Annette's Book Spot

Friday, January 3, 2014

Book Blogger New Year's Challenge -- Day 3

There just isn't time to read every book that I want to, so of course, there are many books that could be on the list of "The Books of 2013 You are Sad You Missed."

The first book that comes to mind is Champion. But I intend to remedy that situation SOON!

Some other books still on my TBR:

This is What Happy Looks Like

The Golem and the Jinni

Clockwork Princess

A Million Suns and Shades of Earth

Oh, I could go on...there are many more. I'm sure reading all of your answers will just add to my list! Leave me a link. Also, make sure you visit Parajunkee, our host, and see all the participating blogs.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Book Bloggers New Year's Challenge - Day 2

Hosted by Parajunkee!

Pros and Cons of Blogging

Pros:

1. I enjoy it

2. It helps me remember the books I've read

3. I learn about a lot of books I never would have heard of

4. I get free books before publication

Cons:

1. It takes a lot of time

2. There's always pressure to increase followers, whether I think that's important or not

3. Sometimes I don't get to read what I want when I want to

4. I have too many books on my TBR because of #3 in "Pros!"

The pros have always outweighed the cons for me. I've never had a reading or blogging slump in over 3 years. *knocks on wood* I think if the cons took over, I would quit. I hope that doesn't happen...

Book Review: Defy, by Sara B. Larson @SaraBLarson

Well, what a way to start the year! I loved Defy! Larson has created characters that I cared about in an interesting world.

Alexa has to pretend to be a boy to keep from being sent to the breeding house for girls. She and her brother, because they have become such skilled fighters, are guards to the prince. The country is at war. A sorcerer that cannot be beaten by the guards kidnaps the prince and Alex(a) and another guard are taken with them.

The magic is subtle and believable. The sorcery is slowly revealed throughout the book. There are plenty of surprises that kept my interest. I had a hard time putting Defy down! This is the kind of fantasy that I enjoy. The story is grounded in a human world; the magic is difficult and complex -- it doesn't just save the day over and over again. There aren't weird mythical creature and objects with special powers.

Alexa is tough. She has to be. And she's an amazing warrior. She's already had a difficult life when we meet her, and things don't get any easier in Defy. There's a bit of a love triangle, but it suited the story and didn't overpower the adventure. I'm not exactly happy with the way things ended romantically, but hopefully there's more to this story so things can work out the way I want them to!

I've read a few reviews that talk about how unrealistic it is for Alex(a) to be able to pull off being a male. Everything isn't explained (like, how DID she go to the bathroom?) But, she had the protection of her brother, which helped smooth the way. After that, her charade slowly fell away as expected. I found it believable enough, and the parts that weren't, I just "let it go" for the rest of this awesome story.

Damian, the prince, is multi-layered, and I enjoyed discovering new things about him as Alex(a) did. I think I enjoyed it much more than Alex(a) did. I did get annoyed with her for getting so mad at Damian for keeping secrets. He had reasons, and she just needs to grow up! I don't like when love doesn't survive because of mis-communications, so I just need these two to communicate!

I highly recommend Defy to readers who enjoyed books like Throne of Glass, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and Girl of Fire and Thorns. Sara B. Larson's website says the sequel will be published in January of 2015. It's gonna be a long wait...

Published by Scholastic, January 7, 2014
Copy obtained from NetGalley
336 pages

Rating: 4.5/5

Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge - 2103 End of Year Update!

Thanks to everyone who participated in my 2013 Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge. There were only a few of us, but that's OK. So how did you do? Let me know in the comments, or leave me a link.

If you are interested in joining me for 2014, here's a link to the challenge page. There's also a link on the sidebar of my blog.

My 2013 goal was to read 25 books, and I barely made it! I read the last three in December. Once again, I only read a few off of my original list. I just read a lot of quick books as I found them. So, the rest of my list for 2013 is on my 2014 list. Feel free to give me suggestions throughout the year!

Here's my list of books read in a day during 2013:

1. A Certain October, by Angela Johnson
2. All the Earth, Thrown to the Sky, by Joe R. Lansdale
3. 12 Things to Do Before You Crash and Burn, by James Proimos
4. The Always War, by Margaret Peterson Haddix
5. Dying to Know You, by Aidan Chambers
6. The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life, by Tara Altebrando
7. The Future of Us, by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
8. Six Years, by Harlan Coben
9. The Elephant of Surprise, by Brent Hartinger
10. Rotten, by Michael Northrop
11. Manicpixiedreamgirl, by Tom Leveen
12. Trapped, by Michael Northrop
13. Towering, by Alex Flinn
14. The Pregnancy Project, by Gabi Rodriguez
15. All I Need, by Susane Colasanti
16. Sky on Fire, by Emmy Laybourne
17. The Testing, by Joelle Charbonneau
18. The Tragedy Paper, by Elizabeth Laban
19. Never Fall Down, by Patricia McCormick
20. Changeling, by Philippa Gregory
21. Countdown, by Michelle Rowen
22. Mojo, by Tim Tharp
23. The Elite, by Kiera Cass
24. The Perfect Christmas, by Debbie Macomber
25. And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie
26. Perfect Scoundrels, by Ally Carter

Happy New Year, and thanks for visiting!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Parajunkee's Book Bloggers New Year's Challenge - Day 1

Happy New Year! I'm trying to participate in Parajunkee's New Year's Challenge. I'm not sure I'll make it every day, but I'll do my best!

