Books Read in September 2013

Print Books:

1.) Dark Curse by Christine Feehan
2.) The Virtuous Knight by Margo Maguire
3.) Battle Royale by Koushun Takami, Yuji Oniki (Translator)
4.) Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus
5.) Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
6.) Lady Oracle by Margaret Atwood
7.) Love in the Time of Dragons by Katie MacAlister

8.) Pomogranite Soup by Marsha Mehran

9.) Flight, volume 8 by  Kazu Kibuishi (Editor)

10.) The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon

11.) Welcome to the Jungle by Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author), Ardian Syaf (Illustrator)

12.) The Panopticon by Jenni Fagan

13.) Armor by John Steakley

14.) Tatterhood and Other Tales by  Ethel Johnston Phelps (Editor), Pamela Baldwin Ford

15.) Goblins by  Charles L. Grant

Audio Books:

1.) Scholar by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
2.) Princeps by  L.E. Modesitt Jr.
3.) Imager's Battalion by  L.E. Modesitt Jr.
4.) Antiagon Fire by  L.E. Modesitt Jr.

E-Books:

Books Read in August 2013

E-book:

1.) Kiss Me, Kill Me H.P. Mallory, Zoe Winters, Susan Bischoff, Lori Brighton, M.T. Murphy, Kait Nolan, Toni LoTempio, Daniel Arenson, Stacey Wallace Benefiel
2.) Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey
3.) Saints Astray by Jacqueline Carey
4.) Jerome and the Seraph by Robina Williams
5.) Angelos by Robina Williams

Audio Books:

1.) The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

2.) Imager's Intrigue by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

Print Books:

1.) A Fist Full O' Dead Guys edited by Shane Lacy Hensley editor

2.) The Lady of the Sorrows by Cecilia Dart-Thornton

3.) Pinball, 1973 by  Haruki Murakami, Alfred Birnbaum (Translator)

4.) Clockwork Fairy Tales: A Collection of Steampunk Fables by by Stephen L. Antczak (Editor), James C. Bassett (Editor), Pip Ballantine, K.W. Jeter, Jay Lake, Kat Richardson, Paul Di Filippo, Steven Harper, Nancy A. Collins, G.K. Hayes, Gregory Nicoll, Philippa Ballantine

5.) Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America by Steve Almond

6.) Westward Weird by by Martin H. Greenberg (editor), Dean Wesley Smith, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Jennifer Brozek, J. Steven York, Jeff Mariotte, Jody Lynn Nye, Kerrie Huges (editor) , Jay Lake, Larry D. Sweazy, Anton Strout, Seanan McGuire, Brenda Cooper, Christopher McKitterick, Steven Saus, Kerrie Hughes (Editor)

7.) Empire of Ivory by Naomi Naomi Novik

8.) White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz

9.) Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz

10.) The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett

11.) Firefly: Still Flying: A Celebration of Joss Whedon's Acclaimed TV Series by Joss Whedon

12.) Long Way Round by Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman, Robert Uhlig

Books wild released in August 2013:

1.)  One Wish  by Linda Lael Miller on 8/1/2013

2.)  The Greedy Auctioneer: Church Choir Mysteries  by Evelyn Minshull  on 8/8/2013

3.)  Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind by Suzanne Fisher Staples  on 8/8/2013

4.)  A Fistful O' Dead Guys   by Shane Lacy Hensley  on 8/8/2013

5.)  Star of Wonder Anthology  by Jo Beverley, Kate Freiman, Alice Alfonsi, Tess Farraday on 8/12/2013

6.)  Clockwork Fairy Tales: A Collection of Steampunk Fables  by Stephen L. Antczak, James C. Bassett on 8/17/2013

7.)  At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon  on 8/17/2013

8.)  Westward Weird by Martin H. Greenberg, Kerrie Hughes  on 8/23/2013

9.)  Sizzle and Burn  by jayne ann krentz on 8/23/2013

10.)  White Lies by jayne ann krentz on 8/23/2013

11.)  Once a Princess   by Johanna Lindsey on 8/23/2013

12.)  Abhorsen by Garth Nix  on 8/28/2013

13.)  The Well of Shades by Juliet Marillier on 8/28/2013

14.)  Darkwitch Rising: Book Three of The Troy Game  by Sara Douglass on 8/28/2013

Bout of Books Read a Thon wrap up

          

         

Books Finished During the Read a Thon:

Empire of Ivory (Temeraire, Book 4) by Naomi Novik Finished 8/19/2013
White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz Finished 8/21/2013
Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz  Finished 8/22/2013
Imager's Intrigue by L.E. Modessit Jr. Finished 8/24/2013

The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett Finished 8/255/2013


Read but not finished during the Read a Thon:
Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World by Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman Read 148 pages
The Imperator Plot by Steven Spruill  Read 43 pages

Total pages Read during the Read a Thon:

1779 physical pages read

Hours Listened during the Read a Thon:

12.5 hours listened to an audiobook during the read a thon.

