The Underground Bookclub

A couple of books to try

2011-10-25T12:13:00.000-07:00

Book one: Ready Player One by Earnest Cline

This is a dystopia book set in the 2040's. It involves a world with a very highly developed virtual reality system that many people escape to, avoiding real life. When the creator of the whole thing dies, he leaves his fortune to the first one to find the easter egg he's hidden somewhere in the thousands of worlds he created. And, because he was obsessed with the 1980's, the book and the characters and the mystery all refer heavily to the 1980's games, music, movies, and culture. I enjoyed as much as I got to, and wished I had had time to finish it. (And I don't enjoy dystopia books.)

(Unfortunately, the book was due back to the library before I finished it, but I've been assured by those who have finished it that it is well worth reading. I enjoyed the half I read. Also, there is more language in this than I usually prefer. If that bothers you, you are forewarned. And, Kristen, I'm pretty sure there's even some romance involved, I just got to the very beginning of that part.)

Book two: The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

This is a book on my list of need to read. It is a children/young adult fantasy. Three siblings in an orphanage find an atlas that allows them to travel through time and get caught up in the fight between good and evil. It is the first book in the trilogy. Both my husband and my 9 year old have recommended it to me, so it has wide appeal.

Good Books

2011-06-02T17:14:00.000-07:00

She Walks in Beauty, by Siri Mitchell
Abandon, by Meg Cabot

I enjoyed abandon more than Cabot's recent YA offerings. I feel like she's back in the game with this one. Also, looking forward to Overbite - her 2nd in her vampire series.

32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny

2011-03-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

I picked this book out from Amazon to give to Elle's teacher.

Elle and I spent a great deal of time clicking on the "Surprise Me" button on Amazon reading excerpts.

I finally checked it out of the library, and we've been laughing hysterically at all the fun stories!

New Brandon Mull!

2011-03-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

Beyonders comes out March 15, (happy birthday to me) and is the first book in a new series by Brandon Mull, who wrote the FANTASTIC Fablehaven books. I snagged the description from Amazon:

The first book in a new series (Beyonders), A World Without Heroes is an addictive blend of fantasy, humor, and heroic quest. Jason is an ordinary 13-year-old involuntarily transported to Lyrian, a world ruled by the evil wizard Maldor. Jason stumbles across a book bound with human skin and learns of a secret word with the power to unmake Maldor--knowledge that puts Jason in grave danger. Galloran, a blind king who once searched for the word himself, introduces Jason to Rachel, another Beyonder (as people from Earth are called) who had appeared in Lyrian at the same time. Jason and Rachel set out to retrieve the word, and the resulting pages are filled with adventure, drama, loyalty and betrayal—a treat for fans of Mull’s Fablehaven series or those discovering this bestselling author for the first time.--Seira Wilson

YA Paranormal Bug

2011-02-28T08:13:00.000-08:00

As I typed the title to this post I realized that I really can't claim that the bug has recently bitten me. I read my first YA Paranormal nearly ten years ago, when I started Meg Cabot's Mediator series, and I've pretty much been searching for more at a desperate pace ever since.

It's just so stinking fun to read!

I recently read several, and I liked nearly all of them, so I'm sharing. Tess Oliver has three books available on Amazon as kindle editions right now - but I cannot find them in hard/paperback form. Not sure if she's publishing straight to kindle or what. Anyway, I'm currently reading the 3rd (they are not a series) and have enjoyed them all immensely so far. There is a little language in Safe Landing , and some "British" language in Camille:

Which is about a werewolf hunter who falls for a recently infected young man. It was loads of fun, and all three books total $4.97 on kindle. Love!

The others I have recently enjoyed are:

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver. I don't remember, but there is probably some language in that one.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefavter. Not super deep, and I'm not interested in reading about other characters in the 2nd and 3rd books, but it was a fun take on the werewolf legend.

And then there's Immortal, by Lauren Burd. Of this book, two things are certain:

1. The editor, if there was one, should be fired. (the sentence structure was SO bad.)

2. S. Meyer could probably successfully sue the lady. The characters, situations, even the conversations are that similar. I made it 70% of the way through the train wreak before I tossed it away in disgust. And it is not often that I cannot bring myself to finish a story and see how it ends.

Enjoy!

Paranormalcy

2011-01-27T14:46:00.000-08:00

I'm too fresh off the high of just having finished a really fun book to give you all a proper what's-it-all-about here so I'll just say:

Kiersten White has a great, great voice. Reading her is easy - like Meg Cabot easy (better? dare I say it?) and the pacing was simply fantastic. I was not given the option to put this book down. My children had ramen for lunch and I am still in my 6 a.m jogging clothes because after I got home and sat down with it I did nothing else until I finished.

Now elation and despair are warring within me, elation from reading such an enjoyable story, and despair at my ever, ever actually hammering out a text of my own. Argh!

Just, go read it.

Good YA Fantasy

2011-01-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

Star Crossed was written by the same lady who wrote A Curse Dark as Gold. I didn't read her earlier work, but I enjoyed Star Crossed more than I have enjoyed a YA Fantasy for a LONG time! There is magic in her world, but no unicorns or fairies - it's more like a magical tale set in dark-ages earth. Not too fantastical, for you non goblin story lovers.
The plot of Secondhand Charm made a turn around 1/3 of the way through the book that was interesting and fun to read and completely unexpected. Loved the book! This one seems to be set in a very earth-like world, with christianity and place names being the same. But there are some fantastical creatures and some magic.

Vintage Favorites

2010-11-12T21:31:00.001-08:00

When winter weather starts I always feel a pull towards my old favorite books; many series that I read while I was younger and there was nothing to do but watch the snow fall claim space in my memory this time of year. My mom had bookshelves full of books that she read when she was young and these were my favorites:

can you guess who this is?

Georgette Heyer! Who published her first book at the age of 19. Who married a few years later and managed never to leak to her fans her new married name. Who never gave an interview, never did any publicity. Her private life was her private life, she said. And she didn't need publicity to sell her fantastically clever and detailed novels of regency England. Pretty much nobody ever knew who she was until she died.

The Grand Sophy is my favorite. I have read it more than any other of her novels (like I said, every winter..) and I always chuckle at the antics of her characters.

Lady of Quality is also a good one. Other favorites are The Masqueraders, These Old Shades, Frederica, and Arabella.

Next up, the incomparable Mary Stewart.

Her extensive travels with her husband enabled her to write perfect descriptions of places all over the world. When she describes Greece, you feel as though you could go without any guidebook but the novel you are reading. Suspense, adventure, romance! I want to be Mary Stewart when I grow up.

