The Broke and the Bookish - A Book Blog For The Eclectic Reader

Book tour: The Turning of Anne Merrick + giveaway

2012-02-15T00:54:00.000-05:00

The Turning of Anne Merrick by Christine Blevins

Reviewed as a part of Historical Fiction Book Tours

Christine Blevins' website: http://christineblevins.com/

Christine Blevins on Twitter: @Author_CBlevins

Tour Event Hashtag: #TurningofAnneMerrickVirtualTour

Okay, so last week I gushed about how the early 1800s is one of my favorite time periods to read about, but Revolutionary America is right up there as well. As silly as it may sound, watching the movie The Patriot really got me into history and reading all kinds of historical fiction. In Christine Blevin's new book, The Turning of Anne Merrick, we get a great book set right in the middle of the action surrounding the American Revolution.

This book is technically part of a series, but it can stand alone. I was only able to read a small part of its predecessor, The Tory Widow, and was not confused jumping into this one. In my opinion, this book is much more action-packed and faster paced than the other. Anne Merrick is a rebel spy in a British war camp; she sends sneaky notes to the Americans on the what the British are up to. Getting into the lives and minds of the British during this war was so interesting, as usually we only see things from an American perspective. I thought it funny how they still went to balls, plays, and fancy dinners -- in Anne's words, "as if they'd already won the war."

Anne herself is a great heroine, she's very likable and brave, but I really think that the secondary characters are the stars. Sally, Anne's Scottish servant and friend, is my favorite. She's sassy, fun, and has the best lines in the entire book. Titus and Pink, freed slaves, are great companions to Anne too, but Jack, Anne's love interest, takes the bait. What a hunk! Some of the officers and their wives in the British camps are really spectacular as well. I loved the wide array of personalities and characters in this book.

As I said before, there is so much action here! I was in my Postcolonial Theory class (ironic, huh?) reading a bit about Anne barely outrunning and escaping from British soldiers on horseback -- I was seriously so nervous and out of breath while reading. I can't wait to go back and finish The Tory Widow. Overall, The Turning of Anne Merrick is a GREAT historical fiction book for all, and it doesn't hurt that the author, Christine Blevins, is a lovely person as well. Highly recommended!

Giveaway!

This may be the coolest thing I've ever seen. If you love all things historical, like me, this is the giveaway for you. (Click the picture to get a closer look).

"18th Century Stationery – just the sort of sundry Anne Merrick peddled to those bloodyback scoundrels in Burgoyne’s camp. Supplied with a quill pen and wrapped for convenient stowing amidst your gear, these sheets and envelopes are perfect for scrieving all manner of secret messages – invisible ink not included."

How awesome is this? This giveaway is international, click HERE to enter! You have until February 22nd.

Top Ten Books That Broke Julia's Heart A Little

2012-02-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Happy Valentine's Day! Julia (The Competitive Bibliomaniac) here :) Last year for the Valentine's edition of Top Ten Tuesday, I shared my Top Ten Favorite Love Stories. This year we decided to switch it up and go a little anti-valentine's day.

Top Ten Books That Broke My Heart A Little
FYI I am going to be as vague as I can to prevent any spoilers

1. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Hilariously enough, this book was on my list of best Love stories too. But then and now, I must admit that Rhett and Scarlett's relationship was tumultuous at best. I cried through the last 100 pages of that book.

2. The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman
Lyra is such a heartfelt little girl, sort of thrust into a quest. I am constantly heart broken from the love she receives from her family. But the end of this book seriously ravaged me.

3. The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy
Oh this book again on one of my lists. This was the story of 4 military brothers. You grow to love these guys so much. Then the end (sense a theme here?) rips out your heart and fries it on a plate.... I need to reread this one.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
Oh JK Rowling. My innocence was stolen with some of the earlier books. Shock carried me through another book. But the final book just, gawd! I was trying to read a pivotal forest scene in a dorm room without waking my roommate. It was tough.

5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Oh Suzanne Collins. How much do I love you for this series? Let me count the ways... But in all seriousness, this first book slayed me. The 3rd book slayed me, too, but I was prepared for sadness in the end of series book (see entry: Deathly Hallows). This one just took my expectations and heart and squeezed.

6. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
A book narrated by Death you go into knowing it will be a sad book. This book had ways of lulling me into security and then pulling out the rug. It was a great book.

7. On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
Surprise! A romance novel that tore my soul. The premise for this one may not tear every soul, but when I reread this recently I was in a particular time in my life where I could really relate to what Lucy was going through. It is the last of the Bridgerton novels too, so there is always that normal heart break when a beloved series ends.

8. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
This is the other book that was on the original love list. If you know anything about this book, you can pretty much surmise that it will be heartbreaking. Time Traveling away from the one you love, urg. How horrid.

9. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
I think this was the first book I read that I was unsatisfied with the ending. Later in life I would realize I just wanted the "Disney ending" My heart was broken in the book. Love should conquer all right? I guess you never forget your first right?

10. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
So this was like a good heart break if that makes any sense. Lord Ian has some sort of Autism, maybe Asperger's. It's a historical novel so its not diagnosed. But the way people treat him, breaks my heart. It is mended by the end though, so that is good :)

So that is my list. What's yours? Share it below!

Winner of the mental_floss giveaway!

2012-02-11T00:27:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Emily T. for winning the copy of mental_floss: The Book!

And thank you to all who entered.

Daisy's Review of Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

2012-02-09T12:59:00.000-05:00

Title/Author: Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
Publisher/Date published: Bloomsbury Children's Books, October 25th 2011
How I got this book: received it from the publisher through NetGalley

Goodreads summary: "Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one - other than Celie, that is - takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom."

THIS BOOK! Seriously, THIS BOOK! It was so extremely CUTE and awesome! If I had a little sister or cousin or any little girl in my life right now, I would give it to her. You want the little girls you know to read this book. Little boys too, though this feels to me more like something a girl would enjoy.

Almost the whole time I was reading this, I had a big smile on my face! It was adorable and funny and I loved how strong Celie and her brother and sister were, faced with everything! I mean, I don't know if I could have done all that if I was supposed to run a castle without my parents suddenly.

And the castle, seriously, the castle is AWESOME! I mean, really, living in something that is alive and thinking and adding rooms! And especially changing them so the luxury of your room showed how much it liked you! AMAZING! I LOVED the castle! And I loved that the castle loved Celie and vice versa.

And if you have a faded stuffed toy that changed into a real lion? You've got me! I so recognized the being teased about the faded, loved, old toy. And really, I just loved Celie, our main character. She was fabulous and such a caring, intelligent girl. I love smart girls!

I had never read a book by Jessica Day George before, but after this, I'll be sure to again. And you should all as well!

