Ticket to Anywhere

Guest Post: Ashley talks about why YOU should watch COUGAR TOWN

2012-02-14T00:05:00.002-05:00

Hello! I’m Gail’s friend, Ashley. If you read Gail’s most recent “What I watched” post, you’ll know me as the Cougar Town Bully, which is why I’m here today. Okay, not to bully you, but to implore her friends and followers to give Cougar Town, which returns from hiatus Tuesday, February 14^th at 8:30, a try. (That's today people. *s*)

Cougar Town was one of the first shows to receive its renewal papers in the early winter of 2011. Then, for some reason, ABC continually put off the premiere. First it was to air in August, then November, then January, then March. After Work It’s absolutely appalling reviews and ratings, the network finally decided to bring the show back a little bit early. Ratings are of utmost importance for this show right now, which is why I’m asking you to watch. The show needs to do well in order to come back for a fourth season. And, trust me, after you give this show a try. You’ll be dying for a fourth season.

So, what’s it about? First and foremost, Cougar Town is not about cougars. There are no old ladies trying to score with younger dudes. The show’s original premise sought to focus on Courteney Cox’s character Jules getting back into the dating world after her divorce. That idea was quickly scrapped by the writers and the show became what it is today - a show about a group of 40-somethings and the goings on in their lives. And wine. Lots and lots of wine. All of the characters are unique and quirky and oh-so loveable. In fact, check out this video from the season one finale. It really sums up what it’s all about.

URL Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5thK5koSwT0

The cast is comprised of Couteney Cox, Josh Hopkins, Brian Van Holt, Christa Miller, Ian Gomez, Dan Byrd, and Busy Philipps. Bill Lawrence, most notably known as the man behind Scrubs, is the showrunner and head writer. He does a fantastic job of knowing how to make his shows stay witty and current. And funny. It seriously is one of the funniest shows on TV. Every time an episode airs, my twitter feed is filled with quotes from the show and people are always coming up to me trying to figure out what has me laughing so damn hard.

Not only does this show have wonderful writing and a fantastic on-screen ensemble, but they also have a cast and crew who genuinely care about their fan base. I’ve never seen a show that is so interactive with its fans. Most of the actors and writers are on Twitter and will do what they can in order to answer fans and talk to them. Most recently, they even put together their own US Viewing Party Tour to promote the upcoming season. They went to several cities throughout the country to meet fans and show a few episodes.

I’ve had the opportunity to talk to Bill Lawrence on Twitter and via phone. Courteney Cox has messaged me about an animated video I made to promote the show. I’ve talked with most of the writers and several of the cast, too. I’ve received autographed scripts and an official Bobby Cobb Penny Can Can (you’ll understand what that means when you watch). They may not bank as many viewers as American Idol, but they’re far more deserving of being on television. So, please, take thirty minutes out of your Tuesday, grab a glass of wine (if you’re of age), and turn on ABC at 8:30. Trust me. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for reading!

Ashley (click to follow me on Twitter)

Click here to watch the cast of Cougar Town tell you why they think you should stay in on Valentine's Day and watch. =)

Follow the Cougar Town Cast & Crew on Twitter:

The Creators: Bill Lawrence and Kevin Biegel

The Writers: @CougarTownRoom

The Actors: Couteney Cox, Busy Philipps, Josh Hopkins, Christa Miller, and Ian Gomez

Edited to add:

Another reason to watch Cougar Town...the creators are awesome and send out wine to some of their devoted fans.

A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

2012-02-13T07:54:00.002-05:00

Publisher: Avon Books

Source: Netgalley

Publication Date: 28 Feb 2012

Series or Standalone: Series

ISBN: 0062068520

Format: ebook

Pages: 400

Websites:

Sarah MacLean - Official Site

Sarah MacLean - Blog

Sarah MacLean - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: London, England // Surrey, England (1821, 1831)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Rules of Scoundrels Series Order
Book 1 - A Rogue By Any Other Name
Book 2 - One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (27 Nov 2012)
Book 3 - Untitled (~2013)
Book 4 - Untitled (~2013/2014)

First Line: The eight of diamonds ruined him.

I have been a fan of Sarah MacLean's books ever since Alea of Pop Culture Junkie bullied me into reading The Season (my review) back in 2009. She has a history of strong heroines, swoony heroes and story telling that just makes you feel ALL THE EMOTIONS. And no book proves this more than her newest A Rogue By Any Other Name. Just when I think that a book of her can't be topped she comes out with a new one and I have a new favorite.

We first met Penelope in MacLean's Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart as the almost bride of the Duke of Leighton. Rogue picks up eight years after that book ends and the Duke and Juliana are living happily ever after while Penelope is still looking for hers. We quickly learn that society hasn't been kind to her after her broken engagement to the Duke of Leighton. But the years that have passed have only made her stronger and more aware of what she wants out of life and her marriage - even though as a woman in the 1830's there aren't a ton of options for her. Then her father attaches a neighboring piece of land to her dowry that will make her more attractive to members of the ton and brings her back into sphere of Michael, the Marques of Bourne and her former neighbor.

Bourne. *sighs* What does one say about him? Out of all of MacLean's heroes I currently love him the most. He was just so broken and tortured and is the ultimate bad boy. There is just something about a bad boy that can just make a girl's heart melt. Bourne resists Penelope at every turn and even though you know that somehow...some way...he'll fall and accept that he loves Penelope and he really isn't much of a rogue any more. But the journey....the journey to get there was so very TORTUROUS! MacLean has a way of making the reader feel EVERYTHING that her characters are feeling...the elation from there hopes and the utter heart break when her hero goes and makes another bone-headed mistake in an attempt to resist the inevitable.

But part of what really makes this story are the secondary characters. Bourne's group of friends are hilarious! I love how they teased Bourne as they watched him fall in love with Penelope. And I look forward to reading the rest of the series and watching each one of them fall just as hard as Bourne did in this book. And judging from the epilogue of Rogue their journeys are going to be just as hilarious as Bourne's. Its going to be so much fun to watch....though I'm sure that as with this one my heart will also be pushed to the breaking point! Because MacLean is quickly becoming a master at manipulating emotions...and I mean this in the nicest way possible. Truly.

To say I loved this book is an understatement. Because love just isn't a big enough word. I devoured this book and I know that it will be one that I re-read often. If you are looking for a witty historical romance filled with wit and strong characters than look no further. Penelope is a girl that really comes into her own. She's done with being the meek girl society demands her to be and boldy forges her own path to get what she wants. She isn't my favorite heroine of MacLean's (that place still belongs to feisty Juliana from Eleven Scandals) but Bourne is easily my favorite hero. At least...for now.

What I Watched - 12 February 2012

2012-02-12T07:40:00.157-05:00

What I watched this week is a weekly feature here on the blog where I discuss the tv shows and movies that I watched during the week. This post has been inspired by Galleysmith's weekly TV Talk and Pop Culture Junkie's monthly TV/Movie Recap. As always if you haven't watched the episode mentioned then you might want to skip the recap as I will not be avoiding spoilers.

