Book Trailer - Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Alternate trailer featureing "Summer Girl" by Jonas & Plunkett

To pre-order a signed copy of Forever CLICK HERE. That takes you to Maggie's favorite Fountain Bookstore!

Follow Friday #8

To see my review of Graceling click here! 

Follow Friday is hosted every week by Parajunkee over at Parajunkee's View.

This weeks question:

Q. Keeping with the dystopian and apocalypse theme that seems to be running rampant on parajunkee.com, I have one very hard question for you: If you were stocking your bomb shelter, what books would you HAVE to include if you only had space for ten?


This is a hard question. I can't imagine only being able to take 10. And it's hard to choose between the ones I like.... Hmmm.... We'll just say the Bible doesn't count in this 10, because we'd have to pack that.

1. The Chronicles of Narnia (this does come in a form where they're all in 1 book! HA!) - CS Lewis
2,3,4. The Hunger Games trilogy - Suzanne Collins
5. Pride & Prejudice - Jane Austen
6. Graceling - Kristin Cashore
7. Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers
8. Journey to the Center of the Earth - Jules Verne
9. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
10. Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson

Unfortunately that leaves no room for Harry Potter... crap. Hmm.... I'll make someone else keep my Harry Potter books for me. Hehe.

Review: Graceling - Kristin Cashore

Graceling. Amazing book. All around.

Just completely outstanding.

If I thought the first 2 chapters were great, it was nothing compared to the rest of the book. Never read another book like it and I can only hope that Fire is HALF the book Graceling was.

Favorite passage in the book:

Sighing, Helda carried the dress from the bathing room. "It would look stunning, My Lady," she called, "with your dark hair and your eyes."
Katsa yanked at one of the more stubborn knots in her hair. She spoke to the bubbles gathered on the surface of the water. "If there's anyone I wish to stun at dinner, I'll hit him in the face." p 63

I loved Katsa. She was awesome. Aside from Riley Poe in Afterlight and maybe Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, I've never seen a stronger female character. And even Riley and Katniss had their downfalls. This is one of 2 or 3 books total that I've read where there WASNT some cheesey love triangle introduced IMMEDIATELY where the "heroine" loves one but also loves the other and they're both just so heartbreakingly awesome (I'm being sarcastic here) that she can't possibly decide which one she wants and it causes her physical pain to be away from either one of them and.... I think you get my point.

I'm tired of the love triangle. Can you tell? Because it's always the same. Both guys love the girl unfailingly, even though she's not really that great. There's no real reason for either one of them to be head over heels for her and yet they are. And she just leads them both on and is "so broken up about it" yet can't force herself to be a decent human being and just PICK one or stop being awful to both of them.

Anyways. Back to the book. This is definitely going straight to the top of my favorites list. Like I said, I loved Katsa (almost called her Katniss, oops). She was just so strong and had such a good heart. And Po. FIRST guy I've seen who wasn't completely selfish in the way he felt for Katsa. He loved her, but he KNEW her. He knew what she wanted and what she didn't want and that was OK with him. He didn't want to change her to be what he thought she should be. He didn't want to STOP her from being what SHE wanted to be either.

Every second of this book held my interest. There wasn't a point where I wanted to skip over anything because it was pointless to the story. Everything had a place and a reason for being where it was. And I loved the fact that everyone who was "Graced" had different color eyes. And each person had DIFFERENT different color eyes. If that makes sense. It wasn't all uniform.

There's so much I want to say about this book but any gushing I'd do would just spoil the whole thing for everyone, and I can't do that. I can only tell you that if you don't go out and grab this book RIGHT NOW and start reading it IMMEDIATELY you will be missing out. BIG time.

Monster Factory

Much thanks to Maggie Stiefvater for posting this first one on her facebook page. Totally hilarious!

Shiver

And then because of THAT one I found THIS one. LoL. The things people do with their free time.

Catching Fire

Look for my review of Graceling by Kristin Cashore some time today or tomorrow!

More Literary Tattoos

So even though I'm unable to get one just yet (but I have the PERFECT idea for my next one!) I've been looking through more literary tattoos. Just because it's fun to do. Thought I'd share some more with you all.

I like this one simply because it's a Mr. Darcy tattoo. :-)

I like this one just because it's a bookshelf. Doesn't seem to be any specific literary reference.

Depiction of the White Witch from Disney's Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

This is a tattoo of one of the broaches given to the hobbits etc. by the elves.