My rating: 5+ stars

Tahleen reviews: "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper

2012-02-08T00:02:00.000-05:00

Title: Out of My Mind
Author: Sharon M. Draper
Publisher: Recorded Books, 2010 (print available from Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010)
Narrator: Sisi Aisha Johnson

Rating: 4.5 stars

Melody knows thousands of words. She is pretty sure she has a photographic memory, and she has synthesthesia—to her, music has color and taste. But even though she's 10 years old, no one in her life knows any of this. She has never spoken a single word in her life and has no way of communicating to her teachers, parents or anyone else. Melody has cerebral palsy, making it impossible for her to move or speak.

Sharon Draper brings us inside Melody's mind in this novel, told from Melody's own perspective. Her struggles, frustrations, and pain grabbed hold of my heart while I listened to Sisi Aisha Johnson's lovely narration. I became really invested in Melody and her family. I got angry when people treated her poorly, I got frustrated when people couldn't figure out what she wanted, I got sad when she knew she'd never be able to tell her parents with her own voice that she loves them. When bad things happen to anyone she loves, I got sad and sick with her. Often after I shut off the car to go to work, Melody's story stayed with me and I wondered what would happen to her when I finally returned to the story.

But ultimately, this is a story of survival and of hope. There is help for Melody, and she and her family do their best to get it. Melody begins to integrate into the regular schoolrooms, not just in the special education classroom, and begins to be challenged in her schoolwork for the first time. And finally, she finds a way to communicate better than she ever has in her life, leading to a whole new set of challenges for her.

Johnson does a wonderful job narrating. She sounded like a young girl, giving distinct voices to the different characters in Melody's life. She gives Melody a voice full of yearning and anger and sorrow and hope.

Out of My Mind not only is a great book to read if you're looking for the perspective of someone physically disabled, whether you use it in a classroom or suggest it to a library patron, it also is just a great book to read, period.

Disclosure: I checked this audiobook out from the library.

Book tour: By the King's Design + giveaway

2012-02-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

By the King's Design by Christine Trent

Reviewed as a part of Historical Fiction Book Tours

Christine Trent's website: http://www.christinetrent.com/home.html

Tour Event Twitter Hashtag: #BytheKing'sDesignVirtualTour

I absolutely ADORE the early 19th century. It's one of my favorite periods of time for books and movies to be set in (hello? Jane Austen anybody?). One of the things I especially find interesting is the fashion. Ladies dresses were flowing, light, and easy to move about in. This is the era right before the big, stuffy dresses of the Victorian Age. Well, imagine how excited I was to read By the King's Design!

Our heroine, Annabelle (Belle) Stirling, is SO likeable and easy to root for. She has inherited and runs her family's drapery shop on her own, providing the best fabrics for dresses and furnishing to London's elite. Rising in fame, she becomes a draper in the building of the Prince Regent's (the future King George IV) new palace. Belle faces the difficulties of establishing her work as a woman and of course, there's a swoon-worthy man involved, even if he does have a giggle-inducing name (Putnam Boyce).

The one thing that irked me was Belle's brother, Wesley. He was a very charming man and the true owner of the shop, even though he let Belle run things on her own (a good decision). He had many problems and made horrible decisions, yet Belle never opened her eyes to this. She almost blindly followed and accepted him, even when it threatened her shop, reputation, and life. It was hard to see such a strong woman be dragged down by a weak man.

As I mentioned at the beginning, the history is what really made me love this book. The Luddites (people who strongly opposed the upcoming Industrial Revolution and sought out to destroy as much as they could) were one of my favorite parts. I wish we could've read more about George III, the 'Mad King,' as he is one of my favorite historical figures, but his son, the lavish prince, was good enough! The plot was fun, the characters well developed, and I can't wait to get my hands on Christine Trent's other books!

Giveaway!

One of you can have a chance to win a copy of By the King's Design!

Just fill out the simple form here to enter.

You have until February 14th.

Good luck!

Top 10 Books I'd Hand to Someone Who Says They Don't Like To Read

2012-02-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top 10 Books I'd Hand to Someone Who

Says They Don't Like To Read

We all know them. We sometimes like to pretend that they don't exist, but they're still there - those strange people that don't like to read. They may be foreign to us, but it's our jobs to help them out. Here are a few books I'd hand to someone who says they don't like to read.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - A classic.

The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent - If you were wanting someone to get into historical fiction, this would be a good place to start.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - As my all time favorite book, I'd be eager to share this with those that don't like to read. Maybe the main character's love of books could rub off on the reader!

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein- Sort of like Lord of the Rings, but really not at all. The Hobbit is 49839857 times lighter and not quite as wordy and thick.

The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling - does this really need an explanation?

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - another obvious choice!

Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen - You know, I've never met a single person who says they didn't like this book. Even my dad, who only likes war stories, enjoyed it.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- I recently forced my best friend who hates reading to pick this up and HE LOVED IT. Mission accomplished.

Roots by Alex Haley - Besides the fact that it's really long and intimidating, it's an enjoyable and interesting read I think most people would like.

Okay, so I could only think of nine, but what about you? What would be your top recommendations?

Jessi Reviews Soulless by Gail Carriger

2012-02-06T12:33:00.000-05:00

Title/Author: Soulless by Gail Carriger
Publisher/Year: Orbit, 2009
Where I got it: It was the first book I downloaded onto my Nook :)
Why I read it: It's been on my TBR list for a while, and I've heard great things about it

Synopsis: Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire—and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

Review: LORD MACCON--how I love thee, let me count the ways!

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I will say that if this book is any indication of how my 2012 reading years is going to be--I'm going to have an awesome year.

There were so many things I loved about this book. First of all, Gail Carriger builds a phenomenally well-thought out supernatural world that parallels Victorian England. She really covers all her bases. This supernatural world has rules and structure--it puts other vampire/werewolf stories to shame. *ahem*

Her writing itself was a lot of fun to read, as well. Imagine Jane Austen with a bit of a modern twist. Gail's writing took a good story and gave it substance. This is, by no means, a serious book, but at no point did I feel like I was reading fluff. She really blended genres well, too. There was a little bit of everything here: historical fantasy, paranormal, steampunk, horror, suspense, romance. This being my first foray into the steampunk genre, I was pleasantly surprised, and I'll definitely be looking for more from the genre.

As if all that weren't enough, Soulless has an unforgettable cast of characters. Alexia, of course, is totally kickbutt. She is a beacon of Victorian propriety and decorum, but she is also completely independent and definitely not afraid to speak her mind. I loved that she would rather be alone and be considered a spinster than settle for someone with half her wit or someone who wouldn't view her as an equal. Lord Akeldama was another favorite character of mine--freakin' fabulous. Gotta give some props to Professor Lyall. I loved that at times it was like he was the only character acting with a level head. And Lord Maccon? Do I even need to go there? Totally hot. Totally Scottish. And totally perfect for Alexia. (And me, but that's besides the point). I'm telling you, I could see the steam rising from some of those pages! It probably didn't help that I was picturing him as Jamie Dornan, aka Sheriff Graham from Once Upon a Time. Gail Carriger even does her villians well. I hated them all with a deep burning hatred, when it was Alexia's mom or the mysterious shadow man or the creepy wax man. That's when you know you have a good author on your hands.

If you want a book that will make you laugh, make you cry, tug on your heartstrings or make you fan yourself from all the steam, you will find it here in Gail Carriger's Soulless. I can't wait to start Changeless!

Julia Reviews Everything I Know About Love I learned From Romance Novels

2012-02-05T12:20:00.000-05:00

Title/Author:Everything I Know About Love About Learned From Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell
Publisher/Year Published: October 2011 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
How I got this book: From my local library
Why I read this book: I read a lot of romance novels and the title is pretty much out of my mouth
Rating: 5 stars

I read my first romance novel right around the age of 12. My cousin gave me some to read that she had gotten through various ways. She said they were really good books I would like them. 13 years later and I am still reading romance.

As a self-professed bookaholic, people often times give me a lot of condecension for my choice of reading. When I tell people that I read 72 books in 2010 and 49% of them were romance I often get "Well those don't count." or "It's just chick porn."

This really frustrates me. Just because it is a book that is heavily focused on romance means it doesn't count? I picked up Everything I Know I Learned from Romance Novels hoping to get some more amo to throw at these people, but what I found was a group of stories and lessons that were enchanting and eye opening.

Everything I Know About Love was written by Smart Bitch Sarah over at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, a site I often frequent. She often asked readers while she was writting to contribute anecdotes, as well as other authors and publishers. What she collected was a chain of stories about people and their relationship with romance. It was really interesting because not only did I realize what other people have taken from reading romance, I realized that a lot of that applied to me as well.

What I Learned From Romance Novels:

Don't to settle for something less than I am worth.
Though men are not romance heros, the romance heroes have qualities (like kindness and the ability to listen) that real men can have.
It's not a problem to embrace sexuality.
The happily-ever after is not the interesting part. It's how you get there.

I don't expect someone to ride up beside me, sweep me off my feet onto their white horse and tell me they've wait for me forever. I do expect trust and communication, understanding when something happens when life isnt always perfect, someone who will love me faults and all.

For me romance has been an escape, a roadmap to relationships, a way to discover myself to just name a few. What this book really solidified in me is that I don't care that other people may think less of me for reading romance. They dont know what they have taught me. I know that I will be a better friend, lover, woman, and person for reading them.

As for the book, you hear a lot of stories like this neatly divided into sections. If you dont read romance but have wondered why so many flock to it. Pick this up. It is quick and fun to read. It took me one 4 hour flight.

I am not sure how to end my review/personal outpouring. I guess I'll end it with this. Never feel guilty for reading something. A book can mean anything to anyone. :)

Kimberly's Review of 'Touch of Power"

2012-02-03T00:01:00.001-05:00

Kimberly's Review of 'Touch of Power' by Maria V. Snyder

Book: Touch of Power
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Reason I read it: Because it’s by Maria V. Snyder

I’ve been waiting what feels like forever to read this. I will pick up any of Maria’s books. I’ve read all of her books and short stories and enjoyed them immensely. I waited for the release date of this book, counting down the days until I could walk into Barnes and Noble and pick it up. Finally December 20th came, I went to Barnes and Noble and… no book. I was told by a bookseller that they wouldn’t be carrying it! I was shocked. They had always carried her books.

So what was I to do? They said they’d “try” and order it for me. That didn’t sound very promising…

Then there was Amazon. I have prime membership. Free two day shipping. I might as well do that… But then I’d still
have to wait several days.

*sigh*

Finally I put aside my “I want to read it so I’ll just download and read it instantly” mentality and waited. I ended up ordering it from the UK (I liked the cover art better).

Only to go back to Barnes and Noble two days later, ask a different employee about the book on a whim and… lo and behold, they had a huge stock of them.

(I’m doing my best not to harbor any hard feeli ngs against the first employee I talked to.) Maybe it was her first day. Or at least, that’s what I’m hoping.

As for the book? It was every bit as good as I expected and was better than I could have hoped for. Avry is a fantastic heroine. Tough as nails, but not so tough that she has no heart. Let me tell you a bit about this story.

“Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos. Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for h er capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life….” (From Amazon.com)

Maria has an incredible ability when it comes to world building and developing her characters. Two pages in and you’re hooked. You love the main character and you’re hungry to learn more about this world they live in.

She also has a wonderful sense of humor. Wit is prevalent throughout the book. Action, romance, humor, and fantasy are mixed wonderfully to creat e a fantastic story.

There was something else I liked about Avry… She’s different that a lot of female protagonists in a unique way. Most heroines are described as being very small and petite. Or they’re blond. Or they have some other characteristic that gives them the ‘perfect’ image. Avry on the other hand, is described as being 5’8, has dark hair and has green eyes. I don’t really care what the heroines in the books I read look like, but Avry was a refreshing change from the norm. Plus… I’m 5’8, have dark hair and green eyes. I couldn’t help but like her a bit more. ; )

The story will draw you in, you will fall in love with every one of the characters. The banter between the main characters is hilarious, it’s heartwarming and fun to see the various relationships develop.

As usual with Maria’s books, there is romance. But Avry doesn’t spend her time worrying about her feelings and whether she has a boyfriend or not. She stands on her own. Maria adds just enough romance to keep things interesting, without letting it overtake the plot.

If you are a fan of fantasy, like strong heroines, or are just looking for a good read, I highly recommend you pick this one up. You won’t regret it!

5+ Stars!

Julia reviews Cinder by Marissa Meyer

2012-02-02T00:16:00.000-05:00

Title/Author: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Publisher/Year Published:January 2012 by Feiwel & Friends
How I got this book: From my local library
Why I read this book: Short answer: The cover
Rating: 5 stars

I am going to do something different with the Goodreads summary for Cinder. I am going to bold all of the things that made me want to read this book. Here we go.

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

So Humans and Androids? Already sounds interesting right? Yes. We would be right. The intermingling of humans and machines, and human machines is awesome and unique. The machines are integrated into society just like watching a cool updated Jetsons. The futuristic piece of this novel is very well done!

New Beijing? So this is set in the East somewhere. I LOVE Asian type books. Unfortunately this isn't maximized to it's full potential, but the mentions of the culture are there if you look. They use chopsticks, the celebrations are decorated in red and gold, things like that. But outside of the Chinese honorifics and these side things, it could very well be set in America. What's next?

Gifted mechanic cyborg Cinder? Yes please! I love that she is, well, useful for lack of a better term. She takes control of her own destiny despite obstacles in her path. She is a very strong lead and the serious highlight of the story.

Step-sister's illness. So I see this and I read that while it is a Cinderella retelling, Meyer also makes it her own. And it really succeeds at this. Meyer takes a fairy tale that we know from either the original story or the Disney movie and seamlessly interweaves the plot points into an awesome retelling.

Intergalactic struggle huh? Spcae?! LUNAR PEOPLE! Well yup. There is an evil moon people and a fun story-line surrounding that. This and the post-apocalyptic atmospheric make it a wonderful SciFi dystopian.

Forbidden attraction. Yay, a love story! Yay, not a love triangle! I love myself some forbidden attraction.

Outside of all of that, the story was very fulfilling. A little more world building would have been cool, but there are three other books in the series. Kai's character is starting off okay, but I look forward to reading more about him and watching him develop further. Cinder however is awesome and probably one of my favorite heroines that I have read in a while. The twist, if that is what is was suppose to be, is really predictable as is the story if you are at all familiar with Cinderella, but I don't think that is a bad thing.

It is a GREAT start to a new series that I know I will be devouring as they come out! If you like fairy tales, dystopians, scifi or YA, check this out!

And the cover? Totally cool.

Tahleen's Top Ten Books That Would Make Great Book Club Picks

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!
Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

For future Top Ten Tuesday topics through February, check them out here!

Hi everyone! This week's topic is great book club picks. I hope you agree with me that these would spark some great discussion, even if you don't particularly like the books themselves. Sometimes that sparks the best discussion, don't you think?

1. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Come on, you know I am all about YA. This books has lots of appeal for adults as well as teens, and there is definitely a lot to talk about here.

2. A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris. This is one that is less known, but I think extremely well written and full of stuff to talk about. It's told from 3 perspectives, 3 generations of women, all coming together in the end. I really liked this one and I want other people to know about it, too.

3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Yeah, I know, I know. Everyone's already read it. But think about how you can all talk about why it's so popular, or even if it deserves all the buzz! Also, it was written by a woman who had a black maid, so there's that bit to talk about too. There's a lot that probably can be uncovered in a second read-through or discussion.

4. Anything by John Green. There is so much to his writing, with literary allusions and philosophy and ways he connects the past to the present. Love it.

5. A Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I actually read this for my book club, and there was a lot to talk about. Especially when you put yourself in that position, thinking about how you would react if that ever happened. (You'll find out what I'm talking about when you read it.)

6. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. A good non-fiction book to add to the mix. Skloot makes science accessible and tells the story of one of the most overlooked women in the history of science. It's fascinating and personal and very exposed all at the same time. Makes you really think about medical ethics.

7. Maus by Art Spiegelman. If you haven't read this graphic novel, you should. Spiegelman is a master at this art. There is so much to talk about in this two-part memoir, I can't even begin to talk about it all.

8. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. I had to. You guys KNOW me by now. He is my hero. Also, this book is hilarious and full of an enormous amount of interesting facts. This is due for a reread.

9. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. I just really liked this book and think it has a lot you could talk about.

10. Sunshine by Robin McKinley. This book is the very best vampire book ever. In my opinion. SO much going on, and you will want to eat all sorts of baked goods/try your hand at baking while reading this. Plus, vampires are not sparkly in this one. They want to kill you. Most of the time.

Those are my picks! Tell us yours. Link up below!

Natanya Reviews Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

2012-01-27T08:18:00.003-05:00

Title/Author: Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

Publisher/Year: Little Brown & Co, 2004

Where I got it: Library on ebook

Why I read it: I’ve heard Sedaris is good, and this was the only one of his books available at the library when I needed a book to read

Summary (from Goodreads):

David Sedaris returns to his deliriously twisted domain: hilarious childhood dramas infused with melancholy; the gulf of misunderstanding that exists between people of different nations or members of the same family; and the poignant divide between one's best hopes and most common deeds. The family characters his readers love are all here, as well as the unique terrain they inhabit, strewn with comic landmines. 'The Rooster' is back, and getting married in the funniest wedding ever described. David attends a slumber party and gets the upper hand in a unique version of strip poker. 'Rubber or plastic?' The strangest questions can tear people apart. A skinny guy from Spain, wearing a bishop's hat and accompanied by six to eight men, invades your house and pretends to kick you. Is this any way to spend Christmas? With this new book, Sedaris's prose reaches breathtaking new heights and marks off a territory that is unmistakably his own. Read it and weep tears of humane laughter.

The word “hilarious” in the above summary combined with my previous knowledge of David Sedaris led me to believe that this book would be very funny. Perhaps I just don’t understand Sedaris’ style of humor, but while I was often somewhat amused, I found very little of this book “hilarious,” which is odd since I’ve read reviews of this book saying it is quite funny. But for me, many of the stories were interesting, but not at all laugh-out-loud funny. In fact, most often they were just plain disturbing, and many also didn’t seem believable. Maybe some of the problem is that I read this as my first Sedaris book instead of Me Think Pretty One Day or When You Are Engulfed in Flames, but I don’t know.

Again, however, I’m not saying that the stories weren’t interesting. They were. Sedaris is a great storyteller, and I enjoyed hearing about his siblings and getting to compare how they were as kids and adults. In fact, stories about the siblings were considerably more interesting to read about than the stories just about Sedaris, who, quite frankly, is a bit of an obnoxious douchebag. Sedaris jumps around in time a lot in this book, which both makes it interesting and kind of confusing – there are stories where he appears to be in his 20s, and others where he’s in his 40s, but it was hard for me to develop a timeline of when things happened once he got beyond stories about his childhood, so many of the stories ended up blending together.

Overall, this was the kind of book that I would recommend not reading all at once, and instead reading one or two stories at a time over a few weeks. I think I would have liked it more had I done that, when instead I got sick of it about 4/5 of the way through and stopped reading (and then my Kindle loan from the library expired, and it doesn’t seem worth it to renew). I’m not yet ready to write off Sedaris altogether, but I don’t know if I’ll ever finish this particular book.

3 stars

Daisy's Review of Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

2012-01-25T13:19:00.000-05:00

Title/Author: Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi
Publisher/Date published: HarperCollins, January 3rd 2012
How I got this book: received it from the publisher through NetGalley

Goodreads summary: "Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.
As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.
They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY."

So people have been going "OMG! THE NEVER SKY!" for a couple of months now. The summary left me with a big questionmark over my head, but don't let that deter you, this book is le awesome! This book was the book that after 5 books ranging from meh to really enjoyed it, got me LOVING it.

It took some time to get used to the society and we are pretty much thrown right into the action as it starts with Aria being caught in a fire and getting thrown out of Reverie. But slowly I got to know Aria and Perry and Roar and all the other characters that make this book into the wonderfulness that it was.

I absolutely LOVED Perry! And Roar! Don't get me wrong, I also loved Aria, but Perry and Roar just stole my heart. The boys are amazing and I loved how Perry struggled with his abilities and with Aria and his loyalty to his family... I felt everything right along with him and I love it when that happens! Perry had lots of amazing Perry-moments (and you guys, the moment on the tower with Aria!!), I hope you all discover them as well!

The Aether in the sky is fascinating and I'm very much hoping we'll learn more about it, like how it came into being, if it causes other things than we've already seen. But most of all I'll be reading the next book because I want to find out what happens next! And to get my Perry-fix, cause that boy ran off with my heart!

I'm happy to say this book didn't end with a cliffhanger, like so many books in series seem to do these days. So instead of making me go WHAT? NO!!! it left me with a smile on my face and an intense desire to have the next book ASAP!

My rating: 5+ stars

Top Ten Historical Fiction Books That Jamie Loved

2012-01-24T00:05:00.001-05:00

Check out how Top Ten Tuesday works & the future schedule of topics HERE.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic is a freebie...meaning YOU pick whatever topic your heart desires! Did you miss a topic you wanted to participate in or have a really specific topic that will probably never be a general Top Ten Tuesday topic? This week is for YOU!

I decided to go with a list of the best adult historical fiction books or young adult historical fiction books that paint the picture of an era so well that I really want to visit it or read everything (fiction and non-fiction) that I can about it.

1. Vixen/Ingenue by Jillian Larkin: I've always had this obsession with flappers and the 1920's in general and this one is so great. I can picture the smokey lounges, hear the jazz playing, fear the pinstriped, gun toting pimps and envy the beautiful flappers and their amazing outfits. If you like Young Adult historical fiction and the 1920s, give this series a try!

2. Between Shades Of Gray by Ruta Septys: If I could only recommend one historical fiction books, it'd be this one. No matter what your reading preferences are, I think you'll find this book haunting and will open your eyes to one of history's most horrible injustices during Stalin's reign. I have recommended this book to so many of my friends and have found even my friends who are non-YA readers like it!

3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusack: Oh my goodness. Talk about a book making you sob all through the night. THIS ONE. It's set during WW2 in Germany and is heartbreaking and so powerful. And it's narrated by DEATH...which is one of the most memorable POVS I've EVER come across. This book is on my top five favorite books ever list.

4. Memoirs of A Geisha by Arthur Golden: I had been so wary about this one when I read it a few years ago. It was one of those books that I saw everybody and their MOM reading in airports or parks or in line at the grocery store. It was so hyped. But for good reason! I found myself easily immersed into the world of the geishas in Japan. The scenes were vivid, the story was interesting and I couldn't put it down. I even bought a non-fiction book about geishas! YAY learning.

5. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum: Clearly I have a fascination with books set in WW2 but I really did love this book so much! I loved the mother-daughter storyline and the writing was wonderful! My heart broke for Anna in this book and it portrayed perfectly what a mother's love would allow her to do for her child.

6. A Long, Long Time Ago And Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka: Oh surprise surprise. This book is also set during WW2 in Poland. This book was a GEM! I had accepted a pitch on a whim and ended up LOVING it. Beautiful writing & complex characters. Definitely recommend if you like adult historical fiction set in WW2.

7. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson: I don't typically read much Middle grade fiction but I love Laurie Halse Anderson and I really love the American Revolution. It fascinated me in school, I always read books set during that time as a child/tween and I geek out when my history buff stepdad takes to trips to battlefields. (He actually reenacts Washington's Crossing on the Delaware river here in PA on Christmas morning). This book will undoubtedly be a classic middle grade novel and I can see children really loving this in schools. The characters are relatable and the story is perfectly paced.

8. Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen: I LOVED this book. LOVED. It was so gritty and interesting and during and era that I find fascinating. And plus...a huge part of the setting is the circus! I thought the movie was pretty good but GO READ THE BOOK.

9. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara: I read this one for school and I really recall liking it. I've always loved learning about the Civil War era and this was one required reading assignment I didn't mind.

10. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer: I always see it labeled as Historical Fiction but it's an epistolary novel that has correspondences from the present but also the past as the main character is learning about this island of Guernsey during WW2. The title threw me off on this one and never really intrigued me but I saw a few rave reviews and HAD to read it! So glad I did!

Tell me some of your favorite historical fiction books!!

Kelly's Review of "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks

2012-01-23T12:50:00.001-05:00

Title: Year of Wonders

Author: Geraldine Brooks

Published: Penguin, 2001

Book reviewers I trust had ranted about this book for a long time, and I figured I should check it out. Heck, it's #19 on the Best Historical Fiction list on goodreads. It's historical fiction, about the plague, and set in England, what's not for me to like?

The book is about a young woman named Anna living in a small village in England, that through unfortunate events, is diseased with plague in 1666. As death reaches into every household, the lives and relationships of the villagers are changed forever, leading to extreme actions and disastrous endings. Sound pretty epic to me.

That being said...I really wanted to like this book. The overall plot is an interesting and novel idea...but it was just written to be too boring for me. Even when exciting and unexpected things do happen, it was written in a very bland way. It was one of those "Wait, did something happen? Oh, someone died in a horrific way? How did I miss that?" moments . OK, this sounds a little seedy, but I was also expecting it to be more graphic and...well, gross. Based on some reviews I read, I was expecting to have to carry a trashcan around with me to throw up in. Yeah, that didn't happen. The Plague was anything but simple or skimpy on details, why make the book like that?

Even with the not so great writing, I still would have given it a higher rating if it hadn't been for the ending. Out of nowhere it turned into some sort of 21st century Hollywood movie with action, sex, and scandal...but not in a good way. It was almost as if the author was getting bored with her own story, and to save it, scribbled down some strange climax at the last moment. It was so out of place and almost unnecessary.

It was still a decent book, just a little disappointing. 2 stars.

[Note: this review is over two years old, I pulled it out of the archives of my personal blog. Looking at the goodreads list, I see it is now #31! Apparently people agree with me.]

Tahleen reviews: "Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have)" by Sarah Mlynowski

2012-01-20T12:40:00.001-05:00

Title: Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have)
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Publisher: HarperTeen, 2011

Rating: 4 stars

When April's dad and stepmom drop the bomb that they're moving to Cleveland, she can't even begin to comprehend or accept it. In fact, she'll do anything to stay in Connecticut, where her friends, her school, and her boyfriend Noah are. The problem is, her mother and brother are all the way in Paris and there's no where else she can stay. Well... except for her friend Vi's place. Where her mom will be leaving her unsupervised for the semester since she got the leading role in a traveling production of the musical Mary Poppins. All April has to do is tell a few little lies. But there are definitely some things she wasn't expecting to happen, like getting a hot tub, adopting a kitten, throwing the biggest party ever...

When I saw this book was only 99 cents for my nook, I knew I had to take advantage of that. I'd heard great things, and this book didn't disappoint. I couldn't believe some of the things these girls did, or that they had the guts to do them—at some points I was actually a bit upset at their decisions. But overall it was a fun book that had a lot of serious moments and issues teens deal with on a regular basis. Well, besides the whole living without guardians thing.

I loved that this is sort of a framed narrative. It starts off the morning after the big party, with April getting a phone call from her father saying he's 15 minutes away from the house to surprise her for her birthday. Needless to say, she is very surprised and goes into panic mode. Then we cut back to right before New Year's Eve, when we find out her father is leaving. The rest of the book goes through the time they are without parents, with a twist following the scene where the book started. I loved this.

