Sunday Post (32) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

I had kind of a quiet week of just playing catch up before the end of the year. I went to Barnes & Noble on Thursday to buy books for the library's teen collection since I still had a lot of money left over in the teen budget. I ended up buying mostly graphic novels with some replacement copies of popular books and a few new novels. I still have quite a bit to spend so I might make a trip to Wal-Mart this week.

I also finally sent out a couple of Christmas cards and put up one Christmas decoration (a jingle bell doorknob hanger). It didn't make sense to do more as I am leaving this Friday to visit family for the holidays and I won't be back till after Christmas. I am really looking forward to spending time with my parents and my sister. We are going to her house on Christmas day to celebrate with her husband's family and the next day we'll have our low-key family Christmas at an Indian restaurant.

This week I have to pack and pick up a few Christmas gifts for people at work. We are having a white elephant gift exchange at our holiday staff breakfast on Friday so I have to wrap my stuff for that. After the breakfast I have the rest of the day off and I am seriously contemplating going to see The Force Awakens before I head to my sister's house. I really want to see the movie as soon as possible to avoid any accidental spoilers at Christmas! I found some really cute BB-8 merchandise online this week including a purse I'd love to have but probably wouldn't use enough to make the price worth it (I could totally take it to the movie though) and this really cute BB-8 plush. Of course what I really want is this overpriced BB-8 robot from Sphero... Are you going to see the movie this weekend?

#Fitreaders Weekly Check In

#Fitreaders is hosted by Felicia at The Geeky Blogger and Jen at That's What I'm Talking About 

This past week was much better in terms of exercise but I did finally cave and eat some holiday treats. I know the next couple of weeks are going to be rough! We are having a Biggest Loser contest at my workplace though so that should help get me back on track and as long as I keep walking it's okay to eat those Christmas cookies, right?

Sunday--walked 1 mile
Monday--nothing
Tuesday--walked 1 mile
Wednesday--walked 1 mile
Thursday--walked 1 mile (and carried heavy stacks of books at Barnes & Noble) :)
Friday--walked 1 mile
Saturday--walked 1 mile

Last week on my blog:

Top Ten New to Me Authors Read in 2015 (post)

Ana of California by Andi Teran (review)

Books read:

Until We Meet Again by Renee Collins

To my mild surprise, I liked this "time travel" YA romance. Cass is annoying at first (she whines about spending her summer at a beach house with her mom and stepdad and little brother) but then once she meets Lawrence on the beach she loses the sulk. I liked that there is a bit of mystery and the concept the possible consequences of time travel is explored. 

Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn (reread)

I decided to listen to this audio book again before the new Star Wars movie comes out. These stories are now considered "legend" but in a way I'm glad as we won't see Mara Jade on the screen. She is particularly annoying in this book. The rest of the story is fantastic though. I remember how I used to wish that this trilogy had been made into movies instead of the "prequels".

Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

I liked this final book in the trilogy though it isn't as good as the first two. I thought it wrapped everything up and answered questions about the mysterious creatures known as "the whispers".  

Currently reading:

Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

I only just started reading this so I don't know if I'll like it yet but I have read some positive reviews from other bloggers. I wanted to try to read it before the new movie comes out. Supposedly there are some hints in it about The Force Awakens.

What I might read next:

My Kind of Wonderful by Jill Shalvis

I thought I might take a break from science fiction and pick up a romance next. I liked the first book in the Cedar Ridge series. I'm not sure if this book is set at Christmas or just in winter but I like the cover :)

The Great Christmas Knit-Off by Alexandra Brown

This Christmas novel just sounds like fun. Sybil has just been stood up at her Star Wars-themed wedding (see it ties in with this week!) when her fiance chooses her twin sister instead. She goes to visit a friend in a charming town where she gets to knit and maybe sell her creations and she meets the handsome town doctor. Sounds perfect for this time of year!

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

I have heard so many good things about this book. It was originally published in Sweden and this translated version will be published next month. The main character is a young Swedish woman who travels to Iowa to meet her pen pal Amy only to find out Amy has passed away. She decides to stay and opens a book shop. I've seen comparisons of this book to The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry which I loved.

New books received:

Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan  (for review)

The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine (for review)

Come Back to Me by Mila Gray (for review)

The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth (for review)

My Kind of Wonderful by Jill Shalvis (for review)

His Right Hand by Mette Ivie Harrison (library book)

The Great Christmas Knit-Off by Alexandra Brown (library book)

Review: Ana of California

Ana of California

By Andi Teran

Published: June 30, 2015

A modern take on the classic coming-of-age novel, inspired by Anne of Green Gables

In the grand tradition of Anne of Green Gables, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and The Three Weissmanns of Westport, Andi Teran’s captivating debut novel offers a contemporary twist on a beloved classic. Fifteen-year-old orphan Ana Cortez has just blown her last chance with a foster family. It’s a group home next—unless she agrees to leave East Los Angeles for a farm trainee program in Northern California.

When she first arrives, Ana can’t tell a tomato plant from a blackberry bush, and Emmett Garber is skeptical that this slight city girl can be any help on his farm. His sister Abbie, however, thinks Ana might be just what they need. Ana comes to love Garber Farm, and even Emmett has to admit that her hard work is an asset. But when she inadvertently stirs up trouble in town, Ana is afraid she might have ruined her last chance at finding a place to belong.

My review:

Ana Cortez has been in and out of foster homes and group homes since her grandmother died. A summer internship at Garber Farm is her last chance. If she makes it through, she can become an emancipated adult. Ana doesn't expect much and things seem bleaker when she is greeted by the very reluctant Emmett Garber who is expecting the new farm intern to be a boy. Thankfully Abbie Garber is thrilled to have Ana there and Ana gradually proves herself to Emmett and the other farm hands. But Ana is waiting for the other shoe to drop because she always inadvertently screws things up.

I loved Anne of Green Gables as a young teen. I devoured the miniseries and then read a few of the books. This novel is "inspired" by the classic story and there are scenes that definitely pay homage to it including the hair incident but Andi Teran's modern take does not have the same warm tone of the original. That doesn't make it a bad novel by any means but readers expecting Anne of Green Gables set in modern day California may be disappointed.

I liked Ana and felt really bad for her situation. I enjoyed seeing the relationship she built with Abbie and how she won the others over. Readers of Anne of Green Gables will recognize some key scenes that have been given a new twist to fit with this story like Anne's hair color experience and the raspberry cordial scene. Familiar characters are here as well with the nosy neighbor, the troublesome boy and the new kindred spirit. There are also unique elements to the story like Ana's background in foster care, Abbie's past, life on the farm and the community they live in. 

The elements that didn't work as well for me were the multiple view points that felt a little jarring and the development of the secondary characters. I wasn't a big fan of Ana's new friend, Rye (the Diana of the story) and I didn't really care for her relationship with Cole (Gilbert Blythe). I found Rye to be annoying and not someone I'd want to be friends with. Overall however I liked the novel with its small town flair and eccentric characters.  I think fans of Anne of Green Gables who don't expect this to be an exact retelling will be able to enjoy the similarities without being disappointed by the differences. 

Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Netgalley

Waiting on Wednesday (169)

"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:

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Release date: January 5, 2016

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles, but years from home. And she's inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she's never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods-a powerful family in the Colonies-and the servitude he's known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can't escape and the family that won't let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, his passenger, can find. In order to protect her, Nick must ensure she brings it back to them-whether she wants to or not.

Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods' grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are playing, treacherous forces threaten to separate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home forever.

This has already received positive early reviews from School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. I love the concept of time travel romance as a fan of Diana Gabaldon and Susanna Kearsley so I hope I will like this one too.

Top Ten New to Me Authors Read in 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. There is a new subject each week and this week's topic is "Top Ten New to Me Authors I Read in 2015".

Lisa Genova

I can't believe I waited this long to pick up a novel by Lisa Genova. When I saw that Still Alice was made into a movie, I encouraged my book group to pick it for our February read. We all loved it. Then I picked up an ARC of Inside the O'Briens which was also excellent. Genova knows how to write about difficult diseases and how they impact the patient and their families.

Sarah J. Maas

I had meant to read Throne of Glass but never got around to it. When I heard about this fairy-tale inspired fantasy, I decided to give it a try and I'm so glad I did! I can't wait for book two!

Edward Kelsey Moore

This is one of my favorite books I read/listened to in 2015. If not for book group I might not have picked it up. It's laugh out loud funny and and features a strong group of female friends and their spouses as they go through life's changes from the 1960s to modern day.

Fredrik Backman

This is another favorite from book group about a grumpy old man whose life is changed for the better when nosy new neighbors move next door. I really like the sense of humor and the author has a second novel that came out in 2015 but I haven't read it yet.

Iona Gray

I always like those dual timeline novels and this one is partially set in WWII. The author manages to make both the historical and modern day stories interesting (though I still like the historical part more). 

Renee Ahdieh

I loved this debut YA fantasy inspired by A Thousand and One Nights. I can't wait for the sequel, The Rose & The Dagger.

Amy E. Reichert

I love good food descriptions in a novel and this one was a foodie's dream. The romance was really nice too and I liked the secondary characters. That cover makes me long for coconut cake! She has a new book coming out next year to look forward to.

Julia Stuart

This is yet another one of those novels that I discovered through book group. I liked the British humor and the interesting setting and quirky characters. I believe she also wrote a mystery novel that I may have to check out some day.