Today: Your Blogger Resolutions

Nothing fancy here. I'd like to keep the reading pace that I've had for the past two years. Almost 56,000 pages and around 170 books. I don't think I can do much more than that, so I won't even go for that.

I also REALLY REALLY need to do something about my blog design. It's old, and simple, and I'm really bored with it. I have ideas about what I want, but haven't yet decided to give up the time (and money) and hassle to get it done. Maybe I'll just go for something simple that I can do myself again. I just need a change. I've never been about winning prizes or maximizing hits on my site, so that's why design is not my top priority. But it's time to DO something.

As always, and just like most people, I'd like to read and comment on more blogs every day. I'll keep working at getting better at this. Some days are better than others...

How about you? What are your Blogger Resolutions? Be sure to stop by Parajunkee's and participate!

Happy New Year! 2014!!

I hope 2014 brings you health and happiness!

May all your dreams come true...

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Book Review: Cress, by Marissa Meyer @marissa_meyer

I love The Lunar Chronicles more and more with each book. Cress keeps the overall tension going in the world, while introducing us to new characters to fall in love with.

The fairy tale that Cress is related to is Rapunzel. Cress's tower is a spaceship, and her wicked mother that keeps her there is a Lunar thaumaturge. In fact, she's the head thaumaturge, serving the Lunar Queen. Cress has been stuck on this spaceship for seven years. She's an excellent hacker and she's supposed to be locating Cinder for the Lunar Queen. But, she's sympathetic to Cinder and is trying to keep Cinder and her companions from detection.

This all blows up of course, and Cress escapes from bondage but ends up in a test of survival in the dessert with Thorne.

Meanwhile, Kai is going to marry the Lunar Queen to save the earth. But Cinder has no intention of letting that happen, so she's figuring out a way to stop the wedding and take over Luna.

All the old characters are back, and they end up together working on a complicated plan to save the Earth. It's just wonderful. I couldn't put Cress down, and even though it's over 500 pages, they just FLEW by.

I can't recommend this series enough. I love ALL the characters, even the evil ones. I love the technology, and the political aspects, and the creative plotting. It's just a fantastical story. Cress,as well as Cinder and Scarlet, is so loosely related to the original fairy tale that I hesitate to call these stories "retellings." The connections between the fairy tales and these stories are just purely entertaining.

I cannot recommend this series enough. Meyer is truly creative. I can't wait for the next book, because really, there's a lot that hasn't been resolved yet. And I'm glad, because that means we get MORE Lunar Chronicles books!

Published by Feiwel and Friends, February 4, 2014
ARC obtained from Around the World ARC Tours
550 pages

Rating: 5/5

Monday, December 30, 2013

Book Review: Independent Study, by Joelle Charbonneau @jcharbonneau

I am just as fascinated by Independent Study as I was by The Testing. Charbonneau continues to put these teens to the test in an interesting and creative dystopian world.

Our main character, Cia, is at the university and finishing up her first year by taking a test that will indicate which of the five areas will become her life's career. Cia really enjoys science, and hopes to be chosen for Mechanical Engineering. Her least favorite choice is Government. So of course she gets Government. At least she didn't fail the text, because those that do are "Redirected from the University."

Cia has become more and more disillusioned about the entire testing procedure and her university education. Even though her memory was supposed to be wiped, she is remembering more and more about The Testing, and what she remembers is horrifying. Some of her classmates were murdered, and she is afraid that "redirection" produces the same result.

Cia goes to live in the Government dorm, where she faces difficult initiation challenges with some old and new characters. She survives the challenges, but not all of her classmates do, and is assigned an internship (which is yet another challenge.) She feels those in charge of her education are trying to eliminate her, since they have given her nine classes -- she knows of no one else who has more than seven classes.

Cia figures out more and more about the realities of the government and the testing procedure, and all of it makes her want to run away. But, of course, she doesn't.

Cia is such a strong character. And although her relationship with Tomas is also tested, it appears their love is going to survive. At least for now. The new characters add a totally new aspect to the world. There are local students now in the mix that haven't gone through the testing. Cia continues to remember her father's words, "Don't trust anyone." But, to accomplish her goals of taking down the testing procedure she has to have help. Who can she trust, if anyone?