Bout of Books Read a Thon day 7

          

The last day of the read a Thon. I have been productive today already and finished The Voyage of the Narwhale. This was a very moving book.

Currently Reading:

Long Way Round by Ewan McGregor and  Charley Boorman stopped at 148 for the night.

Books Finished Today:

The Voyage of the Narwhale. 

Bout of Books Read a Thon day 6

         

       My goals for this read a thon can be found over here.

Not sure how much reading will get done as Saturdays are usually hectic. Will hopefully finish the audio we have been listening to all week.

Currently Reading:

The Voyage of the Narwhale - stopped at  167 (67 pages read today).

Books finished Today:

Imager's Intrigue by L.e. Modessit Jr. 

Bout of Book Read a Thon Day 5

My goals for this read a thon can be found over here.

Slow start today. I'm having a rough time concentrating on The Imperator Plot, So may take a Break we'll see.

Ok, there are pros and cons to having a friends of the library sponsored take a book/leave a book shelf nearby.

Pros: :* A convenient place to release books I have read that I don't plan on keeping.
         * Located in a great local coffee shop with friendly staff and comfortable seating, and yummy drinks and snacks.
Cons: * I can never leave books without finding one or more books I am interested in reading
          * I seem to always find parts of series case in point. Today there was an ARC for the newest Jacky Faber (Bloody Jack) book which is released next month. I haven't read all of the books (I stopped at book 6 this is book 12) I know, I could probably read this without the prior 5 books, but i'm also a complete-ist.

I also picked up:Clockwork princess by Casandra Clare of which I also am missing books in the series.

I have a feeling a trip to the library will be in the plans once I figure out how crazy my coursework will be next week.

Currently Reading:

breaking at page 50, and trying something else. I usually love this type of sci-fi mystery but today I'm just not in the mood.

The Voyage of the Narwal by Andrea Barrett

- I am stopping on page 100 for the night .

Listened to 30 min of Imager's Intruigue by L. E. Modessit Jr.

Books Finished Today:

Bout of Books Read a Thon day 4

My goals for this read a thon can be found over here.

A very late night, combined with a very early morning and not being able to go back to sleep this morning has left me feeling rather cranky and unfocused... I spent the morning curled up on the couch reading, but I think I might need to try and nap at some point.

Currently Reading:

The Imperator Plot bySteven Spruill

Books Finished Today:

Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz

Book Review: Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik

Title: Empire of Ivory
Author Naomi Novik
Series: Book 4 of the Temeraire books
Publication date: September 25, 2007
Publisher: Del Ray


It starts with tragic event:. As Captain Lawrence and Temeraire return to England with the rescued Prussian soldiers they discover that tragedy has struck the dragons of the country. An unknown illness, first thought to be a cold has been introduced by a Native American dragon and has turned deadly. Temeraire however, does not contract the illness and in fact is discovered to have had the cold and been cured during his previous trip to China.

Lawrence and Temeraire set off with the ill members of their formation on a journey to Africa to try and find the mushroom that the Imperial chefs  made into a tasty stew while they were in Cape Town that might have been a cure for the mystery illness. They are accompanied by a former slave turned missionary and his family who are bound for Africa to try and bring the Christian faith to the people in their former homeland. However, when they get to Cape Town, they find that the mushroom they are seeking is  considered bad as it makes the cattle ill and is destroyed by both European settlers and the  cattle raising tribes in the area. Their search takes them further into the interior, where they are captured by members of an African tribe that has ancestor ties to the dragons of the land. Worse, the mushrooms that they found are considered property of the King of the tribe.

