Showing posts with label memes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label memes. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (42)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme to discuss upcoming books we can't wait to get our hands on. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


This week I'm waiting on:

The Traitor and the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee
Publication date: August 2011 (UK), Spring 2012 (US)

Description:

Queen Victoria has a little problem: there’s a petty thief at work in Buckingham Palace. Mary Quinn takes the simple case, going undercover as a domestic servant. But before long, a scandal threatens to tear apart the Royal Family. One of the Prince of Wales’s irresponsible young friends is killed in disgraceful circumstances. Should the Queen hush things up or allow justice to take its course? Mary’s interest in this private matter soon becomes deeply personal: the killer, a drug-addicted Chinese sailor, shares a name with her long-lost father. Meanwhile, James Easton’s engineering firm is repairing the sewers beneath Buckingham Palace. Trouble is, there’s a tunnel that’s not on the plans. Its purpose is unclear. But it seems to be very much in use. These overlapping puzzles offer a perfect opportunity for Mary and James to work together again… if they can still trust one another. This is Mary’s most personal case yet and she has everything to lose.

I think this sounds like a fantastic mystery. I love that it is set in Buckingham Palace! I am really enjoying this series so far. I can't believe we have to wait till 2012 to get it here in the U.S. I may just have to order it from Book Depository when the UK version is released.


What are you waiting on this week?

Monday, February 21, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays (39)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB 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 and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser 1:

"The girl breaks into a run and launches herself into his arms. They kiss, and she laces her fingers through his hair. His beautiful, perfect hair. My stomach drops, and I turn from the spectacle."


Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
p. 91

Description from Goodreads:

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

This is a cute book so far. I really feel bad for Anna in that scene above but I'm optimistic that there will be a happy ending.


Teaser 2:

"Grace versus power, although, if I were entirely truthful, Brisbane had his own sort of grace, nothing so effete as Edward's, but graceful just the same. Brisbane put one in mind of wolves and lithe jungle cats, while Edward conjured images of seraphim and slim young saints."


Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
p. 224

Description from Goodreads:


"LET THE WICKED BE ASHAMED, AMD LET THEM BE SILENT IN THE GRAVE." These ominous words, slashed from the pages of a book of Psalms, are the last threat that the darling of London society, Sir Edward Grey, receives from his killer. Before he can show them to Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent he has retained for his protection, Sir Edward collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia, and a roomful of dinner guests. Prepared to accept that Edward's death was due to a long-standing physical infirmity, Julia is outraged when Brisbane visits and suggests that Sir Edward has been murdered. It is a reaction she comes to regret when she discovers the damning paper for herself, and realizes the truth. Determined to bring her husband's murderer to justice, Julia engages the enigmatic Brisbane to help her investigate Edward's demise. Dismissing his warnings that the investigation will be difficult, if not impossible, Julia presses forward, following a trail of clues that lead her to even more unpleasant truths, and ever closer to a killer who waits expectantly for her arrival.

I really enjoyed this historical mystery with its hint of romance. Julia is a fantastic character, full of intelligence and spunk. Brisbane is a mystery himself. I can't wait to find out more about him in the rest of the series. I love the teaser above. It is a moment where Julia, widowed over a year, is starting to realize her attraction to Brisbane and she is irritated by it.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (53)


It's Monday What Are You Reading? is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. I always enjoy seeing what other people have read and reviewed over the past week. It is also a great way to find new books to add to that ever-growing TBR list!


Books finished:

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

I thought this was a darker book than the previous two but a fitting end to the series.

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

This was a cute and humorous story with quirky characters, a fun book for Valentine's Day.

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

I am still not sure what to make of this latest book by Jodi Picoult. I just finished it and am processing my thoughts. I will hopefully have a review for next week.
 
Books reviewed:
 
Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors
Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
 
Currently reading:
 
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

I am really enjoying this book and wondering why I never picked it up before. I was expecting it to be a traditional romance but it is actually an interesting mystery with only a little bit of romance so far and some cheeky humor.
   
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I've only just started this but I have a feeling it will be a favorite! I love the setting too :) I'm reading this one for review for Royal Reviews.

What I plan to read next:

 
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
 
I hope I get to read this one this week. It is overdue at the library. I know, how terrible for the librarian to have overdue books!

Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

I really hope I get to read this one this week. I loved Cleopatra's Daughter and I know that Michelle Moran brings a high level of historical detail as well as excellent character development to her books. This is a fascinating time period and Madame Tussaud was an interesting historical figure. I can't wait to find out more about her!

The Latte Rebellion by Sarah Jamila Stevenson

I probably won't get to The Latte Rebellion this week but I will definitely try. I have been wanting to read this for awhile too. So many books...

Saturday, February 19, 2011

In My Mailbox (46)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to share what books you received for review, purchased, or checked out from the library during the past week.

This week I received a lot of books for review. I was invited to participate in Simon and Schuster Galley Grab for the first time so I kind of went a little overboard with the e-ARCs! Hopefully I will have the time to read most of these before they expire. I will definitely make the time for Sing You Home (I am number 304 on the library waiting list so I wouldn't get to read it for a really long time otherwise!)

Books I was most excited to receive this week: Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran and Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult


For review:

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

Stay by Deb Caletti

Red Glove by Holly Black

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell


(Thanks to Simon and Schuster Galley Grab for above e-ARCs)


(Courtesy of Small Beer Press)

From the library:

Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

Deadly Little Games by Laurie Faria Stolarz

The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card


What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (41)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme to discuss upcoming books we can't wait to get our hands on. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.



