging at the end! (that and it's listed as #1 on GoodReads) I want to know what happens next!

I received this Advance Reader's Edition via BookExpo America

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

10 Things I Loved About The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

Finley has known for a while that she's different. She's stronger than she should be and sometimes she can sense something dark and almost sinister taking over when she feels threatened. When she's attacked by her new employer's ne'er do well son and almost kills him, she knows she has no choice but to run. Griffin King has a lot of things on his mind so he almost doesn't see Finley when she runs out into the street in front of him. He feels responsible, but his friends fear that Finley's not what she appears to be. As Finley gets sucked into a world of power and intrigue she finds herself trying to master the darkness growing inside her.

Here's 10 things I loved about The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross:

Steampunk: I think this is my first real foray into steampunk and I absolutely loved it. I loved the way these pieces were all woven together.
Finley: She's not proper, but she's not a total rebel either. She's strong physically, but in other ways as well. And she's not afraid to admit to her weaknesses either. She knows when to rely on other people and when she needs to handle things herself. And she's snarky as all get out, which I loved.
Finley's parents: I really really really liked that Finley had a good relationship with her mother and step-father. They weren't clueless or stupid or cruel or indifferent. They care about Finley, but don't smother her. And she knows she can turn to them, though she cares about them and doesn't want to be a burden on their limited resources.
The genre blending: I know that this goes along with the steampunk, but in addition to the mix of history and science fiction, there are also elements of fantasy and mystery. And it's all mashed together into one interesting tale.
Emily: Mega brains - like brilliant - but also feminine and friendly. I loved her character.
Evil robots: I can't say more without spoiling, but EVIL ROBOTS.
Jack Dandy: You really shouldn't like him, but you just can't help it.
The clothes: Oh, the clothes. I loved the descriptions of the clothes (including the titular steel corset), yet it wasn't overwhelming or onerous. Just enough to make it interesting and really ground you in the world.
Sam: I found his character to be so interestingly conflicted. I really liked his character arc.
There's more! This is the first in a series and I already own the second one, so I don't have to wait to find out what happens next :D

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

10 Things I Love About Teen Wolf

It's been a while since I've done a TV or movie related 10 Things post, and since Teen Wolf just started its new season, it's been on my mind. If you haven't watched the show, I am keeping this as spoiler free as humanly possible, so read on and see some of the reasons I think this is a show worth watching!

Mythology - I love the way they play with mythology of different supernatural creatures. Though there are, obviously, werewolves, there are also many other mythological beings that come into play including kitsunes, nogitsunes, banshees, kanimas, and many others. Many are pretty closely based in existing mythologies (though the show always puts its own spin on things) and some are more loosely based on mythologies, and I'm pretty sure there are some that are invented for the sake of the show. But it always keeps things interesting and I've become more interested in various mythologies as a result of them coming up on the show.

Here are 3 of the lovely leading ladies
Couldn't find one that also had Malia, though :(

The female characters - Although Scott is the main character as the "teen wolf" who is turned in the first episode, the supporting cast is all amazing and the female characters are done well. They are strong, well-rounded characters who don't lose their femininity just because they can also kick some serious butt. Lydia has become one of my favorite characters as she has developed throughout the series and Malia, a more recent addition to the cast, is absolutely hilarious and either first or second place with the best one-liners. Each female (including the adult women we encounter) is different and fully drawn and developed and that's, unfortunately, still fairly rare to find, especially in a sci-fi/fantasy genre show.
The friendships - The show is set in high school and, fittingly, the relationships and friendships between characters make up a large part of the non-supernatural drama. I love the way the characters go through changes, falling outs, arguments, getting closer, drawing apart. If it wasn't for the interplay between the characters, you wouldn't care so much about the larger supernatural issues that arise.
The bromance - The friendship between Stiles and Scott is so genuine and so wonderful. You can just tell they've been friends forever, they know each other well, they've always got each other's backs, and they're not afraid to tell each other the truth, even if it will hurt.

It's not this one, but there's a scene in season 3 between
the two of them and I was totally sobbing.
The fact that they're really good friends in real life
carries over to their performance too.

