Mount TBR Challenge Quarterly Checkin

This is the challenge that I've been slacking on. Library's fault, them adding new good stuff to Overdrive. I'm going to lay off them for a while so I can read more of my own books for a couple months.

1. The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick
2. Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
4. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (in progress)
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Mailbox Monday and What I'm reading

I've been monitoring in the desert the last couple weeks, so with the trips to San Diego, I've gotten extra reading done, especially of the audiobook persuasion. But the long hours have killed the mood on commenting and the like last week, so should be better this week.

Mailbox Monday is being hosted this March at Diary of an Eccentric

Book trade via Bibliophile group on Shelfari

Loved this when I checked out from the library. The author is supposed to be at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, so might see if he is doing signings.

Nookbooks:


Barnes and Nobles is having an Engrossing Fiction sale, so got the latter two from it. I'm adoring Finnikin of the Rock on audio from the library, so with the ebook cheap, I had to give in. It's under $4 on Nook and Kindle, so if you like fantasy, check it out.

Library:



What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey

Last week I finished:


Last week I gave up on (DNF):


I am currently reading:


Up Next:

Mailbox Monday, March 12, 2012

Mailbox Monday is a traveling meme which is currently hosted by Diary of an Eccentric

Several bloggers mentioned the Audible members sale, so I finally went ahead and joined, and got a few extra since I was eyeing some of the Juliet Stevenson recordings before hand (if you don't know who she is, she played Mrs. Elton in the Emma with Gweneth Paltrow, fyi)

From Paperback Swap:

This actually arrived last week, but I couldn't be bothered.

From Kobo:

Finally in the US Kobo store, and Kobo had a nice coupon, so I finally got this on my Nook.

From Audible:

2012 Challenge update

I haven't done a mass update for my challenges, so here it is for the first two+ months so far. I will add them to the original joining posts and link to reviews at that time.

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
2. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
3. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
4. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
5. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
6. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini (in progress)
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1. Across the Universe by Beth Revis, audiobook
2. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, audiobook
3. Tithe by Holly Black, audiobook
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, audiobook
5. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor, audiobook
6. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
7. When She Woke by Hillary Jordan, audiobook
8. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
9. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, audiobook
10. The Postmistress by Sarah Blake, audiobook
11. Lady Macbeth by Susan Fraser King, audiobook
12. The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan, audiobook
**completed**
13. Room by Emma Donoghue, audiobook
14. The Descnedants, Kaui Hart Hemmings
15. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
16. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, audiobook

1. The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick
2. Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
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The map gets updated periodically, so check it out so see what's been added so far. I will be updating it with a list of states and countries soon. See my Where are you Reading? map

Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Borrowed from the library
Audiobook

I've been seeing this around the young adult blogs, so figured I tried it when I saw the library had it. I liked the premise she used with her wolves storyline. Its a bit of a twist to the tradition werewolf story, which gives them more of a natural existence, for a supernatural being. Instead of changing once a month, the werewolves change when the weather gets cold enough, returning to human form when its warmer weather, but eventually changing into a wolf permanently.

Unfortunately for me, there was not enough focus on the wolf story line. The romance side of the story took over, and overpowered the supernatural side. It features one moony high school girl who falls in love with a werewolf teen guy. The story is told from both perspectives, so you get two voices internally wondering if the other likes them, how much they like them, and just plain thinking about the other all the damn time. It feels fake, and sugary and just not very enticing. There is also a slight stalker vibe, which almost always is something I dislike in books.

Another strike against this audiobook was that I just didn't like either of the readers at all. There was not much emotion or any impression that acting was occurring. It seemed more like they were just reading, with very little changes in tone. Plus the woman reading Grace's chapters sounded very young, and the guy reading Sam's chapters sounded much older than the woman, so my psyche was coming up with an unpleasant mental image. My dislike of the readers may have influenced my impression of the novel, but by the end it was difficult to separate the two sides.

If you want to try this one, I strongly recommend you skip the audiobook and just read it.

Review: Hearts Restored by Prue Phillipson

Hearts Restored
by Prue Phillipson
Historical Fiction/Historical Romance
Recieved from the publisher for honest review.
Publication date: March 8, 2012
3.5-4 Stars

Set at the start of the Restoration of Charles II, Hearts Restored follows Daniel Wilson Horden, the only male of his generation of the Horden family. On the day Charles II returns to London, Daniel and his parents meet up with some relations, where he is thrust into the path of three female cousins of marriageable age. Less than eager to be trapped into a marriage so soon, Daniel puts off his dream of joining the navy by following his father's wishes to enter the university. As a secondary story line, we follow Daniel's cousin Eunice who is raised by her widowed, Puritan father. Having a glimpse at the extravagant lifestyle of some of her Horden cousins, it clashes with the austere teachings of her father. Within five years, the characters are caught up in the war with the Dutch, the Great Plague, and the Great Fire raging through London.

I've always enjoyed stories set in the Napoleonic Wars and other military engagements around the time of the Regency, so the naval aspect of Hearts Restored. However, I was a little disappointed that There was not more of Daniel's live in the Navy. There was only a few chapters dedicated to it, and one major battle, but oh what a dramatic story in Daniel's life that battle creates.

It was an interesting juxtaposition between Eunice's life in a Puritan household, to Daniel's more (monetarily) comfortable life, and that of the wealthy Horden cousins. Most of my experience learning about the Puritans in history deals with those who immigrated to the American colonies. The information about Puritan England I found informative, and I thought Phillipson did a good job instilling some of the fear and horror over the plague and the Great Fire into her novel.

Hearts Restored has the romantic plottings one might expect in a novel set in the Romantic Era, but in this case the older women tend to focus more of their attentions on Daniel. They tease him, and try to force his opinions or attentions towards one of his cousins, and I found it unusual that these attentions were given so openly to a man. To be sure, they treat the young ladies in the same way, but for some they seem to have nothing better to do than tease Daniel about their schemings as well.

The relationship between Eunice and Daniel is sweet, but rather predictable, although that did not detract from the story for me. If anyone is looking for a clean read, this will work well for you, with exception of the naval battle. Overall, I would have liked a little something more for this to be a solid four star read for me. Aside from Eunice's father, all of the characters are of a fairly easy going temperment, so a little more of a fiesty or quarrelsome behavior could have lent a little more contrast to the characters.

If you are interested, there is a giveaway for Hearts Restored on Goodreads which goes through the 8th. Thanks to Knox Robinson Publishing for letting me read and review this title.

Quick reviews: Audiobooks

Across the Universe by Beth Revis
This young adult takes place on a spaceship. Amy and her family have been cryogenically frozen for a 300 year space flight to a new planet where Amy's parents are apart of a team preparing it for settlement. Except somehow Amy got woken up early. Through Amy, we see how the society on board the Godspeed has been changed from what Amy remembers on Earth. Its an interesting twist to the dystopian genre, with a real dose of science fiction. Lauren Ambrose and Carlos Santos were the readers on this and both did a great job. My only thing with this audiobook was I kept picturing Lauren in her Torchwood: Miracle Day role (Jilly), and her voice sounds older than I imagined for the 16 year old Amy, so I had trouble believing her in the role of Amy. 4 Stars

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
This was a fun, steampunk alternate history of World War I. The book follows Aleksandar, son of the slain Archduke Ferdinand as he flees those who murdered his parents; and Deryn Sharp, a girl who disguises herself so she can join the British Air Service. Its a fun story, narrated by the brillant Alan Cumming. I was disappointed that my libraries didn't have the other two in the series available on Overdrive yet. 4 Stars.

Tithe by Holly Black
Kaye Fierch grew up with faeries as friends until she and her mom start bouncing around following Kaye's mother's rock career. After one too many of her mother's bad boyfriends, they move back to Kaye's grandmother's house. Back at her childhood home, Kaye finds herself pulled into the happenings of the Seelie and Unseelie courts, and the unconnected fae. An early observation I had about Tithe was that for something described as a young adult novel, there are quite a few f-bombs in the novel. I think this had the most, for an adult or young adult novel that I've read. And since it was an audiobook, these stood out even more. This also reminded me a good bit of Wicked Lovely. Both have a teen girl, who has had a rough growing up and can see the fae; both find themselves caught between the kinder and rougher fae courts. I enjoyed Wicked Lovely, but I didn't end up liking Tithe quite as much. The story seemed to go on a bit too long, and the language got to be a little off putting for me. 3.5 stars

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan
This is described as a retelling of The Scarlet Letter, but it is more than that. This is a Dystopian novel, and Jordan has developed so rigid and infuriating, that had I been listening at home, I would have been yelling at it. It is also an unusual type of dystopian to many of the ones I've read. Given the current times, it is a very plausible world that Jordan created. I really enjoyed this one.4.5 stars

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
The cover caught my attention when I was looking for books for my nephews. Calpurnia is the only daughter of seven children. Her grandfather, retired from the running of the family farm, has become an amateur naturalist. Through Calpurnia, we learn about how to be a naturalist and scientist, as she questions the typical womens roles expected for a girl in turn of the century Texas. I could really relate to her. I'd recommend this with anyone interested in science, especially evolution and biology. 4 stars

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this, other than it was getting good reviews in a YA blogs. Karou lives in a gritty world, going between art school and errands for her chimera adoptive family. Taylor created such a vivid world, and it is wonderfully read by Khristine Hvam. It is technically a YA story, but it is strong and complex and if a few small things were different, it would easily cross into adult fantasy. I would highly recommend this one, in either format. 4 stars

Mailbox Monday and What I'm Reading - Feb 27 2012

Mailbox Monday is a traveling meme hosted by Metroreader this February.

This week the following wins arrived:
Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey ~ Won from Jehara @ Quirky Girls
arc of Fever by Lauren DeStefano ~ Won from Susan @ Wastepaper Prose
arc of Shadow Blizzard: The Chronicles of Siala by Alexey PEhov ~ Won from Tor-Forge

Thanks to all who've held contests!

I also finally took advantage of some gift cards and got the following for my Nook:
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
I am Number Four- The Lost Files: Six's Legacy by Pittacus Lore
I am Number Four- The Lost Files: Nine's Legacy by Pittacus Lore (preorder, out Tuesday)

From the library, all audiobooks:
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Legend by Marie Lu
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater


What I'm reading is hosted by Bookjourney
I finished:
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Hearts Restored by Prue Phillipson
The Bonesetter's Daughter

I am reading:
The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings
Room by Emma Donoghue
The Book Thief

Up Next:
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame Smith
Silent in the Grave

I have been neglecting reviews, including one I started while I was in the desert. If there is one you'd like to see on something I've finished or currently reading, I can put together one. And my library holds need to not all come in for a while. At least most

Mailbox Monday and What I'm reading

Mailbox Monday is currently hosted by Metro Reader.

I spent half of the last two weeks working out in the desert, so I have book build ups, and didn't get much reading done on account of being tired from wandering for 8-9 miles daily through the desert.

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon ~ Won from Fodors and Random House. Thank you!
Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell
The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes
Death of Kings by Bernard Cornwell (From the fantasticness that is Bookperk)
Lovely blackwork knight bookmark won from Tanzanite's Castle Full of Books. Thanks Daphne!

I also went to the library to pick up a hold on a physical book. Which mean the obligatory roam of the book sale.
When Christ and his Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman
The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell
The Merry Monarch's Wife: The Story of Catherine of Braganza by Jean Plaidy
Queen of this Realm: The Story of Elizabeth I by Jean Plaidy
Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig
Mary Called Magdaline by Margaret George

Checked out
Wither by Lauren DeStefano

I also have checked out via Overdrive:
Audiobooks:
The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Room by Emma Donoghue

e-books:
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame Smith
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings

What I'm reading is hosted by Book Journey:

I finished:
Lady MacBeth by Susan Fraser King
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I am reading:
Hearts Restored by Prue Phillipson
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Broken Sword by Robert Joseph Lewis
The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan

Up Next:
The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame Smith
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Room by Emma Donoghue

And I suspect I've already finished my Library reading challenge, due to my binge on the audiobooks. But they make record searches and transects go much faster.

Waiting on Wednesday: The House of Velvet and Glass

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

This week, I am waiting on The House of Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe, which just had the cover design released. Publication date is April 10, 2012.

Synopsis:

Katherine Howe, author of the phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, returns with an entrancing historical novel set in Boston in 1915, where a young woman stands on the cusp of a new century, torn between loss and love, driven to seek answers in the depths of a crystal ball.

Still reeling from the deaths of her mother and sister on the Titanic, Sibyl Allston is living a life of quiet desperation with her taciturn father and scandal-plagued brother in an elegant town house in Boston's Back Bay. Trapped in a world over which she has no control, Sibyl flees for solace to the parlor of a table-turning medium.

But when her brother is suddenly kicked out of Harvard under mysterious circumstances and falls under the sway of a strange young woman, Sibyl turns for help to psychology professor Benton Derby, despite the unspoken tensions of their shared past. As Benton and Sibyl work together to solve a harrowing mystery, their long-simmering spark flares to life, and they realize that there may be something even more magical between them than a medium's scrying glass.

From the opium dens of Boston's Chinatown to the opulent salons of high society, from the back alleys of colonial Shanghai to the decks of the Titanic, The House of Velvet and Glass weaves together meticulous period detail, intoxicating romance, and a final shocking twist that will leave readers breathless.

Another gorgeous cover design, and publication date will make this be a gift to myself. I can't wait for it.