Its been a while since I last posted about what I watched...but with the holidays and all the repeats that were on life just sort of got in the way. But I am back this week and a bit behind on some shows but will do my best to get all caught up soon.

What I Watched

Superbowl XLVI
How I Met Your Mother - The Burning Beekeeper (7x15)
Hart of Dixie - Sweetie Pies & Sweaty Palms (1x13)
Switched at Birth - Las Dos Fridas (1x16)
The Woman in Black (movie)
Modern Family - Me? Jealous? (3x14)
The Big Bang Theory - The Vacation Solution (5x16)
Grey's Anatomy - All You Need is Love (8x15)
Whitechapel - Series 1 and 2
Downton Abbey - Series 1 and 2
Sherlock - Series 2
Cougar Town - Series 1 & 2

SUNDAY

Superbowl XLVI - I'm not a huge football fan but I do love to hang out with friends and this superbowl there was the added draw that the New England Patriots were in it. It sucks that they lost and that the commercials kinda sucked...but those last 57 seconds of the game were pretty excited. If every football game was like that I might watch the sport more.

MONDAY

How I Met Your Mother - The Burning Beekeeper (7x15) - This whole season has been more miss than hit for me and this episode was no exception. About the only things I really took away from it is that Robin had on another pair of her really bright pants and that someone caught on fire. There was very little in the episode that made me laugh and I'm getting really really really tired of Lily's dad. He is just beyond annoying. I've never liked the actor that plays him and all his scenes are like nails on a chalk board.

Hart of Dixie - Sweetie Pies & Sweaty Palms (1x13) - This show is just so much fun and the tension between Zoe and Wade just increases every episode. This one they were so close to admitting how they feel about each other (a fact that is obvious to EVERYONE but them) but then Wade had to go and ruin the moment by making a joke of it all. *le sigh* I'm also curious to see how things roll out now that DeeDee suspects that Lavon and Lemon where once involved. I like DeeDee...but she doesn't have the chemistry with Lavon that Lemon does. And George needs to know so that he can move one to find a girl who gives him that spark that Wade and Zoe have and also Lavon and Lemon. I also hope that this is the last episode with boring Judson.

TUESDAY

Switched at Birth - Las Dos Fridas (1x16) - I really enjoy this show. This week Daphne met her biological grandmother and I just loved the tensions that came out of that. I felt so sorry for Bay. But I liked how her adoptive mom and her biological one both worked together to help make her pain go away. I am getting annoyed with that new girl (forgetting her name, but Bay's old friend and Toby's new GF) I just get this weird vibe from her and the way she stares at everything is just a bit spooky. So hopefully she won't last long on the show.

WEDNESDAY

The Woman in Black - Spooky spooky spooky! This movie totally made me jump far more than I expected it too. Its rated PG-13 for crying out loud! I loved the spooky house that Daniel Radcliff's character has to go to. Its old and remote and so creepy in that the tide washes away the road leading up to it as it rises. Daniel Radcliff was great in his role and there was very little to be seen of that boy wizard he played for many years. The only real issue that I had with this one was the lametastic ending. Its like the writers just sort of gave up or something and didn't know how to close it out. So I was left feeling disappointed. But until those last 5 minutes it was good.

THURSDAY

Modern Family - Me? Jealous? (3x14) - This show always manages to make me laugh. I love the entire cast. Gloria was a hoot and I loved how she and Cameron got on each others nerves in this episode. We all know what its like when family comes to stay...you love them dearly...but sometimes being forced into tight quarters with them is just a recipe for disaster. I'm also glad that they are letting new Lily have some more lines. Though I do wonder how Cameron & Mitchell are proceeding with their adoption plans as it hasn't been mentioned in awhile. And Phil....oh dear sweet clueless Phil...you crack me up. But how sweet was it when he did finally get all jealous?

FRIDAY

The Big Bang Theory - The Vacation Solution (5x16) - Sheldon Cooper is forced to go on vacation...this is not in his DNA and I love how he tried to sneak into the office. Failing that I enjoyed how he went to help Amy out in her lab. I kinda didn't mind Amy in this episode as it was entertaining to see Sheldon not do good at something. Poor guy isn't used to failure so its a good and humbling experience for him. Though I am sure it will have no real effect on his ego.

Grey's Anatomy - All You Need is Love (8x15) - Teddy really annoyed me in this episode. I'm really tired of her over the top grief over the death of her husband. I know this probably makes me seem heartless but they got married just so he could have insurance. For the bulk of their marriage she dated other people and treated her husband like crap. And then when he'd finally had enough she had this epiphany on how much she loved him. I'm sorry but it just came across as false. I think that deep down she's still hung up on Owen and is still mad at him for choosing Christina over her. She get Christina to defy Owen as a way to cause a rift in their relationship and its working...they are so close to breaking. Granted Christina did a shitty thing in aborting the baby that Owen deeply wanted and that certainly doesn't help the rift in their relationship any. The ending of this one was a bit heartbreaking...Lexi was just about to put her heart on the line with Mark and Avery was there to ruin the moment. I really like Mark and Lexi together and hope that they can find their way back to each other.

Shows Watched During Feature Hiatus

Whitechapel Series 1 & 2 - I heard about this show from Verbvixen on twitter. We both share a love of British TV and I was really excited when she told me about this one. Currently there are 2 seasons of the show available though sadly they are only 3 episodes long. The first season deals with a modern day Jack the Ripper and I was totally engrossed from the opening all the way until the end. This show is smart and funny and just really brought that old serial killer to life. The second series deals with another true crime copy cat and while I enjoyed it I didn't enjoy it as much as the Jack the Ripper segment. But I think that's just because I knew more about Jack the Ripper than the Kray Twins. Though with Season 2 it was great to see all the characters really grow and bond together more. I can't wait until Series 3.

Downton Abbey Series 1 & 2 - This is another show imported from the UK and one that so many people I know have raved about. I resisted watched as I am usually disappointed by overly hyped up things. Not this time though. ZOMG ALL THE EMOTIONS that Downton Abbey raises. I love this show so very very much. I just love all of the characters - even evil Thomas and that vile Mrs O'Brien. This show is a great mix of period piece, drama, romance and even a little bit of comedy. The Dowager Countess (played by the amazing Maggie Smith) has some of the best one-liners ever. And Matt and Mary...their tragic star-crossed love story just really tugs at the heart. But the Christmas Special...oh...that just makes all their struggles worthwhile. I just hope that Series 3 doesn't tear them apart...again.

Sherlock - Series 2 - Oh look...its another UK show. Shocker! In some ways I think that this second series is better than the first. All the episode passed by way too quickly and I cursed the shortness of UK seasons. Though at the same time the 3 episodes are also oddly perfect and just leave you lusting for more. There is no burn out with this series...just heart wrenching angst and a jaw-dropping series finale. I have no idea how the writers are going to salvage it but I just know that they must.

Cougar Town - Series 1 & 2 - This is a show that I'd seen a few episodes here and there but never really sat down and watched. My tv schedule just never seemed to allow for it. Then I learned that my friend Ashley was borderline obsessed with it and when she learned I hadn't seen it she pretty much bullied me until I watched. So I went out and bought series 1 & 2 on DVD and sat down to watch. And I didn't stop until I finished. Then I became irrationally bummed because series 3 wasn't on the tv schedule yet. This is a funny show that is perfect for adults like me who are in different stages of life. Its like the gang of Friends all moved to the suburbs and got a bit snarkier. I laughed with every episode and totally binged on this series. I am so very excited that it will be back on tv this week.

Shows I need to catch up on:

Revenge (Cat - I promise to make getting caught up on this one a priority!)
Merlin
Lost Girl (have you seen that series 1 is playing on SyFy now? If not, it is and you really should head over there and watch as its a great show!)
Torchwood
MI-5

Shows I'm thinking of breaking up with:

Grey's Anatomy - There's only so much angst I can take with this show and I find little joy in watching it. Yet I still come back to it week after week and I don't know why.

One Tree Hill - This show used to be filled with such cheezy over the top drama...not its just boring and seems hell bent on making all of its characters miserable. If this wasn't its final season I'd so be calling it quits.

How I Met Your Mother - This show used to be so very good and now its just a shadow of its former self. The writers seems to have forgotten this is supposed to be a comedy. I stick with it out of habit and a part of me still wants to know who the mother is...but seriously...hurry up and introduce her already...this dragging it out is getting so old.

Shows I've broken up with:

Glee - just so annoyed with this one that there are no words. The magic of season 1 is long gone and there was little of it that held my attention so it was time to cut the cord.
Grimm - after a strong pilot episode this one just sort of fizzled. I love fairy tales so this makes me sad. But Grimm is just missing something that Once Upon a Time has. Maybe I'll try this one again at some point...we'll see.

Shows I am thinking of starting:

Supernatural - really need to start watching this one as many people I know just rave about it.
Suburgatory - I've caught a few episodes of this and have enjoyed them. Will have to go back and check it out from the beginning.
The Vampire Diaries - So many people I know just rave about this one. I tried it when it first started but the first few episodes didn't thrill me. But thinking of trying it again to see what all the fuss is about.
Sanctuary - Been thinking about starting this one...have you watched it? Is it worth my time?
Being Human - caught part an episode of the US version on Syfy the other day and was intrigued. Might have to start this one...US first then UK since the UK version is probably better. And yes I am a tad bit biased towards UK tv.

What are some of your favorite shows? Is there anything out there that you love beyond love that I've missed somehow? Or which one of the above do you think I should start first? LMK in the comments.

Saturday Snapshot: 11 February 2012

2012-02-11T07:12:00.001-05:00

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. It’s easy to participate – just post a picture that was taken by you, a friend, or a family member and add your link on Alyce’s site.

Today's snapshot is of one of my favorite places to visit. My local library. I swear I had a library card here weeks before cable was installed and was mapping how directions to my library even before I moved in. I love the library. Some of my favorite memories growing up are of visiting the library and I would be lost without it. I just wish that my local library had as much character as the one of my youth, the George Hail Public Library.

from the GHPL facebook page

I especially love this photo from the turn of the century as the books may have changed...and there might be a few more shelves...but the inside doesn't look super different than when this was taken. I used to love hearing the floor creak and the smell of this room growing up. Next time I'm visiting my parents...I think I need to add in a trip to my old library.

From the GHPL website

Friday Fill-Ins: 10 February 2012

2012-02-10T07:47:00.001-05:00

Janet is the host of Friday Fill-Ins. My responses are in bold and italics.

1. When it comes time to make a decision, I research it like mad first, if its a big decision, and then pull the trigger and just dive right in.
2. No regrets that must be the rule.
3. Ma says, do as I say not as I do.
4. Working and Listening to an audiobook at the same time is how I start my mornings.
5. I never saw the taj mahal at sunset...but I hope to one day.
6. Intelligence is not a new invention.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading, tomorrow my plans include reading and Sunday, I want to read and get caught up on some blog posting!

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (Audio)

2012-02-09T08:04:00.001-05:00

Publisher: Brilliance Audio (Audio); Putnam Juvenile (Print)

Source: Publisher

Publication Date: 29 Sept 2011 (Audio); 29 Sept 2011 (Print)
Series or Standalone: Series

ISBN: 1441866361 (Audio), 0399256601 (Hardcover)

Format: Audio

Audio Length: 8 discs (~10 hrs)

Narrator: Nicola Barber

Websites:

Maureen Johnson - Official Site

Maureen Johnson - Blog

Maureen Johnson - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: London, England

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Shades of London Series Order

Book 1: The Name of the Star

Book 2: The Madness Underneath (27 Sept 2012)

First Line: The eyes of London were watching Claire Jenkins.

Maureen Johnson is one of those authors that I've heard a lot of things about and while I've purchased several of her books I just haven't gotten around to yet. So when the opportunity came up to review the audio of her latest, The Name of the Star, I jumped at the chance. I was very intrigued with the idea of a mystery involving a modern day Jack the Ripper because like many people I am deeply curious about that very first recorded serial killer. In Shades of London, the murders of Jack are recreated and the heroine of the book finds her self right in the middle of them. Partly because her boarding school is right in ripper territory and partly because you wouldn't have a novel if she wasn't.

Johnson adds a little twist on her modern reemergence of Jack the Ripper in that it appears that a ghost is doing the deed. Which leads some to think that Jack has returned from the dead and panic ensues. This also brings our fearless heroine, Rory, into contact with a small group of people who not only see ghosts but who can help them cross over. An ability that she also seems to share.

Overall I enjoyed this book. I loved the modern take on Jack the Ripper and the hysteria that it caused. I could totally picture people flocking to the Whitechapel area of London just to try and get a glimpse of this gruesome murderer and the Ripperologists glorying in the sudden limelight. Rory was a strong character but she wasn't without her naivete. A good heroine in a book or horror film needs this bit of stupidity if you will so that she ends up in that dangerous situation so that she can either stand and conquer or be killed. And lets face it, when the person entering danger is the main character chances of them getting killed are slim. Not that it doesn't happen...but that its slim.

The narrator, Nicola Barber, was easy on the ears and I enjoyed listening to her throughout the book. However I think that she tried too hard to do too many accents and never really seemed to master them. I liked how she read the inner thoughts of Rory in her regular voice but hated when she tried to take on Rory's southern accent. She just never seemed to quite hit it. So I was thankful when Rory didn't ever actually seem to speak very much dialogue in the book. She was just a very intuitive mind reader (as were those around her) and much was communicated to her with her saying much. This is something that I may not have been fully aware of though if I hadn't listened to this book as the change in accents definitely helps a characters words really stand out. Barber would also slip on accents of other characters as well, especially if there were several people in a scene with our MC, and so sometimes it was hard to tell who was speaking when. So again, I was thankful that much of the story was told through Rory's thoughts.

