tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18217516446187245902024-03-05T21:29:13.588-05:00Little SqueedHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-29605555330909766472015-01-01T19:57:00.000-05:002015-01-01T19:58:08.477-05:00Stitching Snow<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9fMdPyA-NNIHJj6z1gN_zxR-zZ_LHr_Xsehxf93Vh-gKWK4eK19hnT1thyphenhyphenloyW_OzVY04We_NeIhOQ96go34DpdkkxyO3DAl6Tg7stTGZ0huOFZet1LGSFwvQrpZ9MsBkVAbSedrX-4X/s1600/Stitching-Snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9fMdPyA-NNIHJj6z1gN_zxR-zZ_LHr_Xsehxf93Vh-gKWK4eK19hnT1thyphenhyphenloyW_OzVY04We_NeIhOQ96go34DpdkkxyO3DAl6Tg7stTGZ0huOFZet1LGSFwvQrpZ9MsBkVAbSedrX-4X/s1600/Stitching-Snow.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Stitching Snow</b></span></span><br />
by R.C. Lewis<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAp5j51iZo7osT0RD84NALRYn_0J4uoieuDONHku6Rlzjp0muT7UHBcXE4jC2JUBlsHK2rfmGpmEh2depS4-5hPTWZryQ7hwqblK1mwrpn_B9cW5EMVIIammk8q487P5_hvAdrSpE7SUF2/s1600/ratingsystem2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAp5j51iZo7osT0RD84NALRYn_0J4uoieuDONHku6Rlzjp0muT7UHBcXE4jC2JUBlsHK2rfmGpmEh2depS4-5hPTWZryQ7hwqblK1mwrpn_B9cW5EMVIIammk8q487P5_hvAdrSpE7SUF2/s1600/ratingsystem2.png" /></a></div>
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This was a book that could use some refining.</div>
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The idea behind it was good, and I really would have loved to have seen more of the political story, more about stitching (it was so glossed over... and if you're going to write in this thread ((retelling fairytales where the main princess is technologically savvy), where you have a lovely book like <b>Cinder by Marissa Meyer</b>, then your leading lady better at least sound like she knows something), the story of her mother, kip, Dane, etc, really delved into... but that just didn't happen.</div>
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I'm all about YA novels that can wrap it up all in one book...</div>
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and I almost hate to say it,</div>
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but this book really deserved the time and pacing of a trilogy.</div>
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The writing style was engaging, and I'm sure if they'd had time to be more developed, the characters would have been as well... but they weren't, and the last third of the book was like being in a car crash. It just hit you, and then it was over, leaving you to wonder what the heck just happened.</div>
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Sadly, that wasn't what bothered me the most about this book.</div>
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The thing that really bothered me, the thing still bothering me, and the reason I won't pass this book on to anyone, was the relationship between Snow and her Father.</div>
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Essentially, her Father was a Pedophile, and evidently, before she ran away, he would force himself upon Snow regularly while everyone turned a blind eye (mind you, she was pretty small when she ran away)... and yet, this whole subject was treated callously. It wasn't even really mentioned until Snow got back to her home planet.</div>
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Now... if it were me in her situation, and someone was trying to take me back to that, it would be at the FRONT of my mind, and even if I didn't want to tell anyone about it, I'd still be thinking about it all the time, and fighting to NOT go back to that situation. OR, if I were the type of character who was going back for revenge, I'd still be thinking about it all the time, and I'd not only be angry with my father, but with EVERYONE who just let it happen... but Snow rarely mentioned it, or thought about it at all, until it was convenient.</div>
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It felt like that was only in there to give them an excuse to murder her Father, which also bothers me... considering they never found out if he knew *anything* about what was really going on in his kingdom. It was such a jarring, weird, poorly executed plot device. </div>
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I didn't give this book one squid, because I feel it does have redeeming qualities... it could have been a really fun book to read... and the first half of it with the slower pacing and more story development was a cute read... but so many things about the last half of this book bother me.</div>
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<b>Overall:</b> I wouldn't recommend this book.</div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-91733575664775830172014-12-24T08:42:00.001-05:002015-01-01T19:59:25.460-05:00The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9wGcz6bV24YM-I080UyQWOhbWIQZkoIkRZTrkZtsEbbMX31UwELOHXo4UnoggK2n0ajz4QNvYGVG5gOOTIVw97wrtLG2dYvABypvcGR88up2mdkG9KfKZP3oJSVsgI1IytLVmWrWBtNi/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-17+at+1.17.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9wGcz6bV24YM-I080UyQWOhbWIQZkoIkRZTrkZtsEbbMX31UwELOHXo4UnoggK2n0ajz4QNvYGVG5gOOTIVw97wrtLG2dYvABypvcGR88up2mdkG9KfKZP3oJSVsgI1IytLVmWrWBtNi/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-17+at+1.17.29+PM.png" height="400" width="258" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Orphan Master's Son</span></div>
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by Adam Johnson</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_JFwEF_BRLA_qO1ahYmE6jTHvYpGsGGiEvXwL5d9qWSHFmoufI3EeNpyWeA_G216s74qLVdVuGh4qUFdU-B655fuOq32BaSWwfoUEeMA9jA754vysRBA-vrQ-QyVM7loGFQIIiNnhfoY/s1600/ratingsystemgolden.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_JFwEF_BRLA_qO1ahYmE6jTHvYpGsGGiEvXwL5d9qWSHFmoufI3EeNpyWeA_G216s74qLVdVuGh4qUFdU-B655fuOq32BaSWwfoUEeMA9jA754vysRBA-vrQ-QyVM7loGFQIIiNnhfoY/s1600/ratingsystemgolden.png" /></a></div>
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The tale of Jun Do, the story's main character, is harrowing and haunting, something that stays with you when you have to put the book down to head back to your everyday life.<br />
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A mixture of pure fiction and unbelievable actual history, the book kept me interested in the story of Jun from beginning to end. Witnessing the roller coaster that is his life in North Korea, it's hard to imagine existing in such a place on a day to day basis.<br />
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This story spans from horrifying... something straight out of an Orwellian novel, to strangely whimsical... in a sort of German Fairytale way. There is always that undercurrent of threat, that hard edge that waits behind every moment of Jun Do's life, and it keeps the reader constantly wondering just what is, and isn't possible in this world created by both Johnson's imagination and historical fact.</div>
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<b>Overall:</b> Haunting, and more fairytale-esque than so many of the actual fairytale books I read... I highly recommend this one.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-25094025769227050252014-08-26T09:52:00.001-04:002014-08-26T09:52:44.888-04:00REVIEW: Bird Box by Josh Malerman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJaC8Gdpa42CD-A1D6ARMmahSJvDpKlwQsR_3NWPX_TcaYKokvF7bq_mA4661OYWHhKWkGr7XawYims2CAId995KxvoUI7C4QA0bFmIMoj_AWzc8h1SjdG9DCf3Lr3Ck9w2mTMazqhLaY/s1600/birdbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJaC8Gdpa42CD-A1D6ARMmahSJvDpKlwQsR_3NWPX_TcaYKokvF7bq_mA4661OYWHhKWkGr7XawYims2CAId995KxvoUI7C4QA0bFmIMoj_AWzc8h1SjdG9DCf3Lr3Ck9w2mTMazqhLaY/s1600/birdbox.jpg" height="400" width="333" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bird Box</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Josh Malerman</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLH1KWtZxSj3qmW14mDE0YL4TtxIBubz-IL7AQinRX7jkbyV5JG1-ilnV2y8UuViCDFGUFs_CMI2u6vHEOhKC5lISa7dPRSIzCW16eO5jDc1LIumCYlX2qcn1gSBhsJ9PAiS8rnTh-Wuv/s1600/ratingsystem4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLH1KWtZxSj3qmW14mDE0YL4TtxIBubz-IL7AQinRX7jkbyV5JG1-ilnV2y8UuViCDFGUFs_CMI2u6vHEOhKC5lISa7dPRSIzCW16eO5jDc1LIumCYlX2qcn1gSBhsJ9PAiS8rnTh-Wuv/s1600/ratingsystem4.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Goodreads synopsis:</b></div>
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<i><span id="freeText10033726945632142170">Most people ignored the
outrageous reports on the news. But they became too frequent, they
became too real. And soon, they began happening down the street. Then
the Internet died. The television and radio went silent. The phones
stopped ringing. And we couldn't look outside anymore. Malorie raises
the children the only way she can; indoors. The house is quiet. The
doors are locked, the curtains are closed, mattresses are nailed over
the windows. They are out there. She might let them in. The children
sleep in the bedroom across the hall. Soon she will have to wake them.
Soon she will have to blindfold them. Today they must leave the house.
