My thanks (yet again) is to FzngWizbee's tumblr! Thanks for the smile!
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
GoodRead - The New World
I have a confession to make that may shock some of you. I'm pretty certain that it will shock most, if not, all book bloggers that I know. Here it is: I have never read the Chaos Walking trilogy. No, let me rephrase that. I had read any of Patrick Ness's work.Now, I hear the outcry of "How?! It's a modern YA classic!" and I get that, I do. But it was just… I knew of it existence but it never occurred to me to read it. It's one of those series where it gets loads of hype, excitement and everything, and I fear it. If something's THAT good, then what would happen if I read it and go "I don't see it"? I would probably get lynched!
So, on Saturday, I tweeted that I might cave and read one and, on my hunt, I saw this short prequel to the trilogy, The New World, and seeing as it was free and a prequel (of sorts), I thought it would be a good place to introduce myself in the series.
It's a short story about Viola (a main character in the trilogy) and her journey to The New World and, through a series of jumping back into her memories then into her present situation, we see how she got to where she is. There's not much else I can say about this short story without spoiling it.
I read this within a few days (was spreading it out but could have read this in a hour) and, having no idea what I let myself in for, was surprised how fast I read this and how I liked it. I sense that this doesn't really hint to what happens in the trilogy (if it does, then I never saw it). But it gave background information to this character, so I can see people who have read the trilogy wanting to read this.As a teaser, this was good. I might investigate getting the first book in the trilogy, The Knife of Never Letting Go. But whether I will get round to reading it… now that will be interesting. But I will keep my eye on this series.
PS - the short story has, also, given me one of my favourite lines in a book EVER! Well, techicnally, it's a paragraph, but the meaning behind it is amazing. Am tempted to buy the whole trilogy on this paragraph alone!
PPS - my music choices. Random, I know, but I heard them randomly on my iPod and thought they were perfect. One song choice is very much a "Memories/FlashBack" while the other is "This is Happening Now!". Hope you like them both, as I love Alexandre Desplat music.
Monday, 4 July 2011
I Never Noticed This Before, But Now...!
Quick Thank You to Krystal and all the people behind the Year Of The Shark (#YOTS) & Year Of The Unicorn (#YOTU). You guys rock!
PS - HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, USA!
Friday, 1 July 2011
Cover Chat (Again)
Afew months ago, I did a joint blog with Rhys from Thirst 4 Fiction (here's my previous blog). Had such fun with doing it, I decided to do it again with Rhys.
Now, for those of you wondering what Cover Chat is, it's a "multiple-blog feature (or meme) where book bloggers talk about US vs UK book covers." (click here if you want to take part or want to know more...)
On Thirst for Fiction, we are talking about the covers for Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. But here, we are chatting about The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson.
Here is the UK cover:
And here is the US cover:
Rhys says: "I think, without a doubt, that the UK cover definitely takes the lead here- the high contrast, muted colour pallete really works well, and it really looks solid. Everything just works really well together to form a wonderfully dark and mysterious cover that is far superior to its American counterpart, which is rather disappointing. For a start, the overlay of the man in the top hat looks amateurish- but the text is badly placed and badly coloured too, and the washed out tones really do nothing for the book. The dark intruige of the UK cover really does triumph- which is why I can easily say that the UK cover wins hands down in this contest..."
I say: "I have to disagree with you, Rhys. I quite like the US cover. It seems simple, and hints at the plot. I'm quite intrigued over the red-haired girl. The UK cover, at first glance, seems a bit monotone. It's using a lot of pallete colours and it doesn't seem to grab and hold my attention. But after looking the cover a bit more, I think I realise why I dislike the UK cover - the typeface for the title. It seems so wrong! It's trying to be gothic and it fails. And why did they need to put the "Jack The Ripper Returns"? And in red? It jars out and it ruins the cover! I think it's the typeface that bothers me the most about the UK cover. I prefer the US cover, but I hope that, when I see it in the flesh, it just works!*"
I want to thank, yet again, Rhys from Thirst4Fiction for allowing me to take part in this! And for picking such interesting covers this time and last time (and hopefully next time. I am so doing this again!)
*I have seen it in the flesh. I prefer it now I've seen it in the flesh but I prefer the US cover...
Now, for those of you wondering what Cover Chat is, it's a "multiple-blog feature (or meme) where book bloggers talk about US vs UK book covers." (click here if you want to take part or want to know more...)
On Thirst for Fiction, we are talking about the covers for Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. But here, we are chatting about The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson.
Here is the UK cover:
And here is the US cover:
Rhys says: "I think, without a doubt, that the UK cover definitely takes the lead here- the high contrast, muted colour pallete really works well, and it really looks solid. Everything just works really well together to form a wonderfully dark and mysterious cover that is far superior to its American counterpart, which is rather disappointing. For a start, the overlay of the man in the top hat looks amateurish- but the text is badly placed and badly coloured too, and the washed out tones really do nothing for the book. The dark intruige of the UK cover really does triumph- which is why I can easily say that the UK cover wins hands down in this contest..."
I say: "I have to disagree with you, Rhys. I quite like the US cover. It seems simple, and hints at the plot. I'm quite intrigued over the red-haired girl. The UK cover, at first glance, seems a bit monotone. It's using a lot of pallete colours and it doesn't seem to grab and hold my attention. But after looking the cover a bit more, I think I realise why I dislike the UK cover - the typeface for the title. It seems so wrong! It's trying to be gothic and it fails. And why did they need to put the "Jack The Ripper Returns"? And in red? It jars out and it ruins the cover! I think it's the typeface that bothers me the most about the UK cover. I prefer the US cover, but I hope that, when I see it in the flesh, it just works!*"
I want to thank, yet again, Rhys from Thirst4Fiction for allowing me to take part in this! And for picking such interesting covers this time and last time (and hopefully next time. I am so doing this again!)
*I have seen it in the flesh. I prefer it now I've seen it in the flesh but I prefer the US cover...
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Meet The Blogger - Cheezyfeet Books
This is third true Meet The Blogger post (and the last for this lovely month of June) and I hope you are liking the previous blogs in this "Series" (is that what we call this? A Series?).
This week's Meet The Blogger is Bella from Cheezyfeet Books! Check her blog out at http://www.cheezyfeetbooks.blogspot.com/!
When did you start blogging?
1st July 2010
What made you start blogging?
I was on amazon, looking for a book to read, and I was coming up blank for something good that I hadn’t already read. I then thought that there must be other teens like me who couldn’t find any new books to read, so I made a blog, which was initially just to recommend to people, and then I was googling other blogs, and I discovered the book blogging community, so I thought I’d start reviewing books too :)
What was the first book you reviewed for your blog and what was your reaction to it?
I think my first book I reviewed was Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston. I really enjoyed the book, but as it was my first review and I wasn’t going to be reviewing books seriously at the time, it wasn’t very good, and I ended up deleting it and then reviewing it again later on after I’d reread it!
When was the first time you realised you were a Book Blogger?
When I first properly started blogging, because I’d had my blog for about 2 months, but I didn’t post very regularly, or when I did, I posted loads. It wasn’t until I’d stumbled across some other blogs like The Story Siren, that I realised there was a whole ‘community’ who were doing just the same thing as what I wanted to be doing, which is when I realised that I could call myself a book blogger.
How much of your time a week do you spend blogging?
Too much of it! I tend to spend an hour on each review, and anywhere between 40 minutes and an hour and a half doing other posts, like memes, or features. Sometimes longer, if it’s an interview or guest post. So, I’d say I spend around 8 or 9 hours a week blogging. And then I spend way too much time on Twitter, talking about blogging and books...
Has your taste in book genres changed since starting the blog?
Definitely. When I first started blogging, I was very much a Twilight fan girl. Not that I’m not anymore, I’m just not as obsessed as I used to be. When I started my blog, all I read was anything that was paranormal romance. It didn’t matter whether it was about vampires or werewolves, faeries or something completely different, I would read it. And then I read The Hunger Games, and became obsessed with dystopian. Now though, I will read mostly anything as long as it is classed as YA, and I’m trying to widen my range of genres, to include everything from paranormal to historical to contemporary.
What book are you reading at the moment?
I’m 100 pages into Passion by Lauren Kate, which is the third book in the Fallen series. I didn’t really like the first book, Fallen, all that much, but the second book Torment was a lot better, and Passion is already very good :)
What book has got you very excited or made you cry?
The Hunger Games! The first book was amazing, it got me excited yet nervous about the reaping, and when I found out Prim had been chosen I felt sick, and then when Katniss volunteered herself I was happy but scared for her. Then in training it was all very exciting, but once in the arena it was terrifying. And then the Rue scene! Oh my gosh, I have never cried so much at a book in my life! Apart from maybe at the end of Mockingjay, but still, The Hunger Games series was one of the most intense emotional rollercoasters I have ever experienced :L
Have you read any book that you disliked so much you threw it across the room?
I didn’t physically throw it across the room, because that would bend the spine or tear the pages (and we can’t have that), but I have hated a book that I had to take it back to the library as soon as possible because I didn’t want it on my bookshelf any longer. What book was it? It was The Fledgling Handbook 101 by PC Cast. I have never been so bored reading a book in my entire life. I skipped out a lot of it, and I the bits I did read I had no interest in. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the House of Night series, but that companion novel was one that I really didn’t need to read. I am so glad I got it out of the library and didn’t spend my own money on it.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to take part or what to set up a book blog?
Don’t blog for the free books. It really shows in both your reviews and your attitude to blogging. You should only blog if you enjoy the reviewing part of the process, and if reading is your passion. If you are just blogging to get the free books, it really shows, and it makes me sad that there are blogs out there who get so many free books, and then don’t take the time to really think about the book and give it a proper review. Your reviews don’t have to be long, they just need to be well thought out and well written, and written from the heart. Cheesy, I know, but it’s true.
Now, to ask five fun quick-fire questions. What song are you listening to right now?
I’m not! But if I was it would probably be something from P!nk’s I’m Not Dead album :D
MySpace, Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter for people I wish I knew personally, and Facebook for my real life friends and CityVille. And I’ve never actually been on MySpace, nor do I ever intend to.
Hardback, paperbacks or eBooks?
I love my Kindle! :D But, I can’t carry it around because I don’t have a case yet (I really need to buy one), so I have to take paperbacks or hardbacks when I go out. So I prefer a paperback because it’s lighter and easier to read, but hardbacks are prettier and are more satisfying to have on my shelf.
Letters, phone, texting or emailing?
I like emailing (or tweeting) because it’s free :D But I do like long phone conversations :)
Zombies or unicorns?
Never read a unicorn book, so zombies! And they’re cool, they eat people.
This week's Meet The Blogger is Bella from Cheezyfeet Books! Check her blog out at http://www.cheezyfeetbooks.blogspot.com/!
When did you start blogging?
1st July 2010
What made you start blogging?
I was on amazon, looking for a book to read, and I was coming up blank for something good that I hadn’t already read. I then thought that there must be other teens like me who couldn’t find any new books to read, so I made a blog, which was initially just to recommend to people, and then I was googling other blogs, and I discovered the book blogging community, so I thought I’d start reviewing books too :)
What was the first book you reviewed for your blog and what was your reaction to it?I think my first book I reviewed was Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston. I really enjoyed the book, but as it was my first review and I wasn’t going to be reviewing books seriously at the time, it wasn’t very good, and I ended up deleting it and then reviewing it again later on after I’d reread it!
When was the first time you realised you were a Book Blogger?
When I first properly started blogging, because I’d had my blog for about 2 months, but I didn’t post very regularly, or when I did, I posted loads. It wasn’t until I’d stumbled across some other blogs like The Story Siren, that I realised there was a whole ‘community’ who were doing just the same thing as what I wanted to be doing, which is when I realised that I could call myself a book blogger.
How much of your time a week do you spend blogging?
Too much of it! I tend to spend an hour on each review, and anywhere between 40 minutes and an hour and a half doing other posts, like memes, or features. Sometimes longer, if it’s an interview or guest post. So, I’d say I spend around 8 or 9 hours a week blogging. And then I spend way too much time on Twitter, talking about blogging and books...
Has your taste in book genres changed since starting the blog?
Definitely. When I first started blogging, I was very much a Twilight fan girl. Not that I’m not anymore, I’m just not as obsessed as I used to be. When I started my blog, all I read was anything that was paranormal romance. It didn’t matter whether it was about vampires or werewolves, faeries or something completely different, I would read it. And then I read The Hunger Games, and became obsessed with dystopian. Now though, I will read mostly anything as long as it is classed as YA, and I’m trying to widen my range of genres, to include everything from paranormal to historical to contemporary.
What book are you reading at the moment?I’m 100 pages into Passion by Lauren Kate, which is the third book in the Fallen series. I didn’t really like the first book, Fallen, all that much, but the second book Torment was a lot better, and Passion is already very good :)
What book has got you very excited or made you cry?
The Hunger Games! The first book was amazing, it got me excited yet nervous about the reaping, and when I found out Prim had been chosen I felt sick, and then when Katniss volunteered herself I was happy but scared for her. Then in training it was all very exciting, but once in the arena it was terrifying. And then the Rue scene! Oh my gosh, I have never cried so much at a book in my life! Apart from maybe at the end of Mockingjay, but still, The Hunger Games series was one of the most intense emotional rollercoasters I have ever experienced :L
Have you read any book that you disliked so much you threw it across the room?
I didn’t physically throw it across the room, because that would bend the spine or tear the pages (and we can’t have that), but I have hated a book that I had to take it back to the library as soon as possible because I didn’t want it on my bookshelf any longer. What book was it? It was The Fledgling Handbook 101 by PC Cast. I have never been so bored reading a book in my entire life. I skipped out a lot of it, and I the bits I did read I had no interest in. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the House of Night series, but that companion novel was one that I really didn’t need to read. I am so glad I got it out of the library and didn’t spend my own money on it.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to take part or what to set up a book blog?
Don’t blog for the free books. It really shows in both your reviews and your attitude to blogging. You should only blog if you enjoy the reviewing part of the process, and if reading is your passion. If you are just blogging to get the free books, it really shows, and it makes me sad that there are blogs out there who get so many free books, and then don’t take the time to really think about the book and give it a proper review. Your reviews don’t have to be long, they just need to be well thought out and well written, and written from the heart. Cheesy, I know, but it’s true.
Now, to ask five fun quick-fire questions. What song are you listening to right now?
I’m not! But if I was it would probably be something from P!nk’s I’m Not Dead album :D
MySpace, Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter for people I wish I knew personally, and Facebook for my real life friends and CityVille. And I’ve never actually been on MySpace, nor do I ever intend to.
Hardback, paperbacks or eBooks?
I love my Kindle! :D But, I can’t carry it around because I don’t have a case yet (I really need to buy one), so I have to take paperbacks or hardbacks when I go out. So I prefer a paperback because it’s lighter and easier to read, but hardbacks are prettier and are more satisfying to have on my shelf.
Letters, phone, texting or emailing?
I like emailing (or tweeting) because it’s free :D But I do like long phone conversations :)
Zombies or unicorns?
Never read a unicorn book, so zombies! And they’re cool, they eat people.
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
GoodRead - Go The F*** To Sleep (Audiobook)
I have no idea how I came across this. I have a sneaky feeling that I read about this on DigitalSpy, saying that Samuel L Jackson was reading this and, because of this, Audible was giving this away from free for a short period of time (still going on - just checked, but I have no idea when it finishes so, if you want it, go now and get it!)This short audiobook (just under seven minutes and one of those minutes is Samuel explaining why he wanted to read this audiobook, so that makes it under 6) is told for a parent's point of view of trying to put his baby/toddler to sleep. And they're aren't having it. So, the parent getting more and more desperate…
How do I explain this? It's children's bedtime story - for the parents. Oh yes, it's DEFINTELY for adults! Don't ever read or let your children to this, unless you want that awkward conversation of "Mummy/Daddy, what does **** mean?".
Now, I don't know many people with kids, but as I listened to this, I easily thought "Oh, I'm going to be like this when I have a child" or "My parents must have thought this when I was little". I know one or two people (family and friends) who are going to have a baby soon and I thought "Oh no! They have this to come. Should I warn them?"
Now, Samuel L Jackson. Am going to be honest here, when I first heard this news, I thought "Really?" but after listening to the story, I think he was perfect. The further along you get within the story, the more frantic he became on wanting/begging/pleading with the child to go to sleep and I can imagine nearly every mum and dad having this problem and feeling this desperate.
A funny and real story about bedtime for the parents. Oh, look, is it bedtime already…
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Pretty Cover Alert (Again!)
This morning, I put a quick post up on the lovely newly-revealed covers of Lisa McMann and Kimberly Derting's novels, DEAD TO YOU and THE LAST ECHO, respectively.
Not wanting to miss out on the action, Cat Clarke revealed the cover for her second novel, TORN, on her blog. And this is it:
It's very similar to her previous cover, ENTANGLED. But it's very blue washed. It similar and yet different. It's growing on me. I love how both covers have the one eye and the mess of hair.
Oh, for those of you who don't know much about this book, here's the blurb from Cat Clarke's website:
The most popular girl in school is dead. Everyone thinks they know the score, but only Alice and her friends know what really happened to golden girl Tara. But Alice starts to doubt her own version of events when, haunted by visions of Tara, she realizes the truth is much, much darker. And she's the only one who wants to uncover it.
But what do you think of this cover? Do you like or dislike the cover? Reactions, please.
Not wanting to miss out on the action, Cat Clarke revealed the cover for her second novel, TORN, on her blog. And this is it:
It's very similar to her previous cover, ENTANGLED. But it's very blue washed. It similar and yet different. It's growing on me. I love how both covers have the one eye and the mess of hair.
Oh, for those of you who don't know much about this book, here's the blurb from Cat Clarke's website:
The most popular girl in school is dead. Everyone thinks they know the score, but only Alice and her friends know what really happened to golden girl Tara. But Alice starts to doubt her own version of events when, haunted by visions of Tara, she realizes the truth is much, much darker. And she's the only one who wants to uncover it.
But what do you think of this cover? Do you like or dislike the cover? Reactions, please.
Pretty Cover Alert
As you guys know, I love Lisa McMann and I ADORE Kimberly Derting. And yes, I discovered that both authors revealed the covers (and in Kimberly's case, the title of the third Body Finder novel) for their novels, DEAD TO YOU & THE LAST ECHO!
Now, I am very excited. So, let me show you the lush covers and the blurb for them. Ready?
DEAD TO YOU: Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...
Blurb Taken from Goodreads
THE LAST ECHO: Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....
Blurb Taken from Kimberly Derting's Website
What do you guys think? I LOVE BOTH OF THEM! I can't wait to get my hands on these! Now, I know that Headline are the UK publishers of Kimberly Derting's novels so they SHOULD publish THE LAST ECHO & her stand-alone novel THE PLEDGE *fingers crossed*. As for DEAD TO YOU, I LOVE this cover so will have to get the US edition.
But what do you think?
Now, I am very excited. So, let me show you the lush covers and the blurb for them. Ready?
DEAD TO YOU: Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...
Blurb Taken from Goodreads
THE LAST ECHO: Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....
Blurb Taken from Kimberly Derting's Website
What do you guys think? I LOVE BOTH OF THEM! I can't wait to get my hands on these! Now, I know that Headline are the UK publishers of Kimberly Derting's novels so they SHOULD publish THE LAST ECHO & her stand-alone novel THE PLEDGE *fingers crossed*. As for DEAD TO YOU, I LOVE this cover so will have to get the US edition.
But what do you think?
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