I also had some other issues with the book, like the pontificating bad guy who wastes many an opportunity to do the things he says he's going to do because he spends way too much time chatting. Then there were times where Johnson was just overly and unnecessarily descriptive. Like when she was describing the line of spit connecting the MC to the boy she was kissing and details of every meal she ate or what she was wearing. There was a lot of time spent on details that didn't matter and very little on ones that did. So as a reader I was kept in the dark about some important things, only some of which, were revealed by the big reveal of the end. So while I enjoyed the book I didn't love it. Will I check out the sequel? Maybe. I think it will all depend on WHAT that story is about.

Until then though I will immerse myself into UK tv shows like Whitechapel and Bedlam. Whitechapel is a new UK crime drama where the first season deals with a modern day Jack the Ripper and I was riveted to every episode and pretty much binged on all available episodes. The same went for Bedlam, which is set in an old asylum that is being converted into luxery apartments. The building is infested with ghosts of former patients who are trying to get revenge for their deaths and centers around the guy who can see them and help them cross over. Its totally spooky and addicting and I'm so happy it got a second series. I watched both of these shows via BBC America's on-demand feature and highly recommend them if you like things about ghosts and Jack the Ripper. =)

WWW Wednesdays: 08 Feb 2012

2012-02-08T07:02:00.048-05:00

WWW Wednesdays is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading asks you to answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

My answers:

What are you currently reading?

Right now I am in the middle of several books...I am have a crisis of not knowing what I want to read which always happens after I come off a really good book...so I bounce between different books until something sticks. The books that I'm currently reading are:

Cinder by Marissa Meyers. I started to read this one during my lunch break today and didn't get super far in but I got far enough in to be intrigued by this futuristic fairy tale. I love fairy tales and always curious when they get adapted so curious to see where this one will be going.

Angelfall by Susan Ee. I purchased this one after being book bullied into it by a couple of blogger friends of mine. Its still too early to form an opinion just yet but I am curious about this dystopian angel book so I'll keep reading it.

Switched by Amanda Hocking. Started this one on audio this morning in the car. No real clue as to what is going on just yet but I am liking it. I'm also getting used the narrator. She has this raspy voice that didn't really seem to match the main character at all. The voice seems a bit to old but as the book goes on its getting a little less noticeable.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.This is another audio that I started today. I started this one at work but wasn't able to listen very long as today was especially crazy and distracting. Hopefully I'll get to spend more time with this one soon.

What did you recently finish reading?

This past weekend was a great one for books filled with many fabulous reads.

Harbinger by Sarah Wilson Etienne (4 stars). I wasn't sure what to expect from Harbinger when I picked it up as I hadn't heard much about it. It was part boarding school paranormal and part dystopian and all over an odd little book. The beginning was a little confusing but once all the threads started to come together it ended up being a book that I enjoyed reading.

Social Suicide by Gemma Halliday (5 stars). I absolutely LOVED this book. This is the second YA book by Gemma Halliday and it picks up shortly after Deadly Cool ends. Hartley is once again investigating a class mates murder and getting into snarky shenanigans with her BFF Sam and her bad boy crush Chase. The mystery was a little weaker in this book than in the first one but it was filled with lots of fun moments and left me dying for another book in this series. This is perfect for those who love a good mystery like Clarity by Kim Harrington and Veronica Mars. (Catch my Tuesday Teaser which featured Social Suicide this week)

Timepiece by Myra McEntire (5 stars). This book killed me. KILLED me. As with Hourglass I was willing more words to appear at the end of this one...only much more strongly because OMG that ending! That build up! Gah! Kaleb as a narrator. Wow. Timepiece is a knife in the heart good and if you liked Hourglass you are going to beyond love Timepiece. Coherent speech does not come easily when trying to describe this one.

The Concubine by Jade Lee (3 stars). I picked this one up as it was short and quick and I needed something so totally different from Timepiece in order to try to regain some equilibrium. I liked how this book was set in 19th century China and wasn't your typical romance which is set in regency England or the old west. However, the language of this one bordered on the ridiculous sometimes and had me laughing out loud...in scenes that weren't meant to be funny.

What do you plan to read next?

How to Save a LIfe by Sara Zarr. This is on my List of Twelve project and has been on my TBR list for a while.

Dead to You by Lisa McMann. I am in a mystery mood so hope that it lives up.

Partials by Dan Wells. Its a dystopian...and I like those...but the market is flooded with them...so hopefully it lives up to what I've heard about it.

Teaser Tuesdays: 07 Feb 2012

2012-02-07T07:11:00.001-05:00

Its been a long time since I participated in this meme but thought that I might try participating in it again as I always enjoy what other people have put up.

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading asks you to:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My sentences are:

"The first thing I did was run. Okay, actually the first thing I did was scream, lose my balance, flail my arms in the air like some kind of uncoordinated bird, then slide down the side of the tree and land on my butt.

Then I ran. "

~ pg 31 of Social Suicide by Gemma Halliday

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley (repost)

2012-02-06T07:29:00.001-05:00

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Source: Netgalley

Publication Date: 14 Feb 2012

Series or Standalone: Standalone

ISBN: 0375869530

Format: ebook

Pages: 272

Websites:

Cath Crowley - Official Site

Cath Crowley - Blog

Cath Crowley - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Australia

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

First Paragraph: I pedal fast. Down Rose Drive, where houses swim in pools of orange streetlight. Where people sit on verandas, hoping to catch a breeze. Let me make it in time. Please let me make it in time.

I first became aware of Cath Crowley's writing not long ago when I read A Little Wanting Song which was highly recommended by a friend. I was entranced by that book and was so excited when I saw Graffiti Moon up on Netgalley and I started reading it once I received approval. The story starts just after Lucy and her best friend Jazz graduate from school and they decide to have a night out on the town. They run into Ed and Leo and the foursome then decide to look for these two graffiti artists known only as Shadow and Poet - as Lucy is dying to meet Shadow.

What follows is a fun, fast-paced story that journey's through out the town in a story that is told from the POVs of many of the characters. Though the primary story tellers are Lucy and Ed. Lucy is that every girl sort of character and its easy to relate to her. She is young and hopeful and is just starting out and filled with so many dreams. In many ways she reminds me of myself right before college and work and the world started to weigh upon me. Then there is Ed...he's a loner and a thinker and yes just a little bit troubled and trying to find his way.

Once I started this book I just couldn't put it down. I was sucked into the story and the trip that Lucy, Jazz, Ed and Leo embarked on. This book was like a mini-road trip book - there is lots of travel around town and there is lots of internal growth in the characters as well. It seems like an impossible thing to have character learn so much about themselves in one night and maybe in the real world it would be. But Cath Crowley has a way of taking this concept and making it so real and believable. She has a way with words that really brings out the emotions that each character is feeling and to also bring out a similar response in the reader.

