BMB Giveaway #4: The Lover's Dictionary: a novel by David Levithan

Next I'm giving away a hardcover copy of David Levithan's book, The Lover's Dictionary. Click on the link below to enter. Ends February 9. US mailing addresses only. Good luck!

ENTER HERE

blurb from goodreads:

A sweet and touching modern love story, told through dictionary entriesbasis, n. There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you’re in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself. If the moment doesn’t pass, that’s it—you’re done. And if the moment does pass, it never goes that far. It stands in the distance, ready for whenever you want it back. Sometimes it’s even there when you thought you were searching for something else, like an escape route, or your lover’s face. How does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan’s The Lover’s Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.

review: Clarity by Kim Harrington

pub date: March 1, 2011
publisher: Scholastic Point
pgs: 256
source: ALA Midwinter
appeals: mystery, contemporary, romance, supernatural
challenge: Debut Challenge

blurb from goodreads:
Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?


me:
I didn't know much about this book when I started reading it. I picked it up because I thought the cover was awesome. Once I began, I thought the story was awesome, too. Though it's a murder that Clare is helping to investigate, it was really fun. It wasn't too heavy or dark.  

The very first chaper is just one page, a flash forward to near the end of the book. A boy has been shot and is bleeding next to Clarity, while other person (who I just assumed was a boy) has a gun pointed at her head. Chapter two begins nine days before this event. So it's kind of a countdown to the Big Reveal. And the whole countdown I'm keeping track of all the boys that Clarity comes into contact with. The list kept growing...and growing...and growing. Wow, she knows a lot of boys. So I'm guessing which boy was shot and which boy was the one with the gun...and I don't know. It was fun trying to guess.

I liked the different characters, especially Clare. There is a boy that I'm totally rooting for her to get with...but it'll have to wait until the next book. I'm crossing my fingers. 

I also liked the supernatural abilities Clare and her family have. How they play off each other and use their skills in different ways. Clare helping out the police...super cool. Really, I'm glad this is going to be a series. I want to read more.

I did think that Clare was rather stupid at one point in the story. So much so that I almost stopped reading, but I'm glad I didn't. And I really, really did not like her brother. He was a pig. And I'm just glad Clare recognized that. She still loved him and wanted to help him, but she knew he was a pig. I'll be okay if he isn't in the next book. But maybe he'll clean up his act by then?

Anyway, a fun, quick, quirky, murder mystery. I look forward to the rest of the series!

BMB Giveaway #3: Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

Next up, Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr. For a chance to win, click on the link below. US mailing address only, ends February 9th.

ENTER HERE

Darkest Mercy blurb from goodreads:

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.

The thrilling conclusion to Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless. 

review: Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

pub date: Feb 1, 2011
publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
pages: 240
source: ALA midwinter

blurb from goodreads:
Fans of romance don't need to look any further than the fauxmance brewing between teen idols Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers—known on their hit TV show as Jenna and Jonah, next-door neighbors flush with the excitement of first love. But it's their off-screen relationship that has helped cement their fame, as passionate fans follow their every PDA. They grace the covers of magazines week after week. Their fan club has chapters all over the country. The only problem is their off-screen romance is one big publicity stunt, and Charlie and Fielding can't stand to be in the same room. Still, it's a great gig, so even when the cameras stop rolling, the show must go on, and on, and on. . . . Until the pesky paparazzi blow their cover, and Charlie and Fielding must disappear to weather the media storm. It's not until they're far off the grid of the Hollywood circuit that they realize that there's more to each of them than shiny hair and a winning smile.

me:
I was kind of expecting a sweet, innocent romance. I got the sweet part, but the innocent not so much. Which I should not have been surprised about...this is Hollywood. Or, you know, a book version of it.

I'm a sucker for romantic stories. And that is what Charlie and Fielding have...a romantic story. Sure, to begin with they hate each other. But that was what made the book so fun. I loved reading about how that hate changed to doubt. And then love. And then then way they come together. Though I wish them coming together had happened sooner. The tension was there...but the actual romance itself took a while to arrive.

This is a fun book. I especially liked Charlie and Fielding's banter. They really knew how to push each others buttons. Charlie was, at (most) times, annoyingly uptight, but Fielding's carefree attitude about (most) everything made up for it.

BMB Giveaway #2: Blood and Flowers by Penny Blubaugh

Today's giveaway is Penny Blubaugh's Blood and Flowers. I think the covers really cool and it sounds interesting. If you'd like to enter, just click on the link below. Ends February 9. US mailing addresses only.

ENTER HERE

blurb from goodreads:

Three years ago, Persia ran away from her drug-addict parents and found a home with the Outlaws, an underground theater troupe. With time, this motley band of mortals and fey, puppeteers and actors, becomes the loving family Persia never had, and soon Persia not only discovers a passion for theater but also falls in love with one of the other Outlaws. Life could not be more perfect.

Until an enemy makes an unfair accusation against the group and forces them to flee their world and hide in the neighboring realm of Faerie. But in Faerie, all is not flowers and rainbows. With bloodthirsty trolls, a hostile monarchy, and a dangerous code of magic, the fey world is far from the safe haven the Outlaws had hoped for....

Following up her critically acclaimed Serendipity Market, Penny Blubaugh has created a beautiful and mysterious world where anything can happen—especially what you least expect

review: Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

pub date: February 1, 2011
publisher: Harlequin
pages: 208
source: netgalley
challenge: ebook

blurb from goodreads:
Heroine, Bridget Duke, rules her high school, but when she crashes her car and ends up in limbo, she must confront the people she has wronged, all of whom want her to go to hell. The outcome of these meetings will decide her final destination.

me:
I had a hard time with this book in the beginning, for two reasons.

The first reason is because we begin the story with the car crash, then rewind a few weeks and get the rundown of what had happened before Bridget hits a tree. It isn't until at least half way through that we're back to the crash again. It took longer to get to this point in the story than I was expecting, so the beginning seemed rather long to me though it probably wasn't. I liked it, it just wasn't what I was expecting.

Second, Bridget isn't a very likable character. She understands that she isn't as nice as she could be, but she's so wrapped up in herself she doesn't do anything about it. I didn't get why anyone would want to be her friend even if she was the most popular girl.

So put the two together and I'm reading a longer beginning than I expected about a character I didn't like for longer than I wanted...you get the idea.

However, I really enjoyed the second half of the book. Once we get to limbo and Bridget has to face what a creep she is, the pace picks up. And I bought into Bridget understanding what a jerk she was and that she would really change.
Here Lies Bridget reminded me a lot of Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, but even more so 7 Souls by Barnabas Miller and Jordan Orlando. Though Here Lies Bridget is much more lighthearted and humorous. And has a happier ending.

So overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a fast read with a memorable main character and a happy ending and even a kiss. And I really do like that cover. 

help!

I just finished Divergent by Veronica Roth. I really liked it. Intense, original, exciting, funny, romantic...but also confusing. There is one plot element that just doesn't make sense to me. Anyone else read it? Will you email me at resugoo[at]gmail[dot]com so I can ask you to explain this one plot point to me? Just one question. Pleeeease? I really want to understand.

BMB Giveaway #1: The Chaos by Rachel Ward

Yay! It's time the first giveaway of the Beat the Midwinter Blues! I'm giving away The Chaos by Rachel Ward. It's the second book of the Numbers series. Looks goooood...

Contest ends February 9th, US mailing addresses only. Good luck!

ENTER HERE

The Chaos blurb from goodreads:

Adam sees 'numbers' - when he looks in peoples' eyes he can see their death-dates, just like his mum Jem used to. Adam has trouble dealing with his awful gift, and when he realises that everyone around him has the same series of numbers, he becomes deeply afraid of what might happen in 2025.

Desperate to find out what could be about to go wrong, Adam spends hours researching possibilities - war, nuclear accidents, killer viruses. He knows something big is coming, but what? And is there anything he can possibly do about it

In My Mailbox (12)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristy at The Story Siren. Link up and join.

This week I hit up the library book sale. I love used books, as least if they're in good condition.

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst

Trickster's Choice Tamora Pierce

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

I also went to Barnes and Noble. Went a little crazy. I went in for ONE book that they didn't have and came out with four that I hadn't planned on. I've read Once a Witch, but the other three I haven't. I'm excited about them...just not sure when I'll get to read them.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Eon by Alison Goodman 

Prophecy of Sisters by Michelle Zink

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Disney also sent me a book. Yay! Thanks Disney.

Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore

Over all it was a really good book week.

Delirium Winner!

kjovus is the winner of Delirium! Congrats!

I forgot to ask for emails, so if you have any questions, let me know.



review: Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

pub date: February 15, 2011
publisher: Harlequin Teen

pages: 320
source: NetGalley

blurb from goodreads:
Me? A Leader? Okay, I did prove that there's more to Inside than we knew. That a whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion - between worker scrubs like me and the snobby uppers who rule our world. Make that ruled. Because of me, we're free. I thought that meant I was off the hook, and could go off on my own again - while still touching base with Riley, of course. He's the one upper I think I can trust. But then we learned that there's outside and then there is Outside. And something from Outside wants In.

me:
Inside Out, the first in the series, was okay to begin with. I thought the romance undeveloped, the writing was more like a list of actions than a story that flowed, and the plot was kind of slow. I was less than impressed...until the very end. Then it kinda blew my mind. And my final impression of the book was very favorable.

So I had to read the next in the series. I wasn't disappointed.

Outside In was pretty much awesome the whole way through. I didn't want to put the book down and read it in one sitting. There were a lot of twists and jumps that made reading it lots of fun. And suspenseful.

It wasn't just the plot that I liked more, I also enjoyed the characters and relationships more. Riley we get to know better and him and Trella's relationship is a lot more developed. Though  a lot more than innocent kissing is going on. The dynamics of the uppers and lowers and the issues they face after Inside Out was very interesting and believable. Trella's evolution as a character was also believable. She really didn't want responsibility in either of the books, but she does what she has to do to save her world. And she changes by doing so. I like her a lot.

The wrap up at the end was rather abrupt. We have 300 pages of problems, then a few at the end making all the problems go away. Some parts of the plot took me out of the story because they didn't fit for me. And it was rather serendipitous how the technology they needed popped up at the most opportune times. But it was just fun. And exciting. So that makes me overlook the rest. 

I really enjoyed this book. Snyder is amazing at creating intriguing worlds and characters.

review: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

pub date: Jan 2004
publisher: Scholastic
pages: 304
source: library
format: audiobook


blurb from goodreads:
Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life: he plays drums in the All-Star Jazz band, has a crush on the hottest girl in the school, and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey.



But when Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia, Steven's world is turned upside down. He is forced to deal with his brother's illness and his parents' attempts to keep the family in one piece. Salted with humor and peppered with devastating realities, Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie is a heartwarming journey through a year in the life of a family in crisis.

me:
Wow, how I love this book.

Sonnenblick has a way of writing about heart wrenching life experiences, but with such humour that I'm laughing through my tears. Through all the struggles that Steven and his family go through, there is such hope and love. I loved Steven's family, I loved Steven's friends. In the end it was a very feel good book for all downer stuff in it.

We listened to this book while driving to California two weeks ago, all three of us were bawling and/or laughing for five hours. We loved it.

Earlier this year Sonnenblick's After Ever After came out, it's about Jeffery when he's 13 and dealing with the after effects of chemo. I loved it for the same reason--real characters dealing with life and death issues but finding hope and humor.

Anyway, I love this book as well as After Ever After. I highly recommend both.

Beat the Midwinter Blues Giveaway

The ALA midwinter exhibit floor is rather awesome. So when calm, collected, reasonable resugo walked through the doors, she turned into Greedy Book Beast. It wasn't conscious, but as I've been unpacking my books, I'm realizing there isn't anyway I'll be able to read them all. I took books I was interested in reading, but that was more than I have time for. I feel rather badly. I hate the idea of books rotting on my shelves, unread and unloved. Thus, the idea of a giveaway. Hopefully someone else will read and love and review them.

Starting next Monday January 24, I'll be posting a giveaway every few days. US mailing addresses only. All giveaways will end Wednesday February 9 at midnight. I'll update the list of giveaways here as I post them on my blog.

1. The Chaos by Rachel Ward

2. Blood and Flowers by Penny Blubaugh

3. Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

4. The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

5. Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

6. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

I'm also giving away a swag bag. If you spread the word about my Midwinter Blues giveaway, on your blog, tweeting, telling your neighbor, then

ENTER HERE.