A large part of Independent Study is taken up by a frightful initiation procedure that Cia must survive in order to continue her studies. While I found the tests to be exciting, interesting, and dangerous, this part of the book really doesn't advance the plot at all. I would have rather spent more time with Cia in full-on "take out the government" mode than all that time trying to get through this hazing. This aspect does serve to help the reader get to know the new characters, though.

I'm excited to continue this series. I find it similar to The Hunger Games, of course, but not copy-cat. There are enough unique elements to The Testing that set it apart. I will excitedly recommend Independent Study to my students (as long as they have already read The Testing.)

Published by HMH BFYR, Januray 7, 2014
eBook obtained from Edelweiss
320 pages

Rating: 4.5/5

Sunday, December 29, 2013

2014 "Books You Can Read in a Day" Reading Challenge

You can grab this button for your post. If you want to link back to this post, copy the code from the button on the sidebar.

I've hosted this challenge for a couple of years, with little participation. But because I want to keep track of these books myself, I'm offering it again -- even if I'm the only participant. Feel free to participate if you are interested.

I seem to have a lot of little, short books that are being added to my TBR. And there are also some old classics that are short that I still haven't found time to read. So....I'm challenging myself. And, so of course, I'm going to offer the challenge to you too.

What can you read in a day? Well, that's kind of up to you to decide. I don't want to be too rigid about this -- it's supposed to be fun. Most of the books I've chosen are less than 200 pages. However, if it's a novel in verse, it could be longer. Any size graphic novel will probably work. And, if you don't make it in a day, don't beat yourself up. You can still count it if it takes a little longer (not, of course, if it takes several days, though.)

Rules:

You don't need a blog to participate. But you probably need a Goodreads, Shelfari, or LibraryThing account. Someplace you keep track.

Audio (if you can listen in a day) and ebooks are OK.

Books must be adult, YA, or middle school books. No children's or picture books allowed.

No re-reads, however you can count books read for this challenge towards other challenges in which you are participating

Copy the button, create a sign up post and post the link below.

Not required, but very helpful if you would follow my blog. That way, when I do update posts, you will be aware so you can link to them.

Please post at least a few books that you intend to read for this challenge (that my help others add to their lists), but feel free to update your list as the year goes on.

Challenge goes from January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014

Levels:

Level 1 - Read 15 books

Level 2 - Read 25 books

Level 3 - Read 35 books

Level 4 - Read 50+ books

I am going for Level 2. In 2013 I BARELY made that, but I'm going to try for 25 books again. I'm hoping I'll get some ideas from all of you. These are in no particular order, and you will see they are the ones from last year's list that I still haven't got to!

1. Animal Farm by Orwell

2. Locomotion by Woodson

3. From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by Konigsburg

4. The Alchemist by Coehlo

5. This is What I Did by Ellis

6. Blank Confession by Hautman

7. If I Grew Up by Strasser

8. How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Standiford

9. Jumped by Williams-Garcia

10. Chasing Brooklyn by Schroeder

11. Scars by Ranfield

12. Things a Brother Knows by Reinhardt

13. I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Schroeder

14. Tighter by Griffin

15. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Wilde

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Book Review: Perfect Scoundrels, by Ally Carter

Normally, I don't post reviews on Saturday, but I just HAD to get one more review in before the end of 2013! Also, I didn't get ANY books this week, not even for Christmas, so I have no Stacking the Shelves post for today. Enjoy your weekend!

I love the Heist Society books and Perfect Scoundrels is no exception.

This time the heist is more personal. Kat is trying to save Hale. You see, he's inherited the family business, but Kat has been led to believe that the will was not valid. She needs to find the real will. Since Hale is a minor, the company will be run by a trustee, Garrett, until Hale is 25. But Kat knows that Garrett cannot be trusted.

That's the set up, but things don't go as planned, and there are a lot of surprises. All the old characters are back to help Kat, and a few new ones. I love how these books always make you think all is lost, but somehow they manage to pull it off.

I love Kat. She's feisty and smart. I love Hale. He's mysterious and cute. Although Kat and her crew travel all over the world, the settings are not that important. These books are all about the plot. And, also about figuring out Hale's first name (which isn't revealed in Perfect Scoundrels!) Their romance does move forward, but still doesn't take over the book.

Perfect Scoundrels is a rip-roaring, fun ride that never stops. It reads quickly and makes you feel good at the end. All is well -- at least for the time being! I wouldn't call these books predictable -- there are too many surprises -- but they have a familiar rhythm, ala Oceans Eleven. And to me, that's a plus. The series doesn't need to be read in order, but the prior heists are referred to, so I recommend reading Heist Society and Uncommon Criminals first.

Published by Disney Hyperion, February 5, 2013
Copy obtained from the library
328 pages (qualifies for my Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge!)

Rating: 4/5