Annette's Book Spot

Friday, December 13, 2013

Feature & Follow Friday: A Random Book

This week's challenge from Parajunkee & Alison:

Bookselling Time: Go to your biggest bookcases. Go to the second shelf from the top and pick out the sixth book from the left. Handsell that book to us - even if you haven’t read it or if you hated it. (if you don’t have bookcases, done have six books on one shelf, etc, pick a book at random)

I decided to look on my Kindle in my "to read someday" folder, and I picked the sixth book on the list.

Sweet Evil, by Wendy Higgins

First of all, I LOVE this cover. I mean, what's not to love. I WANT that dress. (Even though I have no place to wear it.) It's apparently an angel book. Although it sounds different, because the main character is the daughter of a fallen angel -- which means she's supposed to be evil. But she's nice! So there's an inner turmoil, and of course a guy who is a bad influence.

It sounds like the kind of story I would really like, and hopefully picking this one for this Feature & Follow post will encourage me to read it!! Although, I have 43 books in my Kindle TBR (that does not include review books.) So many books, so little time!

Here are some reviews of Sweet Evil from some bloggers who have actually read the book:

Winter Haven Books

Katie's Book Blog
The Book Monsters

If you've reviewed Sweet Evil, please feel free to leave a link in the comments. Thanks!

I hope you enjoyed your visit and will come back soon! Have a great weekend.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Book Review: Speaking From Among the Bones, by Alan Bradley

I just had to catch up with the Flavia de Luce series before the new one comes out in January. Speaking From Among the Bones is just as delightful as the previous books.

Flavia, who I believe will soon be 12 years old, finds yet another body in an old crypt at St. Tankred. The organist, who disappeared a while ago, is laying on top of the crypt that holds the bones of Saint Tancred! How did he get there?

Flavia doesn't even work much on the supposed murder. She's off on several tangents, discovering hidden tunnels and worrying about bats in the church and a young man kept captive in his own home. But of course it all comes together famously, and Flavia is the (usual) hero.

Finances haven't improved, and Buckshaw, their old mansion, has finally been put up for sale. Of course Flavia and her sisters are devastated, not knowing what will become of them. Feely seems to be engaged! But, to whom? Flavia's usual descriptions of various chemical reactions, especially the poisonous ones, are as entertaining as usual. The sisters, although still mostly at each other's throats, have some "moments" in Speaking From Among the Bones.

It isn't necessary to read these books in order, although previous cases are referred to. But, Speaking From Among the Bones does set up the next story with its shocking ending. So, I would recommend ALL of the series, because I love them all, but for sure read Speaking From Among the Bones before the next book (January 14), The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches. I CAN'T WAIT!!

Published by Delacorte, January 29, 2013
Copy obtained from the library
375 pages

Rating: 5/5

Monday, December 9, 2013

Book Review: Perfect Ruin, by Lauren DeStefano @LaurenDeStefano

Basically, Perfect Ruin is a dystopian -- the government is all-powerful, people have lost many freedoms, everyone thinks all these rules are for their own good, etc. But, the setting makes Perfect Ruin shine. We are on an island in the air, people!

It isn't really clear how or why this hunk of earth ended up in the sky. It's called Internment, and it's big enough to have a park, industry, agriculture, schools, and shops. People are in each other's business because there's no spreading out. There are shuttle tracks that run around the edge of the island, and no one is allowed on the other side of the tracks. At the edge, there are horrible winds. But some people can't stand not knowing what is on the ground under them -- with all that space -- and they attempt to jump. Like Morgan's brother did. He survived, but he'll never be the same.

That doesn't keep Morgan from wondering about the edge. She thinks there's something wrong with herself because she can't stop thinking about what's on the ground. Infants are betrothed at birth, or before. The government restricts births; they must keep the population from growing. Morgan has an interesting betrothed, Basil, and best friend, Pen. But she's afraid for them to find out that she's obsessed with the ground. All of the characters are well-developed and we really get to know them.

A murder on Internment and then a fire changes everything. Suddenly Morgan is frightened -- she doesn't feel safe. Even when her own father is a patrolman whose job it is to keep everyone safe. Society's beliefs are strange -- but the politics and this unique world make these ideas believable. Turns out that there are a lot of things on Internment that Morgan is unaware of. But she's going to find out.

It's easy to become absorbed in this world. The characters are unique, and their differing philosophies make for interesting discussions. They all have secrets, and of course many of these secrets are going to come out.

I didn't get much tension from the ending. I always felt that everything was going to be OK. But, Perfect Ruin ends on a pretty big cliffhanger, and I will be highly anticipating the next book in the Internment Chronicles series (something like October of 2014!!).

