Relaunching John Christopher

I read the best news the other day!

Simon & Schuster is going to relaunch the Tripods series by John Christopher.  So much goodness here!

The Tripods series is a series I read years and years ago, before dystopian books were "dystopian books."  They used to be referred to as a "futuristic earth type story" (at least by me, that's how I would explain dystopian books to others). 

John Christopher wrote the Tripods series, about an Earth that was inhabited by aliens, and some people who decided to fight against them.  But the best part was that this took place in the far off future.  It wasn't right after the invasion, it was years and years after the invasion.

I got into these books by reading the prequel first, When The Tripods Came.  Then I looked into the Tripods trilogy, which I wish I had read before the prequel.  No matter, it is still one of my favorite series. 

I am so excited to add them to my library's collection and to get kids interested in them all again.  I already have a list of kids I am going to have read them!

Yay for reprints!

My Thoughts: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

4 frosted ginger cookies.

Cover Love:
Yes.  I like the simplicity of this!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I didn't actually.  I wasn't ever able to get into The Monstrumologist, another of Yancey's popular series, so I wasn't overly interested in this one.  Until the week it came out.  I was bombarded with reviews and author interviews and tweets about the book.  So I decided to give it a try.  So glad I did!  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Romance?:   A little. But lots of characters that could end up in romances.

My Thoughts:
This was so interesting.  I had many, many thoughts while reading.  Of course, as a seasoned reader I was looking for clues and hints the whole way.  There ware a few things I missed and had to go back and re-read.  There were also things that I figured out ahead of the main characters, mostly because I was looking for twists, whereas the main characters were looking for hope.  It's easier to believe things and take them for face value when you want to cling to hope.

There were a few different points of views in this book--Cassie and Zombie were the main two, but there were a few chapters from Sammy (Cassie's little brother's point of view) and a few from one of the Others point of view.  Cassie and Zombie are amazing though--of course I hold out hope that these two end up together, but there are other factors to consider.

I read one review that said not to go looking for spoilers.  I took that to heart.  Very often I go looking, sometimes because I am bored at the current point in the book and sometimes just because, but I am glad I did not go looking for spoilers for this one.  There is one major twist that happens pretty early on and I think many people would put that into their reviews without really meaning to, so my advice is to go in blind.

This got me thinking a lot about alien invasions.  And that is not something I really want to do.  I like the Star Trek version of aliens, where we are all working together to make the whole universe a peaceful place.  Not this version where aliens view us as a nuisance to be destroyed.

To Sum Up:  Great action adventure with a lot of food for thought.  I think this one will be a big hit!

Book checked out from my local public library.

Snapshot Monday #7

I have started a routine on Mondays where I post a snapshot of the book or books I am currently reading. I got this idea from Jill of the OWL (she isn't blogging much anymore and quitting for good on June7).  I am not posting a snapshot today because it is embarrassing.  I have SEVEN books on my currently reading shelf on GoodReads.  You can look at that here.  Nothing is bad  and a few are even really good (I am loving THE 5TH WAVE and You, MAYBE), I am just having a hard time focusing!

I have had this issue before.  When my son was first diagnosed with Crohn's disease I couldn't focus on anything.  I could barely watch comedies on TV, and then only those because dramas were too long.  I barely got anything read and my body was just letting itself go due to my enormous stress levels.

But things are fine now!  He is doing great so why can't I focus?  I actually blame Hulu+, Netflix and Smart TVs.  I fall asleep really easily and no matter how much I am liking my book I can barely keep my eyes open when I am reading.  So I watch more TV, I guess.

I am vowing to not start a new book until I get these ones finished or I decide to quit them.

How is your reading going?

**EDIT**
I failed!  I got a new order of books in today and started reading The Bully Book.  It's small though, should be quick!

Modifying My Reading Challenges

When I posted on GoodReads reviews last month I got a great comment from Shayana about her inability to stop reading a book, even one she is not loving, because she doesn't like leaving a world unfinished.  She really got me thinking.

When I started keeping track of how many books I read a year my goal was 52, one a week.

I hit that mark pretty easily.

The next year I upped it to 75, hit that pretty easily as well.

It was when I upped it to 100 that I had a hard time meeting the goal.  And it made me feel like a failure.  I was so intent on the number that I let go of quality.  I wasn't giving some books a chance, I stopped reading them pretty quickly because I wanted to read more.

So I have decided to let go of the number.

I am going to still try and do 5 re-reads, 7 retro reads, and 6 from my GoodRedas TBR list, but the total number just isn't going to be as big of a deal for me.  I am just going to relax & read!

What about you, do you have a number of books you strive to read each year?

This Happened...

Regular readers will recall my struggle with my older son and reading.  We have had some successes (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), but mostly he does not read for enjoyment.  (See my post here about that!)

My younger son, however, is becoming an avid reader.  It's still not in the top three or even four things he chooses to do for enjoyment, but it is climbing.

He is reading The Maze Runner (which I have never been able to get into, but I will rectify that this summer) and is totally hooked.  When he was at a very intense part he was reading every chance he got (even in the car!).  I also told him he could stay up a little later if he was in his bed reading for the last 20 minutes before bed and he jumped all over that.  So, there is hope!  I might actually be raising a reader!

My Thoughts: School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

4 sweet frosted brownies.

Cover Love:  Yes because it matches the Hex Hall series, which is a companion series.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I adored the Hex Hall series and really like Rachel Hawkins writing.  This is a companion novel about Isolde Brannick.  Here is the synopsis from GoodReads:

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?

Romance?: Yes.  And no matter what was said, there will always be something between Dex & Isolde!

My Thoughts:
I liked the main characters a lot.  Izzy is great, Dex is super cool, I even really liked Romy and Anderson.  However, I don't remember a lot about Demonglass, where we met the Brannicks, so I can't recall my feelings about Aislinn, but in this book I did not like her, at all!  She was too secretive and too quick to jump to conclusions.  She did redeem herself  with her attitude at the end, but I don't like disliking someone that much while waiting for the redemption!

 If there is one thing I have learned from all my years of watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed and Supernatural it's that things are not always what they seem.  You don't just go and plan to kill a person when you think they have done something bad, you have to have proof!

I liked the mystery and when the real "villain" was revealed I wasn't that surprised, but it all worked well.

There was really good chemistry and heat between Isolde and Dex.

I loved the ending.  It wrapped up this story nicely (while keeping open a few other stories--Torin and Finn), but it left the door open a bit for a sequel, or two.  I do like this world Ms. Hawkins created and really hope that she continues Isolde and Dex's story.

To Sum Up:  Another good supernatural story from Rachel Hawkins!  This one will be popular in my library!

eGalley requested and received from Disney Hyperion via NetGalley.  Thanks so much!

Mother Daughter Conflicts in YA Lit

There are a few books this spring that I read this spring that had really strong mother-daughter conflicts.  Really strong, the kind that made me uncomfortable when I read them.  The kind that almost ruined the book for me. 

One of them, School Spirits, kind of resolved the issue by then end and the relationship was a little bit mended. 

The other one, Going Vintage, made a few strides, but the book ended with the relationship on not-so-solid ground. 

I think I was so bothered by these because: 1) I am a mom and it makes me sad to see children and mothers so far apart, and 2) I had a really strong relationship with my mom while I was growing up especially during my teenage years (my older brother and sister were at college, my dad worked nights a lot, so it was normally just me and my mom hanging out at home--we got along great, still do).

I know why the authors wrote these relationships this way, it's very common for teenage girls and their moms to not get along.  I see it all the time!  There is normally tension and strife in this relationship.  Most teenage girls reading these books will be able to identify with a main character who has issues with her mom. 
And since these books aren't actually written for my age group, I have to give a nod to the authors for writing such tension filled, realistic relationships!

What are some interesting mother daughter (or parent child) dynamics in YA literature that affected you?

We Are Always Learning!

I had an interesting talk with a teacher today.  She has read Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading out loud to her class.  They loved it, she loved it, a big hit!

But she was very disappointed with the ending.

She wanted an epiphany from Charlie to where he decided he liked reading.

I said some kids never like reading and she disagreed.  She said kids will always read something they are interested in:  a video game manual, a website, ifunny jokes, etc...  And she is right.  My partner librarian piped up and said a kid who dislikes reading will read, just not normally for enjoyment. 

These are things I knew, I was just so focused on getting kids to like reading that I overlooked these facts!

I live with a two men who rarely read for enjoyment--my husband, and my 4.0 freshman in high school.  You cannot tell me a kid who gets 4.0 doesn't read a bunch everyday.  He does, it's just not what he chooses to do when he is home relaxing at night.  He wants to play basketball on the trampoline, or "read" jokes from ifunny, or watch TV. 

Same with my husband, he is a cop who writes his own reports and reads others' reports all day.  He is a reader, it's just not what he chooses to do when he relaxes (he would say it is watch TV but we all know it is sleep on the couch with the TV on).

So next time my son says he hates reading I will correct him and tell him he actually doesn't mind reading, he does it all day.  It's just not the activity he chooses to do for fun.  And that is still ok.

Life lessons!!  I love them!

My Thoughts: Loki's Wolves by KL Armstrong & MA Marr

3.5 yummy frosted ginger cookies.

Cover Love:
Yes!  The action, the shield, the wolves.  So much of the story is here on the cover.  And it's very eye catching.  Excellent for a middle school library!

Why I Wanted to Read This:

This seems  like a good series to get into when you are all done with Percy Jackson!  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:
In Viking times, Norse myths predicted the end of the world, an event called Ragnarok that only the gods can stop. When this apocalypse happens, the gods must battle the monsters—wolves the size of the sun, serpents that span the seabeds—all bent on destroying the world.

The gods died a long time ago.

Matt Thorsen knows every Norse myth, saga, and god as if it was family history—because it is family history. Most people in the modern-day town of Blackwell, South Dakota, in fact, are direct descendants of either Thor or Loki, including Matt’s classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke.

However, knowing the legends and completely believing them are two different things. When the rune readers reveal that Ragnarok is coming and kids—led by Matt—will stand in for the gods in the final battle, he can hardly believe it. Matt, Laurie, and Fen’s lives will never be the same as they race to put together an unstoppable team to prevent the end of the world.

Romance?:  No, but I think there is a crush brewing between Matt and Laurie.

My Thoughts:
First off, kids will love this one.  Most middle school readers are not as jaded as adults.  They get really excited when a book is very similar to one they really enjoyed because if they liked one, they would like another.  So, this book has got two HUGE attractions for middle school readers--it is similar to Percy Jackson and it features Norse legends, which we all know are very popular due to Thor and The Avengers.  I am planning on buying three copies for my library because I know it will be popular when I booktalk it!

I liked Matt as a hero.  He already knew he was descended from Thor, but he really had no idea of what part he was to play in Ragnarok.  Or his powers.  I really liked that the authors had him use his powers a lot and had him work on controlling them.

I also liked Fen.  He was a good frenemy for Matt.  I still worry that he could go either way, even though he has proven himself to be firmly on Matt's side.  I just think it would be too easy for the other side to sway him over, especially when you look at his devotion to (and protection of) Laurie.

There were some good additions to the team,  I felt the twins became part of the group a little too easily.  They were really suspicious of everything but then they just followed along.  It makes me suspicious of them.  Of all the characters I feel like they were the least formed.

The villains were very good, but we haven't met a "big" bad yet.  I think that reveal will be surprising!

There was a big tragedy, which I think will drive the story in the second book.  There was a big cliffhanger.  In fact, I can already hear several kids whining about having to wait so long for the next book!

To Sum Up:  I felt this was a good set up story that will grow in mythology and action in the next book.  It is a great start to the series!

Book won from Little Brown.

This Happened

Yeah, Johnathan Maberry favorited one of my tweets.  No big deal!

Just kidding, HUGE deal!!

He is such an amazing presence online!  This was just a highlight of my week.

Of course, having  these boys really into this series is also a highlight for me.  I loves these books!

I might have ruined the experience a little bit for them when they each turned in Dust & Decay and I said, "did you cry when...?"  For the record, no, they didn't.

How Much Do Amazon & Good Reads Reviews Influence What You Read?

I was considering downloading an egalley the other day.  The synopsis sounded great but pretty weird and I just wasn't sure if it was something I wanted to read or not, so I went to GoodReads to check out some reviews.

There was a few one star reviews and a few five star reviews.

Honestly, those are the ones I avoid.

I feel like if someone is more concerned with the names of their shelves on Good Reads or how many gifs they put in their reviews then they aren't as concerned with the review (or book).

I look for the two, three and four star reviews.  The ones that tell me what they liked or didn't.  I know this is a huge argument because people think that negative reviews are just as important as positive reviews.  And i do believe critical reviews are just as important.

Here's what I don't get about negative reviews--if you truly didn't like a book why did you finish it?

If I am not enjoying a book--connecting with it within the first 50 to 100 pages I just don't finish it.  There are too many others out there that I want to read.  I also don't waste my time reviewing it, or even explaining why I didn't finish it.  Yes, part of this it out of respect for the author, but mostly it's because I am really busy. 

I do finish some books I don't love but really, why waste your time reading, then reviewing a book you hated?

Ultimately I am suspicious of a glowing review (unless it's someone I trust a bit more) and a bashing review.

Also, I am very picky about who I friend on GoodReads and whose friend requests I accept.  If someone has more friends on there than books, that is a big no for me!

How useful or valuable do you find Good Reads and Amazon reviews?

The Race for ARCs

Be honest, some of you started book blogging for the ARCs didn't you?

I had a book blog before I realized that you could get ARCs for what you write about books, but I wasn't very active at all.

It was when I became a librarian that I started being more interested in what was being written on blogs about books. And when I realized that there were things such as ARCs and that they were mailed to bloggers I started being a more active blogger.  And I went out and found my ARCs and contacts, I didn't wait to be discovered.  Now I am in a position where I can pretty much get any ARC I want (I will admit I know that being a librarian helps the most), but you know what, I don't want very many of them anymore.

I have enough to read.

I am lucky in that I get to order YA and MG books for my library.  And I lots of what I order are on my to read lists.

I do "flip" through every egalley I get to see if it is the right fit for my library, but I cannot read and review them all.

But here's the truth of it all, has there ever been a book that you really want to read, that you were unable to read at some point?  It might not have been before it was published, or even the day it was released, but you've been able to read it at some point, right?

So if you are a new book blogger looking for an ARC, I wish you well!  But remember, you got into this for the love of reading and books.  All books, even "old" ones!

(For the record, my very first ARC was one I won at a Borders teachers event, it was Catching Fire and I won it the Thursday before the release date.  It was very thrilling.  The first one I got in the mail was A Spy in the House: The Agency by Y.S. Lee--and that was even more thrilling!)

(Also, for all my preaching I do still get egalleys, but rarely request physical galleys anymore.  I do get some mailed to me as a surprise, always exciting, but I did break down and request FIRE & ASH by Jonathan Maberry because I simply love that series!)

Tween Tuesday: The Menagerie by Tui Sutherland & Kari Sutherland

4 chewy and fudgy double chocolate chip cookies.

Cover Love:
Yes!  It looks magical and mysterious.  Perfect for middle graders.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
The synopsis!  It reminded me of Fablehaven, which I loved.  Here it is from GoodReads:

Logan Wilde is accidentally drawn into the mysterious, dangerous world of the Menagerie when he discovers a griffin hiding under his bed . . . and it leads him straight to the weirdest girl in seventh grade, Zoe Kahn.

Zoe is panicking. Her family has been guarding the Menagerie for centuries. If they don't get the cubs back fast, the whole place will be shut down. To save the griffins' lives, she's willing to break all the rules, even if it means letting an outsider like Logan help. But the real mystery remains: Is someone trying to sabotage the Menagerie?

Who let the griffins out...and why?

Romance?: Nope, but some talk of crushes and a romance that went astray.

My Thoughts:
Here the mark of a good middle grade read.  The set up is short and the action comes quick.  We didn't have to read pages of why Logan was in Wyoming or mysteries about the Menagerie.  He becomes part of the solution and involved in Zoe's world pretty early on in the book.  I was caught up in the story quickly and the authors held my attention.

When they were describing Logan's first impressions of the Menagerie I was hearing Jurrassic Park music in my head, you know the scene where Dr. Grant first looks around and sees all the dinosaurs?  I could just imagine Logan experiencing the wonders of this place!

It is much less dangerous and dark than Fablehaven, but I enjoyed it just as much.  The animals can be dangerous, the kelpie, but it is way more like a zoo.  They have rules to follow and their own enclosures.  It is not a separate world like Fablehaven's forest.

It ends on a cliffhanger!!  I loved it.

There is so much more then authors can explore with this world, and I have a hunch, with the way the story was moving along that they will be traveling to other Menageries.  And hopefully Logan's dad will become involved with the Kahns soon too.

I would also love for there to be a way to fix Zoe and Jasmin's friendship.

To Sum Up:  I will be buying a couple copies for my library and shoving them into many a readers' hands!

Book checked out from public library.
Tween Tuesday is hosted by Sarah, the GreenBeanTeenQueen.  Check her out!

Snapshot Monday #6

Snapshot Monday was created by Jill of the OWL to make Monday morning posting quick and easy. 

Just a post a picture of your current read!

This Monday I am reading The Collector by Victoria Scott & School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins.  Am loving them both!

I also read The Menagerie by Tui & Kari Sutherland last week. Adored that and will be reviewing it tomorrow!

What are you reading?

Tween Tuesday: Prairie Evers by Eileen Airgood

4 frosted sugar cookies.

Cover Love:
Yes.  I think this is a darling cover!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
This book came out last spring and I heard a lot about it around the time it came out.  But I was reading other things back then.  I put it on my library order, though, and it came in this fall.  Recently I just happened to pick it up and go sucked right into the story!  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

A sweet, spirited ten-year-old embarks upon the adventure of first friendship in this sparkling debut

Prairie Evers is finding that socialization isn't all it's cracked up to be. She's been homeschooled by her granny and has learned the most from traipsing through nature. But now she has to attend public school, and feels just like her chickens--cooped up and subject to the pecking order. School is a jolt for Prairie until she meets Ivy, her first true friend. But while raising chickens and the great outdoors have given Prairie wisdom and perspective, nothing has prepared her for the give and take of friendship. When Prairie finds out that Ivy's home may not be the best place for Ivy, Prairie must corral all her optimism and determination to hatch a plan to help.

Romance?: No, but a super sweet best friendship evolves!

My Thoughts:
This book moved very quickly.  It was an easy read and you will totally adore Prairie.  But what will really get you is the friendship between Ivy and Prairie, especially if you ever had one true best friend growing up.  Remember how quickly you became best friends?  And how much time you spent together?  How there just weren't issues and dramas surrounding the friendship.  It was just easy and wonderful!  That's how Ivy and Prairie's  friendship is!

As a parent I truly admire Prairie's mom's courage.  Wow.  Even though Prairie's grammy wrote the script on what to say, I just don't think I would be able to pull that off!  Even though we don't see that scene in the book, just knowing she was going to do that made me very impressed.

The simple life! I have friends who live this way, lots of farming, almost no technology, chickens, etc...  It just amazes me that they stick to their resolve to raise their kids this way.  I couldn't/can't do it and really have no desire to do it, but I love visiting that world (either in a book or for real at my friend's house).

I also love how this book is designed.  Short, simple chapters, with really cute chapter starting pages (I am sure their is an official book designing term for them, I just don't know it).

There is a lot of changes that Prairies goes through and growing.  And there will be a lot more as time goes on, but she is open to being a better person as the book goes on and she has such a big, sweet heart.  You just want to hug her and Ivy!

To Sum Up:  Very sweet middle grade book about friendships and growing up and becoming more aware of the world.  I know many young readers in my school I will be having read this one!

Book bought for my library.
Tween Tuesday was created by Sarah, the GreenBeanTeenQueen.  Check her out!

Snapshot Monday #5

Snapshot Monday was created by Jill of the OWL to make Monday morning posting quick and easy. 