What I'm most impressed with is how Mlynowski handles sex in her writing. April loses her virginity (one of the 10 things), and the way Mlynowski writes it is not only completely believable, but probably pretty normal. I was incredibly impressed with how responsibly she treats the subject—April and Vi both go on the birth control pill to start, use condoms, etc. Yet Mlynowski makes it clear that there can be consequences to sex, both emotionally and physically, and for that I am grateful that this book exists. I can think of a few people who should have read this.

*kind of a spoiler*

I also really liked how April tries so hard to manage her love life and do the right thing, even though she is starting to have feelings for her friend Hudson and it's clear he likes her too. She stays loyal to her boyfriend, but there is that thought in the back of her mind that maybe she would be happier with someone else, especially when Noah starts to act differently toward her.

Overall, this was a quick, fun read that teens can easily relate to, despite the abnormal circumstances. I would certainly recommend this to teens, as well as those of us who read young adult novels well into adulthood.

Disclosure: I bought this as an e-book from Barnes & Noble.

Paula gets to see John Green!

2012-01-19T13:09:00.000-05:00

GUYS! So this past Saturday was pretty exciting for me, as some of you may or may not know, John Green recently released his new book "The Fault in Our Stars". And as a part of its promotion, he's been touring the US. Thankfully I was lucky enough to live in a city that his tour stopped in and got to see him (and his (vlog)brother Hank Green joined him as a special guest.

I got to the event pretty early (thankfully- because it was sold out and I managed to snag a fairly close spot) and spent my hour people watching and finishing "The Fault in Our Stars".

The first thing we were greeted with was Hanksock (a puppet from vlogbrothers) who did a little act and told people to take as many pictures as they wanted etc etc, and then introduced John. John came out on the stage and read an excerpt from the book (most of Chapter 2). I found this super exciting because as I was reading the book, I imagined it as John reading it, and it was awesome hearing how he placed emphasis on certain things that I didn't. It was also amusing hearing him talk as a 16 year old girl. He also talked about his inspiration for the book, which was working as a hospital chaplain over a decade ago. He explained that he's been working on this novel since then, and it kept getting put off because he didn't know what the story actually was about. He then explained that he finally knew how to write it after he met his friend Esther Earl (who the book is dedicated too), who has since lost the battle to cancer.

After that Hank played some songs. One was about the book (and also from the character's perspective, so we got to hear Hank be a 16 year old girl also). After that he sang some of his original songs - some of which were about Harry Potter. All of which were wonderfully nerdy.

Next up was Q&A. John did part of it on his own specifically about "The Fault in Our Stars" (or his other books). There was a mix of thoughtful and silly questions. Unfortunately the thoughtful answers have slipped my mind, but some of the other questions were "Why do all of your female characters have green eyes" or "Why do all of your female characters wear blue nail polish?" Both of which he said were coincidence. After his time was up Hank joined him and they had a vlogbrothers Q&A. Which as an added bonus (so neither one would hog the time and lots of people were able to get questions answered) - whoever was talking when the buzzer went off (Hank) got shocked. They talked a lot about various projects they are working on and answered questions about Hankgames and how Vlogbrothers got started.

Then sadly the event was over and the line for signing began. Thankfully I was able to switch my letter (originally had S, switched for an M) with someone else and I only had to wait about 45 minutes. Since they only had 30 seconds of interaction time per person, I had to plan what I was going to ask carefully.... I finally settled with "Is it your intention to make me sob in public every time I read your books in a coffee shop?" He replied that it was his intention to make me laugh, and hopefully my tears were from laughter. I told him they were tears of joy because his writing is wonderful.

My spoils of war:

It was a pretty good night, Huzzah! and DFTBA nerdfighters!

Julia's Top Ten Books Recommended To Non-Romance Readers

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday Everyone! Julia here with today's topic.

Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read X

Now. A little background for my choice if you will. I love reading romance novels. According to my statistics that I do for myself, last year 42% of the books I read were romance novels. The year before that it was 46%. So I love romance. I have lots of reasons, but that is not for this post. I have reviewed/mentioned romance novels about six times on this blog, and review them a whole lot more over at my own blog.

So I decided to make my list...

Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read Romance Novels
More specifically... historical romance. Because that is really what most of these are.

1. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
I love fairytale retellings, and this is a wonderful modernization of the Beauty and the Beast tale. Well modernization meaning it is still set in the past but not in the far distant past of legends. The hero and heroine are both dynamic and is has an interesting story propelling you to the end.
(Add on Goodreads)

2. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Oh, the Bridgertons. I love this series. The Duke and I is the first one in that series. It's a family of 8 kids, one kid per book. Trivia! They are named alphabetically. The first one is the Duke and I. It is about the first gil Daphne and Simon. I love this story because it has just the right balance between levity and plot. Other favorite books in the series? The Viscount Who Loved Me, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton and On the Way to the Wedding.
(Add on Goodreads)

3. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
This is one of those books that most people (meaning the threads I read on Smart Bitches, Trashy Books) recommend to first readers of romance. Dudes in our readership, the Smart Bitches even had a math professor read and review these books, and he even liked it! So its not only the womens who like romance. Trivia! There have been a few men who have written romance under a woman's name. Anyway, I loved both of the main characters, both strong in their own way.
(Add on Goodreads)

4. The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne
This one was my first review here at TBTB. Oh the days. Let me summarize. This is a spy romance. The spy story is super interesting and because the whole plot isn't a "big misunderstanding" or some other relationship centric thing it may be an easier book to get into over some other romances for a newbie.
(Add on Goodreads)

5. Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
This was the first romance novel that I fell in love with. I honestly don't know how, at the age of like 13, I plowed through this book. It has it all. Marriage from jail, trans-Atlantic boat trips, pirates, life on an island. It's an older romance, so it may not be as... modern as some of the newer ones. And to be honest I have not read it in years, but it holds a place in my heart. I felt like at least one place on my list should be one of the pioneers.
(Add on Goodreads)

6. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
This is the first book in a series about the Mackenzie family. THis one hilights the youngest son whom, though it is never stated I dont think, has a form of autism or something like that. Since this takes place in the 1800s, it is not surprising I dont know which. Regardless, his character and the romance he has with Beth is very believable and a wonderful story.
(Add on Goodreads)

7. Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros
Teresa Medeiros has written romance across the board. There was contemporary with a hint of magic, historical with a hint of paranormal, and even scottish highlanders. This one is not so out there and takes place mostly the house of a blind ex-soldier. I love the way she writes and this one is one of my favorites.
(Add on Goodreads)

8. Soulless by Gail Carriger
I don't know if I would technically classify this as a romance novel. It's more of a fantasy series... but what a good way to get into a new genre! It's a bridge of sorts. This steampunk novel takes place in alternate history Britain and is chock full of paranormal and mystery.
(Add on Goodreads)

9. The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
This is the third in Elizabeth Hoyt's prince trilogy. I think it would be better read as a series (but then again I MUST read things in order), but this book was my favorite. This may not be the best one to start with if you are squeamish toward sex scenes, but the story was wonderful. I am actually due for a reread!
(Add on Goodreads)

I am going to cheat a little on number 10 as it really isn't a romance novel, but a book about romance novels.

10. Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendel and Candy Tan
This is the guide to romance novels written by those aforementioned Smart Bitches. Why do we love them? What are the rule to romance novels? What are the loved and not so loved cliches? If you are interested in the genre but not quite ready to dive in, this is your book.
(Add on Goodreads)

So that is my list! I am SOOO looking forward to pursuing the list this week. I hope to find some really cool new books to read! Happy Reading!

Blog Tour: At the Mercy of the Queen + giveaway

2012-01-16T00:05:00.000-05:00

At the Mercy of the Queen by Anne Clinard Barnhill

Reviewed as a part of Historical Fiction Book Tours

Anne Barnhill's Website: http://www.anneclinardbarnhill.com/

Twitter Event Hashtag: #MeryOfTheQueenVirtualTour

About a year ago on my personal blog, I pondered a scenario that most Tudor-fanatics have come across. We are constantly inindated with books about either Henry VIII or his six wives - and that's it. Where are all of the other people? The families, servants, and friends were there and can certainly offer up a fresh new viewpoint to the well-known stories surrounding Henry and his queens. At the Mercy of the Queen does a great job of this, re-hashing the frequently told story of Anne Boleyn from another perspective.

Margaret Shelton, also called Madge, is sent in 1533 at the age of 15 to become a lady-in-waiting to her cousin, Anne Boleyn. Since they are family, Madge quickly becomes one of Anne's favorites and a close confidante. Madge is historically famous for being thought to be the cousin that Anne Boleyn offered to Henry VIII as a new mistress - a mistress that Anne would have under her control and grasp. In the book, this is a major struggle for Madge. On the one hand, she wants to please her queen, who is quickly losing Henry's favor, by singing her praises to the king. Yet on the other hand, Madge is in love with Arthur, Charles Brandon's bastard son. I personally could not ever imagine being in this scenario and willingly putting up with Anne's schemes. Just as a side note, I kept picturing Henry as the one portrayed in show The Tudors - we must realize that the real Henry was a large, gluttonous man with a festering leg wound. Not even close to Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. This was another factor in Madge's reluctance.

Even though this was Madge's book and story, I still feel as if Anne Boleyn was the main star. All of the decisions, outcomes and storylines revolved around her. I suppose it is hard to write a story about a minor player in the Tudor-era without having the notariety of someone such as Anne Boleyn play a large part in it. Madge's thoughts and personality were still intigrated very well; it still fit the bill as a refreshing look at Anne Boleyn's story through someone else's eyes. The book overall was well written and interesting - I finished the book in one day, I couldn't put it down! At the Mercy of the Queen also made me look at several people very differently, Henry Norris and Jane Seymour in particular. In this book, neither are the kind, easy-going characters we are used to.

Of course, I highly reccommend this book to other Tudor-lovers, but I also know that general historical fiction readers will enjoy it as well. As this is her first novel, I am excited to see what else Anne Clinard Barnhilll will write about!

Giveaway!
As I will be moving in a few months and am looking to downsize my book collection, I am giving away my copy of At the Mercy of the Queen to one of you! Just fill out a simple form here to enter.
-Open to US residents only
-You have until January 23 to enter!

Daisy's Review of The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

2012-01-13T13:16:00.000-05:00

Title/Author: The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley
Publisher/Date published: Sourcebooks Landmark, October 4th 2011
How I got this book: received it from the publisher through NetGalley

Goodreads summary: "When Eva's film star sister Katrina dies, she leaves California and returns to Cornwall, where they spent their childhood summers, to scatter Katrina's ashes and in doing so return her to the place where she belongs. But Eva must also confront the ghosts from her own past, as well as those from a time long before her own. For the house where she so often stayed as a child is home not only to her old friends the Halletts, but also to the people who had lived there in the eighteenth century. When Eva finally accepts that she is able to slip between centuries and see and talk to the inhabitants from hundreds of years ago, she soon finds herself falling for Daniel Butler, a man who lived - and died - long before she herself was born. Eva begins to question her place in the present, and in laying her sister to rest, comes to realise that she too must decide where she really belongs, choosing between the life she knows and the past she feels so drawn towards."

This book went BEYOND my expectations! Seriously, on starting it, I thought I would enjoy this book. Instead, I ended up LOVING it! It was so amazing, so prepare for a gushing review :)

This is a time travel story and this makes it a historical romance mixed with a contemporary romance novel and I really enjoyed this part of it! I loved how there's such an emphasis on the importance of the house, to the point it almost felt like a character itself. I also loved that Eva had such a connection to it from her childhood!

Eva as a main character is wonderful! I'm all about the strong family bonds, mostly with close family (parents, siblings) and Eva genuinely loved her sister very much. Her sister was a famous actress and I didn't sensed only a little jealousy because of this, which I can totally understand. She is sensitive and strong and I loved how this balanced out for her.

And I loved the guy! Daniel is SO amazing! If I was transported back in time and met him, I would totally fall for him! Because really, who in their right mind wouldn't? He's understanding and generous, not to mention HANDSOME and charming! *sigh* I loved the chemistry between them and I was just going AAAH! KISS ALREADY! So yeah, good romance :)

I also loved some of the other characters, which is always a huge bonus! And I love how everytime tied together in the end and how I kept thinking 'OH, so THAT's why that detail was mentioned before!' I love it when that happens and seriously!

This story left me feeling a mix of happy and sad at the ending, happy because the ending was SO FREAKING GOOD and sad because it ended. I didn't want it to stop yet and this for me is the sign of a good book!

My rating: 5+ stars

Tahleen reviews: "Sweetly" by Jackson Pearce

2012-01-12T12:22:00.001-05:00

Title: Sweetly
Author: Jackson Pearce
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 2011

Rating: 4 stars

In a modern telling of Hansel and Gretel, Jackson Pearce brings us to Live Oak, South Carolina, where Ansel and his little sister Gretchen, ages 19 and 18 respectively, run out of gas on a cross-country road trip after being kicked out of their home by their stepmother. Gretchen, still scarred from her twin sister being snatched by what she remembers as a witch one fateful day in the woods, is very withdrawn yet desperately wants to stand out so she doesn't disappear too. Ansel has always been her rock. Things look like they might be changing for the better when they find a temporary home with Sophia Kelly, the young woman who owns the local chocolatier. Yet there are secrets in these woods, and Sophia isn't telling them everything. What seems like paradise starts to look more and more like the woods Gretchen left behind.

In her second fairy tale book, Pearce has once again taken an age-old tale and brought it to the modern day. I love fairy tale retellings, but I was a little disappointed with Pearce's Sisters Red. But here, I think Pearce has improved as a writer. I liked the characters much more, and the language she uses for her characters is pitch-perfect.

I was intrigued by the mystery, and Pearce unraveled it at just the right pace. I was never too far ahead of the characters (I hate it when I can figure it out too soon), and I really like how she tied her two novels together. And man, did she bring on the action. My favorite part of Sisters Red was the fighting, and I was glad to see it return.

