101 Fantasy Challenge

This has turned into a perpetual challenge and I have decided to join!  If interested, go HERE to sign up and get the list of 101 books!  Also have an alternative list if you want to pick from some other choices!  Have fun!

In My Mailbox #4

In My Mailbox is put on by The Story Siren where we list what books and things we got for the week.  Can be bought, won, or checked out from library!  I didn't have as big a haul this week, but in this case, it was quality over quantity!

Checked out from the library:

For review I received:

 I also won a great prize this week!  A signed copy of a historical fiction book, The Turning of Anne Merrick ,by Christine Blevins, plus a great prize pack of other goodies from the time period!  Thank you so much to Christine Blevins and The Eclectic Reader for the giveaway!

I got the signed book, of course, a personalized old-fashioned letter from the author with the ink blot stamp, -bags of tea, lavender soap, Lavender water, Bay wood candles, lace, mints in an old-fashioned tin, and documents.  I can't tell you how awesome this pack was, I was so thrilled when I was opening it, and my kids and hubby were very impressed.  I will do a review on the book after I read it, but it sounds really good!

What did everyone get in their mailboxes this week?

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Synopsis:  In America's Gulf Coast Region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota--and hopefully live to see another day.  But when, by luck of chance, he discovers and exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life:  Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life....

My 2 cents:  This is a very well written book.  Unfortunately, I don't think I connected with it as much as I would have thought.  I'm not really sure why.  The plot was very good.  The adventure and uncertainty in the story was perfect.  I think it may have been the characters.  And this will sound bad, but I think its because our hero on this dystopian was a boy, not a girl.  I've gotten so used to kick-butt girl main characters, I guess.

Nailer is not a really kick-butt kind of character; he's more of a squirrely, cunning boy.  I did like him.  I actually liked him more than any other character in the story.  None of the characters had great redeeming qualities, except for Nailer.  You had no idea who was going to turn on Nailer next!

Overall, I think its worth reading; like I said it was very well written.  And I had no problem getting through it. And I think I will read the sequel, just to see what happens next!  3 stars!

Feature and Follow Fridays #5

Feature and Follow Friday is put on by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.  Today's question:

Q: Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?

I normally read one book at a time..but lately I have not been doing that.  I'm participating in a lot of challenges, so I end up jumping from book to book a lot.  I usually have no more than 3 going at one time, though.  I always have one I'm reading on my Nook, a library book, and maybe some other book at the same time.  

How about you?

Waiting on Wednesday #4

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme put on by Breaking the Spine where we share what books we can't wait for!

This week's selection is City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Ahhh..cannot wait for this book!  Can't get here fast enough!  If you haven't read Cassandra Clare's books, you are missing out!

What book are you excited for?

Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe

Synopsis:  When Sara is offered a scholarship with the prestigious Jersey Ballet, there's no way she can turn down the opportunity of a lifetime.  But to take it, she must leave her family and friends for a strange city.  Suddenly, she's thrust into the life of endless ballet class and rehearsal, of juggling schoolwork with hours in the studio, of constantly being critiqued, corrected, and judged.

Overwhelmed and lonely, Sara connects with Remington, a brilliant up-and-coming choreographer.  Though he's too old for her sparking scandal at the studio, Sara is thrilled to become Rem's muse.  But as the secrets pile up and Rem's innovative dances start to attract wider attention, Sara wonders whose dreams she's making come true.

Debut author Stasia Ward Kehoe spins an intense and romantic page-turner about the deeply flawed yet irresistible world of ballet.

My 2 cents:  First of all, I read this book in a day.  And its not really a short book, either.  At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like it.  The entire novel is written in prose, not my typical thing.  And for the record, I have no ballet experience.  But after about 20 pages in, you don't even notice the prose anymore.  And it makes the novel so beautiful, almost lyrical, like the dances they are doing in the studio.

I really related to Sara.  Her biggest problem is her loneliness; also her inability to talk to boys.  I can so relate to all of that!  Moving to a new town, school, with all new people--not an easy thing.  I saw the train wreck that was happening a mile away, but I didn't begrudge her her choices.  If I were in her shoes, I probably would have done the same thing!

Of course, Remington is a big jerk.  I saw the appeal, but as a character..didn't like him!  I actually like Julio, a younger boy who lives in the house Sara stays in, a lot better.  I really wished there had been more of him in the novel.  He really is Sara's only true friend in the story.

Overall, loved this book!  It really felt like poetry as I was reading it!  4 stars!

New Breaking Dawn Part 2 Trailer!

Its finally here!  I saw it at the Hunger Games on opening night, it gave me goosebumps! Here it is:

Also got to see a full trailer of the re-release of Titanic.  By the end of it, my 14 year old daughter was in tears!  And she's seen it before, lol!  We are both looking forward to seeing this in 3D.

Teaser Tuesday #3

Teaser Tuesdays is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading. Anyone can play! Rules:

 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!
 
Today's Teaser comes from Starters, by Lissa Price

"The smell of cinnamon finalled the kitchen and made my heart ache.  It reminded me  of happy weekend brunches Mom, Dad, Tyler, and I used to have when we were a family."

What Are You Reading Monday #4

What are you Reading Monday is put on by Book Journey  Its a list you make showing what books you read last week, and what you plan on reading this week.  Its helps you plan out your week!

What I read last week:

Started but didn't finish:

Plan to read this week:

What are you reading this week?

The Garden of Eve by K L Going

Synopsis: Without Mom, there are no more bedtime stories, no more answers carried on the wind, and no more magic gardens.  Evie doesn't believe in magic now.  After all, if magic were real, her mom would be still alive.

But when Evie moves to Beaumont, New York, where her father has bought a withered apple orchard that the townspeople whisper is cursed, she learns about a lost girl, receives a mysterious seed, and meets a boy who claims to be dead.

Before long, Evie finds herself in the middle of  a fairy tale.  And this one is real.

My 2 cents:  This was a good little read.  I love children's books;they always seem to capture the imagination of the story really well.  This was no exception.  The story was great because it had a ghost, a curse, some fantasy, magic, and a mystery to solve.  My kind of reading!  Evie was a great character, and you really felt for the loss of her mom.  All in all, a great read.  I give it 4 stars!

Shelf Candy Saturday #4

Shelf Candy Saturdays is put on by Five Alarm Book Review.  Us bloggers pick a cover we really like and explain why we like it!

This week's choice is Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto

Love this cover!  I love how the guy is standing there ready to keep her from falling.  And the angel's feathers on her wings are gorgeous.  I really like the simplicity of the whole thing, how the characters are in shadow, and the sun shines through right between their arms.  Beautiful!

Feature and Follow Fridays #4

Feature and Follow me Fridays is put on by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.  All us bloggers answer a question they have asked us.  Today's question is:

Q: What is the longest book you've read? What are your favorite 600+ page reads?

My second favorite book of all time is the longest I've ever read:

Other favorites are as follows:

I can't think of any more outstanding books over 600 pages off the top of my head!  But these 5 listed are definitely my favorite longer books!

What books would you recommend?

In My Mailbox #3

In My Mailbox is put on by The Story Siren where we list books we've received over the week.  I have another great haul this week! (honestly, I'm never going to get caught up on my reading at this point!)

This week I bought:

I checked out from the library:

                 

And I also received for review:

What have you received in your mailbox?