This week I'm waiting on:
 
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
Publication date: July 12, 2011
 
Description from Goodreads:
 
In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.


Please check out my 1st Blogoversary Giveaway where you could win a copy of Forever or Shiver.

What are you waiting on this week?



Monday, February 14, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays (38)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB 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 and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser 1:

"I can barely see the top of his head in the throng of Unconsecrated pooling around the intersection of the allley and the main road. At first I think the Unconsecrated have him. That they won't let him go."

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
p. 69 (ARC)

This is the final book in the Forest of Hands and Teeth trilogy and so far it is gripping and suspenseful. I didn't post a description because it contains minor spoilers for book two, The Dead Tossed Waves.

Teaser 2:

"I wasn't Isis, or Supergirl, or Bella Swan. I was Alice Amorous, daughter of a semifamous, mentally ill romance writer, who would soon be getting food stamps if her mother didn't turn in another book. Which I was supposed to be writing."

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors
p. 137

When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother—and she needs one fast. That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth—that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.





Sunday, February 13, 2011

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (52)


It's Monday What Are You Reading? is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books. I always enjoy seeing what other people have read and reviewed over the past week. It is also a great way to find new books to add to that ever-growing TBR list!

Books finished:


Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

I liked Hex Hall but wasn't as big a fan as others seemed to be so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the sequel. It reminded me of a paranormal version of a Gallagher Girls book.

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

I liked reading about Violet and Jay's growing relationship and seeing how Violet decided to use her abilities but I thought the first book was far superior in terms of suspense.

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

I'm so glad I was finally able to finish reading this book. I loved the film version with Daniela Denby-Ashe and Richard Armitage. The book was also enjoyable and made me love the character of John Thornton more. Mr. Darcy, you have been replaced in my literary affections! 

The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig

After the lighthearted The Mischief of the Mistletoe, this was a return to the usual Pink Carnation spy book but I liked this one much better than The Betrayal of the Blood Lily. It really did have the feel of a spy story with a much more likeable protagonist. I loved that the story took us back to Paris and all its dangers.

Books reviewed:

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

The Dowry Bride by Shobhan Bantwal

Currently reading:


Nothing says Happy Valentine's Day like a zombie apocalypse novel!  Maybe not, but I love this series all the same. :)


Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

Since this book is about the daughter of a romance novelist and it features Cupid, it is the perfect book to read this week. It is also a good book to switch to when The Dark and Hollow Places becomes too intense. I will hopefully have it read and reviewed by Thursday.

What I plan to read next:



Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

Saturday, February 12, 2011

In My Mailbox (45)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to share what books you received for review, purchased, or checked out from the library during the past week.


For review:

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

(Courtesy of an ARC tour for I Read Banned Books)

I can't wait to read The Dark and Hollow Places! I really enjoy this creepy series and am sad to see it come to an end.

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

(Courtesy of an ARC tour for Star Book Tours)

I liked Desires of the Dead but I have to admit that I liked The Body Finder more.


Secrets and Shadows by Shannon Delany

(Courtesy of an ARC tour for Around the World Tours)

I ended up not being able to finish Secrets and Shadows, partly due to time constraints and partly because I could not get into the story. 

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

(Courtesy of Amelia from Imagination in Focus)

I thought that Saving Juliet was a creative and funny book and I was happy when Amelia offered me the chance to read and review Mad Love.

From the library:


 
Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

I loved The Lonely Hearts Club and this retelling of Pride and Prejudice looks like a fun book.


Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

I have been wanting to try this series for some time now. I've really been craving historical fiction lately so hopefully I'll get to read this soon.


What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (40)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme to discuss upcoming books we can't wait to get our hands on. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


This week, I'm waiting on:


Heartless by Gail Carriger
Publication date: June 28, 2011

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

I love this series. I chose to only include a brief description of Heartless to avoid spoilers for those who haven't read Blameless. I think Heartless sounds like another fun adventure.

Don't forget to enter my 1st Blogoversary Giveaway to win a copy of Heartless or your choice of several other books.

What are you waiting on this week?

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays (37)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB 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 and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teasers this week (I couldn't decide so I'm sharing three):

Tears wet the hair at my temples. At least I knew he was alive. p.187

"No, from the Boy Scouts. That Witch Dating badge just kept eluding me."
"Well, you must have at least three Total Douchebag badges by now, so that has to count for something." p. 255

As the kiss deepened, we held each other tighter, so I didn't know if the pounding heartbeat I felt was mine or his. How stupid, I thought dreamily, to have ever thought I could give this up. p.282


Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
(ARC)

I finished this yesterday and I liked it a little more than Hex Hall.


 

Sunday, February 6, 2011

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (51)


It's Monday What Are You Reading? is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books. I always enjoy seeing what other people have read and reviewed over the past week. It is also a great way to find new books to add to that ever-growing TBR list!


Books finished:

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Across the Universe was an amazing though at times disturbing book. I will hopefully have my review up next week.

Pemberley Ranch by Jack Caldwell

This was a surprisingly creative and enjoyable retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in post Civil War Texas.

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

I think this was the best book in the series! I was not expecting to like it as much as I did. Now I can't wait to read The Iron Knight.

Books reviewed:

Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz
Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon

Currently reading:

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

I am closer to completing this book and I wish I'd been able to read more of it this past week.

What I plan to read next:

The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig

I'm so excited that I'll finally get to read this! The Pink Carnation series is one of my favorites.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I'm also looking forward to finally reading this as I've heard so many good things about it.

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

I think this sounds like a fantastic book! Scottish history is something I enjoy reading about.


What are you planning to read this week?