It's Monday! What are you reading?

Wow, I can't believe that February is already over, this year is just going by way to fast for me! Well its Monday again so that means its time to let you know what I have read and what I am going to  try to read (I will admit I don't hold true to what I say I am going to read..LOL)

Last week:

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab (ARC) Was not as impressed with this one as I was hoping to be.

This week:

Faefever by Karen Marie Moning
How to Flirt With a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare (ARC)

Next:

Any of the above books I don't finish

The Atomic Weights of Secrets or The Arrival of the Mysterious Men in Black by Eden Unger Bowditch (Ebook)
Lodestone: Book one: The Sea of Stones by Mark Whiteway (Ebook)

What are you reading?

Review of The Liar Society

The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker
Pages: 368
Publisher: Sourcebook Fire
Review Source: ARC from the publisher
My Rating: 4/5
Release Date: March 1st

Since when do the dead send emails?


Kate Lowry's best friend Grace died a year ago. So when she gets an email from her, Kate's more than a little confused.

To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)
Kate,
I'm here... sort of.
Find Cameron. He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell. They'll hurt you.
Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace's death was more than just a tragic accident. She teams up with a couple of knights-in-(not-so)-shining armor-the dangerously hot bad boy, Liam, and her lovestruck neighbor, Seth. But at their elite private school, there are secrets so big people will do anything to protect them-even if it means getting rid of anyone trying to solve a murder...

I was really excited to get a copy of this book in the mail, it really sounded intriguing. It did not disappoint. This is the debut book of writes Lisa and Laura Roecker and I can't wait to read more from this cool writing duo.

The Liar Society takes place in Cleveland at a private school called Pemberly Brown. It is comprised of two school that came together and it has its many secrets. When Kate's friend Grace is killed in a fire she is completely devastated. Then she receives a email from her dead friend which begins Kate's search for the truth of what happened the night of the fire.

The further she digs  the longer the line of suspects and the more secrets get discovered. She ends up with a nerdy sidekick who has a crush on her in her quest to find the truth. Along the way she meets Liam, a bad boy type, and though she likes him she is not real sure she can trust him. It seems like everyone has a secret at Pemberly Brown.

The characters in this book are pretty cool, even the not so nice ones. I love it when a book has those characters that you just love to hate. Okay, so I am also a sucker for the bad boy, who are not really bad, but just has a bad reputation. Liam is just that sort of character and I loved him. I think my favorite bad girl character would have to be Beefany..I mean Britney. She is sort of this hoss of a girl and so everyone calls her by her nickname behind her back, it sort of made me snicker the first time I read it. Seth, is the lonely nerd who works in the office at the school and also Kate's next door neighbor. Since she needs information that he can get his hands on she sort of has to let him in on things which makes him sort of her partner in trying to solve what happened. Now Kate, she is a pretty cool character. She is tough, smart and doesn't quit even when things start to get a little to dangerous. At first she is so extremely devastated because of her friends death. Its so bad that her parents made her go see a therapist because she was in such a depressed state. After the email, she becomes this girl with a goal and the determination to see it though even after she finds out more about The Liar Society and who all is involved.

I would recommend this book to those who like books sort of in the style of The Lying Game, Rosebush and other types of school type mystery books. I very much enjoyed it.

I got a award! The Cherry on Top Award!

Cherry on Top Award

Thanks to vvb32 for this award!

Rules:


Answer the question and pass on to bloggers of your choosing.

If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

If I could go back in time and change something I would have paid more attention in High School so I could have had a scholarship to a better college. The college I went to didn't really have what it was I wanted to do so I settled for something I didn't really want.

Here are three blogs that I give this award too:

Brandi from Blkoniner's Book Blog
Alyssa, Jake, and Gregory from Teens Read and Write
Larissa from Welcome to Larissa's Bookish Life

Review of The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson

The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson by Jerome Charyn
Pages: 348
Publisher: W.W. Norton and Company
Review Source: Sent a book as a part of Tribute Book tour of this book.
My rating: 2.7/5

The story begins in the snow. It’s 1848, and Emily is a student at Mount Holyoke, with its mournful headmistress and strict, strict rules. She sees the seminary’s blond handyman rescue a baby deer from a mountain of snow, in a lyrical act of liberation that will remain with her for the rest of her life. The novel revivifies such historical figures as Emily’s brother, Austin, with his crown of red hair; her sister-in-law, Sue; a rival and very best friend, Emily’s little sister, Lavinia, with her vicious army of cats; and especially her father, Edward Dickinson, a controlling congressman. Charyn effortlessly blends these very factual characters with a few fictional ones, creating a dramatis personae of dynamic breadth.


Inspired by her letters and poetry, Charyn has captured the occasionally comic, always fevered, ultimately tragic story of Dickinson’s journey from Holyoke seminarian to dying recluse, compulsively scribbling lines of genius in her Amherst bedroom. Rarely before has the nineteenth-century world of New England—its religious stranglehold, its barbaric insane asylums, its circus carnivals—been captured in such spectacular depth. Through its lyrical inflections and poetic rhythms, its invention of a distinct, twenty-first-century “Charynesque” language that pays remarkable homage to America’s sovereign literary past, The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson provides a resonance of such power as to make this an indelible work of literature in its own right.

I have never been very good about reading books based on real people, but I have read a few of Emily Dickinson's poems so I was a little curious about her life. It is always interesting to look inside the life of a poet because I think it takes a certain type of person to their thoughts into prose. I myself loves to write but I can not put a poem together even if someone stood over me with a gun. It is very hard for me to grasp the concept of poetry and hard for me to read as well.

I didn't connect very well with the writer and his style of writing and times I found myself a little bit bored and wanting to skip though the pages to find something of more interest. I can't compare his book about Emily Dickinson to any others because its the only book about the poet I have ever picked up, so I don't really know how much of his book is truthful and how much is the author elaborating on the poets life to make the book complete. I think it would be hard to piece together a book based on the poets letters and poems, so I give the author kudos for that feat. After reading this book its a little easier to understand some of her poetry. Some of her poems are filled with such sadness and longing. It is a bit sad to think of her dying as a recluse but then in my mind it is sort of how I picture a lot of poets. (Though that doesn't mean that is the life of all poets)

I think if you like biographical type  books then you might like this book a bit more than I did. I did enjoy parts of the  book, but over all it really wasn't my type of book.

Here is one of my favorite poems from Emily Dickinson.


Behind Me -- dips Eternity --

Before Me -- Immortality --
Myself -- the Term between --
Death but the Drift of Eastern Gray,
Dissolving into Dawn away,
Before the West begin --
'Tis Kingdoms -- afterward -- they say --
In perfect -- pauseless Monarchy --
Whose Prince -- is Son of None --
Himself -- His Dateless Dynasty --
Himself -- Himself diversify --
In Duplicate divine --

'Tis Miracle before Me -- then --
'Tis Miracle behind -- between --
A Crescent in the Sea --
With Midnight to the North of Her --
And Midnight to the South of Her --
And Maelstrom -- in the Sky --
(taken from biographyonline.net)

It's a blog hop!

Its Friday, so its time for the blog hop hosted by Crazy-for-books.

This weeks question:

"Do you ever wish you would have named your blog something different?"

Well, actually my blog has had two  different name before this one, but I wouldn't change it for anything else. I admit I have thought about it, but I think I have made this one work and its now pretty known around the computer so I will keep it. =) Sometimes I think I would like to tone down the colors a little bit but I am no good at it and already paid to have it bright and don't want to pay to have it toned down..lol

All in all I like my little blog. =0)

What about you? If you have a blog do you wish you would have named it different?

BTT: Something borrowed, something new

I like today's Booking through Thursday questions so I have decided to participate today.

All other things being equal–do you prefer used books? Or new books? (The physical specimen, that is, not the title.) Does your preference differentiate between a standard kind of used book, and a pristine, leather-bound copy?


I am pretty picky when it comes to my books and I really prefer new over used. I am one of those types that don't dog ear the pages, crease the spine and just about cry when I accidentally crease the cover. That being said I do still have my share of used books. If its a book I am not real sure about, but I can get it off of Paperback Swap or something like that then I am not as picky about what it looks like. I have never shopped in a second hand store because I just can't stand looking at the crease spines, it pains me. I don't know maybe I am a book freak, but that is just how I am.

So what about you?

Book Announcement: My Mother the Man-eater

Tracy Krauss, author of ‘edgy inspirational’ fiction, is launching her book MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER on Feb. 24 at amazon.com. You can help Tracy achieve ‘best seller’ status by purchasing the book at amazon.com TODAY!

About the book:

Loaded with humor, action, intrigue and romance, My Mother the Man- Eater is the story of a woman whose search for meaning in life finds an unexpected outlet. Joleen Allen is on the hunt for a man. Unfortunately, every time the mother of five meets one, he falls for one of her daughters instead! At forty-four, Joleen has lived a tough life. She became a mother at 16, and her five daughters are now grown. Her ex-husband, Harold, is out of prison and back in the picture, looking for revenge. He’ll stop at nothing – even murder – to ruin Joleen’s reputation as well as her relationship with their daughters. My Mother the Man-Eater makes for some truly tempting and redemptive reading.