Will Laurence and Temeraire be able to get back to England with the medicine they require? or will their African captors do them harm before  they can trade for  the medicines.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I found it captivating. As well I enjoyed the fact that it delved into the issues of slavery and slave trade both for humans as well as dragons. This book also allows for another break from the War being fought by Napoleon (although the end  brings us back to the conflict), and allows the reader to explore another part of the world. Africa at the time was being divided up between the Dutch, Portuguese, British and French without any thought for the people already living there. In modern times there are still repercussions to  colonization. I enjoyed seeing this alternate look at what might happen if 1. there were dragons to help protect these people and 2. what would happen is they decided enough was enough.

Bout of Books Read a Thon Day 3

My goals for this read a thon can be found over here.

Wednesday already. My sister is coming over tonight to hang out and play video games, so I expect my reading to be just during the day today


Currently Reading:

Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz. - Stopped with 50 pages read today.

Books Finished Today:
* White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz.

Bout of Books Read a Thon Day 2

Day 2 of the Bout of Books Read a Thon.

My goals for this read a thon can be found over here.

Elengil has the day off work, so we listened to our audiobook and relaxed most of the day.

Currently reading:

Listening to the audio of Imager's Intrigue by l.e. Modessit Jr. - listened to 9 hours (all of part 2 and most of part 3). We have 2 1/2 hours left in the book.

White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz - broke at page 58 for the night. 

Books Finished:

None today.

Bout of Books Read a Thon Day 1

So, a bit of a later start than intended for setting up this post.

Today is Monday: Day one of the Read a Thon.

My goals for this read a thon can be found over here.

I am starting the day reading:

Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik
. - this is the fourth book in a series I have been reading all summer. I'm finding it a little hard to get into, as I have been in a short story mode for the last week or so.

Update: 6:30PM Read to page 275, and am now listening to Imager's Intrigue: The Third Book of the Imager Portfolio by L. E. Modesitt Jr. with Elengil.
Update: Finished reading Empire of Ivory & listened to 7 chapters of Imager's Intruige


Books Read:

Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik Finished
Imager's Intrigue: The Third Book of the Imager Portfolio by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

Bout of Books 8.0 Read a Thon Goals

Time Devoted to Reading

I am off one more week before the semester starts,so I will be reading all day/ evening for the whole week depending on what pops up during the week.

My Goals

I have been working on older book trades through bookcrossing.com for the last year. So, I would like to try and focus on the bookcrossing books in my to be read pile that I personally registered. However, as last week was my birthday I have a few new books looking very interesting sitting on my dining room table as well.

Books to Read (planned)

Empire of Ivory (Temeraire, Book 4) by Naomi Novik Finished 8/19/2013
Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus by Orson Scott Card
Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World by Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman Reading Now
The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea. Barrett Finished 8/255/2013
Battle Royale: The Novel by Koushun Takami - I had started this book at the start of the summer, and set it down. I misplaced the book, but if I can locate it I want to read it this week.
The Imperator Plot (Doubleday Science Fiction) by Steven Spruill reading now
Dark Curse (Carpathian) by Christine Feehan
White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz Finished 8/21/2013
Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz ; Finished 8/22/2013

Plus i want to finish the book I am currently reading if I don't finish it tonight:

Westward Weird by Martin H. Greenberg, Kerrie Hughes  Finished 8/18/2013


I think that's a good list, seeing as a few of these are weighty tomes which is why I keep picking up other books :)

Books Read in July 2013:

Print Copy:

1.) Seraphim by Michele Hauf
2.) Death Drops by Chrystle Fiedler

3.) Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson

4.) His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

5.) Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik

6.) Black Powder War by Naomi Novik

7.) Isis by Douglas Clegg

8.) Treasure Box by Orson Scott Card

9.) Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind by Suzanne Fisher Staples

10.) Star of Wonder by  Jo Beverley, Alice Alfonsi, Tess Farraday, Kate Freiman

11.) One Wish by Linda Lael Miller
 

Audio Books:

1.) Hunted by Kevin Hearne

2.)The Grimoire of the Lamb by Kevin Hearne

3.) Imager by L.E. Modesitt Jr.4.) Imager's Challange by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

E-Books:

1.) xkcd: volume 0 by Randall Munroe

Books Wild Released in July 2013:

1.)    The Celery Stalks At Midnight  by James Howe on 7/3/2013

2.)    Seraphim  by Michele Hauf on 7/3/2013

3.)    The Fallen Man  by Tony Hillerman on 7/9/2013

4.)    Sam's letters to Jennifer  by James Patterson  on 7/10/2013

5.)    Shoot the Moon  by Billie Letts  on 7/10/2013

6.)    October Song  by Beverly Lewis on 7/13/2013

7.)    Thinner  by Richard Bachman on 7/16/2013

8.)    The Bridge of Peace  by Cindy Woodsmall on 7/16/2013

9.)    Star: A Novel   by Pamela Anderson  on 7/18/2013

10.)  Sarah's Key  by Tatiana de Rosnay on 7/23/2013

11.)   The Poisonwood Bible  by Barbara Kingsolver  on 7/23/2013 Caught!

12.)   The Templar Legacy: A Novel  by Steve Berry on 7/23/2013

13.)    Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest  on 7/23/2013

Bout of Books Read a Thon

I have decided to try and take part in the Bout of Books Read a thon from 19 August - 25 August 2013. As this is the last free week I will have before classes start for the semester I am going to spend it reading!

About the Read a Thon:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Book Review: The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy

The sushi book is divided into 4 parts. First is an exploration of sushi. How the first Atlantic bluefin tuna were shipped to Japan fresh, how sushi evolved from its fermented origins as a way to preserve rice to the popular forms it is enjoyed in now: futomaki, nigiri, sashimi, and the box sushi which is still a regional fermented delicacy. The second portion of the book looks at the expansion of sushi from a Japanese delicacy into the well loved globally enjoyed delicacy it is today. The book focuses on the introduction of sushi into Los Angeles, and the spread of sushi as a food for first the rich to becoming widely available across the US and into the rest of the world. The third portion of the book focuses on the fishing industry in different ports where tuna is a primary catch crop. How over fishing has decimated wild tuna populations, and how farming tuna has become a profitable option that still depends largely on wild fish. The book ends with a look at the future of sushi. How changes in tastes in other Asian powers such as China may change the purchasing pattern of tuna (both fresh and frozen, wild and farmed), the tuna pirating that is occurring in the Mediteranian, and the effects of trying to propigate tuna in farms rather than catching wild tuna and fattening them on fish farms.

I thought this was an interesting look at the complexities of the tuna fishing trade specifically, and how sushi has increased the demand for this fish worldwide. Since it was written using 2005 and 2006 statistics as the most recent I was left wanting to know more about how what I was reading about was current now in 2013.

Books Read in June 2013

Print copy:

1.) Something to Hide by Patricia Robinson
2.) Samurai Game by Christine Feehan
3.) Deadly Safari by Karin McQuillan
4.) The Ill-Made Mute by Cecilia Dart-Thorton
5.) Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts
6.) Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts
7.) Lily's Crossing y Patricia Reilly Giff
8.) Beyond Sanctuary by Janet E. Morris

E-Book:

1.) Vesper by Jeff Sampson
2.) The Tale of The Wicked by john Scalzi (short story)

Audiobook:

none finished this month

Books Wild Released in June 2013:

1.) Samurai Game (Game/Ghostwalker) by Christine Feehan on 6/13/2013
2.) War on the Middle Class: How the Government, Big Business, and Special Interest Groups Are Waging War on the American Dream and How to Fight Back by Lou Dobbs on 6/13/2013
3.) Something to hide by Patricia Robinson on 6/13/2013
4.) Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume 3: Superman by Michael Fleischer on 6/20/2013
5.) Man of Steel: Superman's Superpowers (I Can Read Book 2) by Lucy Rosen on 6/20/2013
6.) Happy Graduation! (Ready-to-Read, Level 1) by Margaret McNamara on 6/20/2013
7.) Deadly Safari by Karin Mcquillan on 6/22/2013
8.) Where the Heart Is (Oprah's Book Club) by Billie Letts on 6/24/2013
9.) Lily's Crossing by PATRICIA REILLY GIFF on 6/30/2013
10.) The Shape-Changer's Wife by Sharon Shinn on 6/30/2013

Books Read in May 2013

Print:
1.) The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son by Rupert Isaacson
2.) Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner by Lisa Wingate
3.) Lint by Steve Aylett
4.) Champions of the Sidhe by Kenneth C. Flint
5.) Kingdom of Cages by Sarah Zettel
6.) The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy by Sasha Issenberg
7.) Spring Moon: A Novel of China by Bette Lord
8.) The Buried Pyramid by Jane Lindskold
9.) Still Waters by Tami Hoag
10.) Ghost of a Chance by Yasmine Galenorn
11.) Whirlwind by Charles L. Grant

