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Mailbox Monday #3
Mailbox Monday is a weekly event started by Marcia, and is now hosted on a blog rotation. Martha of Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf is the host for the month of May.
Hope all the Mom’s had a lovely Mother’s day! I saw my Mom on Sunday and saw a couple movies this weekend- The Avengers with my husband and Dark Shadows with my daughter. And I managed to finish one book too!
I received a few books this week that I’ve been super eager to read.
This week’s new arrivals:
Purchased:
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare – I’ve been listening to this series on audio recently but picked up the book this time. It is a thick volume and the cover looks very cool in person.
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson – Looks like a lovely summer read, and I’m glad it’s finally in my hands. I just can’t get enough contemporary lately.
In Honor by Jessi Kirby – Already read this one & it’s so good. If you like contemporary YA, and road trip books, give this one a try.
Review:
Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield – won from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. This is a summer murder mystery coming of age type story that has me very curious.
Audiobooks for Review:
Gilt by Katherine Longshore – I’m listening to this now. Jennifer Ikeda’s narration is a good match for this book.
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore – This will be my next audiobook. There have been mixed reviews of the book and I’m looking forward to following Bitterblue’s journey. The narrator is Xanthe Elbrick, who also read Fire.
eGalleys from NetGalley & Edelweiss:
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – This is a high fantasy YA book about a girl who is an assassin and trying to earn her freedom from the Crown Prince. The premise kind of reminds me of a Maria V. Snyder book and I’m definitely intrigued.
What did you receive in your mailbox this week?
Top Ten Books I Can’t Wait to Read This Spring
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and features a new top ten list each week.
Happy first day of Spring! It’s Spring Break here and appropriately enough this week’s TTT topic is Top Ten Books On My Spring To-Be-Read list. This Spring I want to read some of the books on my shelves (and kindle) that I haven’t had a chance to check out yet, along with some Spring new releases.
Listed in no particular order, here are are 10 books I can’t wait to read this Spring:
Books I Own:
1. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally – I’m not really a football fan, but I like Friday Night Lights, and this looks like a light fun contemporary romance.
2. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons – I think I was burned out on dystopia for a little while but Starters jump-started my interest and I’m ready to tackle this one.
3. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare – After finally reading Clockwork Angel, I’m going to keep the momentum going and listen to the sequel.
4. Truth by Julia Karr – Liked XVI last year and haven’t had a chance to read the sequel yet. Hope that I’ll be able to get up to speed quickly since it’s been so long since I read the first book.
5. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi – Got to meet Veronica at WonderCon last weekend, and listening to her speak about the book and seeing the book trailer enhanced my interest in reading it.
New Spring Releases (Apparently I will have a lot of reading to do the first couple weeks of May!)
6. Insurgent by Veronica Roth – The sequel to Divergent, out May 1. I know you all are sick of hearing me talk about this one!
7. Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready – The final book in the Shade trilogy, out May 1. Have enjoyed the series a lot and can’t wait to see how it all ties together.
8. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson – A Contemporary choice, finally! Loved Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour and can’t wait to check out Matson’s follow-up. Out May 8.
9. Until I Die by Amy Plum -The sequel to Die for Me, also out May 8. More romance and revenants in Paris!
10. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore - The companion book to Graceling and Fire, out May 1.The long wait is almost over!
What are your must-read books this Spring?
Top Ten Tuesday: Book Club Picks
This week’s topic is Top Ten Books I Think Would Make Great Book Club Picks. I don’t have too much experience with in-person book clubs, and I suspect the hardest part is agreeing on a book to read as a group. I think that book club books should appeal to people with varied reading taste, come from a mix of genres, be easily available or affordable so that everyone is able to read it, be a realistic length so that everyone has a chance to finish it, and have an interesting theme that sparks discussion.
I ended up picking several books that are slated for upcoming film adaptations, figuring there are probably others out there that would like to read the book before checking out the movie version.
In no particular order these are books I think would make great book club choices:
1. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness – This thought provoking illustrated book is told in a creative way that should make for a good discussion.
2. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys- I just finished this historical fiction book, and the story is heartbreaking and well written with many discussion points.
3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – This one fills the new release spot, and is one that is of course extremely popular right now. I included it because when I read it I wished I had someone to discuss it with.
4. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle – Can you believe it’s the 50th anniversary of this book? It’s a good time to revisit this classic.
5. Graceling by Kristin Cashore – Since Bitterblue, the final book in the Seven Kingdom series is coming out in May, why not catch up with the first book? This is a great offering for fans of fantasy books.
6. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – It’s been many years since I’ve read this, but people may want to reread it or check it out for the first time before the movie comes out in December.
7. Legend by Marie Lu – It was very tempting to list The Hunger Games as the dystopian pick, and I do think that is an excellent book club choice. But, for another option I submit Legend, one that’s not quite as popular as The Hunger Games. It’s a thrilling book with great characters, and those of us in Los Angeles will enjoy reading about what’s happened to the local landmarks.
8. Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley – I haven’t read this one yet, but it just won the 2012 William C. Morris award, so I imagine that many people will want to pick it up.
9. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – This is one with crossover appeal to YA and Adult Fiction readers and has a magical story. It’s also headed to the big screen at some point.
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – This one is also going to be released in theaters soon, and stars Emma Watson. I chose this book because people seem to have extreme reactions to it that should bring about a lively discussion.
Top Ten Books I’m Excited To Read in 2012
This week’s topic is Top Ten Books I’m Most Excited to Read This Year (or my top 12 in ’12) In no particular order:
1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth – Can’t wait to see what’s next for Tris and Four. I am SO ready to read this one.
2. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver – The ending of Delirium left me with so many questions, and I am eager to continue on with the story.
3. Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins – Such a fun series! And it’s the last book of the trilogy.
4. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa – Looking forward to this author’s first book after the Iron Fey series.
5. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore – I’ve been waiting for this book for forever it seems. Loved Graceling and Fire.
6. Until I Die by Amy Plum – Die for Me was a surprise hit for me, and I’m ready to return to the world of the Revenants.
7. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake – I fell hard for the first book Anna Dressed In Blood and this one looks like another awesome ride.
8. Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready – How exciting that we’ve reached the end of the trilogy already. And wow this cover took me by surprise.
9. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand – I’m envious of so many who have already read this one, but finally the release date is fast approaching.
10. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead – I’m eager to read more about Adrian, Jill, and the gang.
And finally special bonus mentions to two highly anticipated books that don’t have covers yet: Isla and the Happily Ever After * by Stephanie Perkins and Rebel Heart by Moira Young.
* Note: Isla and the Happily Ever After has been moved to 2013.
Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books I Enjoyed but Never Reviewed
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish featuring a new top ten list each week. Everyone can participate- head on over to their blog and sign up.
This week’s topic is Top 10 Books you loved but never reviewed, or that you read long before you began reviewing books. I try to review all the books I read, but sometimes don’t feel that my review can do a book justice or that I have anything to say that hasn’t already been said. When I have a strong emotional reaction to a book, both positive and negative, I have trouble getting my thoughts down.
The following list includes books that I’ve read and enjoyed over the last couple years and want to shine a spotlight on, even though I never reviewed them. In no particular order:
1. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins – I loved all three books and have both read and listened to them in audio format but for some reason never wrote a review for any of them. Though most everyone has read this series by now, I have to say it holds up well through re-reads. I always discover something new.
2. The Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater – Shiver was one of my favorites and I’ve recommended it a ton, but never reviewed it. I liked Linger also, and haven’t even read Forever yet. Maybe I’ll review that one.
3. If I Stay by Gayle Forman – Another book I adored and in fact it’s one of my all time favorites. I did review the follow up Where She Went though. A great, emotional read.
4. The Study series by Maria V. Snyder – I was surprised to see I did not review these, because I reviewed her other Glass series. It’s a lovely fantasy series with wonderful characters.
5. Sea by Heidi R. Kling – A sweet and emotional contemporary and romantic read that deals with the aftermath of the tsunami in Indonesia. I liked the book but just had trouble getting the words down.
6. Graceling by Kristin Cashore – One of my favorite fantasy series books. I read this before I was writing reviews, but I wrote a review for the companion book Fire. Can’t wait to read Bitterblue next year.
7. The first 3 books in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare – I enjoyed all of these books and even wrote a review of book 4 City of Fallen Angels. I think because I started the series kind of late I felt that I did not have anything more to add to what had already been said.
8. The first 2 books in the Summer series trilogy by Jenny Han – I came into the series late and only reviewed the last book in the trilogy. All of the books are very enjoyable and above average contemporary romances. Definitely recommend for those that enjoy a good love triangle.
9. The first 2 books in the Dream Catcher series trilogy by Lisa McMann – One of the first paranormal series I read. The writing style is very distinctive with a gritty and unique voice.
10. All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab – I liked this book and thought it was well written and suspenseful. It’s a good YA murder mystery and I found it refreshingly different.
What books are on your list? Why do you decide not to review a book?
Fire by Kristin Cashore
Description from the publisher (Dial):
She is the last of her kind…
It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.
Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don’t need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven’t, you’ll be dying to read it next.
Book: Hardcover 480 pages
Published: October 5 2009
Date Read: January 5 2010
Book Source: Library book
My thoughts:
I loved this book! It is the companion novel/ prequel to Graceling by Kristin Cashore. I loved Graceling, but I love Fire even more! You do not need to read Graceling first, however you will probably want to read it anyway. These books are set in different times, and different lands, and only have one character in common.
In Graceling we read about the Gracelings with different colored eyes, in Fire we learn about the Monsters. Fire is a human girl / monster who is beautiful and has the power to influence and read thoughts. She is feared by all around her and has to go out in disguises so she is not bothered or attacked. She is very kind, but worries she will turn into someone like her father, who was an evil king.
Fire travels to another kingdom to use her psychic ability to help interrogate prisoners. While she is there, she slowly becomes close to Prince Brigan. He is very well suited to Fire, and I really enjoyed their relationship.
There is fantasy, action, romance, suspense, friendship, and more in Fire. I can not wait to read the next book in the series Bitterblue which is due out April 5, 2011.
5 Stars