About the Author:

Tracy Krauss is a prolific author, playwright, director and artist. Originally from a small prairie town, she now resides in Tumbler Ridge, BC, known for its scenic mountain vistas and many waterfalls. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and currently teaches high school Art, Drama and English. .

BONUS!

Buy MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER on February 24 and receive loads of FREE e-gifts from these generous supporters:

Sample chapters, short stories, children’s books, and magazines from acclaimed, best selling and debut Christian authors, such as April Gardner, Shawna Williams, Shellie Neumeier, Sana Edoja, Delia Latham, Ray Lincoln, Stacy Padula, Elaine Cooper, Stacy Juba, Lisa Lickel, Joann Durgin … and more!

Plus – free manuscript critiques, manuscript editing, and marketing and promotional tips from journalists, editors, authors and speakers, Lorilyn Roberts, Linda Yezak and Bonnie Way.

And – beautiful downloadable art cards courtesy of artist and author Brenda Hendricks.

All if you buy your copy of MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER at amazon.com on Feb. 24! These free gifts are valid on Feb. 24 only. All the links will be operational on the ‘Book Launch’ site at www.tracykrauss.com/ Click HERE for more details link: http://mytinyurl.com/d3srfsw1f1/
DISCLAIMER: This Best Seller book launch has been coordinated with the help of the ‘John 3:16 Marketing Network’ and many other generous supporters. The free gifts are deliverable electronically over the internet or by email by individual authors and supporters. They are not in any way associated with, nor deliverable by, amazon.com

Waiting on Wed.

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Here are couple of books that look pretty good.


Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer
Release Date: April 5th

Sixteen-year-old Tansy Piper moves with her grandfather and her mother, a horror writer, to the setting of her mother's next book--a secluded house outside of a tiny, desolate West Texas town. Lonely and upset over the move, Tansy escapes into her photography and the dark, seductive poems she finds hidden in the cellar, both of which lure her into the mind and world of a mysterious, troubled young man who died sixty years earlier.

The Glorious  Adventures of the Sunshine Queen by Geraldine Mccaughrean

Release Date: June 1st

Cissy Sissney has always longed for a life filled with adventure, and her wish is unexpectedly granted when she is sent to live aboard the Sunshine Queen—a shipwrecked paddle steamer that houses the Bright Lights Theater Company. When the showboat is carried back out to sea, the motley crew on board embarks on a wild and hilarious journey. But along the way, one of their own falls into grave danger…and Cissy learns that the stakes of fame are higher than she could possibly have imagined.

What are you waiting on?

Its Monday! What are you reading?

It's time for the weekly meme It's Monday! What are you reading? This is hosted by One Person's Journey.

Last week:

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey (ARC) (I really liked this book)

This week:

Warped by Maurissa Guibord

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Next:

Not sure :o)

Review of Intrinsical

Intrinsical by Lani Woodland
Pages: 298
Publisher: Pendrell Publishing
Review Source: Book was sent to me as a part of a blog tour
My Rating: 3/5

Sixteen-year-old Yara Silva has always known that ghosts walk alongside the living. Her grandma, like the other females in her family, is a Waker, someone who can see and communicate with ghosts. Yara grew up watching her grandmother taunted and scorned for this unusual ability and doesn't want that to be her future. She has been dreading the day when she too would see ghosts, and is relieved that the usually dominant Waker gene seems to have skipped her, letting her live a normal teenage life. However, all that changes for Yara on her first day at her elite boarding school when she discovers the gene was only lying dormant. She witnesses a dark mist attack Brent, a handsome fellow student, and rushes to his rescue. Her act of heroism draws the mist's attention, and the dark spirit begins stalking her. Yara finds herself entrenched in a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening not only her life, but the lives of her closest friends as well. Yara soon realizes that the past she was trying to put behind her isn't going to go quietly.

I have read a lot of great reviews about this book and it really sounded very interesting but it just really didn't hold my attention as well as I would have liked it too. I am also a none believer in the whole out of body experiences, where you can meditate your spirit out of your body and it can go floating around the town. I just have a hard time with that stuff and it was a huge part of the storyline.

Yara, was hoping that she wouldn't have the Waker gene like her grandmother and she really thought it had skipped her until she started her new school and had to rescue a fellow school mate from a black mist. She also witnessed a lot of other strange things. This book is really hard to explain with out giving away major plot lines so I won't go into detail.

