Waiting on Wednesday -Legend

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. Each week we are invited to feature the books we're anxiously waiting to read.

My Pick for this week:

Legend by Marie Lu

To be published November 2011 by Putnam

Summary

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles.

Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.
 
This sounds totally like my type of book, and early reviews have been wonderful- can't wait!
What are you waiting for?

Maggie Stiefvater Event

Yay for author events and book signings! This has got to be one of my favourite things to do. There is nothing like hearing an author talk about their books and having the chance to meet them.

This past Sunday I went to an event for Wolves of Mercy Falls Series author

Maggie Stiefvater and it was so much fun! Here are a few pictures:

The Stage awaits, in the far right you can see the guitar they were giving away. (I did not win) :(

Two Fabulous Bloggers I happened to meet : K.C.Graham from http://kc-graham.livejournal.com/ 

and the lovely Avery from http://averysbooknook.blogspot.com/

MAGGIE!

She was everything I'd hoped she would be and more.

I especially loved hearing about her real life wolves encounter in Budapest.

Maggie and Me

My friend Jessie and I, this was her very first author signing.

Maggie's amazing car.........

. . .love the plates

In My Mailbox (28)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. Each week we are invited to highlight the books we've received  whether borrowed, given or bought.

For Review: (notice my fabulous skills in photography) :)

Perfect by Ellen Hopkins

The Everneath by Brodi Ashton

The Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

The Whole Truth by Kit Pearson

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper FForde

Betsy Wickwire's Dirty Secret by Vicki Grant

Jane Austen Stole my Boyfriend by Cora Harrison

I was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison

Thanks so much to my book fairies from Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins Canada!!

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Unwind by Neal Schusterman

Published 2007 by Simon & Schuster

Hardcover 335 Pages

Reviewed from Library Copy

Summary

Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.
 

Favourite Quote 

"One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have-people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives. Right now, I'm pleased to be in the light."

  Everything I have read by this talented author. I have loved. An amazing writer with a gift in storytelling, which is the reason why I read....for the story.
  Centred around three characters sent to be "unwound" the author shares their life experiences before they met and their lives now as they are intertwined. I loved that the book had many different voices sharing the experience of the moment. Unwind was an emotionally charged journey for the characters and for me as I read.  Absorbing and upsetting at times, it wasn't like books I'd read before where I had a sense of where it was headed.   A controversial subject matter and ethically charged, Unwind is thought provoking, disturbing and brilliant. Highly recommended.
   
 
 

Top Ten Tuesday - Required Reading For Teens

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week we list our top ten on a variety of book related things.....

This week's list: 

Top Ten Books You Believe Should Be Required Reading For Teens

1. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher.
2. Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
3. How I Live Now by Meg Rossoff
4. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
5. Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
6. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
7. Plain Kate by Erin Bow
8. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night by Mark Haddon
9. To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
10. Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
11. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
12. Divergent by Veronica Roth

Did anyone else find making this list very difficult?

 Instead of explaining each one, I'll just say that all of the books above impacted me in a major way at various points through the years....many I wish I would have had to turn to when I was a teen. Each book above represents a stage and a point in my life and there were so many things I learned from reading those books. Books are powerful. I wonder if the authors really Truly know what their work, their words mean to us...

TGIF (6)

TGIF is hosted by Ginger at GREADS. This week's question:

Book Blogger Appreciation:

Which book blogs have inspired you or made a difference in your blogging experience?

Wow, so many!

The first blog that lead me to blogging was Abby the Librarian. She has amazing program ideas and I loved reading about her days in childrens services.  I then discovered The Story Siren and that really cemented the idea of starting my own book blog.

The blogs I go to daily : Greads, The Broke and The Bookish, The Perpetual Page Turner,
Cari's Books Blog, Book Labyrinth, Midnight Bloom Reads , Anna Reads and The Makeshift Book Mark. and so many more I could list forever......

Thanks to you all, I am inspired by you.

Waiting to Read -Dearly Departed

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. Each week we feature a book that we are anxiously awaiting:

My pick this week:

Dearly Departed

(a debut) by Lia Habel

Published by Del Rey Books October 2011

Summary:

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?


The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune, and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.


But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.


In Dearly, Departed, steampunk meets romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.



Sounds sooo good and the cover is beau-ti-ful!!!

What are you waiting for?

Author's I'd Love to Meet

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

I love reading everyone's lists each week.

The Top Ten Authors I'd Die to Meet

My List:

1. Jo Rowling. She gave me Harry Potter. I'd love to meet her for tea in a castle in Edinburough and just soak up her amazingness.
2. Stephenie Meyer. She gave me Edward. I've meet her once before but it was briefly at a signing and I was speechless.....
3. Jane Austen. I love her writing, so lovely and poetic. Sense and Sensiblity is my all time fav.
4. Lauren Oliver. My new favourite author. I've already met her briefly at a signing and once again I was speechless and pretty sure I came off as I crazy stalker person.
5. Suzanne Collins. Hunger Games Brillance.
6. Libba Bray-Writer Brillance.
7. Mo Willems. Author of Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and The Gerald and Piggie Books.......every book I read of his outloud makes me laugh.
8. Judy Blume. My favourite author from my childhood. I'd love the opportunity to tell her what her books have meant to me
9. Oliver Jeffers. One of my all time favourite picture book authors.
10. Kiersten White. In my head Evie and I are BFFS and if you follow Kiersten on Twitter or on her blog you know how hilarious she is.
11. Gayle Forman. If I Stay changed the way I thought about many things, I'd love the opportunity to tell her.

Looking forward to reading your lists....

You-The Owners Manual For Teens

YOU: The Owners Manual for Teens

by Michael Rozen MD,

Mehmet OZ MD and Ellen Rome MD

Published June 2011 by Simon and Schuster



   When S&S first asked if I would share my thoughts on this book, I was hesitant. I don't read a lot of non-fiction, and I'm definitely not a "medical" expert- far from it, but I have to say I'm so glad I said yes, as this is one that I will pass on to my son when he reaches those teenage years. It's a book I would have liked to have during those years as well.

    I haven't read the other books in the series of "YOU"owner's manuals but I know that they are popular and often checked out of our library. The layout in this one is well done, easy to follow and its easy to find the information if you are looking for something specific. The mood of the book is upbeat and I love how it's more than just "body" health as it encompasses mental & emotional health as well. It's informative without being too preachy which I think is especially important when it's a book for teens. The question and answer sections were really helpful and I thought the "Circle of Life" inventory activity was a fabulous way to start the book.

Highly recommended. Great Reference Book.

TGIF and Follow Friday

TGIF is hosted by the fabulous Ginger at GREADS. One of my most favourite bloggers. 

This weeks question:

Blogger Confession: What's the last book you could not finish? 

(or had a hard time finishing?) 

 

The last book I could not finish was The Girl with the a Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. It was my book clubs choice and everyone I talked to just loved it! I made it 100 pages in and the author was still talking about flowers on the wall. I gave up. Apparently if I had made it to page 140 then the action would have started but there are just too many books waiting to be read to go back and try again. -

No recap this week-it's been quiet on the blog but CRAZY at work

 

 

 

                       Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View! This week's question is a bit similar....

 

What's the worst book you've read and actually finished?

 

This is tricky to answer because I don't usually finish a book if I don't like it-I love reading too much to force myself to read something.  If I had to pick something it would probably be Eat, Pray Love. I know many women just LOVE this book but maybe I was too cynical while reading it. I just think it's easy to Eat and Pray  and Love in beautiful places when you don't need to work full time.

 

What was your answer?

Happy Weekend everyone!

Mondays Bite- Twilight re-Read Along Chapters 1-5

I am so excited about this re-read along, I loved Twilight and I read it every year!

To link up your answers, go to Lisa's blog HERE!
For more info or to sign up and join us go HERE!





My  Discussion Answers for Ch. 1-5

Chapter 1: First Sight

Chapter 2: Open Book

Chapter 3: Phenomenon

Chapter 4: Invitations

Chapter 5: Blood Type

Q. Have you ever had to start over in a new place, like Bella did in Forks? This new place could be a school, job, or town... just something with a new setting. How easy or difficult was this for you?


 I think the biggest change I ever made echoes Bella's. I left my mom in Canada when I was 14 and went to live with my Dad (who I barely knew) in North Carolina. The transition was very challenging but I loved my high school. It was such a different learning and social experience than high school in Canada. I couldn't believe that on Friday nights everyone was at the school basketball games. I made some great friends, but alas there was no Edward to keep me there so I only stayed a year.


Q. Do you picture the actors from the movie as the characters in the book while you are reading?

NO. Not at all. I watch the movies, I like them because the essence of Meyer's story is there but I think with the exception of Jacob everyone has done a terrible job- I liked the first Victoria too. Robert Pattison is not my Edward, and though I like Kristen Stewart, she plays Bella in such a depressing way- not how I pictured her.

Q. What are your first thoughts on meeting Edward in Bella’s Biology class? At first he was annoyed by her presence, but then after a week away he returns & finds him self very interested in her. Do you think this helped or hindered the storyline?

It definitely made him hotter. :) What is it with guys who ignore us? It adds to the mood of the story and certainly made me read faster- I wanted to know why he was so "repulsed" by her.


Q. Out of the secondary characters Bella meets at school, who is your favorite and why? (I am referring to the humans, not the vampires in this question)

That's a hard answer as I don't pay as much attention to them as the vamps. But I'd have to say Mike. I love the fact that he's crazy for Bella and just can't have her.

Q. There is a lot of dialogue between Edward and Bella in these first few chapters that I feel played a major role in developing their relationship. What are some of your favorite quotes? or moments?

"I said it would be better if we weren’t friends, not that I didn’t want to be"


"I decided as long as I was going to hell, I might as well do it thoroughly"


"Don’t be offended, but you seem to be one of those people who just attract accidents like a magnet. So… try not to fall into the ocean or get run over or anything, all right?"


I'm having a hard time pacing myself through the book and not just plowing through like I usually do.....

You'd never know that I've read my copy like a million times as it's still in pristine condition-I'm crazy like that- how many of you have underlined or highlighted copies of twilight?

Ten Things We Did (and probably shouldn't have) Review

Ten Things We Did (and probably shouldn't have)

by Sarah Mlynowski

Published by Harperteen June 7th 2011

Reviewed from ARC provided by the Publisher

Summary:

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.
If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um,
"Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.
In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . .
one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

Ten Things I Loved About this Book ( I could probably write more)

1. MC: April was an incredibly relate-able character- I saw my teenage self in her on each page
2. Hudson. *swoon*-though I would have loved more of him and less of Noah
3. April's love/hate relationship with her parents was reminiscent of mine, though I don't think I got away with nearly as much. I wish I had this book when I was 15
4. Chapter headings-each chapter title was one of the ten things they did. The book was layed out well  and propelled the reader forward
5. It's a page turner. See above. I read this in a sitting and couldn't put it down
6. So funny! I can't believe some of the choices April made
7. April's friendships. Vi was real to me, I knew someone (know someone) exactly like her
8. This could also be titled "Parents: 10 things your kids will do" but don't panic
9. Reminded me of times when I didn't have to be responsible for anyone else but myself
10. Perfect Summer Read

Recommended Read.

Canada Day Giveaway Winners!

Thanks to everyone who participated in my Canada Day Giveaway and to http://knitpurlstitch.blogspot.com/ & http://snowdropdreams.blogspot.com/ for putting the hop together!!!

I loved reading everyone's answers.
According to the majority of people living outside Canada, we are known for:

Hockey, Maple Syrup, Cute Bears, Speaking French and Snow

The most popular Canadian author mentioned was:

 Kelley Armstrong, with Margaret Atwood coming in a close second.



Two winners have been drawn and they will each get $15.00 towards their choice of book

from the Book depository-

The winners are:

Carmel @ Rabid Reads

and

Rebecca at everything to do with books

Congrats!!!!



IMM (27)

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature hosted by The Story Siren. Each week we post the titles of the books we've borrowed, bought or we're given. Canada has had a postal strike for two weeks (it's finally over-now) but the mail is still quiet as they try and deal with the back log of stuff. I've been buying like a crazy person at Chapters and now I'm on a book buying ban until September...my husband thinks I couldn't possibly need any more books, but I know that you guys understand and can relate to my book obsession:)

From my Library:



Bought:

For Review:

What was in your mailbox?

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Published April 2011 by Harlequin Teen

Reviewed from library copy

Summary

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

    I think we may be seeing a growing trend of "mythology" in ya in the next year or so. The last 4 books I've read have had this common thread, and I'm loving it. What's great about Mythology is I find it makes me want to know more, I've taken out books on the subject recently just because I've enjoyed reading about them so much.
   The Goddess Test is a quick read. I couldn't put it down and I connected with Kate right away. Maybe because I understood how she was feeling and could relate to her desperation to save her mother. I was surprised at how quickly we learned that Henry was Hades. There wasn't a lot of build up to this, just a chapter or so, and I actually felt there could have been more to the story leading up to it, I felt like a few parts were skipped over.
   I did like how the relationship between Henry and Kate grew over time, and developed from friendship. All in all, it was a great page turner and I'll definitely be reading the next one.