April 9, 2013

My Very Un-Fairy Take Life/ My Epic Fairy Tale Fail by Anna Staniszewski–Blog Tour

my epic fairytale fail

My Very Un-Fairy Tale Life by Anna Stanizaewski
Published by Source Books/ Jabberwocky November 2011
Source: Provided by Publisher

Summary:

You know all those stories that claim fairies cry sparkle tears and elves travel by rainbow? They're lies. All lies.
I've spent my life as an official adventurer. I travel across enchanted kingdoms saving magical creatures and fighting horrible beasts that most of you think are only myths and legends. I've never had a social life. My friends have all forgotten me. And let's not even talk about trying to do my homework. So -- I'm done!! I'm tired and I want to go back to being a normal girl. But then along comes "Prince Charming" asking for help, and, well, what's a tired girl like me supposed to do?



My Thoughts:
    
 I was hooked in the first few pages. The main character is Jenny, a believable 12 yea r old who possesses this fantastic, quirky, sarcastic voice. I was immediately reminded of the character of Evie from Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy, only a younger version for a younger audience (minus the Pink Taser, although Jenny did have a pink golf ball).   I loved the twist that fairy tale creatures are not as lovely as they seem, who’d have guessed that Unicorns were so ill-tempered . Dealing with family, school and friend issues would be enough for anyone, but Jenny is also an Adventurer, hired by the mysterious “Committee”  who must rescue Kingdoms and defeat evil.   The story was well-paced and had enough action to occupy even the most restless reader. Great middle grade read for kids who have enjoyed books like Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine and How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier.


 The publisher Sourcebooks is providing one copy for a lucky resident of the United States or Canada.
Please leave a comment on this post to enter.
Winner will be chosen at random on Monday April 15th and will have 48 hours to reply once notified.






March 19, 2013

Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread

toptentuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
Each week we are invited to post a list on a variety of book –related topics.
I haven’t participated in a while but this week’s topic spoke to me!

I am so guilty of rushing out to get a new release or a book I am dying to read only to have it sit on my shelf. I also pre-order my favourite authors so I have it as soon as it comes out and they sit on my shelf too. Here’s a list of the Top Ten books I couldn’t wait to get my hands on, but haven’t cracked open yet.

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  1. Shine by Lauren Myracle
  2. Dearly Departed by Lia Habel
  3. Bloodlines by Rachel Mead
  4. Matched/Crossed/Reached by Ally Condie
  5. Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay
  6. Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
  7. Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
  8. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
  9. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
  10. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Do we have any in common? Which one should I make a priority to read next?

March 6, 2013

Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick

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Sorta Like A Rock Star by Matthew Quick
Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers May 2010
Source: Borrowed from the Library

Summary:
Amber Appleton lives in a bus. Ever since her mom's boyfriend kicked them out, Amber, her mom, and her totally loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy (aka Thrice B) have been camped out in the back of Hello Yellow (the school bus her mom drives). Still, Amber, the self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism, refuses to sweat the bad stuff. But when a fatal tragedy threatens Amber's optimism--and her way of life, can Amber continue to be the rock star of hope?

My Thoughts:

When someone in the book industry whose tastes and talents you admire tells you to read a book as its in their TOP TEN must reads of all time…you read it!! (Vikki) I'm so glad that I did. Aside from its multiple awards, this is one of those books that changes you. One that you think about long after finishing. One that is written for young adults, but resonates in the hearts of the adult reader as well. True? True.
I read and enjoyed Matthew Quick’s The Silver Linings Playbook, but for me, this book is on a whole other level. Amber is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. She sees the good in each moment and every opportunity, despite her circumstances. She is real. She is raw and true to herself about her life but chooses to believe that there is better in store for her and for everyone else. I loved the quirkiness of her character,  and the way she interacted with the world around her .  It took me a few pages to get used to her method of speaking, her slang and short forms but once I did the story flew by and so did the time as I finished it in a sitting only to go back and read it again. 
Tissue will be needed while reading but it’s worth it. This book is all sorts of incredible.