The characters in the story are likable enough. Yara just wants to be normal, but she seems to take to her non normal life fairly well. I figure its mainly due to the fact that she grew up with her grandmother being different so she knows a lot about what things lay ahead. Brent, seems like a nice guy, though there were times I wasn't really sure if I liked him or didn't. My favorite character was Yara's friend Cherie, she is really into the paranormal stuff. She so wants to see a ghost and its one of the reasons she talked Yara into getting accepted to the school because it comes with a haunted history.

Over all it is a fairly unique and original story and I found it to be a decent read. Even though at times it was hard to suspend my disbelief I really did try too. If you like ghost stories then I would recommend you give this book a try.

Review of The Tiger Rising

The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
Pages: 128
Publisher: Candlewick
Review source: Candlewick sent it to me to review.
My Rating: 3/5

The tale of 12-year-old Rob Horton who finds a caged tiger in the woods behind the Kentucky Star Motel where he lives with his dad. The tiger is so incongruous in this setting, Rob views the apparition as some sort of magic trick. Indeed, the tiger triggers all sorts of magic in Rob's life--for one thing, it takes his mind off his recently deceased mother and the itchy red blisters on his legs that the wise motel housekeeper, Willie May, says is a manifestation of the sadness that Rob keeps "down low." (Amazon.com)

I have never read Because of Winn Dixie, but I did see the movie and it was really cute. So I thought I would give this book by the same author a try. It was a interesting little story about a young boy who lives with his dad in a motel. He has a wierd rash on his legs and gets teased a lot from Billy Threemonger on the bus every day, but he has learned to just sit there and let them pick on him because they usually get tired and live him alone. One day he finds a tiger in the woods by the motel in a cage, this makes him think about a lot of different things and gets his mind off of sad things. He also meets Sistine Bailey a very strong willed girl who sort of befriends Rob.

Rob is a sad character, he holds a lot of things inside of him because he thinks its better this way. Sistine is the total opposite of him, but has a lot of anger built up in her. My thoughts are sort of like the tiger in the cage sort of represents  how they are keeping a lot of things inside them caged up.

The Tiger Rising was really sort of a strange story, but seem a little dull and lacking. I am not sure if it was because it was a short story, but even though I liked it I just think it needed a little something more. This book is recommended for children 10- up.

Tuesday Teaser!

Tuesday Teaser is a weekly meme hosted by Miz B from Should Be Reading.

Grab your current read



Open to a random page


Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page


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!)


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



Here is mine:

Timeless by Alexandra Monir
Page: 90

"He turned towards her, and that was when Michele saw that behind the mask was a sparkling deep blue. Shapphire eyes. His eyes...the boy from her dreams."

Do you have a teaser?

It's Monday! What are you reading?

First off let me say Happy Valentines Day or for me I put it as Happy Single Awareness day! =0)  Now its time for It's Monday! What are you reading? hosted by One Person's Journey.

Last week I finished:

Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning (was very good!)

This week:

Okay so I have a lot of books going and I really need to just settle in and finish one. My reading isn't really going well this month.

Before I fall by Lauren Oliver
Timeless by Alexandra Monir
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries (started this one last month but put it down for some other books so picking it back up.)
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (Halfway through this one! Was a little slow at the beginning but I am told the other books in the series are much better so I am still plowing through it.)

I am sure something will find its way into my reading week that I didn't mention..LOL  I am bad that way.

Don't even know whats on the table for next week..probably some of these books..LOL

So Close the Hand of Death by J.T. Ellison giveaway!

Hey everyone Magdalena from MIRA is allowing me to giveaway one copy of So Close the Hand of Death by J.T. Ellison to one lucky reader of my blog. Since it is coming from them it is only open to US and Canada.

Book Blurb:

It's a hideous echo of a violent past. Across America, murders are being committed with all the twisted hallmarks of the Boston Strangler, the Zodiac Killer and Son of Sam. The media frenzy explodes and Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson knows instantly that The Pretender is back…and he's got helpers.


As The Pretender's disciples perpetrate their sick homages—stretching police and the FBI dangerously thin—Taylor tries desperately to prepare for their inevitable showdown. And she must do it alone. To be close to her is to be in mortal danger, and she won't risk losing anyone she loves. But the isolation, the self-doubt and the rising body count are taking their toll—she's beside herself and ready to snap.

The brilliant psychopath who both adores and despises her is drawing close. Close enough to touch….


Good luck to everyone and I will draw a name on Friday March 4th.