It's Monday, What Are You Reading (78)

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!


Tuesday was the first meeting of my book discussion group. While only one person was able to attend the initial meeting, once I started advertising our first book pick, several people picked up copies so I hope that the first actual book discussion later this month will be well attended. Plus I'll be serving Chinese food to go with the book (Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok) so it should be fun.


I didn't post a single review last week which is unusual for me. I hope to remedy that this coming week! I did get some more reading in though and really enjoyed some fantastic books. 


I am also holding a new giveaway for The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, a YA fantasy novel that will be published later this month. It is open Internationally so be sure to check it out!

Books read:

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

I was a little worried that I would be disappointed with Bloodlines since it would have Sydney as the main character rather than Rose but I was surprised by how much I liked Bloodlines anyway. It is the start to a great spin-off series and I think most Vampire Academy fans will be pleased with it.

Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

I had a feeling I'd like this book and I wasn't wrong. It is not without some flaws but I am glad it tackled issues of religion and that the main character wasn't just a caricature of a Christian teen. I know I would have been able to relate to Lacey if I'd read the book as a teen.

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

I am still a little torn about this book. I liked it but at times the pacing was slow and I was bothered by the ending. Still it is well written and it has some memorable characters and historical detail.

Little Black Dress by Susan McBride

This book was entertaining if a little predictable. It reminded me quite a bit of The Violets of March by Sarah Jio but with a touch of Sarah Addison Allen because of the magical elements.

Currently reading:

Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott

I love this book so far! It is a fantasy retelling of Cinderella set in an Asia-inspired world. I think it is something that fans of Cindy Pon and Alison Goodman would enjoy.

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

I love this book! It is one of my favorites and it is the September selection for my book club. I am having fun listening to it on audio this time around. Grayce Wey does a fantastic job narrating the story. I am really really picky about audio books but her voice is so believable and somehow listening to it makes it more emotional than when I read it last year.

What I plan to read next:

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

I am looking forward to reading this since it is so highly recommended. I know it is popular with book groups too.

The Third Wave: A Volunteer Story by Alison Thompson

I know this will be an emotional read. The author was at both Ground Zero on September 11th and she went to Sri Lanka to help after the tsunami. Should be a powerful story and timely as we head towards the 10th anniversary of September 11th.

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

I am determined to at least start Uncommon Criminals this week. I hate when I buy books but don't read them for a long time. Sometimes I never read them and end up donating them to my library. While I think I will eventually donate this, I want to read it first!

Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

I loved Michelle Moran's Cleopatra's Daughter and I am hoping that this YA book about Selene will be good too. 

The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry

I have heard excellent things about The Kitchen Daughter and look forward to reading it. There are supposed to be tasty recipes featured too. I don't know that I will be brave enough to try them but maybe there will be something easy :)

So that's my reading plan for the week. 

What have you been reading lately?

In My Mailbox (61)

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 Whole Story of Half a Girl by Veera Hirandani

I am interested in reading this one because it features a biracial teen and deals with the topics of unemployment and figuring out who you are and where you belong. I received this book courtesy of NetGalley.

The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson

I've heard really good things about The Lantern. It is a gothic mystery set in France. I received an ARC courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto

I am looking forward to reading Before Ever After. It sounds like an unusual story about a widow who finds out her husband is still alive and possibly immortal. I received an ARC courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

Purchased:

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

I couldn't resist buying this one when I saw it was just $3.99 for Kindle. I really enjoyed Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and have been wanting to read more of Lisa See's books.

From the library:

OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy

I think this book sounds cute and it has a good premise-a Jewish girl who badly wants a scholarship pretends to be Christian so she can get into a speech and performing arts camp. The synopsis promises romance, humor, and soul searching as the protagonist tries to figure out the right thing to do.

Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink

I really liked the first book in this trilogy but was disappointed by The Guardian of the Gate. I am hopeful that the series will end well with Circle of Fire and I can't wait to find out how things will be resolved.

The Things We Cherished by Pam Jenoff

I am kind of a sucker for WWII related fiction. I have heard positive things about this book and hopefully it won't disappoint!

Little Black Dress by Susan McBride

I've already read this book and I thought it was pretty good though the last part felt kind of rushed. It is a fun chick lit book and while I found it to be predictable, I enjoyed it enough to stay up late finishing it.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

I loved the movie and the book has been on my TBR list for years so I finally took the plunge and checked out a copy from the library. I have heard that this is a book that people love or hate. Hopefully I will be one of those who loves it!