Audiobook:

E-book:
1.) Kitty Goes to War by Carrie Vaughn
2.) Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls by Jane Lindskold
3.) Kitty's Big Trouble by Carrie Vaughn
4.) Sense and Sensibility by Nancy Butler, Sonny Liew, Jane Austen (Marvel Graphic Novel Adaptation)
5.) Kitty Steals the Show by Carrie Vaughn
6.) The Girl Who Sang Rose Madder by Elizabeth Bear (short story)
7.) Kitty Rock's the House by Carrie Vaughn
8.) The Fox Woman by Kij Johnson

Books wild Released in May 2013

1.) Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson on 5/1/2013
2.) Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel on 5/1/2013
3.) A Stranger is Watching by Mary Higgins Clark on 5/1/2013
4.) The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son by Rupert Isaacson on /7/2013
5.) Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson on 5/7/2013
6.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 5/7/2013
7.) Riders of the Sidhe, The by Kenneth Flint on 5/14/2013
8.) Champions of the Sidhe by Kenneth C. Flint on 5/14/2/13
9.) Time Flies by Bill Cosby on 5/14/2013
10.) World Without End by Sean Russell on 5/22/2013
11.) Spring Moon: A Novel of China by Bette Lord on 5/23/2013
12.) Julius Caesar (The New Folger Library Shakespeare) by William Shakespeare on 5/23/2013

Books Wild Released in April 2013

1.) Too Late to Say Goodbye: A True Story of Murder and Betrayal by Ann Rule on 4/3/2013
2.) The Innocent Man by John Grisham on 4/3/2013
3.) Beloved by Toni Morrison on 4/3/2013
4.) Kill the Messenger by Squire on 4/8/2013
5.) Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare on 4/8/2013
6.) The Life and Loves of a She Devil by Fay Weldon on 4/8/2013
7.) Barefoot: A Novel by Elin Hilderbrand on 4/15/2013
8.) The Pelican Brief: A Novel by John Grisham on 4/15/2013 CAUGHT!
9.) One Hot Summer (harlequin Romance #1818) by Norrey Ford on 4/15/2013
10.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
11.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
12.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
13.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
14.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
15.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
16.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
17.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
18.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
19.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
20.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
21.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
22.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013
23.) The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood on 4/23/2013

Books Read in April 2013

Print Copies:

1.) Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by Carrie Caughn
2.) The Thirteenth House by Sharon Shinn
3.) Dark Moon Defender by Sharon Shinn
4.) Steel Town by Jonah Winter, Terry Widener (Illustrator)
5.) Duck On A Bike by David Shannon
6.) A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson, Cooper Edens (Compililation)
7.) Sing a Song of Piglets: A Calendar in Verse by Eve Bunting, Emily Arnold McCully (Illustrator)
8.) Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, Patrick Benson (Illustrator)
9.) Blackout by John Rocco
10.) Reader and Raelynx by Sharon Shinn
11.) Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, Greg Call (Illustrations)
12.) The Princess and the Goblins by George MacDonald, Arthur Hughes (Illustrations)
13.) Oz: Road to Oz by Eric Shanower (Goodreads Author) (Text), Skottie Young (Illustrations)


E-books:

1.) Wolf Moon by Patricia Rosemoor
2.) Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente
3.) Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn
4.) Kitty and the Silver Bullet by Carrie Vaughn
5.) Kitty Raises Hell by Carriie Vaughn
6.) Kitty's House of Horrors by Carrie Vaughn

Audiobooks:

1.) The Honor of the Queen by David Weber
2.) The Short Victorious War by David Weber
3.) Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead
4.) Field of Dishonor by David Weber

Last month was finishing up the children's lit course, and concentrating on some of the series I've been wanting to read. I finished the original 4 books of the Twelve Houses Series by Sharon Shinn (Fantastic), got 4 books into the Honor Harrington Series (Unpredictable and good sci-fi), and took a big chunk out of the Kitty Norville series.

Book Review: The Kings and Queens of Roam by Daniel Wallace

Roam, a town found in the middle of the wilderness. Once, it was the home of a great silk factory built by Elijah McCallister. When the silk worms stop producing the town slowly falls into disrepair as it's inhabitants slowly move away.

Helen and Rachel McCallister are the great-granddaughters of Elijah McCallister. Orphaned when their parents perished in a car crash, the girls live together in the home that their great grandfather built when the town was established. Helen the eldest sister is ugly, while Rachel is beautiful. Helen is bitter, and Rachel cheerfully naive. Helen can see, while Rachel is blind as a result of a childhood illness. the girls are dependent on each other. Helen believes that Rachel can not survive without her daily help.

Helen's bitterness towards Rachel's beauty and the extra attention paid to her by their parents when they were alive leads to her uttering a lie one rainy afternoon when they were both children. This lie leads Rachel to gow up believing the worst about herself and her town. However, when Helen taunts Rachel with her inability to survive on her own Rachel decides to prove Helen wrong. What will happen to Rachel as she makes her way outside of roam? what will go through Helen's mind when she realizes that Rachel is going to find out the truth that will change everything that she believes to be true?

I am a fan of Daniel Wallace's books. I was delighted to receive an inquiry if i would be interested in an advanced readers edition of his book. I loved how the story alternated between Rachel and Helen's point of views, and how their story alternated with that of the town's past.This was written in a way that pulled me as the reader further into the setting rather than distracting from the main story. It was wonderful to see how the story lines intertwined and the effect each had on the other. I found myself drawn into the subtle weaving of magic and whimsy the story unfurls, and if not for other obligations could have easily spent an afternoon reading the entire book.


The Kings and queens of Roam will be released in May of 2013

Books Read in March 2013

Print:

1.)Twilight Warrior by Aimee Thurlo
2.) Darkness Falls by Les Martin
3.) Through the Sheriff's Eyes by Janice Kay Johnson
4.) Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
5.) Harvest the Fire by Poul Anderson
6.) YUKIKO AND A JAPANESE CARNIVAL
7.) Thunder Rose by Jerdine Nolen, Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)
8.) Lewis & Papa: Adventure On the Santa Fe Trail by by Barbara Joosse, Jon Van Zyle (Illustrations)
9.) Working Cotton by Sherley Anne Williams, Carole Byard (Illustrator)
10.) I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
11.) The Kings and Queens of Roam: A Novel by Daniel Wallace
12.) Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts
13.) The Shape-Changer's Wife by Sharon Shinn
14.) Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn


Audiobooks:

1.) Terminal World by Alastair Reynolds
2.) On Basilisk Station by David Webber

E-books:

1.) A Cook's Tour by Anthony Bourdain
2.) 5 Ronin by y Peter Milligan (Text), Tom Coker, Dalibor Talajić, Laurence Campbell, Goran Parlov, Leandro Fernandez (graphic novel)

Books Wild Released in March 2013

1.) Outlander on 3/4/2013
2.) Through the Sheriff's Eyes - on 3/4/2013
3.) Hidden Army: Clay Soldiers of Ancient China - on 3/4/2013
4.) Darkness Falls by Les Martin on 3/6/2013
5.) Twilight Warrior by Aimee Thurlo on 3/6/3013
6.) Harvest the Fire by Poul Anderson on 3/12/2013
7.) When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3) by Mercedes Lackey, James Mallory on 3/12/2013
8.) Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles) by Frank Herbert on 3/20/2013
9.) Jewels of the Sun: The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy (Irish Trilogy, Book 1) by Nora Roberts on 3/20/2013
10.) That's the Way It Crumbles, Cookie by Suzanne Weyn on 3/20/2013
11.) The Little Pilates Book by Erika Dillman on 3/20/2013
12.) Just Another Day in Paradise by A. E. Maxwell on3/26/2013
13.) Maximum Ride Saving The World And Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson on 3/26/2013
14.) Battlestar Galactica by Jeffrey A. Carver on 3/26/2013
15.) 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson on 3/26/2013

Book Review: The Goblin Wood

Title: The Goblin Wood (Goblin Wood, #1)
Author: Hilari Bell
Published on: June 15th 2004

Makenna is a young hedgewitch who watched her mother die at the hands of the villagers she had helped with her small magical ability. Unable to cope with the laws abolishing magic practiced outside of the church, Makenna strikes off into the wilderness of the north. On her travels, she saves the life of a goblin, who teaches her of the goblins sense of debt and loyalty.

