The Book on the Hill

Book Blogging Around The World (35) : Norway

2012-05-27T10:00:00.000+02:00

Today's guest : Mari from Escape In A Book

City/Country: I live in a wee Norwegian town about an hour from the capitol (Oslo), Norway.

Welcome Mari!

Tell us a little bit about you.

I’m a soon to be 29 year old book lover enjoying life with my boyfriend (going on the 14th year now) and our two children. I grew up on a farm (with pigs, a dog and a couple of cats) and have fond memories of lazy days lying outside in the sun reading my Nancy Drew books.

Tell us about your blog.

Escape In A Book was founded by me back in May 2009. I first discovered a book blog called Stephanie’s Confessions of a Book-a-holic and that’s where I got the idea to start my very own book blog. I had been blogging for awhile but not so much about books. My blog is a place where I can share my love for reading, not that many of my friend read and certainly not the same genres as me. So it was an excellent way for me to meet people with mutual interests and get great book recommendations.

Have you ever lived anywhere else in the world?

No, I’ve just been here in little old Norway.

What countries have you visited? What countries would you like to visit?

Belgium, France, Greece (a couple of the Greek isles), Germany, Spain (one of the The Canary Islands), Denmark and Sweden.
Places I have never been, but would love to visit: Italia, USA, Scotland, England, Wales, Russia and Ireland to name a few.

What Norwegian authors and books would you recommend?

For those who love all things fantasy/paranormal/historical I would recommend The Legend of the Ice People by Margit Sandemo (translated into several different languages). Sandemo’s series has been immensely popular here in Norway and other countries as well by the look of it because her books have sold, according to Wikipedia, 35 million copies. Not bad for a author coming from a country who just tipped 5 million inhabitants.

Soon a Norwegian childrens' author that I love, Maria Parr, will have her debut novel translated into English (US & UK). Not sure what the English title will be yet. That rarely happens for a Norwegian author. The book has been very popular here in Norway (and a tv-series have been based on the novel) and the book also has had huge success in Germany. It's the kind of story that will appeal to young children and adult alike; charming, heartbreaking, warm and funny. Remember the name and keep a look out for her novel.

How many languages do you speak?

English, some German and un petite French (ok my French vocabulary is limited to a few words). I can understand both Danish and Swedish but I do not speak it (both are very similar to my native Norwegian language).

Do you read more in English or in Norwegian?

English, definitively. I love reading YA books and fantasy is my favourite genre and here in Norway it hasn’t really been a big thing. It’s just now that the publishers and media are focusing a bit more on fantasy and YA books.

Photos taken by Mari during a road trip in Norway

What are your favourite and least favourite things about Norway?

My favourite part is the beautiful nature and the fact that we can have very warm and wonderful summers and snow for Christmas. My least favourite part about living in Norway is when the winters are very cold and birch pollen in Spring (which is the most beautiful season of them all but for the evil but necessary pollen!).

Every country has its clichés. What cliché about Norway do you consider disproportionate?

That we are evil blond Vikings (LOL) and that Norway is a very cold country. We can have deliciously warm summers.

Thank you Mari! It was a pleasure having you on the hill!

Say hello to Mari:

Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

If you would like to be featured like Mari, this post is for you!

French Friday (45)

2012-05-25T10:53:00.000+02:00

Bonjour BookBlogLand!

I don't know what the weather has been like this week wherever you are, but over here it's been pouring with rain for days.

I like rain, but sometimes you just need your little rays of sunshine to lighten up the mood!

(not to mention go out without looking like a cold mop in less than five seconds)

Plus, I've had the song Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head in MY head all the time.
And now, all of a sudden, it's all sunny and HOT (I mean, really HOT)!
What's the deal with the weather?

Anyway, let's move on to something else... I give you... Covers!

Yeah, I know, French Friday could easily become Cover Friday but, ya know, I like comparing covers!

MEMOIRS OF A TEENAGE AMNESIAC by Gabrielle Zevin
Translated as JE NE SAIS PLUS POURQUOI JE T'AIME (I Can't Remember Why I Love You)

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher
Translated as TREIZE RAISONS (Thirteen Reasons)

THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater
Translated as SOUS LE SIGNE DU SCORPION (Under The Sign of the Scorpio)

I am not a fan of either covers of the first book. I find the original one unbalanced and the French one a tad too childish.

For THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, I have to say that I like both of them equally (although they are quite different)!

And the original one wins for THE SCORPIO RACES, I find the French one too "bloody"!

What do you think? Pick your favorites!

Oh, and don't forget that I'm looking for French Fridays guest posts!

Have a really nice friday and à bientôt!

Adorkable (by Sarra Manning)

2012-05-24T08:30:00.000+02:00

Adorkable
by Sarra Manning
Release date : May 24th, 2012

Jeane Smith is seventeen and has turned her self-styled dorkiness into an art form, a lifestyle choice and a profitable website and consultancy business. She writes a style column for a Japanese teen magazine and came number seven in The Guardian's 30 People Under 30 Who Are Changing The World. And yet, in spite of the accolades, hundreds of Internet friendships and a cool boyfriend, she feels inexplicably lonely, a situation made infinitely worse when Michael Lee, the most mass-market, popular and predictably all-rounded boy at school tells Jeane of his suspicion that Jeane's boyfriend is secretly seeing his girlfriend.