Published by Simon & Schuster BFYR, October 1, 2013
eBook purchased
368 pages

Rating: 4/5

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Stacking the Shelves -- Edelweiss Love

Time to talk about the new books we've grabbed this week. Edelweiss had a plethora of YA books that I am interested in. I could have requested a lot more, but I tried to hold back so I can be sure and have time to read them.

For Review:

After the End, by Amy Plum from Edelweiss

The Murder Complex, by Lindsay Cummings from Edelweiss

Guy in Real Life, by Steve Brezenoff from Edelweiss

The Scar Boys, by Len Vlahos, from Netgalley

From the Library:

Speaking From Among the Bones, by Alan Bradley

I have to finish this one, so I'm ready for the new one in January!

What did YOU get this week? Anything I should put on my list? I'm sure there is. Leave me a link. Make sure you visit Team Tynga's Reviews and see all the other participating blogs. Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Feature & Follow Friday: New Adventures

This week's challenge from Parajunkee & Alison:

Q: Tell us at least one new or unusual thing you’ve done in 2013.

We do a lot of camping in our trailer, but usually it's a long weekend. We've taken a few longer trips but mostly stayed in this state or a close neighbor. This summer we took the trailer all the way to Colorado, then back through Texas and Oklahoma. It was quite the daring adventure for us!

Palo Duro Canyon, Texas

How about you? Did you expand your horizons in 2013? Let me know in the comments!

I hope you enjoyed your visit and will come back soon! Have a great weekend.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Book Review: Game, by Barry Lyga

No! No! No!. I'm so angry. Game ends on a HUGE cliffhanger. I Hunt Killers was not like that at all. I am so not a fan of authors who stop in the middle of the story with no resolution whatsoever. Uggghhhh!

I loved the story. I love these characters. There's no way to figure out what is going on, and you feel the frustration of the characters. Jazz ends up in New York helping the NYPD with a serial killer case -- it has nothing to do with his dad....or....does it?

Lyga gets you wrapped up in the heads of the characters. We get Billy Dent's perspective (Jazz's dad), and Connie's (the girlfriend) and Howie's (the best friend) as well as Jazz's. Lyga uses whomever's perspective works for the story.

Jazz is still hung up about whether he is destined to kill someone; his dad's lessons from long ago keep popping into his head. G. William (the sheriff) doesn't have a big enough part in Game -- I really like his character.

Connie and Jazz's relationship is getting stronger, but with this seriousness comes much apprehension on Jazz's part. His upbringing haunts him constantly. Connie is on her own adventure. She's getting texted clues, and she's determined to figure out the sender without any help from Jazz (he's much too busy working on the serial killer case.) One problem I had with Game is that Connie almost miraculously figures out these bizarre clues. And she does it very easily and quickly. Makes the story move, though.

Oh, the ending. Nothing is resolved. Everything is up in the air, with several characters in dangerous situations. Are you kidding me? That IS NOT an ending. That is the climax of the story. We don't end books there! At least, we SHOULDN'T.

So, loved the story, loved the characters, and really felt cheated by the ending. Of course I recommend this series. Great for reluctant readers (although this second book is very long.) I can't wait for and will happily read the next installment. But I'm still mad....

Published by Little, Brown BFYR, April 16, 2013
Copy obtained from the library
520 pages

Rating: 4/5

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Book Review: These Broken Stars, by Meagan Spooner and Amie Kaufman

Even if you aren't a science fiction fan, you should consider These Broken Stars, which combines a variety of elements that will appeal to readers of multiple genres.

Tarver is playing the war hero on board the Icarus, a hyper-sonic spaceship that carries fifty thousand people. When a beautiful woman starts flirting with him, he welcomes the attention.

However, when he meets her again the next day, she very rudely brushes him off. Does he not know she's Lilac LaRoux, the daughter of the richest man in the world, and also the man who built the Icarus? Tarver is much below her status, and shouldn't even be talking to Lilac.

You may have heard These Broken Stars compared to The Titanic, and so it's no surprise that the spaceship crashes. Tarver and Lilac end up in an escape pod together and so are forced to help each other survive the bizarre planet on which they land. They appear to be alone and are certain that rescue ships will arrive within hours. But in order to be found, they must travel through harsh terrain towards the main wreckage of the ship.

They suffer many dangers and hardships, and they hate each other because of their attitudes. But of course, they are sending false signals to each other, and the reader knows that romance is inevitable. However, the development of their relationship is slow and realistic. No insta-love here.

This first part of These Broken Stars moved very slowly. I could have done without so many details. Once they get to the ship (about 50% through the book), things begin to get more interesting. They begin to make discoveries about the planet and the ship that add the necessary spark to get the plot moving.

These Broken Stars utilizes a dual narration by our two main characters (virtually the only characters in the book.) I found this to be very effective, especially in the development of the romance. It helps to know what's really going on in their heads. Also, at the end of the chapters, we get dialog from what appears to be Tarver's interrogation after his rescue. I also liked this technique. It's obvious he survived, but he's not telling the truth about what happened. Why???