Julie Murphy

I really liked this YA contemporary novel. I thought it was her debut so I was surprised to find out I'd missed Side Effects May Vary. I will have to read that one someday too.

Jamie Ford

We read some fantastic books in book group this year :) I had been wanting to read this for years but never got around to it until this past summer. I loved it (and so did the rest of the book group) and hope to read his second novel soon.

Honorable mention:

Courtney Summers

Technically I started reading one of her older novels a few years ago but didn't finish it (I couldn't stand the main character) so this is the first novel of hers that I actually read and I thought it was amazing and powerful. I'd be willing to give her future novels a try.

Rachel Caine

I am cheating with this one as I'd previously read one or two of her Morganville Vampire novels but I loved this YA fantasy (which is very different from that series which I didn't care for) and can't wait for the next book.

Sunday Post (31) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

Today is the first day that I've felt like blogging in awhile. I took a much needed break over Thanksgiving but I was not planning on coming down with a cold! My whole family came down with colds during and after Thanksgiving. Colds--the gift that keeps on giving :) On Tuesday I also missed work because of an endoscopy. It turns out that I don't have ulcers but I do have some inflammation. I miss being able to eat normally and now it looks like it may be permanent. On the bright side, I am very relieved that the test showed no ulcers.

Other than getting sick, I had a nice Thanksgiving and decorated my parents' Christmas tree before I left. This holiday is just sneaking up on me. I need to work on Christmas cards this week! I've also been thinking about all the books I still want to read before the end of the year. I have several review books to get through if I can as well as a stack of library books I really want to read. We'll have to see how much I can accomplish in the next few weeks!

Yesterday we had the Star Wars movie marathon at my library. It started at 11 and ended shortly before 6 p.m. (we only showed the original trilogy). After some technical difficulties with the XBOX One remote (it refused to work though it is brand new and we tested it a few days before), we ended up hooking up a Blu-ray player borrowed from the children's department so the show could go on. We had an interesting mix of adults, teens and kids though attendance dwindled by the final movie. We served pizza and then broke out our "new to us" movie theater style popcorn machine which my coworker thankfully handled as I probably would have burned myself. The smell of popcorn definitely made the experience more realistic though it is a hassle as our machine smokes so it has to be popped outside or it'll set off the sprinklers. Overall I think my last program of the year was a success.

#FitReaders Weekly Check In

#Fitreaders is hosted by Felicia at The Geeky Blogger and Jen at That's What I'm Talking About 

I did not exercise at all this past week due to the cold but now that I am feeling better I want to get back to it especially to work off all that pumpkin pie I ate!

Last week on my blog:

First & Then by Emma Mills (review)

Books read:

Paris for One by Jojo Moyes

I liked this novella about a young Englishwoman who goes to Paris for a romantic weekend but her boyfriend fails to show up. 

The Lies About Truth by Courtney C. Stevens

This YA contemporary novel features a hurting teen who is struggling to cope a year after a fatal car accident claimed the life of her best friend and left her physically scarred.

Death Wears a Mask by Ashley Weaver

I liked this second Amory Ames mystery that is partially set at a masked ball. I think fans of Rhys Bowen would enjoy this series.

Velvet Undercover by Teri Brown

This historical spy novel is set during the Great War. A young teen is recruited to spy for La Dame Blanche, an all female international spy organization but her first mission is more complicated than she expected. 

Currently reading:

Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

I like this one so far though I had to look up who some of the characters were from earlier books because I recognized the names but couldn't remember them.  I've really enjoyed this series so I'm sad to see it end.

What I might read next:

Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

Beatrice and Benedick by Marina Fiorato

I forgot that I had to review this for Amazon Prime until I found it recently in a stack of books. I love Much Ado About Nothing so I am hopeful that I will enjoy this too.

Until We Meet Again by Renee Collins

I am intrigued by this novel that features a love story across time. A modern day teen girl encounters a young man on the beach who happens to be from the 1920s.

New books received:

Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner (purchased)

All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (library book)

How to Be Brave by E. Katherine Kottaras (library book)

Until We Meet Again by Renee Collins (for review)

Happy Thanksgiving and a Blogging Break

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday. I will be spending my Thanksgiving with my parents and on Saturday my sister and her husband will be there for a Thanksgiving meal Sri Lankan style :)

I'm taking a much needed blogging break before the Christmas holidays this year so I'll see you in a couple of weeks if not before then!

In the meantime, here's some holiday cheer, courtesy of my library (that's my boss playing Santa!):

Review: First & Then

First & Then

By Emma Mills

Published: October 13, 2015

Devon Tennyson wouldn't change a thing. She's happy silently crushing on best friend Cas, and blissfully ignoring the future after high school. But the universe has other plans. It delivers Devon's cousin Foster, an unrepentant social outlier with a surprising talent, and the obnoxiously superior and maddeningly attractive jock, Ezra, right where she doesn't want them--first into her P.E. class and then into every other aspect of her life.

