A Crooked Kind of Perfect is the only kind of perfect Zoe Elias can get. She wants to learn to play piano, but she ends up with a wheezing organ. She wants to play beautiful classical music, but she is stuck with old TV theme songs. With a mother who works all the time, a father who can't leave the house, and a strange boy who always follows her home, it seems things will never be quite perfect in her life. But, when she decides to play in an organist contest, she learns that her kind of perfect is just right.
Things I Liked:
This book was a sweet story about a kid learning that the things you want in life aren't always what you get. I loved Zoe and totally remember when I wanted things and instead I got something else (like a Cabbage Patch kid that my mother made instead of purchased). I laughed through all of the lunchroom scenes, especially when Zoe is sitting with the boys. This is a light and fun book with interesting characters and a useful message that won't hit kids right over the head. Here are a few of my favorite parts:
"Had Lester Rennet ever seen a school lunchroom? Did he understand that the lunchroom is a jungle, where sixth-grade beasts stalk the weak and dorky? Unfolding a revolutionary paper keyboard would be like picking a scab in a pool of sharks - the scent of blood would cause a frenzy." p 12
"I don't exactly know what smitten means, but it sounds okay, like I wouldn't mind if Colton Shell was smitten. Like it might actually be kind of good to have somebody smittening me." p 103
Things I Didn't Like:
I have to admit to being annoyed at times with her parents. I think that was part of the book's appeal, though. Zoe is annoyed as well and we tend to feel the same way.
Read-alikes:
Reminded me of Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
Also Shug by Jenny Han and Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: none
Overall rating: ****
Got a favorite tween read?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
Beauty Sleep seems inevitable for the princess Aurore, cursed to sleep for 100 years and be awakened only by true love's first kiss. Aurore, not content to be sheltered for life, convinces her parents to let her out of the palace. She begins to make friends among the common people. But when horrible things begin to happen in her kingdom, she must make a difficult choice between herself or her kingdom.
Things I Liked:
This was a really fun and fairly unique retelling of Sleeping Beauty. The story doesn't go quite how it has been told before, and that makes it more enjoyable, I thought - a few surprises mixed in with a familiar story. I really liked Aurore and her spunky, no nonsense attitude. She narrates her story directly and I loved her somewhat cheeky voice throughout. There are glimpses of humor and wit throughout that make this overall an excellent read for those who can't get enough fairy tale retellings!
Things I Didn't Like:
I was disappointed that there didn't seem to be a lot of depth. There were so many things that could have been developed more, especially the "villains." I thought it was a really good story, but should have been more detailed and instead of simply hinting at other things that are dying to be told what, carrying that concept through. I wanted more.
Read-alikes:
Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn
Enchantment by Orson Scott Card
Thornspell by Helen Lowe
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: none
Overall rating: ****
You know, I never really get tired of a good fairy tale retelling, even though the basic story is so familiar. Do you?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
Daughter of the Forest is the sweeping tale of Sorcha and her six brothers. Growing up deep in the heart of their forest, the seven of them are as close as they can be to one another. But, when a mysterious and powerful woman comes into their lives, everything changes and Sorcha finds she must perform an impossible task in order to save her brothers' lives. But even she does not at first realize just how difficult that task will be.
Things I Liked:
I was blown away by this book! (A huge thanks to Angie from Angieville for recommending it so highly.) There is so much in it, that I couldn't possibly do it all justice in this review without going on forever. I had a hard enough time trying to write a "summary" for it - it doesn't even scratch the surface. The characters are so complex and believable and real that you start to feel things right along with them, particularly Sorcha and Red. The plot is complex and has many twists and turns, but it is easy to see that Marillier knew exactly where she wanted it to go. Everything seems to happen for a reason, even the most horrible things. I was also really impressed that she didn't just wrap things up all nice at the end. Everything does not end up perfectly and the characters have each changed so much that things don't go back the way they were in the beginning. We would not want them to. And can I just say, the love story was so beautiful. So many books today, especially a lot of teen romances (not to disparage the genre, since you know I read a lot of it), the love stories are so incomplete - the people fall in love at first sight. They can't be separated - they feel incomplete without one another, but we really don't see any reason for this. Not so, with this book. Just so gorgeous. And heartbreaking. And I'll stop raving so you can pick this one up. :)
We may be torn asunder, and it may seem as if there is no tomorrow for us. We may travel our own path, and we may fall and be broken and mend again. But in the end, as surely as the sun and moon make their way across the arch of the heavens, the strenght of one is the strength of seven...Like pools in the same stream, we must meet and part and meet again. We belong to the flow of the lake and to the deep beating heart of the forest. p 124
Real life is not quite as it is in stories. In the old tales, bad things happen, and when the tale has unfolded and come to its triumphant conclusion, it is as if the bad things had never been. Life is not as simple as that, not quite. p532-533
Things I Didn't Like:
It is not a simple, easy read. It takes a long time for the action to start and there are a lot of details and side stories and pages to get through. Those of you who don't like high fantasy will not want to bother. But, you will miss out. Take plenty of time and don't rush. I think you'll fall in love too.