Stiles - Speaking of, I simply cannot make this list without putting Stiles on it by himself. Scott may be the "main" character, but Stiles is the heart of the show. He's the one who ties with Malia for best one-liners. He's the one who is one of the first to point out when an idea is stupid, but also one of the first to risk himself to save someone else. Even though he is not a supernatural creature himself, he's the one they all tend to lean on and turn to even if they don't realize it. And his relationship with his father is so fantastically well done. The two of them are always so great together.
The reality - As I mentioned before, the show is set in high school, but this is a high school where the students actually spend time going to class and doing homework. There have been story threads where characters have been in jeopardy of failing because their schoolwork has suffered as a result of the supernatural highjinks. Besides that, other very real, very serious issues have also been dealt with from struggling to make ends meet as a single mother, to the repercussions of divorce, to dealing with the loss of a family member or friend. I really appreciate that there are other things they face than just the ones that go bump in the night.
The unexpected - Seriously. You never know what is going to happen. And it often feels like no character is safe. There have been a couple of deaths or people leaving that were a bit shocking or surprising. And new people coming in that you wouldn't have expected. And people you thought were allies being enemies and vice versa. The show keeps you on your toes in a good way.

Stiles' dad and Scott's mom are so integral to the show.

The adults - I like the fact that the adults aren't missing. There may be single parent homes (actually in quite a few cases), but the parents and adults that are there are very much involved in their kids' lives. And they often play important roles in the larger narratives. So often in high school dramas the parent figures are gotten out of the way as quickly as possible, but some of the sweetest and best moments I can remember have come between parent/child on this show.
The blend of genres - While in many ways this is a teen drama, it's also (as you can see from the previous point) a bit of a family drama, with plenty of fantasy/mythology thrown in, a lot of action/adventure, and a dash of horror with a healthy dose of comedy. How does all that work together? I honestly don't know, but it does and I love it.
The fun - It's just a fun show to watch. There are some great moments of scariness as well as moments of serious drama, and plenty of heart. But when it really comes down to it, it's just a really fun show to watch. It's a great one to watch with a friend so you have someone to exchange what on earth just happened! looks or texts or conversations.

So have you seen Teen Wolf? What do you like about it? Anything that's shocked you in the last season or in this season!? SPOILERS MAY EXIST IN THE COMMENTS, so feel free to share your thoughts there.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

10 Things I Loved About The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

I am a huge Shannon Hale fan. I love every one of her books that I've read. I've had this one sitting on my shelf forever and just now finally got around to reading it and, boy am I glad I finally did.

Becky is, well, a housewife. She's married to a man she adores, has three kids and another one on the way. She bakes and cooks and is involved with her church. She also just managed to sell a screenplay and who should happen to interrupt the meeting with her agent but Felix Callahan, Becky's long-time Hollywood crush. They share some banter, then find they're staying at the same hotel so they share a cab and dinner. Then Becky heads home, happy to have a story to share with her family. Until Felix shows up again. And their friendship starts to grow. Becky's husband, Mike, isn't sure what to think and Felix's wife, Celeste, just seems to be amused. Can Becky and Felix just be friends? And what happens when both of their worlds turn upside down? Can their friendship survive?

Read on to see 10 Things I loved about The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale.

