I Actually NEED It!

I have a niece who likes to yell this phrase at the top of her lungs when she wants something:

"I actually NEED it!"

I find it very funny, though I'm sure her mom thinks differently.

The following is a list of books that I've been waiting and waiting for (some longer than others). These are books that my library hasn't acquired (yet) and I can't afford to buy with my current budget. Or they are books that I'm dying to have published already so I can read them. In any case, I find that I feel just like my niece when it comes to these:

Released already, but still waiting!

Girl in the Arenaby Lisa Haines
My library finally managed to get this one in. Now I just have to wait for 20 other people to read it. ARGH.

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
It seems I check the catalog every other day to see if they've acquired this yet. Perhaps I should move it up to every day.

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
Come on, she's even a local author! Can we just get it in already? :)

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Just released, but still. Mostly I'm just sad because I missed the authors' visit!

Not yet released...how can I possibly wait?

The Dark Divineby Bree Despain (12/22/2009)
Another local author - I sure hope they acquire it FAST! (I was sorely disappointed I didn't get the ARC I requested ):

A Conspiracy of Kingsby Megan Whalen Turner (3/23/2010)
Continuing one of the very best series - with unbelievable twists - I've ever read. Seriously, if you haven't started reading The Queen's Thief books, do it before March. I'm DYING to know what happens next!

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer (4/1/2010)
Another one I was sad not to get the ARC for. Reading the books in this series (I especially loved Life As We Knew It) is such an experience. I can't wait to find out the rest of the story!

The Princess and the Snowbird by Mette Ivie Harrison (5/1/2010)
I truly love my local authors! I especially enjoy the complex fairy tales in this series - The Princess and the Hound and The Princess and the Bear.

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George (5/25/2010)
Another local author who has yet to disappoint me. This one is a sequel to Princess of the Midnight Ball (which I loved).

The Hunger Games: Book 3by Suzanne Collins (8/24/2010)
Does this need an introduction? Here it is: Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I drool in anticipation of this book.

What are some of the books you actually NEED?

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I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Helpis a book about many things. Skeeter, a middle class white lady, who is finding herself sick of the ideas that permeate her circle of friends. All she wants to do is write. When she comes up with the idea to write about the lives of colored maids, it is a lot more difficult to fight the norms of her southern peers. Aibileen and Minny are two of those maids, walking a fine line between what is acceptable to white society and what is acceptable to themselves.

Things I Liked:
I was absolutely blown away by this book! The story is so compelling that you can't walk away from it. And when you do finish it, the characters will haunt you still. It is beautifully written, with the perfect southern voice and the characters are absolutely perfect! They felt like people you would meet walking down the street (back in the 60s, anyway). After it was over, I kept wishing I could read more about Aibileen, Minny, Skeeter, and Celia. It is no wonder this book has received praise and great reviews - it is worth every page of the read! Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"What Hilly didn't understand was I hadn't planned it at all. When I started typing out her bathroom initiative for the newsletter, typing words like disease and protect yourself and you're welcome!, it was like something cracked open inside of me, not unlike a watermelon, cool and soothing and sweet. I always thought insanity would be a dark, bitter feeling, but it is drenching and delicious if you really roll around in it." p345

"Wasn't that the point of the book? For women to realize, We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought." p418

Things I Didn't Like:
Did anyone else wonder what was the point of the scene with a naked white man? It seemed so random to me. Maybe I missed the point...

Read-alikes:
The voice seemed so unique, but maybe Gone With the Windby Margaret Mitchell and To Kill a Mockingbirdby Harper Lee

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@#%
plenty throughout

mrg-factor: X
see above mentioned naked white man

v-factor: ->->
some violence spoken of and one fairly gruesome scene

Overall rating: *****

Have you read this? What did you think? And what is the naked man's purpose?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowlis a thief. At least, for now. Once he manages to make his fortune, which he is about to accomplish with the kidnapping and ransom of a LEPrecon officer, he will give up the criminal lifestyle. But, despite his genius abilities, he and his butler Butler, take on more than they can bargain for when they kidnap Captain Holly Short.

Things I Liked:
I listened to this one on audio and the narrator did an excellent job! His voices and animation really made the experience so much better! This is a very clever story with an interesting mix of fantasy and reality. The characters are quirky and so much fun, particularly Short, Root, and Mulch. Jam-packed with adventure and action, boys and girls of all ages will love this story.

Things I Didn't Like:
I found it extremely unbelievable that Fowl was a twelve-year-old, but I suppose that was part of his character. I would like to have read about some of the technology instead of listening, since I had a hard time visualizing some of it.

Read-alikes:
Reminded me a bit of Larklight by Philip Reeve
Definitely a fun romp for Harry Potter fans

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
quite a few

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
trolls are bad news

Overall rating: ****

Are you better at visualizing things when you read it or listen to it?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

Bones of Faerieis the story of a world broken by war - the war between faeries and humans. Liza's village has fought all signs of faerie among themselves and from outside. When she realizes she has some magic, she must flee to keep herself and those around her safe. But, things are not all they seem - when she meets some who do not shun the magic in themselves - and when she finds that her mother may still be alive.

Things I Liked:
I love the language - it is spare and plain, which fits the world Simner describes. It has beautiful world building, a great mixing of faerie and dystopian worlds - the atmosphere and setting are remarkably well done. The story was very compelling and I couldn't help being drawn into the world and the characters.

Things I Didn't Like:
Mostly just Liza's father, but that is because he is unlikable. I wish there had been more about the war and the setting. The bits and pieces from her visions were not enough for me, but they certainly added to ethereal feel of book.

Read-alikes:
The setting reminded me of The Giverand Messengerby Lois Lowry
The Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
a few

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
several scenes from the war and some domestic violence

Overall rating: ****

What is so compelling about these faeries?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Sentpicks up the story where Found left off, with Jonah and Katherine traveling with Chip and Alex back to where they came from. Chip and Alex, who are actually Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury, find themselves at the mercy of their uncle Richard III, who stole the throne from Edward. After he tries to have them killed, Chip and Alex, with the help of Jonah and Katherine, must find a way to change history - and to keep from being killed.

Things I Liked:
I think Haddix has created a series that will make learning history much easier and more fun. Kids will love the adventure and the suspenseful action parts, and also learn a bit about history. I thought the science fiction and time travel elements were very good as well. It kept me on my toes and now I am invested in the characters and will want to continue the series.

Things I Didn't Like:
Some of the things the kids say sound weird and a bit awkward. The dialog seemed a little off, but otherwise very enjoyable.

Read-alikes:
Read Found, the first in the series
Reminded me of Haddix's Shadow Childrenseries
Also a bit like Catherine, Called Birdyand The Midwife's Apprenticeby Karen Cushman

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
very few

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
a battle scene, but not much description

Overall rating: ****

Anybody else love books that teach kids something all while entertaining them too?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage

Challenges, Challenges

I have not participated in a lot of challenges during my time as a book blogger. There seem to be a million available, but when I see them, I usually balk at having to choose my books based on some criteria. This limits my choices of challenges (and probably limits my growth as a reader, but we won't go into that) since I prefer ones that have distant deadlines and that I would probably already nearly complete anyway. The notable exceptions are the 24 hour read-a-thon and Natasha of Maw Books' Bloggiesta.

The Printz Project, which was my first challenge, has no deadline at all, which suits me fine. I read Printz-winning books, I post reviews, I feel no pressure.

Then there was the Harry Potter Reading Challenge, which gave me a year to read seven books. Mind you, I'm not doing very well with it, since I haven't even read one!

And then the Maud Hart Lovelace Challenge, which had no set number of books to read. And, since I'd just started reading the Betsy-Tacy books, that turned out pretty easy.

Finally, I joined the 100+ Reading Challenge, which, since I challenged myself to read 150 books this year, I thought might actually be rather difficult. Turns out, I'm finished and I still have a month's worth of reading to spare!

And so, I thought perhaps I might need to step up my challenges this coming year. Of course, stepping it up doesn't mean I'm actually going to change my book choosing habits...it just means I found more challenges that fit my reading choices already. Baby steps.

Anyway, I'm signing up for:

100+ Reading Challenge (again). Next year, I think I'll go for 160 books. You know, to challenge myself.

Support Your Local Library Challenge, cause we all know how I feel about libraries. And, since I get most of my books from there, I thought I'd choose the Super Size Me level - 100 books from my library.

Young Adult Reading Challenge, since I definitely need to read more YA. Ha ha. I decided on the Steppin' It Up size, which is 50 YA books. I think I can handle that.

[Interestingly enough, all of these are hosted at J. Kaye's Book Blog.]

So, what challenges have you taken on for next year?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Farworld, Book 1: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage

Farworld, Book 1: Water Keepis the story of Marcus, a crippled orphan who has been having strange dreams, and Kyja an orphan who grew up in a place called Farworld. The two find themselves inexplicably connected when a strange and dangerous man comes to take Marcus away, and Kyja pulls Marcus through to her world. Will they be able to find a way for him to stay there before it is too late?

Things I Liked:
I picked this one up because Savage is a local author for me. I really enjoyed the fantasy elements of the story. He's created an interesting new world that runs right alongside our world. It is a fun story with a fairly unique premise and lots of adventure. I particularly enjoyed some of the crazy creatures he created.

Things I Didn't Like:
I got a bit distracted by the numerous characters, new creatures, and other fantasy things that I had to keep track of. At times it seemed like too much new stuff. Also, some of these fantasy elements I had a hard time visualizing with his descriptions. I wanted to see them, but they weren't clear enough for me. Maybe it's because I haven't read enough fantasy recently. I imagine things will be clearer and easier to understand in the next books.

Read-alikes:
Definitely had a Lord of the Rings feel
It also reminded me of the Harry Potterbooks

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
some fighting

Overall rating: ***

What are some of your favorite classic fantasy books?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage