Lost in the Library: February 2011

February 26, 2011

In My Mailbox (19)

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature hosted by The Story Siren. We highlight the books we've received via mail, library, friend or bookstore. This week:

I won Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick from Midnight Bloom Reads (and it's signed)

Dark Mirror by M.J Putney

What was in your mailbox?

February 25, 2011

For the past several months my mom has been dealing with cancer. It's around us everywhere isn't it? I think we all know someone whose life has been changed in some way by cancer. I never thought it would be my mom.
We are so lucky that her prognosis is a good one. I don't know what I would do without her. She was a single mom and I'm an only child and when I was growing up we just had each other. I talk to her almost everyday, she lives ten minutes from my house and she's one of my closest friends.
Her treatment experience has been challenging. Chemo was awful for her and terrible to watch-I had no way to comfort her or make her feel better. She was deeply depressed and sometimes looking back over the last few months I wonder if I did everything for her that I should have/could have. I just hope that I didn't let her down.
But today is for gratitude, as she has had her last cancer treatment. No more chemo, no more radiation. Just recovery and an opportunity to make many more memories with us. We're very very lucky. Thank you to all of you who have given words of support, prayed for my mom and been there for us. With a grateful heart.

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Published March 1st 2011

Scholastic

Hardcover, 242 pages

Reviewed from finished copy

Summary from Goodreads

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

This book was so engaging; I was hooked within the first few pages and kept reading until it was finished. Clarity and her family are labelled as frauds/ and freaks by those who doubt and misunderstand their abilities which seems to be everyone. After a murder occurs Clarity becomes involved in solving the case in order to protect her brother.

The storyline was perfectly paced; lots of twists and turns and the characters were very well developed. Clarity is someone I would have been friends with in high school. Psychic ability aside, she's witty, sarcastic (Skanky McSkankbag-was one of my favourite lines) and stands up for herself and those she loves. I think this book has wide appeal for a YA book; contemporary with a little paranormal flare. It’s a wonderful debut for Kim Harrington. Highly recommended.

February 23, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday -Beauty Queens

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Published- May 2011

400 Pages

Summary from Goodreads

From bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray,

the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island.

Teen beauty queens. A "Lost"-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to email. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier.

With evening gowns. And a body count

Libba Bray is brilliant. I have loved everything I have read by her, and I can not wait to read this one.

February 22, 2011

Top Ten Movie Adaptations

It's Top Ten Tuesday Time! This fab feature is hosted by

The Broke and The Bookish. I love seeing how similar

(or different) our lists are each week.

This weeks list:

Top Ten Book to Movie Adaptations

My List:

Harry Potter Series- any of them really. I think they have been wonderfully done and I have enjoyed them all. I'll be very sad to see them end this summer.

Sense & Sensibility -How I love this movie. Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet....

Tim Burton's Adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Besides the fact that Johnny Depp stars as Willy Wonka and is brilliant, I much preferred this version to the sing songy one done years ago

Chocolat- This movie has 2 of my favourite things- chocolate and Johnny Depp. The only thing better would be a chocolate covered Johnny Depp (ok TMI-sorry) I loved the book and the movie.

Shawshank Redemption-Stephen King has had sooo many of his books made into movies, and though I am not a huge Stephen King fan, I did like this one. Wonderfully scripted and acted.

The Princess Bride- He had me at "As you Wish" Really great ensemble cast made this a fantastic movie

Lord of the Rings- I bet this will be on many peoples list. As a huge fan of the books I was very nervous seeing it in the theatre but Peter Jackson's vision out did my own. Incredible and I never tire of watching them over and over.

What's on your list?

February 19, 2011

In My Mailbox (18)

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature hosted by The Story Siren.

Each week we are invited to post about the books we bought, borrowed or recieved.

This week:

Borrowed from the Library:

Wishful Thinking by Alexandra Bullen

In the Mail:

Clarity by Kim Harrington (Debut)

Strings Attached by Judy Blundell

I'm so excited about all three.

A big thank-you to my scholastic book fairy!

February 18, 2011

Follow Friday

Time for the Friday Follow! Hosted by Parajunkees View.

This week's question is a focus on the SCI-FI genre.

If you are a fan of Science Fiction what is your favorite book? If you haven't read Science Fiction before...any inkling to? Anything catch your eye?

I had to look up genre defintions on the internet as the lines between fantasy/sci-fi/dystopian seem a but fuzzy to me. When I think of Sci-fi, I think of Sir Arthur Clarke, or Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451...though perhaps now, Fahrenheit 451 might be closer to dystopian? I found this great post "The Fine Points Between YA Dystopia and Sci-fi "

A few sci-fi books I've enjoyed:

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
The Uglies/Pretties/Specials/Extras by Scott Westerfeld
Matched by Ally Condie
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Enders Game by Orson Scott Card

Do you find defining genres a bit of a challenge sometimes? Is there one genre that you tend to read more?

Have a great weekend!

Cover Reveal

I have cover love for this one, beautiful!

Can't believe that we have to wait until September...

My review of Paranormalcy

February 14, 2011

And the winner is....

Book Lover's Giveaway!

And the winner is......

Lexie@BookBug

Congrats Lexie! I've sent you an email!!!!

On the giveaway form I asked entrants to write in what book they are loving right now,

one book had multiple entries -15 out of 114 entries said Delirium by Lauren Oliver.

A Valentine Q & A with Anna Humphrey

Rhymes with Cupid by Anna Humphrey

Published by Harperteen

December 2010

Summary from Goodreads:

Goodman's Gifts & Stationery Store

February 14

Cashier: Elyse

3 boxes of heart-shaped chocolate . . . $12.00

Chocolate is the only good thing about this nauseating holiday.

4 containers of candy hearts . . . $5.00

Ever since my ex cheated on me, I've sworn off love.

Too bad my new neighbor Patrick didn't get the memo.

1 Valentine's Day card . . . $4.50

I'm not interested. Although, he is pretty cute. And sweet. And funny.

1 singing Cupid doll (promotional item) . . . $0.00

Stupid Cupid! Point your arrows at someone else. . . .

Subtotal . . . $21.50

It's going to be a complicated Valentine's Day.

Just in time for Valentines Day I was fortunate to do a Q & A with author Anna Humphrey

What inspired you to write for young adults?

I think I wanted to write about young adults (and for young adults) because the teenage years are so filled with big moments... things like first summer job, first real taste of independence, first kiss, first love, first major heartbreak. There’s just a lot of potential there storywise, not only for drama but also for self-discovery.

What is one thing that you learned about yourself while writing?

I’ve learned that, even though it can be hard some days to force myself to sit down and get started, I’m SO much happier when I’m writing than when I’m not. It balances and calms me and just generally makes me feel purposeful in a way that nothing else does.

What book are you reading now?

Jandy Nelson’s THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE. The writing is beautiful and the story is heartbreaking, but funny, too.

Do you have a favourite love story?

Nothing specific comes to mind, but I know I’m a sucker for a plot where the girl realizes the right guy has been standing in front of her all along (usually in disguise as her best friend). I just finished reading ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, which I loved... and I think I’ve rented the movie “13 Going on 30” about ten times. “The Wedding Singer” is another movie I adore, which has that same basic plot.

What is your ideal way to spend Valentine's Day?

I’m not a big fan of fighting the crowds at restaurants (and it’s usually so cold out in February!) Honestly, as boring as this sounds, get me some good takeout food, a rented movie and my husband and I’m happy.
(Thats my idea of a perfect Valentine's day too)

Thanks Anna!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

February 13, 2011

Adorable Valentine's (ish) Picture Book

Hugless Douglas by David Melling

Published by Hodder's Publishing 2010

Summary from Goodreads:

Douglas is a big brown, huggable, lovable bear, and he wakes up one morning in need of a hug. He goes to try and find one -- but none of them seem quite right.

Join Douglas on his search for the perfect bear hug!

Douglas wakes up from a long winter's nap and is in need of a hug. He hugs a rock but it's too heavy, he tries a tree, but he gets splinters, the other animals are afraid of him and don't want a great big bear hug. This book is adorable. David Melling has created such a lovable character in Douglas that I wished I could pick him up off the page and hug him myself. Very sweet storyline and the children will enjoy the humour as Douglas searches for the perfect hug.Highly recommended.