This one has a slightly paranormal bent to it. It's pretty eery in places and very suspenseful.

I have read this book more than any other book in the history of books that I have read. My copy is falling all to pieces.

My second favorite of hers - the romantic story in this one reminds me very much of Hitchcock's "Charade". And it's possibly the best car chase scene ever written. (I say, with my um, extensive knowledge of car chase scenes. That have been written)

This last author tricked me. And I didn't appreciate it. But I still very much enjoyed their books and so I shall share:
Another author that does settings all over the globe. Some a little over dramatic, but can I say I don't like that? no. No I can't. Golden Urchin is the story of a white girl raised by Aborigines who has to travel halfway across the world and back to find out where she really belongs. Love story? Duh. have I ever posted a book that wasn't? oh, well, maybe that one...

Love this book, love it love it love it. Girl runs away to join the circus. Enough said! Okay I'll say more. After an attempt is made at her life, she goes back to her roots to find a safe haven and some answers. But is she really safe there? Dum, da dum dum!

I'd been reading Madeline Brent's work and thoroughly enjoying it for years before I came across a photo of "her".

"Madeline Brent" being the pen name for Peter O'Donnell, who was most famous for a series he wrote called "Modesty Blaise" - which was basically a female James Bond. Touche, Peter. I'll still read your books. But I'm annoyed with you on a permanent basis. Call me sexist.

I Shall Wear Midnight

2010-10-15T09:20:00.000-07:00

After I finished the first page of this book, I did 3 things:

1. Remembered why I love Terry Pratchett so, so much. SO MUCH, people!

2. Told my kids I was very sorry but I would not be available for making food or changing diapers for the near future.

3. Decided that The Wee Free Men series may actually top Harry Potter for my favorites.

I love these books! If you have not read them, you have done yourself a disservice. You are living a half life! This book is number four, after Wee Free Men, Hat Full of Sky, and Wintersmith. If you go to amazon.com, you can purchase it for half the price I got it for at Barnes&Noble....grumble grumble.

Hooray!

Some Fluff Reads

2010-09-23T09:42:00.001-07:00

I haven't laughed this hard reading a book since I started reading her Stephanie Plum series back in 2000. Evanovich has taken the supernatural main character from her "between the numbers" books and given him a full length plot of his own. Really fun. PG.

And I haven't enjoyed a book of Meg's this much in a long time! I'm glad she decided to write a vampire book, because she did a superb job of it! PG-13.

Two great books from me!

2010-08-27T22:20:00.000-07:00

We read this for September's book club.
I can't WAIT to get together and talk about it!
I am not one to stay up 'till all hours of the morning reading, but I did with this.
It was a total page turner for me.

AND:

This book takes place in Seattle, so you have to read it 'cause it will make you think of me.

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

2010-05-17T15:04:00.001-07:00

(image from Amazon, in case you couldn't tell)

I really enjoyed this book, and am currently reading the second in the trilogy.

Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison

2010-03-12T09:40:00.000-08:00

Just 11 more days!

2010-02-14T17:44:00.000-08:00

Some New Stuff

2010-01-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

I've been struggling to find much good to read lately (I'm down to 2 books a month rather than 2 books a week here, people!) and so I got online today to see what our trusty favorites are up to.

Stephenie Meyer:

well if she's doing anything besides rolling around in piles of money then she's keeping it a secret. However, she has joined with an artist to make a graphic novel of Twilight. Now, if you remember how the manga sequel of Avalon High turned out, then you will join me in not being much likely to purchase this one. But maybe you are secretly a Twihard and won't be able to resist?

Me? I'm resisting.

On her website, SM plugs The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which was excellent and I recommend it to everyone.

Shannon Hale:

Has just come out with the graphic novel (theme, anyone?) to Calamity Jane, which in my opinion was v cute and fun (but then I do love my comics..) and my son and I are both looking forward to reading Calamity Jack:

She has also posted some news on her website about upcoming projects that make me all warm and fuzzy inside.

Remember Aurelia? So, crazily, author Anne Osterlund friended me on Goodreads and I am now reading Resenting the Hero per her recommendation which is so far pretty enjoyable. And there are like, 4 of them, which is good for my near-future reading happiness.

I look forward to hearing your latest favorites. I will try to resist breaking my budget at the bookstore!

My Angelica

2010-01-13T13:04:00.000-08:00

by Carol Lynch Williams

I really enjoyed this story. The point of view alternates between two best friends who are in high school and start to realize that they like each other. The characters are fun. I also enjoyed the writing more than normally.

Some Pretty Good Reads

2009-10-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

There are a few books that I've read recently that are pretty good. My favorite thus far out of the set is The Mysterious Benedict Society.

This children's lit book is about four brilliant children who pass a series of tests to do some undercover spy work to save the world. It reminds me of Lemony Snicket's, A Series of Unfortunate Events, but not so depressing. LOVED it. There are 2 more out and I haven't read them yet but they are on hold at the library.

The next book, I liked quite a bit. Reminded me of Gail Carson Levine's works. It is called Amaranth Enchantment.

It tells of a girl called Lucinda whose parents left for a ball and never came back. She is orphaned and through a series of events, meets and dances with a prince and then tries to steal from him. It's fun.

The last one is a bit of a dark take on the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale. It is called A Curse Dark as Gold.

It is very losely based on the original story. There are an orphaned pair of sisters who own a mill that is cursed. The mill means everything and they are willing to sacrifice everything for it. It is more of a mystery, but has a dash of romance and magic.

Rachel Wins!

2009-10-06T18:29:00.000-07:00

the random number generator came up with #5 - and you're it! I believe I have your current address - I'll email you to make sure.

Sorry it took me so long to get around to this!

Catching Fire

2009-09-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

Catching Fire is out now, it is just as amazing at Collins' first book, and to celebrate this Bookclub's 100th post, we're having a giveaway!

This giveaway serves two purposes - okay really just one. We haven't actually HAD bookclub for months now and I want to see if anyone actually reads this blog any more.

SO. leave a comment (everyone is welcome) and next wednesday one lucky reader will get a copy of The Hunger Games AND Catching Fire!!

that's right folks, one of each! now we'll see if anyone comes by in the next five days...

Nurtureshock

2009-09-04T20:53:00.001-07:00

this looks very interesting, and after reading a few reviews I am extremely curious about what the book has to say/discuss about children and parenting. I don't think I'll ever be able to say, "Don't argue with me!" again without a twinge to my conscience. darn.