If you love a good contemporary then be sure to check out Graffiti Moon. Its such an amazing and heart felt story that I still find myself thinking about it long after I turned the final page. Graffiti Moon also cemented me as a total fan girl for life of Cath Crowley. She has a gift of the written word and I am eagerly anticipating her next book.

**This review was originally posted on 01 December 2011 here and I'm reposting it now to highlight its upcoming US release.**

Saturday Snapshot: 04 February 2012

2012-02-04T13:02:00.000-05:00

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. It’s easy to participate – just post a picture that was taken by you, a friend, or a family member and add your link on Alyce’s site.

One thing I like about my apartment is my view. I live on the second floor and my balcony faces into the woods. Making it a wonderful retreat when its nice out to read and just suck up nature. Its a little too chilly to sit and read outside today, being 40 deg F and all, but the view is still nice to look at with the blinds open.

In contrast, this is what my view last February was like:

Oh what a difference a year makes.

Top 12 List: January 2012

2012-02-03T19:59:00.002-05:00

Its hard to believe that 2011 is over and we're already into February of 2012! Where does the time go? I think I might have to take my nose out of a book more in hopes that maybe time won't pass by so quickly! But then I might miss some fabulous reads....oh the dilemmas! lol

Speaking of good books...lets get on to the Top 12 List contenders of January 2012. Last month I read 10 books...which is above my average of 9. Ok...so just one about...but really. Above is above! lol Of those ten books though most were just average reads and only 2 earned a five star rating. Those were:

Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey (click for my review)

and

A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare (Review closer to its release date)

Both of these books really held my attention and at times even had me laughing out loud. Both also made my heart ache a little when some of the romance aspects didn't go as I wanted thanks to the evilness that is in an authors nature. And both books left me in serious want for the next installment in their series. But one, had some moments that would take me out of the story with some scenes that, for me, just didn't really do much for the current plot. So with that one minor flaw...the door becomes open for my Top 12 Pick for January 2012:

Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey (click for my review)

Do with it what you will people...and don't be surprised if I bully some of you to read this one. Its more than worth the time it takes to read it.

Other books read this month:

4 Star Reads
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima (Audio)
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows (ARC)
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Audio)

3 Star Reads
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (ARC)
Book Without Words by Avi (ebook)
The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson (ebook)
Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles (Audio)

2 Star Reads
Wizards First Rule by Terry Goodkind (Audio) - 2.5 stars

DNF Reads - maybe I'll try these again at some point, but for now they don't resonate with me
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Looking for Alaska by John Green

What about you? What books did you read and enjoy this month? Let me know in the comments below.

Waterfall by Lisa T Bergren

2012-01-29T13:56:00.001-05:00

Publisher: David C Cook

Source: Purchased

Publication Date: 01 February 2011

Series or Standalone: Series

ISBN: 1434764338

Format: paperback

Pages: 369

Websites:

Lisa T Bergren - Official Site

Lisa T Bergren- Blog

Lisa T Bergren - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Siena, Italy // Tuscany, Italy (1342, Present Day)

Rating: 5 out of 5 star

River of Time Series Order

Book 1: Waterfall

Book 2: Cascade

Book 3: Torrent

Book 3.5: Bourne (~February 2012)

Book 4: Tribitary (~2012)

First Line: We paused on our hike, panting and wiping our upper lips as our guide-the old Italian farmer who owned this land-chopped down a small spaling, clearing the overgrown trail.

I first heard about Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren from Deborah over at Books, Movies and Chinese Food who never failed to mention it when I was looking for book recommendations. Eventually she wore me down with her glowing recommendation of this series that I just had to buy it...and I was glad that I did. Because once I started I became lost in this story and found myself buying the second and third books before I was even half way done.

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren contains within some of my favorite things in a book there is a little mystery, a little romance, dual time periods (although this one is mostly set in the 14th century), and its set in the middle ages. I adore the middle ages. I'm not sure what it is about that time period but I just have an odd fascination with it and so loved the history and pageantry found in this book. I also really liked the main characters of Gabby, Marcello and Luca. Though there were times when each would annoy me....mostly Gabby but they were minor quirks and ones easily overlooked.

I loved how all the characters interacted and how Bergren was able to weave in the intricate histories of the books setting without coming across as dry and boring. The added in bits of history did nothing to distract from the story and only added to the richness of it. The only thing that really bugged me was how easy it was for Gabby and her sister to talk in 14th century Italian and to learn the various social morays of the time. It just seemed too quick and unrealistic for two modern day girls who didn't share there parents passion for history.

Minor annoyances aside I really enjoyed this novel. I loved meeting all the various characters and seeing how they interacted. There were some relationships that developed that were predicable but again that didn't deflect from the story. Its not always about how a book will end but the journey the characters take in getting there. And Waterfall was filled with a wonderful journey and I am sorry that it took me so long to get to it. Waterfall is a beautiful story and I can't wait until I am able to get to reading the other books in this series to see what happens next. If you are looking for a fun book to take you out of reality for a couple of hours then look no further and give Waterfall a try. I think that it might surprise you.

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima (Audio)

2012-01-23T08:57:00.029-05:00

Publisher: Recorded Books (Audio); Hyperion Books for Children (Print)

Source: Purchased

Publication Date: 08 March 2010 (Audio); 19 Nov 2009 (Print)
Series or Standalone: Series

ISBN: B003BGEGWI (Audio), 1423118235 (Hardcover)

Format: Audio

Audio Length: ? discs (~15 hrs)

Narrator: Carol Monda

Websites:

Cinda Williams Chima - Official Site

Cinda Williams Chima - Blog

Cinda Williams Chima - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Queendom of the Fells // Marisa Pines // Fellsmarch

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Seven Realms Series Order

Book 1: The Demon King

Book 2: The Exiled Queen

Book 3: The Grey Wolf Throne

Book 4: The Crimson Crown (2012)

First Line: Han Alister squatted next to the steaming mud spring, praying that the thermal crust would hold his weight.

A few years back I attended my first Book Expo America and while there I picked up a book with a beautiful cover and intriguing title and when I saw that it was Fantasy I kinda fell in love. Then when I entered it into Goodreads I learned that it was Book 2 in a new series from Cinda Williams Chima. I then let out a little sigh and put it on my shelf and eventually remembered to buy the first book so that I could finally get to it. Since I've recently been on a bit of a fantasy kick I decided to revisit this series with the pretty covers and intriguing titles but couldn't find my copy of The Demon King anywhere....so I did what anyone would do...I went to the internet and downloaded the audio from my precious audible.com account. Because having a duplicate copy of a book in a different format is way different than having a duplicate in the same format...right? Or am I just a crazy book addict? Well, that's a discussion for another day...this is about a wonderful new world that I wish I'd discovered earlier.

In many ways, The Demon King is like most other fantasy books out there. Fantasy, like most genres, does have a particular formula about it. There is that special boy that no one really considers to be special until something extraordinary happens to catapult him into the spotlight. Then there is the dastardly villain and somewhere in the mix there is the token girl - sometimes she's a strong alpha character and others she's the princess in a tower waiting for rescue. In other ways, The Demon King breaks the mold in that the hero and heroine of the story don't really interact all that much. They aren't childhood friends and they aren't traveling companions....in fact they don't really like each other much when they first meet.

For the most part, I really enjoyed the world that Chima created with the Fells. I liked her villains and am curious to see where events will go after the set up in this first book. I am curious to see how the paths of all the characters we've come to know if this book will cross in the next one. And yes, the romantic in me is curious to see which boy Reisa will set her sights on because she has several options and she's not scared to explore them all to find that right person for her. Oh I have an inkling as to who she'll ultimately choose but I just love all the possibilities that Chima has set up.

What bugged me in this story was that there was a solid dual-POV perspective of story telling set up. There where scenes/chapters loosely divide up between Han and Reisa and while they weren't regularly divided it worked for the pacing of the story. Then about 1/2 way through the book we're tossed randomly into the head of a third character for no reason other than it made moving the plot along just a little easier and to me it came across as a bit of a cop out. Rather than try to find a way to use the two characters we'd come to know to get over a difficult patch we get this whole new person and it jolted me out of the story. I like the character of Eamon as a secondary character and seeing inside his head wasn't a horrible thing...but I just wish that this POV had been established from the start to keep the flow and consistency going from the start of the book all the way until the final chapter.

I fell in love with this world. I think listening to this one helped to really bring the world of Fellsmarch to life as the words in an audio seem to be infused with new meanings and power. When someone reads a story to you, you are forced to slow down and really listen to the words. When you read a physical book you can speed over the words in that mad rush to find out what happens. But in an audio you are at the mercy of the narrator and while it can be frustrating sometimes to not be able to rush through. There is also a joy to be had in being forced to slow down and really become immersed in the world. The world in The Demon King is very rich and vivid and its one that I would highly recommend to be experienced in its audio form.

Whatever the form you prefer though this is a great book for anyone out there who loves a good fantasy. Yes, it does follow the formula but rather than be a stale retelling of some other story it takes the foundations set up and builds a strong story that is independent of its roots. The characters are all wonderful in their roles and I look forward to meeting them all again in The Exiled Queen. They are strong and weak and flawed and just so very human and relatable. The world is vividly constructed and while you are in the story you believe that it is real. And really, as a reader, isn't that what you long for in a book?

About the narrator
Carol Monda is a new narrator for me but she is one that enjoyed listening to. She was good with all the various voices, most of the time, and it was never hard to tell who was speaking when. Although there were times in which the same voice was used for different people but fortunately it was never in the same scene so confusion was avoided. I enjoyed her narration so much that I am considering ignoring the print copy that I have of The Exiled Queen just to download and listen to her rendition of that book as well. To see how she brings that book to life....the only thing that is currently stopping me is how quickly my audio TBR pile is growing! I really need to take a really long road trip with someone who also like audios so that I can make a bigger dent in my pile!

The Book Without Words by Avi

2012-01-18T07:23:00.000-05:00

Publisher: Hyperion

Source: Library

Publication Date: 01 Sept 2006

Series or Standalone: Standalone

ISBN: 0786816597

Format: ebook

Pages: 240

Websites:

Avi - Official Site

Avi - Blog

Avi - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Fulworth, England // Northumbria (1046)

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

First Line: It was in the year 1046, on a cold winter's night, when a fog, thick as wool and dank as a dead man's hand, crept up from the River Scrogg into the ancient town of Fulworth.

While browsing my libary's online catalog I was drawn to the cover and title of this book. I wasn't sure what to expect from it but what I got was a mediocre story. It was a short, quick read but other than that there wasn't all that much substance to the book. The story and the characters just all fell flat for me.

Because there just wasn't much too this book writing a review of it is kind of difficult. None of the characters or the plot were very memorable and I think I only managed to finish it because it was so very short. I've read other books by Avi in the past and I had enjoyed them but this one, not so much.

I don't know. I think I'll just keep this one short and say it was just meh for me and not something that I can really recommend. Your time can be better spent on something else.

The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson

2012-01-17T07:41:00.003-05:00

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Source: Library

Publication Date: 04 May 2006

Series or Standalone: Series

ISBN: 0670060089

Format: ebook

Pages: 288

Websites:

Alane Ferguson - Official Site

Alane Ferguson - Blog

Alane Ferguson - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Silverton, Colorado // Durango, Colorado

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Forensics Mystery Series Order

Book 1: The Christopher Killer

Book 2: The Angel of Death
Book 3: The Circle of Blood

Book 4: The Dying Breath

First Line: "Yes, I can be there in half an hour. Any idea of when he died?" Cameryn's father murmured into the telephone.

If you spend any amount of time with me then you soon learn that I love a good mystery. If its in a book, movie or the latest crime drama on tv then you can be sure that I'll be interested in it. So when looking through my libraries online catalog, The Christopher Killer's description really caught my eye.

The story started out good enough but then somewhere around the middle it sort of fizzled out. There were spelling errors in the text that just kept distracting me from the story. If this was an ARC I could overlook them, but this was a finished book so they are harder to ignore. The language of the story was also very old fashioned and came across as much older than a teen voice. It was also very repetitive sometimes saying the same thing in two consecutive sentences. Take this sentence as an example "Yes. I work with my father as his assistant. I'm assistant to the coroner." This was at the end of the book and it seemed that every time the main character met anyone she mentioned that she was the assistant to the coroner.

The phrasings throughout the novel were just always so stiff and awkward and often characters would know things that weren't disclosed to them. Which also distracted from the story. I also found it hard to believe that a seventeen year old seemed to be the only one who was able to make the necessary connections that broke the case. I also didn't like that often once a character was introduced they were rarely seen again in the book. This was most notably seen with Cammie's dad and her best friend Lyric. The only character that was consistently seen throughout the book was Cammie's love interest, Dectective Justin Crowley.

I initially really liked the tension between Cammie and Justin but as with the rest of the story things just sort of fizzled out in the middle and his whole purpose in the book changed. It became this left filed sort of plot point that often lead to me rolling my eyes. There big mystery reveal as well as the family mystery also had me rolling my eyes as well.

The Christopher Killer started out with such promise and then it turned mediocre. I really wished that the build up in the beginning was able to last throughout the novel. That Cammie and Justin could have had the chemistry similar to Meg and John After in Jennifer Echol's Going Too Far. But maybe that chemistry will build over the course of this series. I was disappointed in this book and I am not entirely sure that I will continue on with this series. I think it will all depend on whether or not my library has them available or not.

Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

2012-01-16T13:09:00.001-05:00

Publisher: Flux

Source: BEA

Publication Date: 08 Sept 2011

Series or Standalone: Series

ISBN: 0738725951

Format: Paperback (ARC)

Pages: 332

Websites:

Scott Tracey - Official Site

Scott Tracey - Blog

Scott Tracey - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Montana // Belle Dam, Washington

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Witch Eyes Series Order

Book 1: Witch Eyes

Book 2: Demon Eyes (Fall 2012)
Book 3: Phantom Eyes (Fall 2013)

First Line: Binding circles were bad news, my uncle said.

From the first moment I heard about Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey I knew it was a book I had to read. It was one of my favorite genres, fantasy, contained a mystery and then had a GBLT character as the main protagonist. Witch Eyes was filled with many ups and downs and a few twists and turns and ended in a satisfying story that left me wanting more. And, I must admit, it also left me a bit made at Tracey for how certain events played out. Along with the dread that there are still two more books remaining in the series so plenty of words remain for him to torture both his characters and his readers alike.

The mystery in the book wasn't anything super complex or difficult to figure out for an anyone experienced with reading mysteries but it wasn't so obvious that you knew all there was to know right from the start. I also really enjoyed all the characters and how they interacted with each other. There was humor and there was heart ache and I look forward to seeing how they all deepen and grow over the course of the series. I enjoyed the world and mythology that Tracey set up for his town of Belle Dam. There were lots of seeds planted in this first book and I am curious to see how they will grow.

There is just so much to love in this book and I hated for it to end. I just wanted to stay in this world longer. Because then maybe there wouldn't have been as much heartbreak...ok who am I kidding...there probably would have been more if the story was longer. Because for some unknown reason authors just love to torture their readers. There should be a law against that. But then again, its that torture that keeps us coming back for more. That desire and hope that maybe in this next book events will be different and everything will be all sunshine and roses. And yes I know that I am living in a dream world with that one but isn't that part of what makes up hope?

If you like a good fantasy novel....one filled with magic and mystery...along with a little snark mixed in...then you really need to pick up Witch Eyes. Scott Tracey has built a wonderful world and I think that I will be a long time fan of his writing. The characters are all so very real. They are flawed and make mistakes and its in those flaws and mistakes that you can find pieces of yourself that make it easy to relate to them. Witch Eyes also contains involved family members...which is so rare in YA books these days. For me this is a must read and bound to be on my favorites list for a long time to come. So if you haven't read it yet then you are really missing out and should bump it up your to be read list. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

2012-01-15T09:36:00.003-05:00

Publisher: Harper Teen

Source: Publisher

Publication Date: 04 Jan 2011

Series or Standalone: Series

ISBN: 0061996165

Format: Paperback (ARC)

Pages: 435

Websites:

Cynthia Hand - Official Site

Cynthia Hand - Blog

Cynthia Hand - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Mountain View, California //Jackson Hole, Wyoming // Jackson, Wyoming // Idaho Falls, Idaho // Teton, Wyoming // Palisades Reservoir, Idaho

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Unearthly Series Order

Book 1: Unearthly

Book 2: Hallowed (17 Jan 2012)
Book 3: Untitled (~Jan 2013)

First Line: In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees.

I am always wary of books that are over-hyped for all to often I'll pick up a book that everyone seems to be raving about only to find that I don't care much for it. This was the case of Unearthly by Cynthia Hand....the over-hyped part not the not caring for it. Because I did like Unearthly but I didn't love it as much as other people seem to have. For me, Clara wasn't the most likeable of characters and I really didn't like how she was obsessed with Christian. I get that teens do become obsessive sometimes with the boys around them but for most of the book Christian had a girlfriend and so I didn't care for that.

I did enjoy the angel lore in the book as it was different form anything I had read before. But it was just awfully convenient that so many angels just happened to be in the same small town in the middle of small town America. That had me rolling my eyes and getting a little exasperated. There were also several other cliches that happen throughout the book that also had me rolling my eyes and as a result I didn't totally love the story. I thought that there was a lot of excess of set up as well and the beginning dragged a bit for me but it wasn't so slow that I got frustrated and stopped reading. I also thought that once events started to unfold that many of the secondary characters were underutilized and often forgotten.

Unearthly also contained a love triangle and I am not a fan of those. The parts that I enjoyed most where in the middle of the book when Clara forgot about Christian (who was conveniently away for the summer) and spent time with Tucker. It was during those scenes in which I felt we got to know the real character and it was then that I actually liked her. I was glad that at the same time her friend Angela was also out of town but I missed Wendy. Angela was often abrasive and got on my nerves and Wendy was often underused as a character. I do hope that we get to see more of Wendy in Book 2 and get a little less of Christian and Angela. I also hope to see more of Jeffrey, Clara's younger brother, who was barely mentioned in this book though there was lots of set up for a future storyline involving his character.

I wasn't overly thrilled with this book but I felt like it has potential and so am curious to see where things go in the next book in this series.

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan (Audio)

2012-01-14T16:35:00.000-05:00

Publisher: HighBridge Audio (Audio); Algonquin Books (Print)

Source: Publisher

Publication Date: 04 Oct 2011 (Audio); 04 Oct 2011 (Print)
Series or Standalone: Standalone

ISBN: 1611745705 (Audio), 1565126297 (Hardcover)

Format: Audio

Audio Length: 9 discs (~10.5 hrs)

Narrator: Heather Corrigan

Websites:

Hillary Jordan - Official Site

Hillary Jordan - Blog

Hillary Jordan - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Plano, Texas // Columbus, Louisiana // Washington, DC // Canada

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

First Line: When she woke, she was red.

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan is a modern adaptation of The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne which is a book that I've tried to read but just never seem to have made it very far. What I like about When She Woke is that it takes all the themes of the Scarlet Letter and puts them into a context and language that is more easily accessible to those who don't feel like dealing with Hawthorne's prose. I also liked the futuristic and dystopian setting of the world that Jordan created. It was a realistic and often scary look at where we as a people can end up if we follow certain paths.

The story is told from Hannah's point of view as she is released from the Chrom ward into the world as a red Chrome. Red dye of a sort is injected into her to let the world know that she was convicted of murder but she isn't violent and so is free to roam the world instead of being incarcerated in super over populated prisons. Hannah's crime was abortion and in not naming the father of her baby, who was a prominent married man in society, and in a world where a virus made fertility tough abortion is a capital offense. I enjoyed Hannah's look at the world and in learning the back story of how her world came to be through flash backs and memories.

Although there were times in which I thought Hannah was a little too naive but I could accept that as she was raised in a very conservative religious household. There was also one scene about mid-way through the book that I felt was very contrived and very unrealistic based on Hannah's upbringing. It just came out of no where and felt very awkwardly done. I felt the story would have been better off without it as it was just so contrary to the character of Hannah. And because of that I was thrown out of the story and it took a bit to get back into it. Other than that, I did like Hannah's growth throughout the novel. She does start out very naive but through the people she meets she does grow as a person into a strong character.

I also really enjoyed the narrator of this book. Corrigan did a great job with all the voices and dialects and read a steady and consistent pace. She really helped to bring the character of Hannah to life and I think that it really added to my enjoyment of this book. I am not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I had just read the physical version of it. I will definitely be on the look out for this narrator in the future.