Read-alikes:
I kept remembering Hush: an Irish Princess' Tale by Donna Jo Napoli
And very like Marillier's other books, especially Heart's Blood
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
a few
mrg-factor: XX
mostly it is implied or skimmed over, but one rather disturbing scene
v-factor: ->->->
plenty of fighting and injury and the above-mentioned scene
Overall rating: *****
Got a latest blown-away-by-this book?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
Wondrous Strange is just what Kelley's life is about to become. She is trying to make it as an actress in New York when she meets handsome and mysterious Sonny, who seems determined to protect her. She's never needed protection before, but all kinds of strange creatures seem to be hunting her. It is only when Kelley learns who she really is that she begins to understand just what danger she is in.
Things I Liked:
I thought this was a pretty fun faery book, despite its rather predictable story. The faery details were intriguing and some of the descriptions quite beautiful. I found myself enjoying the story, even if I was certain just where it was going. There were a few surprises, but not that many. Kelley was a lot of fun, at least during the first part of the book - she was independent and not willing to be pushed around by anyone. Later on, she became a little less interesting, but still a good heroine. I liked the way this quote sounded:
The music drifted over to where they stood, coiling through the late October night like a slow, lazy serpent. Beautiful, a little disturbing. Sonny closed his eyes for a brief second and shivered, opening them again before the sinewy melody had a chance to take a firm hold. p145
Things I Didn't Like:
Aside from predictability, I was rather nauseated by the romantic details. It almost seemed like one minute Kelley was telling Sonny off and the next, they were cuddling and he was calling her "my heart." The romance was very cheesy and cliche, but somehow I still managed to enjoy the book.
Read-alikes:
Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr
Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
Wings by Aprilynne Pike
Need by Carrie Jones
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
scattered throughout
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: ->
there appears to be a lot of blood!
Overall rating: ***
Anybody got a favorite not-so-predictable faery story?
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I've been meaning for several weeks to have a little "clearing off my shelves" giveaway. I've got lots of books that I would love to share with people and what better way than giving them away?
I will choose three winners and they will each get to choose one book (the first winner will choose first, etc). Enter the giveaway by commenting on this post with your answer to this question: what's the first book you remember reading that really affected you or that you really loved? Please make sure I can find your email on your profile or website, or you can leave it in your comment. I will take entries for two weeks until Tuesday, March 23.
Here's the list of books to choose from. I've linked to my reviews if I have one posted:
Being by Kevin Brooks (HC)
Black Angels by Linda Beatrice Brown (ARC)
The Bread of Angels by Stephanie Saldana (ARC)
A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve (HC)
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (HC)
Invisible Lines by Mary Amato (ARC)
Legacy by Cayla Kluver (HC)
Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers (ARC)
Secrets of a Christmas Box by Steven Horby (HC)
The Smart One and the Pretty One by Claire LaZebnik (ARC)
Spellbinder by Helen Stringer (ARC)
The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey (PB)
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (HC)
What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell (HC)
Thanks everyone for reading - your comments always make my day!
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
This World We Live In has definitely changed. Miranda and her family have managed to survive almost a full year since the asteroid hit the moon, despite the crazy weather, lack of sun, and definite shortage of food. But, when her father and his new wife and baby show up with several strangers, their lives are all about to change even more.
Things I Liked:
I love how the book explores motivations and what people will do in extreme situations. I like the different views of religion people have, because I think that is how religious people would respond to a catastrophe. I also like how the family has such changing dynamics and people each deal with those things differently. What would I act like if all the frivolous and extraneous details of life were stripped away and everything was a matter of survival? This book is especially poignant with all of the earthquakes that are happening recently. It really makes you evaluate what is important in life. Such as:
There is nothing more beautiful than half a roll of toilet paper p 26 of ARC
I woke up this morning and all I could think about was everything I've lost. No, not everything, everybody. Everything doesn't matter, not really. After a while you get used to being cold, and hungry, and living in the dark. But, you can't get used to losing people. p 61 of ARC
You have to fight for happiness, Mom. Maybe it didn't used to be that way, but it is now. I'm not going to settle for sadness. That's not what you want for me, not really. p 207-208 of ARC
Things I Didn't Like:
Well, it is definitely not an action-packed apocalyptic book. The action and pacing are slow and steady. Not much of note happens for almost the entire book, with all the action coming at the end. Thus, sometimes despite the interesting look at people's emotions, it was hard to get through. I was rather surprised and annoyed at the relationship Miranda develops, though I assume that is exactly how relationships would develop under those conditions: very fast and with no apparent substance.
Read-alikes:
Definitely pick up the first two books in the trilogy Life As We Knew It and the dead and the gone by Pfeffer
A bit like Daylight Runner by Oisin Mcgann
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
a few
mrg-factor: X
mostly implied/insinuated things
v-factor: ->->
I wouldn't say violence so much as disturbing images of death
Overall rating: ****
Do you ever wonder how you would act during a disaster?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
Charles and Emma seem like two very different people. Charles Darwin is a tidy, scientific naturalist, always doing experiments with plants and studying animals. Emma Wedgwood is a messy, religious woman, happy to remain at home and take care of her aging father and mother. When Charles decides to take a leap and ask Emma to marry him, neither one could anticipate just how much they would come to mean to each other, or just how they would resolve their religious and moral differences.
Things I Liked:
I loved reading a biography of Charles Darwin that talked about his wife! I thought it was very intriguing to see how much they disagreed on the subject of God and his role in the creation and in their daily lives. I also thought it was very interesting to read about the kinds of difficulties Charles felt while trying to sort out and publish his ideas on natural selection. I am both a religious and a scientific person (I studied physics and astronomy before I became a librarian) and I was particularly interested in Charles' friend Asa Gray's views on reconciling those two seemingly conflicting beliefs. The book offers such a unique look at how people dealt with those kinds of discrepancies back then and probably still applies to many people today. Reading about how both Charles and Emma interacted with their children and dealt with grief was much more interesting to me, however, than reading Darwin's work on natural selection or worms. The relationship between them was very touching, despite their differences.
Things I Didn't Like:
I wish there had been more about Emma. I kept wanting to know if she would discuss religion and God with Charles often or if she just let him take his own path. We didn't get a lot of insight into her, but what we did see was intriguing. I had to laugh a bit at the arrogance in this statement: "In The Origin, Charles wasn't trying to murder Emma's God; he was trying to show how he believed creation really occurred. He knew he was right." (p 182). He wasn't generally arrogant (at least that wasn't the impression I got from the biography), but this statement just made me want to laugh a bit. I also found it highly ironic that he would often use phrases like "Thank God" in his letters - who did he think he was thanking? I'm sure he was just using common phrases of the time, but I wonder if it ever struck him how humorous it was to use such phrases and not really believe in a God.
Read-alikes:
I kept thinking of Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande
A bit like The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
It also made me interested in picking up Darwin's The Voyage of the Beagle
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
a very few
mrg-factor: X
a couple of suggestive parts
v-factor: none
Overall rating: ****
If you are a religious person, do you ever struggle to reconcile your religious beliefs with science?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
*review copy provided by publisher*
The Bread of Angels: A Journey to Love and Faith is the memoir of Stephanie during her year spent living in Damascus. When Stephanie leaves the United States as a Fulbright scholar studying the Muslim Jesus in Syria, she leaves behind a broken heart and a broken family. As she tries to pull herself together, she decides to spend a month doing spiritual exercises in a remote monastery, changing her life forever when she comes to know a French novice monk.
