January 26, 2012

A Wrinkle in Time: 50 Years, 50 Days, 50 Blogs Celebration

    

When it comes to books that I loved and read in my school age years, I tend to be a bit of a collector. I buy multiple copies of the book with it's various covers. I own 5 copies of A Wrinkle in Time, the four above and now the 50th Anniversary Edition. 
 I was thrilled when I was asked to participate in the anniversary blog tour for this incredible book. I remember checking it out the first time from the library. Taking it home and being completely transported inside it within just a few pages. It was one of the first books that ever did that for me. Made me forget the world going on around me. I was searching with Meg. Comforted by Aunt Beast. It's a story of sacrifice and unconditional love, and I remember even when I was a young reader, knowing that this book was special. 
 Years later I was able to revisit it, when we read and studied it in a children's literature course. I'm grateful for that opportunity as I was able to delve deeper into the story, and was able to experience it in a new way.
  Now, with my son and in my work at the library I'm lucky that I am able to share A Wrinkle in Time with others.

The new  A Wrinkle in Time, The 50th Anniversary Edition:

About the 50th Anniversary edition:
The 50th Anniversary Commemorative edition features:

       Frontispiece photo*†
       Photo scrapbook with approximately 10 photos*†
       Manuscript pages*†
       Letter from 1963 Caldecott winner, Ezra Jack Keats*†
       New introduction by Katherine Paterson, US National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature  †
       New afterword by Madeleine L’Engle’s granddaughter Charlotte Voiklis including six never-before-seen photos †
       Murry-O’Keefe family tree with new artwork †
       Madeleine L’Engle’s Newbery acceptance speech

* Unique to this edition                † never previously published

I highly recommend checking out the other blogs that are participating. I've really enjoyed reading their posts about this timeless classic.

Week 1: Revisiting A Wrinkle In Time
January 16 -20

Week 2: Sharing A Wrinkle In Time
January 23 - 27

Week 3: Characters in A Wrinkle In Time
January 30 - February 3

Week 4: Expressions of A Wrinkle In Time
February 6 - February 10

Week 5: Reading A Wrinkle In Time for the First Time
February 13 - 17



What does A Wrinkle in Time mean to you? Have you read it? Is there a book from your childhood that you treasure?



January 22, 2012

Uncover January - giveaway

   There are a whole bunch of amazing releases this month, and to celebrate I thought I'd host a giveaway! 
  Below are four covers of books that released in this month. Can you guess what they are? Answer and fill in the form below to be entered for your chance to win one of  the books!

Cover 1

Cover 2
Cover 3
Cover 4

January 19, 2012

Book Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

by Jennifer E Smith
Published by Poppy January 2nd 2012
236 pages
Reviewed from finished copy provided by the publisher

Summary

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

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

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

My Thoughts:

     It is such a good feeling  when you read about 10-20 pages into a book and you just know it's going to be great. That was the case with The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. Hadley's still dealing with the break up of her parent's marriage, while on her way to her father's second wedding.  Forced to go, feeling trapped, a series of events lead her to miss her flight...and in steps Oliver. Handsome, British, (just think of the accent) and scheduled to be on Hadley's next flight. They share  an immediate connection, feel at ease, seem to understand each other and are destined to help each other more than they know. 
  
There were lovely phrases and moments along the way that I just had to mark:

"In the end, it's not the changes that will break your heart, it's the tug of familiarity"

"it doesn't matter that you once stood in front of all those people and said that you would. The important part is that you had someone to stick by you all the time. Even when everything sucked"

"No one is useless in this world", it reads "who lightens the burden of it for anyone else"

The story itself covers just over 24 hrs in their lives, but the characters are well developed and despite the short amount of time spent with them, I felt like I knew them well. An enjoyable contemporary read, it reminded me a bit of Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. Recommended. 


January 17, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read Middle Grade (or jr. fiction)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous The Broke and the Bookish
This week's list is to highlight the  Top Ten Books I'd Recommend to Someone Who Doesn't Read...
... Middle Grade Fiction

My List:

I chose middle grade to recommend because I think it's easy as we get older to overlook the treasures that can be found in books for younger readers. Some of my all time  favourite reads are for this age group!