Today they will risk everything.</span></i></div>
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<b><span id="freeText10033726945632142170">What I thought:</span></b></div>
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<span id="freeText10033726945632142170">I would classify Bird Box as Horror Light. </span><span id="freeText10033726945632142170"><br />I know a lot of people have written in their reviews "Don't read this before bed!", but for me, this novel didn't get under my skin the way Henry James, Stephen King, or even a good zombie novel will. Nor was it as ghastly and horrific as a James A. Moore novel. <br /><br />The novel is a fun romp through a horrific landscape, and reminded me a bit of "The Happening" (except much, much better). Most of this novel takes place in flashback, which works really well to keep the reader's interest and not bog down the actual act of Malorie and the kids leaving the house with what seem like contrived events.<br /><br />The "big bad" in this novel, for me, was excellent. It was an unexplained phenomenon, with many theories thrown out as to what it was, but with no one truly knowing. I appreciate that there was no true answer given, and that the only way to really find out was to look, which, of course, had deadly consequences. The fact that you never got a straight answer really upped the creepy factor, because it left you in the same boat as the people experiencing what was going on.</span></div>
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<span id="freeText10033726945632142170">There were a few things that bothered me a little about the book too. The first thing was the nature of the way people died. In the beginning, it seemed that people were prone to kill their loved ones and then kill themselves, but later on, it seemed they lost interest in being murderous and instead were just suicidal. For me, since I felt like we didn't get to know any of the characters particularly well, it would have been scarier if the phenomenon victims kept a more murderous intent.</span></div>
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<span id="freeText10033726945632142170"><br />The second thing that bothered me was one of the later plot twists. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that while the whole thing was actually foreshadowed in a way I appreciate, the event itself was something I saw coming a mile away. It's a plot twist that's been used before, so with the rest of the book being so interesting and refreshingly original, I kind of wish this major point in the story had been too.</span></div>
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<b><span id="freeText10033726945632142170">Overall:</span></b></div>
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<span id="freeText10033726945632142170">This was a really enjoyable, fast read. Perfect for the upcoming Halloween season!</span></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-10201685943680471912014-03-31T09:55:00.000-04:002014-03-31T09:55:00.927-04:00REVIEW: Orleans by Sherri L. Smith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cr3ZCTotJPZvWQ5xZdmZCgQOs0MqGjRvBXEnmJ0TpM1qoN_WuE1hnH0okOzHsk5QFL1_ZeVHF6dLwv6QQoO_vDK52Oz4SPyfQAUwPbP_fim9QK4LKx1evLPgxgDVxdDt-TXP8v4OQHXH/s1600/Final-Cover-Orleans-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cr3ZCTotJPZvWQ5xZdmZCgQOs0MqGjRvBXEnmJ0TpM1qoN_WuE1hnH0okOzHsk5QFL1_ZeVHF6dLwv6QQoO_vDK52Oz4SPyfQAUwPbP_fim9QK4LKx1evLPgxgDVxdDt-TXP8v4OQHXH/s1600/Final-Cover-Orleans-2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Orleans</b></span></span></div>
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by Sherri L. Smith</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIYCntf5yP0KUeHPo-9ZXkBgfu_PnCSnB0hSZJ-Quy5tmpuil-9cR2M-cNmnVOxEq94C2B4jecCh6OiJmkSBP6w6eUgWDq4ue1qqXbluEndBHS4mYNLXtk1Gv7KA5l2AtfVZzhrp4babD/s1600/ratingsystem4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIYCntf5yP0KUeHPo-9ZXkBgfu_PnCSnB0hSZJ-Quy5tmpuil-9cR2M-cNmnVOxEq94C2B4jecCh6OiJmkSBP6w6eUgWDq4ue1qqXbluEndBHS4mYNLXtk1Gv7KA5l2AtfVZzhrp4babD/s1600/ratingsystem4.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Synopsis from Goodreads:</b></div>
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<i><span id="freeText6311362561406832097">After a string of
devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf
Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States
are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct… but
in reality, a new primitive society has been born.<br /><br />Fen de la
Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they
are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to
get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes
tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has
snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept
together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In
the end, they are each other’s last hope for survival.</span></i></div>
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<b><span id="freeText6311362561406832097">What I thought:</span></b></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097"> First off, as an O-Neg, the whole concept of this book was terrifying to me!</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097"> Let's talk about the story and writing though.</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">This book is written from Fen and Daniel's point of view,</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">and when we're listening to the world through Fen's voice, it's a very distinct voice,</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">and much like reading a Mark Twain book, it's at first a little jarring.</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097"><br /></span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">It didn't take me long to get into the groove of it, though, and once I got going, I couldn't stop.</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">I sat down and read this book start to finish in one sitting.</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097"><br /></span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">Fen's story is heart-breaking, heroic, inspirational and terrifying.</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">At every turn you find yourself hoping for the best but expecting the worst.</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">Fen's ethnic background is incredibly different from mine,</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">but I had no problem relating to this character, because she's not really dealing with</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">common problems a typical American teen would have to deal with.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">She's so far removed from the world I know,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">the world any of us really knows,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">that I related to this character on a more visceral level.</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097"><br /></span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">Daniel, on the other hand, was someone I had an easier time relating to,</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">in terms of lifestyle. He stumbled into things in a way that was believable...</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">and I feel like if I were going to be a character int his book, it might be him,</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">but without being so incredibly lucky.</span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097"><br /></span></div>
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<span id="freeText6311362561406832097">This book is an interesting dystopian written in a strong, unique voice, with an interesting plot.</span></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-15246349454489721882014-01-15T16:50:00.000-05:002014-01-15T16:50:09.135-05:0012 Quotes from Authors to remember when starting your first novel<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a link to a great post on io9:</div>
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<a href="http://io9.com/twelve-quotes-from-authors-to-remember-when-starting-yo-1501668698">http://io9.com/twelve-quotes-from-authors-to-remember-when-starting-yo-1501668698</a></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-15197153339249046802013-10-28T07:40:00.001-04:002013-10-28T07:40:24.811-04:00A Study In Emerald<div style="text-align: center;">
Are you interested in a</div>
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Sherlock Holmes/H.P. Lovecraft</div>
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style short story?</div>
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How about one written by Neil Gaiman?</div>
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If so, head on over to check out </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A Study in Emerald</div>
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<a href="http://www.neilgaiman.com/mediafiles/exclusive/shortstories/emerald.pdf"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mqIOFHNL4X13lnUYBoxv_Tzc9UcI3uMvBR667KjHNCYoh3vqq1iUqCgQmzqB7ZToCjlxmSi5F4cA1HDZCdVc8tFnp7yHzGuWz3Evz8qc-R0V1AIdWROnW6XL3siBlwE0mhB3ssk65VlQ/s320/a+study.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which you can read for free <a href="http://www.neilgaiman.com/mediafiles/exclusive/shortstories/emerald.pdf"><b>HERE</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and just in case the link doesn't work:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.neilgaiman.com/mediafiles/exclusive/shortstories/emerald.pdf">http://www.neilgaiman.com/mediafiles/exclusive/shortstories/emerald.pdf</a></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-16737147618348855712013-10-24T10:42:00.001-04:002013-10-24T10:44:06.423-04:00Book Signing with James Dashner<div style="text-align: center;">
Last night, James Dashner</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was kind enough to stop by our local bookstore.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/ef06eb3871cb183c197ea07ff3da8644/tumblr_mv56rxp9n61qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/ef06eb3871cb183c197ea07ff3da8644/tumblr_mv56rxp9n61qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(The lady you see in the pic is our very awesome bookstore rep... who gets all these cool folk to stop by and chat with us)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have to say,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
his books may be bleak,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but he's a pretty funny guy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, and he *REALLY* wants you to know he's on Twitter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(LOL... he kept referencing his Twitter account... <br />
evidently it's the place to be for breaking Dashner news) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/jamesdashner">https://twitter.com/jamesdashner</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(his avatar is his new puppy, lol) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He is the author of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Maze Runner</span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8duUfe-R-YFLQNsI1Nye_HiMXpXPq_DlRDVGtE2usGmgfm9yQ6dbFubd-TgrhBsXbQmudiVByRtZIi1H6PG6VXPpvC_5z5OHhK6fHezJnM-6OltU4MhyphenhyphenO6jEIWsob999YLpMHjcwjCdGy/s1600/51NIWVhas5L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8duUfe-R-YFLQNsI1Nye_HiMXpXPq_DlRDVGtE2usGmgfm9yQ6dbFubd-TgrhBsXbQmudiVByRtZIi1H6PG6VXPpvC_5z5OHhK6fHezJnM-6OltU4MhyphenhyphenO6jEIWsob999YLpMHjcwjCdGy/s1600/51NIWVhas5L.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which is being made into a movie that will come out</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in November 2014.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He also recently released a new book</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Eye of Minds </span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG64ixkkPyBk_Siy8VGsWqMzcIlcsBHs53-Eh80iN0CkQTGZNG1A9JM_Nd6wxs4b72Q1KoeRrswYalJzxieV20jRu5LXszYMRpjuXLCq1pPsBgARcjSiUR1v9YH6aRGHDLqybsaqUcvS5b/s1600/16279856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG64ixkkPyBk_Siy8VGsWqMzcIlcsBHs53-Eh80iN0CkQTGZNG1A9JM_Nd6wxs4b72Q1KoeRrswYalJzxieV20jRu5LXszYMRpjuXLCq1pPsBgARcjSiUR1v9YH6aRGHDLqybsaqUcvS5b/s1600/16279856.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He went on to describe it as an homage to his love of The Matrix and Inception,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(evidently Mr. Dashner is quite the movie lover)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and when I read the inside cover I immediately thought of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ready Player One </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Ernest Cline</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(which is a friggin awesome read, if you haven't read it)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll be interested to see how the two compare.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(FYI, James Dashner has *not* read Ready Player One (although he owns a copy)...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so his book was not influenced by the other...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm just curious to see how these two books focusing on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
virtual reality compare and contrast)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mostly though, he talked about The Maze Runner series...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
saying Minho was his favorite character,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
explaining his reasoning behind things like </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
naming WICKED, the slang the kids use and the Grievers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He also discussed how his goal was to create a sort of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
anti-Lord of the Flies...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
where instead of degrading into violence and wickedness,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
these boys worked together to survive.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He answered quite a few questions and talked for a good hour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
about a multitude of topics (he might be a rambler, hehe).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If he ever happens to be swinging through your neck of the woods,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I highly recommend stopping in to see what he's got to say.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not related to Mr. Dashner, but I just had to share...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While I waited for the signing to begin, I went over to check out the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
YA Used Books section and found this:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/fd82df62fb63787023c351643b77a533/tumblr_mv53us1ngh1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/fd82df62fb63787023c351643b77a533/tumblr_mv53us1ngh1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of the Used YA books were gone... and this note was left behind:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/42dd4e1ea194c055a36db0f0e6eb348b/tumblr_mv53tdVkNL1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/42dd4e1ea194c055a36db0f0e6eb348b/tumblr_mv53tdVkNL1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
HAHAHA!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a joke, of course,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they're just rearranging...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it cracked me up. </div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-88518521190853009872013-10-18T09:03:00.000-04:002013-10-18T10:34:23.070-04:00Feature and Follow Friday<div style="text-align: center;">
Follow along here:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/2013/10/feature-and-follow-friday-171.html">http://www.alisoncanread.com/2013/10/feature-and-follow-friday-171.html</a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/2013/10/feature-and-follow-friday-171.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6RvXh4OJRLHPWAWbNBNqu0n4_EWHMDnhKOsdfT0MkWzDr0jfmQXf8MkcvMeA5DQLO_0qRRYUazuPsFoNoLDbKiXt7xjC8I2ZECVrPC7-ps2zXHPacPAHETossbqK_m7TLrmR0x6q0w7H/s1600/8474595901_873f4993f4_n.jpg" /></a></div>
</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Q: What are some of your favorite magazines?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><br />Oh man... here we go!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">I am both a Graphic Designer and a photographer...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">so I have a lot of interest in Magazines... </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">and really, this just happens to be the favorite of what I have on my desk at the moment. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/310108f1eaaf0fc5617fdfb5536aed06/tumblr_mutarg23fV1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/310108f1eaaf0fc5617fdfb5536aed06/tumblr_mutarg23fV1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.geekexchange.com/geek-magazine/"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Geek Magazine</span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> Are you interested in things geeky? This magazine is for you!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">It covers just about everything from gadgets to girl-geek culture.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">I've had a lot of fun reading it so far. :)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Plus, this month's issue features Daryl (Norman Reedus)... how can you not love them?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c77aa3fd9998f55844c66390cc80dc09/tumblr_muv6kuVF4U1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c77aa3fd9998f55844c66390cc80dc09/tumblr_muv6kuVF4U1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/">bon appetit</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Filled with delicious recipes, bon appetit is a lovely magazine,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
but unlike other food magazines, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this one is not always good for you in terms of healthiness or time consumption.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/ab6189a9693e29b3b284a519be5d50a0/tumblr_muv6mk6gfj1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/ab6189a9693e29b3b284a519be5d50a0/tumblr_muv6mk6gfj1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Cooking Light</span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">I love that you can choose pretty much anything in here and it's not going to be *terrible* for you.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Lovely photography, tasty recipes... it's a nice cooking magazine. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/59fb8afcfcab4446993784be88024dcd/tumblr_muv6n7eY6U1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/59fb8afcfcab4446993784be88024dcd/tumblr_muv6n7eY6U1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/">Eating Well</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Again, another enjoyable, healthier food mag. Like bon appetit, they often have very eye catching photography.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/59fb8afcfcab4446993784be88024dcd/tumblr_muv6n7eY6U1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/1aaa225e48e342f215241a4f6364cb13/tumblr_muv6nr9OL81qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/1aaa225e48e342f215241a4f6364cb13/tumblr_muv6nr9OL81qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food-network-magazine/package/index.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Food Network (my favorite food mag)</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">This magazine is so well organized... it's very user friendly, starting right out with a picture index to guide you to each recipe. Someone was using their noggin when they put this magazine together.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Plus, you know, tasty recipes XD</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/8b2ba4967590f1fd63a31da2bf6f7d8c/tumblr_muv6obAN571qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/8b2ba4967590f1fd63a31da2bf6f7d8c/tumblr_muv6obAN571qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Scientific American</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">I like to pretend I know things.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Hahaha, no no, this magazine often has interesting infographics in it...</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">plus, I really do like the content. :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://31.media.tumblr.com/a0fe23544412ba7c5db0bf3d6a12baac/tumblr_muv6p3tjvm1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://31.media.tumblr.com/a0fe23544412ba7c5db0bf3d6a12baac/tumblr_muv6p3tjvm1qdxbfxo1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://stuffed-magazine.com/"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Stuffed</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> A magazine all about plushies... yes... yes, sign me up.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Put out by the Somerset folks, this is a cleanly designed magazine with large, lovely photos.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/customer-service"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/customer-service">Martha Stewart Living</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> Sorry to all the Martha poo-poo'ers... but this woman is still a domestic GOD.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Her magazine is beautiful too, with amazing photography and lovely layout.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Plus it's only $10 for a year subscription.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.wired.com/magazine/">Wired</a><br />Fun design, and super informative. I love me some Wired.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/">National Geographic</a><br />Tried and true, if you want amazing photography, this is the place to go.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/275573/pumpkin-carving-and-decorating-ideas/@center/276965/halloween"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Martha Stewart Halloween</span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">A different beast than Martha Stewart Living...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Martha Stewart Halloween is a magazine I look forward to all year long...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">her ideas are great, and it comes out right when Fall is settling in.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.advancedphotoshop.co.uk/">Advanced Photoshop</a><br />I love this magazine for Photoshop tips and tricks.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><a href="http://beta.imaginefx.com/">Imagine FX</a></span><br />If you're at all interested in the digital art medium...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">this magazine is something you should seriously look into.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Tips and tricks from experts, as well as a really great companion website.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-36682502263423845912013-10-10T08:10:00.004-04:002013-10-10T08:10:59.187-04:00Hollow City The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children<div style="text-align: center;">
Cover Revealed!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQClknCeP1LB4l9Wp4Q8WGvC0SJREnFr6u-svsDlGgRytEjXknn5kpeExpMJozDqoCuPnCCJoH-f2TCAsum587VzviBXpqg8au35G9uCGbUVy-QL4e_1pMxMFEX5HTaOUJEPM7EslIH3d/s1600/HOLLOW-CITY-COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQClknCeP1LB4l9Wp4Q8WGvC0SJREnFr6u-svsDlGgRytEjXknn5kpeExpMJozDqoCuPnCCJoH-f2TCAsum587VzviBXpqg8au35G9uCGbUVy-QL4e_1pMxMFEX5HTaOUJEPM7EslIH3d/s640/HOLLOW-CITY-COVER.jpg" width="417" /></a></div>
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Here's an excerpt on</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Hollow City</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">from Quirk Books:</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span>Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children was
the surprise best seller of 2011—an unprecedented mix of YA fantasy and
vintage photography that enthralled readers and critics alike.
Publishers Weekly called it “an enjoyable, eccentric read, distinguished
by well-developed characters, a believable Welsh setting, and some very
creepy monsters.”</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book
ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their
teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar
capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a
menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerizing)
vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all
ages.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>RANSOM RIGGS</strong> is the #1 New York Ti</span>mes best-selling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
He is a graduate of the University of Southern California film school
and is a writer for mentalfloss.com. He lives in Los Angeles.<br /><br />Here's a link to my review of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children:<br />
<a href="http://littlesqueed.blogspot.com/2013/06/review-miss-peregrines-home-for.html">http://littlesqueed.blogspot.com/2013/06/review-miss-peregrines-home-for.html </a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h2>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-2879905253198274592013-09-03T11:23:00.001-04:002013-09-04T07:49:53.907-04:00Top Ten Tuesday, What I'm reading and last week's Feature & Follow<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/2013/09/top-ten-books-youd-pair-with-required.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDESc5nhCgkicJdERCvkgEHrP7kcpkUlFmCA9aEcqk3tqVFcYTOq7V12z_HDogzP5BsFss9sAwt5_yzpq3wBGoV3ljRZeW5j9mMYgP-WxoOqsbDvoMmT2xum9aWcgd8M3hUobCCX-UlHL/s1600/toptentuesday.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;">Top Ten Books You'd Pair With A "Required Reading"</span></h3>
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1. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18135.Romeo_and_Juliet?from_search=true">Romeo and Juliet</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7619057-warm-bodies?from_search=true">Warm Bodies</a></div>
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<i>Warm bodies is an interesting twist on the tragic romance, not to mention an interesting twist on zombie novels.</i></div>
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2. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7624.Lord_of_the_Flies?ac=1">Lord of the Flies</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57891.Battle_Royale?from_search=true">Battle Royale</a></div>
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<i>Admittedly, thematically, these two books are not discussing the same things, but the setting is similar, and I think they would work as a reading pair for a lovely compare/contrast.</i></div>
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<i>Both books focus on a group of children abandon on an island.</i></div>
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<i>In Lord of the Flies, they are shipwrecked and left to their own devices... in which the societal structure they create degrades rapidly.</i></div>
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<i>In Battle Royale, the children are forced onto the island to play a terrible game of kill or be killed... a game run by their government to keep the masses in check.</i></div>
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<i>I think it would be interesting to look at the differences and similarities between these two books... to question why the boys in Lord of the Flies and the kids in Battle Royale ended up in similarly murderous situations. What was William Golding saying about his society? What was <span class="st">Koushun Takami saying about his?</span></i></div>
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3. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12296.The_Scarlet_Letter?from_search=true">The Scarlett Letter</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/439288.Speak">Speak</a></div>
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<i>Two ladies, outcasts in their communities because they have done something that is socially taboo.</i></div>
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<i>It's not really that hard to draw the parallels here.</i></div>
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4. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5107.The_Catcher_in_the_Rye?from_search=true">Catcher in the Rye</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22628.The_Perks_of_Being_a_Wallflower">Perks of Being a Wallflower</a></div>
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<i>Again, not hard to draw the parallels between these two.</i></div>
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<i>Both books are coming of age stories, both dealing with life as a teenager, that odd stage between childhood and adulthood,</i></div>
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<i>and touching on the social awkwardness of the teenage thought process as it struggles to fit into an adult world.</i></div>
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5. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58696.David_Copperfield">David Copperfield</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3.Harry_Potter_and_the_Sorcerer_s_Stone?from_search=true">Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</a></div>
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<i>Two orphan tales, in which the orphans leave behind abusive, cruel lives in exchange for something more wonderful and magical.</i></div>
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<i>It would be immensely fun to compare and contrast these two English novels.</i></div>
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6. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5470.1984?from_search=true">1984</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3432478-the-forest-of-hands-and-teeth">The Forest of Hands and Teeth</a></div>
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<i>An oppressed, carefully controlled society in which truths are hidden and fear is the weapon used to keep the masses in check... the fact that that could be describing either of these books, I think, would make for an interesting compare/contrast.</i> <i> Or maybe I'm just hooked on slipping zombie novels into this week's top ten since it's coming up on October -_-</i></div>
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7. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3636.The_Giver?from_search=true">The Giver</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8235178-across-the-universe?from_search=true">Across the Universe </a></div>
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<i> Both of these deal with societies where everything about the people living in them is controlled, where everyone is being lied to... and in which there is one person who retains all the knowledge of the past, uncensored.</i></div>
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8. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1885.Pride_and_Prejudice?from_search=true">Pride and Prejudice</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227443.Bridget_Jones_s_Diary?ac=1">Bridget Jones's Diary</a></div>
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<i>Bridget Jones's Diary IS Pride and Prejudice with a contemporary spin.</i></div>
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<i>It was a riot to read, and made me like the classic even more than I already did.</i></div>
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<i>It did a beautiful job of making what are now the strange and awkward social customs of Jane Austen's time into things we can understand, like family holiday gatherings and office parties. </i></div>
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9. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1362.The_Histories?from_search=true">The Histories</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28187.The_Lightning_Thief">The Lightening Thief</a></div>
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<i>Or The Iliad, or the Odyssey... really, I just want to pair Riordan's Percy Jackson series with all the stories of the mythological characters that show up in them. I LOVE books that make kids want to learn, and Riordan's series has sparked an interest in the old Greek and Roman mythologies... so I think it would be a fantastic way to introduce kids to the original stories.</i></div>
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10. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/100915.The_Lion_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe">The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/119322.The_Golden_Compass">The Golden Compass</a></div>
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<i>Ok, this is a pair that most likely won't happen... because the dream discussion on these two would be about varying opinions on religion, and various takes on belief, and what those beliefs might actually represent... but boy would it be fun to discuss what each of these authors was saying about religion. </i></div>
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For the record... I love this top ten question.</div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"> •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••</span> </div>
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This week I'm reading</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB5ho8YHNuLMBRmI9c0TJfk-5Php5Q0GKiwApJ5IaeWY8tIXAKBrDRKjnFxIOIG6WwOP4X-sQGET0jtqfINdMRTEP5APuiZV7CI4ukNBCVg7mNGZh-cxu61Jn4GZILD43zyDJsw_RussP/s1600/10481268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB5ho8YHNuLMBRmI9c0TJfk-5Php5Q0GKiwApJ5IaeWY8tIXAKBrDRKjnFxIOIG6WwOP4X-sQGET0jtqfINdMRTEP5APuiZV7CI4ukNBCVg7mNGZh-cxu61Jn4GZILD43zyDJsw_RussP/s1600/10481268.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Apothecary</b></span></span></div>
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<i>by Maile Meloy</i></div>
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<b>Why did I choose this book:</b></div>
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It was one of <a href="http://www.schulerbooks.com/">Schuler Books</a> Staff Picks.</div>
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Schuler Books & Music is our local book store,</div>
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with 3 locations here in Michigan.</div>
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I have yet to go wrong choosing one of their YA section staff recommendations.</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Does anyone else have a non-chain bookstore that they love to frequent, and trust the staff picks from there?</span></b></span></div>
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So far this book is interesting, action packed and adorable.</div>
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It features an American heroine in England... something I don't run across often.</div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"> •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••</span></div>
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<br />
Just as a side note...</div>
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I don't know why I do this...</div>
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I read all of the time, but am constantly forgetting to share it here on the blog as a review.</div>
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<i>Example:</i> I recently read all 4 books in The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld... but have I made a single review of them? Nope.</div>
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This blog's main purpose is for me to keep track of what I've read, and the details of that book...</div>
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so GAH! What the heck is wrong with me!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Do any of you guys do this when it comes to your blog?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Not keep up with things they way you'd like to?</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"> •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Something I find interesting: </b></span></div>
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Last week I decided to participate in </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/2013/08/feature-and-follow-friday-164.html#more"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9ukNdc8JdwJfoHZxEkRCsKKr9SMBAUUbL9s76cZWo75Brx_u_CYQhnBiExwFpkaSUdChP8EH3OqUpkAcBJn-Ch8HU8Oj8lGPeTJJWpl60ATqJCJEc8R8J0tMsr0TOKfsEAeoCeEXoyEM/s200/8474595901_873f4993f4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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in which my book selection was</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJ6RDuYq00b-rwLdfZfRej89C9apLZuIR74zvEFGv570dlVGfOEheEUNP7OOXCu7TlFeCWBwYTIwZW040ecGyh8NXVdl6mQAs4lpdyrP3HIiPvzCt9u0KEw16tu9dBV7-j1KVB0ERVzzg/s1600/200px-Jonathan_strange_and_mr_norrell_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJ6RDuYq00b-rwLdfZfRej89C9apLZuIR74zvEFGv570dlVGfOEheEUNP7OOXCu7TlFeCWBwYTIwZW040ecGyh8NXVdl6mQAs4lpdyrP3HIiPvzCt9u0KEw16tu9dBV7-j1KVB0ERVzzg/s1600/200px-Jonathan_strange_and_mr_norrell_cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell</b></div>
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<i>by Susanna Clarke</i></div>
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This book came out 9 years ago, in 2004...</div>
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and I have to admit, I was a bit shocked to see that *most*</div>
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of the replies to my F&F post were something along the lines of,</div>
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"Wow, I've never heard of this before!"</div>
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The book won at least 6 awards</div>
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and was nominated for several more</div>
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(not small awards either, but some of the top in the industry)</div>
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and is currently being made into a BBC miniseries.</div>
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This really led me to wonder about the bloggers who populate</div>
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the Feature and Follow Friday.</div>
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Quite a lot of them listed a Harry Potter book as their choice,</div>
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the last one having come out in 2007,</div>
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only 3 years after Susanna Clarke's book...</div>
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I have to believe that most of them were reading at least the later Harry Potter books as they came out... which puts them on the literary scene during Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell's time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So have they truly never heard of this highly acclaimed, much talked about book?</div>
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Is it simply because they weren't blogging at the time?</div>
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I had one comment saying </div>
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<i>"I haven't heard too much about it review-wise"</i></div>
