Sunday, February 24, 2013

Cover Candy 22


#lustingforcovers, #covercandy

love the smoky person effect

from Goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old Elliott hasn’t slept properly for months. Not since the accident that nearly killed him. Sometimes he half-wakes, paralyzed  while shadowy figures move around him. Other times he is the one moving around while his body lies asleep on the bed. His doctors say sleep paralysis and out-of-body experiences are harmless - but to Elliott they’re terrifying.

Convinced that his brush with death has attracted the spirit world, Elliott secures a job at a reputedly haunted museum, determined to discover the truth. There, he meets the enigmatic Ophelia. But, as she and Elliott grow closer, Elliott draws new attention from the dead. One night, during an out-of-body experience, Elliott returns to bed to find his body gone. Something is occupying it, something that wants to live again - and it wants Ophelia, too . . 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Cover Candy 21


#lustingforcovers #covercandy

the lion is awesome

from Goodreads:

In the Empire of Arkaym, the Order of Deacons protects and shelters the citizens from the attacks of the unliving. All are sworn to fight the evil forces of the geists—and to keep the world safe from the power of the Otherside…

Although she is one of the most powerful Deacons in the Order, Sorcha Faris is still unable to move or speak after her last battle. Even her partner, Merrick Chambers, cannot reach her through their shared Bond. Yet there are those who still fear Sorcha and the mystery of her hidden past.

Meanwhile, Merrick has been asked to investigate a new member of the Emperor’s Court. But when Sorcha is abducted by men seeking Raed Rossin, the shapeshifting rival to the throne, Merrick must choose where his loyalties lie.


Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

This meme is hosted by TBQ @ TBQ's Book Palace.

Note: These posts are scheduled in advance so to get to the current LFC post click the link then click home

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Divergent Book 3 Release Date



It's funny because I had just search for any news about book 3 that morning (2/11/2013) and then later that day via Facebook post we learn the U.S. release date for book 3. I can tell you that I am not at all happy. October is way too long to wait. I was hoping for a spring release. Oh well...

Thursday, February 14, 2013

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks



The Notebook By: Nicholas Sparks
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
3stars (2.6)

From Kobo:

Every so often a love story so captures our hearts that it becomes more than a story-it becomes an experience to remember forever. The Notebook is such a book. It is a celebration of how passion can be ageless and timeless, a tale that moves us to laughter and tears and makes us believe in true love all over again... At thirty-one, Noah Calhoun, back in coastal North Carolina after World War II, is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. At twenty-nine, socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry a wealthy lawyer, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who long ago stole her heart. Thus begins the story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle...

My Review:
This is the story of Noah and Allie Calhoun. They spent a summer together as teenagers and fell in love. Both did not forget each other nor did they ever find that type of love they share over that brief time with anyone else. Fourteen years later, Allie is engaged and seeks out Noah for what seems to be closure but ends up being a rekindling. Later in life the couple discovers Allie has Alzheimer's. They move into a nursing home where Noah reads from a Notebook (containing stories of their life) to her every day.

There I go again reading another sappy story. This is a touching love story. Allie disease is a hard disease to deal with for the person affected and his/her family and friends. I used to work for Lifeline (you've heard of it "I've fallen and I can't get up" commercials) and it was hard to deal with as a stranger on the other end of the line. I think what makes this story so popular is that this disease is scary for nearly anyone who has heard of it (especially the older one gets) and to have someone would have the love, dedication, and patience to confront such heartbreak and frustration everyday is enviable.

The characters lacked any depth. The book focused on the love the two shared but you didn't really get to know them as outside of that love.Who were they before that met, who were they during the relationship, who would they have been had they not gotten back together? These questions were never explored (there were brief glimpses). I would have love to have known how they continued to deepen their bond. All in all it was a good love story that makes you long for their kind of love.




Sunday, February 10, 2013

Cover Candy 20

Splintered

#LustingforCovers #CoverCandy

From Goodreads:

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret
crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.


Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

This meme is hosted by TBQ @ TBQ's Book Palace.



Cover Candy 63

#lustingforcovers #covercandy

Friday, February 8, 2013

Romance Reading Challenge 2013


Romance Reading Challenge 2013

Don't go far off, not even for a day, because --
because -- I don't know how to say it: a day is long
and I will be waiting for you, as in an empty station
when the trains are parked off somewhere else, asleep.

Don't leave me, even for an hour, because
then the little drops of anguish will all run together,
the smoke that roams looking for a home will drift
into me, choking my lost heart.
-Pablo Neruda

I started the Romance Reading Challenge in 2008 and I always enjoy hosting it.
I want to say a big "thank you!" to all who join, it's a nice thing to see this challenge generate interest and inspire people to read a little romance.

Without further ado, here are the rules:

1. The challenge runs from January 1st, 2013 through December 31st, 2013.

2. "Romance" isn't limited to steamy Harlequin novels. There is a huge selection of books in this category such as contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance to name a few. As long as the story has romantic love between the two main characters your selection will fit this challenge. The novels do not need to have a happy ending either, there can also be unrequited love.

3. Choose at least 5 novels to read. You can change your choices at any time. Crossovers between other challenges are fine.
All kinds of books count, ebooks and audiobooks too.
If you are looking for suggested reading see Best Romance Novels Today or Romance Novels on Wiki or check out Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with Jane Austen, Nicholas Sparks and Nora Roberts, to name a few.
Here are some of my personal favorites:

4. Read your book selections at your own pace in 2012 then post the link to your review(s). You don't need to have a blog, posting your reviews on Goodreads and LibraryThing counts as well. If you do have a blog and are joining us, please consider linking back to this post either with text or with one of the buttons provided below to help spread the word.

I hope you will join us! Happy reading :)

These buttons are made using photos I took myself, if you use any please link back to this post:

---------------------------------------------

This year, I am hosting two giveaways for those who participate. One winner will be announced on February 14th, Valentines Day. The other winner will be announced on June 1st.

The giveaway prize is:
A $15.00 U.S. Amazon Gift E-Card or a $15.00 U.S. Barnes & Noble Gift E-Card.

To enter to win:
1. Sign up for the Romance Reading Challenge 2013.
2. You have to have a minimum of one book read and reviewed for the challenge. Everyone who joins the RRC this year and has at least one book read and reviewed for the challenge will be eligible to win a gift card. Each book read and reviewed for the RRC gives you one entry. So the more books you read and review, the more times your name will go in the draw. I'll use Mr. Linky to keep track of books reviewed so make sure to link your reviews there.
3. Leave me a comment on this post with your valid email addy. Let me know which gift e-card you prefer.
4. I will announce the winning name at my blog on the two dates I mentioned. I will also notify the winner via email. If I don't hear back from you within 48 hours, the first runner up will be chosen.

Good luck and happy reading! Contest is open worldwide.

2013 Ireland Reading Challenge


Ireland_Reading_Challenge_2013
2013 Ireland Reading Challenge
1Jan13 - 31Dec13

Welcome to the fourth annual Ireland Reading Challenge! This has become one of my favorite blogging experiences – and I hope you will consider joining me.

Here are the guidelines:

~ The challenge runs from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.

~ Any books read for this challenge can also apply to other challenges you are working on.

~ Re-reads are allowed.

~ Any book written by an Irish author, set in Ireland, or involving Irish history or Irish characters, counts for the challenge – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, audiobooks, children’s books – all of these apply. For specific suggestions, check out the Ireland Challenge Review Database.

~ Choose your commitment level:

Shamrock level: 4 books
Luck o’ the Irish level: 6 books
Kiss the Blarney Stone level: 8 books
Ceilidh level: 10+ books

~ Write up a post indicating that you are participating (feel free to copy the lovely graphic at the top of this post), and then add your challenge post’s link to the Mr. Linky here on the main challenge page.