The end explains some of the science involved in what's going on, and I think the authors do a good job. It's not too technical, but it gives the reader a sense of this world. Although it appears These Broken Stars is the first book in a series, it is a complete book in itself. There is closure, but I also want to know what's going to happen in future installments. The perfect way to handle a book series!

These Broken Stars is pretty "lite" sci-fi. I think you can recommend this to your romance/fantasy lovers as well. Those who enjoyed Across the Universe will most likely enjoy These Broken Stars. By the way, it's very clean and would be acceptable for younger teens.

Published by Disney-Hyperion, December 10, 2013
eBook obtained from NetGalley
384 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Audio Book Review: Necessary Lies, by Diane Chamberlain

I found Necessary Lies to be totally absorbing and also heartbreaking.

Wow. The issues in this book. Jane is newly married. It's 1960 and her husband is a doctor, and he's appalled that Jane wants to work. In his opinion, she should stay home and have babies. Jane has other ideas. She gets a job as a social worker. Her clients will be from one of the poorest counties in North Carolina, and yes some of them will be black!

Jane's husband is no support at all. As Jane muddles through trying to figure out what is right for her poor welfare clients, she has no one to turn to.

Our other narrator is Ivy, once of Jane's clients. She's 15 years old, and living as a share-cropper on a farm. She lives with her elderly grandma (a diabetic), her sister (mildly retarded), and her sister's son, two-year-old "Baby William." Baby William is also behind in his development.

We have Jane's issues because of her non-traditional desire to work, and we have Ivy's welfare family who only survive because of the generosity of the farmer. But, the biggest issue that Necessary Lies tries to address is North Carolina’s Eugenics Sterilization Program. Ivy's sister has been sterilized and she doesn't know it. Jane's mentor believes that Ivy needs to be sterilized too, and she's already started the application process.

Jane is terribly idealistic. TOO idealistic. Some of her decisions were so hasty and based on emotions alone. She could have waited and consulted other professionals before making some of the decisions that she made. She just gets deeper and deeper until she's dug herself a hole she cannot get out of. Her motives are true. She is the sweetest person, and truly believes that she must stop Ivy's sterilization at all costs. And I mean ALL costs.

The fact that the eugenics program depicted in Necessary Lies is totally real (and was legal in North Carolina until 1975!) just makes the story more riveting. There is a lot more to this story, but I think you should just experience it for yourself, so I won't babble anymore.

The dual narration works very well in Necessary Lies. The "encircling" story -- the prologue and epilogue -- is also very effective.

I would recommend Necessary Lies to readers who enjoy historical fiction and especially the social issues of the 1960s. The audio book narrator, Alison Elliott, is superb. Her voices have different nuances for the various characters but still sound totally natural. I would definitely recommend the audio version of Necessary Lies.

Published by St. Martin's Press, September 3, 2013, Macmillan Audio
Audio book obtained from the library
352 pages

Rating: 4/5

Monday, December 2, 2013

Book Review: Frostbite, by Richelle Mead

It's been quite a while since I read Vampire Academy, but I had no problem slipping back into Mead's world in Frostbite. The characters and vampire lore are so memorable that the story has stuck with me, and Mead does a good job filling in some of the blanks in an unobtrusive way.

Rose needs to take a test to complete her training to be a bodyguard for Lissa. Dimitri takes her to the Dhampir guardian who will do the testing. But when they get there, they find a massacre. Both Moroi and their guardians have been killed. The Strigoi are the culprits, but it's obvious that they must have had assistance from humans.

The Moroi and their guardians are panicked. It's Christmastime and rather than send everyone home, they decide to send them to a well-guarded Moroi ski lodge.

Rose tries to start a love triangle, but, well, I won't say any more. She still has it bad for Dimitri. She also learns things about her mom and Dmitri that change her opinions of them.

The culminating dangerous situation the guardians-in-training find themselves in is thrilling and exciting.

I don't know what else to say about Frostbite. The characters grow, we get to know more about the world, and it's a page turner. If you haven't started The Vampire Academy series, you should believe all the good stuff you've read about these books, and give it a try.

Published by RazorBill, 2008
Copy obtained from the library
327 pages

Rating: 4/5

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge! - November Update

Another month has come and gone so it's time to see how we're doing on our Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge! You can keep track of my entire year's progress here. My goal for the year is to read 25 books. I did make some progress in November. Now the big question is, am I going to make it???? I need two more books. Surely I can read two quick books in December? We'll see!

Here's what I read in November:

22. Mojo, by Tim Tharp
23. The Elite, by Kiera Cass

How about you? Have you read any books in ONE DAY? Give me some suggestions.

If you are participating, please leave a link to your post, or just list your books in the comments. Hope you are having fun with these "little gems."