Tobin is a knight who has lost everything. In order to save his brother he has been stripped of his title, his responsability, and his rights as firstborn. When given the chance to reclaim these lost parts of his life by killing the great sorceress who leads the goblin rebelion in the North he reluctantly takes the offer. His actions will he believes allow the goblins to disperse and free the Northern lands for resettlement by his own people as they are forced to leave their homes due to barbarian invasion.

However, when Makenna catches Tobin, he is forced to spend time with the goblins. As he gets to know the goblins he is forced to face the facts that perhaps his actions will lead to the destruction of a magical race. in order to save his own people, can he cause the destruction of another people, even if they are not human? Can he force the goblins from their homes the same way the barbarians are forcing his people from their own homes?

Hilari Bell's The Goblin Wood is an engaging fantasy story. It introduces reader's to and draws them into a realm of conflict. Ifound this story short, but sweet and look forward to reading the next chapter in Makenna and Tobin's adventures together as they try to help their goblin friends.

Books read in February 2013

Print Books:

1.) World Without End by Sean Russell
2.) American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
3.) The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
4.) Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, R. Gregory Christie (Illustrator)
5.) Sea without a Shore by Sean Russell
6.) The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay
7.) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
8.) Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
9.) Bailey's Cafe by Gloria Naylor
10.) The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
11.) Clementina's Cactus by Ezra Jack Keats
12.) Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
13.) Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
14.) Time Flies by Eric Rohmann
15.) Anno's Flea Market by Mitsumasa Anno
16.) Sidewalk Circus by Paul Fleischman, Kevin Hawkes (Illustrator)
17.) The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, The Bard by Gregory Rogers
18.) Hidden Army: Clay Soldiers of Ancient China by Jane O'Connor
19.) Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, Jon Klassen (Illustrator)
20.) Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass
21.) This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

Audio books:

1.) Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
2.) The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror by Christopher Moore
3.) Dark Lords of the Sith by Tom Veitch, Kevin J. Anderson
4.) Year Zero by Rob Reid

E-books:

1.) The Goblin Wood by Hilary Bell


Lots of children's books this month for class reading.

Book Review:The Bretton Katt Alliance – The Lorrondon Saga book 1 by Margaret Garside

Read and reviewed for Front Street Reviews.

It is the year 2441. The two major powers in the galaxy are the Terrans and the Neorans. Currently it is a time of strife between the two races. Great civil unrest is occurring because of the Terran military leader Victor Bastian’s movement against Neoran populated planets in Terran Space. This leaves more and more Neorans fleeing for the safety of Neoran space as refugees with little to their names besides the clothes on their backs.

Anna Lorrondon-Helsak The chancellor of the planet Bowman secretly breaks the long term alliance with the Neorans. Unknown to anyone, she makes a new alliance with old enemies of both the Terrans and the Neorans. When she is approached by her old friend Russorin the Neoran representative she holds fast to her idea of neutrality for Bowman. This is despite Russorin’s predictions of bad things to come for both races.

With no other choice left to her, Russoran turns to the free city of Breton-Katt for help. The city, a center for learning and commerce, is the Neoran’s last hope for an ally in Terran space. There, she uncovers a web of murder and blackmail Helped by Rob Lorrondon Anna’s son Russoran needs to get the alliance made and stop Anna’s plan to annex Bretton –Katt into Bowman. She needs to keep Anna from handing the city over to its enemies. But, will they be able to do this without triggering an all out war?

Science fiction can be hard genre to write. With so many books written already, it is very easy to start sounding like a rehashed plot. I’m glad to say that The Breton-Katt Alliance is not one of these books. Margaret Garside introduces her readers to a society in upheaval. Her story takes place in a universe which holds inhabitants whose ideals and communities are struggling with the ideas of sharing their resources and land with outsiders. Led by the stronger opinions of their leaders, the universe as they know it has become an unstable place to live. I look forward to the next installment of the Lorrondon Cycle, and seeing what sort of resolution to the conflict that has been introduced, in this first book of the series, is brought into action.

