Saturday, October 30, 2010

On My Wishlist

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Late one night, exploring her father's library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters. The letters are all addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor," and they plunge her into a world she never dreamed of - a labyrinth where the secrets of her father's past and her mother's mysterious fate connect to an inconceivable evil hidden in the depths of history.

The letters provide links to one of the darkest powers that humanity has ever known - and to a centuries-long quest to find the source of that darkness and wipe it out. It is a quest for the truth about Vlad the Impaler, the medieval ruler whose barbarous reign formed the basis of the legend of Dracula.

Generations of historians have risked their reputations, their sanity, and even their lives to learn the truth about Vlad the Impaler and Dracula. Now one young woman must decide whether to take up this quest herself - to follow her father in a hunt that nearly brought him to ruin years ago, when he was a vibrant young scholar and her mother was still alive.

What does the legend of Vlad the Impaler have to do with the modern world? Is it possible that the Dracula of myth truly existed - and that he has lived on, century after century, pursuing his own unknowable ends? The answers to these questions cross time and borders, as first the father and then the daughter search for clues, from dusty Ivy League libraries to Istanbul, Budapest, and the depths of Eastern Europe.

Parsing obscure signs and hidden texts, reading codes worked into the fabric of medieval monastic traditions - and evading the unknown adversaries who will go to any lengths to conceal and protect Vlad's ancient powers - one woman comes ever closer to the secret of her own past and a confrontation with the very definition of evil.



Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone—one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship—tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn’t do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now, Amy must race to unlock Godspeed’s hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there’s only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.



I can't wait to be able to read both these book. What about you? What's on your wishlist?

Friday, October 29, 2010

Blog Hop (02) & Follow (03)

Book Blogger Hop
The Book Blogger Hop is a meme sponsored by Jennifer at Crazy For Books.


This week's question is:
"What is the one bookish thing you would love to have, no matter the cost?"
I would love to be able to  have a personal library in my house. A place where I could organize all of my books.





HI! Welcome to my blog! I am participating in Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee's View.
Hop on please leave comment, link your blog, and follow, and I will follow you as well. 

"If you have, or would have a daughter, what book would you want your daughter to read?"
I guess I would like her to read books like Little Woman. What I would truly like, though, would be for her to develop an interest in reading in general.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Review - Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Title and Author: Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
Publisher: MTV Books
Publication Date: April 20, 2009
Paperback: 245 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Romance


Summary:
All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far... and almost doesn't make it back.
John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge - and over...
 
Review:
The first thing that drew my attention to this book was the cover (isn’t it pretty?) and then the plot.
Meg’s a wild girl who experiences frequent panic attacks when she feels confined. All she ever wanted is to break free and escape the small town in which she lives, and all she has to look forward to before graduation is the spring break trip to Florida.
Her chances of going to Florida are completely ruined when she is arrested for trespassing on a train bridge where two kids had been previously killed, though.
Her punishment is to spend spring break riding in the police car with the same cop that arrested her - John After, who she first assumes to be much older than he actually is.
While all Meg wants is to leave town, John made a choice to stay, to serve and to protect. Meg simply can’t understand that and pushes him beyond his limit. He pushes back and the chemistry between them grows as they question each other’s choices.
Reading the plot, I was pretty sure I would enjoy this book but I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would. It was absolutely addicting.
I loved the way Meg and John’s relationship developed and how it was so complex and intriguing. The chemistry between them and their banter was incredibly well written. I just couldn’t get enough of it.
Jennifer Echols does a great job in telling Meg’s story and in making her a likeable character. Meg hides behind a rebellious façade and her blue hair to protect herself but as the book develops you start to understand her more and more. You can’t help but to like her and want things to go her way. And John… Well, John is much more complex than he first seems to be. He is dealing with some unsolved problems himself and you only find out exactly what those problems are towards the end of the book. The development of both characters was beautifully written and explored. The more you read the more real they become to you.
I enjoyed reading about Meg and John on night patrol more than I can express and it was great to see her realize she was falling in love with him. They push each other to their limits and that keeps the reader on edge, wanting and even needing to know what will happen between them.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were great, the chemistry between Meg and John was fantastic and the plot was fast paced and enjoyable.This was my first time reading Jennifer Echols, I’d seen her book around, but for some reason I never had the initiative to pick on up. Then I saw the cover and synopsis for Going Too Far and I just had to have it. I think originally I’d saw the title as Boy In Blue or something along those lines, but after reading the novel I think that the title, Going Too Far, fits it perfectly.

I was expecting to like this novel, I figured it would be good, what I hadn’t expected was how much I wa
...more
Going Too Far is one of those books I read in one sitting, both because it was fast paced and also because I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what would happen to Meg and John and when the end of the book came, the impression that they were out there living happily together stayed with me.

Rating: Must Read

CymLowell

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Blog Award

Hey! I just got an award for my blog:
 
Rules:
  1. Thank and link back to the person that gave this award.
  2. Answer the 10 survey questions.
  3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic.
  4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked to let them know about the award.

Questions:
1. If you blog anonymously are you happy doing it that way; if you are not anonymous do you wish you had started out anonymously so you could be anonymous now?
I don't blog anonymously. I started by reading other blogs until I thought it would be a good idea to start my own but I never blogged anonymously.
My blog is about books and my opinion on them. I don’t think I could truly express my opinion and share it with other people if I blogged anonymously.
.

2. Describe one incident that shows your inner stubborn side:
Oh, I can’t just describe one! I think I’m stubborn by nature but I have no problem admitting I’m wrong if so is the case.

3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?
It depends on the day but mostly I just see me!

4. What is your favourite summer cold drink?
Raspberry Lemonade.

5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?
I read, try to write a little and listen to music. Watching a good movie is also a great way to enjoy your “me time”.

6. Is there something you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it?
There are definitely a lot of things I still want to accomplish! For now I’m concentrating on ending my Master’s Degree and then I hope to get a job related to my studies: International Relations and Strategy.

7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever , the shy person, or always ditching?
I was probably the shy girl around most people, except around my group of closest friends.

8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment of your life what would you see?
It’s difficult to pick just one moment. I don’t think I can do it, actually. I think I had many important moments in my life so far and I can only hope there are more to come.
 
9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events?
I think I end up putting a lot of myself and what I like into the blog. When I review a book, for instance, I’m giving my opinion on that book so I’m definitely sharing a little bit of myself. I think I’ll probably end up sharing more and more as I develop my blog a little more.
I definitely enjoy posting about events as well.

10. If you had the choice to sit down and read or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?
I would definitely sit down and read. I don’t talk much on the phone. I normally text people instead of calling. I prefer to talk to people in person either way.
                                             
 The Recipients:




Friday, October 22, 2010

Blog Hop (01) & Follow Friday (02)

Book Blogger Hop
The Book Blogger Hop is a meme sponsored by Jennifer at Crazy For Books.


This week's question is:
"Where is your favorite place to read? Curled up on the sofa, in bed, in the garden?"

My favorite place to read is probably on the sofa. I love spending an afternoon curled up on the sofa with a good book.




HI! Welcome to my blog! I am participating in Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee's View.
Hop on please leave comment, link your blog, and follow, and I will follow you as well.

Today's question is:
"What are you currently reading? Basically, what book is that?"

I just finished reading Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols so I'm not reading anything right now. I'm still trying to decide which book I should read next.
What about you? What are you currently reading?

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Review - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Title and Author: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: 1939
Paperback: 224 pages
Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Summary:
First, there were ten - a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal - and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder, and one by one they begin to fall prey to an unseen hand. As the only people on the island, unable to leave and unable to call for help, they know that the only possible suspects are among their number. And only the dead are above suspicion.


Review:
I’m a huge Agatha Christie fan and this is, in my opinion, by far one of her best books. You won’t find Poirot or Miss Maple in it, only a set of 10 suspects and one of them is the murdered. Some of Agatha Christie’s plots are related to popular rhymes and so is this one, Ten Little Indians being the popular rhyme in question.
Ten people are randomly selected and lured into an island off the English coast. They are all accused of murder. A murder they were involved in but could never be convicted of.
They quickly realize they are the only ones in the island and one by one they start to die. One of them is clearly doing the killing, but which one exactly?
The characters in this book come across as vibrant and real and most of them are quite likeable even though they’re all possible murderers. The dialogue between them is extremely well written and clear. I felt like I understood who the characters were and what they wanted right from the start.
There was no boring part in this book. The plot is fast paced and intriguing. You’ll want to keep reading so you can find out what happens next, especially if you’re a mystery fan like I am.
This time not only will you be wondering who the murdered is, you’ll also find yourself wondering who the next one to die will be.
In the end, when the murderer is finally revealed, you will more than likely be surprised.
I really enjoyed this book and it stands out as one of the best I’ve ever read. Agatha Christie never disappoints and in this book she managed to present both an exciting mystery and an engaging thriller.