The Third Wave: A Volunteer Story by Alison Thompson

This sounds like a moving book about the author's experience as a volunteer in Sri Lanka after the tsunami. Of course when I heard about it I knew I had to read it since it is a subject near to my heart.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns Giveaway

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness. Elisa is the chosen one. But she is also the younger of two princesses. The one who has never done anything remarkable, and can’t see how she ever will. Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess. And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies, seething with dark magic, are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior, and he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young. Most of the chosen do.

This is one of my favorite book debuts this year (second only to Divergent!) and I wanted to give one lucky person the opportunity to win it. I think this is a fantastic fantasy novel with a good message. Still uncertain? Check out YA author Zoe Marriott's review!

Win a Copy of The Girl of Fire and Thorns!

Rules:

You must be age 13 and up to enter

This contest is open internationally (as long as Book Depository ships to your country)

You DO NOT have to be a follower

Only one entry per person

Deadline: September 30, 2011 at 11:59 PM (EST)

Contest is Closed

Waiting on Wednesday (66)

"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:

Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

Publication date: March 20, 2012

Synopsis:

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, her memory is a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and dirt under her nails. All she wants is to go home. But even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers as Cammie and her friends face their most difficult challenge yet. With only their training and a few clues to guide them, the girls go in search of answers on the other side of the world. But the Circle is hot on their trail and will stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

I love this series and I have been waiting for the sequel to Only The Good Spy Young for what feels like forever. :)

What are you waiting on this week?

Teaser Tuesdays (62)

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:


"Jill looked at me, face grim and eyes wide with fear. 'It's Adrian. You have to rescue him.'"

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

p. 197

I was concerned that I wouldn't like this book because it featured Sydney as a main character but I shouldn't have worried. This spin-off of the Vampire Academy series is fantastic so far! I'm having trouble putting it down to do less important things like eating and sleeping...

Teaser 2:

"Long ago, I believed that, given a choice, people would turn to good as they would to the light. I believed that reporting-honest, unflinching pictures of the truth-could be a beacon to lead us to demand that wrongs be righted, injustices punished, and the weak and the innocent cared for. I must have believed, when I started out, that the shoulder of public opinion could be put up against the door of public indifference and would, when given the proper direction, shove it wide with the power of wanting to stand on the side of angels."

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

p. 3

I'm still on the first chapter of this book (blame it on Bloodlines) but I like the writing style. I have heard that it takes awhile to get into the story so I am prepared to be patient. 

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (77)

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!


This past week I didn't have as much time to read or write reviews.  With the long weekend ahead I may be able to read more this week. 


Tuesday is the first meeting of the new book discussion group I'm starting at the library. I am excited and hope there is a good turnout. We will be deciding which book to read for September (either Someone Knows My Name by Laurence Hill or Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok) and coming up with books for October.

Books read:

Jane by April Lindner

This was a creative modern retelling of Jane Eyre (ignore the historical looking cover) and I liked it though it did have a few flaws.  

Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

At first I didn't think I'd be able to get into this book but I ended up enjoying it as much as Raised By Wolves. I like it when there are surprises that I don't see coming! 

Books reviewed:

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

The Other Countess by Eve Edwards

Currently reading:

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but I have been wanting to read The Postmistress ever since I saw a picture of it in a review magazine.  It has also received many positive reviews and I like it so far, Iris especially. 

What I might read next:

Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

I really want to read this soon so I will make sure I get to it this week. I like that it is a YA book that tackles issues of religious beliefs.

The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai

I have heard good and bad things about this book so I am interested in finding out for myself. I like that the main character is a librarian and from the excerpt I read, I know it references a lot of children's books. 

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

I decided to buy this book after reading an excerpt of it. At first I wasn't even sure I wanted to read it but now I think I will enjoy it even if it isn't as good as the Vampire Academy series.

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

I realized that I've had this book since June and I still haven't read it yet! I hope I will get to it this week.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

My cousin's wife told me that this was an excellent book so I was thrilled when I found a copy available on the shelf at my library. It sounds like my kind of book and might make a good future pick for my book discussion group.

Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott

I am super excited to read this Cinderella based fantasy but I've kept putting it off because of my massive TBR pile. I may not get to it this week but hopefully I'll be able to read it soon. It sounds amazing and I've enjoyed Zoe's other fantasy novels.

In My Mailbox (60)

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 checked out a bunch of "book club" books from the library, downloaded some YA galleys from GalleyGrab and bought Bloodlines by Richelle Mead. I am excited about In The Sea There Are Crocodiles especially since it is based on a true story. I am also looking forward to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and The Kitchen Daughter which were both highly recommended.

For review:

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Past Perfect by Leila Sales

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Courtesy of Simon and Schuster Galley Grab

Purchased:

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

From the library:

In the Sea There Are Crocodiles by Fabio Geda

The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson