Book: The Dream Stealer by Gregory Maguire
Age-range: 8 and up
Good, not great.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
June Book #8
Book: Wild Orchid: A Retelling of "The Ballad of Mulan" by Cameron Dokey
Age-range: 10 and up
This was our June book club book. I won't say too much about it since I'll be discussing it in-depth tomorrow night with the girls. I will say that I loved the fact that this focused on Mulan and not on the love story. This was 100% her story. I'm sure this book was inspired first and foremost by the Disney movie, but I think Ms. Dokey made a lot of great choices about what to change. All in all a fun, quick read.
Happy reading!
Age-range: 10 and up
This was our June book club book. I won't say too much about it since I'll be discussing it in-depth tomorrow night with the girls. I will say that I loved the fact that this focused on Mulan and not on the love story. This was 100% her story. I'm sure this book was inspired first and foremost by the Disney movie, but I think Ms. Dokey made a lot of great choices about what to change. All in all a fun, quick read.
Happy reading!
Thursday Thought
I am so fond of this book. It has all the dear old fairy tales in it; one never tires of them.
-Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie
-Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie
Thursday, June 21, 2012
June Book #7
Book: Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey
Age-range: 14 and up
This was a very cute book. I chose it because it was a mash-up of Beauty and the Beast and Little Red Riding Hood. It seems so obvious, why hasn't it been done before? That, I think, is part of Ms. Lackey's brilliance. I can't wait to read more of her books.
Happy reading!
Age-range: 14 and up
This was a very cute book. I chose it because it was a mash-up of Beauty and the Beast and Little Red Riding Hood. It seems so obvious, why hasn't it been done before? That, I think, is part of Ms. Lackey's brilliance. I can't wait to read more of her books.
Happy reading!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
June Book #6
Book: Fire by Kristin Cashore
Age-range: 16 and up
This is a companion novel to Graceling, although only loosely related in any significant way. Once again I have to agree with my friend Jenel when I say that while this book was really good it was not as good as Graceling. I didn't feel compelled to read this one as fast as possible, I stopped and started it a couple of times while reading other things in between.
Please note the next part has little to do with the book being "reviewed."
I've been noticing a trend lately, so please excuse me while I climb onto my soapbox.
*ahem*
When a writer writes their first novel it's a long process. A debut novel may have been worked on for years and years and years, until it was the most perfect thing the writer could make it. Second novels, especially those in a series, must be written faster with less time for perfection. So while writing usually improves with each book I feel that sometimes editing falls by the wayside. There are entire chunks in second (or third, or fourth) books that could be cut and no one would miss them. Off the top of my head I can think of at least 4 authors who fall under this category. I hope I will never be one of them!
End of rant.
So, Fire was really good, but there were sections that were kind of boring. I really did love seeing a different part of the world that Ms. Cashore has made, however. And I can't wait until I get the chance to read the next book in the series.
Happy reading!
Age-range: 16 and up
This is a companion novel to Graceling, although only loosely related in any significant way. Once again I have to agree with my friend Jenel when I say that while this book was really good it was not as good as Graceling. I didn't feel compelled to read this one as fast as possible, I stopped and started it a couple of times while reading other things in between.
Please note the next part has little to do with the book being "reviewed."
I've been noticing a trend lately, so please excuse me while I climb onto my soapbox.
*ahem*
When a writer writes their first novel it's a long process. A debut novel may have been worked on for years and years and years, until it was the most perfect thing the writer could make it. Second novels, especially those in a series, must be written faster with less time for perfection. So while writing usually improves with each book I feel that sometimes editing falls by the wayside. There are entire chunks in second (or third, or fourth) books that could be cut and no one would miss them. Off the top of my head I can think of at least 4 authors who fall under this category. I hope I will never be one of them!
End of rant.
So, Fire was really good, but there were sections that were kind of boring. I really did love seeing a different part of the world that Ms. Cashore has made, however. And I can't wait until I get the chance to read the next book in the series.
Happy reading!
Friday, June 15, 2012
June Book #5
Book: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Age-range: 16 and up
This is a post-apocalyptic, dystopian novel about a future America where people are divided into different factions. Sounds like Hunger Games, you say? Well, not exactly.
I read this 400-plus page book in one day. It was that good. Was it perfect? No. Like Hunger Games, it was unnecessarily violent at parts. I was annoyed when the female protagonist was affronted when someone called her weak on one page and then the next page is bemoaning how weak she is. Other than a few little irksomes like that it was wonderful.
It's the first book in a trilogy, the second of which came out last month. I don't know when the third one will be out, but I'm looking forward to reading both of them soon.
Happy reading!
Age-range: 16 and up
This is a post-apocalyptic, dystopian novel about a future America where people are divided into different factions. Sounds like Hunger Games, you say? Well, not exactly.
I read this 400-plus page book in one day. It was that good. Was it perfect? No. Like Hunger Games, it was unnecessarily violent at parts. I was annoyed when the female protagonist was affronted when someone called her weak on one page and then the next page is bemoaning how weak she is. Other than a few little irksomes like that it was wonderful.
It's the first book in a trilogy, the second of which came out last month. I don't know when the third one will be out, but I'm looking forward to reading both of them soon.
Happy reading!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
June Book #4
Book: A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
Age-range: 12 and up
This book has generated a lot of buzz in fairy tale circles. It's a science fiction re-telling of Sleeping Beauty. I went in not expecting much and I wasn't disappointed. It was pretty good, but I don't think it was as wow as so many people seemed to believe.
I am happy about the trends of both more girl-friendly science fiction and more fairy tale related science fiction. It will make getting my own sci fi fairy tale published a little easier if there's a good precedence for it.
Happy reading!
Age-range: 12 and up
This book has generated a lot of buzz in fairy tale circles. It's a science fiction re-telling of Sleeping Beauty. I went in not expecting much and I wasn't disappointed. It was pretty good, but I don't think it was as wow as so many people seemed to believe.
I am happy about the trends of both more girl-friendly science fiction and more fairy tale related science fiction. It will make getting my own sci fi fairy tale published a little easier if there's a good precedence for it.
Happy reading!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
June Book #3
Book: Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Age-range: 16 and up
This book has been on my to-be-read (TBR) list pretty much since it came out. I've been absorbed with other things, however, and it just kept getting pushed further down the list. My friend Jenel has mentioned it several times in our writing critique partnership and I finally decided to read it.
Ah-mazing! That's the only word I can use to describe it. The first night I picked it up I was amazed to realize I had read almost 150 pages in one sitting! It hadn't felt that long for sure. I'm excited that the next 2 books in the series are all ready out and I plan on reading them as soon as possible.
Just a note: There is some rather grown up moments, although nothing graphic. I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending it to anyone under the age of 16.
Happy reading!
Age-range: 16 and up
This book has been on my to-be-read (TBR) list pretty much since it came out. I've been absorbed with other things, however, and it just kept getting pushed further down the list. My friend Jenel has mentioned it several times in our writing critique partnership and I finally decided to read it.
Ah-mazing! That's the only word I can use to describe it. The first night I picked it up I was amazed to realize I had read almost 150 pages in one sitting! It hadn't felt that long for sure. I'm excited that the next 2 books in the series are all ready out and I plan on reading them as soon as possible.
Just a note: There is some rather grown up moments, although nothing graphic. I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending it to anyone under the age of 16.
Happy reading!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
June Book #2
Book: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Age-range: 12 and up
My friend Jenel suggested this book to me and since she's never steered me wrong I went ahead and bought it on my Kindle when it was at a reduced price. Well worth the dollar or two that I spent!
This is a book about water horses and a fictional island called Thisby. The story is told from two points of view Sean Kendrick and Puck/Kate Connolly. It's very slow moving at the beginning (though not boring), building the story piece by piece. It speeds up considerably when the two story-lines come together.
I hate to spoil stories for anyone, so I'll just say that I really liked this one. There is some violence and death, so it's one I would suggest be vetted before a younger person reads it. The ending, though unexpected, is beautiful!
Happy reading!
Age-range: 12 and up
My friend Jenel suggested this book to me and since she's never steered me wrong I went ahead and bought it on my Kindle when it was at a reduced price. Well worth the dollar or two that I spent!
This is a book about water horses and a fictional island called Thisby. The story is told from two points of view Sean Kendrick and Puck/Kate Connolly. It's very slow moving at the beginning (though not boring), building the story piece by piece. It speeds up considerably when the two story-lines come together.
I hate to spoil stories for anyone, so I'll just say that I really liked this one. There is some violence and death, so it's one I would suggest be vetted before a younger person reads it. The ending, though unexpected, is beautiful!
Happy reading!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
June Book #1
Book: Robin: Lady of Legend by R.M. ArceJaeger
Age-range: 13 and up
One day last month I had the genius idea of re-writing Robin Hood (one of my favorite stories). I pulled out my Kindle Fire and started looking up the free versions of Robin Hood available so I could verse myself on the world that had all ready been set up in fiction. That's when I came across this book. At the time it was a finalist in the Amazon Breakout Novel contest and, thus, free. (It's not free anymore.) Imagine my horror/excitement when I realized that my "genius" idea for re-writing Robin Hood had been done! So, of course I read the book.
I really liked it. There are times when she goes overboard with description, but other than that it is a great story. The premise is that Robin is a girl escaping a marriage from the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham. As in other Robin Hood tales she becomes an outlaw and must make her way in the world with that hanging over her head.
There were a lot of great twists and turns in the story and it's one I would definitely recommend.
Happy reading!
Age-range: 13 and up
One day last month I had the genius idea of re-writing Robin Hood (one of my favorite stories). I pulled out my Kindle Fire and started looking up the free versions of Robin Hood available so I could verse myself on the world that had all ready been set up in fiction. That's when I came across this book. At the time it was a finalist in the Amazon Breakout Novel contest and, thus, free. (It's not free anymore.) Imagine my horror/excitement when I realized that my "genius" idea for re-writing Robin Hood had been done! So, of course I read the book.
I really liked it. There are times when she goes overboard with description, but other than that it is a great story. The premise is that Robin is a girl escaping a marriage from the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham. As in other Robin Hood tales she becomes an outlaw and must make her way in the world with that hanging over her head.
There were a lot of great twists and turns in the story and it's one I would definitely recommend.
Happy reading!
Friday, June 1, 2012
The Authors I Thanked in May's Month of Reading Gratitude
Now that May is officially over I will share with you all the authors I thanked during my Month of Reading Gratitude. It's quite a list and in absolutely random order. I just thanked them as they came to mind. The authors with the * next to their name are authors who responded to my thank you! (And yes, I do realize they're all women, it wasn't intentional at first. I'll have to do another Month of Reading Gratitude where I thank all male authors.)
1. Baroness Orczy
2. Shannon Hale
3. Sarah Addison Allen
4. Gail Carson Levine
5. Virginia Woolf
6. Terri Windling
7. Donna Jo Napoli*
8. Catherynne M. Valente
9. Terry Tempest Williams*
10. Jane Austen
11. Jane Yolen
12. Franny Billingsley*
13. Patrice Kindl*
14. Brodi Ashton*
15. Kristen Chandler*
16. Shelley Adina*
17. Sarah Ban Breathnach
18. Harper Lee (mailed)
19. Sylvia Plath
20. Jessica Day George
21. Pam Conrad
22. Heather Dixon*
23. Barbara Kingsolver (mailed)
24. Anne Lamott (mailed)
25. Cornelia Funke*
26. Frances Hardinge*
27. Willa Cather
28. Betty Smith
29. Juliet Marillier (mailed)
30. Dorothy Parker
31. Maria Tatar
1. Baroness Orczy
2. Shannon Hale
3. Sarah Addison Allen
4. Gail Carson Levine
5. Virginia Woolf
6. Terri Windling
7. Donna Jo Napoli*
8. Catherynne M. Valente
9. Terry Tempest Williams*
10. Jane Austen
11. Jane Yolen
12. Franny Billingsley*
13. Patrice Kindl*
14. Brodi Ashton*
15. Kristen Chandler*
16. Shelley Adina*
17. Sarah Ban Breathnach
18. Harper Lee (mailed)
19. Sylvia Plath
20. Jessica Day George
21. Pam Conrad
22. Heather Dixon*
23. Barbara Kingsolver (mailed)
24. Anne Lamott (mailed)
25. Cornelia Funke*
26. Frances Hardinge*
27. Willa Cather
28. Betty Smith
29. Juliet Marillier (mailed)
30. Dorothy Parker
31. Maria Tatar
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