Just a post a picture of your current read!

This weekend I started Immortal City by Scott Speer. 
Really enjoying it so far!

What are you reading right now?

(also, I didn't have the book around me as I was writing this so, it's obviously not a snapshot, but the picture of the book from GoodReads).

My Thoughts: Going Vintage by Lindsay Leavitt

 3.5 soft & spicy snickerdoodles.

Cover Love:  Yes.  Beautiful cover!  I love, love, love the pink and green!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
If you have been around here at all in the past few years you know of my love for Sean Griswold's Head by Ms. Leavitt.  I just loved that book and was super excited for this next contemporary romance by her.  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat on you online). She sets out to complete grandma's list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous. But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremy's cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, she'll get it done. Somehow.

Romance?:  Yes, of course.

My Thoughts:

While I was reading I got to a point where I felt very strongly about how Mallory was acting.  So I wrote that down here.  So this first chunk is a "while I was reading" bit--before I was finished:

So I am about 20 pages from being done and I have to day one thing if Mallory doesn't stop acting like such a brat to her mom I am going to come through the book and smack her.  Yes her mother made the post about her (her mother, not Mallory) but that's because it WAS ABOUT HER.  She wasn't asking how to make Mallory feel better, she was asking how to help her connect with Mallory.  Mallory needs to be smacked.  I am so irritated with her it makes me not want to finish the book.

It just bothers me that she is so quick to forgive her Grandma but not her mom!  Also, I think I like Ginnie way more than Mallory.

I liked this book, but I just didn't love it.  I have read some reviews that talk about how great Mallory was and she learned to stand on her own, and I agree with that.  She did and she didn't just jump into a relationship with Oliver, however, she could also be extremely annoying. 

She is so narrow in her focus to "finish the list" that she is blinding herself to other things.  If she was truly self reflective and growing she would be flexible when she needs to be and change things as they come up.  She whined about her mom making Mallory's break up about her, but Mallory ran around making everything about her!

See, I was afraid this would happen.  Writing this review is dredging up feelings I have about Mallory that are making me not have loved the book as much.  So I am going to stop.

Overall I think that there is much that teenage girls can learn from this book:  break ups are very, very hard, but you can come out of them a better person and stronger than ever.

To Sum Up:  I will be happy to have this as part of my library collection and will be sharing it with readers.  It was not written for my age group and I know it will impact several of my readers lives when they read it!

Book bought for my middle school library collection.

Tween Tuesday: Rump by Liesl Shurtliff

4 yummy and sweet double chocolate chips cookies.

Cover Love:

Yes, I love this cover.  And I think it will be very attractive on display in my library!

Why I Wanted to Read This:

I adore fairy tale re-tellings and have never seen a re-imaging of a fairy tale from the villains point of view!  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

In a magical kingdom where your name is your destiny, 12-year-old Rump is the butt of everyone's joke.
Rump has never known his full name—his mother died before she could tell him. So all his life he's been teased and bullied for his half-a-name. But when he finds an old spinning wheel, his luck seems to change. For Rump discovers he can spin straw into gold. Magical gold.

His best friend Red Riding Hood warns him that magic is dangerous—and she's right! That gold is worth its weight in trouble. And with each thread he spins, Rump weaves himself deeper into a curse.

There's only one way to break the spell: Rump must go on a quest to find his true name, along the way defending himself against pixies, trolls, poison apples, and one beautiful but vile-mannered queen. The odds are against him, but with courage and friendship—and a cheeky sense of humor—Rump just might triumph in the end.

Romance?: Nope.

My Thoughts:
This is how a retelling should be done!  Rump becomes a fulfilled, fleshed out character.  He is someone we care about.  The other characters are pretty secondary, Red is interesting and I think that if this is book is successful maybe we could see a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood (fingers crossed).  There are villains in this book for sure, but Rump is not one of them.

The ending is not too big either.  Rump does what he needs to do, but doesn't bring down the system.  I kind of wish he would have though because it is a broken land he lives in.  But the author followed the classic Rumplestiltskin story very well.  I also loved how she created what was needed to fit the story.

I do wish we had gotten to know his mother's family better.  And that he had been more open with them about what was going on in his life.  However, it gave him a chance to solve things on his own. That's one thing that I think will be attractive to MG readers, the fact that Rump solves his own problems.  He has guidance along the way, but overall, he is able to get himself out of the bargains and traps that came along with is weaving.

I loved the world that Rump is set in.  It seems small and manageable (for a reader).  I like that we are introduced to several different types of magical creatures or non-magical creatures.  I think there would be a way for several stories and fairy tale re-tellings to be told within this world.

To Sum Up:  Very good fairy tale retelling.  And not your usual princess retelling--this one about a villain.  Very fun story!

Book requested and received from Random House via NetGalley.  Thanks!!

Recapping My Week

Thanks for all the good wishes for my son.  The surgery went really, really good.  Things were better than expected!  The medication he is on is really working and now he is on the mend from the surgery.

Because things were better than expected he got out of the hospital much earlier than anticipated.  So, I got hardly any reading done.  Also, we got a subscription to Hulu+ for the hospital (we already had Netflix) so I ended up watching more TV than I had planned.  But I love that too!  Hulu has current TV on it!  I didn't have to be at my DVR.  Sad I didn't read a ton, happy I got caught up on some TV.

I did have a few plans to write up some blog posts (for this blog and my more personal one) but on the way to our surgery (we have to go to Spokane--four hours away), my younger son broke my laptop!  It was very accidental, but I wasn't able to do any blogging while I was there (ipads are not easy to blog on!).  I just sent it off to be fixed and hopefully soon it will be home and I will feel whole again.

So there you have it, my recap.

Hope your week was wonderful!

My Thoughts: This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer A. Smtih

4 chewy, fudgy brownies.

Cover Love:
I love yellow.  And when I was carrying this book around one of my friend's grabbed it and said, "I love this font!"  So this cover is a winner!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I adored The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by this same author.  I felt she did such a good job of writing a friendship between the main characters. I was very excited to see another book by this author. And the synopsis made me even more excited! Here it is from GoodReads:

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs? 

Romance?: Yes! It is a great little romance.

My Thoughts:
I am glad when I read a contemporary romance and don't dislike the main characters too much.  I think Ellie was a little hasty in shutting down the relationship before it got off the ground too much, but I think that for most normal girls, life in the spotlight would be a little hard to take.  She also did come with some baggage of her own.

I liked that twist (about her baggage) because I immediately thought witness protection.  That would have been interesting, but this was even more so.  However, I didn't like the way Ellie's mom acted about the whole situation.  She redeemed herself at the end, but should have been way more honest with Ellie all along.

Many of the reviews online expressed concerns about young girls answering emails from strangers, but I think most readers can separate fact from fiction.  Also, how many emails do you get that are from strangers (besides the ones in your junk folder).  I would've been a little panicked if the guy I was chatting with online came to meet me in person without setting it up ahead of time.  However, I could see that Graham would've wanted to scope out the situation first.

He was such a lonely guy!  Becoming a star so quickly alienated him from everything normal in his life.  I could understand his desire to find this person he was able to connect with so easily online.

I liked the ending a lot.  It just seemed right for this story.

To Sum Up:  Another darling romance with likeable characters who become good friends as well as starting a relationship.

Book requested and received from Little Brown.  Thanks Zoe!

Quiet Time

If you have been around this blog for awhile you might recall that my son has Crohn's Disease.  Things have been going really well but there a small section that just won't clear up even though the medication he is on is really good and for the most part he is really healthy.  So, rather than keep trying to deal with it or wait till it is all scar tissue we are just going to take it out.

We made this decision awhile ago and by the time this comes up on my blog the surgery will almost be over.  And yes, I am nervous and anxious, etc...  But my son handles things beautifully so I shall too.  And to be honest, there is something I am looking forward to--

The last time he was in the hospital I got a lot of napping and reading done.  This time will be a smidge longer so I am looking forward to getting caught up on some reading!

I have such a list:
Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
The Menagerie by Tui & Kari Sutherland
The Magician's Tower by Shawn Thomas Odyssey
The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis
etc... 

And that is just a very few.  I have a ton on my Nook to read as well!

So, if all goes well for my son and he is not in too much pain, we are going to just chill in his hospital room for five or so days!

Hope you all have a relaxing spring break as well!

My Thoughts: If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

4 soft oatmeal cookies.

Cover Love:
I think this is a good eye-catching cover.  There is definitely something haunting about the model's eyes!

Why I Wanted to Read This:

Really the synopsis is what caught my interest.  Here it is from GoodReads:
A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen-year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.

Romance?: No.

My Thoughts: 

This was just fascinating.  Careyis such a contradiction.  In some ways she was very worldly, but in others, truly like the five year old she was when her mother abducted her.  I got the feeling that if her mother hadn't ever had Jenessa Carey would probably have died long ago.  She was a strong person but I felt it that keeping her sister alive was what gave her the strength.

She had been exposed to so much because of her mom's actions, but yet, since she was hidden away she also had no clue about being a teenage girl in "regular" society.  And as I read I wanted to shake Carey.  She was so smart and so strong, but she still truly believed all the lies her mother told her for years about her father.

Carey is a very easy character to love.  You want her to succeed, you want her to accept her father and his family, you want her to feel safe and love and full!  I think the author did a great job of envisioning what life would be like for two girls who had been alone in the woods in a camper that was barely shelter.  And what they would be feeling if they were suddenly thrust into society.

To Sum Up:  A very engrossing read with a main character you root for all the way!

Book requested and received from St. Martin's Griffin via NetGalley.

Tween Tuesday: The Boy From the Basement by Susan Shaw

4 soft snickerdoodles.

Cover Love:  Not really, but it represents the book well.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I was doing inventory in my library.  I love doing inventory because I get a really good look at the books in my collection.  The problem is that I either want to weed a bunch of books out or read a bunch of books!  This was one that caught my eye.  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

For Charlie, the cold, dark basement is home. Father has kept him locked in there as punishment. Charlie doesn’t intend to leave, but when he is accidentally thrust outside, he awakens to the alien surroundings of a world to which he’s never before been exposed. Though haunted by hallucinations, fear of the basement, and his father’s rage, Charlie must find a way to survive in his new world. He has escaped his past, but his journey has just begun.

My Thoughts:
One of the most popular books in my library is A Child Called It.  It is such a fascinating true tale of child abuse that it catches a lot of kids interest.  This book would be fantastic to pair with that.

The thing I enjoyed most about this book was that it was all from Charlie's point of view, that is the point of view of a 12 year old with very, very little life experience.  He has no idea why the things that his Father did to him were done.  But he also has no idea why everyone considers his father bad.

In the beginning, it was frustrating that Charlie didn't spell out the things he did that caused his dad to "punish" him.  As the book went on, though, I realized it didn't matter.  I didn't need to know what Charlie did to understand how awful his father was--and it didn't matter, nothing would be bad enough for the abuse Charlie (and his mother) had to endure.

Likewise, we never did get an answer as to why his father was the way he was--why he felt the need to abuse Charlie that way.  But, answers like that only come in movies, his father was very, very sick and very, very cruel.  That was enough to know!  (Also, Charlie is only 12, with the real world expereinces of a 4 year old.  Someday, he will need answers, for now he just needs to learn to be safe and grow, it's just didn't need to be part of this story!)

To Sum Up:
An engrossing fictional tale of child abuse that you know is all too real for some children.  Perfect to read after A Child Called It.

Snapshot Monday #4

Snapshot Monday was created by Jill of the OWL to make Monday morning posting quick and easy. 

Just a post a picture of your current read!

I started Panic this week and am really enjoying it.

What is your current read?

Wonderful YA Boys: Graham Larkin

This is the next in my series of Wonderful YA Boys.  To see what criteria I use to pick my favorite YA boys see this post.

Graham Larkin is a movie star, so by all accounts he shouldn't be a wonderful YA boy.  But he is!  He didn't grow up in the acting/fame machine, he only became an actor later on, after he was already a young man.  I think this helps him stay more grounded. 

He is also willing to really, really put himself out there for Ellie.  I mean, he gets his movie to change locations to her hometown for crying out loud!  Who wouldn't want a man/boy to do that!

And he is kind.  And handsome.  And really wants to be part of Ellie's world, not demanding that she fit into his. 

There is just so much to adore about Graham Larkin!  He is truly a wonderful YA boy!

My Thoughts: The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen

 *A word about this review.  If you have not read book one of this series The False Prince, stop reading now and go pick it up.  The very nature of this book spoils a main plot point of that book.  You have been warned!


5 wonderful oatmeal butterscotch chip cookies!

Cover Love:  I like the simplicity and the colors and that it matches the first one.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I simply loved The False Prince.  It was so good!  This is a trilogy and I wish I had discovered it after all three books were out so that I could just read them with no breaks, but alas, it is not to be.  And there was no way I was putting off reading this one until the third one was out!  Here's the synopsis for book #2:

A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen's blockbuster THE FALSE PRINCE!

Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?

The stunning second installment of The Ascendance Trilogy takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King!

Romance?: No, but there are two key relationships that will be developed in the next book.  And I am not sure who I like more for our main character.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book because I feel we got more inside Jaron's head than before.  There was no hiding who he really was, in this one we knew him so he just got to grow as a character.  He is a very, very strong willed man/boy who only wants to become a strong leader.  He has accepted his fate and really wants to do a good job to ensure the longevity and prosperity of his country.

There were not as many twists in this book but I liked that.  While I loved The False Prince I felt there were slow moving parts.  This one was pretty quick--both as a read and the timeline within the book.  I couldn't put it down.  With the first one you just knew Jaron knew more than he was telling us, but with this one I feel like we knew what was in his head more.  I really liked that because Jaron is an awesome character.  I love being part of his world!

He has so much integrity, even though he would disagree with that.  He still calls himself a thief, but he is not a liar and he keeps his word.  It's easy to see how he gets people to follow and trust him.

I felt we got to know Imogen much better as well.  And it's going to be interesting to see what happens with the little love triangle between Jaron, Imogen and Amarinda.  I like both of these ladies would be fine with him ending up with either one!

This book ended on way more of a cliffhanger which made me glad because we will be guaranteed another book.  I can't wait to read to see how this is all going to end up!

To Sum Up:  Another winner!  Jennifer A. Neilsen has created a great character in Jaron.  I will be following his story as long as she keeps writing it!

Book requested and received from Scholastic.  Thanks Candace!

Snapshot Monday #3

Jill of the OWL decided to make her Mondays short and sweet with Snapshot Monday.  Take a picture of your current read and post it.  That's all there is to it!
I actually have moved along in my reading since the last Snapshot Monday! Today I am reading:

I was reading Loki's Wolves, but got sidetracked with The Runaway King.  It was a good thing, though because in the meantime I got a physical copy of the book.  It's much better because the formatting of the .pdf on my Nook was kind of messed up so I like the physical version better!

What are you reading on Snapshot Monday?

Wonderful YA Boys: Durango from the Hell's Cross Trilogy

This is the fifth in my series of Wonderful YA Boys.  I have to admit, this is not the usual choice for me.  I wouldn't look at Durango and say, "yeah, I want my boys to grow up like that."  Mostly that's because of where Durango lives.  He is basically a mercenary on Mars.  But, when you look at who Durango is, his values, he does possess qualities I want to see in my sons when they are men!

First of all, Durango is a soldier. Not just any soldier, but a Regulator, so he has a very dangerous edge to him. I liked that! He was also a very good tactician. He was not the best of the Regulators, but he was probably the smartest. Of course, that had a little to do with Mimi, the artificial intelligence that was part of his brain, but he was strong enough to live through the process of being fused with an AI so you know he was something special before that happened.

Secondly, he is very, very loyal when you earn his trust. He would do whatever is necessary to help the people that have earned his loyalty. And most of all he is loyal to Vienne, whom he loves. Sigh!

He is also very, very good looking.  This is a fact that is brought up several times in the book.  He is always being referred to as handsome.  And since he is a soldier I am sure his body is in quite good shape.

Most of all, he wants to make Mars a better place for everyone.  That mostly comes from the guilt he feels because of what his father did to the planet and society, but Durango fights against the people and companies that are only out for himself.  And he does this for people who look down on him for being a dalit (read the books if you want to know).

All in all, Durango is awesome.  I loved being part of his world for three books and a novella and would go back again!

My Thoughts: Shadow on the Sun by David Macinnis Gill

5 warm & gooey chocolate chip cookies.

Cover Love:
This cover tells a lot of the story.  I don't really love how Vienne looks, but it fits the other covers in the series.  Plus I love how Durango looks!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I read and adored the other two books in this series and really wanted to know how it ended!  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Durango has always relied on Mimi--once his tough-as-nails squad leader, she is now the bitingly sarcastic artificial intelligence flash-cloned to his brain. Mimi is the only reason he is alive.

Durango has always looked out for his devastatingly beautiful and brave second-in-command, Vienne--now wounded, crushed, missing. Vienne is the only reason he wants to live.

Durango hasn't always despised his father. But he does now. Lyme wants Durango to be the Prince of Mars, and he'll stop at nothing to realize that dream. He'll sacrifice anything and anyone in the name of domination. Even Mimi. Especially Vienne.

Lyme forgot one thing. You don't want to mess with Durango.

Romance?: They are separated for most of the books but there is a lot of longing for each other between Vienne and Durango.

My Thoughts:
Shadow on the Sun was a very satisfying conclusion to the trilogy that started with Black Hole Sun and continued in Invisible Sun.  You have to know my love for Durango (and Mimi) is immense!  He is smart, very loyal, tough, kind, super good looking and tries whatever he can to solve problems.  He is the whole package!

What I loved is that even though this is a futuristic, science fiction story set on Mars, there is no longing for Earth.  They accept their life on Mars and do what they can to make it better for everyone, not just themselves.  And the Mars society is very interesting.  I really liked how the author gives us hints into the history of Mars, but doesn't totally spell it out for you.  It might irritate some readers, but I liked it.  It just made it more real for the here and now.  The history very much helped form Durango into who he is, but the author allows us a bit of room to draw our own conclusion as to what happened on Mars to make the society how it is in the now.

It still surprised me that dalits are considered the lowest of low when there are so many other awful criminals and dubious people knocking about Mars.  And with the whole planet basically in a war that people were still unwilling to accept help from them!

I liked how the story came full circle.

The next part is a bit of a spoiler so highlight it if you want to read it:
A happy ending!!  Yay!!  After being burned by the ending of the Chaos Walking trilogy, I was so glad for the way this one ended.  There is still a lot of work but way more hope for the future and that Durango and Vienne will end up together!

To Sum Up:  I loved this series.  I would read more in this world, but only if it involved Durango, who I loved.  I am getting all three for my library because I know many reader who will enjoy the adventures that Durango and Vienne have!

eGalley requested and received from Greenwillow via Edelweiss.  Thanks so much!

Tween Tuesday: MG Must Read: The Menagerie by Tui T. Sutherland

This morning I checked my email and GoodReads had thoughtfully sent me an email letting me know that this book on my to-read shelf is now available.  I must've put it on that shelf quite sometime ago because I didn't remember it at all!  So I read the synopsis again and got really, really excited.  This book sounds awesome!  Here's the synopsis:

Logan Wilde is accidentally drawn into the mysterious, dangerous world of the Menagerie when he discovers a griffin hiding under his bed . . . and it leads him straight to the weirdest girl in seventh grade, Zoe Kahn.

Zoe is panicking. Her family has been guarding the Menagerie for centuries. If they don't get the cubs back fast, the whole place will be shut down. To save the griffins' lives, she's willing to break all the rules, even if it means letting an outsider like Logan help. But the real mystery remains: Is someone trying to sabotage the Menagerie?

Who let the griffins out...and why?

This make me think of Fablehaven (in fact one reviewer says it was to her what Fablehaven wasn't--what?!  Fablehaven was awesome!) but instead of turning me off it makes me want to read it even more!  I loved Fablehaven and look so forward to reading this one!