Every time you share is a separate entry. Enter this one as many times as you want. This giveaway ends Monday February 7. I've added more stuff since taking this picture, but I'll leave the rest of the swag a surprise. And isn't that gavel pen totally cool?

From Prada to Nada

I really want to see this movie! I think it looks hilarious. It's a spin on Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Comes out in two weeks. Can't wait!

in my mailbox (11)

I got a lot of really awesome books this week at the ALA midwinter conference. These are a few that I'm super excited about. My camera is being a pain so these were taken with my phone--not the best pics.

Corsets and Clockwork Story Collection

Lost and Found by Shaun Tan

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

(so excited! I love Dessen)

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

(I'm a huge Marchetta fan. Loved saving Francesca and Jellico Road)

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Back When You Were Easier To Love by Emily Wing Smith

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

(such a beautiful looking book-and it's just an arc)

Like Maderine by Kristen Hubbard

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

(huge harvey fan here)

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

(yay! yay! yay!)

Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

(already read, massively in love with this book)

Nightspell by Leah Cypress

Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

(I own The Ghost and the Goth but haven't read it yet, now I must so I can read this one!)

The very last day of the conference most of the publishers sell or giveaway their hardcover and paperback display copies. Half of these I bought for $5 each, the other half I got for free. If I'd had more cash with me, I probably would have bought more. It's an addiction.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

(I need to read this!)

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

(loved this book-beautiful writing and touching story)

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

(need to read this one, too!)

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

(loved this book!)

Nightshade by Andrea

Rosebush by Michele Jaffe

(this book intrigues me lots...must read)

The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala

Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien

(love this book. Can't wait for the next)

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John 

in my mailbox is a meme hosted by kristy at The Story Siren



wow! Where She Went is amazing

I was so happy to snag a copy of Where She Went at Midwinter. It was THE book I was hoping would be available. Once we had a copy, over the next few days Jaye and I would burst out sporadically, "Where She Went! Where She Went!" We even had a little dance to go along with our chant. Just the idea of the book instantly put smiles on our faces.

I wanted to reread If I Stay since it'd been a year and a half since I'd read it. I started it Wednesday, finished it yesterday during my lunch break. It was even more wonderful than I remembered.


I got home at 8:30 last night and the first thing I did was get out Where She Went. I knew starting it would be a bad idea since there was no way I was going to bed until I'd finished it. But I couldn't wait. I had to know. Ever since I read that Adam and Mia had broken up after If I Stay, I'd been sad. I'd always imagined them being together, and they weren't. I just could not wait any longer.

I loved it. Absolutely loved it. Last night I stayed up an extra half hour after finishing just to reread the ending. This morning when I woke up 45 minutes before my alarm (which really sucked since I got to bed so late), I reread the beginning. All day I've been thinking about Adam and Mia. I'm going to be living in this book for the next few days. I'm just not ready to let go. It is that wonderful.

I'm going to review it a little later on, closer to the release date. But right now I just had to share how much I loved Where She Went.

And I love the cover.

book review shorts

I read a lot of books that I never get around to reviewing. So I decided I should get around to reviewing them--but just in short snippets.

Vinyl Princess--Yvonne Prinz--December 2009--HarperTeen--320 pages--3 apples
blurb: Allie, a sixteen-year-old who is obsessed with LPs, works at the used record store on Telegraph Ave. and deals with crushes--her own and her mother's--her increasingly popular blog and zine, and generally grows up over the course of one summer in her hometown of Berkeley, California.
me: I enjoyed the humor in this book. I liked Allie's relationship with her mom and her best friend. I liked the romances Allie has over the summer. The obvious one, and the not so obvious one. I liked her blog and zine and her passion for music and vinyl. Overall, a fun book.

Fever Crumb--Philip Reeve--April 2010--Scholastic Press--324 pages--4 apples
blurb: Foundling Fever Crumb has been raised as an engineer although females in the future London, England, are not believed capable of rational thought, but at age fourteen she leaves her sheltered world and begins to learn startling truths about her past while facing danger in the present.
me: My favorite aspect of this world Reeve created was that it was the future after some great plague and the people are using old technology that they don't understand anymore. But that technology is beyond what we have now. I also loved the slang that had evolved (googling meant looking for someone in a crowd) and the way they used obsolete objects (tiling the floor with old computer board keys). Fascinating.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda--Tom Angleberger--April 2010--Amulet Books--144 pages--3 apples
blurb: Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with a paper finger puppet of Yoda, worn by their weird classmate Dwight, as they try to figure out whether or not the puppet can really predict the future.
me: Humorous and quirky middle-grade book. Dwight is rather odd, and though he remains odd through the whole book, his oddness is accepted.


The Gospel According to Larry--Janet Tashjian--2001--Puffin Books--240 pages--4 apples
blurb: After creating a controversial and hugely popular website, teenager Josh Swensen becomes trapped inside his brilliant creation and must find a way to remain anonymous.
me: An oldie, but a goodie. I listened to this book because Josh Swenson is my good friend's hero. She does not believe in collecting possessions and hopes to be like Josh someday. The story was interesting and rather crazy, but also so believable. If I didn't know going in that it was purely fiction, I could have believed that it was true.

*links to goodreads.com

Delirium Giveaway

I returned home yesterday from San Diego where I visited the Exhibit floor at the ALA Midwinter Conference.

I snagged an ARC of Delirium by Lauren Oliver. Super exciting.

But then the last day HarperCollins sold their display books, and I bought a hardback copy of the book for $5. It was pretty awesome.

Which means I'm giving away the ARC of Delirium.

It's a really cool cover and I'm actually finding it hard to part with. But my bookshelves are rather full and I don't need two copies of the same book. Thus the giveaway!

I really love this book!

Giveway details:

US mailing addresses only

ends Thursday January 20 at Midnight (moutain time)

to enter, must fill out the form below

review: Deliruim by Lauren Oliver

pub date: February 1, 2011
publisher: HarperTeen
pgs: 440 pgs
source: NetGalley
content: some swearing (two f-bombs)

blurb from goodreads:
Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.


But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

me:
If I were to describe Delirium in one word, it would be the word BEAUTIFUL. Everything is beautiful--the characters, with their imperfections and struggles and the way they grow throughout the book. The descriptions of this cold, dystopic world are amazing. As I was reading I was astounded at Lauren Oliver's detailed descriptions of people, places, and Lena's past. I felt like I'd been to this city she was describing, that I knew these people. It was real. Absolutely beautiful. Every aspect of this story amazed me.

I bought into this future world. What helped were the book quotes at the beginning of each chapter. They read like real quotes from text books and sounded like real nursery rhymes. I could believe that the texts really existed that these quotes came from. 


I liked Lena. She was a heroine who was short and awkward and quiet and insecure and normal. I felt her struggle. She was invested in this society, and for many good reasons, not the least of which is that she'll get matched to her husband because she's afraid no one would pick her without being assigned. Yet when everything she believed in slowly chips away and falls apart, she accepts the challenge to rise above it. I loved her. 


I also thought the love story was well done and well paced. Lena has been so brainwashed into believing in the cure, that she needed some time to have a paradigm shift and it worked.

Having said all of that, I thought it began slowly. I was a third of the way through before I felt something was actually happening. As beautiful as the descriptions were, sometimes they got a little long for me and I would have to skim.

Over all, 4.5 stars. But since I don't give out halves, I'll round up to 5.

A funny story: Reading Delirium, I felt a lot of different emotions--hope, fear, romance. Near the end, it was mostly panic. As pages ran out, I was getting more worried about how Lena's story would end. I reached the last chapter and was completely horrified. NOOOOOOOOO! My heart broke. I kind of hated the book.
UNTIL I read online that Delirium was the first in a trilogy. Oh. I had no idea. The whole time I was reading I thought it was a stand alone. Once I realized I wasn't saying, "goodbye forever," just "see you next year," my heart healed. And I love this book.

review: The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

release date: September 2006
publisher: Dial
pgs: 272
source: library
format: audiobook
reader: Daniel Passer

from goodreads:
For Matt and his sisters, life with their cruel, vicious mother is a day-to-day struggle for survival. But then Matt witnesses Murdoch coming to a child's rescue in a convenience store, and for the first time, he feels a glimmer of hope. When, amazingly, Murdoch begins dating Matt's mother, life is suddenly almost good. But the relief lasts only a short time. When Murdoch inevitably breaks up with their mother, Matt knows he needs to take action. But can he call upon his hero? Or will he have to take measures into his own hands? A heart-wrenching portrait of a family in crisis, this is Nancy Werlin's most compulsively readable novel yet.



me:
I listened to this book while driving in my car. I didn't know anything about it, it was just the author's name that caught my eye while I was scanning the library shelves for something to listen to. There wasn't even a synopsis on the back.

It's probably a good thing I had no idea what the book was about or I probably would not have listened to it. And it was good. Horrifying and sad and suspenseful, but a really well written, well crafted, well read book.

It took me two weeks to get through the first two discs. I kept stopping it to take breaks. Matthew is writing a letter to his younger sister about the events from years before. Why was he writing a letter? Was he in jail? What did he end up doing to escape from Nikki? So between the actions of Nikki and the mystery of the letter, it was a little suspenseful for me. If it had been a book I was reading, I totally would've skipped to the end before finishing the middle. But around disc two or three Matt clues me in on the purpose of the letter and I was a lot better after that and finished it in a few days. Even sat in my car (and it has been cold!) to listen longer.

I loved the characters in this book. Matt and Cali and Murdoch--real, flawed characters. No heroes here, just good people trying the best they can.

Really liked this book. If you like audiobooks, you should listen to it. I thought Passer did an excellent job of reading.

roadtrip!

So, the past few weeks have been a little crazy. My blog has suffered! I'm so sorry! But it's going to suffer for a little bit longer. In a few hours I'm heading off to warm, sunny California. I am very excited. Mostly because it's 60 degrees there! 40 degrees warmer than here. I can't wait.

The ALA Midwinter is this weekend, and lucky me, I'll just happen to be in San Diego! I couldn't have planned it better. I am not attending the conference. Instead, just the exhibit floor in my unoffical capacity of Bookaholic. When I get back I will have loads of new books to talk about.

Until then, sorry about the lameness that is this blog

goodbye 2010--welcome 2011!

Happy New Year! Hope you've had a nice first few hours of 2011. I have. I slept in (remember when staying up past midnight was an occasion instead of the norm?), worked out (need to start on those resolutions!), and read a book (sadly, this one was for work. Not one I would've picked up on my own).

In 2010 I read 155 books. Sometimes I'll think of a scene or a character that I read somewhere and it'll take me most of a day to pinpoint in what book I read it. Anyone else have that problem?

Here are My Most Memorable 2010 reads (in no particular order):

 Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

I loved the world White created. And the humor! I laughed so much while reading this book. Fun, fun story.

 7 Souls by Barnabas Miller and Jordan Orlando

I could've done without the excessive swearing and the cover is ugly, but I loved how twisted this book was.

Birthmarked by Caragh O'brien

This book was so completely different than I expected it to be. I was surprised at every turn. And I loved it. Cannot wait for the next in this series.

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman

I love Shusterman. LOVE HIM! I loved the characters he created in this very totally awesome book. I cried. Not because it was a downer (it's ultimately hopeful), but because I was touched. (okay, that sounded a little dorky--but it's true!).

 Matched by Ally Condie

Condie created a world that I was intrigued by. I loved how the scope of the world grew as the story unfolded. And the writing was beautiful, almost poetic.

 Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Contemporary/Historical/Realistic/Fantasy. I was drawn in and finished the book in a day. Donnelly has a way with words.

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner

This is the fourth in a series, and whereas it isn't my favorite in the series, (that would be King of Attolia), I still really liked it. This series (the Queen's Thief series) about Gen is my favorite series, EVER. These are the books I recommend to everyone who asks for a good book to read.

Split by Swati Avasthi

What really stood out to me was Jace. He is heroic in his determination to not become his father and make a new path for himself. Wow.

Hearts at Stake, Blood Feud, and Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

I so very much love the Drake Chronicles, though more honestly I should say I'm in love with the Drake Brothers. Awesome vampire family. Hilarious. Kick-butt heroines. I love these books.

As for 2011, I don't have a reading goal. I read because I love to read and to have a goal to read so many books by the end of the year kind of takes the fun out of it for me. Makes it more of a chore and less an enjoyable activity. So I'll just read. A lot. Probably more than 2010 since my life is about to get less complicated. And in 12 months I'll be interested to see how many books that added up to.

Anyway, hope you have a great 2011!