I'm a fan of David Mellings work. I first discovered his books when my son was two and his favourite story to hear at night was The Kiss that Missed. We read that book over and over until my son had it memorized. That particular book holds special memories for me that if I ever had the chance to thank him I would. Authors & Illustrators give us such a gift.

Thank you David Melling

February 11, 2011

Follow Friday

It's Friday and that means it's time to do a little networking and discover some new blogs and bloggers.

The Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books

This week's question:

"Tell us about one of your posts from this week and give us a link so we can read it (review or otherwise)!"

This week I'm featured on The Broke & The Bookish website in Bookish Jobs for Bookish People.

I'm so lucky that I look forward to going to work everyday. (well most days)

Do you have a bookish dream job?

Here's the Link

I also have a Book Lover's Giveaway that you can enter until Sunday February 13th.

The Friday Follow is hosted by Parajunkee's View.

This week's question:

What is your favorite romance hero-type? Stereotype wise. Do you like the strong silent type or the brute macho man?

I love this question:

In books I tend to fall for the bad boy.

You know the type, all tough on the exterior but inside he's really just looking to be loved like anyone else.

The guy I ended up being married to is definitely the strong silent type.

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to leave a comment so I visit you too!

Have a great weekend.

Bookish Jobs for Bookish People

The Broke & The Bookish has a great idea to feature jobs that are for those who LOVE books.

I'm featured today!!

Check it out!

February 10, 2011

Valentines For You

Here's a link for a few lovely bookish valentines for you!

They feature the following books:

Happy Love Day

February 8, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday-Character Names

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the fab Broke & the Bookish.

Each week we're given a bookish topic and we come up with our top ten.

This week's list: Top Ten Character Names, I'd Name My Children After

My List:

Lena from Delirium. She's a strong character and I love this name. (short for Magdalena)
Mia from If I Stay. I first liked this name in the Princess Diaries, but If I Stay cemented it for me.
Bella from Twilight. Okay, so I would never name a child this now, but I have to say that I loved, loved this name before Twilight.
Anne from Anne of Green Gables. Of course spelled with an E at the end.
Madeline from the Madeline picture books. I think it's the red hair. My husband has reddish hair and my son has red hair. I can envision having a daughter with red hair as well.
Laura from Little House on the Prairie. I have always been drawn to the traditonal names.

I can only think of six this week, and you might have noticed that none of the names are boys names. I'm not sure why, I already have a son so perhaps its easier for me to imagine a little girl.

What about you? What's on your list?

February 7, 2011

Cat Secrets-

Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj

Published by Balzer + Bray (Harper)

January 2011

I'm sorry—this book is not for you. This book is for CATS ONLY.

What's that you say?

You are a cat?

Okay . . . get ready to prove it!

I had a chance to read this at the Harper Collins booth during OLA. It's adorable, funny and engaging. I can envision the preschoolers in my story time enthusiastically meowing and stretching. It's a book made for interaction.

February 6, 2011

Book Lovers Giveaway

Valentine's Day is Monday February 14th...and it's quickly approaching.

I thought, what better way to show my love of books and this blogging world than to host a giveaway!

I'm making it as simple as possible.

Just fill out the form below and be

entered to win $20.00 (cad) to spend at the Book Depository.

Giveaway is international (wherever The Book Depository delivers)
You do not need to be a follower of my blog
(but it's appreciated)
Entries accepted until 11:00pm on Sunday February 13th
-Winner will be announced on Monday February 14th

In My Mailbox -Library Conference Edition

I had fully intended to do a vlog this week. In fact, I spent the majority of today working on it. However, my webcam is out of the dark ages and the finished product looked a bit like a independent horror film, that and somehow my voice would not catch up to what my lips and face were doing. So until I get something a little more co-operative, I'll be "in my mailboxing" the old fashioned way. (for those of you that make vlogs-what do you use?)
I was fortunate to attend a day at the Ontario Library Association Conference this year and I had a good time. I was able to connect with some people I hadn't seen in a while and also made time to visit the expo, where I picked up a few gems.