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and that just made me wonder... </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How many of you follow blogs that pretty much only review current YA novels?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How do you choose the books you read?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Just by the reviews you read on other blogs?</b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>How long have you been blogging, and has it affected how you choose books?</b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How did you choose the books you read BEFORE you got sucked into the world of book blogging?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>When you start following a new book blogger,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">do you ever look back through their reviews to see what they've read before?</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How do you select book bloggers to follow in the first place?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Is it simply through hops, or do you research what the blogger likes to read and write about, and follow them based on common interests? </b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm not criticizing the people who responded to the F&F by saying they'd never heard of the book...</div>
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there are plenty of amazing books I've never heard of.</div>
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I really am just curious about how people go about selecting books these days... </div>
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and the turn-over rate of book bloggers and/or</div>
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the rate at which new book bloggers are hitting the scene.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-70371500560099244872013-08-30T11:06:00.002-04:002013-08-30T11:06:51.587-04:00Feature and Follow Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/2013/08/feature-and-follow-friday-164.html#more"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9ukNdc8JdwJfoHZxEkRCsKKr9SMBAUUbL9s76cZWo75Brx_u_CYQhnBiExwFpkaSUdChP8EH3OqUpkAcBJn-Ch8HU8Oj8lGPeTJJWpl60ATqJCJEc8R8J0tMsr0TOKfsEAeoCeEXoyEM/s320/8474595901_873f4993f4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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It's time for Feature & Follow Friday!</div>
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Go <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/2013/08/feature-and-follow-friday-164.html#more">HERE</a> to join in! </div>
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This week's question:</div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">If you could only have ONE – one book – for the rest of your life, don’t cheat…what would it be?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hrrrrm.... this is a tough one.<br />Really... reallyreallyreally tough.<br />My first instinct is to name a Harry Potter book,<br />namely, The Prisoner of Azkaban...<br />but if I really, really, really thought about it,<br />I think I'd want something with more to it... something that was a complete story, so that I didn't find myself longing for the other books in the series...<br /><br />So my choice has to be:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQvjoHuScveMCI5sl31XfiVOZK5yx02yFFC426B-0AW4dyYWUPgng5vrrcmBOckh9FpuHj-K35FeJk-cndCHHfY5P0AEShjYrD5jO0IVBc3Bfli66rCL0O9xdjG-fHaJwCEY5qpEPG15R/s1600/200px-Jonathan_strange_and_mr_norrell_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQvjoHuScveMCI5sl31XfiVOZK5yx02yFFC426B-0AW4dyYWUPgng5vrrcmBOckh9FpuHj-K35FeJk-cndCHHfY5P0AEShjYrD5jO0IVBc3Bfli66rCL0O9xdjG-fHaJwCEY5qpEPG15R/s1600/200px-Jonathan_strange_and_mr_norrell_cover.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell</b></span><br />by Susanna Clarke </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> It's filled with elements I love,<br />it's long and beautifully written,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">it's complicated and layered<br />and it's a complete story...<br /> Something I feel I could read over and over if it were the only thing<br />I could ever read again.</span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-88813801717811140942013-08-27T11:21:00.000-04:002013-08-27T11:21:32.837-04:00Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Secondary Characters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/2013/08/top-ten-favorite-secondary-characters.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Fj5dK0BGwELscXFzWqgypoe00NeX0wdClk7VwZPlkNwS4ZS6GyGRY1M1e94L-yML8aZ3au5rjSOGAa15iVxXGlvkHx8kZEUkOAIghkGwzCMSg1dtn36D9JZjMqtOKIiuq4efDdnth6CI/s1600/toptentuesday.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Every week, <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/2013/08/top-ten-favorite-secondary-characters.html">The Broke and the Bookish</a> hosts Top Ten Tuesday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This week, the topic is:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e69138;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Top Ten Favorite Secondary Characters:</span></b></span></div>
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1. <b>CooRoo</b> from The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea:</div>
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<i>CooRoo is the children's guide through the mysterious world of fey,</i></div>
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<i>and I love him to death.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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2. <b>Puddeneen</b> from The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea:</div>
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<i>Puddeneen is a bewildered frog who is put to work by The Morrigan.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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3. <b>The Nac Mac Feegle</b> from Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching Series:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>There have never been secondary characters that make me laugh so danged much.</i></div>
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<i>Now, you might argue that they're the main characters as well... but really,</i></div>
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<i>these books are about Tiffany, and she is THE main character... so I'm counting the Feegle as supporting cast, HILARIOUS supporting cast.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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4. <b>Belen and The Monkeys</b> from Maria V. Snyder's Healer Series:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Ok, time to fess up... it's safe to say that when reading these guilty pleasures (aka, any book written by Maria V. Snyder)... I always seem to like the secondary characters more than the main ones... so I put a few of my favs on this list... but it really counts for every book she writes, LOL.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5. <b>Dog</b> from Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Really... the whole concept is just too funny.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6. <b>Tom Bombadil</b> from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>There, I said it, I loved Tom Bombadil...</i></div>
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<i>was I sad they left him out of the movies?</i></div>
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<i>No.</i></div>
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<i>He would have been a bit too wacky for the mood Jackson was setting,</i></div>
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<i>I think, but I still love his character.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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7. <b> Luna Lovegood</b> from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>What can I say, I love the quirky oddballs :) </i></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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8. <b>Mouse</b> from The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher:</div>
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<i>Harry's pet Foo Dog... Mouse is just about the coolest dog EVER.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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9. <b>Beth</b> from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott:</div>
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<i>She was just such a tragic sweetheart, and my favorite sister.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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10. <b>Nico di Angelo</b> from The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I also like the darker characters... lol.</i></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-35857177926434308252013-06-27T08:15:00.002-04:002013-06-27T08:19:34.913-04:00Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children<div style="text-align: center;">
Recently I got an email from Quirk's Social Media and Marketing Manager<br />
asking if I'd be willing to review the newly released paperback copy of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1sDgu9hHI1kg-OYb_5I_rUg1NakoBCjRdSK-NlBux7l5aUh5leRsGYaIrj7yF6oCtbBwdqOq_3ljL_uJLTo8pP5-SIXT-Rjftx1YTCMPtFTJ7-5R50bzHZVYEfIkE-bHsNjURLgjQU8W/s1600/9781594744761_custom-1b380501ae74b319d70c5758422a59bb340741ff-s6-c30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1sDgu9hHI1kg-OYb_5I_rUg1NakoBCjRdSK-NlBux7l5aUh5leRsGYaIrj7yF6oCtbBwdqOq_3ljL_uJLTo8pP5-SIXT-Rjftx1YTCMPtFTJ7-5R50bzHZVYEfIkE-bHsNjURLgjQU8W/s400/9781594744761_custom-1b380501ae74b319d70c5758422a59bb340741ff-s6-c30.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Ransom Riggs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLNYFRHbVCZ5B33gKEiFSNJbqkJUl_Xl0A-FJWqv0_F3Q4Jym-QzzzdfEROPX3jwPRZukC3G69q5JevMUajEzVHnsrRpI-jFT-P-B5U9jjCikcy703oA7P5mCr1hnvkSoety6-6IE4X_0/s1600/ratingsystem5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLNYFRHbVCZ5B33gKEiFSNJbqkJUl_Xl0A-FJWqv0_F3Q4Jym-QzzzdfEROPX3jwPRZukC3G69q5JevMUajEzVHnsrRpI-jFT-P-B5U9jjCikcy703oA7P5mCr1hnvkSoety6-6IE4X_0/s320/ratingsystem5.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Amazon Synopsis:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000692471"><b>Amazon Best Books of the Month, June 2011</b></a>:
As a kid, Jacob formed a special bond with his grandfather over his
bizarre tales and photos of levitating girls and invisible boys. Now at
16, he is reeling from the old man's unexpected death. Then Jacob is
given a mysterious letter that propels him on a journey to the remote
Welsh island where his grandfather grew up. There, he finds the children
from the photographs--alive and well--despite the islanders’ assertion
that all were killed decades ago. As Jacob begins to unravel more about
his grandfather’s childhood, he suspects he is being trailed by a
monster only he can see. A haunting and out-of-the-ordinary read, debut
author Ransom Rigg’s first-person narration is convincing and absorbing,
and every detail he draws our eye to is deftly woven into an
unforgettable whole. Interspersed with photos throughout, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is a truly atmospheric novel with plot twists, turns, and surprises that will delight readers of any age. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>Review:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i>The story follows Jacob, a young American boy, on his journey to not only find out more about his Grandpa, but more importantly, his own sanity. As it turns out, the two go hand-in-hand.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Middle Grade or Young Adult?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Based on the way the action paces itself, and how long children linger on terrible events, I'd actually classify this as more of a bridge book between Middle Grade and Young Adult, rather than a flat out YA novel. In other words, I think this book would appeal to both younger and older children... and I think it would be an excellent "read aloud" bedtime story book. (Er... for the children who aren't easily scared.... because while this book isn't a horror story, there is some very creepy imagery going on in it)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">History:</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The storyline is adventurous, mysterious and fraught with perils, not to mention laced with history.</div>
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I always appreciate a book that can tie in real world history in a way that makes children more curious about the past... and if listening to Grandpa's stories, or the scene with Adam and the bomb doesn't do that, then I would think the Bog Boy at least would spark children's interest and imagination. Plus, the series promises to deliver quite a lot more in terms of historical referencing with the upcoming sequel. </div>
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There are several love stories that unravel through the book, which for me was the more "YA" aspect of this story... but even though Jacob's own love story happened rather quickly, I found it entirely believable. For once, there was a YA love story with a good, solid reason as to why the girl would fall in love so quickly. All too often I read YA novels where the characters seemingly hate each other, and then three sentences later, they're in love. In Rigg's book, Jacob's "love" story is, as one would expect from a teenage boy, really something that began more with lust (as in, he thought she was really hot... and then all the "Oh, and she's pretty cool too" stuff came later). Maybe that is because this novel is written by a man, who actually had the benefit of experiencing life as a teenaged boy? I don't know, I just know when I read YA love stories, more often than not, I'm very aware that the teenaged boy in the story is acting NOT like an ACTUAL teenaged boy, but<i> </i>like a sappy, boring page from some starry-eyed teenaged girl's fantasy.</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>The Magic:</i></span></div>
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This book is fantasy fiction... and it uses the fantasy aspects to propel the story in compelling ways. Often times I read YA novels that have fantastical aspects and feel like I've read the same story I've read a million times over, except this time it was a Mermaid instead of a Vampire. The "Fantasy" is just a gimmick to draw kids in, but could easily be replaced with a million other things.</div>
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In Riggs' book, I felt that the fantasy was an integral part of the storyline. It wasn't thrown in casually, it was the mechanism that made this story run. Riggs was able to take moments in history and make them even more real to the reader by not only giving us characters who had been there and lived through it, but by using the magic in this world to allow the main character to experience it as well. The same magic will also allow the main character to delve into the past even farther, and that's something that I'm rather excited about.</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>The Villains:</i></span></div>
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I'm not going to say too much, that would be a bit of a spoiler... but I will say I really loved the villains of this story. Their whole reason behind doing what they do is perfect, and reflects a kind of child-like mentality. </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>The Writing:</i></span></div>
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I really enjoyed Ransom Riggs writing style. It's fast paced, with page after page of action to pull the reader along. He also does a great job of creating an eerie atmosphere. The book reminded me of one of the haunting stories from A.S. Byatt's Little Black Book of Stories... the forest is filled with monsters, BEWARE!<i><br /></i></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Conclusion:</i></span><br />
READ THIS BOOK! Read this book aloud to children!!! Everything about this story was a pleasant surprise, and I can't wait to read the next one.<i><br /></i></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-58424757658249531082013-06-18T08:56:00.000-04:002013-06-18T09:00:57.989-04:00REVIEW: The Age of Ra by James Lovegrove<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQUYwVuyeEWi8WLQ4nSPFu-ZL-b4-97Lr3Jzs1zdAsWJXim5nv9wlq_vIBXSNLwYRQO6q1eHj6CutQ_CoQTggV1_CDUKoEtVGiPD43Od3pLMDdr3jCM_vUdv5kyXEYe3r3OEqxIZNBYX2/s1600/the_age_of_ra_250x384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQUYwVuyeEWi8WLQ4nSPFu-ZL-b4-97Lr3Jzs1zdAsWJXim5nv9wlq_vIBXSNLwYRQO6q1eHj6CutQ_CoQTggV1_CDUKoEtVGiPD43Od3pLMDdr3jCM_vUdv5kyXEYe3r3OEqxIZNBYX2/s1600/the_age_of_ra_250x384.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Age of Ra</b></span></span></div>
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by James Lovegrove</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAp5j51iZo7osT0RD84NALRYn_0J4uoieuDONHku6Rlzjp0muT7UHBcXE4jC2JUBlsHK2rfmGpmEh2depS4-5hPTWZryQ7hwqblK1mwrpn_B9cW5EMVIIammk8q487P5_hvAdrSpE7SUF2/s1600/ratingsystem2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAp5j51iZo7osT0RD84NALRYn_0J4uoieuDONHku6Rlzjp0muT7UHBcXE4jC2JUBlsHK2rfmGpmEh2depS4-5hPTWZryQ7hwqblK1mwrpn_B9cW5EMVIIammk8q487P5_hvAdrSpE7SUF2/s1600/ratingsystem2.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i>Synopsis from Amazon:</i></span></div>
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An alternate history of the world where the Egyptian gods have defeated
all others and have carved up the planet between themselves. Only a band
of Freedom Fighters and their enigmatic leader can free the Earth from
their divine tyranny.</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Review:</b></span></div>
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So, first off... tell me what you think when you look at that cover... no, really, stop and think about it?</div>
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What do I think? Kurt Russell, James Spader... Stargate... yes. There I said it. Stargate. </div>
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That aside, I'm not sure how I feel about this book. Due to my own confusion over how to feel, I went out and read several other reviews... some of which loved the book, and some of which hated it... and here's what it boils down to for me: I agree more with the folks who didn't exactly enjoy it.</div>
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I think this<a href="http://www.sfsite.com/02a/ar313.htm"> review by Nathan Brazil over at The SF Site</a> really sums it up... the book just did not reach its full potential. Any veteran Science Fiction reader should have been able to see the plot twists coming from a mile away... and the things I *hoped* would happen to add variety and originality to said twists did not... instead they followed a very cookie-cutter path.</div>
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There was so much potential in the character of David Westwynter, and how he could have interacted with not only other main characters, but with the gods themselves... but it just felt like none of that was really explored. When he did interact with the gods, it left me wanting more... a lot more, and a lot more explanation as well... and when he interacted with the other human characters... well... it left a lot to be desired. Other than knowing that he's a "Generally good guy who doesn't like deep emotions"... well, David didn't strike me as much of anything special. By the time we reached the end of the book, I barely cared what happened to the humans in the story anymore.</div>
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The gods were a lot more interesting to me, but mostly because I enjoy reading the tales of different mythologies... and this was no exception when it came to filling you in on a bit of the Egyptian Gods history with one another. I was disappointed though, by who the "Big Bad" turned out to be. This is probably a bit of a spoiler (this next sentence)... but yeah, if you know anything about Egyptian Mythology... and who their prime betrayer often is... well... it's not much of a shocker. It's kind of like any story about Norse Mythology... you can pretty much expect Loki to be in there, causing major trouble somehow.</div>
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The most interesting part of the book to me, sadly, was the very end when there is a meeting between a human and a god (unknown to the human)... but by that point, I found I just didn't care that much anymore... plus, as far as I can tell, "The Age of" god series that Lovegrove has going is just filled with one-offs that are bound together by theme only... so why should I care about the end of the book or what happens to the character? I don't... and it's sad.</div>
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I'm still going to read the second book, and hope for something better, since I've heard good things about Lovegrove... because I'm not going to lie, I really want to get to the third book in the series (The Age of Odin)... and I hate reading things out of order... even if it's just the order they were written in.</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>In Conclusion:</b></span></div>
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I don't think I'd recommend this book... perhaps if the second book is excellent, I'll still recommend the series and just tell people to skip the first book... but I just felt like I learned very little about the characters. Their motivations all felt superficial, or totally dictated by their nature... and when it comes to "The Ancient Gods have returned" type books, I've read better.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-29640387882327830802013-06-18T08:26:00.000-04:002013-06-18T10:36:59.749-04:00Top Ten Tuesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Click the image above to visit <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/">The Broke and the Bookish</a>, and join in the fun!</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Top Ten Books on my TBR List for Summer 2013! </b></span></span></span></div>
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<b>1. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman</b><br />
Have I been hearing anything other than rave reviews about this book?</div>
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Nope. I want it, I want it now!</div>
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<b> 2. The Long War by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter</b><br />
I'm always up for some Pratchett, and with Baxter's tendency to blow up the world,</div>
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this could prove to be an interesting book.</div>
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<b> 3. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs </b></div>
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I received this one as a request to review... so it's next on my list. :)</div>
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The funny thing... even though I was contacted to read this... I'd always wanted to read it anyways.</div>
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<b>4.The Age of Zeus by James Lovegrove</b></div>
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So, I read The Age of Ra... and honestly, I'm still not sure exactly how much I did, or didn't, like it... so I figure I'll at least try to make it through two or three in the series before making any final decisions... the story was amusing, but of course, the gods were entirely predictable. </div>
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<b>5. Kill the Dead by Richard Kadrey</b></div>
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I just read the first in the Sandman Slim series... so, yeah... all the Kadrey books on this list are part of Sandman Slim's book series. I loved the first one, it's a GREAT summer read. I devoured book one in a matter of hours.</div>
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<b>6. Aloha from Hell by Richard Kadrey</b></div>
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<b>7. Devil Said Bang by Richard Kadrey</b></div>
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<b>8. Kill City Blues by Richard Kadrey</b></div>
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<b>9. The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld</b></div>
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I LOVE Leviathan, Goliath and Behemoth... soo, so, so much, so I figured I'd give another Westerfeld book a try and see if I love his writing style as much as I love those books.</div>
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<b>10. We, THE DROWNED by Carsten Jensen</b></div>
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I'm going to be honest... I don't know a thing about this book. I saw it on the shelf... and lately I've just not been feelin' the YA genre, so I've been branching off and grabbing adult fiction (Sandman Slim, The Age of Ra? Yeah...) and this just happens to be one of them.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-33033577158168729782013-05-31T14:10:00.002-04:002013-05-31T14:10:57.263-04:00Book Blogger Hop and Feature & Follow<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #073763;"><i>To join in the Book Blogger Hop, click the image above!</i></span></div>
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This week's question:</div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">What is your favorite series that you've <br />finished all the books (more than 3 books) to? </span></b></i></div>
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Well, I'm sure the obvious answer is going to be Harry Potter... and I admit I'm on that bandwagon too :)<b> </b>but there are a few more I'd like to share as well, so here's a list:</div>
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<b>1. Harry Potter </b>by J.K. Rowling<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>2. </b><b>Ouran High School Host Club </b>by Bisco Hatori<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>3. Spiderwick Chronicles </b>by Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>4. Chronicles of Narnia </b>by C.S. Lewis<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>5. </b><b>Discworld </b>by Terry Pratchett<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>6. Sandman </b>by Neil Gaiman<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>7. Percy Jackson Series </b>by Rick Riordan</div>
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<b>8. Fablehaven </b>by Brandon Mull</div>
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<b>9. The Nicholas Flamel Alchemyst Series </b>by Michael Scott<b></b></div>
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Now, I'm reading quite a few other series that are more than three books that I love, but they're not finished yet, so technically, I haven't finished all of the books XD I didn't include those. The stories above are strictly finished series... welllll.... except Discworld... but man... I *HAD* to include Pratchett. I'm not even sure it counts as a series... but I've been reading them in chronological order, so I'm counting them that way. :)<b></b></div>
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<a href="http://parajunkee.com/2013/05/feature-follow-151.html"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9ukNdc8JdwJfoHZxEkRCsKKr9SMBAUUbL9s76cZWo75Brx_u_CYQhnBiExwFpkaSUdChP8EH3OqUpkAcBJn-Ch8HU8Oj8lGPeTJJWpl60ATqJCJEc8R8J0tMsr0TOKfsEAeoCeEXoyEM/s320/8474595901_873f4993f4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>To join in the Feature and Follow hop, click the image above.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This week's question:</span><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />What blogger would you most like to meet in real life? <br />Tell us about him or her.</span></b></i><br />
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I'm going to be honest, I've never really thought about it.<br />
Meeting new people in general gives me a mini panic attack.<br />
I'm not saying I'm a shut in, I get out, I socialize... but all with people I've met in person first.<br />
<a 1em="" href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://parajunkee.com/category/ff%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="”1″" margin-right:="" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>For some reason, I have real anxiety about meeting people I've only talked to online.<br />
It's not a safety thing, it's a "Man, what if I totally disappoint them?" thing.<br />
Crazy, I know.<br />
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Also, please check out my review, <a href="http://littlesqueed.blogspot.com/2013/05/arc-review-wells-bequest-by-polly.html"><b>HERE</b></a>, for the upcoming release,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGO7ydUyp6UZQSDjeI6HJg4oEwKSLgKcgaCVSrBX6gFua5DDnKsAyMT1tCAGZX1G85kt6h18fFlSN2Ko7RnXGFwGpuhAziIdFpEXgGrot7DpKkg6SyShRs-Y108miaQQ5Cn7SCyTxBLfY/s1600/16101024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGO7ydUyp6UZQSDjeI6HJg4oEwKSLgKcgaCVSrBX6gFua5DDnKsAyMT1tCAGZX1G85kt6h18fFlSN2Ko7RnXGFwGpuhAziIdFpEXgGrot7DpKkg6SyShRs-Y108miaQQ5Cn7SCyTxBLfY/s320/16101024.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Wells Bequest</b></span></span><br />
by Polly Shulman</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-7272570146336877902013-05-31T08:08:00.001-04:002013-05-31T08:15:06.989-04:00ARC REVIEW: The Wells Bequest by Polly Shulman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGO7ydUyp6UZQSDjeI6HJg4oEwKSLgKcgaCVSrBX6gFua5DDnKsAyMT1tCAGZX1G85kt6h18fFlSN2Ko7RnXGFwGpuhAziIdFpEXgGrot7DpKkg6SyShRs-Y108miaQQ5Cn7SCyTxBLfY/s1600/16101024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGO7ydUyp6UZQSDjeI6HJg4oEwKSLgKcgaCVSrBX6gFua5DDnKsAyMT1tCAGZX1G85kt6h18fFlSN2Ko7RnXGFwGpuhAziIdFpEXgGrot7DpKkg6SyShRs-Y108miaQQ5Cn7SCyTxBLfY/s1600/16101024.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Wells Bequest</b></span></div>
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by Polly Shulman</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b> Release Date: June 13th, 2013</b></span></div>
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<i>This ARC was provided by the publisher at my request.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIYCntf5yP0KUeHPo-9ZXkBgfu_PnCSnB0hSZJ-Quy5tmpuil-9cR2M-cNmnVOxEq94C2B4jecCh6OiJmkSBP6w6eUgWDq4ue1qqXbluEndBHS4mYNLXtk1Gv7KA5l2AtfVZzhrp4babD/s1600/ratingsystem4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIYCntf5yP0KUeHPo-9ZXkBgfu_PnCSnB0hSZJ-Quy5tmpuil-9cR2M-cNmnVOxEq94C2B4jecCh6OiJmkSBP6w6eUgWDq4ue1qqXbluEndBHS4mYNLXtk1Gv7KA5l2AtfVZzhrp4babD/s1600/ratingsystem4.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
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<i>Leo never imagined that time travel might really be possible, or that
the objects in H. G. Wells’ science fiction novels might actually exist.
And when a miniature time machine appears in Leo’s bedroom, he has no
idea who the tiny, beautiful girl is riding it. But in the few moments
before it vanishes, returning to wherever—and whenever—it came from, he
recognizes the other tiny rider: himself!<br /><br /> His search for the
time machine, the girl, and his fate leads him to the New-York
Circulating Material Repository, a magical library that lends out
objects instead of books. Hidden away in the Repository basement is the
Wells Bequest, a secret collection of powerful objects straight out of
classic science fiction novels: robots, rockets, submarines, a shrink
ray—and one very famous time machine. And when Leo’s adventure of a
lifetime suddenly turns deadly, he must attempt a journey to 1895 to
warn real-life scientist Nikola Tesla about a dangerous invention. A
race for time is on!<br /><br /> In this grand time-travel adventure full of
paradoxes and humor, Polly Shulman gives readers a taste of how
fascinating science can be, deftly blending classic science fiction
elements with the contemporary fantasy world readers fell in love with
in The Grimm Legacy.</i></div>
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<b>Characters:</b></div>
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<i><span style="color: #990000;">Leo:</span> </i>The main character, Leo is pretty level-headed for a teenaged boy. He's sweet and swooning over the girl he likes, and smart to boot. He comes from a family of incredibly intelligent people where he's a bit of an outcast, not because he isn't smart, but because his brain works in different ways. However, when he's visited by his future self, his life becomes a tad bit more interesting as he learns about a library that will change his life. He's a likeable kid, cautious and respectful of things like Time Machines and Death Rays... you can't help but admire those qualities.</div>
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<i><span style="color: #990000;">Jaya:</span> </i>Headstrong and defiant and the girl that Leo is swooning over, Jaya is a character from The Grimm Legacy, the companion book to The Wells Bequest. At first I was worried I wouldn't like her, since headstrong girls are often obnoxiously portrayed in books... but I found Jaya completely likeable. <i></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #990000;">Simon:</span> </i>Simon is the villian of the story<i>, </i>but one could more aptly call him "The Teenaged Boy of the story" and be totally accurate in their description. He's actions are ruled totally by hormones, unfortunately, he just so happens to be a bit more connected than your average teenaged boy, so he can cause a bit more trouble.<i> </i></div>
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<b>Plot:</b></div>
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For me, this book cleared up the issues I had with <a href="http://littlesqueed.blogspot.com/2010/08/grimm-legacy-by-polly-shulman.html">The Grimm Legacy</a>, I didn't read this one thinking, "Wow, they just solved that HUGE problem really easily..." I felt like a little more time was taken in this one to really craft each encounter that the characters had. This story was cute, the adventures were well paced and I truly enjoyed their historical and present-time interactions.</div>
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All around, a lot of fun, and I can't wait for more in this series from Polly Shulman!</div>
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After reading this book, I've also decided I need to figure out a new rating rank that is around 4 Squeeds, but instead of saying (but probably wouldn't read again) it needs to say (and will absolutely read this to my children). :)<br />
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<b>Conclusion:</b><br />
This is a book I highly recommend to not only friends, but also to the teachers I know. The combination of classic literature along with historical figures will entice any kid to want to learn more about these topics. Much like The Alchemyst series by Michael Scott, this is the kind of book that is going to make kids sit up and take interest in the past.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-92171835453279257382013-05-28T09:35:00.000-04:002013-05-28T09:35:13.927-04:00Review: Spook by Mary Roach<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYh1FbrzljyKwZyE5Ja5IHYgWtxUTSh-Rf6v2WgP6mpJZq7CvmhdvlvUX8qJIWINu53jvN5XwZ2P2oAwkUsC3nBLC0hZ_ipcBNwaJwHsrZ1lx8ERctUvxKXO2-RV8n6j0HDCPn0ypm_3b/s1600/Spook-cover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYh1FbrzljyKwZyE5Ja5IHYgWtxUTSh-Rf6v2WgP6mpJZq7CvmhdvlvUX8qJIWINu53jvN5XwZ2P2oAwkUsC3nBLC0hZ_ipcBNwaJwHsrZ1lx8ERctUvxKXO2-RV8n6j0HDCPn0ypm_3b/s1600/Spook-cover2.jpg" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Spook</span></b></div>
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by Mary Roach </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIYCntf5yP0KUeHPo-9ZXkBgfu_PnCSnB0hSZJ-Quy5tmpuil-9cR2M-cNmnVOxEq94C2B4jecCh6OiJmkSBP6w6eUgWDq4ue1qqXbluEndBHS4mYNLXtk1Gv7KA5l2AtfVZzhrp4babD/s1600/ratingsystem4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIYCntf5yP0KUeHPo-9ZXkBgfu_PnCSnB0hSZJ-Quy5tmpuil-9cR2M-cNmnVOxEq94C2B4jecCh6OiJmkSBP6w6eUgWDq4ue1qqXbluEndBHS4mYNLXtk1Gv7KA5l2AtfVZzhrp4babD/s1600/ratingsystem4.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
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The best-selling author of <i>Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers</i>
now trains her considerable wit and curiosity on the human soul. What
happens when we die? Does the light just go out and that's that—the
million-year nap? Or will some part of my personality, my me-ness
persist? What will that feel like? What will I do all day? Is there a
place to plug in my lap-top?" In an attempt to find out, Mary Roach
brings her tireless curiosity to bear on an array of contemporary and
historical soul-searchers: scientists, schemers, engineers, mediums, all
trying to prove (or disprove) that life goes on after we die. She
begins the journey in rural India with a reincarnation researcher and
ends up in a University of Virginia operating room where cardiologists
have installed equipment near the ceiling to study out-of-body
near-death experiences. Along the way, she enrolls in an English medium
school, gets electromagnetically haunted at a university in Ontario, and
visits a Duke University professor with a plan to weigh the
consciousness of a leech. Her historical wanderings unearth soul-seeking
philosophers who rummaged through cadavers and calves' heads, a North
Carolina lawsuit that established legal precedence for ghosts, and the
last surviving sample of "ectoplasm" in a Cambridge University archive.</div>
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<b>Review:</b></div>
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I have to admit, this one was slow going for me. There were bits and bobs along the way that were fascinating (and I flew through those chapters), but I think the fact that Roach seemed to think this was all hokum herself made this book dull when compared to books like Stiff.</div>
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There seemed to be a lot more by way of techno-babble, I'm not sure if this was due to the lack of legitimate scientific findings in the realm of there being an afterlife (other than the resounding "No, there doesn't seem to be one" that usually was what the evidence pointed to)... or if it was because Roach herself is a skeptic, so chose to focus on things that gave more substantial output than peoples feelings and experiences.</div>
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I'm not saying this book isn't worth reading, it still has quite a few interesting ideas to present the reader with, but it was definitely a slower read for me than Stiff.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-64052152624760025572013-04-05T11:41:00.000-04:002013-04-05T11:44:10.220-04:00Feature & Follow and Book Blogger Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfMjcq3vhrEkxFY-DtZQkUqmSlop_xpbVzJ0hmPFqYAUrPi0FoChEyOxx2I1f_OldhD1o53o4xaOFWAi8zbflWFBzhT-PT6un_qcVGaWc5b9ILOhWLZp7KiVb9VKrAuH0d67lqybIY4M/s1600/book+blogger+hop.png" width="90%”" /></a></div>
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Click the image above to hop on over to Coffee Addicted Writer's blog</div>
and join in!<br />
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This week's question:</div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What book have you've been meaning<br />to read forever AND you finally did?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I can answer this because I *JUST* did this!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3rVHqcJE95IvbZL0AXGPoqs7hFd-SobIzoK4Ub8AZCFz0tI2mRTeJO491Lmc7HFy4rT8E2-2-ftMlrX2zrHzLt3hGm5FXGE707vs2GDxPz6eM_-B6FvOqhM3HaIUd0iQwhZuTdy732YS/s1600/39-clues-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3rVHqcJE95IvbZL0AXGPoqs7hFd-SobIzoK4Ub8AZCFz0tI2mRTeJO491Lmc7HFy4rT8E2-2-ftMlrX2zrHzLt3hGm5FXGE707vs2GDxPz6eM_-B6FvOqhM3HaIUd0iQwhZuTdy732YS/s320/39-clues-cover.jpg" width="209" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The first book in the 39 Clues series is one I've been meaning</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">to check out FOR-EV-ER.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I finall<span style="font-size: small;">y did last week, and I LOVED IT!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Read my review <a href="http://littlesqueed.blogspot.com/2013/04/39-clues-maze-of-bones-by-rick-riordan.html"><b><span style="font-size: small;">HERE!</span> </b></a></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><b> </b></span></span>Next up is Feature and Follow Friday:</div>
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<a href="http://parajunkee.com/2013/04/feature-follow-143.html"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HnL-thyphenhyphen-iJbRxMqzJkoFA0hO-F4rpXEFWNHvbkCSP7P4rnXVmWN9lEJMr7JVCmxHL5otZoQPxXrBg_oGUqfetesrNzKOvtL8oaQYQ0br9tEeBeK84TUAW9aj-MxLjMYBUhM_hZGcTL61/s320/8474595901_873f4993f4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Click the image above to join in the fun!</div>
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This weeks question:</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever read a book that you thought you would hate — ? Did
you end up hating it? Did you end up loving it<span style="font-size: large;">?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<a 1em="" href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://parajunkee.com/category/ff%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="”1″" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Yes, I was given a book by my neighbor, and when<br /><span style="font-size: small;">looked at the synopsis I <span style="font-size: small;">ABSOLUTELY didn't want to<br /><span style="font-size: small;">read the book... but I read it to be a good neighbor...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">and I really liked it, way more than I expected!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">What was the book?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0THHBlTxnYGKmKai08kVIbs5BFXoxqi-oWlwpY6uB60dFKJkUA6TgN1HjOn4beJBvWNssF3a-YZguG0MjTiKx6RCkq8KyJp7Uuc6bd42_UwH1N1kj2xgIZ40HdsBm63RaKS44bCPIiHa/s1600/warmbodies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0THHBlTxnYGKmKai08kVIbs5BFXoxqi-oWlwpY6uB60dFKJkUA6TgN1HjOn4beJBvWNssF3a-YZguG0MjTiKx6RCkq8KyJp7Uuc6bd42_UwH1N1kj2xgIZ40HdsBm63RaKS44bCPIiHa/s320/warmbodies.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Warm Bodies</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">by Isaac Marion</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a really pleasant su<span style="font-size: small;">rprise<span style="font-size: small;">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Read my review <a href="http://littlesqueed.blogspot.com/2012/09/warm-bodies.html"><b>HERE! </b></a></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></b></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-90621404104619205062013-04-04T11:32:00.003-04:002013-04-04T11:32:53.684-04:00Thirsty for Comments Thursdays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.actingbalanced.com/2013/04/share-great-post-with-thirsty-for.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ActingBalanced+%28Acting+Balanced%29"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUJFO7xeS2Se8bZta9tWJodLXSL9RQ-uK8UJeExDTzIQVad1ogYLuthsJOx_1JEDkLBMZwOAyiNGrMx65ennr4VLAzz3WUevauRxVXUPfLd6ThfNO7HpKRtJOEVX_zk8xcQ1zhAqMmyOE/s1600/tc1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Welcome to Thirsty for Comments Thursday</div>
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Click the image above to join in :)</div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">What is Thirsty for Comments?</b></div>
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This
is a blog hop dedicated to giving good comment - please, when you are
visiting, actually READ the post that is linked and make a thoughtful
comment!</div>
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This is NOT a hop for "I'm here from the hop, follow me back" comments!</div>
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Link up your own SPECIFIC POST that you'd like comments on - remember - no giveaways!</div>
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The rules are simple - </div>
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1. Link up a <b>SPECIFIC POST</b> (NOT just your blog URL) that you'd like to have more comments on - <b><i>NO GIVEAWAYS or OTHER BLOG HOPS</i></b> - they will be deleted</div>
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2. Visit <span style="color: red;"><b>AT LEAST THREE</b></span> other blogs and <b>READ</b> the posts and then comment thoughtfully on the post.</div>
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It's a fun idea, and I like that it's meant to generate thoughtful comments.</div>
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I've gotten... and given... my fair share of </div>
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"Oh wow, I've never read that"</div>
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or </div>
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"Yup, I loved that book too"</div>
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... yeah... </div>
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it's time to step it up a notch. :)</div>
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So stop on over and check it out! </div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-62759694447727994962013-04-04T08:29:00.001-04:002013-04-04T08:29:24.100-04:00<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2379822/?claim=p47gfznrrc8">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-40485607470219387622013-04-04T07:54:00.000-04:002013-04-04T07:59:06.619-04:0039 Clues: Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3rVHqcJE95IvbZL0AXGPoqs7hFd-SobIzoK4Ub8AZCFz0tI2mRTeJO491Lmc7HFy4rT8E2-2-ftMlrX2zrHzLt3hGm5FXGE707vs2GDxPz6eM_-B6FvOqhM3HaIUd0iQwhZuTdy732YS/s1600/39-clues-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3rVHqcJE95IvbZL0AXGPoqs7hFd-SobIzoK4Ub8AZCFz0tI2mRTeJO491Lmc7HFy4rT8E2-2-ftMlrX2zrHzLt3hGm5FXGE707vs2GDxPz6eM_-B6FvOqhM3HaIUd0iQwhZuTdy732YS/s1600/39-clues-cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">39 Clues</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Th<span style="font-size: large;">e </span></span>Maze of Bones</span></b></span></div>
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by Rick Riordan</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx99ygUX1iZbJa04Msna2EKxj31goNkmEJV2QvTpoXKD4IwC-QTGyjaW13o_ghyphenhyphenmmziT5LTUW-q3bZWu1EYj-qmgmpbtw3Fx0WACXhoSxY12RiGLRhxCIVK6Z3c_ASlbsb47VDiyLjsXVA/s1600/ratingsystem5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx99ygUX1iZbJa04Msna2EKxj31goNkmEJV2QvTpoXKD4IwC-QTGyjaW13o_ghyphenhyphenmmziT5LTUW-q3bZWu1EYj-qmgmpbtw3Fx0WACXhoSxY12RiGLRhxCIVK6Z3c_ASlbsb47VDiyLjsXVA/s320/ratingsystem5.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>This book was a lot of fun, and I'm excited to pick up the next one.</i></div>
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<i>Riordan once again incorporates history in a way that will keep children</i></div>
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<i>interested and wanting to learn more.</i></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Amazon Synopsis:</b></span></div>