Things I Liked:
The writing of this unique memoir is very beautiful - you can tell Saldana is a poet. Phrases in the book would just pop out and surprise me with their depth and beauty. You really begin to feel some of the things Saldana experiences very vividly. I admire her for the passionate and complete ways she experiences religion and the scriptures. She tends to throw herself completely into whatever she does. The interesting views and ideas about religion and Christianity and Islam in particular really broadened my perspectives. The little vignettes of life in the Middle East are so real and I just fell in love with the places and people she meets: the Baron, the Sheikha, Hassan, and Frederic of course. Here are just a few samples of the parts I loved:
"I come to the Umayyad Mosque to witness a miracle. At around five o'clock every evening, the sun begins to set over Damascus,and the light gathers in a pool over the white marble courtyard, illuminating the tiles, until everyone walking on it appears as though they are angels. Light reflects from the ground up into their bodies...Each time I witness it, I am almost moved to tears - at the sight of humans so ethereal, so transcendent that they might have wings, might press their toes against the ground and then lift off, away from all of this madness. Nothing appears sinister in that light." p65 of ARC
"The Eastern legend says that the monk leaves the world to take on the cloak of a stranger, to become nobody, that he becomes a stranger among strangers, a desolate wanderer who carries the entire world within his heart. It is in this sacrifice that he is given a particular gift, to transform the entire world within himself through prayer. So he walks, alone, carrying the world within his broken body, connected to others through breath and dreams, separated from all and united to all." p 100 of ARC
"I had wanted so much to save someone's life. But it turned out that the only life that I could hope to save was my own." p167 of ARC
"...in the moment of suffering, humans take on a transcendent power and beauty. In the Bible, the moment in which Abraham is asked to give up his son is the first time that love is mentioned by name: Take now they son, thy only son Isaac, whom thou lovest. Love is given a name in the moment of sacrifice, at the moment in which we face the terrifying possibility of loss. Suffering is the moment when love appears." p 216 of ARC
Things I Didn't Like:
The first 2/3 of the book really dragged for me. Despite the beautiful writing and unique life Saldana leads, I really wanted to hear about the story of love that the blurb from the back focused on. Frederic doesn't appear until about the last 1/3 of the book, so I really struggled with interest level. Also, sometimes I thought she was a little too dramatic - she responds to things so violently, it was almost over the top.
Read-alikes:
It reminded me a little of The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
nothing too strong, but fairly frequent
mrg-factor: X
a few mentions, nothing graphic
v-factor: ->
not so much violent, but rather depressing at times
Overall rating: ****
Do you like to read memoirs of other people's spiritual experiences?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
*Review copy provided by publisher for Cybils*
11 Birthdays might sound like fun, but Amanda's about to find out, it's definitely not. Amanda and Leo have shared birthday parties since they turned one, but after a fight during their tenth birthday, they haven't spoken in a year. When that eleventh birthday rolls around, Amanda is not very excited about having this birthday party alone. She just wants the day to end, but the day doesn't seem to want to. By some strange twist of magic, she is stuck in a never-ending repeat of that dreadful day.
Things I Liked:
The book has a very fun idea (though it made me think of the movie Groundhog Day). I love Leo and Amanda and the different adventures that happen each time the day repeats. I also thought Mass was very smart in not having everything turn out perfect and easy. Some things happened no matter what Amanda changed. Also, the relationships Amanda has with her family and friends are interesting to watch develop and change. A fun, if somewhat dull at times, book. Loved this:
"What do you call it when every tomorrow is both tomorrow and today? And every today is both today and yesterday?" p 77
Things I Didn't Like:
The magical elements seemed not very well explained. The fantasy was just not that interesting. I think the book does better if you ignore the somewhat fantastical details. It also seemed to drag a little bit at times. Even with some complexity, the ending was a little too neatly wrapped up.
Read-alikes:
Style is very similar to Every Soul A Star also by Mass
Reminded me of Shug by Jenny Han
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: none
Overall rating: ***
Do you ever find books are "ruined" by association with something else you've already seen or read?
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Candor by Pam Bachorz
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor
The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk
Heist Society by Ally Carter
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter
Born to Fly by Michael Ferrari
And I got two books at the Utah blogger party Saturday:
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (from the book swap)
Read, Remember, Recommend by Rachelle Rogers Knight (Rachelle brought a copy for everyone! How cool is that?)
Do you ever want to flagrantly ignore books that have been patiently waiting in line to be read and pick up something you just got? *cough*Heist Society*cough*
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
I'm not a very outgoing person. I think I mentioned it before, when we had the summer Utah book blogging social. But, I decided to put more effort into mingling and socializing at our latest event. I definitely improved, but I have a long way to go yet.
We gathered because of the beautiful organizing skills of these fine ladies, who deserve our thanks:
Natasha from Maw Books
Suey from It's All About Books
Becky from One Literature Nut
Here's a list of many of the Utah book bloggers and there were lots and lots of them at the social on Saturday (as well as Utah authors). I didn't meet nearly as many as I'd like, but I did talk to a few. I was really happy to meet Suey from It's All About Books, Kim from Good Clean Reads and Alison from So Many Books, So Little Time. I also met Brenda from Brenda Loves Books and a few others who I listened to, but didn't actually talk with. I had a few minutes (or seconds) to chat again with Cari from Bookscoops, Becky from One Literature Nut, Angie from Angieville, and Natasha from Maw Books.
Where I failed, however, was in chatting with the authors (I'd try to name them all, but I'm sure I'd leave some out). Seriously, I have an inability to approach them. One thing at a time, I guess. Anyway, here are some photos that other people took, since I didn't bring a camera.
This photo was taken from Suey's fabulous recap at It's All About Books (there are tons more photos there too and she names the people in them :)
I'd better not try to name everyone in this photo, since I don't know everyone, but that's me in the front (with the long hair) and that's as close as I got to Shannon Hale the whole evening :)
(photo courtesy of Natasha)
Lots of authors and bloggers here, all of them very cool. And since he's the sole male in the photo, I'll point out James Dashner.
I'm already looking forward to our summer social!
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
I'd like to welcome Georgette Heyer to my blog as part of the Classics Circuit tour. For other stops on the tour, visit the Classics Cirtuit blog. (Listless Monday will be back next week.)
Frederica is not your typical woman in Regency England. When her father dies and she is left basically in charge of her three younger siblings, Frederica is determined to launch her beautiful younger sister Charis into London society, with no thought for her own place in society. In order to accomplish this, she turns to her distant cousin-by-marriage Lord Alverstoke who, in general is not disposed to do favors for his family. After consenting to hold a party for Charis (much to the surprise of everyone), he gets a lot more than he bargained for when he finds himself helping (for no apparent reason!) Frederica and her siblings out of multiple interesting scrapes.
Things I Liked:
This was my first Heyer book and I found the story to be so much fun! I became a huge fan of Frederica, Lord Alverstoke, and particularly Jessamy and Felix. The witty dialog and humorous situations are plentiful throughout and so much fun, you can't help but laugh. I liked how the main characters are fully formed and very much imperfect. Particularly Alverstoke, who tends to be a jerk, but is just as surprised as everyone else when he isn't. Overall, a fun lovely romp.
Things I Didn't Like:
Heyer's writing can be very much a turn-off I think. While she does a masterful job at the details and language of the period, I think she sometimes is over the top. I can read Jane Austen's novels and understand entirely what is happening or what they are saying, even if the language is more formal and archaic than ours. But, with Heyer, there are so many (historically accurate, I'm sure) slang words and odd phrases used that it becomes almost obscure what she is meaning. Such as this sentence: "It was nothing - just fun and gig! But the Bag-wig was feeling out of curl, and he chose to cut up stiff" (p.233). I could usually work out the gist of what they were saying, but I wonder if people actually used that much slang or that many words we wouldn't at least recognize today. (A sample of some of the interesting names they called each other: pea-goose, wet-goose, mawworm, chawbacon, bacon-picker, shag-rag, greenhead - what is it with geese and bacon?) Heyer is definitely not for someone who is just entering the world of historical fiction. But, I have to admit the story and humor made up for the frustrations I felt with the language.
Read-alikes:
Frederica and Charis reminded me of Elizabeth and Jane from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (though Jane had a lot more sense than Charis)
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
every now and then, but nothing strong
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: none
Overall rating: ****
What do you think of Heyer? Love her, hate her, or somewhere in between?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
by Kate 
by Siobhan Dowd (Ireland/Irish)
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