Thursday, August 29, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #164

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

The Bad Apple by T. R. Burns

The Bad Apple by T. R. Burns

Release Date:
April 24, 2012
Publisher: Aladdin
Source: BEA

Summary

For all of his 12 years, Seamus Hinkle has stayed out of trouble, but on one fateful afternoon in the Cloudview Middle School cafeteria, Seamus accidentally does the unthinkable—a substitute teacher is dead, and Seamus is to blame. Unable to return to Cloudview, Seamus’ parents take him to the most infamous of reform schools: Kilter Academy. But when Seamus’ parents drive off, headmistress Annika Kilter shows her true colors: she’s not interested in reforming delinquents, but quite the opposite—the mission of Kilter Academy is to foster troublemaking, and she's decided Seamus is her star pupil! Together with his new mischief-making friends, Seamus lives every young boy’s dream of getting points for getting in trouble! But soon Seamus discovers that Kilter Academy may have more plans in store for its students than just turning out troublemakers… (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

I've been meaning to check out T.R. Burns book Bad Apple ever since BEA 2012 when the author blurbed the book to us at an author speed-dating event. T.R. Burns is a pseudonym for Tricia Rayburn. Following the model of J.K., Tricia chose a masculine sounding name for her children's book featuring a male main character. It irritates me that authors and publishers find this a necessary tactic to draw in boy readers, but unfortunately they probably do it for good reason.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Split Second by Kasie West

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Split Second by Kasie West
Publish Date: February 11, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen

I haven't read the first book, but I've heard good things about it. And what a cover!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Release Date:
May 14, 2013
Publisher: Tor Teen
Source: BEA

Summary

More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings — merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing — kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery — one that will change Rithmatics — and their world — forever.

Bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings his unique brand of epic storytelling to the teen audience with an engrossing tale of danger and suspense—the first of a series. With his trademark skills in world-building, Sanderson has created a magic system that is so inventive and detailed that that readers who appreciate games of strategy and tactics just may want to bring Rithmatics to life in our world. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

The Rithmatist is a good book that has the potential to be the start of a great series. But it's not quite there yet. It features a fascinating fantasy concept, likable characters, a boarding school, action, danger, and more. However, the book held itself at a slight distance, preventing me from truly forming a connection to it.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Manga Mondays #162: Favorite School Themed Manga?

Manga Mondays Meme


I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 3 years ago. It started out as a personal feature, but I decided to turn it into a meme last year. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme is a great way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Favorite School Themed Manga


I was on vacation all of last week, so I didn't have a change to get a manga review ready. Instead, I have a question for all you manga lovers. Considering that it's back-to-school time, what is your favorite manga series which feature a prominent school setting?

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #163

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Release Date:
May 14, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Publisher

Summary

“The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.”

This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.

But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed—Sophie’s dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are…?

The School for Good & Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

A fun middle grade fantasy with two strong female leads. Am I wrong in thinking that middle grade (not just middle grade) fantasy is frequently boy-focused? Everything from Harry Potter to Percy Jackson. I know there are girl leads in fantasy novels, but they seem overshadowed by boys.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
Publish Date: September 3, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

I'm actually in the middle of this book right now, but I still want to feature it for WoW because IT IS SO, SO, SO GOOD! You must get this book.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Ink by Amanda Sun

Ink by Amanda Sun

Release Date:
June 25, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: BEA

Summary

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

If you have the slightest interest in Japanese culture, you must read Ink. If you don't have any particular interest in Japan, but like reading a book that evokes a strong sense of place, you must read InkInk is a solid albeit formulaic paranormal romance with an outstanding setting.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Manga Mondays #161: Rosario Vampire vol. 1 by Akihisa Ikeda

Manga Mondays Meme


I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 3 years ago. It started out as a personal feature, but I decided to turn it into a meme last year. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme is a great way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Rosario Vampire vol. 1 by Akihisa Ikeda


Summary

Tsukune's going to have one heck of a hickey when he gets home from Monster High!

All-around average teenager Tsukune can't get accepted to any high school save one...but on his first day he finds the rest of the student body doesn't appear average at all. Best of all, the cutest girl on campus can't wait to fling her arms around his neck! Wait a sec'--are those her teeth around his neck too...? Tsukune's going to have one heck of a hickey when he gets home from Monster High! But does he have a chance in H E double hockey sticks of raising his grades at a school where the turf war isn't between the jocks and the nerds but the vampires and the werewolves? (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

*Warning: Potential spoilers. My manga reviews tend to be more of a summary than a review. I find it hard to review manga in the same way I do regular books.

Lately I've been reading manga aimed at teen boys. Which has turned out to equal two things: (1) Relateable and likable characters; and (2) Lots of close-ups on female underwear and the body parts they cover.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #162

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

Did Stephenie Meyer Diss Twilight?


Have you seen the Variety interview with Stephenie Meyer? It's been making the Internet rounds today. When asked about Twilight she said "It's not a happy place to be." And "I am so over it."

I can't decide how I feel about this. On one hand, I understand why she might get a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach every time it's mentioned. Much of society views Twilight either as a joke or a disease that needs to be eradicated. The series' fans are portrayed as unintelligent, squealing fangirls who wouldn't know a decent book if it hit them on the nose. It's not that some of the criticism isn't deserved - hell, I'm a big fan and I still find plenty to criticize. But I think the hatred has gone beyond the justified into the, "Look, I'm so cool, I'm going to rag on Twilight just like everyone else." Many of those who complain about Twilight haven't even read it. One flock of sheep trying to take down another. 

But...when Stephenie says she's "so over it" a bad taste is left in my mouth. For all the people who despise Twilight and Stephenie, there are those of us who have stuck with the series and defended it over and over again. Her comment sounds disrespectful towards the steadfast fans. If an author won't stand by her books, what are we supposed to do? It's quite an ungrateful statement about the thing that made her a very well known and wealthy person. Can you imagine JK Rowling saying anything bad about Harry Potter? (Obviously the quality of Harry Potter and Twilight are very different but the point remains.). Wanting to move on is understandable but a smart person continues to acknowledge and be appreciative of their past work. 

I'd like to give Stephenie the benefit of the doubt here. That she didn't mean to diss Twilight. That her comments were taken out of context. Given editing and a magazine's desire to sell copies and get hits on its webpage, it's quite possible that some artful cutting of her actual words went on. Or perhaps she simply spoke without thinking and if she'd thought about it, she would have said something different. But there's an undertone of arrogance throughout the entire interview. I can't put my finger on it exactly but it makes me uncomfortable. 

Even if her words were taken out of context, I don't think Stephenie can play victim here. She says that she's focusing on producing films now more than writing. If Stephenie wants to play with the big boys in Hollywood she should start by getting some media training. Because she's not doing herself or her future film career any favors by biting the hand that feeds her. She should know by now that, for better or worse, in the media, appearances are everything. 

***[Edited to add: Stephenie has now posted a long apology on her website. I figured she would. It's nicely worded and I think sincere. Basically she says that she rambled on and on and the poor interviewer had to cobble her words down to a few sentences. It was smart of her to place the blame on herself and not the interviewer. Makes her seem more humble. And I really do get where she's coming from with the endless hate. 

However...She should have known better. She has been giving interviews to major publications for 8 years now. She has inserted herself into the notoriously cutthroat world of Hollywood and wants to stay there. She should know that these interviewers are not your friends and that you had better parse every word before you say it. This is a game and for her sake (and mine, because I like Twilight and want to read Stephenie's future books, if any), I hope she figures it out.]

What do you think?

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsey

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsey
Publish Date: January 23, 2014
Publisher: Philomel

I read the first book in this series a while back and really liked it. I'm excited to read this one. Apparently, it's more of a companion so you don't need to read the first book.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney

When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney

Release Date:
June 4, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown
Source: Publisher

Summary

Filled with humor, raw emotion, a strong voice, and a brilliant dog named Sandy Koufax, When You Were Here explores the two most powerful forces known to man-death and love. Daisy Whitney brings her characters to life with a deft touch and resonating authenticity.

Danny's mother lost her five-year battle with cancer three weeks before his graduation-the one day that she was hanging on to see.

Now Danny is left alone, with only his memories, his dog, and his heart-breaking ex-girlfriend for company. He doesn't know how to figure out what to do with her estate, what to say for his Valedictorian speech, let alone how to live or be happy anymore.

When he gets a letter from his mom's property manager in Tokyo, where she had been going for treatment, it shows a side of his mother he never knew. So, with no other sense of direction, Danny travels to Tokyo to connect with his mother's memory and make sense of her final months, which seemed filled with more joy than Danny ever knew. There, among the cherry blossoms, temples, and crowds, and with the help of an almost-but-definitely-not Harajuku girl, he begins to see how it may not have been ancient magic or mystical treatment that kept his mother going. Perhaps, the secret of how to live lies in how she died. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

I loved Daisy Whitney's first novel The Mockingbirds so much that she's become an auto-read. When You Were Here is very different from The Mockingbirds and its sequel The Rivals but just as good if not better.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Manga Mondays #160: Fullmetal Alchemist vol. 1 by Hiromu Arakawa

Manga Mondays Meme


I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 3 years ago. It started out as a personal feature, but I decided to turn it into a meme last year. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme is a great way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Fullmetal Alchemist vol. 1 by Hiromu Arakawa


Summary

Alchemy: the mystical power to alter the natural world; something between magic, art and science. When two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, dabbled in this power to grant their dearest wish, one of them lost an arm and a leg...and the other became nothing but a soul locked into a body of living steel. Now Edward is an agent of the government, a slave of the military-alchemical complex, using his unique powers to obey orders...even to kill. Except his powers aren't unique. The world has been ravaged by the abuse of alchemy. And in pursuit of the ultimate alchemical treasure, the Philosopher's Stone, their enemies are even more ruthless than they are... (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

*Warning: Potential spoilers. My manga reviews tend to be more of a summary than a review. I find it hard to review manga in the same way I do regular books.

It's so refreshing to start a manga series and immediately click with it. It doesn't happen often enough. Someone commented that Fullmetal Alchemist was her favorite manga series on a blog I dropped by last week, so I picked it up.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #161

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

GIVEAWAY! Belonging by Karen Ann Hopkins


Belonging by Karen Ann Hopkins

Release Date:
April 30, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
Source: Publisher

Summary

I left everything I knew behind.

But it was worth it. He was worth it.

No one thought an ordinary girl like me would last two minutes living with the Amish, not even me. There are a lot more rules and a lot less freedom, and I miss my family and the life I once had. Worst of all, Noah and I aren't even allowed to see each other. Not until I've proven myself.

If I can find a way to make it work, we'll be NOAH & ROSE

together forever.

But not everybody believes this is where I belong. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

The Temptation series, of which Belonging is the second book, is a must read for anyone fascinated by Amish culture. It features Noah and Rose, an Amish boy and an English (aka non-Amish) girl as classic starcrossed lovers.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Forever by Karen Ann Hopkins

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Forever by Karen Ann Hopkins
Publish Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Forever is the third book in the Temptation series. I'm going to have my review of the second book, Belonging, up tomorrow. I can hardly wait to read the third one!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

GIVEAWAY: Infinityglass Book Birthday!


Infinityglass (Hourglass #3) by Myra McEntire
Publish Date: August 6, 2013
Publisher: EgmontUSA

The stakes have risen even higher in this third book in the Hourglass series.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Bookshelf Reorganization

After seeing so many beautiful bookshelves in response to last week's #FF question, I was inspired to reorganize my bookshelves.

Here's the before scene:

*Don't blame me for the gaudy purple and pink shades of paint on my walls. The previous tenant did that. Yuck.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #160

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.