Michael and Jeane have NOTHING in common - she is cool and individual; he is the golden boy in an Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt. So why can't she stop talking to him? (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : I thought ADORKABLE was a modern and fresh read, without any taboos. We are led by two distinct and witty voices (the chapters alternate between Jeane and Michael). Sarcasm, humour and wit being one of my favorite things in the world (after goat cheese and cookie dough), I wasn't disappointed here! The love story is sweet and complicated at the same time, not too exagerated and quite realistic. I liked the writing throughout the whole book. I adored Jeane's character and found her humanity really touching. The virtual world has a big place in the book (with Twitter, Facebook and Jeane's blog in the background), and I thought it gave peps and modernity to the plot.

On the downside, I thought the last part was a bit rushed and contrived. It was kind of a quadruple outcome. I also had trouble with Jeane's decisions and multiple changes of conviction, which happened at some point towards the end. I won't get too much into it to avoid spoilers, but I just thought those last events were a bit incoherent and that they took away a bit of Jeane's credibility.

Apart from this ending that I found a little weak and that I didn't really approve, I had fun and really enjoyed reading ADORKABLE! It's bouncy, romantic, tender, ethic and cyber-friendly, so I absolutely recommend it to you!

Beads, Boys and Bangles (by Sophia Bennett)

2012-05-22T06:00:00.000+02:00

Beads, Boys & Bangles
by Sophia Bennett
Release date : May 3rd, 2010

Crow is in designer heaven; Nonie's caught the eye of a gorgeous boy; Jenny has a new play. But poor Edie's in trouble ...the rumours are that slave children in India have been making their high-street collection. It's up to the girls to save their fashion dream. (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : I met, in this book, all the great things that I had loved in its prequel (THREADS) : a read that never falls into superficiality despite its main themes, endearing characters, fighting for a cause without any pathos, and the possibility of believing in TRUE fairytales!

The characters are more and more developed, their personalities more defined. There isn't one overlong passage, and small elements outside of the main plot give another dimension to it.

I missed Crow a bit though: she's, voluntarily, a shy character, but I would've liked her to be a bit more "present". Also, Nonie was less attentive to her friends' problems, and that kind of bothered me sometimes. But the girls are growing up, and I guess it has to do with it!

Humour is still and always there, and I really had fun following these talented teens' adventures! Their enthusiasm and motivation are infectious!

I like the message that Sophia Bennett puts into her books. This series is close to the reader while bringing her/him a dreamy and glamorous dimension to travel in. Another great read!

You can check out my review of THREADS, by the same author.

I also interviewed Sophia Bennett back in 2010.

Two Revived Features : Looking for Guests!

2012-05-20T19:51:00.001+02:00

Hello there!

I hope you're having (or you've had) a nice sunday!
It's the evening here in France, and it's been raining cats and dogs all day.

So, as you may have noticed, The Book on the Hill is back on track!

I am so glad to start book blogging again. I'm slowly getting my bearings back through the blogosphere.

When I restarted feeding this little ol' blog, I'd decided to put my two features aside to focus more on reviews.

But I had so much fun with these features before that this resolution didn't last long.... They just itched to come back!

So, French Friday and Book Blogging Around the World are back!

I freshened up their look too; :)
And I will do my best to keep a balance between them and my reviews,
I don't want these features to take over my time and the blog like they did last time, so I will work on that! :)

And that's where YOU come in! Why?

- I am looking for French Fridays guest posts (like this one or that one).

- I am looking for Book Blogging Around the World featured bloggers (like them).

Would you like to participate?
Click here to read about submitting a French Friday Guest Post.
Click here to read about registering for Book Blogging Around the World.

The Deer, the Cat, the Bird and myself would be thrilled to have you on the Hill!
Have a really nice day!

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (by Jennifer E. Smith)

2012-05-19T11:41:00.000+02:00

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
by Jennifer E. Smith
Release date : January 2nd, 2012

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan’s life. She’s stuck at JFK, late to her father’s second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley’s never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport’s cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and he’s in seat 18C. Hadley’s in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it. (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : Such a romantic read! This book shows how simplicity just rocks! It was a When Harry Met Sally kind of thing, mixing destiny and statistics with perfection.

The majority of the book takes place at the airport, which forces dialogues and descriptions to be more developed and important than usual. The writing is appealing right from the start. The discussions between Hadley and Oliver open some flashbacks in Hadley's life before her parents split up, which makes the trip more dynamic. I love plots that take place in a limited amount of time and/or place, and this book was no exception.

I absolutely loved the fun anecdotes that illustrated Hadley and Oliver's exchanges! A lot of images are used advisedly, giving the book a subtle, tender and funny side. I liked how romantic the whole book felt, and without being cheesy.

Both characters are complex, charming and real. I saw myself in their attitudes, in their ways of seeing the world, in their doubts and fears.

THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT is to-the-point, romantic and funny. It's a story that shows how love can strike anybody anytime, and the way it is told makes it interesting, unique and touching! I really enjoyed reading this book, so much that I devoured it really quickly and had trouble putting it down!

You can check out my review of THE STORM MAKERS, by the same author.

French Friday (44)

2012-05-18T02:00:00.000+02:00

Bonjour everyone!

Before I start, let me remind you that I welcome guest posts for my French Friday feature! For more information, click here!

That said, let's move on to the French festivities! Here is another round of "cover compare" with covers from books that I've reviewed in the past.

This week is focused on two vampire trilogies!

EVERNIGHT, STARGAZER, HOURGLASS by Claudia Gray

Translated in French as... EVERNIGHT! (The three of them)

My thoughts :
It's kind of a tie for me... I like the monochrome use in the original covers, but I like the "painting"
feel and the colors of the French ones. I think all of them work quite well.

VAMPS, NIGHT LIFE, AFTER DARK by Nancy A. Collins

Translated in French as:
VAMPS, SOEURS DE SANG ("Blood Sisters") / VAMPS, NUIT BLANCHE ("Sleepless Night") / VAMPS, ANGE OU VAMPIRE ("Angel or Vampire")

My thoughts :
I'm not a huge fan of "portrait covers". Here, the original ones give away a glamorous feeling
whereas the French ones are darker. My favorites might be the original covers, but not by far.