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane


1.Stunning book plates accompany this story of a china rabbit whose been lost and tries to find his way back to love again. Moving and inspiring I needed almost a whole box of kleenex to get through it but it was worth every one.  goodreads


Peter and the Starcatchers


2. Discover the secrets of your favourite characters from Peter Pan in this prequel-ish retelling of a classic. Lot's of action, fast moving and with authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson lots of laugh out loud moments.goodreads


The City of Ember (Books of Ember, #1)


3. I'll never forget this one, as it was recommended to me by a nine-year old boy when I worked at a book store.  He said "you have to check City of Ember out, it was AMAZING". 
They made the book into a movie a few years ago, but it really doesn't do the book justice.goodreads

Fairest


4.  A fantastic re-telling of Snow White. Gail Carson Levine is the author of Ella Enchanted
and her writing in this story is especially magical.goodreads

The Akhenaten Adventure (Children of the Lamp, #1)


5.  I remember hearing a publicity rep talking about this book and how the author P.B. Kerr who generally writes for adults, wrote this book with the hoped of getting his 10 yr old son to read. That piece of info has always stuck with me.  It's a fantastic adventure series that centre's around twin's who discover they have a magical ability. (think Aladdin) goodreads

Hamish X And The Cheese Pirates


6. Canadian comedian Sean Cullen is the author and it is laugh out loud funny. One of the highlights is the narrator and the footnotes. I recommend this a lot to reluctant readers.goodreads

The Time Travelers (The Gideon Trilogy: Book One)


7. When I first read this book it was called "Gideon The Cutpurse". I guess they changed it because it wasn't selling well under the original name. I don't know that the series has ever taken off, which is so unfortunate.  I read the first one in a sitting. Two children are transported back through time and become mixed up with a pickpocket who's in trouble with the law.goodreads

Chasing Vermeer


8. A great book for mystery readers. It has illustrations with clues to help
you solve the mystery.goodreads

Tiger (5 Ancestors, #1)


9. This is one of my favourite books (series) to recommend to reluctant readers. It has everything! Fast pacing, action, martial arts, and a quest.goodreads

Liesl and Po

My review
10. It's no secret that Lauren Oliver is one of my favourite authors and that's because she's a talented story teller. Lisel and Po was magical & heart warming.

I can't wait to see everyone else's list!

January 14, 2012

In My Mailbox - Booking Buying Binge Edition


In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren
Each week we are invited to post about the books we received via mail, store, library or friend.

For Review:

Black Heart (Curse Workers, #3)



Christmas Gifts:

Crossed (Matched, #2)


Falling Backwards


Purchased: I have a problem.....

The Virgin Cure

miss peregrines home for peculiar children

Blood Red Road (Dust Lands, #1)

Poison Study (Study, #1)

Fire Study (Study, #3)

Magic Study (Study, #2)



I am totally in love the these editions of Penguin Classics. I need them all!!!!

What was in your mailbox?



January 10, 2012

Top Ten Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book



Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous The Broke and the Bookish
This week's list is to highlight the Top Ten Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book

My List:

JK Rowling. I'm sure she'll be on many many lists today!
Stephenie Meyer. I'm still hoping for Midnight Sun, but anything would do!
Suzanne Collins. I've read her Overlander Series and of the Hunger Game Trilogy
Can't wait for what's next!
Donna Tartt. She's written two books and  I adored them both......I need more....
Neil Gaiman. I am such a fan.

Franny Billingsley Author Photo (72 dpi)
Franny Billingsley. Chime was one of my favourite reads of 2011.
 
Maggie Stiefvater. I adore her. I love her books
and Scorpio Races was a five star masterpiece. I hope she  never stops writing.
Erin Morgenstern. The Night Circus, is still newer,
but I can not wait to see what this amazing debut author has next.
 
 What books are you waiting for? Are our lists similar? Leave me a link!


January 9, 2012

Book Review: Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts (Guest Post)

 Donna and I met when I worked at the library near the high school where she taught. She was kind enough to let me join the high school book club she began and we partnered running the meetings. I instantly felt a connection with her as she loves YA as much as I do and is such a wonderfully, kind and genuine person. She is also tons of fun to be with and we have the same sense of humour. I'm so happy that even though we no longer "work" together, she's become a very dear friend. 

Her Review:



Dark Inside

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts
Published by Simon & Schuster November 2011
329 Pages

Summary

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everyday people into hunters, killers, crazies.
Mason's mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground, and everyone he knows is killed. Aries survives an earthquake aftershock on a bus, and thinks the worst is over when a mysterious stranger pulls her out of the wreckage, but she’s about to discover a world changed forever. Clementine, the only survivor of an emergency town hall meeting that descends into murderous chaos, is on the run from savage strangers who used to be her friends and neighbors. And Michael witnesses a brutal road rage incident that is made much worse by the arrival of the police--who gun down the guilty party and then turn on the bystanding crowd.
Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad? These four teens are on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found, this is a journey into the heart of darkness – but also a journey to find each other and a place of safety.
Thoughts:
    This novel's energy does not let up for a second. Jeyn Roberts has created a fascinating story of desperation and terror. The modern-day tale opens with the unleashing of something unexplainable across the world where normal people suddenly turn into killers, murdering their children, students and neighbours. As the story unfolds, we learn that some people (seemingly immune are trying desperately to find a safe place. However, who can they trust? The book's chapters are categorized by the names of four main characters: Aries, Mason, Clementine and Michael. As each person faces unspeakable horror, the reader is also exposed to the realities of what humanity is capable of doing to one another. Is this time any different than genocides and wars perpetrated by people in the past? The goal among these characters is to reach the University of British Columbia, where survivors have managed to gather. As each person gets closer to the west, they travel through towns and cities, ravaged and emptied by this unknown force. This novel storyline is a race against time; I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!


January 6, 2012

Book Review: Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Love and Leftovers

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay
Published December 27th 2011 by Harpercollins
446 pages
Reviewed from ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father. 

By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? can you even know it until you've lost it? 

My Thoughts:

   I  enjoy novels in verse but I have to say this was one of the best ones I've had the pleasure of reading and also one of the best contemporary YA  novels I've read in a while. The story flowed flawlessly, and Marcie was a well written, likeable main character. 

The language had a rich depth  and it's almost impossible to pick a quote that I loved more than others, because there are so many to choose from. 
This one stands out for me:

"I can't believe he doesn't think I understand. I do. Your arms ache to hold someone- you move in slow motion from one hug to the next so you won't jostle the warm feeling off your shoulders before the next hug comes your way."

The story is compelling , sprinkled with the perfect combination of funny, serious and steamy moments. It's well written and even those readers who may have shied away from reading novels in verse before will not regret picking Love & Leftovers up. Highly Recommended. 


January 5, 2012

Book Review: Tilt by Alan Cumyn

Tilt

Published by Ground Wood Books July 2011
272 pages

Summary:

Stan is an intense sixteen-year-old loner who desperately wants to make the junior varsity basketball team. And it seems that he may be about to do so, until he’s blindsided by the unexpected attentions of Janine Igwash. Suddenly Stan is no longer thinking about jump shots. Instead he is obsessed with Janine’s spiky hair, her milky white shoulders and the mysterious little tattoo at the base of her neck, not to mention the heat of her breath, her dark eyes, wide hips and . . . Sometimes Stan’s imagination runs so wild he wonders whether he might be going crazy. That would be par for the course given his home life. His mother is dating the feckless Gary, and his little sister, designated gifted but a holy terror, is acting out. Then Stan’s father arrives on the scene with Stan’s four-year-old half brother, 
and things become truly insane

My Thoughts:

  I love when books surprise me and Tilt offered a lot more than I initially expected.  I'm not easily hooked on contemporary fiction especially one with a male protagonist, but Stan was so easy to like and I rooted for him.   
  His dad's abandonment left his family devastated and as they slowly put the pieces back together, Stan is left to take on more of a parent role for his sister and his Mom ( I was not a fan of hers) as well. Amidst all the turmoil at home; his sister's  insistence that their father is coming back soon, and his desperation to make the junior varsity basketball team, Stan falls for an unlikely girl who stirs things in him he had never felt before. Her mixed messages confuse him and without someone he can really talk to he is left to figure things out on his own. Just as he thinks he might be getting it together, someone unexpected returns and all (heck) breaks loose.  
 I think Tilt has great appeal for  teens who enjoy the contemporary genre (girl or boy). The story is compelling enough to hold the attention of any reluctant reader.  Similar authors like Corey Whaley, Jay Asher, and Gordon Korman came to mind as I was reading it. Recommended. 

January 3, 2012

Top Ten Books I Can Not Wait to Read in 2012


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous The Broke and the Bookish
This week's list is to highlight the Top Ten Books I'm Excited to Read in 2012.

My List:

There are soo many amazing books coming out this year that it was difficult to narrow it down to just 10, but here goes....

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky, #1)

Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles, #1)

Harbinger

Pandemonium (Delirium, #2)

Hemlock

Insurgent (Divergent, #2)

Storybound (Storybound #1)

Bewitching

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, #5)

This year is going to be fabulous!!!!!!!! 
I'm looking forward to seeing what's on your list, make sure to leave me a link!