The Premise: Okay, so it's far-fetched. But there are a lot of people who have dreamed about meeting a favorite actor or actress. Then to find out you truly enjoy each other's company? And even end up being best friends? What fun to explore that idea.
Becky's Commitment to her Family: From looking at other reviews I know a lot of people didn't feel that Becky's actions matched her protestations that her family is important. And I think Shannon Hale intentionally walks a line here looking at the idea of an emotional affair (rather than a physical one). I personally felt that Becky continually chose her husband and her children over her relationship with Felix. When Mike gets uncomfortable, she ends the friendship, and it isn't until he becomes okay with it that she picks it up again. At every turn she's considering how it will impact her husband and her kids. She thinks and considers whether she's crossing any lines and always tries to choose what is right for all of them, though she also realizes that she is a person and it's okay for her to have interests (writing and friends) that are not centered in her family.
The Theme: Basically, Shannon Hale explores the question: can men and women be friends in a purely platonic sense? Hale seems to think so. But it's not an easy conclusion to come to. Both Becky and Felix as well as the people in their lives grapple with how and if it can work. I get so frustrated with a culture where a guy and a girl can't be friends without people assuming they're dating or having an affair or involved. Yes, it's tricky, and Hale doesn't make it simple. But is there really any reason a male and a female can't be friends without being more?
The Banter: Oh the banter. Less than five pages in and I had already literally laughed out loud. Seriously, if I ever meet a man I can banter with like Felix I will never want to let him go - we will become friends or I will marry him. Becky and Felix play off each other in the most hilarious way. They honestly reminded me of the way my family talks at family dinners.
Becky's Kids: They're kind of sidebars to the story, but each one is real and, if not fully drawn, at least filled out enough for us to care about them.
The Struggles: Not only do Becky and Felix have to deal with the challenges of being friends with someone of the opposite sex when you're married, but both characters have to deal with life - both small and large challenges. And a lot of the book is about them being there for each other during really hard times and stepping in or out as the occasion needs.
The Time: Though this may lend at times to a bit too much telling rather than showing, I liked the fact that the book followed them through years and years. They go through times of stepping back from each other's lives because things are too crazy or busy. They go through periods where they grow closer together. It's a journey and Hale doesn't rush it.
Becky's Faith: This was another thing I noticed in the reviews - some people (both religious and non-religious) were turned off by this aspect. I heartily applauded it. As a person of faith myself I hate that religion is in many ways a taboo topic (unless the author is mocking it or showing how dangerous or creepy or horrible it is). Unless it's explicitly a "religious novel" so often it feels like religion dare not be spoken of. Which, to my mind is stupid, because belief, faith, religion is a huge part of many people's lives. Regular ordinary people. So there were some terms that didn't quite make sense. You don't have to understand Becky's beliefs to understand they are a part of her and that they impact her behavior. And I appreciate that Hale didn't erase this aspect of her life.
The Emotions: I laughed out loud over and over. I cried. Actually, if I'm going to be honest, I sobbed. Like ridiculously.
The Ending: I was dreading where the book was going from the beginning. Actually terrified and not sure if I even wanted to keep reading (but I couldn't stop), but I need not have feared. Hale brought it to a conclusion that satisfied me. I won't say more because spoilers, but I was happy with it.

Happy reading!

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

10 BEA Books I'm Super Excited About

It's hard to believe it's already been 2 weeks since BEA! Those of you following us on Instagram or Twitter already got a sneak peek at some of the fun we had.

And next week you'll finally get those BEA Superlatives I promised you (as long as certain people get me their votes...)

So this week I thought I'd give you a little taste of a few of the books I was most excited to get my hands on. In no particular order.

1. Armada by Ernest Cline - Ready Player One was a smash hit with our entire book club. So finding out that Cline had a new book coming out AND was signing it at BEA? It was like a dream come true. I can't wait to read it!

2. The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows - Though she's probably best known for her Ivy + Bean books, Barrows also co-wrote The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society which is one of my top favorite books of all time and I will never stop convincing people to read it, so I was definitely getting in line to pick up this beauty. It's so lovely and thick too!

3. I Will Take a Nap! by Mo Willems - Every year I have wanted to meet Mo Willems and every year it hasn't worked out. But this year, not only was he going to be there, but he was signing a new Elephant and Piggie book which are my FAVORITES so I was determined and I succeeded! I got a ticket, stood in line, and am now the proud owner of an autographed copy :D

4. The Marvels by Brian Selznick - I loved The Invention of Hugo Cabret and was a fan of Wonderstruck as well. I really enjoy the way Selznick intermingles text and images and his crosshatch pencil style drawings are gorgeous. So happy to get my hands on this one!

5. Truly Madly Famously by Rebecca Serle - I met Rebecca on Twitter, and then stayed up until 1 in the morning to finish Famous in Love, the first book in this series. Not my normal cup of tea, but I loved loved loved it and can't wait to find out what happens next!

6. The Unmapped Sea by Maryrose Wood - this is the 5th book in the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series. I picked up the first one on the title alone and absolutely fell in love. I've been reading each installment with eagerness. Plus it was fun to meet Maryrose and I got quite a thrill when she recognized our blog and was excited to meet me too!

7. Lies I Told by Michelle Zink - It was so great to see Michelle. She was a local author at our Borders and is such a sweetheart! She was excited to see me too and even posted our picture together on her blog. I'm really looking forward to reading this book, too. I've enjoyed Michelle's other books and this one looks really interesting.

8. Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson - Her Girl of Fire and Thorns series is seriously amazing so I'm actually giddy over getting to start this new series.

9. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness - The premise of this totally sold me on it. What would it be like to live in a YA novel when you're not the "chosen" one? I'm dying to find out. NaomiRuth and I had his signing on our list, but we stumbled across an ARC drop earlier in the day. It's a good thing we snagged copies then, because his line was so long it got cut off.

10. The Cage by Megan Shepherd - Two words: Human. Zoo. I really liked The Madman's Daughter and Her Dark Curiosity so I'm super curious about this one.

Of course, there are plenty of others I'm really excited about, but these are probably my top ones.

Are any of them books you're looking forward to reading, too?

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

10 Things I Loved About The Young World by Chris Weitz

A sickness has swept across the globe killing all adults and little kids. In the time that has followed teens have found different ways to adapt, but when they turn 18 the sickness overwhelms then and they're dead within days or even hours. A group of teens have set up a workable community in Washington Square. Jefferson finds himself in charge after the death of his brother so when Brain Box thinks he might have a lead on finding out what really happened the two of them, along with Donna, Peter, and See Through head out to face the wilds of New York City. As they encounter other bands of teens who have found various ways to survive, they get closer to the truth. But are any of them prepared to face what's coming to find them?

The world - The way that the different groups have adapted to living on their own and developed very different ecosystems and means of survival felt so realistic. I really appreciated that there were so many different types of systems as well - that they had developed differently depending on a variety of factors.
Donna - I loved Donna. So much. And it's something I don't know if I would have realized even a few months ago. But I loved the fact that she was the smart mouthed, brash, snarky voice while Jefferson was the more thoughtful, calm, and sensitive voice (more about Jefferson in a minute). I hadn't realized how often it's the other way around until I saw it flipped. I also loved that she didn't lose her femininity. She wasn't "butch." Just snarky and a little harsh and very much a young woman. Also a virgin (can we talk about how rare those are getting to be in YA fiction? but that's another post altogether). She felt so vividly real. I also loved the way she narrated in dialog tags with less description. For me it just fit her character and added to who she was and how she thought.
Jefferson - I also really love Jefferson's character. I appreciated the way he felt conflicted in his feelings for Donna, the way he wanted to lead to support his brother's memory, but also wasn't sure that he was the best one to do it. I liked the way he was the more rational, calm person of the group but also could be forceful and was the natural spokesperson for the group at most times. He's also super socially awkward at times, especially around Donna, and I found it hilarious and endearing.
The secondary characters - each of them were different, diverse, and added to the narrative. I particularly found Brain Box to be a fascinating character and would have liked to see more from him!
The premise - This book was a great example of how to weave in large chunks of exposition without dragging down the story. It's not a new premise - mysterious illness wipes out huge chunks of the population, the few survivors strive to find a cure to save humanity - but Weitz's execution of that premise is so fascinating and well done.
The time - closely related to the premise, but a separate point. I really liked the way that this was set only a couple years after the end of civilization rather than decades. For me it made the book much more immediate (though I would imagine that in a decade or so it will read as very dated because of all the pop culture references).
The language - as I said above, not that much time has passed, so there aren't huge numbers of strange words or new syntax, but there are differences that have developed between the different clans. I also really liked the way both Donna and Jeff would just say "after it happened" or "before it." I don't know if "it" was actually italicized as I listened to this on audio, but I could hear it and it made sense that they would not have labeled the sickness since they didn't really know what had happened and they weren't scientists.
The narrators - as I said in the previous point I listened to this on audio and the narrators did a fantastic job of bringing the world and the characters to life. A narrator can make or break a narrative, and when you have more than one you have twice the opportunity for things to go wrong, but both José Julián and Spencer Locke did a wonderful job.
The diversity - With We Need Diverse Books on my radar, I really appreciated the variety of ethnicities portrayed in the book, both in main and secondary characters. And it never felt like token or lip service. They just aren't only white - totally accurate for New York City and sad that it was so refreshing to find.
The ending - Talk about a cliffhanger! It was a perfect ending to the story, bringing some closure while opening up a huge twist making the next book an absolute must read! Now to wait for the release of The New Order.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

10 Things I Loved About A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

There are three Londons. Well, four if you count the one that has been cut off because of the dangerous magic. And Kell is one of only two Travellers who can cross between the worlds. His home is in Red London where he serves the royal family, carrying letters to the rulers of the other Londons. Grey London is dreary and nearly magic-less, yet intriguing despite, or perhaps even because of this. White London is ruled by those who have fought their way to power. And everyone wants a piece of the Travellers. When Kell is betrayed he finds himself forced to band together with aspiring pirate, Lila, when their worlds collide. They're both in danger and they'll need each other if they want to survive - though that might be a lot harder than it sounds.

You can check out Victoria Schwab's website, follow her on Twitter (where she is frequently hilarious), watch her on YouTube, or see what she's posting on Tumblr.

And now, here are my 10 (non-spoilery) things I loved about A Darker Shade of Magic:

The Premise - There are overlapping worlds that are uniquely different yet have select similarities and crossing points? There is magic and only a couple of people whose, well, basically DNA but not passed down genetically, allows them to cross between these worlds? There is a London that has been closed off because magic became chaos and corrupted it? There are crazy rulers and shapeshifters and cross-dressing aspiring pirates? Um yes please, I would like them all.
Kell's Coat - I wants it. This coat turns inside out into dozens of different coats. EACH WITH THEIR OWN POCKETS. Seriously people, let's figure out how to make this. I suppose we'd need magic for that, though. Too bad we live in grey London.
Lila - She is undoubtedly my favorite character. Here is a female with AGENCY people. She knows what she wants and she goes after it. She is occasionally rescued, but she also does the rescuing sometimes. She wants to own a pirate ship. There's some major cool factor right there. She can be selfish, but she also cares. I want more Lila.
Kell - He's dealing with a lot. He's somehow strong and vulnerable and caring yet tough. His upbringing has been both an asset and a liability when dealing with others. I think my favorite part of his character was his penchant for smuggling little objects and artifacts like music boxes.
Barron - He's really the only secondary character that I felt any connection with. I loved his relationship with Lila. And I wish there could have been more of him.
Creepy Villains - especially the twins. Total creep factor there. And don't even get me started on the black magical goo - that sounds really lame, but it's absolute creep-fest in the book.
The World - It's hard enough to develop one new world, but to build three of them? And, if I'm reading the signs right, a fourth for the next book? That's crazy pants. And Schwab pulls it off. And she pulls it off well. Each London is markedly distinct, not only because of the variations of magic ability, but in culture, political make up, architecture, etc. Really well done. Kudos.
Magic Rules - Anytime there is magic in a book there have to be rules as to how that magic works. And it's really obvious when this isn't well thought out. Here, it is. Very well thought out. With specific rules, balances, consequences. I'm really looking forward to seeing this developed even more in the next book.
More Books - Oh yes. She is working on ADSOM2 and I am super excited because I want to know what happens next.
Cliffhanger but Not - So there is definitely a conclusion to this book. The story wraps up. BUT there are plenty of threads left floating and some unanswered questions. Some very big unanswered questions. And plenty of material for another book. So yay! Something to look forward to!

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

10 Quotes I Love from Taylor Swift

I've been a Taylor Swift fan for a while, and the thing that has always captured me the most is her lyrics. There are so many clever turns of phrase, the perfect marrying of words, emotions caught in sentences. So I thought I would share some of my favorite short phrases here. I got creative this month and combined them with images. I'm quite happy with the way they came out!

Each quote includes the song title and album as well as any attribution required for use of the photographs and our website. You'll also find the link to the original photo, the creative commons license, and the full song on YouTube (linked to Taylor Swift's Vevo channel whenever possible). Please feel free to share any of the following images, as long as you also provide a link back to this post and proper attribution. Thanks!