Oh, also? Delicious candy. I wanted chocolate pretty much the entire time I was reading this.

One thing I couldn't stand, though, was how often Pearce used certain words. The most memorable one was the word "tease." I felt like everything anyone said to anyone was followed by "I teased" or "she teased." It got so bad that I started rolling my eyes when I came across it—it was just aggravating. But I guess if that's my biggest complaint, that's not so bad.

I'm looking forward to the third novel, a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" titled Fathomless, later this year. There were hints about part of the plot in Sweetly, and I'm eager to see how the series will continue and for the introduction of new characters.

Disclosure: I got this book from the library.

Top Ten Authors Paula Wishes Would Write Another Book

2012-01-10T00:01:00.003-05:00

Top Ten Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book

1. Margaret Atwood- I don't know if she counts because I think she's writing the 3rd book in the MaddAddam trilogy right now. But I am just really anxiously awaiting the chance to read it. So... I wish it would hurry up and be all done!

2. Oscar Wilde- I have read the majority of his works. And as much as I love his plays and short stories (and that is coming from someone who doesn't often read short stories) I would LOVE another novel. The Picture of Dorian Gray is my favorite and I wish I could have another.

3.Gabriel Garcia Marquez- He's said a few times that he is "finished with writing" and yet there are rumors that he has one or two finished novels waiting for publishing. Do want!

4. JK Rowling- She has stated that she is working on a new children's book but it's going slow because she's focusing on family right now. She has also hinted that books she releases now will be under a pseudonym, so we may not even know that it's her that has released it.

5. Phillip Pullman- I don't know if he counts either because he recently (well 2010) released a new book called The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ. BUT I want him to release another book in His Dark Materials. Even though it's a trilogy and the story is completely over. I actually just want more Iorek Byrnison in my life.

6. J.M. Barrie- Could you just imagine how much more imaginative the world could have been if the writer of Peter Pan had written another novel?

7. Neil Gaiman - I know he's been a busy man recently but my hands are getting itchy to hold a new book of his. Thankfully he recently announced that he is starting the writing process again. Yessssss.

8. Charles Yu- How to Live Safely in A Science Fictional Universe was probably one of my favorite books last year. He has a collection of short stories I need to check out, but I await a second novel with high hopes!

9. Diane Setterfield - I loved The Thirteenth Tale and I hope there is a second novel coming soon. There is no hints of anything on any sites I've found.

10. John Green- Okay so I know this one doesn't count since his new book is getting released today (and I will be picking up my copy!) but can we all just get a giant YAY!

Paula reviews The Demi-Monde

2012-01-06T21:53:00.000-05:00

Book: The Demi-Monde by Rod Rees
Publisher: HarperCollins 2011
How I got it: Received an ARC copy

I got this book a few weeks ago and I just finished it the other day. I wont blame it being a slow read on the book completely - there were holidays going on and I had life and work distracting me. Sadly with life being frantic, every time I looked at the book sitting on my bedside table, I sighed. Anyway- on to the review.

The Demi-Monde: Winter is hard to classify genre wise. I'm not sure if it should be considered Cyberpunk or Steampunk, although it is certainly dystopian.
The premise of the novel is that in the Real World, the military has created a computer simulation to help prepare soldiers for war. Once you're hooked up you are completely immersed (think similar to the Matrix). The world you are sent to in the simulation is the Demi-Monde, which is a world filled with all of history's baddies, and so it constantly on the brink of war. However, one of these baddies has retained some of his old consciousness and wants to get out - so he steals the President's daughter and holds her hostage in the Demi-Monde. So the government finds Ella and promises her a lot of money in order to enter the Demi-Monde to save the President's daughter.

I thought the over all concept of the novel was pretty cool. I love history, so the idea of bringing a lot of history's evil psychopaths together was highly entertaining for me. And what you get is a world filled with a lot of hatred, persecution and oppression. And you have a lot of revolutionaries trying to fight the system who become just as crazed as they tyrants they are against (i.e. the character Trixie Dashwood)

I enjoyed the main character Ella, she is thrown into this world with no briefing what-so-ever and just runs with it. She has a lot going against her in this world: A. being a "shade" (being black) and B. being a woman. But she is unstoppable (mainly because she wants to get out of this awful place) and it's really fun to see what plans she comes up with to try and save Norma.

The only thing I found irksome in the novel was the lack of established time period. The military says that they stopped the technology at around 1890, so you have a steampunk aspect to the book, but then you have sections of the world that seem to exist in the 1920s and others that seem stuck in the Tudor era. I understand that since Rees was throwing characters from all over the time spectrum together things like that might happen, but it was just really hard to imagine what people were wearing and how they should be behaving. That might have been one of the reasons it took so long to read, because his world building wasn't quite complete.

I am looking forward to the next one and hopefully little quirks that didn't quite work in this one will have been worked out. Overall: 3.5 stars

Daisy's Review of Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

2012-01-04T08:34:00.000-05:00

Title/Author: Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
Publisher/Date published: HarperTeen, January 17th 2012
How I got this book: received it from the publisher through NetGalley

Goodreads summary: "For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose — the task she was put on earth to accomplish — is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning."

**WARNING: spoilers for Unearthly are very much possible!**

Let me give a hooray for the first 2012 release I have read! I totally went off-schedule for this one because I'd been reading some 'meh' books and decided I needed to get out of my reading slump. And I'm so glad I made the time to read this already!!

As you may know, I LOVED Unearthly! I gushed about it in my review of Unearthly and I think it will make my favourites of 2011 list. It was THAT good. So I was really excited to read more about Clara and Tucker and everyone.

Other bloggers who already read this told me there wasn't a lot of Tucker in this one and I'm kind of glad I knew beforehand, because I love Tucker and would have been very disappointed otherwise. So be warned!

In Unearthly there was a sense of hope and excitement about the upcoming moment for Clara to face her purpose, this one is a lot darker and has more sorrow in it. And I FELT the sadness, I hate it when a story is all 'sad things are happening, be sad', this one made me feel it without seeming like I got pushed into it. If you get what I mean. I'm not sure I'm being coherent about this...

Anyway, I think Clara very much grew stronger in this one and while I'm thinking book 3 will give us some real action, this didn't feel as a filler. I'm glad we got to know more about the whole angel-lore and got to meet Clara's father, cause I'd been wondering about him.

The only thing I didn't like was that there's a definite love triangle going on here and while it is well done, I feel like I'm rooting for the underdog. And while I do get what's happening and how things could end up like this, it's got me feeling sad and a bit brokenhearted. I am however glad that Clara feels the same way. She's not really fine with the triangle either and this makes me like her even more.

I warmed up to Christian as we got to know him more, I liked him in Unearthly and in this one discovered he has some really nice qualities and I'm not talking about his hotness, even though that never hurt anyone ;)

And yes, I'm going to say it: TEAM TUCKER! But mostly team Clara! Because I love her and am looking forward to the untitled third book in this series!

My rating: 5 stars