Books Wild Released in February 2013

1.) Around the World in the Middle Seat: How I Saw the World (and Survived!) by Joyce Brooks on 2/4/2013
2.) Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Sidney Sheldon on 2/5/2013
3.) After All These Years by Susan Isaacs on 2/6/2013
4.) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison on 2/11/2013
5.) Bayou Bride by maxine patrick on 2/13/2013
6.) Killer Gorgeous by Jane Holleman on 2/13/2013
7.) The Texan's Tiny Secret by Peggy Moreland on 2/21/2013
8.) The Client by John Grisham on 2/21/2013
9.) The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios by Yann Martel on 2/21/2013
10.) After Midnight by Ruth Alana Smith on 2/25/2013
11.) Many Mansions: The Edgar Cayce Story on Reincarnation by Gina Cerminara on 2/25/2013
12.) Western: A Saga of the Great Plains by Frank Yerby on 2/25/2013

Books wild Released in January 2013

1.) The X-President by Philip Baruth on 1/4/2013 - Caught!!!
2.) Time Out Boston 1 (Time Out Guides) by Time Out on 1/4/2013
3.) Beulah Land by Lonnie Coleman on 1/4/2013
4.) Daughter of Fortune: A Novel by Isabel Allende on 1/8/2013
5.) Eloise (Dumarest of Terra #12) by E.C. Tubb on 1/8/2013
6.) The Lady of Serpents (Vampyricon) by Douglas Clegg on 1/8/2013
7.) My Year of Meats by Ruth L. Ozeki on 1/16/2013
8.) Lady Of The Forest by Jennifer Roberson on 1/16/2013
9.) Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress by Susan Jane Gilman on 1/16/2013
10.) Winter Bride, The by Lynne Graham on 1/24/2013
11.) Sphere by Michael Crichton on 1/24/2013
12.) Awakened (House of Night, Book 8) by P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast on 1/24/2013
13.) Then the Troll Heard the Squeak (Picture Puffins) by Kevin Hawkes on 1/29/2013
14.) Family Trip (Look-Look) by Richard Scarry on 1/29/2013
15.) HILDA'S TEA PARTY (The Busy World of Richard Scarry) by Richard Scarry on 1/29/2013

Books Read in January 2013

Print Copy:

1.) D'Shai by Joel Rosenberg
2.) Eloise by E.C. Tubb
3.) Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
4.) Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress: Tales of Growing up Groovy and Clueless by Susan Jane Gilman
5.) Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley
6.) Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name by Vendela Vida
7.) In Golden Blood by Stephen Woodworth
8.) From Black Rooms by Stephen Woodworth
9.) Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Sidney Sheldon
10.) Around the World in the Middle Seat: How I Saw the World (and Survived!) as a Group Travel Leader by Joyce Brooks

Audiobooks:

1.) The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett, Stephen Baxter
2.) The Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud
3.) The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi
4.) The Ringworld Engineers by Larry Niven
5.) The Ringworld Throne by Larry Niven
6.) Ringworld's Children by Larry Niven

Books wild Released in December 2012

1.) High Noon by Nora Roberts on 12/3/2012
2.) Ambulance Girl: How I Saved Myself By Becoming an EMT by Jane Stern on 12/3/2012 CAUGHT!
3.) Does Anything Eat Wasps? by New Scientist on 12/3/2012
4.) True Spirit: The True Story of a 16-Year-Old Australian Who Sailed Solo, Nonstop, and Unassisted Around the World by Jessica Watson on 12/10/2012
5.) The Firm by John Grisham on 12/10/2012
6.) Just Grandma and Me by Mercer Mayer on 12/11/2012
7.) The Rainforest Grew All Around by Susan K. Mitchell on 12/11/2012
8.) Little Monster's Bedtime Book by Mercer Mayer on 12/11/2012
9.) One to Ten by Richard Scarry on 12/11/2012
10.) A Fish Named Yum: Mr. Pin by Mary Elise Monsell on 12/11/2012
11.) Ten Little Ballerinas by Wendy Cheyette Lewison on 12/11/2012
12.) Little Monster at School by Mercer Mayer on 12/11/2012
13.) Friends in Need by Amblin Entertainment on 12/11/2012
14.) Bright and Early Thursday Evening: A Tangled Tale by Audrey Wood on 12/11/2012
15.) The Magic of Christmas Miracles: An All-New Collection Of Inspiring True Stories edited by Jamie Miller on 12/20/2012
16.) Cadre Lucifer by Robert O'Riordan on 12/22/2012
17.) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows on 12/30/2012
18.) The Maelstrom's Eye by Roger E. Moore on 12/31/2012
19.) Small Favor by Jim Butcher on 12/31/2012