What do YOU think?!

Wentworth Hall (by Abby Grahame)

2012-05-17T12:00:00.000+02:00

Wentworth Hall
by Abby Grahame
Release date : May 1st, 2012

The prettiest people often have the ugliest secrets…
Eighteen-year-old Maggie Darlington has turned into an entirely different person. The once spirited teen is now passive and reserved. A change Lord and Lady Darlington can’t help but be grateful for.

It’s 1912, and the Darlingtons of Wentworth Hall have more than just the extensive grounds to maintain. As one of Britain’s most elite families, they need to keep up appearances that things are as they have always been… even as their carefully constructed façade rapidly comes undone.

Maggie has a secret. And she’s not the only one… the handsome groom Michael, the beautiful new French nanny Therese, the Darlingtons’ teenage houseguests Teddy and Jessica, and even Maggie’s younger sister Lila are all hiding something. Passion, betrayal, heartache, and whispered declarations of love take place under the Darlingtons’ massive roof. And one of these secrets has the power to ruin the Darlingtons forever.

When scandalous satires start appearing in the newspaper with details that closely mirror the lives of the Darlingtons, everyone is looking over their shoulder, worrying their scandal will be next. Because at Wentworth Hall, nothing stays secret for long. (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : A British gossip story taking place in 1912? I'm in! Thanks to an omniscient narrator who takes us where even the main characters don't go, I dove right into this realistic portrait of a family full of secrets, living in a period where things start to change...

The plot works like a thriller would, the only difference being that the "murders" are love stories and the "criminal" a clever writer. I clung to each character rather quickly, and I couldn't wait to get my questions answered (who writes the satires? What happened to Maggie? etc.).

From the kitchens to the ladies' bedrooms, we get to visit Wentworth Hall and its hidden corners, and I could visualize it all as if I were there.

Suspense, humor and romance are all served on a delightful platter : well-written, sensible and cleverly constructed.

I thought, however, that the end was a bit rushed. I was a bit disappointed because the rest of the book took its time, and in a good way. So this ending didn't quite fit. And I was frustrated by a certain ellipsis (that I won't describe here to avoid spoilers!). But that's the only little thing I disliked.

I really enjoyed reading WENTWORTH HALL! I loved the author's modern vision of a no-longer modern period, and all the ingredients were there for a pleasant read!

Someday Find Me (by Nicci Cloke)

2012-05-15T18:55:00.002+02:00

Someday Find Me
by Nicci Cloke
Release date : May 10th, 2012

You don’t have to be missing to be lost…
It’s a hot summer in the city and the nation is gripped by the disappearance of London student Fate Jones.

But 25-year-old Fitz has a different blonde girl on his mind: his beloved girlfriend Saffy is slipping slowly back into the grasp of an eating disorder. Struggling under the weight of her self-doubt and self-hatred, Saffy becomes increasingly lost and Fitz finds himself unable to help. As Saffy’s behaviour grows more dangerous, he does the only thing he can think of – he calls for help and she is taken away.

Petrified at the prospect of another stay in Happy Blossoms, a residential treatment centre, Saffy runs. In London, Fitz realises too late that he is the only one who can help her and sets off in a desperate bid to find her. Meanwhile the media’s obsession with the search for Fate Jones intensifies. Her image is everywhere, her last days suddenly public property. But how much does anyone really know about the girl on the poster? (from HarperCollins)

MY THOUGHTS : Unfortunately, I found this book quite depressing and thought that it lacked a certain depth that, since it is an introspective story, would've been welcome. The book starts out well, with a catchy tone and interesting chapters (that alternate between Fitz and Saffy). But, for me, it quickly became a bit... I don't know... empty? I won't say boring because it's not true, but I just thought that the whole thing led to nowhere. I felt like I was running in circles between both Fitz's and Saffy's utter despair.

Some passages were really moving, especially from Fitz's point of view, but somehow the book didn't have any real effect on me. I really wanted to like it, but it just left me with an almost neutral feeling.

It's the kind of book that I go through without really realizing it, in some kind of aerial way, and that leaves me frustrated and a with feelin of "and then what?"...

SOMEDAY FIND ME unfortunately didn't find ME, but maybe it will find YOU?

Slated (by Teri Terry)

2012-05-13T01:00:00.000+02:00

Slated
by Teri Terry
Release date : May 3rd, 2012

Kyla’s memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist, and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth? (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : I devoured this book! It's a real thrilling psychological page-turner!
Right from the start, I was caught up in Kyla's (new) life.

I loved how the book began : it starts without concrete explanations, which kept me curious (the strange hospital, the fact that Kyla is going to live with parents she doesn't know, etc.). It's mysterious, and yet completely comprehensible. Plus, the character's personality already has a life of its own. I thought the way Kyla rediscovers the world through "new eyes" was really well described, I loved the way it was all written.

And then, as the plot thickens, it becomes even more interesting...The tone and the author's writing are to-the-point and very well handled. The main and secondary characters all have a voice and are depicted with care. I became attached to all of them. Kyla's doubts and questionning are efficient and readable, and I loved how being in her head gave both intimacy and suspense to the book. Her battle with her mind is fascinating.

The political background is clearly installed from the very beginning. I like that. It's not always the case, especially in dystopia.

At some point (when I got to 3/4 of the book), I feared some kind of slackening in the plot, but I just had the time to think that when... Bam! Something new came up and erased all doubts!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading SLATED and it really made me want to read the sequels. Awesome read!

French Friday (43)

2012-05-11T12:00:00.000+02:00

Bonjour everyone!

What a week here in France : We have a new president! But I won't talk about it here!

No, today, I will share with you a few books that have something to do with France, and something to do with World War II.
Indeed, three days ago, on may 8th, was the commemoration of the end of the Second World War.

So, here is a selection of books (fiction and journals mainly) related to this theme, that show what life was like during and after the occupation and the war, through (for most of all) French eyes.

Suite Française
by Irène Némirovsky

Beginning in Paris on the eve of the Nazi occupation in 1940, Suite Française tells the remarkable story of men and women thrown together in circumstances beyond their control.

As Parisians flee the city, human folly surfaces in every imaginable way: a wealthy mother searches for sweets in a town without food; a couple is terrified at the thought of losing their jobs, even as their world begins to fall apart. Moving on to a provincial village now occupied by German soldiers, the locals must learn to coexist with the enemy—in their town, their homes, even in their hearts.

When Irène Némirovsky began working on Suite Française, she was already a highly successful writer living in Paris. But she was also a Jew, and in 1942 she was arrested and deported to Auschwitz, where she died. For sixty-four years, this novel remained hidden and unknown. (from Goodreads)

The Children of Freedom
By Marc Levy

Eighteen-year-old Jeannot—named Raymond before he fled from the Nazis—and his younger brother, Claude, have found refuge in Toulouse, but freedom is a fleeting illusion in the south of France. Decrees are issued daily limiting the rights of foreigners, and Jews like Jeannot and Claude are still in danger.
Determined to fight the Germans and the Vichy collaborators, Jeannot seeks out the Resistance and joins the 35th Brigade, a band of young foreigners who have escaped arrest and now fight back with stolen weapons and the desperation of youth. In the Brigade, Jeannot finds friends, forbidden romance and even a kind of normalcy until tragedy and treachery strike, and everything he has built is torn apart.

Marc Levy is France’s #1 bestselling novelist, with more than 15 million copies of his seven books sold around the world. In The Children of Freedom, he has created a gut-wrenching portrait of young men and women forced to grow up too fast and denied their place in the country they love. Based on true stories of the Resistance, including the story of Levy’s own father, The Children of Freedomresurrects untold tales of the Second World War and gives them their rightful place in our narrative history. (from HarperCollins)

The Journal of Hélène Berr
By Hélène Berr

On April 7, 1942, Hélène Berr, a 21-year-old Jewish student of English literature at the Sorbonne, took up her pen and started to keep a journal, writing with verve and style about her everyday life in Paris — about her studies, her friends, her growing affection for the “boy with the grey eyes,” about the sun in the dewdrops, and about the effect of the growing restrictions imposed by France’s Nazi occupiers. Berr brought a keen literary sensibility to her writing, a talent that renders the story it relates all the more rich, all the more heartbreaking.
The first day Berr has to wear the yellow star on her coat, she writes, “I held my head high and looked people so straight in the eye they turned away. But it’s hard.” More, many more, humiliations were to follow, which she records, now with a view to posterity. She wants the journal to go to her fiancé, who has enrolled with the Free French Forces, as she knows she may not live much longer. She was right. The final entry is dated February 15, 1944, and ends with the chilling words: “Horror! Horror! Horror!” Berr and her family were arrested three weeks later. She went — as was discovered later — on the death march from Auschwitz to Bergen-Belsen, where she died of typhus in April 1945, within a month of Anne Frank and just days before the liberation of the camp.

The journal did eventually reach her fiancé, and for over fifty years it was kept private. In 2002, it was donated to the Memorial of the Shoah in Paris. Before it was first published in France in January 2008, translation rights had already been sold for twelve languages. (from Goodreads)

Paris After the Liberation 1944-1949
by Antony Beevor and Artemis Cooper

In this brilliant synthesis of social, political, and cultural history, Antony Beevor and Artemis Cooper present a vivid and compelling portrayal of the City of Lights after its liberation.
Paris became the diplomatic battleground in the opening stages of the Cold War. Against this volatile political backdrop, every aspect of life is portrayed: scores were settled in a rough and uneven justice, black marketers grew rich on the misery of the population, and a growing number of intellectual luminaries and artists including Hemingway, Beckett, Camus, Sartre, de Beauvoir, Cocteau, and Picasso contributed new ideas and a renewed vitality to this extraordinary moment in time. (from Goodreads)

Behind Enemy Lines
By Marthe Cohn

Marthe Cohn was a beautiful young Jewish woman living just across the German border in France when Hitler rose to power. Her family sheltered Jews fleeing the Nazis, including Jewish children sent away by their terrified parents. But soon her homeland was also under Nazi rule. As the Nazi occupation escalated, Marthe’s sister was arrested and sent to Auschwitz. The rest of her family was forced to flee to the south of France. Always a fighter, Marthe joined the French Army.
As a member of the intelligence service of the French First Army, Marthe fought valiantly to retrieve needed inside information about Nazi troop movements by slipping behind enemy lines, utilizing her perfect German accent and blond hair to pose as a young German nurse who was desperately trying to obtain word of a fictional fiancé. By traveling throughout the countryside and approaching troops sympathetic to her plight, risking death every time she did so, she learned where they were going next and was able to alert Allied commanders.
When, at the age of eighty, Marthe Cohn was awarded France’s highest military honor, the Médaille Militaire, not even her children knew to what extent this modest woman had faced death daily while helping defeat the Nazi empire. At its heart, this remarkable memoir is the tale of an ordinary human being who, under extraordinary circumstances, became the hero her country needed her to be. (from Goodreads)

Résistance
By Agnès Humbert

Agnès Humbert was an art historian in Paris during the German occupation in 1940. Stirred to action by the atrocities she witnessed, she joined forces with several colleagues to form an organized resistance—very likely the first such group to fight back against the occupation. (In fact, their newsletter, Résistance, gave the French Resistance its name.)
In the throes of their struggle for freedom, the members of Humbert’s group were betrayed to the Gestapo; Humbert herself was imprisoned. In immediate, electrifying detail, Humbert describes her resistance against the Nazis, her time in prison, and the horrors she endured in a string of German labor camps, always retaining — in spite of everything — hope for herself, for her friends, and for humanity.
Originally published in France in 1946, the book is now translated into English for the first time. (from Goodreads)

Have you read any of them? Tempted to?

Heart-Shaped Bruise (by Tanya Byrne)

2012-05-10T17:22:00.000+02:00

Heart-Shaped Bruise
by Tanya Byrne
Release date : May 10th, 2012

They say I'm evil. The police. The newspapers.
The girls from school who shake their heads on the six o’clock news and say they always knew there was something not quite right about me.
And everyone believes it. Including you.
But you don't know. You don't know who I used to be.
Who I could have been.

Awaiting trial at Archway Young Offenders Institution, Emily Koll is going to tell her side of the story for the first time. (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : Unfortunately I didn't find this book very captivating nor thrilling. I thought the fact that we're reading a "journal" was not respected the whole time : as I turned the pages, the story became more and more omniscient, and at some point I didn't think the way it was written looked like how a person would write in a journal. Dialogues, for example, were too perfectly retranscripted.

I clung to the book until the end to understand what Emily had done to end up in this mess, but the suspense is so emphasized by Emily herself that I started to get annoyed, and the punch line became uninteresting instead of exciting.

I liked the overall tone though. Emily's voice is catchy (even if a tad icy) and I enjoyed reading her. I thought it was interesting to witness her evolution and to discover her past. There were also some beautiful images and some graceful moments in the action, and in the writing too.

But that wasn't enough to keep me interested. I would've prefered to discover Emily's story at the same time as it happened, with a more classic construction instead of a journal and flashbacks. I think it might've been more stirring, at least for me!

Struck (by Jennifer Bosworth)

2012-05-09T11:52:00.000+02:00

Struck
by Jennifer Bosworth
Release date : May 8th, 2012

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She's survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn't who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything. (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : A nice fast-paced read! All of the action takes place in only three days and in an apocalyptic countdown, which gives suspense and dynamism to the plot.

Mia is an interesting character, your typical "strong-yet-fragile-girl" yet without being too banal. I was carried away by the sequence of ryhthmic events and my attention never faltered. The tone is set from the very first pages, and it stays the same throughout the whole book.

Although the theological and religious aspect of the book is treated rather subjectively by the author, her point is made in a subtle way. I was surprised at first, and then realized that, being a believer or not, the reader and the author are fighting for and against the same thing!

Everything is limpid, well-described, from the different places to the various characters' sensations and emotions. I thank the author for that, because it's becoming more and more frequent for me to read books that are interesting, with original plots, but which end up ruined by a lack of explanations and descriptions!

All in all, STRUCK is a captivating and action-packed book, with its slight touch of romance, emotion and smiles. It's not my most enthusiastic read, but the qualities are here, and it was a pleasure to read it.

A Dog's Journey (by W. Bruce Cameron)

2012-05-08T08:19:00.000+02:00

A Dog's Journey
by W. Bruce Cameron
Release date : May 8th, 2012

Buddy is a good dog.
After searching for his purpose through several eventful lives, Buddy is sure that he has found and fulfilled it. Yet as he watches curious baby Clarity get into dangerous mischief, he is certain that this little girl is very much in need of a dog of her own.

When Buddy is reborn, he realizes that he has a new destiny. He's overjoyed when he is adopted by Clarity, now a vibrant but troubled teenager. When they are suddenly separated, Buddy despairs—who will take care of his girl? (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : And yet another wonderful book by W. Bruce Cameron... What a beautiful and strong tale! I could write absolutely the same thing as I did for its prequel A DOG'S PURPOSE, so I invite you to read my review of it over here.

This book is utterly moving. I cried. Again. A lot. Cameron's writing is delightful. The dog's innocent subjectivity works as well as it did in its prequel : I really am impressed by the author's ability to make us understand things (either descriptive, emotional or practical) throughout a canine naivety. So much talent! I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions.

Like its predecessor, A DOG'S JOURNEY is a nostalgic and often sad read, at some points I would've liked a bit more positivism. But it doesn't lack hope, which is the most important thing, and it's profound without being heavy.

What an amazing read! I can only recommend these two books to you all! Cameron's books deserve to be read and read and read!

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF ITS PREQUEL : A DOG'S PURPOSE

A Dog's Purpose (by W. Bruce Cameron)

2012-05-07T20:09:00.000+02:00

A Dog's Purpose
by W. Bruce Cameron
Release date : July 6th, 2010

This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?

Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.

But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose? (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : First, I admit it : tears were shed! What a unique and touching book! What an amazing idea and an original way of writing it! I thought that the writing was absolutely faithful to how dogs would talk, if they could. The dog's point of view makes the reader see the world in a totally different way, naive yet reflective. The(se) dog(s) is (are) smart, quick, learn really fast, and it is both fun and cruel to see how it (they) misunderstands things that, for us, are perfectly logical.

People's dialogues are written too, so I never fely lost and always understood who and where the dog was : it's just enough to cling to the plot and never too intrusive. We're mainly staying inside the dog's head, which is amazing and fascinating.

The book is based on nostalgia, doubt, death, sadness and the search of life's philosophical meaning. I have nothing against that, on the contrary, but it makes the read a bit dark and not very optimistic : the dog's emotions are very strong, and he can feel people's own emotions rather powerfully. So, since the people that he loves are relatively sad and depressed human beings, it becomes really moving and, well, a bit depressing. Plus, this dog is very nostalgic and seeking love all the time, and his deaths are quite difficult to go through (meaning they are very sad), and he has to live through tough moments... So, yeah, I cried a lot. But, again, this is NOT a bad thing. Life isn't pink-cupcakes-and-yellow-butterflies all the time.

All in all, I absolutely loved A DOG'S PURPOSE. It's a wonderful book about love and loyalty. It is an unusual and really powerful read, and I recommend it to everyone, dog-lover or not!

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF ITS SEQUEL : A DOG'S JOURNEY

French Friday (42)

2012-05-04T12:13:00.000+02:00

Bonjour everyone!

It's cover time again! I love comparing covers...
This time, I've decided to post the covers of books that I've reviewed in the past.
I might do that for the next ones too, I can't believe I'd never thought about that before!
Enjoy!

LET IT SNOW by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
Translated as FLOCONS D'AMOUR ("Snowflakes of Love")

BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver
Translated as LE DERNIER JOUR DE MA VIE ("The Last Day of my Life")

BLOOD NINJA (#1) by Nick Lake
Translated as BLOOD NINJA : Le Destin de Taro ("Blood Ninja : Taro's Destiny")

I'm afraid that, once more, the US covers win for me!

Well, I like LET IT SNOW's french cover, let's say it's a tie for this one!

What do YOU think?

Nancy Clancy : Super Sleuth (by Jane O'Connor)

2012-05-03T19:23:00.000+02:00

Nancy Clancy : Super Sleuth
by Jane O'Connor
Illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser
Release date : April 3rd, 2012

Nancy Clancy is growing up and ready for a whole new adventure... in her chapter book debut!
Nancy and her best friend, Bree, have everything they need to solve a mystery, from their totally professional trench coats to their top-secret code.
But when crime strikes in their classroom, will these super sleuths be able to crack the case?
Find out in the glamorous start to an all-new chapter book series featuring everyone’s favorite fancy girl!
(from HarperCollins)

MY THOUGHTS : I had never read any Fancy Nancy books and was not familiar with Jane O'Connor's writing, so this little book was a discovery for me!

I thought it was a fun book and I loved the heroin's strong character. I also found it educational, you can tell that Nancy's vocabulary is here to help young readers learn new words, which is great.

I thought, however, that the moral of the story was a bit simplistic. I agree with the fact that stealing is wrong, but there are some more subtle ways to send the message to the child throughout a book than it was put in this one. I tend to have trouble with children books (or shows or TV programs or else) that spoonfeed the child as if he/she's not yet able to understand things without them being put in front of his/her face.
I also found the adventure a bit too calm, and I think it could've been a bit more exciting and playful (like, sharing detective games and tips to do at home for example).

But it's a cute and fun read anyway! The whole series must be, seeing how popular it is!

The Selection (by Kiera Cass)

2012-05-02T15:42:00.000+02:00

The Selection
by Kiera Cass
Release date : April 24th, 2012

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined. (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : I read THE SELECTION quite a while ago. I'd kind of forgotten about it, and when I decided to post my review today and went on Goodreads to get the summary, I was amazed by the reactions to THE SELECTION (controversy put aside). I realized that, generally speaking, people either loved it or hated it. And then I remembered an email conversation I had at the time with a colleague, a reader like me. She didn't like this book, at all. I suddenly remembered the written debate between us two, which was quite interesting : we disagreed on almost everything! The thing is, even when I'm seduced by a book, I always see the flaws in it. It's part of my job. Here, I was so entranced that I absolutely took no notice of every negative element she highlighted. I think I fell into some kind of girly mood at the time, and just dove into the book without looking elsewhere. So, in retrospect, I am quite aware of the weaknesses of this book. But what's more important is the way I felt when actually READING it. So, there you go!

I loved reading THE SELECTION. I enjoyed every page and devoured it... Basically, I had fun! It felt like watching a movie, the story being quite visual and colorful. I liked the contemporary attitudes, which weren't influenced by the fact that everything happened in a castle and with proper etiquette. I liked America, and I enjoyed the love story. The reality TV background works well, and I found the stories and relationships between the girls really interesting.

As for the dystopian debate, I agree about the fact that the political background is not developed enough. This is no HUNGER GAMES. But this is where it won me over too! Don't get me wrong, I love a good context (and THE HUNGER GAMES has a place in my heart that THE SELECTION will never ever replace!). But the lack of complexity felt good because, reading a lot of dystopian novels, I'm getting bored with the long and complicated political descriptions and ramblings which often choke the main plots. So here, simplicity was fine by me.

I understand how some readers found the story and characters shallow. Indeed, this is not a profound read. But, again, I think that was what I needed at the time! I was absolutely immersed in the castle, almost forgot that I had a review to write, and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

A good sense of humor, some fine descriptions, emotion, well-written dialogues, a punchy plot : for me, all the good ingredients were there! I had trouble putting the book down and, when I did, I wanted to read the sequel immediately! So, all in all, I say "yay" to THE SELECTION. Since you managed to hypnotize me, you're pretty good. :)

Unraveling (by Elizabeth Norris)

2012-05-01T17:42:00.000+02:00

Unraveling
by Elizabeth Norris
Release date : April 24th, 2012

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming. (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : Well, that was a sad and dark story...! I thought it was a "hiccuping book", with its weird ellipses, unnecessary repetitions, misplaced emphasis, etc. I was drawn by the suspense and love story. The plot is well conducted, not in an amazing way but enough not to lose my attention. The twist (which I won't spoil for you!) was unexpected. And I like being surprised.

But the whole thing lacks either a proper take-off, or more breaks. I was split between the action and the contemplative and thoughtful aspect of the heroin. Sometimes I felt like I needed more air: I can't count how many times Janelle stops breathing, throws up or how many times her heart races like mad. She lives through a lot and we, as readers, do too. She's an active and passive character at the same time, it felt strange.

At some point, somebody dies (I won't tell who!). It happens really quickly, no reason whatsoever, and it adds one more thing to Janelle's everlasting list of losses and sad life events. It reminded me of Hedwig's last moment, which had enraged me because of its rapidity and injustice! All that was left when I finished the book was bitterness. I thought that readers could've deserved a less depressing ending after everything's they've been through!

All in all, the hesitant and patchworky treatment spoiled a plot that I found interesting. A nice read, with those unfortunate elements that hampered its fluidity.
Mixed feelings, in the end!

The Storm Makers (by Jennifer E. Smith)

2012-04-29T15:10:00.000+02:00

The Storm Makers
by Jennifer E. Smith
Release date : April 3rd, 2012

Enter the world of The Storm Makers, where there's magic behind every forecast.

What starts as an ordinary summer turns exciting and perilous for twins Ruby and Simon when strange occurrences begin happening on their farm -- sudden gusts of wind, rainstorms, and even tornado warnings -- that seem eerily timed to Simon's emotions.

Then a stranger arrives and tells the twins that Simon is a Storm Maker -- part of a clandestine group of people entrusted with controlling and taming the weather -- and that he is in great danger. Soon Simon and Ruby must race against the clock as they try to master Simon's powers in time to stop a rogue Storm Maker's treacherous -- and potentially deadly -- plans.

In this thrilling new adventure, loyalties can shift as quickly as the wind . . . and the ordinary can turn extraordinary in the blink of an eye. (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : My feelings about this book are kinda mixed... I read THE STORM MAKERS after having read THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT (by the same author - review here) which I'd loved! It's not the same kind of book at all, and I knew it, but my expectations were quite high...

The writing itself and the whole story treatment really are enjoyable. The plot's basis is interesting and intriguing. Ruby, the main character, is endearing, and I loved that she didn't have the special powers that her brother had. It's unusual that the hero of a book lacks the power that makes the plot.

But unfortunately the whole story is extremely predictable. I won't share any spoilers as examples, but let's just say the last part of the book was foreseeable since earlier on. What started of as an exciting plot became a bit basic for me. And I didn't find the adventure in itself very thrilling. The simple fact that the story revolves around the ability to change the weather could've brought on more unusual and surprising situations, and also more "meteorologic". But we're more focused on the characters than on the magic itself. I didn't like how sugary certains scenes were either... Too Disney-like for my taste, and I thought they were breaking the realistic roots of the story.

All in all, THE STORM MAKERS was a pleasant read, I had a nice time, but I think it lacked more development and that it was a bit too "simple".

You can check out my review of THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by the same author.

French Friday (41)

2012-04-27T15:00:00.000+02:00

Bonjour everyone!

Here is another round of French covers! Enjoy!

THE PROBABILITY OF MIRACLES by Wendy Wunder
Translated as LA FILLE QUI NE CROYAIT PAS AUX MIRACLES ("The Girl who Didn't Believe in Miracles")

I'LL BE THERE by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Translated as CAVALE ("Lam")

DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor
Translated as FILLE DES CHIMERES ("Daughter of Chimeras")

This week my favorites are all the original ones.
What do YOU think?

Skin Deep (by Laura Jarratt)

2012-04-25T13:40:00.000+02:00

Skin Deep
by Laura Jarratt
Release date : March 5th, 2012

Ugly people don't have feelings. They're not like everyone else. They don't notice if you stare at them and turn away. And if they did notice, it wouldn't hurt them. They're not like real people. Or that's what I used to think. Before I learned...

After the car crash that leaves her best friend dead, Jenna is permanently scarred. She struggles to rebuild her life, but every stare in the street, every time she looks in the mirror, makes her want to retreat further from the world. Until she meets Ryan. Ryan's a traveller. When he and his mother moor their narrow boat on the outskirts of a village, she tells him this time it will be different. He doesn't believe her; he can't imagine why this place shouldn't be as unwelcoming as the rest. Until he meets Jenna. But as Jenna and Ryan grow closer, repercussions from the crash continue to reverberate through the community. And then a body is found... (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : I thought SKIN DEEP was a real page-turner, not because of it being action-packed, but because of it being emotion-packed! That's the beauty of the book : everything is based on the characters' relationships, flaws and strenghts, and on their real problems and how they're going to face them. No superficiality here. On a side note : too bad the cover doesn't show this book's depth, I think the catch-line is cheesy compared to how profound the book actually is. I loved Jenna from the very first pages. Ryan and Jenna's characters are very richly developped, they have weight and seem real. I like that.

Everything is written with such freshness and honesty. The message is strong, without being moralist. Even if the theme is sad and hard, it doesn't lack humour either, and the love story never becomes syrupy.

I've enjoyed every second of it and was moved by this touching and inspiring story! A promising debut!

Irises (by Francisco X. Stork)

2012-04-22T14:02:00.000+02:00

Irises
by Francisco X. Stork
Release date : January 1st, 2012

TWO SISTERS: Kate is bound for Stanford and an M.D. -- if her family will let her go. Mary wants only to stay home and paint. When their loving but repressive father dies, they must figure out how to support themselves and their mother, who is in a permanent vegetative state, and how to get along in all their uneasy sisterhood.