Love the Cheshire Cat. This artist is pretty talented (she did the LOTR tat too). Her name is Chloe Vanessa and she's in MA if anyone is looking for an artist.

Teaser Tuesday #10

Teaser Tuesday is hosted evey week by MizB over at Should Be Reading.

Here's how it works:

•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


This weeks teaser is from Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

Her first thought when she entered the throne room was to wish she'd brought a knife after all. Her second thought was to wish that Po's sense of bodies had extended to his room, so that he might have warned her of what was waiting for her here, and she might have known not to come. p 165

And remember, I'm only 2 chapters in so this is a teaser for me too!

Can't wait to read all your teasers!

Cover Reveal! *EDIT

Been following Nicole Peeler I think since right before the first novel in this series came out. It's been an exciting journey so far and I can't wait to see where Eye of the Tempest takes us! Eye of the Tempest is book number 4 in the Jane True series and is due out July 26th. Three more months! Ugh I am so impatient. I love the new cover though! I think this may be my favorite out of the four. What do you think?

*
Edit
*
According to Nicole Peeler, the cover found on Goodreads is not the final cover for Eye of the Tempest. The final cover will have elements from this one in it, but this is just not it. Kind of a bummer that this ISNT the one, but now I can't wait to see what is!

WoW

I just started reading Graceling by Kristin Cashore, and I must say, I haven't been this surprised to be sucked right into a book in a long time. I'm only 2 chapters in and already I think it's awesome. It's just so different from anything else I've ever read. And I love it. I can't wait to finish it! I really hope it keeps going the way the first two chapters have gone. If it does, this will definitely be added to my favorites!

Happy reading!

Review: Wings - Aprilynne Pike

Wings was an interesting new take on the "faerie" tale. Very interesting. I liked it. There were definitely some awkward moments (ie. anytime the word BLOSSOM was said... it just sounded weird) but it held my interest pretty well. Took me about 2 days to read it.

I'm not a fan of love triangles. I will say that right now. Maybe if I had read this story a few months ago it wouldn't have bothered me as much as it does now, but I'm TOTALLY over the whole "girl has one guy that is good for her and one guy she doesn't really know about and strings them both along because she can't decide." I think almost every single book I've read has had some kind of love geometric shape in it. It's old.

Anyways.

Tamani was a favorite character of mine. Despite his description though, it was hard to picture him. I wish I had been able to get a clearer image, would have made reading more fun. But that's not a problem with the writing. It's my tired imagination. Haha.

I think David kind of accepted everything a little too easily. And I'm not sure how to view Laurel's reaction at all. It was strange. Maybe just because it wasn't the type of reaction I expected out of someone with her... situation.

I'd definitely recommend this book. Not to a particular group of people. I guess to anyone looking for something new that's a quick read. Next trip to the library I'm going to have to see if I can find the second book in the series.

Covers Around The World

Was looking at the facebook page for casting of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. And started looking through the covers for all the different editions of the books. The ones for Catching Fire really caught my eye and I thought it'd just be fun to share some of the different covers I found on Goodreads.

Russian



German



Danish



Chinese (I think this one may be my fave!)

Do you have a favorite? What do you think of these pretty cool covers?

Follow Friday #7

It's time for another Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View!

This weeks feature is Cait from The Cait Files! Cuz she's awesome. And join in with her Memory Lane Monday posts every... go figure... Monday!!!

Ok, so now for the question:

What is on your current playlist?

Well, it depends on what playlist you're looking at. I have a few.

Cleaning Playlist:

• Bon Jovi - Living on a Prayer
• Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Right Round
• REO Speedwagon - Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore
• Michael Jackson - Thriller
• Roxette - She's Got The Look
• Flogging Molly - Salty Dog
• Kings of Leon - Use Somebody
• Linkin Park - Bleed It Out
• Linkin Park - What I've Done
• Motley Crue - Smokin' In The Boys Room
• Puddle of Mudd - Blurry
• Rick James - Super Freak
• Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy

Writing Playlist:

• Beethoven - Furelise
• Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata
• Dario Marianelli - Mrs. Darcy
• Dario Marianelli - Your Hands Are Cold
• Enya - Fairytale
• Enya - May It Be
• Enya - Only Time
• Enigma - Return To Innocence
• Enya - The Hills of Ireland
• Pan's Labrynth - Lullaby Strings
• Dario Marianelli - Liz On Top Of The World

Ticked Off Playlist:

• Static X - Cold
• Chevelle - The Red
• Evanescence - Lithium
• Evanescence - Everybody's Fool
• Evanescence - Imaginary
• Fly Leaf - Sick
• Linkin Park - By Myself
• Linkin Park - In The End
• Linkin Park - My December
• Linkin Park - One Step Closer
• Paramore - Misery Business
• System Of A Down - Chop Suey

Just Because Playlist:

• Emmy Rossum - Lullaby
• Paramore - Misery Business
• Plumb - In My Arms
• Seventh Day Slumber - From The Inside Out
• Third Day - God of Wonders
• Kari Jobe - Revelation Song
• Chris Tomlin - God of This City
• Chris Tomlin - Everlasting God
• Hillsong United - Mighty To Save
• Hillsong United - Awesome God

There's a bunch of other songs I listen to randomly, but those are the actual PLAYLISTS that I've got saved on my no longer active Limewire. :-( Can't wait to see yours!

Review: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (possible spoilers)

The 3rd book in the series was considerably LESS disturbing (for the most part) than the first 2. The whole series so far has been disturbing. I really wonder why the whole... for lack of a better term... incestuous theme was introduced. I really struggled with starting this book for that sole reason. Sorry... brotherly/sisterly love THAT way is just NOT my thing. I almost just wanted to throw all 3 books in the trash.

BUT, like I said, this book wasn't as gross and hard to stomach. I think I actually enjoyed most of it, honestly. Except for the part where Clary is whining about being on Wayfarer. I mean really... unless a horse is just completely off it's rocker, it's not going to simply turn around and take a chunk out of you. That part got on my nerves. Big time.

Moving on.

Not-Sebastian was ... strange. I don't remember any hair dye coming off in Clary's fingers which apprently is a big thing towards the end of the book. It obviously didn't make that much of an impression on me. Still love Simon. I think he's my favorite character, next to Luke, who really didn't play a huge roll in this book. Or at least not as big a roll as I'd like.

I'm unsure as to whether or not I want to star the Infernal Devices series... and then read City of Fallen Angels. I'm just not sure. I mean, Clary bothers me. She really doesn't think about anyone but herself. She says she does. But I don't know. It's really everyone either bends to Clary's will, or she'll do it anyway. Regardless of who has to clean up after her.

And I now cannot stand the word ICHOR. Can't stand it. You can use a word TOO many times. And that word was it. Can't stand it. I got tired of seeing the word PRETERNATURAL while reading Nicole Peeler's Jane True series (which are still awesome books), and for this series... ICHOR makes me wanna scream every time I see it now. Too sensative? Maybe. But I really can't stand repetition. Seriously.

I guess I would recommend this series to people with strong stomachs. Demons, blood, guts.... those I can deal with. But people who think they're brother and sister (regardless of whether or not they really are) but don't let that stop them from basically wanting to jump each other's bones just turns my stomach.

But kudos to Clare for at least making this one better than the first 2.

Ladies & Gentlemen

I would like to introduce you to my BOOKSHELVES.

 This Harry Potter bookend was originally purchased before Harry Potter was a movie I believe. So, we've had it for a while. My mom was big into HP stuff so we got it for her. :-)

These owls are just cool. And reminded me more of Harry Potter. I'm weird. What can I say.

So I don't have ENOUGH books to fill my shelves. I know. Horrible isn't it? And You see Elvenblood by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey there... I have the 2 other that have been published SOMEWHERE. Still wish they'd publish the final book... even though Andre's not around anymore. Next to that are some things from Angelfire signed by Courtney Allison Moulton! And next to THOSE is the note that came along with Experience written by Meg Kerr!

More HP memorablia. That little dragon right there is Norbert. :-)

And the bottom shelves have my daughter's books. It looked like she had more than that, but I didn't realize how skinny some of her books are. That's all Junie B Jones and Magic School bus etc.

And... courtesy of my brother, lol, Rough Weather Ahead for Walter the Farting Dog.

This... I am sad to say.... does not fit on my bookshelves. :-( This is Hagrid... and another Norbert. Hagrid sat watch over all my books while they were stacked up on the top of my chest of drawers. Now, I don't know where to put him. Makes me sad.

And there you have it folks. A quick look at some of the things on my shelves. There are more shelves than what's pictured, of course. But They're kind of bare, so I'm waiting until I have more on them to show them off. :-) I have other books upstairs, I just have to go through boxes to find them. But I'm wicked excited to finally have somewhere to put them!

Teaser Tuesday #9

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The teaser I was originally going to do will have to wait until the book is posted back online. It was originally going to be from The Blood Knight Series but book 2 has temporarily been removed from the internet. SO.

Since I put City of Glass on hold to read and review Experience, I am now finishing up City of Glass.

I know I did a teaser from this one LAST week, but all of my other books are downstairs on my NEW BOOKSHELVES, and people are still working on the rest of the basement. So I don't want to go down and grab anything else.

My teaser:

"Because I needed to talk to her. Alone." He caught Clary's eyes again, and the intensity in them gave her pause. She wanted to tell him not to look at her like that when Jace was there, but that would sound unreasonable and crazy, and besides, maybe he actually had something important to tell her. p 259

Can't wait to see all your teasers!

My Favorite Disney Princess

My favorite Disney Princess is Belle from Beauty and the Beast. And you want to know why? She likes to read. :-) She's a book nerd. Ah. A girl after my own heart. And I like the librarian/bookstore owner/whatever he is. I wish I could walk into a library and have them tell me I could just keep my favorite books at no charge. LoL.

Review: Experience - Meg Kerr

   I just finished reading Experience by Meg Kerr and I have to say, I was blown away. Meg is a  modern author writing effortlessly in the style of Jane Austen. I absolutely loved it. I got to spend time with some of my favorite characters again in a totally new way. I may have actually enjoyed this more than the original... it is a strong possibility.

Where Pride & Prejudice was mainly focused on Elizabeth Bennett, Experience gave you a little bit of EVERYONE. Some of the characters that served as background fixtures in Jane Austen's novel were brought front and center in Meg Kerr's sequel.

We get to know Kitty a great deal better than we had previously. And we find that without Lydia around as a "bad influence" she is actually an incredibly charming character. Lydia seems as shallow and flirtatious as always (and quite scandalous). And at one point I ACTUALLY felt sorry for Caroline Bingley. But only for a minute. Lady Catherine is as pompous as ever and Mrs. Bennett is completely frazzled and seemingly at her wits end every time we meet her.

Within the first few paragraphs I was already chuckling. Experience is funny. Not in a belly - laughing "Can you BELIEVE it" kind of way. But in a subtle way that's littered throughout the book. It kept me amused the entire time I was reading.

There were definitely frustrating points (nothing to do with the writing but with the way the characters were acting) where I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but still hoped for the best. And Meg definitely didn't disappoint. Everything was beautifully written. It was the type of book where you don't WANT to read it fast because you want to be able to soak everything in. Instead of a run or a jog it was more like a nice leisurely stroll through a peaceful quiet park.

I definitely recommend this book to absolutely anyone. Jane Austen fans, even people who've never read Pride & Prejudice, who may have only seen the movie (whatever adaptation). It's an outstanding book and is definitely a new favorite of mine.

In My Mailbox #7

In My Mailbox is hosted weekly by Kristi over at The Story Siren. It's purpose is to showcase any books or book related items that we received (in whatever form) over the last week or so.

So without further ado...

This week I received a book from Harper - Collins that I won in a giveaway on Goodreads called My New American Life by Francine Prose.

Lula, a twenty-six-year-old Albanian woman living surreptitiously in New York City on an expiring tourist visa, hopes to make a better life for herself in America. When she lands a job as caretaker to Zeke, a rebellious high school senior in suburban New Jersey, it seems that the security, comfort, and happiness of the American dream may finally be within reach. Her new boss, Mister Stanley, an idealistic college professor turned Wall Street executive, assumes that Lula is a destitute refugee of the Balkan wars. He enlists his childhood friend Don Settebello, a hotshot lawyer who prides himself on defending political underdogs, to straighten out Lula's legal situation. In true American fashion, everyone gets what he wants and feels good about it.

But things take a more sinister turn when Lula's Albanian "brothers" show up in a brand-new black Lexus SUV. Hoodie, Leather Jacket, and the Cute One remind her that all Albanians are family, but what they ask of her is no small favor. Lula's new American life suddenly becomes more complicated as she struggles to find her footing as a stranger in a strange new land. Is it possible that her new American life is not so different from her old Albanian one?

Set in the aftermath of 9/11, My New American Life offers a vivid, darkly humorous, bitingly real portrait of a particular moment in history, when a nation's dreams and ideals gave way to a culture of cynicism, lies, and fear. Beneath its high comic surface, the novel is a more serious consideration of immigration, of what it was like to live through the Bush-Cheney years, and of what it means to be an American.

What came in your mailbox?

Follow Friday #6

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee over at Parajunkee's View every week.

Q. Do you have anyone that you can discuss books with IRL? Tell us about him/her.

I don't have anyone to talk about books with that's not online. I can tell my mom what I don't like about certain books, but I don't really have anyone to have any discussions with about any books. I'm the odd ball it seems out of everyone I know... which, here is just my family. Books are my friends. :-) I'm a weirdo. What can I say.

How about you?

Reasoning With Vampires/Alex Day

I know I've blogged about both of these topics before but I wanted to bring them up again just incase someone missed them the first time.

AND

I must preface this by saying that I don't have a problem with Twilight. I thoroughly enjoyed the books and I love watching the movies.

But these are still funny.

Reasoning With Vampires:

Alex Day:

Waiting On Wednesday #4

WoW is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It spotlights upcoming releases that are anxiously awaited.

This week I'm waiting for Inheritance! The final novel in the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. It's not due out until NOVEMBER. UGH.

From Randomhouse.com:

"Not so very long ago, Eragon—Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider—was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.
Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.
The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?"

I must say this, it's about cotton picking time! I thought this was NEVER coming out! Yay. I may have to re-read Brisingr to familiarize myself with the characters again. Because even though I've read it twice and listened to the audio book, I've forgotten MOST of what happens! AHH.

Teaser Tuesday #8

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

This week I'm going to share teasers from City of Glass and Experience.

 

"Clary, stiff with horror, felt Simon stir beside her. She turned to look at him and was shocked - he was white as paper except for a hectic red flush on both cheekbones. She could see the veins snaking under his skin, like the growth of some delicate, branching coral. "The blood," he whispered, not looking at her. "I have to get away from it." p 278

(I have to say, I just opened up the book and an evelope fell out. It was a note written by Meg Kerr!!! Totally awesome... ok, on to the teaser)

"It is a suspicion generally entertained, that a honeymoon too sweet may bode ill for the marriage. It was well, therefore, that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy had a source of vexation, and that it did not derive, at least directly, from his new wife." p 1

Can't wait to read YOUR teasers!

Review - City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Like many who came before me, I liked City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare more than City of Bones.

WITH THAT BEING SAID. Honestly, what person does not have a violently ill reaction to finding out they've been snogging their own sibling? If they are, in fact, 100% brother and sister (I'm still not completely convinced) WHAT PERSON IN THEIR RIGHT MIND would say "Oy, sister dear, I don't care if we share parents, I love you in an unnatural way, gimme a kiss." And then proceed to make out in front of people. And how the people WATCHING don't hurl all over the place remains a mystery to me.

I mean, it was one thing when it's thrown at you at the end of the previous book (sorry for the spoiler). But I figured that'd be the end of it. Because really... if it were me... I probably would have heaved after finding out I was related to someone I'd made out with days before. And then I'd never speak to them again.

That's a natural reaction right?

To say... EW. Instead of... "But I still love you, lets run away together where no one knows we're brother and sister."

It's seriously disturbing and it almost made me put the book down because the concept is just disgusting. Like I said, I am not convinced wholly that they ARE in fact brother and sister, BUT THEY ARE. And ew... just... ew.

Like I said, I liked this one better than the first... but it's really hard to get past the fact that INCEST is extremely prominent in this series. It's gross. Not endearing. PLEASE please please let the third book be different. Or else I just won't bother picking up City of Fallen Angels. Or Clockwork Angel. Or any other Cassandra Clare novel at all.

* EDIT

Ok I'm back. Had to let it sit for a while before I could finish.

I liked meeting Alec's and Isabelle's parents (mostly mother, dad wasn't really written about a lot). Even though I detested her upon first meeting her, she redeemed herself. And the twist with Simon? There was no indication (that I saw) that he thought something was wrong until after the whole thing happened at the faerie court. So it was kind of weird. But I liked it. Because I'd felt bad for him in the first book. Being the only "breakable" person in the series.

Clare does seem to have an affinity though for killing people off and then saying "OH HA... just kidding!" Just sayin.

I liked that Luke took on a more paternal role in this book. Whenever I picture him I see Luke from Gilmore Girls. Maybe that's why I like him. Hmmm... anyways. As an aside, I'm really interested to see who plays all of these characters in the movie(s) (which I may or may not see... because if there's one thing worse than READING about incest it's WATCHING IT).

I'm just... I'm not really sure what to say. In the first book Clary acts jealous when someone else shows an interest in Simon. Yet, he's madly in love with her and SHE DOESNT CARE. At least she didn't spend most of this book telling us that she'd forgotten he existed.

Oy. Somewhat against my better judgement, I am going to read the third installment. With me luck.

In My Mailbox #6

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi The Story Siren. It's to showcase all the books that you got one way or another during the previous week.

This week was another sparse one, but that's ok because last week definitely makes up for it.

So this week it's Experience by Meg Kerr sent to me by Bluebell Publishing.

"This new sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice spirits the reader away to Regency England, beginning as Darcy and Elizabeth arrive at Pemberley on their honeymoon. But Elizabeth had captured the heart of more than one man…what will that man’s swift arrival at Pemberley mean for the Darcys? Lady Catherine de Bourgh is intent on capturing a husband, with or without his heart, for her daughter scorned by Darcy; and Caroline Bingley, also rejected by Darcy, is intent on achieving greater importance in the world through marriage to an aristocrat—yet who is that tall, dark man attracting her gaze who is “not quite a gentleman”? And who is it that Lydia’s eyes…and feet…are following? Kitty is turning into a woman, and her fine dark eyes are turned towards one who is out of her reach, while Jane and Bingley who had achieved perfect happiness on their marriage begin to find it retreating from their grasp. Mary, meanwhile, stakes her happiness on a union of true minds, only to learn that learning alone is a cold companion. As this Pride and Prejudice sequel moves in interwoven stories from the end of 1812 to the end of 1815, new light is shed on much loved old characters, and new characters are introduced who will make thousands of friends".

I mean really, who can get enough of Mr. Darcy? And this sounds like an amazing "sequel" to Pride & Prejudice. I can't wait to read it! What's in YOUR mailbox this week?

Follow Friday #5

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee over at Parajunkee's View every week.

This weeks FF question:

Q. Do you judge a book by it's cover?

A. Sad to say (for like the 5th time unfortunately) but I do. I know, I KNOW. "Don't judge a book by it's cover" and all that jazz. But come on, I'm not the only one that does it. Right? Right. Par example: I started reading the Wicked Lovely series (albeit in the wrong place) because of how beautiful I thought the cover for Fragile Eternity was. I mean look at it. It's absolutely GORGEOUS. Obviously once I started reading it I realized I'd started in the middle so I had to go pick up Wicked Lovely ASAP.

Now, on the flip side of that coin, I thought the cover for Tower of Change was pretty spiffy too. Kind of mysterious with the moss covering up the key and the scroll work around the outside edges. And the butterflies I thought added a nice touch. HOWEVER... I would not touch that book again with a 10 foot pole if you PAID me. I had to struggle my way over TONS of errors and just bad writing for 50 pages before I was ready to give up (see my review here). Apparently I was a glutton for punishment because I told myself that maybe it would get better if I kept reading. So I waded through the next 50 pages befoer giving up entirely. Lesson learned? Pretty cover is NOT equal to good book.

Now, another flip side (didn't you know coins had more than 2 sides? I did)... I DIDN'T pick up the hunger games because I thought the covers were plain. How awful is that? I passed them over time after time after TIME (see a pattern here?) because I looked and thought "Nah...". Here's your sign. The cover's aren't plain, they're simple. They don't need to be flashy and full of color and swirls and whatever else. The BOOKS had enough action and color and ALL OF THAT OTHER STUFF. To make the cover match the story itself would have done it a disservice. And once I knew the significance of the symbol on the cover, I never gave it a second thought. Phenomenal series.

I really should stop trying to pick my books based on what they look like... really. I probably won't though. Is that bad? Meh. At least I'm not alone in my snobbishness. :-)

Teaser Tuesday #7

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

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

This weeks teaser is from the book that I just finished reading. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (click HERE to read my review).

Review - Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Just finished reading Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I loved it. Almost as much as I loved the movie (I like the way the movie ended better, sorry Neil). For what seems like the first time ever it didn't bother me that there were such differences between the movie and the book. Maybe because I had seen the movie first instead of reading the book before. I don't know.

I loved Tristan's little friend that helped him at the beginning of his journey. And how the verses of "The Lion and the Unicorn" came to life. It was surprising because that was a rhyme I learned when I couldn't have been more than 7 or 8. I was watching some kind of version of Alice and Wonderland I believe.

This book was amazing. For all of the same reasons and a handful of different reasons than the movie. They were both just so full of enchantment and adventure. I have to add Tristan Thorn to the same list that Mr. Darcy is on. ::sigh:: I definitely would recommend this book to anyone. It was a quick and fun read and I adore the story.

Pride & Prejudice

I absolutely adore Pride & Prejudice. I love love love it. From Lizzy to Mr. Bennett to Mr. Darcy to Jane. They're all just absolutely wonderful.

That being said, I know there are multiple movie (even TV series) versions of this amazing classic. And I have to thank my brother for giving me my absolute FAVORITE of all time. Now, I love Colin Firth. I think he is a phenomenal actor. But the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice is just all that and a bag of potato chips (buffalo ranch even) if you ask me. I adore Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen is just to die for. Not to mention the scenery is breathtaking as is the soundtrack.

Which version is your favorite?

Random Acts of Kindness

 Isalys and Vanessa over at Book Soulmates have put together this amazing feature called RAK (click the icon above to go to their blog for more info!) aka Random Acts of Kindness.

Rules:

• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.

• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)

• Create a wish list and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
{Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.}

• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.

• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!
Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Easy peasy!

Speak Movie Trailer

For anyone who hasn't seen it or didn't know it was a movie too:

In My Mailbox #5

Time for another IMM hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. IMM is to show off books you've bought/stolen/borrowed/begged for/been given/etc.

This is my pretty kitty (once thought to be pure Maine Coon, now looks like a mix between coon/ragdoll awww) Cinderella showing off all of the books that I received since last Sunday. Yesterday was my birthday so of course, I told everyone I wanted books. And books I got. :-) Two of them I've already read.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien (which I'm reading with my 8 year old)

Stardust by Neil Gaiman (which I'm also currently reading, AND it's my favoite movie)

Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater (the bookstore FINALLY got a copy in!)

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (see my review here)

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (read my review here)

Perchance To Dream by Lisa Mantchev

Lots of books! What did you get in your mailbox?

PS. I also got a TON of books for my Kindle Reader on my phone. But they were all free! WOot.

Review - Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

I just finished reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson this afternoon.

I'd seen the movie some time ago. Wasn't aware there was a book, unil I saw a review for it on another book reviewers blog. I'm glad I bought it. If I thought the movie hit home, the book was that much more.

Everyone knows a Melinda Sordino. Or maybe you are Melinda Sordino. This book is like that first person that steps forward and inspires others to do the same. It gives other people that may have been in similar situations the opportunity to find their voice. And use it. Obviously it's appropriately titled.

It really is a beautifully written story. Melinda is such a strong character and she doesn't even realize it. She went through an unspeakably horrific event that has changed her from the carefree 8th grader she'd been before our story takes place, to the incredibly depressed 9th grader that thinks she's barely keeping her head above water. But she keeps treading water on her own.

Everyone just assumes she's a freak. They assume she's just begging for attention. SO many people who could give her a hand out of the dark hole she's been forced into but no one bothers to take the time to notice that she needs it. So she carries this soul crushing secret throughout her entire first year in highschool. And it doesn't break her.

I recommend this to absolutely everyone. Boys, girls, adults, teens... it will have a profound impact on ANYONE who decides to turn the pages.

Review - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I started reading Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins last night and finished it about 5 minutes ago.

It made me sad. Lots of it made me sad. I definitely liked the book. And LOVED the series. Honestly, I think it's one of the best trilogies that I've read in a LONG time. There were a lot of shocks and surprises (not all the time good) in this one, and a lot of things that just completely broke my heart. But I think it tied up the story nicely. Kind of wish there'd been some way to keep the series going, but I realize that it probably would have made it start to suck if that had happened. I always hate it when I'm done with the last book though. GrRrR.

Seriously though, the Hunger Games trilogy was outstanding. I'm almost afraid to watch any movie version because I know I'll do what I always do and completely tear it apart before remembering that the movie is not the book. But if the movie is even half as good as the books were then I know I'll have a new favorite film in no time.

I mean wow.

If you haven't read them, I strongly suggest it.

Or I will find you, tie you to a chair, and read them to you.

Yes.

I said it.