~ You don’t have to list your books ahead of time – just have fun reading throughout the year.

~ If you write any reviews of your Ireland Challenge reading, please leave a link here on the challenge page.

~ In the past, I have offered a giveaway to participants in this challenge, but since our financial situation is still uncertain, I won’t be able to do that this year.

My Level:
Shamrock level: 4 books

Freestyle Friday 4 - The Challenged Reader




#ff #freestylefriday photo from Here


The Challenged Reader (a Shelfari group)
Announcing: Read with Friends


How to Play:
1. Game Period: 1 January – 30 April 2013

2. A selection of 7 random letters and some words made up from those letters for the month will be announced the last day of the previous month (ie. January words will be announced on 31 December 2012 etc).

3. Pick one or more words from the selection OR find your own word/s out of the letters of the month and read books with first word in title starting with letters of your selected word/s (ignoring “the”, “a”, and “an”).

4. An Exception to (3) above will be made for the letters Q, X, and Z - where you may read book/s with word in title containing one of these letters.

5. If you found your own word, the word must be found in the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (http://www.hasbro.com/scrabble/en_US/). Word must be made up of a minimum of 3 letters. We trust that you will avoid the temptation of 'word builder' ;)

6. Books for the month may only be read starting on 1st of the month and to be finished by midnight of last day of the month.

7. Points will be rewarded as per values of letters (/books) read and if the word/s is /are completed, there will be bonus points (bonus points to be announced along with the words). This does mean that you can still get points even if you didn't complete your word

8. Bonus points will not apply if you find your own word BUT you will receive a ‘Finder’s Fee’ which will be 2 times of your word value. You may only claim ‘Finder’s Fee’ if you complete your word.

9. On the first of the month, there will be a thread requesting that you post your last month’s read/s within the first 7 days of the month to claim points.

10. Values of letters:
1 - A, E, I, O, U, L, N, R, S, T
2 – D, G
3 – B, C, M, P
4 – F, H, V, W, Y
5 – K
8 – J
10 – Q, X, Z

10. All formats of books are allowed however no picture / childrens books and must have 100+ pages (or equivalent if you are using audio books / ereaders).
Example:
Letters: N A E G P A Z
Words:
Zen +7
Pan +4
Page +5
Pang +5
Agape +10

If I choose 'Zen' - I'd have to read:
z - I escaped from Auschwitz by Rudolf Vrba
e - Eighty Days by Matthew Goodman
n - Nevermore (Maximum Ride 8) by James Patterson
Word Value: 10 + 1 + 1 = 12 points
Bonus Points: 7 points
Grand Total: 19 points

If I choose 'Agape' - I'd have to read:
a - Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson
g - Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin
a - Absolution Creek by Nicole Alexander
p - Pantomime by Laura Lam
e - Eighty Days by Matthew Goodman
Word Value: 1 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 1 = 8 points
Bonus Points: 10 points
Grand Total: 18 points

If I found ‘Gaze’ – I’d have to read:
g - Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin
a - Absolution Creek by Nicole Alexander
z - I escaped from Auschwitz by Rudolf Vrba
e - Eighty Days by Matthew Goodman
Word Value: 2 + 1 + 10 + 1 = 14 points
Finder’s Fee: 14 x 2 = 28 points
Grand Total = 14 + 28 = 42 points


Read with Friends: January
The Letters:
A V R S E I N

The Words:

3 letters
Air +4
Ran +4
Sin +4
Van +7

4 letters
Nave +8
N
A
V
Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich


Word Value: 1
Bonus Points: 0
Grand Total: 1


Rave +8
Rise +5
Vain +8
Vans +8
Vase +8
Vein +8
Vine +8

5 letters
Arise +8
Naive +10
Naves +10
Raise +8
Raves +10
Risen +8
Vines +10

6 letters
Arisen +10
Varies +12



Read with Friends: February
The Letters:
F T Y N H D A

The Words:

3 letters
Day +5
Fad +5
Fan +5
Fat +5
Hay +5
Tan +3

4 letters
Daft +7
Hand +5

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
Awakening by L.A. Banks
Northern Lights by Nora Roberts
Delirium by Lauren Oliver


Word Value: 8
Bonus Points:5
Grand Total:13


5 letters
Handy +10

Thursday, February 7, 2013

P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

Ps, I Love Youhttp://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=S*4/FsYOoLE&subid=&offerid=258185.1&type=10&tmpid=9309&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobobooks.com%2Febook%2FPS-I-Love-You%2Fbook-pB-VBeGosUawT7a4VlUuzA%2Fpage1.html%3Fs%3DWGexNlszTEafO6bTH4g-KQ%2526r%3D2
#ThrowbackThursday
rating: 3stars (2.8)

From Kobo:
A wonderfully warm and heartfelt debut from a stunning new talent. Everyone needs a guardian angel! Some people wait their whole lives to find their soul mates. But not Holly and Gerry. Childhood sweethearts, they could finish each other's sentences and even when they fought, they laughed. No one could imagine Holly and Gerry without each other. Until the unthinkable happens. Gerry's death devastates Holly. But as her 30th birthday looms, Gerry comes back to her. He's left her a bundle of notes, one for each of the months after his death, gently guiding Holly into her new life without him, each note signed 'PS, I Love You'. As the notes are gradually opened, and as the year unfolds, Holly is both cheered up and challenged. The man who knows her better than anyone sets out to teach her that life goes on. With some help from her friends, and her noisy and loving family, Holly finds herself laughing, crying, singing, dancing -- and being braver than ever before. Life is for living, she realises -- but it always helps if there's an angel watching over you.

My Review:
P.S. I Love You is about love. Holly and Gerry have been together since they were teenagers. They are childhood sweethearts and soul mates. And more importantly best friends. Gerry dies and now Holly must learn to live without him.
Let me start by saying that this was perhaps not the best book to read for this game as it is long and quite emotional. I usually do not like lead female characters who are very dependent on others. Holly would seem like a character I would not like but the subject matter made me feel for her. She had the love of her life and to become a widow at such a young age would make any person more than just a little depressed. Gerry cares for her even after he is dead by leaving her a series of letters. The most important thing about these letters is that it gives her his blessing for her to keep moving forward with her life. So often when people we love leave our lives some times it may feel like you are betraying the person by having fun, falling in love, or whatever else the case may be.
This book has been sitting on my shelf for well over a year. Every time I look that it I would just say I am just not in the mood for what I thought would be a sappy book. Like I said above it may not be the best book for the relay but it is a great read. I can't say I can relate but I was in a relationship for years and when it ended I was lost for awhile. I missed our friendship most of all. And that to me is why the book is about love. If you are in a relationship and the two of you are truly friends then I think you will enjoy this book.
Note: I know that the likelihood of this ever really happening (the letters) is slim but I’m leaving this book on my boyfriend’s nightstand. I don’t want letters after he’s dead as I hope we have a long time together. But maybe it’ll spark some kind love note every now and then. LOL…a girl can hope.



Friday, February 1, 2013

Freestyle Friday 3 - Paging All Bookworms' Feb 2013 Mini Challenge

Group avatar
#FF #freestylefriday


February 2013 Mini-Challenge: Seeing Red (from a Shelfari group)
I hate Valentine's Day challenges. So every February I sidestep the obvious and go with something different. However it occurs to me that not everyone may feel the same way I do, so this year I am going with something that may still allow you to intercept Cupid's arrow, if you are so inclined. For February's challenge read a book that has the color red (or some variant of that color) in the title or author's name. If that coincides with something that is oriented in the Valentine's Day direction then that is great-I guess. Ain't love grand?

What am I going to read?
The only thing I have planned to read that is red is the Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce.