For The Love of Reading

The Door in the Forest by Roderick Townley

2012-02-26T07:00:00.001-08:00

Title: The Door in the Forest

Author: Roderick Townley

Release Date: March 22, 2011

Publisher: Random House Canada

Format: Hardcover

Number of Pages: 256

Genre: Young Readers

Summary:

"At the mid point of three towns, in the center of three streams, in the heart of a forest, lies a mysterious island. Encircled by quicksand and sewn shut by vines, it is impenetrable to all but the poisonous snakes patrolling its waters. But Daniel is determined to get there, along with his friend Emily.

Emily is a bit mysterious herself. A girl who seems to know more than she can say, whose mother was taken away by government troops, and whose eccentric grandmother reads the future in her bubble bath.

Enter the soldiers. Their menacing commander is terribly interested in sleepy little Everwood. Is he searching for something? A treasure map? The island? The girl?

Roderick Townley spins a magical tale of lies and truths, of secrets kept and secrets revealed.

Sooner or later, we all must step through the door in the forest." (http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375856013)

About the Author:

"I've always loved to write. I can still see myself at eight or nine, scribbling a story in a notebook, my brothers jostling me in the back seat while my parents drove into town. My heart was pounding with an excitement that no one around me noticed.
Of course, lots of kids like to write. Luckily I have a couple of other things going for me: I actually like to rewrite. Even today I will revise a chapter a dozen times if it will make the story any better.
And I love to research. For The Constellation of Sylvie, I visited NASA in Houston and interviewed an astronaut who had set foot on the moon. For The Red Thread, I trekked to a castle in England and peered into sewers in New Hampshire. For The Blue Shoe, I researched mining operations, gemology, and mythical creatures in ancient cultures. It may seem odd, but even in a fantasy novel every fact has to be right.
That attitude helped me during my years as a journalist in New York, where I worked on the staff of several magazines. I did everything, went everywhere—burrowed into coal mines, visited war zones, interviewed movie stars, opera singers, a former Secretary of Defense, a president of El Salvador. I even ghost-wrote an article for an orangutan. (Don't ask.)
Somehow I found time to emit an odd assortment of books, a few of them fine and unfortunately out of print, and a couple of them awful and mercifully out of print.
The time came when my wife Wyatt (a fellow writer) and I decided to leave New York and live by the ocean. It's possible we took a wrong turn at Weehawken, because here we are in Kansas, where we've been for some time, still writing our books and waiting for the surf to come up." (http://www.rodericktownley.com/the-door-in-the-forest.html)

Review:
This is another book that I happened upon at the library. Honestly, I thought the cover was neat and I was intrigued, so I brought it home with me. I just love young readers books. They are so much fun, their adventures are full of new things and just make you wish you were there. I want to go to the island in this book. It sounds so cool, and it would be an absolute wonderland for any kid (or adult for that matter!) The characters in this story work together so well. They are different enough that you find them believable, but similar enough that the bond that forms makes sense. I'm not very good at riddles and figuring out clues to stuff, so I was quite happy that these kids are smarter than I am (if I were the one in charge we never would have made it to the island.) Overall, it was just a really fun adventure to read about. There are happy parts, scary/adventurous parts, and a sad part or two. It would be a FANTASTIC read for any child who loves adventures and to just escape to another world. And, if you're like me and love kids books, this book will not disappoint adults.
Happy Reading!

Related Links:
Author's Website http://www.rodericktownley.com/index.html
Random House Canada http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375856013
amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca/Door-Forest-Roderick-Townley/dp/0375856013/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1330268186&sr=8-2
indigo.ca http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Door-In-The-Forest-Roderick-Townley/9780375856013-item.html?ikwid=the+door+in+the+forest&ikwsec=Home
Ms. Yingling Reads http://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/2011/03/door-in-forest.html

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

2012-02-26T06:38:00.000-08:00

Title: The Pledge

Author: Kimberly Derting

Release Date: November 15, 2011

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon and Schuster Canada)

Format: Hardcover

Number of Pages: 336

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Summary:

"In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.
Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime." (http://kimberlyderting.com/pledge.php)

About the Author:

"I was born and raised in the Seattle area, with the exception of a few short stints in Phoenix, Boise, and San Jose. I had a colorful childhood, raised by a single mother who worked her butt off to make ends meet. She showed my brother and me how to enjoy life on a shoestring budget. She was the kind of person who, given the choice between paying a bill and taking us to the circus, would always opt for the circus...and somehow, she always managed to pay the bill. She was the one who taught me how to laugh.

My publishing career began at an early age, when I started making homemade coloring books with sheets of blank paper and a stapler, and then went door-to-door to sell them. Unfortunately, my neighbors had limited disposable income for such frivolous purchases, so I was forced to seek my fortunes elsewhere.

I first fell in love with writing (giving up my childhood dreams of being a Veterinarian, and then my later aspirations of "lady trucker") when I signed up for Journalism as my 7th grade elective. It was supposed to an easy A, but it soon became my passion. I moved on to be Copy Editor of the high school yearbook so that I could correct other people's writing mistakes and fill in when they missed their deadlines (and, hey, it was high school...deadlines were frequently missed!).

I still live in the Pacific Northwest, which is the ideal place to be writing anything dark or creepy...a gloomy day can set the perfect mood. I live with my husband and our three beautiful (and often mouthy) children, who serve as an endless source of inspiration for my writing." (http://kimberlyderting.com/kimberly.php)

Review:

I randomly found this book at the library one day and thought I should read it. I did not know much about it, had not really heard anything, so I just decided to give it a shot. I think this is one of my favourite dystopian novels so far. I was sucked in from the beginning, I loved the characters, the setting, the ranking in society (although I strongly disagree with this kind of set-up in society, it makes for an interesting read), and the abilities a couple of the characters have. In this story, no one is who you think they are. Literally. There are so many surprises revealed towards the end and I found myself gasping out loud at a few different parts. I could not (and did not) put this book down until I finished it. It was wrapped up pretty well at the end so I think (?) this might be a stand alone, but I'm really not sure. Authors always seem to find something more they can say about a story. Not that I'm complaining, I would LOVE to read more about the adventures of Charlie, Max, Brooklynn, and Xander!!!!

Thanks for reading this and Happy Reading all!

Simon and Schuster Canada http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Pledge/Kimberly-Derting/9781442422018

indigo.ca http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Pledge-Kimberly-Derting/9781442422018-item.html?ikwid=the+pledge&ikwsec=Home

amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca/Pledge-Kimberly-Derting/dp/1442422017/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330266179&sr=8-1

readbreatherelax.com http://www.readbreatherelax.com/teen-book-review-the-pledge-by-kimberly-derting/

Matched by Ally Condie

2012-02-26T06:16:00.000-08:00

Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Release Date: November 30, 2010
Publisher: Penguin Young Reader Group
Format: Trade Paperback
Number of Pages: 400
Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Summary:
"In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.
Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one… until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow — between perfection and passion." (http://matched-book.com/matched-book.html)

About the Author:

"Ally Condie received a degree in English Teaching from Brigham Young University and spent a number of years teaching high school English in Utah and in upstate New York. She lives with her husband and three sons outside of Salt Lake City, Utah." (http://matched-book.com/bio.html)

Review:

I know a lot of people who have read this book and said it was fantastic, so I thought I would give it a try. I LOVED it! I loved the idea, all of the rules in this particular society, the fact that the government chooses a life mate for you, and that nobody questions it (which is usually how all of these books start...) I'm super curious about who set Cassia up and made the "mistake". It is going to drive me crazy not knowing where this story is going, but I love it when an author is capable of making the reader feel that way! Will Cassia find what she's looking for? Will she get caught? AAAAHHHH!!!! If you loved The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, etc. you will love Matched! Happy Reading!

Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan

2012-02-26T05:49:00.000-08:00

Title: Swordbird
Author: Nancy Yi Fan
Release Date: January 18, 2007
Publisher: Harper Collins Canada
Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 240
Genre: Young Reader 9-12 Fantasy

Summary:
"The blue jays and cardinals of Stone-Run Forest have turned against each other. According to legend, only Swordbird, son of the Great Spirit, has the power to conquer evil and restore peace to the land.
Teenage author Nancy Yi Fan weaves a captivating tale about the heroism, courage, and resourcefulness in the birds of Stone-Run's quest for peace." (http://www.harpercollins.ca/books/Swordbird/?isbn=9780061131011)

About the Author:

"Nancy Yi Fan spent the first part of her childhood in China, where she was born in 1993. When she was seven years old, Nancy moved with her parents to the United States and attended American schools. Birds, a life long passion of the author's, provided the inspiration for Swordbird. After awaking from a vivid dream about birds at war, Nancy wrote Swordbird as a way to convey her message of peace to the world." (http://sites.google.com/site/wwwswordbird/swordbird4.htm)

Review:

I have an 11 year old niece and I thought it would be fun for us to read a book together. We stacked up a bunch on the floor and she proceeded to read through the back of all of them and eventually settled on Swordbird. We read it out loud, each taking turns (she is much better at voices and actions than I am.) I really enjoyed this book for two reasons. One, it gave me a chance to spend some time with my niece doing something we both love: reading. Two, this was a fun book. I could not help but constantly remind myself that a CHILD wrote this book. It's still amazing to me. It was a really great adventure story, with many different kinds of birds (some of which neither of us had heard of), lots of action, and times that were happy and/or sad. Overall, it was a fun read and I'm looking forward to when we start reading the sequel, Sword Quest.

I asked my niece for some comments. I apologize for the "modern" speak:

"the dude that died is my favourite bc he risked his life just for his team (Milton.) and i didnt like the names bc they were hard to pronounce and i liked it how the writer changed the words like somebird and things like that. And i liked the settings and how they fought and idk". Spoken like a true child of today! Lol. Thanks for your review!

Happy Reading everyone!!!!

Related Links:

Nancy Yi Fan's website http://sites.google.com/site/wwwswordbird/index.htm

Harper Collins Canada http://www.harpercollins.ca/books/Swordbird/?isbn=9780061131011

amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca/Swordbird-Nancy-Y-Fan/dp/0061130990/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330024166&sr=1-3
indigo.ca http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Swordbird-NANCY-YI-FAN/9780061130991-item.html?ikwid=swordbird&ikwsec=Home
readingtoknow.com http://www.readingtoknow.com/2007/11/swordbird-by-nancy-yi-fan.html

The Lost Dinosaurs of Egypt: The Astonishing and Unlikely True Story of One of the Twentieth Century's Greatest Paleontological Discoveries by William Nothdurft and Josh Smith

2012-02-15T11:24:00.000-08:00

Title: The Lost Dinosaurs of Egypt

Author: William Nothdurft and Josh Smith

Release Date: September 9, 2003

Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks

Format: Trade Paperback

Number of Pages: 272

Genre: Non-Fiction

Summary:

"The date is January 11, 1911. A young German paleontologist, accompanied only by a guide, a cook, four camels, and a couple of camel drivers, reaches the lip of the vast Bahariya Depression after a long trek across the bleak plateau of the western desert of Egypt. The scientist, Ernst Freiherr Stromer von Reichenbach, hopes to find fossil evidence of early mammals. In this, he will be disappointed, for the rocks here will prove to be much older than he thinks. They are nearly a hundred million years old. Stromer is about to learn that he has walked into the age of the dinosaurs.

At the bottom of the Bahariya Depression, Stromer will find the remains of four immense and entirely new dinosaurs, along with dozens of other unique specimens. But there will be reversals—shipments delayed for years by war, fossils shattered in transit, stunning personal and professional setbacks. Then, in a single cataclysmic night, all of his work will be destroyed and Ernst Stromer will slip into history and be forgotten.

The date is January 11, 2000—eighty-nine years to the day after Stromer descended into Bahariya. Another young paleontologist, Ameri-can graduate student Josh Smith, has brought a team of fellow scientists to Egypt to find Stromer’s dinosaur graveyard and resurrect the German pioneer’s legacy. After weeks of digging, often under appalling conditions, they fail utterly at rediscovering any of Stromer’s dinosaur species.

Then, just when they are about to declare defeat, Smith’s team discovers a dinosaur of such staggering immensity that it will stun the world of paleontology and make headlines around the globe.

Masterfully weaving together history, science, and human drama, The Lost Dinosaurs of Egypt is the gripping account of not one but two of the twentieth century’s great expeditions of discovery." (http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781588361172)

About the Author:

"William Nothdurft is the author, coauthor, or ghostwriter of nearly a dozen books, including the award-winning Ghosts of Everest, about the search for the missing mountaineers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine.