All in all I enjoyed When She Woke, it wasn't a perfect novel and I did have some issues with the plotting but mostly it was easy to get lost in this story. Its one that really makes you think and it felt very real. The scenarios that resulted in the world Hannah grew up in could potentially happen if world events play out in a certain way. Which is a scary thought to think about. But we need to think about where our actions as a society today could lead so that we prevent such things from happening. If you enjoyed Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale then you will probably enjoy When She Woke as well.

Book Trailer: Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

2012-01-12T20:04:00.000-05:00

Greetings and Salutations Dearest Readers

Today I am happy to share with you a book trailer for Sara Wilson Etienne's debut novel Harbinger which will be released on 02 February 2012 from Putnam. I was really excited to read this book before but the trailer makes me want to read it right now. Luckily I put it on my first List of Twelve so I should be getting to it soon. =) After watching the trailer you should head over to Holbrook Academy's website to learn more about the school where the book is set.

About the book:

Set in a world in which a diminishing oil supply has lead to chaos and mass rioting, sixteen year old Faye is plagued by waking visions and nightmares. Her parents think the only solution is to send her to Holbrook Academy , the creepy prison-like school for disturbed teenagers. When she and her friends wake up on the floor with their hands stained red, Faye has no idea what it means, but fears she may be the cause. But despite the strangeness of Holbrook and the island on which it sits, Faye feels oddly connected to the place. The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain he is trying to kill her –and the rest of the world too.

Top Characters of 2011

2012-01-08T18:44:00.001-05:00

I read a lot of great books in 2011...and with them came some great characters here is a list of them in order of "meeting"

The Girls

1. Lexie from The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
2. Payton Gritas from Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt
3. Jac from Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt
4. Juliana Fiori from Eleven Scandals by Sarah MacLean
5. Ai Ling from Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
6. Aristanae "Ari" Selkirk from Darkness Becomes Her by
7. Emerson Cole from Hourglass by Myra McEntire
8. Gwen Shephard from Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
9. Mae Crawford from Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
10. Billi SanGreal from Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
11. Tris from Divergent by Veronica Roth
12. Eona from Eon by Allison Goodman
13. Amy Curry from Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
14. Gabriella Betarrini from Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren
15. Caitlin Stark from A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
16. Arya Stark from A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
17. Chelsea Glaser from Past Perfect by Leila Sales
18. Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor
19. Lucy from Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
20. Harper Scott from Saving June by Hannah Harrington
21. Laney from Saving June by Hannah Harrington
22. Carly Lee from Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagan
23. Zeraphina from Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart
24. Lady Penelope Marbury from A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
25. Hadley Sullivan from The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
26. Hartley Featherstone from Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday
27. Samantha "Sam" Kramer from Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

The Boys

1. Cole from The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
2. Sean Griswold from Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt
3. Simon Pearson from Eleven Scandals by Sarah MacLean
4. Chen Yong from Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
5. Michael Weaver from Hourglass by Myra McEntire
6. Kaleb Ballard from Hourglass by Myra McEntire
7. Atticus O'Sullivan from Hounded by Kevin Hearne
8. Alan Ryves from Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
9. Nick Ryves from Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
10. Cricket Bell from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
11. Hale from Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
12. Kay from Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
13. Four from Divergent by Veronica Roth
14. Toby from When it Happens by Susanne Colassanti
15. Roger Sullivan from Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
16. Marcello Forelli from Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren
17. Luca Forelli from Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren
18. Dave Robbie from A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowly
19. Jon Snow from A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
20. Akiva from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor
21. Ed from Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
22. Jacob "Jake" Tolan from Saving June by Hannah Harrington
23. Ryan from Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagan
24. Rodden Lothskorn from Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart
25. Michael Lawler, Marquess of Bourne from A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
26. Oliver from The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
27. Chase Erikson from Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

List of Twelve (1)

2012-01-08T15:03:00.008-05:00

Back in November Galleysmith introduced a new feature on her blog called the List of Ten which she learned of from her friend Andi. And its something that I have been thinking about ever since. I am a virgo and I love lists, but I've never really seemed to be very good at book lists. But with the new year upon us and with my goal to try and read 125 books this year I thought that I might test out her list of ten to see if organizing my upcoming reads helps me get through books a little faster. Since I have my Top 12 list of favorite reads, I thought that instead of a List of Ten I would do a List of Twelve.

So here is my current list:

Audio: The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

New Release*: Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

Library Book^: Book Without Words by Avi

Ebook: A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare

Series: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

ARC: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Backlist**: Looking for Alaska by John Green
ARC: Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Series: Cinder by Marissa Meyers

Library Book^: The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguso n

New Release*: How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

Backlist**: The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King

*A new release will be any books that are less than a year old

**Backlist titles will be any book older than a year

^Library books may be pushed up out of order depending on due dates.

Hopefully with this list I will get through some of my personal goals such as read more classics, make more use of my library and read more of the books that I have purchased over the years. I may also change out the library category if I don't have any library books out at the time. I'm not sure how long this will last, but nothing ventured, nothing gained...right?

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

2012-01-03T08:26:00.008-05:00

Publisher: Egmont USA

Source: Purchased

Publication Date: 25 Jan 2011

Series or Standalone: Standalone

ISBN: 1606840797

Format: ebook

Pages: 323

Websites:

Eilis O'Neal - Official Site

Eilis O'Neal - Blog

Eilis O'Neal - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: The Kingdom of Thorvaldor - Viviskari // The Village of Treb // Isidros

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

First Line: The day they came to tell me, I was in one of the gardens with Kiernan, trying to decipher a three-hundred-year-old map of the palace grounds.

I love a good fantasy and I also love books with that historical/fairy tale feel and The False Princess is a book that fits into both of those categories. I've had my eye on this book ever since I first heard about it and so when I was looking for something to read around Christmas I decided to download this one to my nook. (Trying my best to ignore the stack of unread books that resides on my nightstand as I did.)

The story itself isn't terribly complex, Sinda was raised to be Queen but found out shortly after she turned 16 that she wasn't really the Princess after all and she was then gently escorted out of the palace with out much protest. I found Sinda's early passivity and acceptance of events to be a bit of a let down. I like my heroines to have spunk and fire and here she was just moving on with her life with barely a shrug or how do you do. And there were times when I thought about tossing the book aside and calling it a day. But something kept me reading.

Despite the milksop that the heroine first seemed to be the writing really attracted me and I enjoyed learning about the world of Thorvaldor. As I read, Sinda started to come into her own as she discovers more about herself as she goes through various trials. She learns that she is more than just a false princess and that while she may not be destined to rule a kingdom she might just hold the key in saving it.

There is a little bit of a mystery contained in The False Princess and while its not difficult to figure out it was still enjoyable to see how O'Neal wove all the various threads together. I enjoyed getting to know the various side characters that Sinda met, especially her boyhood friend, Kiernan. The world that O'Neal created is nicely fleshed out so that as reader I was able to visualize it inside my head. The False Princess is a good story for anyone who enjoys a good fantasy novel. It has its flaws but they are the kind that you find you can ignore and allow yourself to be whisked away to another place. In the end, I enjoyed escaping into this book and am looking forward to seeing what Eilis O'Neal comes up with next.