Rating: Must Read

Friday, October 15, 2010

Follow Friday





HI! Welcome to my blog! I am participating in Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee's View.
Hop on please leave comment, link your blog, and follow, and I will follow you as well.

What is your reading suggestion this week?

Answer: And There Were None by Agatha Christie. If you like mystery, you'll like this book.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

2010 100+ Reading Challenge

2010 100+ Reading Challenge. You can find out more info and how to join in on this challenge here: 100+ Reading Challenge.

This list will be updated as I read books throughout the remanining months of 2010.

01. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
02. After the Night - Linda Howard
03. Hush Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick
04. If You Could See Me Now - Cecilia Ahern
05. Inner Harbour - Nora Roberts
06. The Mystery Of The Blue Train - Agatha Christie
07. Sanctuary - Nora Roberts
08. Birthright - Nora Roberts
09 .Curtain - Agatha Christie
10. Homeport - Nora Roberts
11. The Chocolate Run - Dorothy Koomson
12. Carolina Moon - Nora Roberts
13. Tribute - Nora Roberts
14. The Dark Devine - Bree Despain
17. Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater 
18. Going Too Far - Jennifer Echols
19. Forget You - Jennifer Echols 
20. High Noon - Nora Roberts 
21. Twenty Boy Summer - Sarah Ockler 
22. Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare 
23. Fallen - Lauren Kate 
24. Torment - Lauren Kate 
25. The Iron King - Julie Kagawa 
26. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - Rachel Cohen and David Levithan
27. The Iron Daughter - Julie Kagawa 
28. Just Listen - Sarah Desse 


Note: Anything with a  link, means I already reviewed that book in this blog.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Review - Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen


Title and Author: Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen 
Publisher: Viking Children's Books
Publication Date: June 16, 2009
Paperback: 416 pages
Genre: Young Adult


Summary:
It's been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents' divorce-or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming town where they live.
A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she's been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

Review:

This was the first Sarah Dessen book I read and I have to say I really liked it.
"Along for the Ride” is an easy, fairly fast paced and entertaining read which has a plot that kept me hooked and turning the pages until the end.
The book might not be overly interesting at times but it surely is addicting. You want to know what will happen to the characters and how they will deal with their problems.
The main character, Auden, is an extremely studious girl, an overachiever and just too serious for her own good. She never truly got to enjoy high school, have fun or make friends and that’s why after receiving a present from her brother, who is the exact opposite of her and has spent the most part of two years travelling through Europe, she decides to spend her summer in a town named Colby with her father, stepmother and their newborn baby girl.
At Colby she finds her father completely immersed in his work, her stepmother near an emotion breakdown and a job she didn’t truly want at first. Working at her stepmother’s store, Auden, meets three girls who she immediately labels as frivolous. She comes to realize she is wrong about them as her story develops.
Auden can’t sleep at night and it turns out neither does Eli, a guy she keeps bumping into. Together they embark on a quest to give Auden the opportunity to enjoy the childhood she never had.
Auden is a likeable character and so are the supporting characters with their colorful personalities and friendships. I especially like Adam and Maggie. I do think the character of Eli could have been a little more explored and developed, though. He’s an interesting character dealing with some heavy issues and it would have been interesting to learn more about him.
I enjoyed how Auden and Eli connected because of their quests and how, even though, the book focuses on Auden, the issues her stepmother faced after having a baby were also mentioned and explored.
One other thing I liked was the fact that Sarah Dessen writes about the world in which we all live in and describes it beautifully.
All in all this was a very interesting book and a light and smart read that I highly recommend.

Rating: Worth Your Time

Sunday, October 10, 2010