tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31508178623730964242024-03-12T20:59:54.974-07:00See Michelle ReadMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.comBlogger468125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-42076347370632392692018-05-21T12:36:00.001-07:002018-05-21T12:37:19.713-07:00YALLWest 2018 Festival Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ah, YALLWest. One of my favorite book festivals. I knew after <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2017/05/yallwest-2017.html">my unforgettable experience last year</a> that I had to attend again. </div>
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I drove down on Friday to attend the Fierce Friday Preview Event at the Santa Monica Library because TAMORA PIERCE was going to be there! Really, she was probably the main reason I wanted to attend and was so excited to have her sign my <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Alanna-First-Adventure-Song-Lioness-ebook/dp/B002ZJCQYW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526927215&sr=1-1&keywords=alanna">Alanna books</a>. If you have the chance to attend, I highly recommend this preview night as it gives you a great opportunity to have books signed freeing you up to carry less the next day and adding a bit more wiggle room to your schedule. </div>
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After meeting the Legend, I got in the line for author/illustrator Jen Wang. <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Prince-Dressmaker-Jen-Wang-ebook/dp/B0796WQF4X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526927248&sr=1-1&keywords=prince+and+the+dressmaker">The Prince and the Dressmaker</a></i> was one of my top reads of this year and I really wanted to get a copy signed for my nephew as a birthday present (shh! don't tell!).</div>
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I was incredibly impressed with the improved organization of the event compared to last year. Not only did they allow each attendee to get 2 wristbands, but the wristbands were numbered so it was very fair and ressauring to know that you were guaranteed a spot as long as you had a wristband. Plus! It was May the Fourth and there was all sorts of fun Star Wars activities. I particularly had a great time at the trivia area and snagged a copy of <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Sweet-Black-Waves-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B077F23H8M/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526927278&sr=1-1&keywords=sweet+black+waves">Sweet Black Waves</a></i> when our team won a round!</div>
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Afterward, I headed back to my hotel to finalize my schedule for the next day and <i>crash</i>.</div>
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Bright and early Saturday morning I lined up at the entrance. I had told myself repeatedly that this year, I was going to stay strong and just head to panels and not worry so much about the giveaways. But then advance copies of titles like <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/City-Ghosts-Victoria-Schwab-ebook/dp/B078TNFSGS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526927151&sr=8-1&keywords=city+of+ghosts+victoria+schwab">City of Ghosts</a></i> and <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Mirage-Novel-Somaiya-Daud/dp/1250126428/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1526927195&sr=1-1">Mirage</a></i> were dangled in my face and, guys, I was sunk.</div>
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Like any self-respecting book nerd, I spent more time than I'd care to admit scouring social media and newsletters to plan out my festival schedule. And it was packed. Like sometimes 2-3 events every hour and in a perfect world wherein I was possessed of a time-turner, I would be able to attend each one. Alas and alack, I'm not that lucky so I had to pick and choose but I'm so happy with my day overall. Just to give you a taste of my day, I'll go through my festival schedule here.</div>
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<b>9am:</b> doors open and I line up at the Underlined booth for tickets to Book Prom (what is this? I had no idea but it sounded awesome) and a later signing/giveaway for Kristen White's <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Bright-We-Burn-I-Darken-ebook/dp/B077LWPNZV/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526927316&sr=1-1&keywords=bright+we+burn">Bright We Burn</a></i></div>
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Then I headed over to the PenguinTeen booth for tickets to Book Nerd Trivia at noon</div>
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<b>9:30am:</b> get in line at the I read YA booth for their doughnut breakfast with Ally Carter, Kasie West, Kody Keplinger, and Eric Gansworth</div>
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photo courtesy of <a href="https://twitter.com/IreadYA/status/992852906368876544">I read YA</a></div>
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I really just wanted a doughnut and based on how fast the line went last year, I figured I could grab one before heading to the Keynote. BUT! Not only were the authors there, they gave out copies of their latest books! Such an unexpected surprise :)</div>
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<b>10am: Keynote</b></div>
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Sugared up, I hustled down to the auditorium to attend the keynote with Tamora Pierce and Tomi Adeyemi and it was beyond inspiring. Two writers who are and continue to do so much to encourage readers; I could have listened to them all day.</div>
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<b>11am</b>: head back to the Underlined booth for a signing of Kristen White's <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Bright-We-Burn-I-Darken-ebook/dp/B077LWPNZV/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526927316&sr=1-1&keywords=bright+we+burn">Bright We Burn</a></i></div>
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<b>11:30am</b>: Line up at the HMH booth for advance copies of <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/West-Edith-Pattou-ebook/dp/B0789D3765/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526927357&sr=1-1&keywords=west+by+edith+pattou">West</a></i> by Edith Pattou (score!)</div>
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<b>Noon</b>: Penguin Book Nerd Trivia </div>
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This is another of those events that didn't have much information, but I figured with it being ticketed, they had to have something fun planned. And I was right! We showed up and the tent was filled with 10 or so authors including Sabaa Tahir, Brendan Reichs, Rachel Hawkins, Marie Lu and many others at pub tables and finished copies of their latest books! The group I was with wanted to join Richelle Mead's table which was awesome. </div>
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This event was probably one of my favorites from the entire day. The questions were super hard and all book specific to the authors present, so we know we got at least one right, ha! But it was so fun to meet authors in a laid-back moment like this. Richelle super nice and even signed all her books for us.</div>
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<b>1pm</b>: Julie Buxbaum signing of <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/What-Say-Next-Julie-Buxbaum-ebook/dp/B01FPH0HY6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526927389&sr=1-1&keywords=what+to+say+next">What to Say Next</a></i></div>
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This was the one and only signing I went to on Saturday. I was hoping to see E. Lockhart at this same time, but by the time I got over there, her line was full. But I had gotten a copy of <i>What to Say Next</i> from YALLWest last year and loved it. Of course, I totally forgot to take a picture with the author, but I am so happy to have mine signed.</div>
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<b>2pm</b>: Underlined Prom</div>
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For this event, everyone was invited to fill out a questionnaire and then we were 'matched' with a book as our prom date. How cute is that? They also had hand-dipped ice cream sandwiches and authors mingling with the crowd. I was hoping for a copy of Jay Kristoff's <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/LIFEL1K3-Lifelike-Jay-Kristoff-ebook/dp/B0776H6VVS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526927406&sr=1-1&keywords=lifel1k3">LIFEL1K3</a></i> but they ran out just before I got to the table. But they did give away these awesome book totes with a zipper that I am already using as a new library bag.</div>
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<b>3pm</b>: Feeling full with my super nutritious lunch of an ice cream sandwich, I got back in line for the Underlined ARC drop. They had told me they had more copies of <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/LIFEL1K3-Lifelike-Jay-Kristoff-ebook/dp/B0776H6VVS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526927406&sr=1-1&keywords=lifel1k3">LIFEL1K3</a></i> to hand out but once again they were all gone by the time I made it to the front. (boohoo!)</div>
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<b>4pm</b>: If there was ONE book I wanted to get while I was at YALLWest, it was Victoria Schwab's <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/City-Ghosts-Victoria-Schwab-ebook/dp/B078TNFSGS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526927151&sr=8-1&keywords=city+of+ghosts+victoria+schwab">City of Ghosts</a></i> from the I read YA booth. I think I waited in this line for almost an hour -- determined not to repeat my miss with <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/LIFEL1K3-Lifelike-Jay-Kristoff-ebook/dp/B0776H6VVS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526927406&sr=1-1&keywords=lifel1k3">LIFEL1K3</a></i>, but it was totally worth it and I snagged one!! Yay! </div>
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<b>5pm</b>: The last event I attended was the Epic Reads Grishaverse Fan meetup. This is one that wasn't really well put-together, sadly. Honeslty, all of the Epic Reads giveaways throughout the day had been really poorly handled. I think they severely underestimated attendance and it was too hard to answer the trivia questions in such a large group. But they revealed that Nina would be a main character in Leigh Bardugo's <i><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Scars-Nikolai-Duology-Leigh-Bardugo-ebook/dp/B07C25Z679/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526927459&sr=1-1&keywords=king+of+scars">King of Scars</a></i> and we got cute enamel pins. </div>
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As you can tell, my schedule was packed and this isn't counting all the little random giveaways I stopped at throughout the day. I really need to clone myself for next year. One me for going around to all the booths for the giveaways and another me to attend all the amazing panels. Okay, I'd actually need like four of me for that since there were so many to choose from every hour!</div>
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By the end of the day, I was exhausted but so happy from all the great giveaways and from meeting so many amazing fellow book lovers! YALLWest is truly one of the best festivals out there and I am so so happy I made the trip down.</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-338934221565180682018-05-04T10:59:00.000-07:002018-05-15T11:04:34.097-07:00Bay Area Book Festival 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My family moved up to the Bay Area last December and I've slowly been settling in. Because making the transition from So Cal to Nor Cal with my family of five has had its share of bumps <i>if you know what I mean</i>. One of my biggest regrets about moving from Southern California is that I was no longer just down the road from the <a href="http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/">LA Times Festival of Books</a>. <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2017/05/la-times-festival-of-books.html">I went last year</a> and thought I'd died and gone to book heaven! The panels are just superb and bring in some really big name authors.</div>
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Feeling sorry for myself that I'd missed out, I went searching for some more local bookish events and discovered the <a href="https://www.baybookfest.org/">Bay Area Book Festival</a> happening near me in downtown Berkeley. Like many other book nerds, going to new events by myself is a bit daunting but I really, really wanted to try it out so I pulled on my big girl panties and trekked there for Saturday.</div>
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The first panel I attended was Realistic Young Adult Fiction with Jesse Andrews, Alexandra Ballard, Annie Barrows, Maurene Goo, and moderated by Regan McMahon.</div>
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Mostly I was there for Jesse Andrews, author of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Earl-Dying-Girl-Jesse-Andrews/dp/1419705326/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423170995&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=my+and+earl+and+the+dying+girl">Me and Earl and the Dying Girl</a></i> (<a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2015/02/me-and-earl-and-dying-girl-by-jesse.html">which I adored</a>) and Maurene Goo but all the authors were fascinating and well-spoken and I've added their books to my TBR pile. Thanks to Maurene Goo, I left that panel craving tacos and so excited to read her latest <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076H7PRSK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1">The Way You Make Me Feel</a></i>.</div>
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I brought my 10 year old with me on Saturday (future book nerd training, right?), not really sure if it would have as much to interest kids as the LA Times Festival, but we were pleasantly surprised.</div>
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There were 20 or so tents with activities and crafts for kids where he spent time making buttons, building, and the one he spent the longest at, the make your own pinball machine. But if you ask him what he liked the best, he'll tell you the food trucks! </div>
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We also allowed plenty of time to stop by the <a href="https://www.hpb.com/home">Half Price Books</a> tent where they were giving out free used children's and YA books all day long. We loaded up a bag and my son thought that was the coolest thing ever.</div>
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After a quick bite, we headed to the panel Tackling Issues with authors Katherine Applegate and Jen Petro-Roy on Hard-Hitting Middle Grade Fiction. My son read <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=one+and+only+ivan">The One and Only Ivan</a></i> in school this year and was really excited to meet the author and get his copy signed.</div>
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Both authors did a fabulous job and had so many treasured book suggestions and stories to share.</div>
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We called it a day after that last panel but we had such a great time, I made plans to head back up for the second day by myself.</div>
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I arrived early on Sunday morning to attend the What Makes a Family? panel with authors Nidhi Chanani, Chris Crutcher, Abdi Nazemian, Mitali Perkins, moderated by Lesley Mandros Bell. I was so excited to attend this one to hear Chris Crutcher -- but realized once I got there that I had forgotten my copy of <i>Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes</i> for him to sign! Oh well. The authors were so captivating that I even forgot to take a picture, and once again, I went home with more books on my TBR. I'm sensing a theme here.</div>
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Next up I headed to the panel A Free Trip to Another World: Fantasy in Young Adult Literature with authors Shea Ernshaw, Lexa Hillyer, Laura Sebastian, Wendy Spinale, Leslye Walton, moderated by Ben Schwartz. All of these were new to me authors, but I had heard of a few of their debut books and wanted to go listen. Plus, FANTASY. So you can be sure I was gonna be there.</div>
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Each of their stories were unique and I can't wait to dive in, but the most interesting part of this panel was hearing how each author plots and edits their stories. Several even shared some of their stories about how they became published and I always find that so fascinating. </div>
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Lastly, I attended the session The Empire and the Resistance of Sabaa Tahir interviewed by Ben Schwartz. This was probably my second favorite session. Sabaa is such an engaging speaker who immediately made the audience feel like we were all just sitting down for an informal chat. And props also go to Ben Schwartz for his awesome job at moderating. He introduced thoughtful questions and helped facilitate their discussion in such a careful way, it was truly impressive. </div>
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Basically I had an incredible time and was very impressed with the festival overall. While not as large as some festivals it had a great intimate feel. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the speakers and moderators and plan to return next year!</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-78865684134109671052018-01-04T08:41:00.003-08:002018-01-04T08:41:40.541-08:00Best of 2017Man am I ever so glad to see the back of 2017. Could be the fact that my husband accepted a job offer and we moved across the state all within the span of a month. And that we sandwiched said move right between the holidays. Ugh. Don't do that to yourselves, friends.<br />
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But there has also been a lot of really, really good and surprisingly exceptional things that happened in 2017. I started editing for another publisher and have been enjoying a steady increase in my freelance business too. Dreams do come true! And there were some pretty wondrous books that came my way. This year I read 176 books -- 12 audio, 91 ebooks, and 73 in print. Some of these were published prior to 2017, but I'm still counting them because I'm a rebel like that.<br />
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<b>Best Fantasy</b><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765387468/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0765387468&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2"><i>A Conjuring of Light</i></a> by V.E. Schwab<br />
This book lived up to every expectation V.E. Schwab set in the previous books and then some. Her character arcs were heartbreaking and beautiful and maybe I cried for like the last 30 pages of the book. Maybe. I wanted to get lost in the gorgeous words and luxuriate in the descriptions. Schwab is a master at her craft and I so loved every single moment I spent with Kell, Lila, Holland, Rhy, and Alucard in the four Londons.<br />
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<b>Best Feminist Manifesto</b><br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Moxie-Novel-Jennifer-Mathieu-ebook/dp/B06W552NS8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514931658&sr=1-1&keywords=moxie">Moxie </a></i>by Jennifer Mathieu<br />
I read a lot of feminist stuff this year. A lot. But it's like, once you know this stuff is out there, you can't stop seeing it ... or wanting to know more, in my case. This though-provoking YA tackles the ever-present sexism and abuse girls face every single day. <i>Moxie </i>does a fabulous job at reminding the reader just how terribly hard it is to grow up female. I want <i>Moxie </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">to become required reading -- and I hope it inspires girls to stand up for each other.</span><br />
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<b>Best All The Feels Romance</b><br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0965818675/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0965818675&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">The Time Traveler's Wife</a></i> by Audrey Niffenegger<br />
This is one of those books that have been recommended to me over and over again but I never felt like I was in the right place to enjoy it. I'm so glad I waited until this year because I think I was at the perfect place to appreciate the story. I actually began listening to it and really fell in love with the dual narrators. Ms. Niffenegger masterfully made both Claire and Henry's voices come alive as they shared the impossible and the utterly mundane. This book was so viscerally real to me, I actually took over a month to finish it because I just had to savor the words and digest them.<br />
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<b>Best Doorstop Fantasy</b><br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765326361/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0765326361&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Words of Radiance</a></i> by Brandon Sanderson<br />
This book is HUGE, like over 1,000 pages huge, and everyone who actually finishes it should get an prize. But Brandon Sanderson needed every single one of those pages to fully embrace and explore his many, many characters on their incredible journeys. This series does such a phenomenal job of fully capturing the nuances of good and evil. It's like he's taken a lens to each character when their back is to the wall, simply to find out, what will they do now? Riveting stuff.<br />
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<b>Best Beauty and the Beast Retelling</b><br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HBPP15U/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01HBPP15U&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Hunted </a></i>by Megan Spooner<br />
This category is kind of a cop-out because <i>Hunted </i>is so much more than a retelling. It's a gorgeously penned story of a fierce female huntress with an incredible weight on her shoulders. The setting becomes almost a character in and of itself and yes, there is a truly epic love story. It's one of those books where I caught myself physically petting the pages because of all the beautiful words.<br />
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<b>Best Middle Grade</b><br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316380865/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316380865&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">The Thing About Jellyfish</a></i> by Ali Benjamin<br />
Uniquely beautiful story about a girl who struggles to find herself in the perilous struggle of middle school while dealing with loss and grief in her own way. Weighty and unexpectedly lovely, I cannot recommend this one enough.<br />
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<b>Best #LoveOzYA</b><br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1101937645/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1101937645&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Words in Deep Blue</a></i> by Cath Crowley<br />
Gorgeously written with one of the best ideas for a bookshop. Can someone please make this place real? Cath Crowley is an amazingly talented writer and I could not get this story out of my head for weeks. She made the pulse of the ocean and the profound serenity to be found in books come alive. Such beautiful words.<br />
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<b>Best Horrifyingly Elegant Mystery</b><br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400031702/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400031702&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">The Secret History</a></i> by Donna Tartt<br />
Another 'classic' book that I finally got around to reading this year. Twisty, elegant, and utterly horrifying plotting by Donna Tartt. She takes this group of misfit Classics students and turns them into a sinister and underhanded lot. Richard is a fabulous unreliable narrator and there were so many moments of dawning horror when I realized just how terrible every single character truly was (even their so-called 'authority figure'). But above all is Ms. Tartt's unmistakable genius.<br />
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<b><br />Best Didn't-Read-as-a-Serial Serial</b><br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Sweep-Innkeeper-Chronicles-Andrews/dp/1494388588/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514932662&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=innkeeper+chonicles">Clean Sweep</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Peace-Innkeeper-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B016WQUTTM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514932741&sr=1-1&keywords=sweep+in+peace">Sweep in Peace</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fell-Sweep-Innkeeper-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B01MSJJFAC/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514932699&sr=1-3&keywords=one+fell+sweep">One Fell Sweep</a></i> by Ilona Andrews<br />
So I technically read <i>Clean Sweep</i> as a serial on Ilona Andrews' blog when it was first being released, but serials and I don't really get along and I so waited patiently for the rest to come out before binge reading. It'd probably be a surprise if an Ilona Andrews book <i>didn't </i>make my best of list. The storytelling is magnificent and Dina and her inn, Gertrude Hunt, are amazing protectors of all things family and loyalty.<br />
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<b>Honorable Mention</b><br />
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<b>Best Twisty YA</b><br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?keywords=9781484719435&index=books&linkCode=qs&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20">Conviction </a></i>by Kelly Loy Gilbert<br />
I discovered this gem randomly clicking through the archives of <a href="http://foreveryoungadult.com/2016/08/11/conviction/">Forever Young Adult</a> and it more than delivered. From the multi-layered meaning of the title, this books screws with your head in the way only truly talented authors can manage. Braden, Trey, and their dad, Mart, are all such carefully drawn characters in a story that unfolds in a terrifyingly real and heartbreaking way.</div>
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So that's it for me. What books made your Best Of lists?</div>
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See Michelle Read's Best Of <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2017/01/best-of-2016.html">2016</a> <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2016/01/2015-best-of.html?m=0">2015</a> <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2015/01/best-of-2014.html?m=0">2014</a> <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2013/01/best-of-2012.html">2012</a> <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2011/07/faves-of-2011-so-far-books.html">2011</a> <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2011/01/see-michelle-read-in-2010.html">2010</a></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-12285942465287106652017-05-26T17:16:00.000-07:002017-05-26T17:16:24.220-07:00Loving Richard Feynman by Penny Tangey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just love it when quirky little books find their way to me.<br />
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<i>Loving Richard Feynman</i> first popped up on my radar after <a href="http://thebookishmanicurist.blogspot.com/">Mandi </a>(<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebookishmanicurist/">@thebookishmanicurist</a>) spotlighted it on one of her amazing Insta posts. Being married to an engineer who is an avid devotee of Richard Feynman (they even share a birthday!), I was immediately intrigued about the concept of a teenage girl writing letters to dead Nobel-winning physicist. I'm not exactly one who reads science-y books, but <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5544.Surely_You_re_Joking_Mr_Feynman_">I've actually read</a> the book Catherine rations out reading, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5544.Surely_You_re_Joking_Mr_Feynman_" style="font-style: italic;">Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman</a>, which serves as a perfect device to help explore her ever-changing feelings for the physicist and life in general. It was actually a treat to see many of my same observations of that book echoed by Catherine in such an intelligent and pragmatic manner. I too think Catherine is a 'box of nerdish delight."<br />
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I thoroughly enjoyed Catherine's odd-duck observations on the mysteries of teen-dom. When done well, epistolary novels are often my favorite type to read and Catherine's struggles to deal with ridicule and overtures of friendship from her classmates are presented with careful honesty in this format. I found myself utterly swept up in her clear prose. I couldn't recommend this book enough and I'm so glad I took the trouble to track a copy down.<br />
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One new moment of Feynman's life I discovered thanks to this fabulous little story was a <a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/02/i-love-my-wife-my-wife-is-dead.html">love letter Feynman wrote to his deceased wife</a> two years after she passed. Read it without tears, I dare you.<br />
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-35745594413227140702017-05-17T10:36:00.000-07:002017-05-17T15:42:23.081-07:00Y'ALLWEST 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
April was like a month-long feast for book festivals! The weekend after the <a href="http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/">LA Times Festival of Books,</a> I went down to Santa Monica for <a href="https://www.yallwest.com/">Y'ALLWEST</a>. It's an all-things YA festival and tons of fun. </div>
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Joined by some fellow book nerds, we headed down to the Friday night preview -- which was basically just an extended book signing. If I had known that, we might not have gone, but it was still fun. My daughter is a huge fan of <a href="http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html">Shannon & Dean Hale</a>'s <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B00YY884N4/ref=sr_es_i_1_1_vsp"><i>Princess in Black</i> series</a> and so I was excited to get signed copies for her. When I told the Hales they were signing for my daughter Nora, Shannon told me that she named Princess Magnolia after her own daughter, Magnolia...who originally was to be named Nora! </div>
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No lie, there were so many panels/signings/giveaways that I wanted to attend Saturday that I wound up creating an hour by hour spreadsheet so I wouldn't miss anything. My husband totally made fun of my OCD but I'm well aware of my nerd status. But! It was immensely satisfying to see other proud booknerds carrying around their own (color-coded!) spreadsheets the day of.</div>
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I was able to snag a ticket to go to a special <a href="http://www.leighbardugo.com/m/">Leigh Bardugo</a> signing of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Woman-Warbringer-DC-Icons-ebook/dp/B01MDN52BK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495060297&sr=8-1&keywords=wonder+woman+by+leigh+bardugo">Wonder Woman: Warbringer</a></i>! I was so excited to meet the creator of Kaz and Inej and Nina and Matthais... Leigh was so nice and I can't wait to read her latest.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">A<a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2017/05/la-times-festival-of-books.html">t LATFoB I spent most of my time attending panels</a>, but at Y'ALLWEST it was all about the signings and giveaways. I did go to a few panels, including this one with </span><a href="http://allycondie.com/">Ally Condie</a>, <a href="http://www.lilliamrivera.com/">Lilliam Rivera</a>, <a href="http://www.jenniferniven.com/">Jennifer Niven</a>, Benjamin Alire Saenz, and <a href="http://angiethomas.com/">Angie Thomas</a>. While they were all interesting and well-spoken, we all know I was only there to see the fabulous Angie Thomas and I was happy to have her sign copies of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hate-U-Give-Angie-Thomas-ebook/dp/B01M0614T9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495059796&sr=8-1&keywords=the+hate+you+give">The Hate You Give</a></i> afterwards.<br />
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Highlights of the panel include Benjamin Alire Saenz serenading the crowd with "Summertime" when asked what song they would pick for karaoke and it came as no surprise that Angie Thomas picked a combo of Beyonc<span style="text-align: start;">é</span> and Tupac for her favorite famous persons ("Can't you see me at a signing with a wind machine?").<br />
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And then there was the BIG reason I went down to Y'ALLWEST: <a href="http://meganwhalenturner.org/">Megan Whalen Turner</a>!! Well since it's been SEVEN years since we last had a new MWT, you know I was not going to miss out on that opportunity! </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I met up with my friend, the fabulous Maggie of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/treatyoshelf/">@treatyoshelf</a> and we enjoyed her panel with Alex London, <a href="http://cassandraclare.com/">Cassandra Clare</a>, <a href="http://daniellepaigebooks.com/">Danielle Paige</a>, <a href="http://ghoststar.net/">Daniel José Older</a>, and <a href="http://www.zoraidacordova.com/">Zoraida Cordova</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">During the panel, we both agreed that Daniel Jos</span><span style="text-align: start;">é</span><span style="text-align: start;"> Older needs to start doing audio book narrations or something, because hot dog! I could listen to him allll day!</span> </div>
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I came home with sooo many books and swag! Most of these I'm super excited to start reading (Hello, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Words-Deep-Blue-Cath-Crowley-ebook/dp/B01M58UOL2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495060145&sr=8-1&keywords=words+in+deep+blue">Words in Deep Blue</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Unlimited-Kristin-Cashore-ebook/dp/B01MY28M5P/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495060164&sr=8-1&keywords=jane%2C+unlimited">Jane, Unlimited</a></i>! Although boo for waiting in line for the newest <a href="http://stephanieperkins.com/">Stephanie Perkins</a> only to find out it was only a teaser!). It turned out to be an exceptional day, full of good books and meeting lots of super nice book enthusiasts. I'm so glad I went and can't wait to attend next year too.</div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-66353080522259567532017-05-15T21:33:00.002-07:002017-05-15T21:33:47.482-07:00LA Times Festival of Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've never had the chance to go to the <a href="http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/">LA Times Festival of Books</a> and this year, I finally made it! My hubby was a little concerned that I was going by myself, but I just told him, these are my people :)</div>
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After wandering the booths for a bit, I decided to escape the heat and enjoy the fantastic panels. I went to The Science of Humans, mainly so I could listen to Mary Roach, who was hilarious as expected and all the authors were extremely fascinating.</div>
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Next up was the amazing Science Fiction and Fantasy from All Angles panel with Sarah Kuhn, Becky Chambers, Ellen Klages, and Seanan McGuire. That's right. An all female panel of speculative fiction!! I mainly came for Seanan McGuire and she was as weirdly endearing as I hoped she'd be but I came out of there with a huge list of books to read from the other authors.</div>
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One conversation I was seriously excited for was Roxane Gay. Who was absolutely unapologetically brilliant. That woman is amazing and to make it even better, I ran into Maggie from @treatyoshelf!</div>
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I also got to meet Liza Palmer after her Exceptions and Expectations panel. She is basically the nicest person ever -- signing all 6 books I had with me, including her latest <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/F-Word-Novel-Liza-Palmer-ebook/dp/B01M00VRHA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1494909197&sr=1-1&keywords=the+f+word">The F Word</a></i> (which I've already devoured and loved. Of course.).</div>
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Hurrying across the gorgeous USC campus, I managed to catch the tail end of the Pieces of Me panel with Angie Thomas, Nicola Yoon, Nina LaCour, and Jennifer Niven. They were all incredibly articulate and engaging and I especially enjoyed all the Harry Potter fangirling.</div>
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So. Much. Fun.</div>
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I met so many interesting people while waiting in signing lines and scored some fantastic bookish swag. I can't wait to return next year.</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-58287418837837749292017-01-20T15:50:00.000-08:002017-01-20T22:19:13.611-08:00Best of 2016<div style="text-align: center;">
2016 shall forever be remembered as the redheaded stepchild that no one wants to acknowledge. I've had this Best Of post rattling around in my head for a few weeks now and felt like on this inauguration day, a day that has me filled with concern and doubt for the next four years, I wanted to take a moment to call attention to those little pockets of extraordinary from 2016. Because sometimes you just need to focus on things that make you happy. And all of these books make me happy. This past year I read 198 books: 89 print, 92 ebooks, and 13 audio. These numbers are staggering and when it came down to pick my favorites, I had so much trouble pairing it down. </div>
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<b>Best Fantasy series</b><br />
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ME0TBFE/ref=series_rw_dp_sw">A Darker Shade of Magic</a></i> & <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gathering-Shadows-Novel-Shades-Magic-ebook/dp/B00WDVL07Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484946814&sr=1-1&keywords=a+gathering+of+shadows">A Gathering of Shadows</a></i> by <a href="https://veschwab.wordpress.com/">Victoria Schwab</a><br />
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This series is killing me in all the best possible ways. Inventive magical worlds, characters I dream about, and razor sharp dialogue that has me rooting for Lila and Kell like nobody's business. I was already fangirling pretty hard after reading these two but <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2016/08/signing-with-victoria-schwab.html">meeting the author</a> this summer clinched my eternal love for her writing. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Conjuring-Light-Novel-Shades-Magic-ebook/dp/B01EROMI2M/ref=pd_sim_351_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G76RRE62YMTS656B4M2D">Book 3</a> is coming next month and I am <i>tense</i>.<br />
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<b>Best Bookish (Keeper) Romance</b><br />
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hating-Game-Novel-Sally-Thorne-ebook/dp/B01825C598/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484946755&sr=1-1&keywords=the+hating+game">The Hating Game</a></i> by Sally Thorne<br />
I can't even tell you how many times I've reread this charming book already, which is incredibly unusual for me. 3? 4? Lucy and Josh with their mutual love of strawberries have cemented their place on my keeper shelf. Surprising and witty, I can't wait to see what Ms. Thorne creates next.<br />
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<b>Best West End Romance</b><br />
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Act-Like-Lucy-Parker-ebook/dp/B00Z6YMLV6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484946712&sr=1-1&keywords=act+like+it">Act Like It</a></i> by <a href="http://www.lucyparkerfiction.com/">Lucy Parker</a><br />
This unexpectedly delightful romp of a romance between two London actors pretending to be in a relationship left me smiling for days. Gorgeous writing peppered with quick banter (and the occasional <i>Harry Potter</i> reference) easily made this a standout.<br />
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<b>Best Fantasy/Mythological/Action Romance</b><br />
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Promise-Fire-Kingmaker-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B01DE9I4LA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1484946940&sr=1-1&keywords=promise+of+fire">A Promise of Fire</a></i> by Amanda Bouchet<br />
After hearing the promising buzz, I purposefully went into this compelling read completely blind and couldn't have been more impressed with the fantastic world building and intricate story. Cat is such a slippery character. Her snark and caginess are endlessly endearing and I inhaled it all in one sitting.<br />
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<b style="text-align: center;">Best Graphic Novels series...okay, it's a tie</b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rthZu2OUguE/WIJ__JnAc-I/AAAAAAAAizM/Y2xV-mEdFe8Ipa56teRMk6nLEmaQTTBTQCLcB/s1600/22554204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rthZu2OUguE/WIJ__JnAc-I/AAAAAAAAizM/Y2xV-mEdFe8Ipa56teRMk6nLEmaQTTBTQCLcB/s200/22554204.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtiGdtnU9uQ/WIJ_-xiKbkI/AAAAAAAAizQ/ZpHj4BpquWQqTIyyrdaXnRHpBvW1TwkyQCLcB/s1600/25785993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtiGdtnU9uQ/WIJ_-xiKbkI/AAAAAAAAizQ/ZpHj4BpquWQqTIyyrdaXnRHpBvW1TwkyQCLcB/s200/25785993.jpg" width="131" /></a><br />
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Giant-Days-Vol-John-Allison-ebook/dp/B01E0IZ1HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484947493&sr=8-1&keywords=giant+Days">Giant Days</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lumberjanes-Vol-1-Noelle-Stevenson-ebook/dp/B01E0IYWUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484947529&sr=8-1&keywords=lumberjanes">Lumberjanes</a></i><br />
I'm a newbie to the bright and colorful world of graphic novels but have gotten some wonderful recommendations from friends <a href="https://chachic.wordpress.com/">Chachic </a>and <a href="http://youngadultanonymous.blogspot.com/">Maggie</a> on what to start. Both of these series are intricately gorgeous and utterly hilarious. Which I wasn't totally expecting but am totally on board with. <i>Giant Days</i> reminds me so much of my own college dorm experiences and <i>Lumberjanes </i>is just a universally engaging story. It's always a struggle between my son and I over who gets to read the latest edition first.<br />
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<b>Best Sports/Slow Burn Romance</b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WIk7mZtqGo/V7q0Pi-osZI/AAAAAAAAefE/pWekvDOdN58e496tCdM63tOPCVCPAfabgCLcB/s1600/24044596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WIk7mZtqGo/V7q0Pi-osZI/AAAAAAAAefE/pWekvDOdN58e496tCdM63tOPCVCPAfabgCLcB/s200/24044596.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kulti-Mariana-Zapata-ebook/dp/B00V12L3CU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471853674&sr=1-1&keywords=Kulti">Kulti </a></i>by <a href="http://www.marianazapata.com/">Mariana Zapata</a><br />
One of the few books that I actually took the time to <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2016/08/kulti-by-mariana-zapata.html">write a full review</a> of this year still remains one of my favorites. It's got girl power written all over it with the best slow burn romance I've encountered in a while. As a rising soccer star, Sal is the best kind of heroine. Tough yet considerate with a unquenchable drive to be the best. I love her. I love her family. ...and I love Kulti.<br />
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<b>Best Lady Mystery</b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw7x6M7BezY/WIJ7astNf1I/AAAAAAAAiy4/25mwkOsHyB4hF3mcouO1RE670zjYA2F9wCEw/s1600/28588390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw7x6M7BezY/WIJ7astNf1I/AAAAAAAAiy4/25mwkOsHyB4hF3mcouO1RE670zjYA2F9wCEw/s200/28588390.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Study-Scarlet-Women-Lady-Sherlock-ebook/dp/B01ASO6JIY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1484947016&sr=1-1&keywords=a+study+in+scarlet+women">A Study in Scarlet Women</a></i> by <a href="http://www.sherrythomas.com/">Sherry Thomas</a><br />
The first in a new Lady Sherlock series, Sherry Thomas once again managed to surprise and enchant me. Gone is the socially inept male Sherlock; Thomas' creation is feminine and not without her struggles despite her excess of brains. Not only a stunning mystery, it also manages to delve deeply into the expectations and prejudices concerning women. I'm looking forward to more surprises from Ms. Thomas.<br />
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<b style="text-align: center;">Best Nasty Woman in Training Book</b></div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7Z2PEUAb58/WIJ7adQRQRI/AAAAAAAAizI/20SAf9cs4AwHLh7-j4vhMcv0LUvRF7HXgCEw/s1600/26211610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7Z2PEUAb58/WIJ7adQRQRI/AAAAAAAAizI/20SAf9cs4AwHLh7-j4vhMcv0LUvRF7HXgCEw/s200/26211610.jpg" width="132" /></a><br />
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<i><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Summer-Skin-Kirsty-Eagar/9781925266924?ref=grid-view">Summer Skin</a></i> by <a href="http://www.kirstyeagar.com/">Kirsty Eagar</a><br />
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"<i>It's all Girl meets Boy, Girl steals from Boy, seduces Boy, ties Boy to a chair and burns Boy's stuff. Just your typical love story."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>This tag is my favorite but deceptively lacking in conveying the rawness of this book. Yet another shattering offering from Australian Kirsty Eagar, its a biting story about women and their unapologetic sexuality in a college setting. I'm thrilled that an American edition is coming soon so that it can get the increased exposure it deserves.<br />
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<b>Best Take You By Surprise Book</b><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHXygCGdToI/WIJ7Z8u81OI/AAAAAAAAiyk/D3Ze_S5z-V8IYRxPgqY7zsaZBRF28lfoQCEw/s1600/23566896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHXygCGdToI/WIJ7Z8u81OI/AAAAAAAAiyk/D3Ze_S5z-V8IYRxPgqY7zsaZBRF28lfoQCEw/s200/23566896.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Shame-Devil-Melina-Marchetta-ebook/dp/B01BKSLGOE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484947234&sr=8-1&keywords=tell+the+truth+and+shame+the+devil">Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil</a></i> by <a href="https://melinamarchetta.wordpress.com/">Melina Marchetta</a><br />
Maybe I should give this one the best creep up on you and then pummel you with all the feels book. I really should have known better, but I didn't not expect such depth and twisting of emotion when I began Marchetta's latest. Mystery, fantasy, YA...if Marchetta writes it, I'm going to love it.<br />
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<b>Best I had no I idea I would love this book so much</b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nwlBFGzn1o/WIJ7Z07YbPI/AAAAAAAAiyo/sdHCPIbQgmsW92k1tN-vIDTToIlILaBNgCEw/s1600/26114135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nwlBFGzn1o/WIJ7Z07YbPI/AAAAAAAAiyo/sdHCPIbQgmsW92k1tN-vIDTToIlILaBNgCEw/s200/26114135.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-Ugly-Wonderful-Things-Novel-ebook/dp/B01ARRWOOU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484947282&sr=8-1&keywords=all+the+ugly+and+wonderful+things">All the Ugly and Wonderful Things</a></i> by <a href="http://www.bryngreenwood.com/">Bryn Greenwood</a><br />
Giving into peer pressure, I got a <a href="https://www.bookofthemonth.com/?&gclid=Cj0KEQiAh4fEBRCZhriIjLfArrQBEiQArzzDAYbmOCXU3e8boPsN3VATJamifvEavx6ppYzoU-8_9r8aApeu8P8HAQ">Book of the Month</a> membership this year and this was one of the first titles I received. Pitched to me as 'Beauty and the Beast in meth-land,' you know I was gonna be all over that. Alternating POVs deliver an unflinching look at what it means to be a family and the insane road one girl in particular has to take to get there.<br />
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<b style="text-align: center;">Best New Author Discovery</b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqnERzxyBbI/WIKdtaatwLI/AAAAAAAAizs/jRTJvgYYkew9jfw-UUVCD6wT6fUaEcdQgCLcB/s1600/33255827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EoMYvMFzdkw/WIKdHzY4_ZI/AAAAAAAAizg/KMVsmM2zY8A885LK5gpvMpnGvc0Z61BNQCLcB/s1600/23314731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqnERzxyBbI/WIKdtaatwLI/AAAAAAAAizs/jRTJvgYYkew9jfw-UUVCD6wT6fUaEcdQgCLcB/s1600/33255827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqnERzxyBbI/WIKdtaatwLI/AAAAAAAAizs/jRTJvgYYkew9jfw-UUVCD6wT6fUaEcdQgCLcB/s200/33255827.jpg" width="133" /></a> <img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EoMYvMFzdkw/WIKdHzY4_ZI/AAAAAAAAizg/KMVsmM2zY8A885LK5gpvMpnGvc0Z61BNQCLcB/s200/23314731.jpg" width="131" /> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWhT7P9foa4/WIKdH_Hm2bI/AAAAAAAAizo/W48_KWnj-x8aU1r_RwtKLhDPjucGZVX8wCLcB/s1600/23337863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWhT7P9foa4/WIKdH_Hm2bI/AAAAAAAAizo/W48_KWnj-x8aU1r_RwtKLhDPjucGZVX8wCLcB/s200/23337863.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6HkeUSNgsA0/WIKdH5pb3iI/AAAAAAAAizk/lap6Gn9r-fsqsYpQZxDLB28OQtNfGJ7XgCLcB/s1600/23337872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6HkeUSNgsA0/WIKdH5pb3iI/AAAAAAAAizk/lap6Gn9r-fsqsYpQZxDLB28OQtNfGJ7XgCLcB/s200/23337872.jpg" width="131" /></a><br />
<a href="http://pennyreid.ninja/">Penny Reid</a><br />
A few months back I one-clicked a free copy of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Neanderthal-Seeks-Human-Knitting-City-ebook/dp/B00BUWA58E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484954538&sr=8-1&keywords=neanderthal+seeking+human">Neanderthal Seeks Human</a></i> and thoroughly enjoyed the silliness contained. It didn't change my world, but it was an entertaining read and I decided then to watch out for more Penny Reid in the future. Flash forward to a love affair with <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IS98B24/ref=series_rw_dp_sw">Love Hacked</a></i> and then a crash-course introduction to the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Winston-Brothers-3-Book-Series/dp/B01LY6EK5O/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484954781&sr=1-5&keywords=winston+brothers">Winston Brothers series </a>(don't they have THE BEST covers?). I was lucky enough to meet the ever so charming Penny at a signing at <a href="http://www.therippedbodicela.com/">The Ripped Bodice</a> and I am a converted fan. Her stories are fresh with unexpectedly intelligent characters with humor to spare. Her books are the ultimate happy-making experience and I thoroughly recommend them all.<br />
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Not surprisingly, you'll notice an obvious trend towards female characters who couldn't care less about what people think they should or shouldn't do. Books about women who do things, who speak their mind, and who aren't afraid to rock the boat. Stories about people changing their world and I hope we see a whole lot more of that in 2017.</div>
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So what stories and characters did you discover this year? Please share your favorites too!</div>
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See Michelle Read's Best Of <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2016/01/2015-best-of.html?m=0">2015</a> <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2015/01/best-of-2014.html?m=0">2014</a> <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2013/01/best-of-2012.html">2012</a> <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2011/07/faves-of-2011-so-far-books.html">2011</a> <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2011/01/see-michelle-read-in-2010.html">2010</a></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-33820131730768521252017-01-03T13:18:00.000-08:002017-01-03T13:19:48.170-08:00Christmas Book Haul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zoBOqTbw41o/WGwQ5e76THI/AAAAAAAAihM/yJ9jD2xkNGMV0LspsHydZinQbFrMt6EegCKgB/s1600/IMG_20161215_193110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zoBOqTbw41o/WGwQ5e76THI/AAAAAAAAihM/yJ9jD2xkNGMV0LspsHydZinQbFrMt6EegCKgB/s640/IMG_20161215_193110.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I will get around to my Best Of 2016 post here in a bit, but this Christmas was exceptional in its book-as-presents status. So many new friends made their way to my shelves this year that I just wanted to share.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-It_2-oSpZj4/WGwQ5Vh6myI/AAAAAAAAihM/McecEaQAcKo321XuE27CiHLEkIJec5ylACKgB/s1600/IMG_20161226_102734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-It_2-oSpZj4/WGwQ5Vh6myI/AAAAAAAAihM/McecEaQAcKo321XuE27CiHLEkIJec5ylACKgB/s640/IMG_20161226_102734.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This was actually a little pre-Christmas treat yo self I got from <a href="http://www.therippedbodicela.com/">The Ripped Bodice</a> when I went down for a <a href="http://pennyreid.ninja/">Penny Reid</a> signing. And if you're wondering -- I adore Penny! She is so warm-hearted and funny and her books just make me smile. Anyways, I saw this little beauty and just knew it <i>had </i>to be mine!</div>
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Side note, here is the stairwell leading to the used books section at The Ripped Bodice. I now want to do my entire house like this.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esfGWG7N5pI/WGwQ5QOWp6I/AAAAAAAAihM/XNEKPbBbsBI17zrYdzj6K-6WuQ-mAUvOgCKgB/s1600/20161203_173206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esfGWG7N5pI/WGwQ5QOWp6I/AAAAAAAAihM/XNEKPbBbsBI17zrYdzj6K-6WuQ-mAUvOgCKgB/s640/20161203_173206.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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A romance tree! So very festive.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sar-i6gyrdk/WGwQ5YN7O8I/AAAAAAAAihM/5T-Sq51tCBQ9Yaqkld5wHFvA8ZJdoCrcgCKgB/s1600/20161203_161600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sar-i6gyrdk/WGwQ5YN7O8I/AAAAAAAAihM/5T-Sq51tCBQ9Yaqkld5wHFvA8ZJdoCrcgCKgB/s640/20161203_161600.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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I belong to two different book clubs -- and my online one, The YAckers, does a Sekrit Santa every year and honestly, it's probably the entire reason I joined. Look at the beauties Sandy sent me!!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aZstFrFPD3s/WGwQ5Wj308I/AAAAAAAAihM/jfpHk5B7UVwKSv6_zMRYVhyNziMpoowIgCKgB/s1600/20161216_145539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aZstFrFPD3s/WGwQ5Wj308I/AAAAAAAAihM/jfpHk5B7UVwKSv6_zMRYVhyNziMpoowIgCKgB/s640/20161216_145539.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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My other book club meets IRL, which means we we go out to eat and chat about books for a bit then end up laughing at our hilariousness for the rest of the night. Good times. This year we decided to do a book exchange and I gifted the ever enjoyable <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Friend-Mine-Stephanie-Tromly-ebook/dp/B00OQSF7V4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483477912&sr=1-1&keywords=trouble+is+a+friend+of+mine">Trouble is a Friend of Mine</a></i> and received <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Smekday-Single-Title-One-Off-ebook/dp/B008RMYVBW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483477934&sr=1-1&keywords=the+true+meaning+of+smekday">The True Meaning of Smekday</a> </i>in turn. Turns out the <i>Smekday </i>book is what the movie <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2224026/">Home </a></i>was based on (which the gifter didn't even realize -- she obviously doesn't have young kids) so naturally I haven't had a change to even start it as my 8 year old has taken it over.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jat-sjmgEyw/WGwQ5c3CXOI/AAAAAAAAihM/87qySjCTej04-Yo6cLrINMWYDEiyX662wCKgB/s1600/IMG_20161225_095958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jat-sjmgEyw/WGwQ5c3CXOI/AAAAAAAAihM/87qySjCTej04-Yo6cLrINMWYDEiyX662wCKgB/s640/IMG_20161225_095958.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And finally, I've been salivating over this pulpy edition of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Pulp-Classics-Austen/dp/1843440717">P&P</a> for awhile now and the hubby really came through this year. There is <i>nothing </i>better than finding Darcy under your Christmas tree. </div>
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That's the goodies that came my way. What was in your holiday haul?</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-49234014308531033702016-09-01T12:40:00.000-07:002016-10-22T09:41:15.983-07:00A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JANT6BMgwRM/V8iED_qh3hI/AAAAAAAAenU/_CiOylGZoxE-JA74BNlz6-vQL2BSSBe-wCLcB/s1600/77493_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JANT6BMgwRM/V8iED_qh3hI/AAAAAAAAenU/_CiOylGZoxE-JA74BNlz6-vQL2BSSBe-wCLcB/s320/77493_original.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
I keep going back and forth on this book. Sheer readability? 4 big stars. But once you get down to the nitty-gritty details? 3 stars.<br />
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First off, I don't know why I haven't picked up <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1619634449/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1619634449&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">A Court of Thorns and Roses</a></i> sooner, seeing as it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling set in the Faerie world. HELLO! That stuff's basically crack to me. And there is so much to recommend it as a retelling. Feyre's family for starters. The dynamic between the sisters which at first glance is almost Cinderella-esque in it's genericness, morphs into a complicated relationship as the story develops. So win.<br />
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In fact, the entire first third of the book is intriguing, moving along at a good clip with plenty of development. While out hunting, Feyre not only kills a deer for her starving family but also a wolf. As punishment, a beast from the lands of faerie comes and demands a life for a life. Feyre must decide whether to die right then or to leave her family to return with him to the lands of faerie. Smart girl chooses life but what really happens is Feyre is taken and installed in the 'beast's' castle, given everything she wants and the freedom to enjoy it. Wut? That doesn't sound like much of a punishment to me. Therein lies the rub, my friends. Once Feyre is taken to Tamlin's castle, baring a few high points, my interest began to drift.<br />
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For starters, while Tamlin does shift into a hideous monster on occasion, HE IS GORGEOUS and not at all remotely a beast. Okay, so he is under an enchantment that forces him to wear a mask but really? Couldn't it have been that he had to remain in beast form all the time because that is what makes the beauty and the beast story so epic-ally insurmountable? But that's a side rant and easily overlooked (I guess).<br />
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Then there is the fact that I have this one MAJOR issue with how Maas portrays her faeries -- and without spilling the secret -- all I can say is YOU CAN'T CHANGE SOMETHING LIKE THAT, MS. MAAS! SOME RULES EXIST FOR A REASON. Ahem. So, if you've read the book, you probably know what I mean (if not, ask me and I'll tell you directly). That particular plot twist just didn't work for me. At all.<br />
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Note that these drawbacks are nicely balanced by the knife-edge tension between Feyre and Tamlin which was thoroughly enjoyable :)<br />
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But then (I don't want to spoil all the fun) the last 1/3 of the book picks up and once again, I was on the edge of my seat. I know some readers had issues with the choices Feyre made to survive and complete her necessary tasks but for someone who loves descriptions about the cruel beauty of the traditional faerie world, I was fully invested. Also, there's Rysand who just stole the show, so there is that.<br />
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So a solid escapist read and you can bet I've already got the sequel queued up but it's definitely not going into my top retellings list either. But you know, mileage may vary.<br />
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series reading order:<br />
~ <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Court-Thorns-Roses-Sarah-Maas/dp/1619634449/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">A Court of Thorns and Roses</a><br />
~ <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Court-Mist-Fury-Thorns-Roses/dp/1619634465/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=MBWF15C8TY1XA1M84TYH">A Court of Mist and Fury</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-18786630561025062372016-08-22T05:25:00.000-07:002016-10-22T09:35:18.300-07:00Kulti by Mariana Zapata<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WIk7mZtqGo/V7q0Pi-osZI/AAAAAAAAefE/pWekvDOdN58e496tCdM63tOPCVCPAfabgCLcB/s1600/24044596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WIk7mZtqGo/V7q0Pi-osZI/AAAAAAAAefE/pWekvDOdN58e496tCdM63tOPCVCPAfabgCLcB/s320/24044596.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
I've dabbled in a few sports related contemporary novels over the years and while semi-enjoyable, there's never been one to really stick. A fact not exceptionally surprising since I'm not the most athletically gifted person (I was secretly <i>thrilled </i>to be cut from the 10th grade basketball team my brother convinced me to try out for). Maybe it's because I've been watching the Olympics pretty much non-stop for the last two weeks (USA! USA!) and feeling a bit more sporty than usual that I wound up picking <a href="http://www.marianazapata.com/">Mariana Zapata</a>'s <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kulti-Mariana-Zapata-ebook/dp/B00V12L3CU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471853674&sr=1-1&keywords=Kulti">Kulti</a></i>. Not a totally new-to-me author since I'd listened to her more recent <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wall-Winnipeg-Me-Mariana-Zapata-ebook/dp/B01CDDTGRY">The Wall of Winnipeg and Me</a></i> and while perfectly enjoyable, I wasn't overly impressed. I needed something I could enjoy with half an ear while I was refinishing some furniture, so I started the audiobook. And then around the half-way mark, I gave up and bought the darn ebook because <i>Kulti </i>reached right inside and refused to settle for anything except for my full attention.<br />
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Now, let me preface this review by stating that my entire understanding of soccer consists of what I've learned from watching my kid's U-8 soccer games. Never having played myself, I honestly have no clue when it comes to a dribble or a bicycle kick or whatever. And I was perfectly happy to remain in ignorance. But Mariana Zapata made me <i>care</i>. Suddenly I was utterly absorbed in Sal's training regimen, infinitely caught up in her success, sitting there with my heart in my throat with each brutal injury.<br />
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Competitive by nature and unapologetic about it, Sal trains harder than anyone else so she can run faster, kick harder, and just in general ball it up as a professional soccer player. She's a freaking work of art. I might just have a <i>teeny </i>crush on her. But, whatever, this girl is gold. Blessed with a solid sense of humor and an even better fan base in her friends and family, I was cheering hard for her from page one. All that finely-honed edge is thrown however when her team's newest assistant coach is named as international soccer star, <i>the </i>Reiner Kulti.<br />
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<blockquote>
"He's going to be your coach," he squeaked, and I mean really squeaked.<br />
"I know." I laughed that time. "I've gotten like ten emails from people I know asking me to confirm. You're all insane."<br />
<br />
Dad simply repeated himself, "He's going to be your coach."<br />
<br />
That time, I pinched the bridge of my nose to keep from making a sound. "I'll tell you when the open practice will be so you can meet him."<br />
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Then he did it, he crossed the line again. "Sal--Sal, don't tell anyone, but you're my favorite."</blockquote>
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Kulti, the German who starred in Sal's teenage fantasies and basically inspired her to take her game to the next level. Now he's her coach and Sal has to figure out how to pick her jaw up off the turf and learn something from this god of soccer. But the silent, brooding Kulti who shows up to her practices is nothing like the explosive star player she remembers, leaving Sal confused and more than a bit angry with the surly German.<br />
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Compelling and engaging, I simply could not stop reading <i>Kulti</i>. This book was everything I'd been looking for in a contemporary romance. Funny with sharp dialogue and honest characters. While each famous in their own right, Sal and Kulti are <i>real </i>people who get hurt or tired and who periodically complain when they are pushed into crap situations. Did I mention that Sal is freaking hilarious? I was dying to find out what outrageous thing would she'd do or say next.<br />
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<blockquote>
I'd been playing with the boys since I was a kid, and they'd missed the memo that said I was a girl seven years younger than them. Apparently, Kulti had too.
<br />
"Playing a little rough, aren't you?" I asked as I ran up behind him, trying to block him from getting a clear shot of the goal.<br />
<br />
He looked up at me from under his eyelashes. "Are you whining?"<br />
<br />
I huffed. Asshole. "No, but if that's how you want to play, then that's how we'll play." Between the people I played with for fun and Harlow, I could take it.</blockquote>
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Fast <i>and </i>fierce. <i>Swoon!</i> I couldn't get enough of Sal's supportive soccer-crazy family and the teasing friendship she shared with her teammates. Honestly, I can't think of a book that has made me so proud to be a woman in a long time (Okay, maybe <i><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Summer-Skin-Kirsty-Eagar/9781925266924?ref=grid-view">Summer Skin</a></i>. But before that one, it's been a looong time). Plus, it comes with one of the best sloooooow burn romances I've ever had the pleasure of reading.<br />
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So do your self a favor. Pick up <i>Kulti</i>. Block off the evening and cozy up with soccer superstars Sal and Kulti. And then let me know so we can gush about it together.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-78206102913340479662016-08-05T21:28:00.000-07:002016-08-05T21:28:39.073-07:00Signing with Victoria Schwab<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I went to Utah a few months ago to visit family and while there found out, thanks to my fabulous <a href="http://yackersbc.blogspot.com/">YAckers</a> friends, that the incredibly talented <a href="https://veschwab.wordpress.com/">Victoria Schwab</a> would be doing a signing at <a href="http://www.kingsenglish.com/">the King's English Bookstore</a> in Salt Lake City to promote her newest YA book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-Savage-Song-Monsters-Verity/dp/0062380850/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470457231&sr=8-1&keywords=this+savage+song">This Savage Song</a></i>.</div>
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Well. This news just made my entire month. </div>
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Thanks to my mom who volunteered to watch my kids, I was able to carpool with the fabulous Holly from The Book Harbinger and we enjoyed catching up on our way up to the event.</div>
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Victoria was such an engaging, personable speaker. Instead of giving a prepared speech which she declared would be boring (at least for her lol), she invited audience members to ask questions and proceeded to give extremely in-depth and revealing answers.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XU2xfGXDgMs/V6VgIjYekYI/AAAAAAAAeDg/bN36wZD5CoE2km-hOb_PiLVCeQrz_ndJACKgB/s1600/20160708_195051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XU2xfGXDgMs/V6VgIjYekYI/AAAAAAAAeDg/bN36wZD5CoE2km-hOb_PiLVCeQrz_ndJACKgB/s640/20160708_195051.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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She talked about how she plots her novels,</div>
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how she develops her characters (she works backwards, if you're curious),</div>
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how little star stickers motivate her as a writer(!),</div>
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and my personal favorite, when describing <i>This Savage Song</i>..."And then it goes horrifically wrong -- as all my books eventually do."</div>
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Simply put, she was amazing and made me love her that much more.</div>
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During the signing portion, we even fangirled over <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Sexy-Cillian-Murphy-Peaky-Blinders-GIFS-36227577#photo-36227577">Cillian Murphy's cheekbones</a> in <i>Peaky Blinders </i>together. My kind of people.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FL8Zk28aYbk/V6VgIrjqqcI/AAAAAAAAeDg/DTmGZgyKfU8D_YmAVkQcTJ9Me3kRL4HNwCKgB/s1600/20160708_200940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FL8Zk28aYbk/V6VgIrjqqcI/AAAAAAAAeDg/DTmGZgyKfU8D_YmAVkQcTJ9Me3kRL4HNwCKgB/s640/20160708_200940.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Sigh. Yet another embarrassing picture of me looking like a ridiculous lunatic while a talented author patiently endures my squeeing. </div>
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Honestly, I <i>am </i>an intelligent adult capable of forming coherent sentences. just not in the presence of rock-star authors it seems.</div>
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After regaining my composure, I also got to hang out with my fellow YAckers Holly and <a href="http://www.angie-ville.com/">Angie</a>. I always love seeing those smart ladies!</div>
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Verdict on <i>This Savage Song</i>? Get it. Read it. It will make you feeeeel!</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-7357428517857342252016-04-23T12:12:00.000-07:002016-10-22T09:36:17.205-07:00Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417959263l/20320562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417959263l/20320562.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_992522425"></span><span id="goog_992522426"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>Curious about <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zeroboxer-Fonda-Lee/dp/0738743380/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461438683&sr=8-1&keywords=zeroboxer">Zeroboxer </a></i>after reading <a href="http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2016/04/women-in-sff-month-fonda-lee/">Fonda Lee's guest post</a> over at <a href="http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/">Fantasy Cafe</a> for their Women in SF&F Month, I dove right into this debut not realizing I would be thrown into the world of Carr Luka, a young rising star in the futuristic weightless combat sport known as zeroboxing. Which is really just UFC fighters in space! Well, color me happy! Being a MMA fan myself (who isn't these days, really?) and with a sister who competes in the sport, I had no trouble diving right into this charged story.<br />
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Instead of the UFC's Octagon, these fighters (can I just call them MMA fighters? they definitely aren't just boxers) go head-to-head in the Cube, a zero gravity, clear cube-shaped arena - each looking for a win by TKO or submission. And Carr Luka DOMINATES! He's a likable guy (none of that typical alphahole fighter stuff, thank goodness) who is conflicted on a variety of levels with his involvement in the sport, but you just know any time he steps into the Cube it's gonna be <b>intense</b>. The descriptions of his fights and the dynamics between the individual fighters were nuanced and highly entertaining. There is even an obvious nod to the UFC's Dana White in the form of Bax Gant, the media-hungry Martian(!!) co-owner of the ZGFA.<br />
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Despite some mild pacing problems, I was 100% behind Carr Luka's meteoric rise to stardom as a zeroboxer. The fighter's mentality was spot-on and the Martian-Earth politics terribly fascinating. This reader will absolutely be on the watch for more by <a href="http://fondalee.com/">Fonda Lee</a>. Genetic engineering, submission fighting, and futurist politics, oh my!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-86542825001852731022016-02-28T13:43:00.000-08:002016-10-22T09:39:21.808-07:00Dark Horse by Michelle Diener<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1432783528l/25615831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1432783528l/25615831.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I'm a bit of a glutton when it comes to Sci-Fi. Dangle the possibility of a well-written space opera in front of me and I'm going to bite every. single. time. I do claim a handful of favorites (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gabriels-Ghost-Linnea-Sinclair-ebook/dp/B000FCKGSO/ref=sr_1_9?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1456695417&sr=1-9&keywords=linnea+sinclair">Linnea Sinclair</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grimspace-Sirantha-Jax-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0012DIOPC/ref=sr_1_10?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1456695387&sr=1-10&keywords=ann+aguirre">Ann Aguirre</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DD77OH4?keywords=tanya%20huff&qid=1456695470&ref_=sr_1_7&sr=8-7">Tanya Huff</a>) but new discoveries are too few and far between for my personal liking (or reading habits). A while back I put <a href="http://www.michellediener.com/">Michelle Diener's</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Horse-Class-Michelle-Diener-ebook/dp/B00Z9R1W9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456695327&sr=8-1&keywords=michelle+diener"><i>Dark Horse</i></a> on my WL after reading a recommendation for it at a sci-fi blog that of course I can't remember the name of now. After waiting patiently, it finally went on sale and I snapped it up and settled in with moderately high hopes. Reader, I am happy to report I was totally blown away by this uniquely crafted story!<br />
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Rose McKenzie is going to get off this spaceship if it kills her. After being unceremoniously picked up from earth by some particularly nasty aliens (<i>aliens!</i>) and experimented upon, she and fellow prisoner Sazo have bided their time until they finally can take control and flee in a smaller vessel. Her 'rescue' arrives in the form of Captain Dav Jallan and his crew of Grih explorers who are understandably wary of Rose and her many contradictions. But Sazo has definite plans for their previous captors and Rose finds herself caught in the middle of a inter-species conflict where her loyalty is torn between her future and the good of all.<br />
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Witty, fast paced and utterly dynamic in scope, <i>Dark Horse</i> was a brilliant read start to finish. Many other winning qualities aside, the characters of Rose and Sazo were complete standouts. Too often in my travels as a sci-fi reader, the human, thrust into an alien society, is naive or at a distinct cultural disadvantage, making her easy prey. Not so with Rose. Due to Sazo's foresight and Rose's natural intelligence, she is right there along with everyone else -- if not two steps ahead. She is loyal and cunning (but without malice) and endearingly brave. But neither is she a warrior; which makes it that much more satisfying to see her outmaneuver these more 'advanced' races. And Sazo is just as multi-faceted; his whirlwind development throughout the book is nothing short of genius.<br />
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Here's one of my favorite bits where Rose is trying to explain how she is able to figure out advanced alien technology so quickly (with the added bonus of trying to describe what a book is):<br />
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<blockquote>
"That your familiarity is because your people have imagined a higher level of advancement, but haven't yet achieved it. Is this true?"<br />
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Rose nodded. "We've thought up lots of interesting things. Some of them we may turn into reality, others won't ever see the light of day."<br />
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"But how do you disseminate the ideas?"<br />
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"Written comms, visual comms."<br />
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"But if it isn't reality, what visual comms do you record? How can you record something that is imaginary?"<br />
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"People pretend it isn't imaginary, and act the story out. It's a sought-after job on my planet."<br />
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Kila made a note, but she seemed completely stunned. "And the written comms?"<br />
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"You write something that is like a report, only it's about something that hasn't happened yet."<br />
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"A lie?"<br />
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"No. A lie is a deliberate falsification. A story openly declares itself as imaginary."<br />
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"And why would people spend time reading something that is untrue?"<br />
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"Because it's fun. Exciting. When it isn't real, you can enjoy it because people aren't really getting hurt, aren't really in danger, aren't really at rock bottom. If the story writer is good, they'll make you think it is real, even as you know, at the back of your mind, that it isn't."</blockquote>
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Exciting indeed. Bring on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019YPN0UI/ref=series_rw_dp_sw"><i>Dark Deeds</i></a>, Ms. Diener. I'm properly hooked.<br />
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series reading order:<br />~ <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Horse-Class-Michelle-Diener-ebook/dp/B00Z9R1W9W/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1477154223&sr=8-13&keywords=dark+horse">Dark Horse</a><br />
~ <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019YPN0UI/ref=series_rw_dp_sw">Dark Deeds</a><br />
~ <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01INM93UY/ref=series_rw_dp_sw">Dark Minds</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-78516536125375069382016-01-08T20:09:00.000-08:002016-01-08T20:09:34.243-08:002015 Best Of<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome 2016!! </div>
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I am in serious shock that we've already jumped headlong into a new year. And while I have consistently neglected this blog, I thought I'd do a wrap-up post for 2015. Mostly because I discovered some truly amazing books that I've been dying to gush about. Also, because I'm OCD and like my year all nice and tallied up. </div>
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In 2015 I read a respectable 141 books. And while I continually bemoan ebooks, 53 of those were digital - which goes to show how my reading trends are headed. The rest either came from the library or my personal stash. </div>
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And here goes my best of's for 2015:</div>
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<b>Best OzYA:</b></div>
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Every-Move-Ellie-Marney/dp/1743367198/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452311320&sr=1-1&keywords=every+move">Every Breath</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Every-Word-Ellie-Marney-ebook/dp/B00R04OVVI/ref=pd_sim_351_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=51Mxd-AfuVL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR106%2C160_&refRID=038TJCE1MHYY77T67X1T">Every Word</a></i> by Ellie Marney<br />
I'm pretty sure <a href="http://youngadultanonymous.blogspot.com/">Maggie</a> got me curious about this series on IG and I'll be forever grateful. What if Sherlock Holmes was a brilliant Aussie teenager named Mycroft who runs a criminology blog, and Watson a girl named Rachel Watts, recently moved from the country, who befriends Mycroft at school? In the hands of Ellie Marney, you get MAGIC. I'm still a mess over it all frankly.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UHrvi0zvY0s/VpBJJ-rIMYI/AAAAAAAAXm8/VEUqZzFbgHY/s1600/word.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>*I'd add <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Every-Move-Ellie-Marney/dp/1743367198/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452311320&sr=1-1&keywords=every+move">Every Move</a></i> to the list too but seeing as I don't live in Aussie-land, I haven't read it yet. YET.<br />
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<b>Best Brilliant Spy series:<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B00PLI9I9A/ref=sr_1_5_acs_b_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452311412&sr=8-5-acs">The Lion Hunters</a> series by Elizabeth E. Wein</div>
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As my trusted blogger-friend <a href="https://chachic.wordpress.com/">Chachic</a> affectionately calls him 'Gen-in-Africa,' Telemakos is a force to be reckoned with. His wiliness and loyalty hooked me in <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Sunbird-Elizabeth-E-Wein/dp/0670036919/ref=bseries_primary_1_0670036919">The Sunbird</a></i> but the entire series left me utterly wrecked as it explored politics, family and even the legend of King Arthur. Please, PLEASE EWein! Write more Telemakos!!</div>
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<b>Best YA Fantasy Caper:</b></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Six-Crows-Leigh-Bardugo-ebook/dp/B00UG9LC4I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452311514&sr=1-1&keywords=six+of+crows">Six of Crows</a></i> by Leigh Bardugo</div>
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So so soooo good. Featuring Kaz's brilliantly led band of motley outlaws (some even with magical powers) pulling off an unforgettable heist. Lots of unexpected twists and CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT like they just don't make anymore. Plus, it comes in one of the prettiest packages you'll ever find. </div>
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<b>Best YA Mystery:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Friend-Mine-Stephanie-Tromly-ebook/dp/B00OQSF7V4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452311541&sr=1-1&keywords=trouble+is+a+friend+of+mine"><i>Trouble is a Friend of Mine</i></a> by Stephanie Tromly</div>
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Yet another unexpectedly good YA debut about a socially misfit yet utterly brilliant teenage Sherlock-type and his unsuspecting straitlaced side kick who get caught up in goofy yet terrifying real life sleuthing. So terribly witty and hmmm...I'm sensing a pattern here.<br /><br /><div>
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<b>Best THE FEELS!! Contemporary YA:</b></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805097953/ref=x_gr_w_visstd_sin_t1_test_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_visstd_sin_t1_test_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0805097953&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">I'll Meet You There</a></i> by Heather Demetrios</div>
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I'm not ashamed to admitting that I gulped this one down in one go. Josh and Skylar's dreams of escaping small town CA each take very different forms yet together their rough edges make sense of all the unexplainable tragedies that life manages to throw their way. Their story hit me in all the tenderest spots in the best possible way.</div>
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<b>Best I am a Woman, Hear me ROAR! book:</b></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Before-Mirror-A-Novel/dp/0062297244">Girl Before a Mirror</a></i> by Liza Palmer</div>
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I don't know how Liza Palmer manages to get better with each new offering but she does. She puts pen to paper to every single reason why women read and what it means to be an unashamed part of a community. There was so much power in her words that I went around for days afterwards with the words 'Just BE' rolling around in my head.</div>
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<b>Best Middle Grade you're gonna need a tissue book:</b></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crenshaw-Katherine-Applegate-ebook/dp/B00V36OCVI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452311608&sr=1-1&keywords=crenshaw">Crenshaw</a></i> by Katherine Applegate</div>
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I don't normally go for MG books, but Katherine Applegate is a known quantity with her stellar <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DIB6GG/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1">The One and Only Ivan</a></i> and after hearing so much about <i>Crenshaw </i>(a little boy facing homelessness and hunger joined by his imaginary GIANT cat) I just couldn't resist. It was profound without becoming overly heavy, but just don't forget the kleenex.</div>
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<b>Best "I'm Going to Have to Science the Sh*t of This" book:</b><br /><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Martian-Novel-Andy-Weir-ebook/dp/B00EMXBDMA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452311637&sr=1-1&keywords=the+martian">The Martian</a></i> by Andy Weir</div>
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Another category of book I don't usually pick up but the premise (and reviews) made me change my mind: an astronaut stranded on Mars with only his formidable brain and wicked sense of humor to help him survive. Surprisingly, the copious math didn't bother me and I was holding my breath along with everyone else to see how he'd make it back home. And I'm happy to report that the movie was just as fabulous as the book. Which wasn't hurt at all by a shirtless Matt Damon.</div>
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<b>Best Unexpected May/December Romance:</b></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Did-Duke-Pennyroyal-Green-ebook/dp/B0049B1VMC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452311659&sr=1-1&keywords=what+i+did+for+a+duke">What I Did for a Duke</a></i> by Julie Anne Long</div>
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NOT a book I would have normally picked up but it wound up stealing my heart nonetheless. SO MANY tropes that I thought I would hate it (the cover! the title! the revenge plot!...) but in actuality it was so very wonderful. Witty, honest, and just all around lovely. Also, the hero may have resembled <a href="http://www.richardarmitageonline.com/north-and-south/north-south-graphics/richard-armitage-thornton11.jpg">Richard Armitage</a> in a cravat just a titch...</div>
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<b>Honorable Mention</b> goes to a series recommend by the delightful <a href="http://yackersbc.blogspot.com/">YAckers</a> who pushed me towards <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Arrows-Queen-Heralds-Valdemar-Book-ebook/dp/B004G8PYJE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452311710&sr=1-1&keywords=arrows+of+the+queen">Arrows of the Queen</a></i> by Mercedes Lackey which I read start-to-finish while on the plane to Switzerland this summer. Unfortunately, said binge reading released a flood of big, ugly tears (why did no one warn me?!) which caused the COMPLETE STRANGER sitting next to me to shove handfuls of those tiny papery napkins at me in alarm. Good times.</div>
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So apparently I either enjoy a certain type of book - quirky Sherlock-esque mysteries with twists and unexpected developments or the publishing industry is trending in that direction heavily. Hmmm. Whichever it is, I'll take it because they were all just fantastic. </div>
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How about you? What books made your best of list for the year?</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-61215083087167207382015-02-05T13:18:00.001-08:002015-04-06T22:52:38.169-07:00Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>The Fault in Our Stars</i>, it ain't.<br />
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The premise of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Earl-Dying-Girl-Jesse-Andrews/dp/1419705326/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423170995&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=my+and+earl+and+the+dying+girl">Me and Earl and the Dying Girl</a></i> is this: Greg and his friend (we'll just call him a friend), Earl, make these terrible homemade movies. And then Greg gets roped into hanging out with Rachel, who has leukemia, because he can, inexplicably, make her laugh. Shenanigans ensue, oftentimes unplanned and life-ending-ly embarrassing (Heh. Terrible pun there).<br />
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This book is bananas in the best possible way. Hilarious and irreverent and just so exactly what high school is like. I never understood those kids who say they loved high school. It is just the. worst.<br />
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Case in point, here's one of my favorite totally random, ridiculous scenes taken from dinner one night starring Greg's all too-real family. By the way, Gretchen is 14, which will explain a lot:<br />
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Meanwhile, at home, Gretchen was going through this phase where she could not make it through an entire meal if Dad was at the table. This was in part because Dad was going through a phase of his own wherein he couldn't stop pretending to be a cannibal. If we were eating anything with chicken in it, he would pat his stomach and announce, "Huma-a-a-a-an flesh. TASTE LIKE CHICKEN." This caused Gretchen to burst into tears and stomp out of the dining room. Things only got worse when Grace started doing it, too, which was insane, because a six-year-old pretending to be a cannibal is one of the greatest things there is.</blockquote>
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I have no idea WHY this is even in the book but it is AWESOME and gives you a pretty good idea of Greg's warped sense of humor.<br />
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Although how in heavens name they made this into a <a href="http://www.sundance.org/projects/me-and-earl-and-the-dying-girl">movie </a>(especially with that little paragraph about THAT EXACT possibility in the epilogue) without it turning into a majorly R rated film due to constant profanity, I'm not sure. Cause you know, teenage boys don't always talk like roses (especially Earl). But I really want to see it.<br />
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-48864189480683378622015-01-02T13:31:00.000-08:002015-01-06T12:53:46.680-08:00Best of 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy New Years friends!</div>
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2014 was an awfully grand year -- it brought me a lovely baby girl which might be the reason I managed to only read 108 books. Despite that number being on the smallish side, I feel like I was a lot more selective about the books I chose and really discovered some winners. I also did quite a bit of rereading old favorites (Melina Marchetta) and binge reading on particular favorite authors.</div>
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Due to my complete neglect of this bloggy, I thought I give a quick recap of my favorites of 2014. </div>
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<b>Best Series Finale (sort of)</b><br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Breaks-Kate-Daniels-Book-ebook/dp/B00G3L6JV4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420231962&sr=8-2&keywords=magic+rises">Magic Breaks</a></i> by <a href="http://www.ilona-andrews.com/">Ilona Andrews</a><br />
I say sort of because while it is book seven and technically the resolution to the series, Ilona Andrews still has yet another three Kate books yet to come. Huzzah! Books from this series continue to top my yearly best of lists and it's no surprise. <i>Magic Breaks</i> nicely wrapped up Kate's first encounter with her god-like father Roland in a totally unexpected and ultimately satisfying way. Keep the good stuff coming.<br />
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<b>Best Short Story Collection</b><br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shifting-Shadows-Stories-Thompson-Patricia-ebook/dp/B00IOE4M9O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420232298&sr=8-1&keywords=shifting+shadows+patricia+briggs">Shifting Shadows</a></i> by <a href="http://www.patriciabriggs.com/">Patricia Briggs</a><br />
Patricia Briggs <b>never </b>disappoints and <i>Shifting Shadows</i> was a perfect chance to get inside of the heads of many of my favorite supporting characters since the series is usually told from Mercy's or Charles and Anna's POV. Some, like Warren, I knew I'd love their story hands-down but Ben's tale totally blindsided me. That one made my little geeky heart light.<br />
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<b>Best Space Opera</b><br />
<a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2014/05/fortunes-pawn-by-rachel-bach.html"><i>Fortune's Pawn</i></a> by <a href="http://www.rachelaaron.net/">Rachel Bach</a><br />
2014 was the year of the Sci-Fi novel for me. It all started with this book as a recommendation from Ilona Andrews. Devi is the best of kind of brash, in-your-face fighter who would never apologize for being anything other than who she is. A bit fanatical about her guns and specialized armor, Devi has this profound sense of loyalty and honor that belies her first impression as a brainless fighter. She's quick and clever and never afraid of taking charge. And I love her to pieces.<br />
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<b>Best New (to me) Author Discovery</b><br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Valor-Novel-Book-ebook/dp/B00400NHRE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420232597&sr=8-1&keywords=truth+of+valor">The Truth of Valor</a></i> by <a href="http://andpuff.livejournal.com/">Tanya Huff</a> (Confederation series)<br />
Coming hot off my <i>Fortune's Pawn</i> hangover, I once again have to thank Ilona Andrews for pointing me in the direction of this outstanding series about a group of space Marines led by the indomitable Staff Sargent Torin Kerr. Danger, wit, fuzzy space reporters, and a tough-as-nails female military lead. Just. Read it.<br />
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<b>Best High Fantasy</b><br />
<i><a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1412766442l/7946539.jpg">The Hero of Ages</a></i> by <a href="http://brandonsanderson.com/">Brandon Sanderson</a><br />
Wrapping up the Mistborn series, Vin and Elend get their final battle and boy, was it EPIC. I only have to conclude that anything Brandon Sanderson writes is solid gold.<br />
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<b>Best I-had-no-idea-I-would-love-this-book-so-much Book</b><br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Racing-Rain-Garth-Stein/dp/0061537934/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1420233173&sr=8-1">The Art of Racing in the Rain</a></i> by <a href="http://www.garthstein.com/">Garth Stein</a><br />
A story about a dog and his race-car driver owner? Not something I would normally read, but then again Enzo is not your normal dog. Make sure you have the tissues handy though.<br />
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<b>Best Witty Romance</b><br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nearly-Berkley-Sensation-Alissa-Johnson-ebook/dp/B004RKXO0W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420233268&sr=8-1&keywords=nearly+a+lady">Nearly a Lady</a></i> by <a href="http://www.alissa-johnson.com/">Alissa Johnson</a><br />
Cute and funny love story with an adorable hero whose self-depreciating humor won me over faster than you can say 'Regency.'<br />
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<b>Best YA & Best Cover</b><br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jackaby-William-Ritter-ebook/dp/B00JEORUSI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420233378&sr=8-1&keywords=jackaby">Jackaby </a></i>by <a href="https://rwillritter.wordpress.com/">William Ritter</a><br />
That silhouette! Gah! Such an atmospheric cover and the insides happily match. It's an unusual mix of a genius detective a la Sherlock set in turn of the century America populated by paranormal creatures hiding in plain sight. Good things indeed.<br />
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<b>Biggest Author Binge</b><br />
<a href="http://susannakearsley.com/">Susanna Kearsley</a> and Mary Stewart<br />
I had been trying to parse out Susanna Kearsley's books for just the right time, but wound up blowing through every single title in her backlist in a matter of weeks after baby #3 was born. After that, I then proceeded to devour all the Mary Stewarts' I hadn't read to date and wound up with a severe book hangover that proved murderously hard to beat. I did manage to save two single Mary Stewarts' to read at a future date because I just can't imagine not having another of her books to read for the very first time. Such are the problems in my little world.<br />
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And that, dear reader friends, is my 2014 in books. What titles caught you this year?Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-35705314135526877542014-07-20T22:02:00.000-07:002014-07-20T22:02:00.824-07:00Guest Post: Amour et Florand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyTcZsUR7Us/U8ycoKc82fI/AAAAAAAAFNc/vZC_KRzQv_k/s1600/Amour+et+Florand_banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyTcZsUR7Us/U8ycoKc82fI/AAAAAAAAFNc/vZC_KRzQv_k/s1600/Amour+et+Florand_banner.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Grab your dark chocolate and join me at <a href="http://chachic.wordpress.com/">Chachic's Book Nook</a> today! I've donned my <a href="http://chachic.wordpress.com/2014/07/21/amour-et-florand-guest-post-from-michelle/">smarty pants glasses</a> for the occasion and will be dishing on all things romance and Paris (<i>le sigh</i>) as part of her fantastic <a href="http://chachic.wordpress.com/tag/amour-et-chocolat/">Amour et Florand</a> series. <i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">à bientôt!</i></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-64585699741650606212014-05-15T21:05:00.001-07:002014-07-04T19:16:42.627-07:00Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww3tQ2IC9Oc/U3VWpPJJXaI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/6CqU6-LSUn4/s1600/15790894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww3tQ2IC9Oc/U3VWpPJJXaI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/6CqU6-LSUn4/s1600/15790894.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
Devi Morris is one ambitious mercenary. Having reached the highest rank possible in the elite fighting squadron the Blackbirds (unless she wants a cushy desk job that is, which she doesn't), Devi has set her sights on becoming one of the toughest armored fighters in all of Paradox: one of the famed Devastators. Which is why despite warnings of certain doom she decides to follow a lead and signs on with the trader ship the <i>Glorious Fool.</i> A ship that has a reputation for turning out Devastators after just one year of service -- at least the ones that make it out alive. But for Devi, this fast-track to her ultimate goal could prove deadly if she isn't careful. Lucky for her she's never been one to shy away from a long shot.<br />
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Ever since I became hooked on space operas (I'm looking at you <a href="http://www.linneasinclair.com/books.html">Linnea Sinclair</a> and <a href="http://www.annaguirre.com/">Ann Aguirre</a>), I have been utterly disappointed by the serious lack of quality books in this particular genre. Many, many thanks to one of my favorite authors <a href="http://www.ilona-andrews.com/">Ilona Andrews</a> for <a href="http://www.ilona-andrews.com/blog/2014/04/26/book-recomendation-rachel-bach/">bringing <i>Fortune's Pawn</i> to my attention</a>. If I didn't already love them for <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2010/06/magic-bleeds-by-ilona-andrews.html">Kate Daniels</a>, I would for this book alone. I cannot even begin to gush how incredible <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0092XHX42/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0092XHX42&linkCode=as2&tag=seemichellere-20&linkId=6ZDYTYOY6ZXU6SZO">Fortune's Pawn</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=seemichellere-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0092XHX42" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="0" />
</i> is. It's stellar. Out of this world. Annnnd I'm gonna stop now. Just know, it's fantastic. Devi is the best of kind of brash, in-your-face fighter who would never apologize for being anything other than who and what she is. Although she is a bit fanatical about her guns and specialized armor, Devi has this profound sense of loyalty and honor that belies her first impression as a brainless fighter. She's quick and clever and never afraid of taking charge. And I love her to pieces.<br />
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Once aboard the <i>Fool</i>, Devi comes face to face with a perfectly eccentric and unique group of otherworldly crew mates: there's a giant bird-like creature who serves as navigator, a ship's doctor whose species who tends to look upon humans more as snacks than as patients, and a handsome cook who is decidedly good with more than just a saucepan to name a few. It's this supporting cast who add layers of humor and intrigue to an already brilliant story which makes Devi's journey so much more enjoyable.<br />
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The action is non-stop and I was constantly on the edge of my seat at whatever new catastrophe Devi had flung herself headlong into. Throw in some space travel and nightmare inducing aliens and I was hooked good. Happily, Devi has just barely begun unraveling all the mysteries surrounding her new captain and crew mates. Just please, someone get me <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A2D6PR2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00A2D6PR2&linkCode=as2&tag=seemichellere-20&linkId=W4GKWCWT2STQSUXN">Honor's Knight</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=seemichellere-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00A2D6PR2" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</i>pronto! I have to know how Devi gets herself out of her latest fix like, <i>now</i>.<br />
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Series reading order:<br />
~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0092XHX42/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0092XHX42&linkCode=as2&tag=seemichellere-20&linkId=6ZDYTYOY6ZXU6SZO">Fortune's Pawn</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=seemichellere-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0092XHX42" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A2D6PR2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00A2D6PR2&linkCode=as2&tag=seemichellere-20&linkId=ZLYAEUED44UR24TW">Honor's Knight</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=seemichellere-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00A2D6PR2" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ECE9MZY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ECE9MZY&linkCode=as2&tag=seemichellere-20&linkId=YPC7MXO4GKP5JTQX">Heaven's Queen</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=seemichellere-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00ECE9MZY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<br />
Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:<br />
<a href="http://thebooksmugglers.com/2013/11/joint-review-fortunes-pawn-by-rachel-bach.html">The Book Smugglers review</a><br />
<a href="http://cuddlebuggery.com/blog/2014/01/29/review-fortunes-pawn-by-rachel-bach/">Cuddlebuggery review</a><br />
<a href="http://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com/2013/10/fortunes-pawn-by-rachel-bach-reviewed.html">Fantasy Book Critic review</a><br />
<a href="http://www.impressionsofareader.com/2014/02/fortunes-pawn-paradox-1-by-rachel-bach.html">Impressions... review</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-91367207225296195032014-04-16T10:28:00.002-07:002014-07-04T19:11:34.563-07:00The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hYu9-BSaz6o/U066N9ltcCI/AAAAAAAAE-4/IXm_SinJBbo/s1600/15942636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hYu9-BSaz6o/U066N9ltcCI/AAAAAAAAE-4/IXm_SinJBbo/s1600/15942636.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.susannakearsley.com/">Susanna Kearsley</a> is a recent discovery for me and I have been slowly going through all of her backlist and simply adoring each new story. So it was with extreme joy that I began Kearsley's latest, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009RXJONA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009RXJONA&linkCode=as2&tag=seemichellere-20&linkId=VJNBTNH47JAUL6GD">The Firebird</a></i>. Adding to my excitement was the fact that it was to be a continuation of the characters from not just one book - but two (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DCB32K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004DCB32K&linkCode=as2&tag=seemichellere-20&linkId=GZNTT642TGQTHREL">The Winter Sea</a> & <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008BWDBUA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008BWDBUA&linkCode=as2&tag=seemichellere-20&linkId=4IHZRIAVNM24M5E6">The Shadowy Horses</a></i>)! I just love it when authors overlap stories that are not originally connected.<br />
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Here's the synopsis (via <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15942636-the-firebird">Goodreads</a>):</div>
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<blockquote>
Nicola Marter was born with a gift. When she touches an object, she sometimes glimpses those who have owned it before. When a woman arrives with a small wooden carving at the gallery Nicola works at, she can see the object’s history and knows that it was named after the Firebird—the mythical creature from an old Russian fable.<br />
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Compelled to know more, Nicola follows a young girl named Anna into the past who leads her on a quest through the glittering backdrops of the Jacobites and Russian courts, unearthing a tale of love, courage, and redemption.</blockquote>
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009RXJONA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009RXJONA&linkCode=as2&tag=seemichellere-20&linkId=VJNBTNH47JAUL6GD">The Firebird</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=seemichellere-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B009RXJONA" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</i>had all the potential for a book that I would absolutely love:<br />
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1. RUSSIA! </div>
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2. an art historian heroine</div>
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3. one handsome Scotts hero</div>
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Not to mention one of the *best* opening chapters I have EVER read. Seriously, it was perfect. Read it <a href="http://www.susannakearsley.com/The%20Firebird%20Chapter%20One.pdf">here </a>and see if you can resist the rest.<br />
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I am sorry to report that somehow all that fabulous potential just didn't connect for me in the end. Although I did LOVE Anna and her travels from Scotland to France to Russia; the historical background on St. Petersburg, usually distilled with such care and detail by Kearsley, seemed more like an info dump in this book. And while the relationship between Nicola and Rob was sweet, it just didn't have the same snap and sizzle that I've enjoyed in Kearsley's previous books. Thankfully, we are given a lovely conclusion to Anna's story but I really wanted more time with Rob and Nicola -- if only to clear things up between Nicola and her grumpy grandfather. If Ms. Kearsley wants to go back and do <i>his </i>story, I'd read that in a flash. In short, I just wanted more from Nicola. It was like this fascinating character was dangled before me but only part of my questions were answered in the end.<br />
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series reading order:</div>
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~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DCB32K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004DCB32K&linkCode=as2&tag=seemichellere-20&linkId=GZNTT642TGQTHREL">The Winter Sea</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=seemichellere-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004DCB32K" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-winter-sea-by-susanna-kearsley.html">(my review)</a></div>
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~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008BWDBUA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008BWDBUA&linkCode=as2&tag=seemichellere-20&linkId=4IHZRIAVNM24M5E6">The Shadowy Horses</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=seemichellere-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008BWDBUA" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />(loosely connected)</div>
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because everyone likes a second opinion:<br />
<a href="http://btweenthecovers.com/2013/07/01/review-the-firebird-by-susanna-kearsley/">Between the Covers review</a></div>
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<a href="http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-a-reviews/a-minus-reviews/review-the-firebird-by-susanna-kearsley/">Dear Author review</a></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-30818460048561862592014-01-17T13:37:00.001-08:002015-04-06T22:54:07.340-07:00The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://theallureofbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/The-Beekeepers-Apprentice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://theallureofbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/The-Beekeepers-Apprentice.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
I am not, by any stretch of imagination, a reader of mystery novels. But sometimes I stumble across an author who just happens to combine the right amount of atmosphere with unique characters and I'm utterly helpless to resist. Like with Deanna Raybourn's <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2009/06/silent-on-moor-by-deanna-raybourn.html">Lady Julia Grey series</a>. Or practically <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2013/05/retro-friday-nine-coaches-waiting-by.html">anything by Mary Stewart</a>. Once again the stars have perfectly aligned and have brought me another winner: <a href="http://www.laurierking.com/">Laurie R. King's</a> <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beekeepers-Apprentice-Russell-Sherlock-Holmes-ebook/dp/B003OUXE6U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389993991&sr=8-1&keywords=beekeepers+apprentice">The Beekeeper's Apprentice</a></i>. It's the first novel in a series featuring a young orphaned girl called Mary Russell who happens to stumble across Sherlock Holmes in his retirement. Holmes immediately recognizes a fellow savant -- albeit one many years his junior -- and Miss Russell's continued visits to the detective spark an unusual partnership full of unorthodox lessons and later, intrigue.<br />
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Now I am not a devoted fan of Sherlock Homes (other than a slight addiction to the <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/sherlock/">Benedict Cumberbach and Martin Freeman version</a>, that is). So if <i>The Beekeeper's Apprentice</i> had been written as a 'Sherlock' book with Mary Russell as a supporting character a la Dr. Watson, I would never have become as engrossed in the story as I did. Happily it was not. Shifting the POV to Mary's perspective gives the reader such a open look at England during WWI and the changing roles a woman faced during that time. Not to mention all the early forensics work Sherlock teaches Mary. Fingerprinting, soil identification...fascinating stuff. Also! There are plots and schemes to be unraveled which of course kept this reader continually in awe of watching the true brilliance of Mary's agile mind unfold under the tutelage of Holmes.<br />
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Perhaps most notable is that Mary comes into her own by the close of the story, not simply functioning as a protege but a true, valued partner to Holmes, for which I am ever so grateful. Furthermore, Laurie R. King does a superb job introducing suspense and letting her characters stop to feel the tension, rather than just plow through the action. Such subtle yet realistic treatment of emotions are the basis for the lasting connection forged between Mary and Sherlock that I am happy to discover continues on for many books more. I believe I've found a new favorite friends.<br />
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series reading order:<br />
~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beekeepers-Apprentice-Russell-Sherlock-Holmes-ebook/dp/B003OUXE6U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389993991&sr=8-1&keywords=beekeepers+apprentice">The Beekeeper's Apprentice</a><br />
~ A Monstrous Regiment of Women<br />
~ A Letter of Mary<br />
~ The Moor<br />
~ O Jerusalem<br />
~ Justice Hall<br />
~ The Game<br />
~ Locked Rooms<br />
~ The Language of Bees<br />
~ The God of the Hive<br />
~ Beekeeping for Beginners<br />
~ Pirate King<br />
~ Garment of Shadows<br />
<br />
Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:<br />
<a href="http://astripedarmchair.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/the-beekeepers-apprentice-thoughts/">A Striped Armchair's review</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Review.ASP?bookid=8667">BookLoons review</a><br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-61872481733553269922013-11-05T16:53:00.000-08:002013-11-05T16:53:19.905-08:00Twofer: Blade Song & Night Blade by J. C. Daniels <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuIqj5NlUuo/Unl1_ZNoyBI/AAAAAAAAEps/Qkves0P6tVM/s1600/bladesong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuIqj5NlUuo/Unl1_ZNoyBI/AAAAAAAAEps/Qkves0P6tVM/s320/bladesong.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Like many of you I often find myself reading books based on the reviews of others. There are, however, a few reviewers I trust implicitly, so when I received a recommendation from one of my favorite book <strike>pusher</strike> friends <a href="http://www.angie-ville.com/">Angie</a>, <i>strongly </i>suggesting I pick up <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blade-Song-Colbana-Files-Daniels-ebook/dp/B008G0R6GM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1383695913&sr=8-5&keywords=j.+c.+daniels"><i>Blade Song</i></a> and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-Blade-Colbana-Files-Daniels-ebook/dp/B00FPSCXAW/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1">Night Blade</a></i> by <a href="http://jcdanielsblog.com/">J. C. Daniels</a> like, <b>right now</b>, well, you can be sure I sat up and took notice. And since I read both books in a matter of days (really, you could probably count it in hours), I'm gonna post this review as a twofer. Because I'm thoughtful like that.<br />
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As a private investigator serving the supernatural community of East Orlando, Kit Colbana takes on all sorts of jobs -- well, at least until business gets better she does. Delivering messages, a little light spying, missing persons; her half-human blood and her own brand of magic enables her to do it all even if some cases suit her tastes more than others. But from the moment a particular shapeshifter strolls into her office, all charm and assurances of easy money, she wants nothing to do with this particular case. That is until she learns it's about a missing shifter teen -- Kit has a soft spot for runaways -- and that someone might be targeting such runaways does she reluctantly agree. And like everything else Kit dives into, trouble is hot on her heels as she fights to simply get the kid -- and herself -- out of it all alive.<br />
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Whew. That rather generic cover (ho hum...another scowling girl with a sword) for <i>Blade Song</i> did not prepare me in the slightest for what J. C. Daniels had in store for Kit or myself. Kit Colbana is a force to be reckoned with. She is brash and damaged but not cliched, her demons are absolute but Kit just. doesn't. quit. Ever. She's scrappy and mouthy and she can freaking hear her sword singing to her. <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2010/06/magic-bleeds-by-ilona-andrews.html">I'm quite partial to women whose favorite accessory is a sharp sword.</a> Combine that with a bitingly smart tongue, Kit is no push-over. Which is exactly what she needs to be to hold her own against the more powerful shapeshifters and vampires headed her way. All that rigorous training as an assassin she endured as a teenager coupled with her expertise with an enchanted sword proves that Kit is more than a match to those deemed of 'superior' strength. Throw in some seriously witty dialogue and terrifyingly non-stop action and I admit to falling fast and hard for this first installment of the Colbana Files. I couldn't wait to return to this gritty world and thankfully was able to jump right back in with <i>Night Blade</i>, already queued up and waiting for me.<br />
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***SPOILERS FOR <i>BLADE SONG</i>*** I wouldn't do this to you normally, but go read the first book already. Then we can discuss <i>Night Blade</i>. Trust me, you aren't going to want to miss this one.<br />
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Time has passed since Kit rescued the missing shifter teens and Damon (the charming cat shapeshifter mentioned above) became the alpha of clan of cats. Still settling into their new and thrillingly serious relationship, Kit is starting to find a small bit of peace and even happiness with Damon. Not without bumps of course, but they wouldn't be Kit and Damon without bumps. Still, she'd do anything for Damon which is why when a former flame turned government worker drops a case into her lap she can't refuse, Kit is faced with the terrifying prospect of having to clear Damon's name -- or else. To make matters worse she can't talk to anyone about the case -- again, or else.<br />
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If I only had one word to describe <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-Blade-Colbana-Files-Daniels-ebook/dp/B00FPSCXAW/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1">Night Blade</a></i> to you it would be gutting. Seriously J. C. Daniels is a genius for penning a book so filled with layered emotions and the complicated consequences of fighting for those you love that it simply left me reeling. I mean, <i>Blade Song</i> was good but <i>Night Blade</i>? <i>Night Blade</i> is freaking dinner. So much happens in this book that it boggles the mind how deftly J. C. Daniels was able to juggle all the threads with equally strong results. And unlike my first gut reaction to all the secrecy involved, Kit's inability to come clean with Damon just made the story all the more compelling - not less so, as I would have predicted.<br />
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One thing I adore about these books is the assortment of friends Kit collects along the way (in addition to the one man force of nature known as Damon Lee): Damon's ward Doyle, the scarily helpful witches, Damon's best friend - the shadowy Chang, not to mention all the misfits from Wolf Haven. All combined, this motley collection gives Kit support when she least expects it but when she typically needs it the most. But the heart and soul of <i>Night Blade</i> really is Kit and Damon's complicated relationship. She's half-human, he's an alpha shapeshifter and when their worlds collide it's of the supernova variety. That said, they work so well together -- charming and overly protective on both ends, just expressed in their own explosive way. Which is why I'm going to be purposefully vague and simply say: I was so so <i>so </i>not prepared for that ending. I just...next year is an awful long time to wait for <i>Broken Blade</i>. But you better believe I'll be there all the way.<br />
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series reading order:<br />
~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blade-Song-Colbana-Files-Daniels-ebook/dp/B008G0R6GM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1383695913&sr=8-5&keywords=j.+c.+daniels">Blade Song</a><br />
~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-Blade-Colbana-Files-Daniels-ebook/dp/B00FPSCXAW/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1">Night Blade</a><br />
~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Blade-Colbana-Files-Daniels-ebook/dp/B00DGBMKVC/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2">Broken Blade</a> (January 2014)<br />
<br />
Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:<br />Angieville review (book <a href="http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-b-reviews/b-plus-reviews/review-blade-song-by-j-c-daniels/">one</a> & <a href="http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-a-reviews/a-minus-reviews/review-night-blade-by-j-c-daniels/">two</a>)<br />
Fiction Vixen review (book <a href="http://fictionvixen.com/review-blade-song-by-j-c-daniels/">one</a> & <a href="http://fictionvixen.com/review-night-blade-by-j-c-daniels/">two</a>)<br />
The Romanceaholic (book <a href="http://romanceaholic.com/2012/review-blade-song-inscribe-digital-j-c-daniels/">one </a>& <a href="http://romanceaholic.com/2013/review-night-blade-j-c-daniels/">two</a>)<br />
Tynga's review (book <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2012/08/blade-song-by-j-c-daniels.html">one </a>& <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2012/08/blade-song-by-j-c-daniels.html">two</a>)Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-28062453414633513782013-10-10T05:16:00.000-07:002013-10-10T11:19:09.220-07:00Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oE8fb9TtYpI/UlXInRQLhfI/AAAAAAAAEmI/1v-qQeHuQq4/s1600/fangirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oE8fb9TtYpI/UlXInRQLhfI/AAAAAAAAEmI/1v-qQeHuQq4/s320/fangirl.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
Well I knew it was going to take a spectacularly unforgettable book to bring me out of my reviewing stupor and I am here to say that <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fangirl-ebook/dp/B00BMKH5NW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381356855&sr=8-1&keywords=rainbow+rowell">Fangirl</a></i> is it. It seems to me that <a href="http://rainbowrowell.com/blog/">Rainbow Rowell</a> is trying to outdo herself with each subsequent book. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Attachments-ebook/dp/B004BDOZZI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1381356855&sr=8-4&keywords=rainbow+rowell">Attachments</a></i> had great promise but lost me around the three-quarters mark, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eleanor-Park-ebook/dp/B008SAZHLQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1381356855&sr=8-3&keywords=rainbow+rowell">Eleanor & Park</a></i> was pretty dang spectacular but <i>this </i>book...this book just caught me. Caught me up in its characters and its life now all I want to do is tell every single person I know about it.<br />
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Cath Avery is not your typical college freshmen. True, she's got all her books ready and is all set up in a perfectly good dorm room (complete with one sarcastic roommate) but Cath is <i>not pleased</i> at being separated from her twin sister Wren. Her much more outgoing, prettier twin sister (in Cath's mind) Wren. But that's okay. She's got special permission to take an upper-level fiction writing course, boxes of protein bars to sustain her, and her Simon Snow fanfiction to occupy her time. So what if the majority of her friends are either online or only live in books? She can handle this split from her sister and her scatterbrained dad. She can. Only what happens when life really starts to come crashing down on Cath? Can she figure it all out without losing herself?<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fangirl-ebook/dp/B00BMKH5NW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381356855&sr=8-1&keywords=rainbow+rowell">Fangirl</a></i> is something special. Okay, <i>Cath </i>is something special. I can't remember falling so hard for a character in such a long time. How can I even quantify it? Cath is neurotic in the best way possible. She's a genius that could have just moldered away her entire freshman year if it weren't for her world-wise roommate Reagan whose mission in life (alongside the smiling Levi) it is to drag Cath out into wide world. And it goes without saying that anytime Levi graced the pages you can be sure I sat up just a bit straighter. Take this scene where he (and Reagan) meet Wren for the first time.<br />
<blockquote>
"Hey, Cath," he said, already smiling, "are you--?" He looked at the bed and stopped.<br />
"Levi," Cath said, "this is my sister, Wren."<br />
Wren held out her hand.<br />
Levi's eyes were wide as Cath'd ever seen them. He grinned at Wren and took her hand, shaking it. "<i>Wren</i>," he said. "Such fascinating names in your family."<br />
"Our mom didn't know she was having twins," Wren said. "And she didn't feel like coming up with another name."<br />
"Cather, Wren..." Levi looked like he'd just now discovered sliced bread. "<i>Catherine</i>."<br />
Cath rolled her eyes. Wren just smiled. "Clever, right?"<br />
"Cath," Levi said, and tried to sit next to Wren on the bed, even though there wasn't enough room. Wren laughed and scooted toward Cath. Cath scooted, too. Reluctantly. <i>If you give Levi an inch..</i>.<br />
"I didn't know you had a mother," he said. "Or a sister. What else are you hiding?"<br />
"Five cousins," Wren said. "And a string of ill-fated hamsters, all named Simon."<br />
Levi opened his smile up completely.<br />
"Oh, put that away," Cath said with distaste. "I don't want you to get charm all over my sister -- what if we can't get it out?"<br />
Reagan walked back through the open door and glanced over at Cath. She noticed Wren and shuddered. "Is this your twin?"<br />
"You knew about the twin?" Levi asked.<br />
"Wren, Reagan," Cath said.<br />
"Hello," Reagan said, frowning.<br />
"Don't take this personally," Cath said to Wren. "They're both like this with everyone."</blockquote>
Doesn't that just leave you with a smile on your face? There were so many unforgettable moments in this book. Laugh out loud moments. Cry your eyes out moments. And times when you just want to go hug your best friend moments. Rainbow Rowell manages to juggle all these different plots and ideas and underlying emotions that it simply blows my mind.<br />
<br />
And then there's the Simon Snow stuff. I cannot begin to tell how much I wish those books -- or Cath's Simon and Baz fanfiction -- were real. I have never wanted to read a fake book so flippin' much. <i>Fangirl</i> is the ultimate keeper. Cath and Levi and Reagan and Wren have all settled themselves into my heart and I just never wanted the story to end. But I think Rainbow Rowell gets that.<br />
<br />
Because Everyone Loves a Second Opinion:<br />
<a href="http://www.angie-ville.com/2013/10/bibliocrack-review-fangirl-by-rainbow.html">Angieville review</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bookharbinger.com/2013/07/review-fangirl-by-rainbow-rowell/">Book Harbinger review</a><br />
<a href="http://cuddlebuggery.com/blog/2013/09/16/review-fangirl-by-rainbow-rowell/">Cuddlebuggery review</a><br />
<a href="http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-b-reviews/b-reviews/review-fangirl-by-rainbow-rowell/">Dear Author review</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-33415192868705398462013-08-15T16:03:00.002-07:002013-08-15T16:03:24.814-07:00How I Live Now Trailer<div style="text-align: center;">
This trailer gave me the shivers. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RSaxm68PPT4" width="560"></iframe></div>
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And considering the amount of emotions I felt while reading <a href="http://www.megrosoff.co.uk/">Meg Rosoff's</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Live-Now-Meg-Rosoff/dp/0553376055/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376607754&sr=8-1&keywords=how+i+live+now">crazy-incredible book</a> I'm betting this one will probably be a doozy.</div>
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Now, who wants to go see it with me?</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-47157954843047059602013-08-12T05:00:00.000-07:002013-08-15T09:59:50.376-07:00Ilona Andrews San Diego Signing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So awhile back I found out that <strike>the universe had aligned itself</strike> the husband and wife writing team <a href="http://www.ilona-andrews.com/">Ilona Andrews</a> would be visiting <a href="http://www.mystgalaxy.com/">Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore</a> in San Diego as part of their tour for <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Rises-Daniels-Ilona-Andrews/dp/1937007588/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376280902&sr=8-1&keywords=magic+rises">Magic Rises</a></i>. </div>
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Yes. <i><a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2010/06/magic-bleeds-by-ilona-andrews.html">That</a> </i>Ilona Andrews. </div>
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At this point, imagine me jumping around the house doing wildly uncoordinated fist-pumps while the hubby looked on in amused bewilderment. Keeping up a steady manta of "I want to go to there," I immediately called upon my dear friends Becca and Gladys to make the three hour road trip with me to meet one of our favorite writing duos.</div>
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Here we are at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore.</div>
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Despite my almost normal expression here, imagine an entire colony of juiced up butterflies pinging around my stomach at this point. I was a wee bit excited.</div>
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The bookstore was <i>packed </i>but somehow Becca and I wound up literally sitting at Gordon and Ilona's feet during the Q&A session. Which Gordon opened up by simply saying "So. What do you want to know?"</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsTU9yQ2bLY/UghUojEwXII/AAAAAAAAEdo/M3r4Rn41DzU/s1600/564247_494134257337363_794462526_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsTU9yQ2bLY/UghUojEwXII/AAAAAAAAEdo/M3r4Rn41DzU/s400/564247_494134257337363_794462526_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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By the end, my butt was numb and my legs were all jittery from sitting still for so long but it was totally worth it. We are such book nerds.</div>
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Because this totally happened... </div>
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I got to meet them!!!! And they kindly agreed to sign <i>all </i>my Kate Daniels books.</div>
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I cannot even begin to tell you how super cool and nice and gracious and funny they were. Maybe you can tell by my crazed I'm-a-swimfan-grin I've got going on here but they pretty much were <b>amazing</b>. Also. Ilona hugged me. I think I died.</div>
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Still high on endorphins and sheer giddiness, we met up afterwards with Maggie from <a href="http://youngadultanonymous.blogspot.com/">Young Adult Anonymous</a> (who is incredibly cool) </div>
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a<span style="text-align: center;">nd enjoyed some seriously delish sushi while we rehashed every single hilarious thing Ilona and Gordon said (and the fact that they sorta matched, which was kind of funny). </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsVcb_Fe1LE/UghUp2x1BGI/AAAAAAAAEdw/_kFtKUJLBBk/s1600/IMG952091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsVcb_Fe1LE/UghUp2x1BGI/AAAAAAAAEdw/_kFtKUJLBBk/s400/IMG952091.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Like the fact that even though we all <i>knew </i>that Ilona was from Russia none of us expected her to actually <i>have </i>such a killer Russian accent... </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Or that some of the things Gordon said would remind me so much of Curran. I think at one point when they were talking about some changes they wanted their editors to make to <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1937007588/courtneymilan-20">Magic Rises</a></i> very late in the publishing stage he said: "We're not asking you. We're telling you. It's our name on that book." I sat there giggling to myself just thinking of all the times Curran </span><span style="text-align: center;">said something like that to Kate or to one of the Pack...</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Or that Aunt B is their favorite character to write *</span><i style="text-align: center;">sobs</i><span style="text-align: center;">*...</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Or when asked if Derek is ever going to get the girl and his own happily ever after Gordon responded with "Well he should!"</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">It was an incredible day. I could not have imagined them being more candid or funny or working so well together. Frankly, I'm still a bit in awe of their abilities. And of <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2010/01/literary-love-urban-fantasy-couples.html">their books</a>. Thank you so much for doing what you do so well. This is one loyal fan you've got in your corner forever.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3150817862373096424.post-24775845108305789932013-07-23T05:19:00.000-07:002015-04-06T22:54:43.087-07:00Novel Gossip: Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth E. Wein<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When <a href="http://chachic.wordpress.com/">Chachic</a> and I first decided to begin the feature <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2013/05/this-just-in-novel-gossip.html">Novel Gossip</a> we both knew that one of the books we wanted to read together was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rose-Under-Fire-ebook/dp/B00CJ05DSI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374554524&sr=8-1&keywords=rose+under+fire"><i>Rose Under Fire</i></a> by <a href="http://www.elizabethwein.com/">Elizabeth Wein</a>. <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/2012/05/code-name-verity-by-elizabeth-wein.html">We both</a> <a href="http://chachic.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/code-name-verity-by-elizabeth-wein/">loved</a> the heck out of<i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Code-Name-Verity-Elizabeth-Wein/dp/1423152190/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337917275&sr=8-1">Code Name Verity</a></i> and knew that this was a book we'd need a bit of friendly support for.</div>
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The bloggers behind <a href="http://chachic.wordpress.com/">Chachic’s Book Nook</a> and <a href="http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/">See Michelle Read</a> chatting about books, thousands of miles apart.</div>
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While our thoughts were a bit all over the board during <i>Rose Under Fire</i>, we both really enjoyed it. But let me preface this discussion by giving a plug for <i>Code Name Verity</i> (that is, if you're one of the crazy people who haven't read it yet). While it's not exactly a sequel, the beginning of <i>Rose Under Fire</i> focuses a lot on what happens in <i>Code Name Verity</i>, so naturally, it'll make your experience that much better to understand the story. Also beware: this is a concentration camp book. So. You know...feelings...and all that ahead. Our conversations took place over several days and has been edited to remove spoiler-y bits. Here's the description for <i>Rose Under Fire</i> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17262236-rose-under-fire">via Goodreads</a>:<br />
<blockquote>
While flying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious women's concentration camp. Trapped in horrific circumstances, Rose finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery and friendship of her fellow prisoners. But will that be enough to endure the fate that’s in store for her?</blockquote>
And here we go...<br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Cover_of_Rose_Under_Fire_by_Elizabeth_Wein.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Cover_of_Rose_Under_Fire_by_Elizabeth_Wein.jpg" /></a><b>Michelle</b>: I'm curious about this book because honestly it's starting just a wee bit slow. I'm not connecting with Rose yet. What do you think of her as a narrator so far? I know she is a naive, young American but lots of the observations she makes seem a little too daft - maybe they weren't for the time period, but since we have so much information now, it seems a bit like overkill. I don't know, maybe she'll grow on me, I sure am hoping so.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: Rose sounds really young, I was a bit surprised that she's only 18. I don't think the observations that she makes are unnecessary because I don't know a lot of these details so it's all interesting for me. We didn't really study the war that much back in school and the focus was on how it affected the Philippines, not on what happened in other parts of the world. It's either that or I've forgotten most of it.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: This is probably a prime example of my egocentric American up-bringing showing, but I suppose I just assumed everyone who reads this book would have a pretty good knowledge of WWII history. WWII is pretty much THE CONFLICT that historians talk about. People actually refer to it as 'The War' and there are hundreds of books and documentaries that come out constantly -- it's a huge fascination over here. I'm curious if that kind of mindset is present in the Philippines or just in America.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: I think that kind of mindset over WWII is only present in America. I don't see that kind of fascination in the Philippines. If anything, it's been said that Filipinos have short memories and we tend to forget things.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: I am wondering if all these little things that keep popping up are foreshadowing of what is going to happen to Rose: the concentration camps, having the disable a bomb fuse, etc.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: I know what you mean about foreshadowing! So we already know that Rose will end up in a concentration camp, I'm a little scared for her as she hears details on how horrible they are.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: I know! I'm worried for Rose too, I CRY like a little girl during any story about concentration camps so I'm not sure how this is gonna go.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: I usually try to stay away from books about concentration camps or about WWII but since Elizabeth Wein wrote this, it's a must read for me.<br />
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[about half-way thorough]<br />
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<a href="http://bysinginglight.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/rufuk.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://bysinginglight.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/rufuk.jpg" /></a><b>Michelle</b>: Oh my. Poor Rose. This scared little Rose is sorta freaking me out. These descriptions of her first few days in the camp, her 'controlled flight into terrain' -- how terrible! I can't imagine how sick that would make you.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: We're only just at the start of Rose's experience and I already feel so bad for her. It's a terrible experience and I can't imagine how she must have felt while going through it.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: Also reading about how cruel the women guards are at Ravensbruck is terrible. The part that really stuck out to me was was "The randomness has left it's mark. I am scared of anything arbitrary now - of anything that happens suddenly." Because what a perfect way to describe how horribly the guards behave. How depressing and sad. While they are busy dehumanizing the inmates, the guards are also dehumanizing themselves. What amazes me, like Rose, is that these guards are scaring them, and hurting them on their own. No one is telling them how far or what to do to the people. The Nazis let the guards have free reign to cause as much pain as they felt like.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: I know, I was a little surprised when she said that the guards were women, it's not men who were mistreating the prisoners but fellow women. And on such a massive scale - there were thousands of prisoners in that concentration camp. You're absolutely right, while the guards are dehumanizing the inmates, they're also dehumanizing themselves. It probably became transactional for them to be mean, they were probably not even thinking about their actions anymore.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: I think I misunderstood Elizabeth Wein's initial reason in making Rosie a bit naive -- where I didn't like it at first, now, I need no convincing she was spot on. She has built this perfect setup for Rose's inability to fully comprehend what has happened to her once she's in Ravensbruck. Rosie can't conceive that's she in a real concentration camp because she has no idea WHAT THEY ARE. It's genius. <br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: I think you have a point about why Rose was so naive at the start of the book, she has no idea what she will undergo because she doesn't really know what concentration camps are. Also the naivety provides a contrast to how different she is after her ordeal.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: Yes. Also I am incredibly thankful that Elizabeth Wein is using flashbacks to tell Rose's story. "I am writing at a rate of 170 miles an hour and going nowhere." If Rose had been telling all these awful things in the moment, I think it would have been just too painful to read. Creating these flashbacks gives the reader a safe place to land in between bouts of insanity and breaks up the madness. I am infinitely glad she wound up free and that she was only in a camp from September to April. One day was probably enough for anyone.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9ZzhhVbQeI/UVu9y5-hnLI/AAAAAAAAAL0/n5i78BMXtJA/s640/blogger-image--1945679358.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9ZzhhVbQeI/UVu9y5-hnLI/AAAAAAAAAL0/n5i78BMXtJA/s320/blogger-image--1945679358.jpg" /></a><b>Chachic</b>: Me too. We get pauses to let the horrors sink in before moving forward. Also, it's a practical way of storytelling because like Rose said, she would never have been allowed the luxury of having writing materials while she was in prison. Sigh, poor Rose. She will probably endure so much before we get back to the present. I am so glad she's alive though.<br />
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Can I just say that I loved that bit when Rose first gets out of the plane after she lands in Germany and the guys there give her an applause of her perfect landing? From fellow pilots to another pilot, reminding her that they're just human beings too. <br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: Agreed. That was a pretty perfect moment for Rose. I hope it helps sustain her in the months to come.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: So this is probably obvious to everyone but I figured from the beginning that once in the camp Rose would memorize names of the people she meets there. Especially after Felicyta talks early on in the story about how people just don't even know what happens to their families.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: It wasn't certainly wasn't obvious to me that Rose would have to memorize names when she got to the camp! It didn't really occur to me. But she only had to memorize the Rabbits' names, right? I was wondering why it was just the Rabbits that she had to remember. Was it because what they experienced was one of the most cruel things in that camp?<br />
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[after finishing the book]<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: Yeah, I think because the Rabbits were subjected to some of the most horrible medical ‘experiments’ imaginable. They effectively carried physical proof on their bodies of what happened to people in Ravensbruck.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: Maybe I'm coming into this book all wrong but my gut reaction to <i>Rose Under Fire</i> is this: while good and with lots of interesting tidbits, I did in no way like it half as much as I liked <i>Code Name Verity</i>. I mean I didn't even CRY when reading it and I cried buckets during <i>Code Name Verity</i>. Buckets. Maybe it’s because what I like so much about <i>Code Name Verity</i> was this great relationship between two young women and then what happens to them during the war. I didn't feel like Rose had a similar connection to anyone in <i>Rose Under Fire</i>.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: I do agree that <i>Rose Under Fire</i> didn't blow me away like <i>Code Name Verity</i> did. I remember I sobbed towards the last few chapters of <i>Code Name Verity</i> and I couldn't stop until I reached the end. And even after I finished reading it, I would become teary-eyed if I come across anything that reminded of the book. I agree with you that what I loved about <i>Code Name Verity</i> was that it was about this beautiful friendship between two girls who wouldn't have met if not for the war.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: I just didn't feel the same way about the friends Rose makes in the camp.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: While Rose did meet friends in the camp, to the point where she considered them her family (how could she not when they went through so much together? She had to cling on to something), it really isn't the same as the friendship in <i>Code Name Verity</i>.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: However I did like the fact that Rose is an American. I don't think I've ever read one about an American in a camp before.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: Yeah, I think it was a unique angle making Rose American. She was the only American in her block, right? Probably in the whole camp.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: One aspect that really stuck out to me was how the prisoners fought back. Most of the other books I've read have been of the "make the best of a bad situation' type. So I really like the subversive nature of the Rabbits and Rose and Irina -- they were always trying to find ways to 'fight' the system. Even as if how Rose said it was all pretty passive resistance when you looked at it from the outside, but to them it felt like a big deal. Which it was -- especially when you go back to how paralyzed with fear Rose was even after she was safe in the Ritz hotel in Paris.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: Like you, I thought it was brave of the girls to try and fight back whenever they could. It was good that they has small victories to keep them going. I'm amazed at how they manage to stay alive and stray true to who they are when they could have easily just given up and became emotionally dead zombie-like creatures. Yes, they were always filthy and hungry but their personalities still defined them. How Lysette was still a mother, Rose was still a poet and Irina was still a pilot. In spite of everything, they retained pieces of their lives within them. I ached for them because they all had these lives that were suddenly taken away from them.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: Speaking of secondary characters, I think one of my favorite people in the entire novel was Anna Engel -- the <i>Kolonka </i>in Ravensbruck. I was utterly fascinated by her evolution from prison hospital tech to prisoner herself. Plus it didn't hurt that she was a tough, sarcastic lady. I liked her lots.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: I really liked Anna Engel as well, how she represented the idea that even Germans suffered under their countrymen if they went against the system. I like how she tried to be a good person in small ways - she wasn't horribly cruel to Rose and the other girls. But I absolutely had no idea Anna was the same Anna Engel in <i>Code Name Verity</i>! She is, isn't she? I was so surprised at how Elizabeth Wein connected her characters like that. How Anna was a big part of Verity's story and then Rose's as well.<br />
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<b>Michelle </b>: ANNA ENGEL IS THE ANNA FROM <i>CODE NAME VERITY</i>?!?! My use of caps is indicative of my level of genuine surprise! I did not catch that one AT ALL! I knew I should have reread it before I read <i>Rose Under Fire</i>!! Now I need to go back and reread that section in <i>Code Name Verity!</i> Awesome. Thanks for pointing that out to me. I would have felt like a dork for not figuring it out.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: She's the Engel in <i>Code Name Verity</i>, right? I'm not too sure because I don't have my copy of <i>Code Name Verity</i> here with me so I can't check. Maybe I should have reread <i>Code Name Verity</i> before <i>Rose Under Fire</i> too, I think I would have liked the latter more if I did.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: Yeah, I think it all comes down to the fact that I don't really love Rose as a person herself. Still. I did like some of her poems and how she told the story (with flashbacks through writing) but I never really felt like she was real. Especially in contrast to how I felt about the characters in <i>Code Name Verity</i>. <br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: I felt the same way, I wasn't as invested in Rose as I was with the characters from<i> Code Name Verity</i>. Maybe that's why I felt like I was distanced from her story.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: And I felt like it was a total cop-out that we never see Rose reconcile with her family (besides that initial phone call) back in America. I'm guessing she does eventually, but that very human, painful moment would have done a lot for me to connect with Rose. It's a completely unique experience! Although to be fair, I do understand why Rose stays in Scotland. It was a whole country torn apart by war, not just from afar, but right there with all the bombings, etc. so I can see how she'd like to be there with people who KNEW. But I just can't see her family not swooping down on her en masse once she turned up again. Even if the reunion had to be in Scotland, I think it would have been worth it as far as Rose's character is concerned to have included it in the story.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: I know, I was so surprised that we didn't get a scene of Rose reuniting with her family. Like you said, I would have thought that her family would fly to Scotland to see her. Of course, they would want to see with their own eyes how she's doing. Speaking of her family, I kind of expected her more to think about them while she was at the camp? I mean it was mostly Nick that she thought of and talked about while she was there, and she didn't even really love him. I get that it's the idea of Nick as a hero and not the actual person himself but I would have thought that it would be normal to miss her family.<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: Yeah that was pretty odd too. Maybe she needed to distance herself so she wouldn't become utterly depressed? I'm not sure. I hope it doesn't come across like I didn't like the book, because I really did. But I was expecting so much MORE from Elizabeth Wein after <i>Code Name Verity</i>. I wanted to be wowed and it sorta felt like a lot of other concentration camp books I've read before. Like she spent so much time on imparting a message that she forgot about building awesome characters. Sadness.<br />
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<b>Chachic</b>: I really liked reading the book as well but yeah, I don't love it as much as <i>Code Name Verity</i>. I think I liked it more than you did? Because I can't compare it with other concentration camp novels. I did like the idea of "tell the world" and how Elizabeth Wein said that's what she tried to do with <i>Rose Under Fire.</i> It's an emotionally heavy read and now I need a happy book!<br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: Yes! A change of pace after the heartbreak of this one very much in order.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007037401143598285noreply@blogger.com12