THREE YOUNG MEN: Then three men sway their lives: Kate's boyfriend Simon offers to marry her, providing much-needed stability. Mary is drawn to Marcos, though she fears his violent past. And Andy tempts Kate with more than romance, recognizing her ambition because it matches his own.

ONE AGONIZING CHOICE: Kate and Mary each find new possibilities and darknesses in their sudden freedom. But it's Mama's life that might divide them for good -- the question of *if* she lives, and what's worth living for.
(from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : This touching book is based on the two sisters' psychology, which is both fascinating and frustrating because I thought it wasn't pushed far enough. It felt shy. The theme is quite heavy, both girls have got very difficult choices to make at a point in their lives where they discover themselves on their own and also together. So there is quite a lot to develop, which is great. But, here, I felt like we were half way between a "realistic", classic plot and a psychologic and theological one. Which ended up, for me, with both aspects not quite pushed like they could've been on their own, and that's too bad because both were interesting!

I felt like all the secondary characters were thrown into the sisters' lives to give the plot some sort of consistancy, and I didn't think that was necessary. All the more so as these characters weren't given an importance that they could've deserved.

Kate and Mary were brought up by a conservative and strict father, so they're both living out of their time, far from modernity, from the way they talk to their daily habits. This lead to me having a bit of trouble figuring out that the book took place nowadays. Ok, maybe I'm stupid. But I really asked myself the question! There are many little things like that which I found incoherent, and which didn't help me getting into the book like I would've wanted to.

But I must say that IRISES was written with finesse and subtility, and it's a very moving read (some parts really made my eyes water). The narrator's omniscience gives peps to the plot and helps us understand the girls. There's a fragility and a real respect in the writing which makes the reading soft and addictive. So it's an introspective but interesting read nonetheless!

French Friday (40)

2012-04-20T18:00:00.000+02:00

Bonjour!

My last French Friday was posted in october 2010, so this 40th one is officially THE comeback of this meme! I even changed its button to celebrate and start anew.

So, this month is kind of a Titanic month : on april 15th, it was the sad 100th "anniversary" of the sinking... So, this important event brought together every single smart author and director who had anticipated it all and who wrote books/directed movies and series about the famous ship so that they came out NOW. Clever. :)

So today is COVER-TIME with the original-vs-French covers of Gordon Korman's Titanic trilogy, which came out last year.

I've read #1 and #2, you can check out my reviews here!

Now, let's take a look at these covers!

ORIGINAL COVERS:

FRENCH COVERS:

My favorites are the French covers, without hesitation!
Firstly, they represent the books better than the other ones.
Also I think they're more fun and appealing, cuter and less "serious".
The one thing I like about the original ones is how, when the three of them are put together, it represents the whole ship.

What do you think?

Oh, and let me leave you with this funny trailer for Titanic in SUPER 3D!
I laughed. A lot.

Titanic : #1 Unsinkable and #2 Collision Course (by Gordon Korman)

2012-04-18T18:38:00.000+02:00

TITANIC #1 : Unsinkable
by Gordon Korman
Release date : May 1st, 2011

The ultimate action/adventure trilogy begins, with #1 bestselling author Gordon Korman plunging readers into the heart of the Titanic.

The Titanic is meant to be unsinkable, but as it begins its maiden voyage, there's plenty of danger waiting for four of its young passengers. Paddy is a stowaway, escaping a deadly past. Sophie's mother is delivered to the ship by police - after she and Sophie have been arrested. Juliana's father is an eccentric whose riches can barely hide his madness. And Alfie is hiding a secret that could get him kicked off the ship immediately.
The lives of these four passengers will be forever linked with the fate of Titanic. And the farther they get from shore, the more the danger looms... (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : What doesn't fail with the "Titanic" recipe is that we KNOW how it's all going to end. The big picture, at least. Which makes us cling to the characters even more (Who will survive? Who will not?) and gives suspense and tension to what would be ordinary situations.
In this trilogy's installment, the main plot works quite well. We're able to visit the Titanic "backstage", so I was quite curious and satisfied with it. The characters take us everywhere. The chapters alternate from one to another, which gives a nice dynamic to the story.

But this book really is an installment, meaning that not much happens, but the whole plot is in place and ready to begin. I would've liked a bit more action. But I couldn't wait to read the second book!

TITANIC #2 : Collision Course

by Gordon Korman
Release date : August 1st, 2011

From bestselling author Gordon Korman, a second heart-stopping adventure aboard the unluckiest ship of all.

The Titanic has hit the high seas--and moves steadily toward its doom. Within the luxury of the cabins and the dark underbelly of the ship, mysteries unfold--a secret killer who may be on board, a legacy that may be jeopardized, and a vital truth that will soon be revealed. For Paddy, Sophie, Juliana, and Alfie, life on the Titanic brings both hiding and seeking, as their lives become irrevocably intertwined.
And then, of course, an iceberg appears, and the stage is set for the final scene. (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS : A nice sequel, more thrilling than its predecessor. We continue to discover the ship and its many places with interest, and the narration and chapters are even more effective and dynamic. It's a really nice series, and it's too bad that the books are so short! The tension grows little by little, and I think the third book will be the peak of it! But I thought there was a lack of emotion between the characters. There is some, but not enough. For instance, I wouldn't have said no to a little love story... Anyway, the plot is well lead, thanks to good descriptions and perfect timing.

All in all, a enjoyable and touching read, which answers a lot of questions that we ask ourselves about the famous Titanic. I haven't read the third book, so I can't say if it's the same, but I guess it should be. :)