Annette's Book Spot

Sunday, July 24, 2011

IMM - Not too Shabby!

I had a good week! Not too many books (which is a good thing) and I'm excited about all of them!

For Review:

Anne Dressed in Blood, by Kendare Blake, from I Read Banned Books Tours

Vanish, by Sophie Jordan, from NetGalley

Won:

Never a Gentleman, by Eileen Dreyer, won from Carrie @ In the Hammock Book Reviews

The Red Queen, by Philippa Gregory, ARC won from Carrie @ In the Hammock Book Reviews

A Bookmark from the River of Time Series, by Lisa Bergren (signed) won from Tina's Book Reviews

From the Library:

Vampire Academy, by Rachel Mead

Thanks to Kristi, The Story Siren for hosting! I hope you all get to explore some great mailboxes this week. Thanks for visiting; I hope you come back soon.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Book Review: Graveminder, by Melissa Marr

Graveminder is one of the most unique paranormal books I have ever read. The creative plot kept me entertained most of the time, and a bit confused as well.

At first, there is much information, and it doesn’t immediately make sense. Maylene, and elderly lady, is murdered, and in the course of dealing with her death, the reader is introduced to many characters, some dead, some who have moved away, and some local. I had a hard time keeping track. The plot is also confusing. It is obvious that Maylene was different, but we aren’t sure in what way. Was she just eccentric? It also seems that many of the townspeople are in on a secret, but some aren’t, and it isn’t clear what this secret is.

Marr exposes the plot very slowly, and this is deliberate. I don’t really want to say too much about the specific premise, but it has to do with keeping the dead people dead. So, there’s kind of a zombie presence, for those dead that return, but it isn’t just a zombie book. The plot is complex and we learn more and more details as we read.

There’s a bit of romance between the main characters, Rebekkah and Byron. They have been close in the past, until Rebekkah moved away, and now when she comes back for the funeral, we see whether anything is left between these two.

The characters were interesting enough to keep me engaged. There’s a mystery as to why so many dead are coming back. There’s a unique setting – the underworld – that is very creative.

The book definitely kept me interested. It wasn’t the best paranormal I’ve read, but I would still recommend it. The resolution of the mystery wasn’t much, as far as tension, but was satisfying. This is an adult book, but is certainly appropriate for teens who are interested in the paranormal.

Published by William Morrow, May 17, 2011

Personally purchased copy

324 pages

Rating: 3/5

Friday, July 22, 2011

Don't You Just Love Fridays? Let's have a chat....

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View. Make sure you visit there and check out all the great blogs participating! This week's question is:

Q. Name 3 authors that you would love to sit down and spend an hour or a meal with just talking about either their books or get advice on writing from?

Wow! That's a hard one. I would like to spend some time with Jane Austin, but that's probably not possible, so we'll move on...

J. K. Rowling, of course. I'm sure a lot of people would say that. Next, I think I'd like an adult writer, I've read Steven King's On Writing, so I'd pick someone else. Probably Harlan Coben.

Then, I need a YA writer. I think I would pick Meg Cabot, because she's so versatile. Sarah Dessen would be a great choice too!

tgif is hosted at GReads! so go check some of those blogs out too! Her question this week is:

Bookshelf Tour: Where do you keep your books at home?

Are they organized?

You would think, since I'm a librarian I'd be organized. But no. I don't have that many books -- I tend to give them away when I"m finished with them -- I'm not a big "re-reader" and I hate to see them sitting useless on a shelf. So, I have some boxes in my basement with older books that I want to keep. I use my dresser for storing my TBR, stacked up along the bottom of the mirror. It looks pretty good, actually, and they are a bit organized, sort of in the order I want to read them. It's a big dresser, so it holds quite a few. I'm not home so I can't show you a picture, but someday I'll post one.

Happy Weekend! Have a great one. If you are anywhere near where I live, it's all about keeping cool. We've been close to 100 degrees ever day -- and terribly humid. I keep telling myself, before you know it, it will be icy and snowy and I will be complaining about that! Happy Reading! Thanks for stopping by.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Book Review: Heist Society, by Ally Carter

Heist Society is one of those books that you just have to love. It’s silly and fun and is a perfect summer read.

Katarina tried hard to get out of the family business – art theft – by attending a prestigious boarding school, but when her dad is in trouble, she can’t help but be pulled back into this world – and she’s a very talented member of the family.

Carter’s characters are so enjoyable in this book, and the plot doesn’t disappoint. I’ve read that many people think that Kat and her team behave like they are older than teenagers, and I agree, but I didn’t really care. Teens will still love this book.

Kat, and her maybe boyfriend, Hale must assemble a team to pull off an impossible heist. Now, this may sound immoral, but it’s all for a good cause. The paintings they are trying to recover were stolen by the Nazis during WWII. They are witty and conniving, and very creative. Much of it seems a bit over the top, but that’s what it’s all about. The story remains light – we don’t get too bogged down in the actual technical details of the theft, just enough to make it seem possible (or impossible?)

It’s quick, it’s fun, and I can’t wait to read about Kat’s next adventure in Uncommon Criminals. There’s not too much romance here and enough action and suspense that I would recommend this to boys and girls who enjoy a good action/adventure story.

Published by Hyperion, 2010

Copy obtained from the library

304 pages

Rating: 4/5

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Book Review: Moonglass, by Jessi Kirby

Moonglass is a touching book about family secrets and one daughter’s experience searching for the truth about her mother.

Anna and her father are moving. When Anna was very young, her mother used to walk on the beach with her and they would look for sea glass. One night, Anna’s mother walked into the water and never came out. This is the only home Anna has ever known, and she doesn’t want to leave.

They are moving to a new place, and it’s still on the beach, which helps Anna very much. Her father’s new job is at Crystal Cove State Park, and their new house is right on the ocean. This is the place where Anna’s father first met her mother, and as Anna adjusts to her new environment, she meets many people who knew her mother. She also makes some new friends, and a lifeguard who she might be attracted to romantically.

The book is about Anna slowly figuring out her mother and father’s story. It’s a romantic story, although it ended tragically. And there’s more to discover about her mother’s death. With the help of her friends and her father, Anna learns the truth, and in the process she becomes comfortable with herself, her father, and her new home.

I read this on the beach and it was perfect. It’s a quick read, and kept my interest. Anna is a sympathetic character, and I thought her dad seemed like a very authentic single dad. All of the side characters were interesting and helped Anna through some difficult times. Kirby describes the setting beautifully, and it is easy to picture. I hope Anna knows how lucky she is to live in such a special place.

I will recommend this to teen girls who like a realistic story with some sweet romance.

Published by Simon & Schuster, May 3, 2011

Copy won from Tara @ Fiction Folio

232 pages

Rating: 3/5

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Book Review: Wolfsbane, by Andrea Cremer

First of all, I just have to say, I absolutely HATE huge cliffhangers—stories that don’t have any conclusion to any part of the plot whatsoever. I feel like I’ve been given an incomplete book—like the author forgot to finish it before it was published. Wolfsbane is just this type of book, which I find disappointing.

Now that I have that out of my system, I’ll get on with my thoughts about the book. Wolfsbane picks up shortly after Nightshade ends. Calla wakes in a strange place, and she is reunited with Shay. They are with the Searchers, who want their alliance to fight a world war and defeat the Keepers.

There is a lot of tension, since it is difficult for Calla to trust the Searchers. Calla wants to go and rescue her pack, and the Searchers want to help her – but can she trust them? There’s danger, fighting, death, betrayal, and lots of action to keep the pages turning.

There’s also the romantic triangle, and the associated conflicting emotions to keep you entertained. I didn’t feel that this element was as big a part of the story in this book, and that’s OK with me. Instead, we got to know a lot of new and interesting characters and learn about a different set of morals and beliefs.

The life of the Searchers is interestingly described. There are different roles – strikers, reapers, weavers, the Guide, and the Arrow. The history of the Keepers is also described. Cremer has created a deliciously complex world that makes sense – in a supernatural sort of way.

So things are a huge mess. Not much goes as planned. Searchers are dead. Guardians are dead. Some characters we thought were dead may not be dead. Alliances are made and broken. And then … you reach the last page.

It’s a great story that kept my interest. I pretty much flew through these pages. I’d recommend this to paranormal lovers. This series won’t disappoint. My only caution is that if you want a complete story, you may want to wait until the entire series is out before you begin reading it. It’s going to be a long wait….

Published by Philomel Books, July 26, 2011

ARC obtained through Banned Book Tours for review

390 pages (qualifies for my 350 Page Book Challenge!)

Rating: 4/5

Monday, July 18, 2011

Monday Memories: Ender's Game

Welcome to my meme, Monday Memories, where I feature favorite books we've loved from the past. You can link to an old review, or write something new about a beloved book from your past. Really, what's important is not the book, but why it is memorable to you. So, have fun reminiscing, and leave a comment below, so we can all enjoy your memories.

I also wanted to let you know about another wonderful blog that you should check out. Ashley @ Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing does a weekly post called Memory Monday. She has been posting about her childhood memories of books. What's great about Ashley's site is that she is asking for guest posts for her Memory Monday event! So hop on over there and check it out. I'm hoping to do a guest post for her soon!

I actually re-read Ender's Game and reviewed it a couple of month's ago. I got on a crazy science fiction kick after reading this book in junior high, and eventually read every book in the series. I think Card has an amazingly creative mind -- on the level of J. K. Rowling. I know most people think these are probably better boy books, and maybe they are, but I loved them. And I really loved this one again on re-reading it. I thought it held up well after many years.

These are hard science fiction stories, and I'm not usually a fan, but I've "messed around" a little with the genre, and have found some I enjoy. This is the most memorable. So, if you want to read beyond your comfort zone, try this one for science fiction. If you like science fiction, and haven't read this one -- you need to read it right away!

Share one of your cherished book memories!

You can do a Monday Memories post on your blog. Copy my button and link back here, so others can see all the other posts. Leave a comment below with the link to your post.

Or, just leave one of your Monday Memories right here in the comments.

Be sure to visit some other blogs that have posted their links. Thanks!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

IMM - No books!

I was on vacation this week, and won't be able to check my mailbox until Monday, but before I left my husband gave me a very special anniversary present.

I saw this on someone's blog, and sent the link to him. What is really funny is that he had already ordered it and had the necklace in his possession when I sent him the link! It came from Peg and Awl, and it's beautiful. I absolutely love it. It was wrapped in a page from a book, and we looked up the characters' names and it's from The Brothers Karamazov, by Dostoyevsky.

That's all for this week -- but I'm not complaining! Hope you had a good week too. I'll be around to check out your mailboxes. Thanks again to Kristi, The Story Siren, for hosting!