Aurelia

2009-08-08T00:33:00.001-07:00

so, it was okay. i suppose the problem was less that the book wasn't stellar (though it wasn't. readable yes, enjoyable sure, stellar no) and more that I just finished reading Fire, by Kristin Chashore. (dh snagged me an early copy at comic con) Fire was very good. I liked it better than Graceling and am impressed with her writing style.

I have them both if persons of the local variety need summer reading. :)

The Princess and the Bear

2009-06-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

I read another book by Mette Ivie Harrison last year, titled The Princess and the Hound which my younger sister liked but I couldn't get into. The Princess and the Bear is loosely its sequel. The book was more likeable I thought but I still have a hard time getting into her writing style. If you read the first one and liked it you are probably going to love this one.

New Books Out

2009-05-22T17:56:00.001-07:00

I didn't even realize it but Being Nikki is out already! I'm glad, because Airhead ended at a fully non-ending-optional point and it was very frustrating. Hopefully we get some real development and action in this one - as the first felt like a lot of set up and then AN END! gah!

So I've ordered it, and will allow it to be borrowed, naturally.

Also, Bloodhound is out and has been read by Craig (who liked it but not nearly as much as Terrier) and Hannah (who liked it more than Craig but also said it's not as good as Terrier).

I also have this book available for borrowing. After I finish it.... :)

Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

2009-04-13T16:02:00.000-07:00

Brandon Mull has done it again. Fablehaven #4 is even better than the last one! Craig devoured the book in a few days and then I read the whole thing one day while he took the kids to Disneyland....

Book 5 will be the last one and comes out next year. I'll try to stand the wait.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2009-04-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

This book is absolutely page turning. Think of it as the show Survivor, but lethal. Instead of getting voted off the show, you die. I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day. Downside is the sequel isn't due to be released till September 2009.

Also, Suzanne Collins' series Underland Chronicles are pretty good. The first one is called Gregor the Overlander.

Absolutely loved it!

Review and a Warning

2009-03-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

well, oops.

Wildwood Dancing was pretty good. Slow-ish and much "the world is on my shoulders" of the main character, in true Juliet Marillier style. And I could have used a bit more in the love story department, but there managed to be TWO love stories so can I really complain? It was well written and the plot's pretty good.

However, despite being promoted along with the most recent Princess Diaries book, Ransom My Heart is NOT rated for youth. Or most discerning adults. It turned out to be a full-fledged, hard core, smut book.

Not that I'm trying to condemn those who like such things - I just know that you fair readers are not that type, and so the warning. You dunna wanna read it, girls. It'll make your toes curl. And your cheeks burn.

Things to Look Forward to

2009-02-23T10:57:00.001-08:00

Wildwood Dancing is the first YA novel written by Juliet Marillier, author of the Sevenwaters fantasy books that came out about 5 years ago, set in old, old Ireland. Those were good, but a bit deep and sometimes depressing. This one is based on the tale of the 12 dancing princesses. Haven't read it yet, but it's out and at the library and there's already a sequel. I have hopes.

Ransom my Heart is Meg Cabot's new book, written under the guise of her main character from the Princess Diaries books. If it's anything like Nicola and the Viscount, (one of Cabot's two regency romances for YA readers) then it should be a fun read. It's out now, but I doubt the library has it.
Finally! Bloodhound comes out at the end of April, and is the sequel to Terrier, which many say is Tamora Pierce's finest work to date. We've been waiting for this one for a couple of years now. Yay!
Shannon Hale has another book coming out also! Looks to be an adult romantic tale, along the lines of her Austenland. I did not catch the release date, but her publisher was recently giving out advanced copies at an event so it shouldn't be long now.

I'm looking forward to a fun Spring of good books. Winter has been a little bleak!

Dragon Flight

2009-02-23T09:54:00.001-08:00

I just finished the sequel to Dragon Slippers and I liked it even better than the first. Jessica Day George is looking like a promising go-to author and it's always nice to be able to be supportive of a peer. She, like Stephenie Meyer, graduated from BYU and is a married mom. (gives one hope. also - motivation) :)

It was a quick read (about a day) and very fun. And I got it from the library, so there's at least one copy available..

North and South

2009-01-25T07:38:00.000-08:00

If Elizabeth Gaskell's novel is anywhere near as good as the recent BBC miniseries, then this book is going to be awesome. I've never posted about a book that I have not read, but the miniseries was. so. good. You can read the first page of the novel on amazon (you have to go to a different edition though, as the link above doesn't have a "look inside" feature).
I rented the 4 part miniseries recently because it was recommended on Meg Cabot's blog - even though I have to admit that the cover of the DVD set looked a little.... boring. It is set in northern England, around I believe the 1830's or so. The characters are all very well played and very sympathetic.

I also might be a little bit in love with Richard Armitage's character at the moment...

Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me

2008-12-20T17:41:00.000-08:00

Lucia Van Der Post has been writing for decades and I'm so glad I got to see her work in print - since I'm not much a peruser of The Financial Times or The Times of London. Her writing is glib and informative and never ever pushy. This is seriously my kind of book!

"Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me; A Guide To Living With Impeccable Grace and Style". Has all kinds of advice from what kinds of clothes to wear to which skin products work to where you can find nice stuff for cheap prices (oh yes, she mentions Target more than once) and where you can find outrageous stuff for outrageous prices ($40,000 for a made-for-you perfume, anyone?). It's like having 368 pages of a girly magazine that you'll never want to throw away.

She goes into love and marriage (I appreciated her views) and keeping a home as well as the style section (I've only gotten through part 1 and a bit of part 2 - couldn't wait to blog about it!) and I've started picking it up each evening with a highlighter to mark favorite quotes and passages. It's so much fun!

Pendragon Books by D. J. MacHale

2008-12-09T16:24:00.001-08:00

I've always seen these books at the library and thought, "I'm not in the mood for another retelling of King Arthur". I thought this since Uther Pendragon is Arthur's father.

Anyway. These books are NOT about King Arthur. They actually remind me of Stargate. It is a story about a 14 year old boy named Bobby Pendragon, who discovers he is a Traveler. He travels to these different worlds via wormholes and it is a fight between good and evil. Some of the cultures are primative and some are quite technologically advanced. All in all, they are fun. There are 10 books in the series and I'm on the sixth one right now. The last book is due to be released in May 2009. The first one is not as strong as later ones in the series. They get progressively better.

2008-11-22T18:56:00.000-08:00

Okay I just finished "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart. I really liked it. It's about this boy, Reynie, who responds to an ad for "special and talented kids", which is a series of obscure tests. He ends up with three other orphans and they become spys and enroll in a mysterious school.

It's a great one to read with your kids. It's been described as Lemony Snickett and Harry Potter. It is a lot like Lemony Snickett, but not nearly as dark and dreary.

The best part of the book is that it's one that you can put down and come back to again.

There is a sequel called "The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey." I've ordered the book and will let you know when I've finished it.

Fortune and Fate

2008-11-20T15:56:00.003-08:00

I know I'm the major Sharon Shinn fan here, but once again I'm going to tout the awesomeness of her Twelfth House series. This is the latest book, the first one is Mystic and Rider and all of them are better than her Angels series. I think this latest one is my favorite so far (though book one was really good)

They are fantasy in the candles&carriages sense, and there is some magic in them, but no strange creatures. It's an all human cast for those of you who are species-ist. :) (well, besides the horses. and a big cat in one of them. but they're just regular animals. so it's okay.)

Homesick: My Own Story

2008-11-14T11:14:00.000-08:00

by Jean Fritz

I finished this last night. It's autobiographical juvenile fiction about an American girl growing up in China as the communist movement takes hold. And don't worry. It ends happy. I liked the story and the level it was written at--the age when you start to lose your childish innocence, but it's not gone yet.

Peter and the Starcatchers

2008-11-13T20:02:00.000-08:00

Do you want to know how Peter Pan go the magical power to fly? Or where the mermaids or the Lost Boys originated from? This is a children's novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson written as a prequel to the original Peter Pan story by J.M. Barrie. It is well written and I really enjoyed it.

Dave Barry is a humor columnist for the Miami Herald and writes articles that are hillarious! If you want a good laugh, I'd recommend reading some of his material. This book, however, departs from his outrageously crazy stuff and actually presents a great children's story. There are two others so far in the series, but I haven't finished them. I'll keep you posted on how I liked them too.

Graceling

2008-10-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

I purchased this book while I was in Utah and finished it a couple of days ago. It is the debut novel of Kristin Cashore and it is very very good. Definitely fantasy (but no goblins or unicorns, Nanette) and it is a YA novel.

Now available for the borrowing. (or, if you have the money to spend and want to support the author on her way to stardom, click HERE to buy) :)

2008-10-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading this YA book which was recommended to me by the elementary school librarian. She bought it on the sale rack of our Book Fair last year for only $5.00.
Now its being made into a movie.
As it says inside, this is a book about a nine year old boy, but it is not a book for nine year olds. (I would say Jr. high age at the very least).
It is not a happy book, but it is excellent.
I love that it is full of symbolism like the different "costumes" people wear, and the fences, real and imaginary.
Very powerful.
You should read it.
Be sure to have tissue nearby.

Fablehaven

2008-10-08T16:23:00.001-07:00

Craig and I have just finished the third installment of the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. We both enjoyed it immensely. So far I have enjoyed each book more than the last one, and cannot wait for March when #4 comes out. (just in time for me to read in the hospital, i guess!)

also, the rights have been optioned for a movie, and already a script has been written which Mr. Mull is reviewing currently. He has another series, "The Candy Shop Wars", in case you want to check it out.

Book Club Finally!

2008-09-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

I'm finally going to do Book club! It sounds like it will have to be on a Thursday around 8.
If you haven't read the book, who cares!
Just come!

Enchantment

2008-09-05T10:15:00.000-07:00

Though this novel was written in 1999, I only recently came across it. I had only read one of OSCard's books, and was not convinced I would like his fairy tale style.

However, the book is extremely well written, the story is compelling and intelligent, and I enjoyed it very much. It is a re-telling of Sleeping Beauty with actually very little in common with the original fairy tale. Besides the sleeping part.

I highly recommend it.

Rachel's Recommendations

2008-09-05T10:01:00.001-07:00

I never could figure out how to make a permanent link to another part of the blog for our book recommendations. I got ones from Rachel and Angela months/years ago and I've decided to just go ahead and start posting them here. There has not been a plethora of great books to read and I'm interested in some new/old stuff myself:

(fantasy)

Dealing with Dragons - Patricia Wrede G

Sorcery and Cecilia - Patricia Wrede PG

Once Upon Stilettos - Shanna Swendson PG

The Princess Academy - Shannon Hale G

The Blue Sword - Robin McKinley PG

The Wee Free Men - Terry Pratchett PG

(juvenile sci-fi)

The Rolling Stones - Robert Heinlein G

(western/mountain)

The Warrior's Path - Louis L'amour PG

That's all for today. I'll post her other recommendations later, and then get on to others' lists. Happy hunting. And please post books that you have read/discovered recently that you enjoyed!

picture from here

Midnight Sun

2008-09-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

Many of you have already heard the news but: Stephenie Meyer has posted the rough partial copy of Midnight Sun on her webpage. It includes about 260 pages, and is certainly worth reading.

I am sad about the circumstances that led to this great boon for us, but I really enjoyed getting a chance to read what she posted.

Warning! It stops before the meadow scene - so don't get your hopes up!

Cute New Series

2008-07-28T17:26:00.000-07:00

Hey Gals,

Picked up this book:

on a whim from the library. Didn't know until after I read it through that it is a series, with the 4th book coming out this December. Anyway, it is totally "G" rated, squeaky clean (not even kissing... although lots of wanting to be kissed). There are also geeky Star Wars references as early as the first chapter :). A couple parts moved a little slow, and some of the story is predictable, but overall a nice light and fun summer read.

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

2008-07-26T22:37:00.000-07:00

Here is good book that Jenny Croft recommended it and I thought it was great. Jessica Day George is a Mormon author and her style in this book is quite similar to Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest series (Dealing with Dragons, etc). You get a spunky, fun heroine and dragons that collect unusual things.

Book club

2008-07-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

So, I've finally decided what to do for Book Club! How 'bout, when we've all finished reading the host, we can get together and talk about it at my place!
Sound good?

A New Robin McKinley Novel!

2008-07-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of the cover of RM's new novel, Chalice which comes out in September.* If you follow the link on the right to her blog, you can see pictures of the title page, and also read the first page of the book (you just click on the photo and it enlarges).

Robin McKinley has been one of my favorite authors to date, and I am excited to get something new to read from her!

*photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Kitty Kitty

2008-06-30T13:27:00.001-07:00

Just found out from Meg Cabot's blog that the sequel to Michelle Jaffe's much Loved Bad Kitty is going to be out tomorrow, July 1!

Kitty Kitty will be on shelves tomorrow, and if you haven't read the first one, I highly recommend getting it from the library. I used to have a copy, but I sent it to my little sisters. (my sincere apologies)

Enjoy!

The Naming & The Riddle - Alison Croggon

2008-06-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies,
I've found a couple books that I've really enjoyed so far. Good solid fantasy that is well written and not annoying. Not much romance in there though (Sorry!).

Alison Croggon is an author from Australia. I'm halfway through The Riddle (2nd book) and I like the character development so far.

Hope you like them!

BD Tour Continued...

2008-06-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

So I couldn't edit the last post, so I am just starting a new one. New information is linked on Stephenie's site, but in brief, it looks like tickets go on sale on Saturday, June 21st at 10:00am. We can purchase tickets online and the concert / booksigning is on Thursday August 8th at 8:00pm. Are we going?

BD tour Dates

2008-06-11T16:23:00.000-07:00

check out this link to see Breaking Dawn tour dates. It's one of those times when I'm happy to be living in Los Angeles.

I think i might actually try to go to this one...

Breaking Dawn

2008-06-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

In order to get a cover photo of Breaking Dawn, I typed the words into Google. Now, I know what the cover looks like, so I was surprised to see this page pop up. I don't know if they are discarded cover ideas or if they are all just fan art, but good grief, Blood Spatter? ew, people.

thank you, Amazon.com, for always having the real thing:

now here's my theory, about the cover. Because it obviously means something. I mean, hello. Chess?

okay. So I told Craig about the cover and he said that in chess the pawn can become the queen. (he said this in that "of course you know this, right?" way, which, of course I did NOT) I mean hello! Chess? honestly.

anyway. my theory is this: we have gotten rid of our "bad guys" from books 1-3 (those naughty vampires) but were introduced to an ever-more-scary-and-sinister group in book 2, The Volturi. I think it is likely/natural that they will be the bad guys of #4.

And that they will want Bella for their pawn.

Have you guessed yet what it is that I am thinking? I bet you have, you smart and awesome people. I am thinking that Bella will end up being, "da dum!", the Queen of the Vampires.

now, i realize that so far SM's work tends toward the human - meaning that from the way she has written so far, one does not tend to expect her to go all vampy and especially queen-of-the-vampy allofasudden. However, I really don't see another possible "happy" ending for all of you Edward fans. Also, I love a good queen-vamp novel (that is also clean) (which means i haven't actually read... any... yet... *sigh*) so I'm hoping that my guess is right.

July book club

2008-06-09T21:13:00.001-07:00

So, I guess since we've all had a turn hosting book club, it's my turn again. Should we do The Host? Does anybody have any suggestions? I'm going to have to think about what to do.
So, stay tuned. . .

June book group

2008-05-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

Unless anyone has any great objections, our next book group will be Thursday, June 5 at 8 or 8:30. (Enrichment in our ward and Hannah's birthday is on Wednesday.) We will be discussing Fablehaven. I don't know yet about place. I'm guessing it will be at my place, but if things get crazy during the next few days I may change that. I'll update this once I'm sure about details (after we recover from Andrew's surgery tomorrow), but this way you can at least plan for which day.

Update: We will have it at my place at 8 pm. See you there!

I liked it!

2008-05-23T18:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun book that was at our Elementary school Book Fair. I kept snitching other people's copies they had in their "I'm-going-to-buy-this-stack-of-books-eventually-but-I'm-not-done browsing-yet" piles and reading them. I finally had to check it out of the library so I could finish it.
I think it's charming.

May/June Bookgroup

2008-05-14T08:39:00.001-07:00

Right now I'm thinking about having bookgroup on the first Wednesday or Thursday of June. If we have to, we might be able to do it the week before, but I'd really rather not because Andrew will be having surgery on his eyes that Wednesday. I'm not quite sure how crazy that will be. What do all of you think?

The Host

2008-05-14T01:00:00.001-07:00

i've got this one, and i'll probably have it available for borrowing by the end of the week. i believe nanette has claimed 1st rights though - you can duke it out with her. :) Stephenie Meyer has put up the playlist for the book here. Looks like i'll have to make a mix CD...

i've spoken to two people who have finished the book. they both loved it.

Lots of Good News

2008-05-14T00:47:00.000-07:00

i'm trying hard, as i know you all are, to be okay with the casting choices for the Twilight movie. There is a trailer for the movie here so you can have some help deciding if you want to actually go see it or not.

in other crazy and exciting news, LOOK WHAT JUST CAME OUT!

a new novel by beloved Gail Carson Levine, which you can buy here if you want to read it right away. She is the one who wrote Ella Enchanted, among other wonderful things.

also, i've finished Fablehaven, and I really really enjoyed it. Hope you all do, too! Do we have an official date for Bookclub, Rachel?

Airhead

2008-05-05T19:22:00.000-07:00

this book isn't supposed to come out until the 13th but amazon sent them early so i already finished it and handed it off to Hannah.

1)It was way better than Jinx.

2)It's a fun premise, and one that made me think a lot.

3)I hate that she's doing sequels instead of making one long book, because JUST when it was getting really good, it ended.

and now we have to wait a year before we get any more. NOOOOO!

enjoy!

Suite Scarlett

2008-04-23T16:43:00.001-07:00

i keep meaning to read "13 Little Blue Envelopes" but every time I read the back, i become very bored. And "Girl At Sea" was alright, but nothing to gush about.

this one is much better, in my opinion, and Maureen Johnson really developed some great characters here. Here is a family who loves eachother (almost all the time) for a change, and siblings who treat eachother well (almost all the time). There is a romantic story but it is not the main story, and there is very little kissing, and nothing more than kissing, for those who need to know.

I enjoyed every single character, hated noone, got properly stressed out at the proper moments, and laughed quite a few times. Her main character is relatable and normal, and it's fun to read about living in New York from a native's POV.

So, I have Suite Scarlett here, at home, if anyone needs to borrow it, and there's a link above if you want to get your own copy from Amazon.

More Twilight Goodies

2008-04-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

There is a TON, (a TON, people) of goodies up on Stephenie Meyer's website about the Twilight movie, including more cast photos, funny stories, and behind the scenes clips.

Go. Enjoy.

The Thief

2008-04-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

For those who were interested, the book we didn't choose for next month is The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. I just found out it is a Newberry Honor book. It's the beginning of a trilogy. (I've read the first two.) It's a fantasy book set in kind of an ancient Greece kind of country. It's has a quest and politics. I think the romance (such as it is) doesn't begin until the second book, The Queen of Attolia.

Fablehaven

2008-04-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

Rachel picked a great book for next month, "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull . It is technically juvenile fantasy, which we haven't delved into for awhile. I am quite excited. Possibly this is because the cover art totally rocks.

Oh, yes. I judge them by their covers. I can't help it.

Airhead

2008-04-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

Meg Cabot has the first two chapters of Airhead, her YA novel coming out on May 13, here. I think this will actually be a very interesting read after "Uglies", because it deals with much the same issues.

enjoy the excerpt!

K

Uglies

2008-04-14T11:20:00.001-07:00

So on Thursday April 17 we are having bookclub at Betsey's house, at 8 pm. The book is Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld:

oh shoot! sorry, THAT'S not the cover! what was i thinking? there's a picture of the book a couple of posts below this one. ;) We haven't posted to the blog for a long time. We need to rectify that.

I just ordered 10 - no wait, 11 - books from amazon and barnes and noble and I'm very excited, and if they are any good I will certainly pass them on. Athough 5 of them won't be mailed until May 6 when The Host comes out.

which, YAY!

Looking forward to seeing you ladies there.

2008-02-14T16:55:00.000-08:00

Stephanie Meyer has a link to an excerpt from her adult novel "The Host" on her website
Fun.

Book club worthy series

2008-02-13T17:27:00.001-08:00

The Uglies series is SO good! I'm currently on Pretties. Then comes Specials. I'd love to have this entire series for book club sometime. I love the social commentary of it. You can read more on Scott Westerfeld's site.

great books!

2008-02-13T16:03:00.001-08:00

I loved these books! Star Girl is first, then Love, Star Girl. Star girl is zany and fun! They are very quick reads and Love, Star Girl is in short sections like a journal, so it's a great one for those of you who don't have time to read a book in one sitting.

His Majesty's Dragon

2008-02-11T17:46:00.001-08:00

Just finished this book, recommended by Rachel several months ago. I devoured it. Loved it. The language is just beautiful and the story is fun. And there isn't even any kissing! (well, okay, no. There IS one kiss, but it is pathetically glossed over) And I still loved it! The best part is, there are like 4 out already. Thank you Naomi Novik!

It's a new leaf, ladies. I'm back in my fantasy groove. :)

In Book News: Meg Cabot's Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls is out now, in hardback. It's for ages 8-12. Looks cute. Her new teen mystery thriller series comes out May 1. First book is called Airhead. See her website for more info.

Don't forget Stephanie Meyer's new adult sci-fi also comes out in May. AND, it was just announced that Breaking Dawn comes out on August 2. Let's hear it --

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

I've been thinking and thinking of how to link to a page with all of our book recommendations, and it comes down to the fact that I simply don't have the know-how to do it. So, I'm just going to post a post with all of our recommendations, which we can all add to and edit as time goes by, and I'll have a side-bar link to that particular post, so when we want to go see it we don't have to do a blog search for the entry.

Looking forward to book club!

Struggling Through Winter Reading

2008-01-23T10:45:00.000-08:00

So I'm trying to get through my Winter Reading Challenge book list.
Okay, that's a lie.
I WAS trying to get through it. Then I threw up my hands and went back to reading the stuff I like.

Don't get me wrong, some of those books are really good - Like the series by Libba Bray, which starts with "A Great and Terrible Beauty", which I read early in December. It's good. It's well written. Funny, even.
But those books are LONG! And then the love story started developing, but slowly, and so of course I skipped ahead to see what was up with that -
Long story short: I ended up skimming thru most of the second two books, and then I was horrified by the sad ending of the third.
SAD!
I do not read sad books! And given, there was still some happiness and hope going on, and it wasn't like, sad for all time, like some sad books, but still. I was not in the right mindset to be reading these things.
I loved Elantris. It's really good. I'm glad we're reading it for bookclub and I'm looking forward to getting someone's copy (because where mine is, I do not know. naturally) to re-read it.
Plum Lucky was hilarious, of course, and not long enough, of course.

The Other Boleyn Girl.....
Okay here's the thing with that. I really prefer to live my life ignoring the horrible and unimaginable plights of others. I don't want to live in a cloud of depression for the other people in this world whose lives are not as easy as my own.
The Boleyn girls did NOT have easy lives.
But it was well written, and it was good. (warning though; it's PG-13, if you were interested)

The past two weeks I've deviated from my list and read 3 Chick-lit books; two Pride & Prejudice inspired, and also "Confessions of a Shopaholic" which was awesome. (warning, bad language)

Darcy's Story I didn't really love, but Me and Mr. Darcy, I totally loved. (there's some language in that one too)

And isn't that a pretty painting? It's in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Lady reading in a Landscape" or something like that.

Elantris Book Club Meeting

2008-01-16T12:11:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Some people have expressed an interest in having more time to read Elantris since it is a longer, more involved book. So, we'd like to move book group to Thursday, February 21, if that is alright with you. Please post a comment if this day works or doesn't work for you. I'm picking the 21st since the week before is Valentines Day.

Winter Reading Challenge

2007-12-26T08:55:00.000-08:00

Catherine made me aware of this challenge, which officially started on Friday last, and I'm finally posting my list of books. I had already planned on reading several, and re-reading a few for bookclub or in order to reacquaint myself before I read the 3rd in a trilogy or whatnot - but then the challenge encourages us to branch out of our genre - so I had to pick a few more to make me feel like a rounded person.

I've not got all of the author's listed, sorry. Don't feel like looking them all up at the moment...

1. Rebel Angels- Libba Bray
2. Sweet Far Thing - Libba Bray
3. Elantris - Brandon Sanderson
4. Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich
5. To Kill A Mockingbird (I know, I should have read this years ago..)
6. The Other Boelyn Girl
7. Kristin Britain's Green Rider Trilogy
8. The Kite Runner
9. His Majesty's Dragon
10. The Android's Dream by John Scalzi

January Book Club - Elantris

2007-12-07T14:26:00.000-08:00

Imagine that you are princess betrothed to a prince in a far away land. Imagine that you go to meet him to be married, only to find out he died before you got there and that you are actually now a widow. It stinks to be you because you thought you might actually like the guy.

January's Book Club will be on Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. He is a Mormon author and he does a great job with keeping the Fantasy genre fresh. His novels have strong women characters and a good plot.

I'm thinking to have book group on the 3rd or 4th Thursday in January (17th or 24th). We can nail down the date after the holidays. Please put your your preference at your leisure.
-Angela

Bella has been Cast!!!

2007-11-26T16:30:00.000-08:00

In case there is anyone who is not obsessively checking Stephenie Meyer's website, the part of Bella Swan has been cast! (thanks, Hannah, for the info!) She will be played by Kristen Stewart, and production starts in February 2008.

"eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!"

Redeeming Love

2007-11-23T21:54:00.000-08:00

I was recommended this book by a friend and it's turning out to be good. A little sad and a little deep (she's sold to a brothel when she's 8) but it's a christian inspirational story and I'm likin' it.

Must see!

2007-11-22T08:45:00.000-08:00

Ladies,

If you want a great laugh, go see this movie. It is hilarious and Disney did a great job poking fun at themselves.

The girl that plays Giselle does a smashing job at being genuine. Bits and pieces of all the Disney princess movies cobble together to make a classic.

Rotten Tomatoes approval rating is 92%!

December Book club (revised)

2007-11-13T10:17:00.000-08:00

So, we only have the first or last part of December available for book club. It seems like we're leaning toward the first part. However, we only have the first week available minus Monday for FHE, minus Friday 'cause Hannah will be gone, minus Wednesday (why?). So our options are Tuesday, December 4th or Thursday, December 6th. Which is it ladies?
AND should we nix the gift exchange thing? If you want it saved, speak up.
I'm waiting for responses. . .

December Book club

2007-11-03T19:27:00.001-07:00

For December, we are going to be princesses and read Shannon Hales' Goose Girl
We'll do a little spa night for those of us who have never set foot inside an actual spa!
We'll also be having the traditional $5 white elephant gift exchange, so bring a little/cheap gift that you, yourself would want to take home since, you just might end up doing so!
I don't know the date yet, so. . stay tuned.
Please comment to let me know when you will be out of town that month so we can set a date around you.
Does Friday, December 14th sound good to anyone? It's the last day of school before Christmas break. Or is that too late? Just a thought.

General Winston's Daughter

2007-10-30T19:10:00.000-07:00

I first got to know Sharon Shinn through "Archangel" which was good, and the rest of that series which is relatively good-to-awesome. I continued on with her 12 Houses series which is even better, and her YA books which Rock. Hard. Core. This one is a stand-alone. Her other YA books, "The Truth Teller's Tale", "The Dream Maker's Magic" and "The Secret-Keeper's ....." well, I forget the last word to that title but they were GOOD.

This one is better. Nicely character driven, great love story (this woman writes great love stories) and exciting settings (she's as good as Mary Stewart for that, I think).

Plus, one of the romantic main characters in this is a dark skinned guy, so I got to happily fantasize about my current favorite t.v. crush, the character Mohinder Suresh, from Heroes.

Yum.

YES!

2007-10-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Unless I die or am kidnapped by dwarfs with flying monkeys, bookclub IS happening this week FOR SURE on Thursday at 7:30pm. Please call me if you need directions to my house!

Remember your dish for the cooking contest!

Keturah and the Underground Cooking Contest

2007-10-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

You are invited to the Underground Bookclub Town Fair. The highlight of our fair will be our First Ever Cooking Contest. The winner will be dubbed Best Cook, and she will have the option to take home all left-over goodies. Please bring your wares to the town square (i.e. Hannah's house) at 7:30pm on Thursday, November 1st.

P.S. My contribution will be Lemon Meringue pie. This will not be part of the contest because I am not cooking it, and because it ultimately did not keep Keturah from Lord Death.

If Anyone Wants to Read it...

2007-10-11T09:45:00.000-07:00

I've got my copy of Keturah and Lord Death here and Nanette did not need it after all so I'll pass it along to whoever wants it -

book club is next week!!

Kristen

This is what it was

2007-10-06T16:26:00.001-07:00

This was the other Sci-Fi book we really liked. It's by Heinlein. Fun book. Cool plot. Worth the read. AND it's sci-fi--something you will never see on "the other" book club's list

My two cents

2007-10-04T20:47:00.001-07:00

Here's my book recommendation. Chris, Elle and I all enjoyed this sci-fi book about a boy who wakes up one day to find that his body has turned invisible. Very well done. I like all of Andrew Clements' books. Good YA.

Just in case we didn't have enough to read as it was!

Three interesting books

2007-10-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

I'm not completely sure what everyone here likes to read. I like fiction, but I have a hard time reading much of it lately. So here are some nonfiction ideas for the days you need a book to enjoy that you can put down (and still smile) when husband, children, or bedtime start calling.

My newest find is Letters of a Nation, edited by Andrew Carroll. It is a collection of all sorts of letters from all sorts of people from all sorts of time periods. I really like this peek into historical or mundane life. I also really like that it is the sort of book that doesn't beg to be read in one sitting.

Another book I've enjoyed recently is My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student by Rebekah Nathan. The author is an anthropology professor who didn't understand her students. She enrolled in the school she teaches at for a year (during a sabbatical) and lived in the dorms as a 50 year old freshman. This book tells about her experiences and the culture she found. I like it.

And my last recommendation for the nonfiction section today is The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell. The title tells the main idea, but the author uses fascinating examples to expound on it. I liked learning a little bit about a lot of things like Paul Revere, Blues' Clues, teen smoking, city crime, and more.

The Next Fluff Read

2007-09-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

I think i'm going to try out Maureen Johnson next. I tossed around the idea of reading "13 Little Blue Envelopes" but then it sounded like it would not be satisfying in the ways that I require so I never did. "Devilish" got great reviews but I was still unsure. "Girl at Sea" now, sounds like it is RIGHT up my alley. :)

Unilateral Decision (kinda)

2007-09-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Since there hasn't been oodles of feedback about our next bookclub, I am unilaterally deciding (with the help of Kristen and Angela:) that we should do Ketura and Lord Death for October. Why? Because it is: a) short, b) fits in well with Halloween, c) because I just read it so I remember it better than Goose Girl, and d) it is a GREAT read. I'm willing to host again, since I got off easy with the whole book signing thing in August. How about my place, Thursday, October 18th, 7:30?

Also, Angela suggested that we try to set a specific day, i.e. the 3rd Thursday of every month. We can discuss at bookclub, so bring your calendars / schedules / crackberries... whatever. She also had a book suggestion, which I now can't remember the name of, but we can talk about whether we want to do that for November and who wants to host (Angela... hint, hint).

Anxiously awaiting comments, questions, concerns and the like.
Hannah

Another Good One!

2007-09-10T11:21:00.001-07:00

Okay i'm only a third of the way through but i couldn't wait to post about this book. apparently it has rec'd rave reviews (how did we never hear?) and it's in paperback now so it's not too expensive. I'll definetely be picking out more stuff by Celia Rees!

Next?

2007-09-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

So, what is our next book and whose turn is it to pick the book? I would still like to (some time) do a spa night/ book club with Shannon Hale's Goose Girl and have Andrea read the book too, so she can discuss while she pampers us. But I'm up for anything in the meantime. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I'm eagerly awaiting comments.

Not a Fantastic Book

2007-08-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

I've finished The Princess and the Hound, by Mette Ivie Harrison, and so has Hannah.

We neither of us were terribly impressed.

I am currently reading "A song for Summer" by Eva Ibbotson - because I enjoyed "Countess Below Stairs" very much indeed. SforS covers, it appears, a rather lenghty amount of time and I'm not sure if I'm into it so much.

Go See Stardust!

2007-08-23T09:33:00.001-07:00

You must all go see this movie! It's not making a lot of money in the theatres and it is SO good people! It is better than Princess Bride! Even Craig said that it's one of the best movies he's seen in a long time.

Go. See. It.

The Plan so Far

2007-08-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

so it looks like we're going to eat at PF Changs before the book signing. we're still not sure yet what time we are meeting there, but it'll likely be no later than 5 pm. Maybe I should make a reservation...

Who's in Charge?

2007-08-17T17:01:00.000-07:00

Since Betsey and Melissa are most likely more familiar than the Torrance area than the rest of us, why don't you two make some suggestions as to where we can eat dinner before the book signing next Saturday?

We ate last time at TGI Friday's which is fine with me. Chain stores just mean food we know we'll probably like and an atmosphere we expect.

I am very excited. I might even have to buy a new outfit (all in black of course, to fit in with those goth teens...) just for the occasion. ;)

Happy Scrumptious Goodness

2007-08-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

this book is very good. Bonus: it's only 200 pages long so if you are a fast reader it's a good afternoon/evening book. I really liked it - the voice, the characters, the fact that I wasn't sure what was going to happen at the end. For most YA romantic stories it's pretty easy to figure out on page 5 who is going to end up together.

This one had me worried for awhile! :) I bought it, and Hannah is reading it now, but if anyone wants to borrow it....

Also I have Jinx by Meg Cabot if anyone is interested.

Eclipse Bookclub

2007-08-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

Hey All,
We are taking our August bookclub on the road. Stephanie will be in Torrance on Saturday, August 25th for an Eclipse booksigning at Borders. It's an evening event, 7:00pm, and dinner (or at least dessert) is also in order. So, mark your calendars, prepare your hubbies for a gals night out, and join us for evening on the town.
For planning purposes, it would be helpful if you would comment on the following:
1. Do we want to do dinner? dessert? Before or after the signing? Restaurant preferences?
2. Who wants to carpool? Drivers? (I can fit 3-4 in my car)
Final details will follow as the date gets closer, so remember to keep reading the blog!

Oh, and by the way, there is a pretty extensive "book club" style interview with Stephanie Meyer at this address. Kinda fun. Let me know if you have trouble with the URL:
http://www.bordersmedia.com/shows/bookclub/meyer_chapter2.asp

Official Date for HP7 Bookclub

2007-08-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be discussed and celebrated at Kristen's house on Tuesday, August 7 at 8 p.m. There is no doubt going to be spoilers so if you have not read the book then you'd better get on it!!

RSVP please: we're meeting in the Harry Potter room unless too many people show up.

another book review

2007-07-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

I really thought I would never read James Patterson. I mean, he writes adult fiction which has never been a favorite genre of mine - hello, boring. But I got this book for free at the comic-con (woo hoo) and it was a fun read. Looks like it is his only foray into YA paranormal. There are 2 more in the series, which I'm going to have to get from the library. This one is called "Maximum Ride, the Angel Experiment".

Harry Potter Book Club

2007-07-29T17:13:00.000-07:00

i'm thinking I'll have the HP7 bookclub at my place on tuesday or wednesday, the 7th or 8th. More solid info to follow.

Book review of Austenland

2007-07-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

I finally finished the book and ended up liking it. At first, the main character, Jane, (known as Miss Erstwhile) isn't into the whole Austen thing, but then when she embraces it and has fun, it gets good. Here's my favorite part of the whole book (without giving away the end, of coarse)
"Indeed, " said Captain East. "I believe, Miss Erstwhile, that you promised me a song."
Jane was quite certain that she had never promised any such thing, but it seemed a fitting remark to make, and so Jane rose and made her graceful way to the piano.
"If you insist, Colonel Andrews, but I must beg you forgive me at the same time. And you too, Mr. Nobley, as I know you are particular to music played well and no doubt a harsh critic when a piece is ill executed."
"I believe," said Mr. Nobley, "that I have never been witness to a young lady about to play without her excusing her skill beforehand, only to perform perfectly thereafter. the excuse is no doubt as a prelude that sets up the song for deeper enjoyment."
"Then I pray I do not disappoint."
She smiled expressly at Captain East, who sat forward, forearms resting on knees, eager. With professional suavity, Jane arranged her skirt, spread out the music, poised her fingers, and then with one hand played the black keys, singing along with the notes, "Peter, Peter, pumpkin-eater, had a wife and couldn't keep her, put her in a pumpkin shell, and there he kept her very well."
She rose and curtsied to the room.

I thought that part was pretty fun!
You should read it for that scene alone, if nothing else.
Does anyone even read this blog besides me and Kristen anyway? Then why aren't you making yourselves known then, so we (I) don't feel like such a looser posting all the time?
thanks

This book is so Good!

2007-07-24T09:50:00.001-07:00

Usually I'm not as much into story driven books as character driven books, but this one is great. I love Eva Ibbotson's writing style. She gives a lot of story background on the people and minor characters which is really fun to read. Her characters are simple and perhaps a little bit too easily likeable and good - but if you know you aren't in it for deep reading... :)

It takes place just after WWI, and she gives some really great info on the war that is from a perspective I had not read before and it was really beautifully done.

I've got it if anyone wants to borrow it!

July and August Bookclubs

2007-07-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

Kristen is hosting bookclub for July. We'll probably have it in the first week of August sometime. Of course the book is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I'm going to be sick to my stomach until I know what happens!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Save the date for Saturday, August 25! There will be a book signing for Eclipse that night in Torrance and Hannah (our host) has decided to make that event our official bookclub for her month.

We're going to go early, grab some dinner or something, and then go to the signing at 7 pm. It should be loads of fun! And, as usual, we will probably be the only grownups there who don't have a teenage girl in tow. Oh Well!! :) Click the link above (on the word Eclipse) and go to SM's news page, where you can read the first chapter of Eclipse and see pictures of La Push and Forks, as well as Voltura Italy! Yes, she went there!