Everyone needs to own a copy so I’m giving a copy away.
Rules:
Must be 13+ to enter
Live in a place the Book Depository ships
Not have read Sort a Like a Rock Star before (honour system)
Leave me a comment sharing the title of a book that has moved you like this one moved me.
Giveaway closes March 13th. Winner will have 48hrs to reply.

February 7, 2013

Giveaway!!! Sharing the Book Love



academic,books,leisure,libraries,research,shelves,volumes,information,knowledge,stacks


It has been FOREVER since I’ve hosted a giveaway, and I figured with Valentine’s day coming up, now was the perfect time!

 To share the book love I’m giving away a $25.00 gift card to Amazon or Book Depository! 

Instead of hosting the giveaway on my blog though, I’m hosting it on Lost in the Libraries Facebook Page. Follow this link, like my page and then tell me what the best book you ever read was to enter.

The giveaway ends on February 14th, and the winner (who must be over 13) will  have 48 hrs to reply.

Book Review: Prodigy by Marie Lu

Prodigy (Legend, #2)

Prodigy by Marie Lu
Published by Putnam January 2013
384 pages
Source: ARC provided by the publisher for review

Summary:

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector. 
It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.
But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?


My Thoughts:

  I am a major fan of the Dystopian genre, something about it speaks to me as a reader. Even so, I was late to get on the “Legend” train so to speak as I only picked up Marie Lu’s first novel of the series (Legend) in early January of this year.  I fell in love with the characters immediately, and with the author’s writing style. I enjoyed reading the dual perspectives of June and Day though the alternating inks in the book became a little distracting.  I had high hopes for Prodigy, and was thrilled when asked to participate in a blog tour for it.
   Prodigy picks up exactly where Legend ended and we find Day and June searching for the Patriots in Vegas and hoping to be reunited with Tess. Tess is one of my favourite characters in the books. Resilient, forgiving and strong, Day needs her and has leaned on her much more than he realizes. Though the relationship between Day and June is sudden and complex it is written so well that it is  believable.  They trust one another when from an observers point of view they should be doing anything but trusting each other. Though not as action packed as the first novel, I was still completely engaged. I found the descriptions of the world they live in whether that be the Republic or the Colonies compelling, and we also discover in Prodigy what the catalyst was for the division in America.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this series is that you never really know who the “bad guy” is. The person who you believe to be the enemy isn’t always, and much depends on perspective. I think this theme through out the books is such a great comment on our reality.  I can’t even talk about that ending. (tears)

A gripping follow-up to Legend and I can  not wait for more. Highly recommended for fans of Delirium by Lauren Oliver, and Divergent by Veronica Roth.





January 29, 2013

Newbery and Caldecott Award Winners


The Newberry and Caldecott Award winners were announced yesterday by the American Library Association and I just had to give a special shout out for these authors!

Congrats to the amazingly talented author Jon Klassen for his Caldecott win for This is Not My Hat. You can read my thoughts and my interview with Jon here.





Congrats to the incredibly talented Katherine Applegate for winning the Newberry award for the masterpiece that is The One and Only Ivan. My thoughts on this book you must read:
                                                                                                              


January 28, 2013

Book Review: Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff–Blog Tour

Paper Valentine

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
Published by Razorbill January 8th 2013
Hardcover- 306 Pages
Source: ARC provided by publisher for review

Summary:

         The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls.
For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? Hannah’s just trying to understand why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn’t there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness.
With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life—and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again.

My Thoughts:


    I was happy to be asked to be a participant in the blog tour for Paper Valentine. I haven’t had a chance to read the author’s previous books and knowing how positive the reviews have been, I was excited to read it. There is a lot happening in 306 pages. Though not quite what I expected, I enjoyed many aspects of the book, especially Yovanoff’s writing style.  The story revolves around Hannah and the murders of girls in a her town, but that seems like a secondary storyline compared to Hannah’s grief at the loss of her best friend to Anorexia, six months earlier. Actually, my favourite parts were the moments between Hannah and Lillian. I thought the description of Lillian’s obsession with her weight, was realistic and well done. Hannah is slowly discovering who she is, and who she wants to be without Lillian. It’s Lillian, that compels Hannah to begin her own investigation into the deaths of the girls. The ‘creepy’ factor was definitely present and I could not read the book at night or if I was in the house by myself. 
*spoilers ahead*
I think because there was so much happening in the book, anorexia, a love interest, murders, grief, ghosts; there were many questions that went unanswered. I wanted to know why Lillian appeared to Hannah? What made the “Valentine Killer” kill the girls? The ending wasn't satisfying but perhaps that was the point? I liked Paper Valentine and I know that other bloggers on the tour have absolutely loved it, but I just expected/wanted more.

Favourite Quotes:
“Sometimes I think that’s the whole reason she’s still here-she’s weighted down, anchored by all the things she couldn't let go” (15) -love this quote sooo much

“Kissing him is like the wildest, most thrilling thing that has ever happened to me. It’s like diving into the deep end over and over” (187)


January 22, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday- Books I Resolve to Read in 2013

toptentuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous blog
Each week we are invited to post our top ten lists on a variety of topics.
 I’m a  little behind on posting, but I really want to share this list:

Books I Resolve to Read in 2013

Jellicoe Road Where She Went (If I Stay, #2) The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag (Flavia de Luce, #2) Revolution Storybound (Storybound #1)  The Miseducation of Cameron Post
White Cat (Curse Workers, #1) Unearthly (Unearthly, #1) Amy and Roger's Epic Detour Shine Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1) Sorta Like a Rock Star

I know. Your jaw is dropping. You can’t believe I can call myself a reader when I’ve missed the amazingness you found between the covers of the books above. But before you lose faith in me….I’m going to remedy this! I will read these books this year!-which is why there are 12 listed…one for each month.

So tell me below in the comments-which one should I read first?

January 21, 2013

Review: Everyday by David Levithan

everyday

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers 2012
336 Pages
Source: Borrowed from the Library

Summary:

   Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

My Thoughts:

   Aside from Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, I’m embarrassed to say that this is my only other David Levithan book.  It  definitely won’t be my last.  Everyday has a unique premise, A (who is genderless) is a seemingly lost soul that resides in someone different every day. It never knows who it will be next;  the people it might meet or the situations it might have to survive.  A meets Rhiannon and life as A had know it changes. A love story, complicated by the fact the his/her appearance is different every day. Can we love someone for only what's on the inside?

Completely compelling and as I turned the last page I felt there had to be more, I wanted more. He’s writing a sequel right? I became so use to A’s voice, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Days after reading I’m still thinking about it. Highly Recommended.

Quotes I LOVED:

“The clock always ticks. There are times you don't hear it, and there are times that you do.”

“There will always be more questions. Every answer leads to more questions. The only way to survive is to let some of them go.”


January 7, 2013

Best Reads of 2012


Hi! I want to first take a minute and thank you for your support, kind emails and tweets! I've missed you!
I know that this post is a little overdue, but I still wanted to share my favourite reads of 2012!

Best Adult Read:

The Virgin Cure

Easily decided... The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay. Beautifully written, compelling story...


Best Young Adult - New Author (for me)

7896527

So so good! Epic fantasy meets kick-ass assassin. 
I don't think this book is receiving the attention it deserves. (yet)


Best Young Adult-

ravenboys

Maggie Stiefvater never lets me down. Worth reading and re-reading


Best Young Adult Follow-Up-

Pandemonium (Delirium, #2)

This was a harder choice. I loved Insurgent by Veronica Roth and The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting; 
but Pandemonium is a stand out. 
If you haven't read Delirium yet... READ it! and then follow up with this amazing sequel!


Best Middle Grade/Junior Fiction:

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen

Another hard decision. I loved Wonder by RJ Palacio, but there was something incredibly special about the voice of Henry. It resonated with me. It also won the Governor General Award as well.
Review Coming soon!