With wit, heart, and humor to spare, First & Then is a contemporary novel about falling in love--with the unexpected boy, with a new brother, and with yourself.

My review:

I wanted to read this book because it was described as "Pride and Prejudice meets Friday Night Lights". While I am not a football fan, I am a fan of Jane Austen's novels as is the protagonist Devon. She often thinks of how the characters would behave in her situation or what they would say. Throughout the novel she is reading Jane Austen books. Although First & Then isn't a  retelling of any of Jane Austen's novels, it pays homage to them in spirit.

Devon is a senior in high school and facing the decision of what school she wants to go to but she hasn't put much effort into the process. Instead she's been busy enjoying high school life and spending time with her best friend Cas. Then Devon's family takes in her cousin Foster when his mother abandons him. She is initially resentful of this and thinks of Foster as a nerd she wants to distance herself from. That's kind of hard to do when they are in the same P.E. class. Football star Ezra Lynley is also in her P.E. class and he doesn't make the best impression on Devon though Foster thinks the world of him. When Foster shows promise as a kicker, he is asked to try out for the JV football team and Ezra agrees to help him to Devon's surprise.

Devon is a fun protagonist though her attitude towards Foster isn't that great at first. She loves literature, particularly Jane Austen which made me like her more. I felt sorry for her a little too as Cas seemed to be her whole world and he didn't return her feelings for him. Thankfully even though she didn't go looking for friendship, she does make some other friends. She also grows to care about Foster and she starts to see him as her little brother. Her relationship with Ezra improves too as she gets to know him though his secretive nature is certainly challenging. 

Football is an important part of the novel but to my relief it didn't get too technical. Ezra, Cas and Foster all play on the team. Devon even starts covering the football games as an assistant to the sports photographer (she gets to hold the camera bag). I actually enjoyed reading about the team and how Foster and Ezra bonded over football. Poor Foster has had a rough life so it was nice to see him make a new friend and find someone to look up to.

The romance between Ezra and Devon reminded me of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet of Pride and Prejudice a little bit (as it is supposed to) but I was glad that it wasn't a retelling. Especially with Cas. He could have been a jerk but he was a nice guy (albeit with flaws). The romance was also not in-your-face. The novel allows for more personal growth of the characters and friendships and family relationships as well.

Overall I thought this was a fantastic book that I think would appeal to readers who like contemporary fiction by authors like Sarah Dessen, Jessi Kirby, Jenny Han and Emery Lord. I definitely plan to keep an eye out for the author's next book.

Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Netgalley

Sunday Post (30) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

I can't believe Thanksgiving week is here already! I need to start going through my recipes for some ideas. My mom and I like to try out new recipes every year. Sometimes this goes well and sometimes not so much (like the time we made parsnips). Last year I made pomegranate and dark chocolate cups. It will be just the three of us this year so we are going to have a beef roast instead of dealing with a turkey. Honestly I like turkey sandwiches but I hate leftover turkey. Smoked turkey is pretty good but also pretty expensive!

My year is winding down at the library. I have just one more program left. We are having a Star Wars marathon next Saturday, showing the original trilogy. Hopefully it will be a success. If the weather is nice we'll even make popcorn to go with the pizza (the popcorn machine smokes so it has to be used outside at a distance from the building). I also have to pick a book to read for our children's storyline (dial a story). I usually go with a Christmas/winter themed picture book since I take my turn every December. Last year I read a Little House on the Prairie picture book (about the time Mr. Edwards played Santa Claus and brought Laura and Mary presents from "Santa" because the creek was too high for him to cross). Not sure what I'll be reading this year. Any recommendations?

I will be going to see Mockingjay Part 2 with a friend and her husband today (Sunday). I'm glad the reviews are very positive so far. I only watched the first one in theater and the rest on DVD. I'm pretty picky about what I'll spend my money to go see. I will definitely be watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens, hopefully several times while it's in theater. Can't wait!

#Fit Readers Weekly Check In

#Fitreaders is hosted by Felicia at The Geeky Blogger and Jen at That's What I'm Talking About 

Sunday--nothing
Monday--walked 1 mile
Tuesday--walked 1 mile
Wednesday--nothing
Thursday--walked 1 mile
Friday--nothing
Saturday--nothing

Last week on my blog:

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly (review)

Books read:

Winter by Marissa Meyer

I really liked this final novel in the Lunar Chronicles. I thought it wrapped things up nicely and it was definitely action packed.

Ana of California by Andi Teran

I really enjoyed this modern adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. Ana may not have Anne's charm but she is a likable character and there are fun similar scenes. I look forward to finding out what my book group thought of it on Tuesday.

What I might read next:

The Lies About Truth by Courtney C. Stevens

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray