Follow Friday #50

Thanks to Parajunkee and Alison Can Read for hosing Feature and Follow Friday as always!

This weeks question is an interesting one...

Q: Today’s is the US’ Independence Day. Share your favorite book with a war in it, or an overthrow of the government.

A: First, I know Independence Day was yesterday, but I didn't get around to this yesterday. :-P Second, I don't think I've read many books with war or overthrown government in them.There was War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, but I felt so bad for that horse the entire time I wanted to throw my book out the window every time something happened to that poor animal. Then there's The Hunger Games, which I love, but I don't know if it's my favorite.

I don't know if this is considered either one of those novels, but I would have to go with Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Or maybe that whole series, because I love them. Katsa is usurping the rule of her uncle, King Randa by working with her friends to save people rather than kill them, which is what he thinks she was more or less born to do. Not to mention she has to save Bitterblue from King Leck and then find some way to defeat him.

What's your favorite "war" book? 

End of 2012 Book Survey

This survey was created by The Perpetual Page - Turner, and I know that I'm more than a week late, but hey... I get credit for doing it. Right?

I may skip a few questions here and there because unfortunately, I didn't read as much as I wish I had this year and I can't just name every book I've read for every question. :-P

Anyways, here we go.

1. Best book you read in 2012?
   Wow. It's hard to pick just one. And even with the 4 that I think are tied for first, there are a bunch more that could be right up there with them. But right now I'm going to have to go with Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, Forever by Maggie Stiefvater, So Silver Bright by Lisa Mantchev, and Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry.

2. Best series you discovered in 2012?
   Well, not necessarily that I discovered it, but I didn't start reading it until this year. But I read book one in The Tiger Saga by Colleen Houck and even though the main character is irritatingly ridiculous at times, I enjoyed it enough to want to read the rest of the series. Although I can tell by reviews written by other people that it's going to infuriate me almost as much as book one did.

3. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
   Hmmm... this one is probably an easy one. There are LOTS of gorgeous (and some not so gorgeous but equally as awesome) covers... but I'd have to say that it's a tie between Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore and Mark of Betrayal by A.M. Hudson.

4. Most memorable character in 2012?
   Hands down, Cole St. Clair from the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater.  He was my hero from the moment I finished Linger and I loved him even more in Forever. It also helps that I adore listening to this man narrate his part. ::cough:: Wow. Dan Bittner is just.... ::sigh:: I may also have to go with Jason Knight from The Dark Secret Series. He had a rough start in the series but he completely redeemed himself and he's just wonderful.

Moving on...

5. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
   Oh geez. This one isn't steamy or anything like that. But War Horse by Michael Morpurgo literally had me so frustrated I threw my book across the room. It was basically one of those "anything that can go wrong will go wrong" type of books and I just felt SO bad for that poor horse and the good people involved with him (just the good people... the bad ones can go and.... ::ahem:: nevermind). I'm the type of person where if I watch a movie and a person dies, it's sad. But if I'm watching a movie and an animal gets hurt or dies.... it ruins my WHOLE week. And I'm sobbing like an idiot.

6. Favorite relationship from a book in 2012?
   Ooh ooh. Nate and Bertie from the Theatre Illuminata trilogy by Lisa Mantchev. I love Nate. He's a strong and handsome pirate who's completely smitten with Bertie. And Bertie is a strong and independent woman who has a heart the size of the world. They balance each other out nicely and he gets her. And he's a pirate. Did I mention that?

That's about all I think I'm gonna answer for now. I know it's only 6 questions, but I figure that's enough. And again, sorry I'm late. But better late than never! Word. Now get to reading!

Review - War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

I had to read the book before seeing the movie. I couldn't watch War Horse without knowing what was going to happen. Michael Morpurgo definitely put together an incredibly touching story when he decided to put pen to paper (so to speak) for this one.

In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

This story is told from Joey's point of view. It's unbiased and incredibly observant and completely heartwrenching. Joey's sold right out from under Albert's nose by an alcoholic father who is desperate for money. The man who buys him promises Albert he'll take wonderful care of him. And he does, but it doesn't last forever. Joey's story is full of miracle after tragedy after miracle and it's so sad to read. But warms your heart at the same time. Just when you think things couldn't get any worse, they get better. Only to get worse again... only to get better. It's an incredible roller-coaster of a story.

War Horse is a fast read. And I wasn't sure I'd be able to make it through without sobbing because I HATE seeing animals hurt or neglected... I can't stand it when they die in movies (seriously, I was a blubbering mess in King Kong and I Am Legend when the dog dies saving Will Smith).

It was really interesting to read it from Joey's point of view... kind of gives you a look into the mind and soul of these big, beautiful creatures that we can't get otherwise. He's got an incredibly huge heart and a gentle spirit and there were several places in his story that had me tearing up. I kept having to put my Kindle down because I just didn't think I could read any more. The poor thing just couldn't catch a break! But every time I read something that broke my heart, it was followed by something that put it right back together.

I think this would have to be one of my favorite novels. It's absolutely wonderful. I STILL don't know how watching the movie will go (I'll be sure to have lots of tissues) but if it's anything like the book it has to be wonderful.

Definitely recommended for everyone.

Teaser Tuesday #36

Thank you to MizB of Should Be Reading for giving us Teaser Tuesday every week!
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's teaser comes from the book I finished today, War Horse by Michael Morpurgo.

An ominous shadow had fallen on the yard that morning, and not one of us could settle in our stables. When we were led out for exercise, we were jumpy and skittish, and Albert, like the other soldiers, reponded with impatience, jerking sharply, something I had never known him to do before.

Lots of commas, but I promise you, the book is definitely worth reading. Can't wait to see your teasers!

Teaser Tuesday #32

Thank you to MizB of Should Be Reading for giving us Teaser Tuesday every week!
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's teaser comes from War Horse by Michael Morpurgo.

It was nothing special when he came into the stable that morning and led Zoey out. But when he came back into the stable afterward and began to sweet-talk me and held out a bucket of sweet-smelling oats, I was immediately suspicious. But the oats and my own inquisitiveness overcame my better judgement, and he was able to slip a halter over my head before I could pull away. His voice, however, was unusually gentle and kind as he tightened the halter and reached out slowly to stroke my neck. "You'll be all right, old son," he said softly. "You'll be all right. They'll look after you - they promised they would. And I need the money, Joey; I need the money bad."

I really wasn't sure I wanted to read this book, after watching the previews for the movie. Horses hold a soft spot in my heart and ... well, I just don't know. But There it is. That's how far I've gotten. Can't wait to see ya'lls teasers!

In My Mailbox #26

Thank you to Kristi, The Story Siren, for hosting IMM every week!

As I've said before, I am not in town this week. I'm in Missouri visiting with family!

But I wanted to share with you all some of the books I got this past week.

FIRST of all, I got a Kindle Fire and I have to tell you, it is amazing. I've always been kind of against e-readers or online reading (with a few exceptions) because I LOVE being able to put a hard copy of a book on my shelf when I'm done. But, I will admit, this has won me over.

For Christmas I got 2 books.

The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook by Dinah Bucholz

&

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Totally excited to cook up some Harry Potter recipes. And equally excited to read the first book in the Heroes of Olympus series (I know, I'm behind... what can I say).

Now, because I've been on a Kindle book buying binge, I'm not going to list ALL of the books I got, because that would take forever, but I want to give you all an idea.

Humanity Scar by Monique Doucette

Entwined by Heather Dixon

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Alice in Deadland by Mainak Dhar

Luthiel's Song: War of Mists by Robert Fanney

The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross

That's just some of my great finds for the week!

What did you guys get this go around?