Josh Smith served six years in the U.S. Army before getting his B.Sc. from the University of Massachusetts and an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in paleontology from the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently an assistant professor at Washington University." (http://www.randomhouse.ca/author/results.pperl?authorid=36646)

Review:

This book greatly appeals to my nerdy side. I have always been fascinated by dinosaurs and archaeology, and this was a great book to read that included both interests. Very well written, it is easy for anybody to read and understand. A ton of information is given on the history of the world, geological practices and knowledge, as well as background information on the team who participated in this project. There are some great pictures so the reader can get a sense of the environment in which the dig took place, as well as the conditions worked in. I do not recall hearing about this discovery back in the early 2000s, but now that I have I want to know more! I really hope you will give this book a shot. Like I said, anyone could read it and understand it, and it's fascinating to hear different theories about how the Earth used to be formed, how the continents split, what creatures lived at what time. Let me know what you thought if you read it! Happy Reading!

Related Links:

Random House http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781588361172

Indigo.ca http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Lost-Dinosaurs-Egypt-Astonishing-Unlikely-WILLIAM-NOTHDURFT/9780375759796-item.html?ikwid=the+lost+dinosaurs+of+egypt&ikwsec=Home

Amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0375759794/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=485327511&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0375507957&pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&pf_rd_r=0X76FGXC159NQJSB045Q

marywhipplereviews.com http://marywhipplereviews.com/william-nothdurft-lost-dinosaurs-of-egypt/

vulpeslibris.wordpress.com http://vulpeslibris.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/lost-dinosaurs-of-egypt-by-william-nothdurft-and-josh-smith/

The Gathering Storm (The Katerina Trilogy Book #1) by Robin Bridges

2012-02-15T10:55:00.000-08:00

Title: The Gathering Storm (The Katerina Trilogy Book #1)

Author: Robin Bridges

Release Date: January 10, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (Random House Canada)

Format: Hardcover

Number of Pages: 400

Genre: Fantasy for Young Adults

Summary:

"St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.
The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?" (http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385740227)

About the Author:

"By day, I am a mild-mannered writer of fantasy and paranormal fiction for young adults. By night, I'm a pediatric nurse. I live on the Gulf Coast with my husband, one soon-to-be teenager, and two slobbery Mastiffs. I like playing video games and watching Jane Austen movies. (Alas, if only there was a Jane Austen video game!) THE GATHERING STORM is my first novel.

You can find me on LiveJournal, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

(And probably on one of the latest MMO’s as well.)" (http://www.robinbridges.com/)

Review:
I was introduced to this book by my friend, Michelle B., when she sent me a pic of it and said, "Cool." I did a search for it on the internet and read the summary and I thought, "I need to read this book." I like the idea of taking something like Russian royalty and mixing it with the supernatural. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did I absolutely loved it. I love the idea of curses and having an ability that you don't even know how to use or control. I loved reading all the names and what the characters status was in society, as well as reading about grand balls and getting all dressed up.
The characters in this book are easy to love (or hate, whatever the author is hoping you feel about the characters) and I can't wait to read the next one. It is easy to see that there will be a blossoming relationship between two of the characters and I can't wait to see how that unfolds! Keep 'em coming, Robin Bridges!!!!

As always, thank you for reading my blog! Happy Reading!

Related Links:
Author Website http://www.robinbridges.com/
Random House Kids Website http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385740227
Random House Website http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385740227
Indigo.ca http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Katerina-Trilogy-Vol-Gathering-Storm-Robin-Bridges/9780385740227-item.html?ikwid=the+gathering+storm+robin+bridges&ikwsec=Home
Amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca/Katerina-Trilogy-Vol-Gathering-Storm/dp/0385740220/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329331889&sr=8-1
WellReadWife.com http://www.wellreadwife.com/2012/01/17/book-review-the-gathering-storm-by-robin-bridges/
Dearauthor.com http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-b-reviews/b-minus-reviews/review-the-gathering-storm-by-robin-bridges

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

2012-02-03T06:49:00.000-08:00

“Tell me what it's like. The race."

"What it's like is a battle. A mess of horses and men and blood. The fastest and strongest of what is left from two weeks of preparation on the sand. It's the surf in your face, the deadly magic of November on your skin, the Scorpio drums in the place of your heartbeat. It's speed, if you're lucky. It's life and it's death or it's both, and there's nothing like it.”
― Maggie Stiefvater, The Scorpio Races

I love Maggie Stiefvater. I love her stories, I love her writing, I love her mind. I picked up The Scorpio Races because I read Shiver, Linger, and Forever and thought they were so creatively written and thought out that I wanted to see what else she could do. Wow.

Let me start off by saying, I’m a bit afraid of horses. Being not quite 5’2”, they have a bit of an advantage over me and quite frankly, I have always been afraid of their teeth. I think they are beautiful and if I have a chance to be around them I will take it, but I usually keep a bit of space between myself and these four legged beings. I love the idea of water horses. I understand there are some myths about them (Stiefvater wrote using her own interpretation), but I had never before heard of them. I absolutely fell in love with the horses in this story, even the blood-thirsty piebald that Mutt chose. The descriptions of them coming out of the water, their desire to be in the water, and the fierceness these flesh eaters have were spectacularly written.

I also love the characters. Puck is not your average girl. She is strong, but afraid. Beautiful, but plain. Smart, but, some would say, stupid to enter the races. They are all easy to like, and I am particularly curious about Finn and what his story is.

I really hope you will read this story or at least pass it on to someone you know who enjoys young adult stories. It was a really great read.

Maggie: I know you said you would not write the "other half"....but will you PLEASE?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Happy Reading everyone!

Related Links:

http://maggiestiefvater.com/the-scorpio-races/

http://thebooksmugglers.com/2011/11/book-review-the-scorpio-races-by-maggie-stiefvater.html

http://www.scholastic.ca/titles/thescorpioraces/

http://www.amazon.ca/Scorpio-Races-Maggie-Stiefvater/dp/054522490X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328280356&sr=8-1

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Scorpio-Races-Maggie-Stiefvater/9780545224901-item.html?ikwid=the+scorpio+races&ikwsec=Home

The Cronus Chronicles by Anne Ursu

2012-02-01T07:34:00.000-08:00

I happened upon these books one day in Chapters. I had seen them before, but not given them much attention, so one day I decided to actually see what the first one was about. With all the buzz about the Percy Jackson series (which I have not yet read), I was excited to discover this one was also about the Greek Gods. I have never taken any Greek mythology, but have always had an interest in learning, so I picked up this trilogy. The first book, The Shadow Thieves, is about Hades and the underworld, the second book, The Siren Song, is about Poseidon and the ocean, and the third book, The Immortal Fire, is about Zeus and Olympus.

I read the first book and I fell in love. It was really well written, the characters were just your ordinary grade eight kids, and there was a surprise at the end that made me gasp. I was gripped from the get-go and couldn't wait to read the other two. And they did not disappoint. I really hope that more kids read this trilogy. The writing was well-done and the stories were written in a way that kids could feel as though they could fight against the Greek gods like Charlotte and Zee! I hope Ursu will try another trilogy (maybe an offshoot of this series, using Maddy or another character we are introduced to in this trilogy) introducing some of the other Greek gods or maybe just some other myths and tales!

As I said, I have not read the Percy Jackson series, but I would recommend this trilogy to anyone who has. I think it is great that kids are learning about the Greek gods, as the myths are far from being nice, fluffy, and bright. This series also shows that even Greek gods have family spats :).

If you would like more information about these books, please check out the links below. Happy Reading!

http://www.cronuschronicles.com/
http://www.anneursu.com/
http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/1416905871.asp
http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/1416905898.asp
http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/9781416905912.asp
http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Shadow-Thieves/Anne-Ursu/Cronus-Chronicles-The/9781416905875
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Shadow-Thieves-Anne-Ursu-Eric-Fortune/9781416905882-item.html?ikwid=the+shadow+thieves&ikwsec=Home
http://www.amazon.ca/Shadow-Thieves-Anne-Ursu/dp/141690588X/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1328110461&sr=8-8

Submarine by Joe Dunthorne

2012-01-31T06:30:00.000-08:00

Submarine is another book that was recommended to me, this time by my friend, Jay. I have to say, after reading it, I'm a little surprised he would recommend it to me, but alas I plugged through the book and completed it in record time.

The story is that of Oliver Tate and his crazy, messed up life. Or, I should say, this kid himself is pretty messed up. A coming of age story, 15-year old Oliver appears to be obsessed with his parents, obsessed with words, and does not seem to know himself at all. He's a bully, he keeps a diary, and he's in love with a girl who has eczema and he cannot help but point it out constantly. The things he does and gets away with in this book are quite astonishing, and I am now convinced that guys are crazier than girls haha.

Maybe this book would make a lot more sense to a male, but to me it just felt so all over the place. I kept thinking while reading, "This story is crazy. This boy is crazy. I'm not a boy, maybe I just don't get it..." If you liked Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger or The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky I think you would enjoy this book. Dunthorne is a good writer and certainly has a way of getting his ideas across in a clear manner, I just did not like the story itself.

Sorry I can't rave about this one, but that does not mean you should not try it for yourself. I have included some links below, as always, so check them out if you would like some more information. Happy Reading!

http://joedunthorne.com/index.php?/project/submarine/
http://www.penguin.ca/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780143056393,00.html?SUBMARINE_Joe_Dunthorne
http://www.adambowman.co.uk/2012/01/11/a-likeable-unlikeable-narrator/
http://www.amazon.ca/Submarine-Joe-Dunthorne/dp/0143056395/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328020072&sr=8-1
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Submarine-Joe-Dunthorne/9780143056393-item.html?ikwid=submarine+joe+dunthorne&ikwsec=Home

There's Cake in my Future by Kim Gruenenfelder

2012-01-26T08:48:00.000-08:00

Of all the things I love, I do love chick lit! Sorry guys, not so good for you, I know. However, my friend, Michelle M., recommended this book to me, so I had to give it a try (and those of you who have suggested other books, I'm working on it!)

"After listening to her closest friends' latest travails in love, parenting, and careers, superstitious bride-to-be Nicole (Nic) believes she has the perfect recipe for everyone's happiness: a bridal shower "cake pull" in which each ribboned silver charm planted in her cake will bring its recipient the magical assistance she needs to change her destiny. Melissa (Mel), still ringless after dating the same man for six years, deserves the engagement ring charm. The red hot chili pepper would be perfect for Seema, who is in love with her best male friend Scott, but can't seem to make their relationship more than platonic. And recently laid off journalist Nic wants the shovel, which symbolizes hard work, to help her get her career back on track. Nic does everything she can to control who gets which silver keepsake - as well as the future it represents. But when the charmed cake is mysteriously shifted from the place settings Nic arranged around it, no one gets the charm she chose for them. And when the other party guests' fortunes begin coming true, Mel, Seema, and Nic can't help but wonder... . Is the cake trying to tell them something?" (Raincoast Books)

This book was so fun and funny. And of course, it had some romance (which I am a sucker for. Shhh...don't tell anyone.) I loved the characters and each of their situations. I thought Mel was so funny when she decided the best way to get over someone was to get under someone else (which does not suit her personality at all.) And Seema is a beautiful Indian girl who is too afraid to go after what she wants. Nic is lucky to have such adorable "bonus kids" and they are SO funny.

To find out more about this book please check out the links below. I hope you can find the time to add this one to your list. Happy Reading!

http://services.raincoast.com/scripts/b2b.wsc/featured?hh_isbn=9780312614591&ht_orig_from=raincoast
http://www.kimgruenenfelder.com/Welcome.html
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Theres-Cake-in-My-Future-Kim-Gruenenfelder/9780312614591-item.html?ikwid=there%27s+cake+in+my+future&ikwsec=Home
http://www.amazon.ca/Theres-Cake-Future-Kim-Gruenenfelder/dp/0312614594/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327596444&sr=8-1
http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/821844/sheknows-book-review

The Rangers Apprentice by John Flanagan

2012-01-25T08:23:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure I can put into words how much I love this series. The writing is absolutely incredible, the characters feel like they are people you have known forever (and you get to know what their reactions will be to certain situations), and the adventure/excitement is completely different in every book.

Written by Australian author, John Flanagan, this series has 10 books in it:

My suggestion, if you decide to take on this series, is to read them in the following order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. Book 7 was written after 5&6, but actually takes place before them. If you read them in the order I have suggested, you will be able to fully enjoy the amazing story Flanagan created for the 7th book because you will not be privy to what happens next and who is present.

While these books would primarily be recommended for boys, I think that any child (or adult for that matter) of any sex could read them. There are a few female characters in the series who are very strong and have fantastic roles. As I said, the characters are absolutely wonderful. They are so easy to love, and you become so attached to them that your emotions go on a roller coaster ride anytime anything good or bad happens to them! It is really hard not to fall in love with them and want to know MORE MORE MORE!!!!

I do not want to give too much away about this series, so I have included the summary of the first book, The Ruins of Gorlan, below. I hope you think it sounds as interesting as I did, but let me tell you: IT'S WAY BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"They have always scared him in the past—the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied. . . ." (Penguin Canada)

http://www.penguin.ca/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780142406632,00.html?RANGERS_APPRENTICE_#1_RUINS_OF_GORLAN_John_Flanagan

It is bitter-sweet for me that I have finished the series. I always feel good when I have completed a series because I hate it when they go on for too long, but when there are 10 books and you love them ALL, you kind of wish it could continue. Flanagan did, however, write another book called The Lost Stories (which I have yet to read.)

"The secret history of the New York Times bestselling Ranger's Apprentice

Unconfirmed accounts of a group of Araluen warriors - tales of adventure, battle, and triumph over evil - have spread for centuries throughout the known world. Most notable is a clan shrouded in mystery, phantom warriors known as the Rangers.

Two names pass the lips of every storyteller: Halt, and his apprentice, Will. They and their comrades in arms are said to have traveled throughout the kingdom and beyond its borders, protecting those who needed it most. If true, these rumors can be only part of the story.

Only now, centuries after these men and women walked the earth, do we have confirmation of their existence. Behold The Lost Stories." (Penguin Canada)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCFW4SKMzJY
http://www.penguin.ca/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780399256189,00.html?RANGER%27S_APPRENTICE:_THE_LOST_STORIES_John_Flanagan

Flanagan has also started a new series, The Brotherband Chronicles, which I have yet to start. Just released in November, I'm sure this will be a great follow-up series. I can't wait to read it!

"They are outcasts. Hal, Stig, and the others—they are the boys the others want no part of. Skandians, as any reader of Ranger's Apprentice could tell you, are known for their size and strength. Not these boys. Yet that doesn't mean they don't have skills. And courage—which they will need every ounce of to do battle at sea against the other bands, the Wolves and the Sharks, in the ultimate race. The icy waters make for a treacherous playing field . . . especially when not everyone thinks of it as playing.
John Flanagan, author of the international phenomenon Ranger's Apprentice, creates a new cast of characters to populate his world of Skandians and Araluens, a world millions of young readers around the world have come to know and admire. Full of seafaring adventures and epic battles, Book 1 of The Brotherband Chronicles is sure to thrill readers of Ranger's Apprentice while enticing a whole new generation just now discovering the books." (Penguin Canada)

I really really really hope you will give this series a shot. I promise, it will NOT disappoint. Even if you are not a fan of reading kids books yourself, please give it to someone you know. I think children could learn a lot about being a good person, what it means to have courage, etc. from this series and the characters in it. And if you DO decide you are interested and read it, PLEASE let me know! I could talk about this series all day long! I hope this blog has not come off as gibberish, but if so, that is a sign of my love for it.

THANK YOU JOHN FLANAGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

www.rangersapprentice.com
www.thebrotherbandchronicles.com

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

2012-01-23T16:36:00.000-08:00

“Cripes Miss Wilcox, they're not guns,' I said.
No, they're not Mattie, they're books. And a hundred times more dangerous.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, A Northern Light

I absolutely love the way Jennifer Donnelly writes. She does so in such a way that you can’t help but feel completely enveloped in her stories and as though you are actually watching the happenings of her stories occur. A Northern Light takes place in 1906 and is an interesting story of that time.

"Sixteen-year-old Mattie Gokey has big dreams but little hope of seeing them come true. Desperate for money, she takes a job at the Glenmore, where hotel guest Grace Brown entrusts her with the task of burning a secret bundle of letters. But when Grace's drowned body is fished from the lake, Mattie discovers that the letters could reveal the grim truth behind a murder.

Set in 1906 against the backdrop of the murder that inspired Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy, Jennifer Donnelly's astonishing debut novel effortlessly weaves romance, history, and a murder mystery into something moving, and real, and wholly original." (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books)

The mystery in this book is based on an actual event that took place on July 12, 1906. Donnelly knew of the story from her grandmother and she decided to add her own spin to it, bringing in Mattie Gokey, and weaving the story of Mattie and Grace together. I love that Mattie has a “word of the day” in which she looks up a new word in the dictionary every day and she attempts to use them in a sentence throughout her day. She also has “word duals” with her best friend, Weaver, which are funny to read about. This book deals with many issues of the time in which this story takes place and I hope you will give it a chance or tell someone you know about it.

http://www.jenniferdonnelly.com/nl_home.html
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/hmh/site/hmhbooks/bookdetails?isbn=9780152053109

To find out what another blogger had to say about this book, please go to:
http://marjoleinbookblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/northern-light-by-jennifer-donnelly.html

Donnelly has also written another fantastic book, Revolution, which is my favourite young adult book. I will not go into detail about it on here, but if you are interested, please check out the following links below:

http://www.jenniferdonnelly.com/rev_home.html
http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385737630

Coming Soon to a Bookstore Near You...

2012-01-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

As I have had the pleasure of reviewing books for Random House for about a year and a half now, I was lucky enough to read a couple of books that have yet to be released. The first one, set to be released on February 28th by Random House Canada, is written by a Canadian author. Web of Angels by Lilian Nattel was a book that kept me interested from the moment I read the back to see what I was getting myself into.

Instead of writing my own little summary of what this book is about, I borrowed the one that Random House used (that had me convinced this would be good from the moment I read it.)

"On the surface of things, Sharon Lewis is a lot like any other happily married mother of 3: she is the beating heart of a house full of kids, cooking and chaos, the one who always knows the after-school practice schedule, where her husband put the car keys and who needs a little extra TLC. Her kids and husband think she's a little spooky, actually, the way she can anticipate the tensions of any situation--and maybe they love her all the more for the extra care she gives them.

Life is definitely good until the morning Heather Edwards, a pregnant teenaged friend of the family, kills herself. The reverberations of that act, and the ugly secrets that sparked it, prove deeply unsettling to the whole family, and stir up Sharon's own troubling secret: she has DID, or dissociative identity disorder. And the multiples inside the woman the world knows as Sharon seem to know what happened to Heather, and what may be happening to Heather's surviving sister. Will Sharon's need to protect the innocent cause her to finally come clean about her true nature with her family and friends, and not just in the anonymous chat rooms on the web where she's connected to others like herself? Will a woman with DID be able to persuade her quiet and respectable community that evil things can happen even in the nicest homes?"

DID is something that we have heard and learned more about in recent years, so I thought it was great that Nattel decided to use this as her subject matter. I found it absolutely fascinating to read about and I could not wait to figure out where the book was going. I absolutely loved it and had a really hard time putting it down. I ABSOLUTELY recommend this book, but it is not for the weak of heart. The subject matter can be a bit intense in parts and sensitive readers should probably steer clear. I hope you love this book as much as I did!

Check out these links to learn more about the author and her book (she has a lot of extras on her website):

http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307402097
http://liliannattel.com/
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Web-Of-Angels-Lilian-Nattel/9780307402097-item.html?ikwid=web+of+angels&ikwsec=Home

The next book is by an author most people have at least heard of: Philip Pullman. He has written a new book that is set to come out May 8th, again published by Random House Canada, and it is entitled Two Crafty Criminals! And how they were captured by the Daring Detectives of the New Cut Gang. Again, I have included the synopsis from Random House so you can get an idea of what this one is about.

"Benny Kaminsky and Thunderbolt Dobney lead a rag-tag gang of neighborhood rowdies. Their territory is the New Cut on London's South Bank—a place bristling with swindlers, bookies, pickpockets, and the occasional policeman. And their aim is to solve crimes.

When counterfeit coins start showing up in their neighborhood, Thunderbolt fears his own father may be behind the crime. But his friends devise a way to trap the real culprit. Then the gang takes on the case of some stolen silver. They have just two clues—a blob of wax, and an unusually long match. But even this slippery thief is unmasked by the determined kids of the New Cut.

Filled with silly sleuthing, improbable disguises, crazy ruses, and merry mayhem, these stories are action-packed romps from one of the best storytellers ever—Philip Pullman."

This book is not as serious as His Dark Materials, and it is fun fun fun! What kid doesn't love a book (two stories) about a gang of child detectives?!?!?! It was much different from his other work I have read, but he is still a great writer. Some really goofy and silly stuff happens in these two stories and the characters have some tough issues to deal with. If you know a child in the 9-12 age range (or an adult of any age who loves kids books) then you should definitely get them to read this when it is released!

To find out more about Two Crafty Criminals! or Philip Pullman:

http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375870293
http://www.philip-pullman.com/
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Two-Crafty-Criminals-How-They-Philip-Pullman/9780375870293-item.html?ikwid=two+crafty+criminals+pullman&ikwsec=Books

As always, thank you for reading! I hope to continue to bring you books that have yet to be released so you can add them to your list and get them as soon as they come out! Happy Reading!

Flapper Frenzy

2012-01-13T08:41:00.000-08:00

If you know me at all, you know that last year I became obsessed with Flappers. I think it is an interesting time, I love hearing about the fashion and music, and the book would not be true without gangsters, of course.

My newest Flapper read was Bright Young Things by Anna Godberson. This book is about Cordelia, Astrid, and Letty. Cordelia and Letty are best friends who run away to New York for reasons which get in the way of their friendship. Cordelia finds herself living a whole new life, Letty discovers that becoming famous is harder than it looks, and Astrid finds herself with a new friend from a small town. Full of drama, excitement, and death, this book was SO MUCH FUN, and lived up to my Flapper expectations.

Be sure to check this book out, as well as Beautiful Days, the second book in the series. Also, check out the authors website for more information! Enjoy my Flapper Friends!

http://www.bytseries.com/byt/

3 Great Reads

2012-01-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams

As I’m sure it is clear by now, I am obsessed with reading cozy mysteries. I find them funny, amusing, and the characters are usually pretty interesting. This book was no different.

Set in Memphis, this is a story of the Taylor family who run Aunt Pat’s Bar-B-Que. When a Cooking Channel scout is found dead in her hotel room, there is a long list of suspects for the police to sift through, as Rebecca Adrian stepped on many people’s toes before she met her death. With the suspicion looming over her restaurant, Lulu starts investigating on her own so that life in the usually bustling barbeque restaurant can get back to normal.

This story was so much fun and was definitely representative of the stereotypical south. Good food, great characters, and trying to figure out who “dunnit”, it was a read that just ate up my time until the very last page. All that talk about food had my stomach rumbling on more than one occasion! And for those so inclined, there are some recipes for this good southern food in the back of the book. Go on down to Aunt Pats, where the conversation is free and the food is worth every penny!

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/a/riley-adams/delicious-and-suspicious.htm

Tell it to the Trees by Anita Rau Badami

Tell it to the Trees, published by Random House Canada, introduces us to the Dharma family, an Indian family living in northern Canada. The beginning of the story tells the reader that a woman who had been renting from the Dharma family was found frozen to death outside the house, how she end up there a mystery. The story is divided into sections, each one focusing on certain characters and the story is told from their point of view. Reading the story constructed this way makes it easier to get inside the heads of the characters and also makes it easier to see the bigger picture. Can YOU figure out what happened to Anu?

This book was NOTHING like what I was expecting it to be when I read the dust jacket. Having said that, I really really enjoyed it. From the beginning I was completely sucked in and could not put it down. I liked that it was from different characters point of view, although it would have been nice to see what Vikram had to say. I figured out part of the way through how Anu died, but I was curious to find out how it had been carried out and who all was involved. I found it scary how much Varsha was turning out to be like her father and her possession of people was kind of creepy. I loved Akka, but it bothered me that she just sat by and said nothing while all of this stuff was going on in her house.

I definitely recommend this book. It gives insight into the Indian culture and it also makes you realize that you never know what is going on behind closed doors! Let me know if you read this!!!

Check out this book on the Random House website:

http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780676978933

Eve by Anna Carey

Another one of my obsessions is teen post-apocalyptic novels. So far with this genre, I have not been disappointed. They have all been different enough to keep me interested and make me want to keep reading. Eve was no exception.

Eve is a student at an all-girls school, where they are taught to work hard, excel at your talent, and fear men and boys. All the girls are being prepared to go on to the next level, four years at another school where they will basically become a master of their interest (sound familiar?) When Eve finds out where the girls will really be going when they graduate, she manages to escape with the help of one of her teachers. Eve is a special girl and the King has big plans for her. Now that she’s on the run, everyone is looking for her. Will she make it to Califia, a safe camp for those who are against the Kings wishes and plans?

I absolutely loved this book. I thought it was exciting, interesting, and there were some truly pull-on-your-heartstrings moments. Of course there is a love story, which may make some people roll their eyes, but it is interesting to watch it unfold when Eve has been trained to fear men. This book is the first in a trilogy and the second book, Once, is set to be released in July 2012.

I hope you will check out these 3 books and let me know what you think! As always, thank you for reading my blog!

Catching Up!!!

2011-12-26T18:48:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I am so sorry I have been AWOL lately. Life has been really hectic! I have been reading, but not as much as usual, although I do have a few books to post for today! Hopefully now I will be back on track!

Woof! Writers on Dogs edited by Lee Montgomery

This book is a bunch of short stories that are written by professional authors who also happen to be dog owners. I am not usually a fan of short stories, which my friend Jay can attest to, but I absolutely love animal stories. I really enjoyed this book because it is well-written and even though I am not a dog lover, it was easy for me to fall into the stories being told. There were, of course, some really sad stories as our beloved pets cannot live forever, but there are also great stories of friendship and companionship. They are all very different from one another, and there was only one story that I skipped over because I just could not get into it. I recommend this book if you are a dog lover or love animal stories in general!!!

Christmas With Anne and Other Stories by L.M. Montgomery

In the spirit of Christmas, I thought I would write about a Christmas book. Another book of short stories, this compilation was put together by a fan of Lucy Maud Montgomery's who came across some unknown short stories that had never been published. They are tales of tradition and the spirit of Christmas. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of these stories and it was really interesting to have an idea of how people used to celebrate Christmas and what it used to mean before it became a materialistic holiday. If you would like to go back to earlier times and the joy of Christmas, you should definitely read this book!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

This book was only released a few months ago by the wonderful author who wrote the Chaos Walking Trilogy for young adults (of which I have read the first one and it was fantastic!) This book was inspired by another writer, Siobhan Dowd, and is his interpretation of her idea.

The story is about Conor who lives with his mom and she is very sick. He has to look after himself, and he doesn't mind, but he keeps having an awful nightmare that haunts him in his sleep. One night a monster visits and Conor is told he was called by Conor and he is going to tell him three tales and Conor has to tell him a tale when he is done. The purpose of the monster being there is for him to help heal, but who is he helping heal and why? This is an incredibly written book that is very heartfelt and true. It deals with the effects of grief and how we can move on after a loss. I think this is a great book for any young adult who has experienced loss because it shows them it is okay to go through grief and to feel the things they feel. I hope everyone will give this story a try and let me know what you think!

I hope you have enjoyed my quick reviews for today! I am still trying to figure out how to add pictures so the text is broken up some. Thank you, as always, for reading my blog and I would love to hear any and all feedback you may have! Please let your friends know about my blog and ask them to "follow" me too!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Darkfever

2011-11-17T14:56:00.000-08:00

I apologize to the men who have been reading this, it just happens to be that I have been reading more "feminine" books lately (they have been no-brainer ones, which is what I need during my crazy school!!!) So this next book, Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning, is actually a romance book. I don't read romance books, it's not my thing, but this is a book that a customer RAVED to me about a few months ago and she had me convinced, so I bought it.

The story is about a Georgian girl, Mac, who gets a call that her sister (who was going to school in Ireland) has been killed. Mac discovers she had received a frantic message from her sister on the day she died, but did not get it until a few weeks later. Not satisfied with the work the police were doing (they closed the case as they could not find any leads), Mac heads to Ireland herself. Enter the Seelie, Unseelie, and Jericho Barrons. Mac's world is turned upside down when she realizes she is not who she thought she was (neither was her sister) and there are things that exist in the world that she thought only existed in books.

This book, which I apologize is the first book in another series lol, was so great! It was well written, all the fantastic elements were completely believable, and I think that Mac, in some ways, is easy to relate to. She's just a "normal" girl who fell into the dark side of life. And my favourite part of this book is that it did not feel like a romance book at all (big sigh of relief!!!) Darkfever is the first in a series of 5 books so far, book 5 having been released in hardcover in January and paperback in August.

I think anyone who is into fantasy would really enjoy this book. I am going to say that female readers would probably enjoy it more, but hey, if you are an open minded man, I challenge you to give it a try! And PLEASE let me know if you do! lol

Check out Darkfever on the Random House website! Enjoy my fellow readers!

http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780440240983

The Long Quiche Goodbye

2011-11-09T14:32:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I said in the beginning that I am going to review different kinds of books, not the same thing over and over. However, I just finished another cozy mystery and I loved it, so I had to include it! It is The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames and it is the first in the Cheese Shop Mystery.

http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780425235522,00.html?The_Long_Quiche_Goodbye_Avery_Aames

http://www.averyaames.com/index.html
In this book we meet Charlotte who is a part owner of the Fromagerie Bessette, a cheese shop. She runs it with her cousin, Matthew, who has twin daughters and the four of them share a house. The night of the grand re-opening of the shop, there is a murder right outside and Charlotte's grandmother is the number one suspect. Charlotte is urged by her friends to investigate herself, as the chief does not seem to be getting any closer to finding out who the real killer is. Will she be able to find out the truth before her grandmother is sent to jail and loses the election for mayor to Kristine?

I absolutely LOVE the characters in this book! And one of my favourites is Rags, Charlotte's cat. He goes everywhere with her and she treats him the way I treat my cats: like a baby. The relationships between different characters are really great, there is a bit of humour, and I think everyone wishes they had a grandma like Charlotte's! I think this will definitely be a new favourite series of mine and I cannot wait to read more! There are only 3 books so far in this series: The Long Quiche Goodbye, Lost and Fondue, and Clobbered With Camembert (due to be released in February). Enjoy, my fellow book lovers! And don't forget to tell me what you think!

Coffeehouse Mysteries - Book 1-5

2011-11-06T15:17:00.000-08:00

For the last little while, I have been absolutely OBSESSED with mystery books, particularly those considered "cozy" mysteries. I figured since most people only review the first book in a series, I would review the first 5 of this new favourite of mine. On one of my trips to the library, I came across a book entitled "On What Grounds" by Cleo Coyle. I picked it up, was loving the cover art, and read the back. Amazing. It sounded absolutely amazing. I have now read the first 5 books in the series, which probably tells you that I enjoy them. Although, that would be an understatement because I LOVE them!

On What Grounds - Book 1

http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780425192139,00.html?On_What_Grounds_Cleo_Coyle
The first book in the series introduces the reader to all the main players. Claire is the manager of the Village Blend, a coffeehouse in Greenwich Village in good old New York City. Because of this, the reader gets all kinds of information about how to properly grind coffee and make latte's, etc. I am personally not a coffee drinker, but it does not matter. I love the little rants she goes off on about how people don't do things the "proper way". In this story, Claire finds the body of one of her workers at the bottom of the basement stairs in the coffeehouse. Determined to find out what has happened to one of her staff, she does not leave the job to the police, but decides to do some of her own detective work.
I absolutely fell in love with the characters in this book and the relationships they have. I love witty, sarcastic, quick-thinking conversation and that is how Coyle writes. I love the setting, the process of the detective work, and it is not straight-forward as to who the killer is.

Through the Grinder - Book 2

http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780425197141,00.html?Through_the_Grinder_Cleo_Coyle

In the second book, females who frequent the Village Blend or who are a part of Claire's life start dying. They are considered to be suicides, but Claire is not convinced. She realizes they are all connected and is determined to prove that these women are not killing themselves. When her daughter becomes an intended victim, Claire goes into protective mode and works even harder to find out who is behind these murders.
I loved the second book as much as the first. The nice thing about these stories is they do not take place back to back, making them seem a bit more realistic. There are usually a few months at least between the books and in each one you get to know Claire, Madame, Matteo, Joy, and Mike more than the last.

Latte Trouble - Book 3

http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780425204450,00.html?Latte_Trouble_Cleo_Coyle

The third installment of the Coffeehouse Mystery series is once again close to home for Claire. While holding an event during Fashion Week at the Blend, two men are poisoned, one of them dying in the coffeehouse. One of Claire's baristas is arrested for the murder and hauled off to jail. Although Matteo does not believe in Tucker's innocence, Claire knows he would not have tried to kill anyone and sets off on what Matteo calls her "Nancy Drew" train. Things between Matteo and Claire have started to shift a bit and it makes you wonder if they will one day reunite.
Oh how I love Tucker! He is so funny and vibrant, but we see a whole other side of him after he has been arrested and thrown into jail. Coyle certainly writes in a way in which you cannot help but feel extreme sympathy for the poor guy and your heart reaches out to him. I was actually able to figure out a bit before it was revealed who the killer was. But just because I knew who, did not mean I knew why the murder had taken place. Read it to find out!

Murder Most Frothy - Book 4

http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780425211137,00.html?Murder_Most_Frothy_Cleo_Coyle

This book takes us to the Hamptons. That right there tells you it will be full of crazy people, lots of booze and parties, and downright ridiculousness. Claire is helping a friend with the coffee portion of his new restaurant, and is spending the summer in the Hamptons. A murder takes places at the house of the restaurant owner and one of Claire's staff is killed. She does not believe he was the intended target, but rather that her friend was the one the killer meant to shoot and thought he/she shot. Claire is on the case and this time brings Madame into it with her, making Matteo angry.
This book is, like I said, full of ridiculousness. Haha. But in a good way! When I think of the Hamptons, I shake my head and that's what this book makes me do. The characters made me laugh, it is unclear who is behind the mess of things that is going on, and you wonder if this will be the book in which Claire finds herself in a situation she will not recover from (considering some of the things that have happened to her in the past.)

Decaffeinated Corpse - Book 5

http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780425216385,00.html?Decaffeinated_Corpse_Cleo_Coyle

I just finished this book about an hour ago and it did not disappoint. In his travels, Matteo came across something that most buyers/sellers in the coffee world would kill for: naturally decaffeinated coffee beans. The Village Blend has exclusive rights to the sale of the coffee, but everything needs to remain hush hush until the launch at the Beekman Hotel. Before that, though, an attempt to murder the grower has been made and neither Ric (the grower) or Matteo will fill Claire in on what is going on. They do not want to involve the police, so she starts digging herself. Before the end, people will die, Matteo and Claire may find themselves involved in a case of fraud, and Matteo will be taken away by the cops.
This story did not disappoint, as I'm not sure Coyle is capable of disappointment. We start to see a shift in some relationships (which made me jump up and down), and yet again, Madame is involved in solving the mystery. I love these characters more and more with every book and I hope you will try them and let me know what you think! If you are a fan of cozy mystery you will definitely like these because, let's face it, just because you have published a book does not mean you can write. Cleo Coyle can write! She is good at conversation, she is good at character development, and of course, with all aspects of the mystery and solving it. Give it a try and let me know! Maybe you will find yourself to be a Coffeehouse Mystery lover too!

Liesl & Po

2011-10-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.amazon.ca/Liesl-Po-Lauren-Oliver/dp/006201451X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319987873&sr=8-1

The first book I have chosen to review is Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver. I was drawn to this book a while back in my usual book research because of the cover. It is brown and gold, there is a circle of people around a little girl (Liesl), and a bright light coming out of the box she has in front of her (which makes you wonder what is inside.) It is one of those covers I want to just run my hand over. Yes, I judge books by their covers!

The story is about an orphan girl, Liesl, and her adventure to put her father to rest. Along the way she befriends Po, Bundle, and Will and they manage to find themselves in all kinds of sticky situations. The story deals with death and healing, but also with friendship and doing good for others. It was a very cute story with lots of adventure, some supernatural beings, and, of course, magic. I feel sorry to say, I do not have much else to say about this book. It was fun, it was well-written, and I enjoyed it, but it was not jump-out-of-your-seat amazing. The story flowed well, made complete sense, and has the ever expected bad guys. It was a quick read and I am glad I read it, but it is not one that I would read again. This story is for readers age 9-12.

The link above is where you can check out the book on amazon.ca. It gives you a book description, as well as many reviews from people who loved the book. Make your own decision, and if you read it, let me know what you think!

Hopping on the Bandwagon...

2011-10-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

I have been reading for as long as I can remember. It is something that has always been there, it's what I do. I can't go to bed without having read at least a page, but my day is a pretty good one when I've been able to curl up for hours reading! Working with books off and on for the past 4 years has increased my speed, passion, and knowledge of books. Being given an opportunity to review books for a well-known Canadian publisher for a year was an amazing adventure and something I will treasure for the rest of my life.

For The Love of Reading was created so I can continue to review books. I am not looking to spoil the end or give anything away, but to give you my opinion of what I have read in the hopes that maybe you will want to read it too. I plan on reviewing a wide array of books as I am open to reading anything once! Please do not hesitate to recommend anything to me!

I would like to thank a few people before I end my first post. To my mom, thank you for instilling a love of reading in me. Without your love and passion for books, I may not have developed my own. To Joe, for responding to a handwritten letter, in which I went on and on about how much I loved books and how I had always wanted to work in a bookstore. To Aidan, for hiring me twice. To James, for sharing my love and passion for kids books. A lot of my knowledge was gained in the time we worked together and I have always valued your opinion. To Michelle, for getting giddy and excited with me about books that we were reading or that we were waiting to be released. To Jennifer, for a fabulous year of reading and reviewing, and for finding a fellow book lover. And finally to Aditya, for believing I can do anything.