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Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her
descendents an impossible decision: "You have a choice - one million
dollars or a clue." <br />
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Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills,
the world's most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is
related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39
clues hidden around the world will reveal the family's secret, but no
one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young
Amy and Dan must decide what's important: hunting clues or uncovering
what REALLY happened to their parents. </div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Characters:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Competitors in the contest:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">All contest competitors are part of the Cahill family, even if they have different last names. </span></i><b> </b></span></div>
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<b>Amy Cahill</b> ~ Main character, older sister to Dan. Amy is almost crippled by her fear of groups of people and confrontation. Her severe social anxiety puts them in a tight spot more than once, but she is clever and quick when it counts, making her a likable character... plus it's obvious she genuinely cares for her brother, which is endearing. She also loved Grace dearly.</div>
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<b>Dan Cahill</b> ~ Main character, Dan in a collector. He reminds me of so many boys his age I've babysat over the years, where everything that is remotely interesting suddenly becomes something he is interested in. He's good with numbers (really good) and pretty close to fearless... but also obviously loves his sister... even though they torment each other often. A very likable character.</div>
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<b>The Holts</b> ~ They're incredibly competitive, and will do anything to win. </div>
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<b>Ian and Natalie Kabra</b> ~ Two young, attractive siblings who are sly, well funded, well trained and lethal, they're a huge threat in the competition... to everyone.</div>
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<b>Alistair Oh</b> ~ Korean member of the Cahill clan, and an older gentleman who evidently invented the microwave burrito as his claim to fame. His motives (other than winning) are unclear.</div>
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<b>Irina Spasky</b> ~ Russian Cahill, she's sly and troublesome with things like poison needles hidden on her body... an ex-secret agent, she's dangerous, even if she is older.</div>
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<b>The Starling Triplets</b> ~ Three siblings (2 boys ~ Ned and Ted, 1 girl ~ Sinead) they're caught up early on in trouble and out of commission for the rest of the book.</div>
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<b>Jonah Wizard</b> ~ He's world famous... and wants to win just so he can be the most famous person ever. Rude and snobbish to anyone not a Cahill, Jonah is single-minded in his quest for fame.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Everyone Else: </span></b></div>
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<b>Grace Cahill</b> ~ Dan and Amy's grandmother, she passes away within
the first few pages of the book, but is present throughout, in
flashbacks and as the orchestrator of the game the Cahill's are
partaking in. Her history is very mysterious and I'm looking forward to learning more.</div>
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<b>Nellie</b>~
Dan and Amy's Au Pair (not babysitter!), she's a young woman with many
hidden talents and an interest in becoming a chef. Dan and Amy convince
her to join them on their quest.</div>
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<b>William McIntyre</b> ~ Grace's lawyer, he oversees this competition and offers aid secretly to Amy and Dan, telling them repeatedly "Trust No One"</div>
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<b>Man in Black</b> ~ Mysterious figure who appears almost everywhere Dan and Amy go.</div>
<b>Aunt Beatrice</b> ~ Grace's sister and Amy and Dan's legal guardian, she's a bit of a stick in the mud and kind of a jerk.<br />
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<b>Saladin</b> ~ Grace Cahill's Egyptian Mau cat, adopted by Amy and Dan.</div>
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Plot:</div>
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This book's opening grabbed me right away... the first sentence is:</div>
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<i>Five minutes before she died, Grace Cahill changed her will.</i></div>
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From that second on, I was in. What a catchy opener!</div>
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I picked this book up because I'm going through Riordan withdrawal, and I've been meaning to check out this series for quite some time anyways. I was not disappointed.</div>
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Action packed, filled with history, geography and intrigue all around, I applaud Riordan for once again incorporating an education into his books. </div>
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Seeing as how this book is filled with little puzzles for the reader to figure out (and I do appreciate that they don't give you the answers right away... so that kids reading it will actually have to either think about it, or keep reading to find out), I won't go into detail on what you'll learn in this book, but I will say that, even for adults, Riordan masterfully incorporates the clues with history to form little puzzles fun for anyone of any age to mull over.</div>
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This story follows the siblings Amy and Dan, orphans after their parents died tragically, they spend their weekends with Grace and are hurt and confused when she passes away and leaves this crazy contest behind.</div>
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They, as well as all the other Cahill's invited to the Will reading, are offered the opportunity to join the contest or accept a Million dollar buy out, in which they take the money and never look back. Most folks take the money, but a few (the ones listed above) choose to partake. Amy and Dan are sorely tempted by the cash themselves, being poor orphans, until their aunt and legal guardian, Beatrice, threatens them not to join, and then proceeds to tell them how kind she'll be, only taking the interest from their 2 million dollars.</div>
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Feeling that Beatrice would slowly rob them, and also wanting to know more about what their beloved Aunt Grace had in store for them, Amy and Dan enter the competition with little to no resources.</div>
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Quickly they learn to trust no one, and enlist the aid of their Au Pair, Nellie (who in my opinion is just a bit *too* talented... which makes me suspicious of her). </div>
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They receive cryptic warnings from Grace's lawyer, Mr. McIntyre (things like, "Beware the Madrigals") and get more help from Nellie once she learns what they're up to.</div>
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The adventure itself takes the reader on a fun romp through Paris... well, fun for everyone but Dan and Amy, who face near-death experiences around every corner. </div>
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The book closes with them unable to return home (Social Services is looking for them) and on their way to the next clue.</div>
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Each book in this series is written by a different author, which I am both happy and sad about.</div>
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On the one hand, I love Rick Riordan, I know I love Riordan, I want to read more of Riordan and would have loved had he written the whole series... plus I'm also nervous about how cohesive a series by completely different authors will be.</div>
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On the other hand, I'm excited to pick up books by authors I'm unfamiliar with. Since I'm already invested in the story, thanks to its power punch of a beginning book, I'm sure I'll read the rest, so hopefully I'll find some wonderful new authors in the process.</div>
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Digital Media Aspect:</div>
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This book series is also fun and unique in that each book comes with several "clues" hidden in it. </div>
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These clues are literal cards with web codes on them.</div>
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You can sign up at the 39 Clues website, get sorted into which faction of the Cahill clan you're most like, and enter your card numbers and get more clues added to your collection... there are also games to be played that are amusing (I played a few of them, and they would keep kids entertained)</div>
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The website itself isn't as clear as it could be when it comes to clues and earning them, but overall it's a pretty fun idea.</div>
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You also create your own spy identity... I think it's a great idea that kids will have a lot of fun with.</div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-54673948681043514022013-03-26T10:07:00.001-04:002013-03-26T10:07:19.629-04:00Review or Critique, Which is it?Budroe over at Writing.com has written a really wonderful article about the difference between reviewing a book and critiquing it.<br />
<br />
<b>I think this is something EVERY book blogger should check out.</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1168045-Review-Or-Critique-Which-Is-It"><b><span style="font-size: large;">GO TO THE ARTICLE</span></b></a></div>
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Budroe goes in depth on the difference between the Review, in which one looks at the qualities of a book from a reader's standpoint, vs. the Critique, in which one examines a book from the viewpoint and expertise of a writer.</div>
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Obviously I write reviews.</div>
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I am in no way qualified to give any writer an in depth critique of their work... nor would I want to. Everything I write and rate on my blog is based purely on my own opinion as a reader, and each review is a description of what I took away from the book (as well as usually a list of characters and who they were, just for my own sake of having one somewhere... you have no idea how hard it is to find comprehensive lists of characters -_-)</div>
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When I write a review, unless there is something technically jarring (and it's got to be pretty darn jarring for me to notice it), I usually won't mention it. I sometimes talk about how well the prose flow, but for me, that's part of the reading experience. I'll also sometimes mention something technical, writing-wise, that pulls me out of a story, but again, it was part of the reading experience for me, so I mention it.</div>
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I do this for fun, and I do this for myself... to have a journal of what I've read with more detail jotted down than I likely would have remembered just from recall a few years later.</div>
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I don't network my blog to get my stuff seen, I do it because being connected to all of these other readers and authors offers me a wider perspective on what is being released, and what is going on in the literary world. I've learned about dozens and dozens of books that I'm pretty sure I never would have heard of or looked at, and it's all because of book blogging.</div>
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I am eternally grateful to the blogging community for helping me stay connected, for keeping up on the trends, and for keeping up on news that I just don't have the time to always seek out myself.<br />
<br />
Also, just as a side note, I found this article because it was linked to a <a href="http://hoodedutilitarian.com/2013/03/yun-kouga-loveless-10/">manga review</a> in which someone left a comment slamming the reviewer, saying:<br />
<i>Was this written by a preteen? There’s no critical view, no actual
structure or argument or thesis, just “i like this” and “then this
happened, then this happened, ooh those characters look naughty.” It’s
posts like this which make it difficult to take HU seriously, especially
the slew of scornful posts on Eddie Campbell’s critical abilities. Not
that I agree with Campbell but how is HU any different in being
fanboying dressed up as criticism? Certianly not with insipid posts like
this.</i><br />
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Now, for me, when I read reviews, I <u><b>want</b></u> to hear the "I like this" and the fanboy/girling... for me, that's what reviews are about, public opinions... and that's why I think Budroe's article on review vs. critique is so good... it really points it all out in a very concise way.</div>
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I think it is up to us as readers and bloggers to get to know the people who are writing these blog reviews, so that we can better judge how well their opinions mesh with our own.</div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-91039951933453467702013-03-25T13:40:00.000-04:002013-03-25T13:40:04.326-04:00Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1DBYvNVfgI-GF432MDAY3YNJ4s6b9_tOET3HrjShbbl1-mr0Z7SpzEEKolipUhGIHpc7MXeLUJCDyk_24rS0dbLzV-0PQlcO0CXKEmCy64jEgNKvhIaigxdk0OxbYJfWOhlLpk6nGDcP/s1600/12027429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1DBYvNVfgI-GF432MDAY3YNJ4s6b9_tOET3HrjShbbl1-mr0Z7SpzEEKolipUhGIHpc7MXeLUJCDyk_24rS0dbLzV-0PQlcO0CXKEmCy64jEgNKvhIaigxdk0OxbYJfWOhlLpk6nGDcP/s1600/12027429.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scent of Magic</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Book 2 in the Healer Series</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Maria V. Snyder</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIYCntf5yP0KUeHPo-9ZXkBgfu_PnCSnB0hSZJ-Quy5tmpuil-9cR2M-cNmnVOxEq94C2B4jecCh6OiJmkSBP6w6eUgWDq4ue1qqXbluEndBHS4mYNLXtk1Gv7KA5l2AtfVZzhrp4babD/s1600/ratingsystem4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIYCntf5yP0KUeHPo-9ZXkBgfu_PnCSnB0hSZJ-Quy5tmpuil-9cR2M-cNmnVOxEq94C2B4jecCh6OiJmkSBP6w6eUgWDq4ue1qqXbluEndBHS4mYNLXtk1Gv7KA5l2AtfVZzhrp4babD/s1600/ratingsystem4.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>I'm confessing right now, these books (as in, ANY M<span style="font-size: small;">aria V. Snyder book) are my guilty pleasures. Are they the best stories in the world? No.<span style="font-size: small;"> Are the <span style="font-size: small;">main characters terrible Mary Sues? Yes. But are they fun and fast reads anyways? Hell yes. If you're looking for <span style="font-size: small;">the most beautiful, amazing fantasy you've ever read, this isn't it. If you're looking for a fun, fast read in which you can sit back and just enjoy a goofy story... this is for you. I would absolutely send these books along and share them with people I know would enjoy them. Are they the people who read things like Tolkien or George R. R. Martin? Abercrom<span style="font-size: small;">bie or Cook? No. <span style="font-size: small;">Are they the kind of people who enjoy authors like Condie, Me<span style="font-size: small;">yers and Evon<span style="font-size: small;">a</span>vitch? Yes<span style="font-size: small;">, and that is not a criticism.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>If you have not read TOUCH OF POWER (BOOK 1)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>do not read this review, there are spoilers. </b></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Amazon Synopsis:</b></span><br />
<i>As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique
position: in the minds of friends and foes alike, she no longer exists.
Despite her need to prevent the megalomaniacal King Tohon from winning
control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and
repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her
partner and sole confidant, returns to Alga to summon his country into
battle.</i></div>
<i>Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can
to support Tohon's opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army,
evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring
out how to stop Tohon's most horrible creations yet: an army of the
walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.</i><br />
<i>War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible…again.</i><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b><i> </i><span style="font-size: small;">Characters:</span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"> <i>Avry:<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Main chara<span style="font-size: small;">cter, and as <span style="font-size: small;">the last line of the the synopsis implies... a bit of a Mary Sue.</span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I h<span style="font-size: small;">ave to admit, so far I enjoy Avry... despite Snyder repeatedly writing dre<span style="font-size: small;">adful Mary Sue girls, they are usually<span style="font-size: small;"> likeable, which is their saving grace. I feel like Avry is a<span style="font-size: small;"> bit more toned down than som<span style="font-size: small;">e of Snyder's other hero<span style="font-size: small;">ines... but then, this is only book 2. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Kerrick:</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">The leading man, Prince of his own realm, mag<span style="font-size: small;">e of the for<span style="font-size: small;">est<span style="font-size: small;"> and all around smo<span style="font-size: small;">uldering love interest.<span style="font-size: small;"> He's off having adventures of his own this time, and I appreciated the split chapters.</span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Noelle:</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">Avry's sister, intro<span style="font-size: small;">duced in book <span style="font-size: small;">1 as blaming Av<span style="font-size: small;">ry for abandoning her... <span style="font-size: small;">a big part of Avry's mission in this book is winning back her sister's love.</span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Tohon:</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">Still a dick.</span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Ryne:</b> </i>The p<span style="font-size: small;">rince that Avry r<span style="font-size: small;">isked her life for in the last book spends his time earning <span style="font-size: small;">it this book. Ryne is still a bit of a vague character, but he is likeable.</span></span></span><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Belen:</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">Ol' Papa Bear ret<span style="font-size: small;">urns and you f<span style="font-size: small;">ind yours<span style="font-size: small;">elf enjoying his company once again.</span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>The Monkeys:</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">Now assigned to guard Prince Ryne, the Monkeys really haven't changed... at all.</span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Ursin:</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">Leader of <span style="font-size: small;">"The Jumping Jacks", one of Estrid's <span style="font-size: small;">troup<span style="font-size: small;"> of soldiers, <span style="font-size: small;">he is the first one that Avry really deals with as she tries to be covert, but he's got a secret of his own that doesn't help her stealthiness at all.</span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Estrid:</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">Leader of the main army <span style="font-size: small;">opposing Tohon.<span style="font-size: small;"> She seems fair and intellege<span style="font-size: small;">nt, even if she's got a bit of over the top religious fervor.</span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Cellina: </i></span></b><span style="font-size: small;">Tohon's lackey</span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Noak:</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">Son of the leader of the <span style="font-size: small;">people from the Wilderness. He takes Kerrick <span style="font-size: small;">and Danny prisoner.<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></b><span style="font-size: small;">He also has a strange "<span style="font-size: small;">Winter Magic" that he uses against Kerrick.</span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Danny:</b> </i>Young boy rescued by Avry in the last book, has healing potential be<span style="font-size: small;">cause he survived the Death Lily Toxin. <span style="font-size: small;">Sneaks along with Ker<span style="font-size: small;">rick, thus getting Kerrick in a lot of trouble, but proves useful as a non-magical healer, because he wants to follow in Avry's footste<span style="font-size: small;">ps.</span></span></span></span><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rakel:</span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Noak's sister, has mysterious "Summer<span style="font-size: small;"> Magic"</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Story:</i></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet another fun, quick romp through one of Snyder's worlds... this book is a fast read<span style="font-size: small;"> and for the most part, enjoyable.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book starts out with Avry and Kerrick parting ways. At the end of the first book, we <span style="font-size: small;">saw Avry surviv<span style="font-size: small;">e t<span style="font-size: small;">he "unsurvivable" and learn tha<span style="font-size: small;">t <span style="font-size: small;">the Lilies had more of a part to pla<span style="font-size: small;">y than anyone realized. Kerrick is going to reu<span style="font-size: small;">nite with Ryne and get the army moving while Avry is going to find her sister and go underco<span style="font-size: small;">ver in the world, since it's now believed she's dead.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kerrick ends up in the North, fac<span style="font-size: small;">ing an invasion from the W<span style="font-size: small;">ildmen, and finding out that what he thought to be true might not be.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Avry, on the other hand, takes up her mother's name and bec<span style="font-size: small;">omes a Se<span style="font-size: small;">rgeant in Estrid's army, where she's quickly outed as having magic and being a healer<span style="font-size: small;">. As is the way with most of Snyder's leading ladies, subtle <span style="font-size: small;">isn't really her thing.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This story spends a lot of time with<span style="font-size: small;">out a lot of action. There are extensive training sequences, and a lot of "putting the pieces in place", but other than that, not much really happens until the very end. There is a constant referring to the fact that Tohon has *got* to have spies in camp, but no real effort to figure out who they might be. People who were pretty evil in the last b<span style="font-size: small;">ook seem a bit dist<span style="font-size: small;">racted in this one, and in general everyone is pretty forgiving of Avry, since they're mai<span style="font-size: small;">nly just glad she's alive<span style="font-size: small;"> (whether because they were her friend, or because she is the l<span style="font-size: small;">ast known healer EVER). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mor<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;"> strange things occur with the lilies, some of which I'm not entirely clear on myself... and <span style="font-size: small;">then there is "the death".</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b>The author kil<span style="font-size: small;">ls off a <span style="font-size: small;">character and I'm going to be <span style="font-size: small;">honest... I don<span style="font-size: small;">'t understand why. Unless there's going to be some magical res<span style="font-size: small;">urrection, which I don<span style="font-size: small;">'t think th<span style="font-size: small;">ere is. It was just such a pointless death... and I have to wonder, IS there a plan, or did the author <span style="font-size: small;">just get sick of writing that angle of the plot? It seemed unfinished. Based on reading <span style="font-size: small;">Snyder's other stories, I could make a comment here... because this is a "death" that she seems to fall back on a lot<span style="font-size: small;">, to try to really make the reader <span style="font-size: small;">feel for the main chara<span style="font-size: small;">cter... but this time I just didn't buy it. It was to<span style="font-size: small;">o ill<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="font-size: small;">placed in the story, too abrupt and really, <span style="font-size: small;">it made the whole earlier story and anything referencing the relationship just seem like a real waste of my time. In other words, it pissed me off, b<span style="font-size: small;">ut not in an "invested, emotional reader" way. More like in a "Wow, what a waste of time" way... and that's never good.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">There were also some really, really, really awful cheesy lines. One that comes to mind, "My man has eyes th<span style="font-size: small;">at change colors with the seasons"... or something equally vomit-worthy. This happens a couple of times in the <span style="font-size: small;">books, and I couldnt' help but thing, "Ew... would Avry really say that? <span style="font-size: small;">And people d<span style="font-size: small;">idn't laugh at her?" I don<span style="font-size: small;">'t know... it's just over<span style="font-size: small;">-the-top stuff like that where I really think Snyder is missing the mark on being a great author vs. a guilty pleasu<span style="font-size: small;">re read.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">All in all, though, it's still a fun <span style="font-size: small;">fast read, and I'll be picking up the next one on April 1st. T<span style="font-size: small;">he stories are cute, and t<span style="font-size: small;">he time investment is small,<span style="font-size: small;"> so <span style="font-size: small;">yeah, despite my grumbli<span style="font-size: small;">ngs... Snyder is going to win my hard earned dollars in the end, because it's still a fun, fast romp through girlie fantas<span style="font-size: small;">y fiction.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821751644618724590.post-64214457172599111792013-03-25T12:51:00.002-04:002013-04-01T07:50:09.143-04:00It's Monday, What Are You Reading?<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to another edition of "It's Monday, What Are You Reading?"</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2013/03/24/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-182/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4T8aFKdBWfbATeSZgUUm-Wb5T4dviiwDCnVjSu0TY-Sxow6YGIqy_Y-P-FooDDih8iM_5F6UqoNyJoRMXV6zqytjVSDcs7S2m_d4zt4Xv74fR761TM4BtfyCEEDeMflJ5d5ihyphenhyphenqCFg-n/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click the image above to join in the linky fun!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, seeing as how I just picked this book up this morning, and it's one I've been</div>
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saying for quite some time, "I'm going to read!"</div>
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This week I'm reading:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeBHNCWHbUkNNkXmo6EX9N91j__OmVXIITWp81o4rcuaqiXxnXuembz3-8FUDfduxLDnv9cJTV1s5pp-aKBiJlBTvWfrbE3ulrv6_CT2OgMN_ByDwl0yITi7lVSCEOfoWbSrPC27IA1pW/s1600/39-clues-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeBHNCWHbUkNNkXmo6EX9N91j__OmVXIITWp81o4rcuaqiXxnXuembz3-8FUDfduxLDnv9cJTV1s5pp-aKBiJlBTvWfrbE3ulrv6_CT2OgMN_ByDwl0yITi7lVSCEOfoWbSrPC27IA1pW/s1600/39-clues-cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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39 Clues</div>
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Book 1:</div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Maze of Bones</b></span></span></div>
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by Rick Riordan</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Amazon Synopsis:</b></span></div>
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<i>Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her
decendants an impossible decision: "You have a choice - one million
dollars or a clue." <br /><br /> Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills,
the world's most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is
related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39
clues hidden around the world will reveal the family's secret, but no
one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young
Amy and Dan must decide what's important: hunting clues or uncovering
what REALLY happened to their parents. </i></div>
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I've been curious about this series for a while, and *really* wanted to start reading it when I learned that Rick Riordan wrote the first one... so, here goes nothing!<i> </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<b>What did I finish last week?</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPAGWZXvlpSCHoKHrnJQFWahf2mG3_CbWDF8VVKHo-u9e3PeQccf5d7oxxdE4MAA1Cp8WdhWndGel6FU64J3ea6Fzm0Sy_BWrOhMFJ1DZ8EYMiiUwlkeZhYcD_MTfIfOihD0l4eGCGM3B/s1600/12027429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPAGWZXvlpSCHoKHrnJQFWahf2mG3_CbWDF8VVKHo-u9e3PeQccf5d7oxxdE4MAA1Cp8WdhWndGel6FU64J3ea6Fzm0Sy_BWrOhMFJ1DZ8EYMiiUwlkeZhYcD_MTfIfOihD0l4eGCGM3B/s320/12027429.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scent of Magic</b></span></span></div>
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Book 2 in the Healer series</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Maria V. Snyder<i></i></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Amazon Synopsis:</b></span><br />
<i>As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique
position: in the minds of friends and foes alike, she no longer exists.
Despite her need to prevent the megalomaniacal King Tohon from winning
control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and
repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her
partner and sole confidant, returns to Alga to summon his country into
battle.</i></div>
<i>Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can
to support Tohon's opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army,
evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring
out how to stop Tohon's most horrible creations yet: an army of the
walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.</i><br />
<i>War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible…again.</i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Read my review <a href="http://littlesqueed.blogspot.com/2013/03/scent-of-magic-by-maria-v-snyder.html">HERE</a>. </b></span></i><br />
<i></i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.com10