Ramblings of a Bibliophile

Maximum Ride and the other members of the Flock have barely recovered from their last arctic adventure, when they are confronted by the most frightening catastrophe yet. Millions of fish are dying off the coast of Hawaii and someone - or something - is destroying hundreds of ships.

While Max and her team are exploring the depths of the ocean, their every move is being carefully tracked by a powerful enemy--a criminal mastermind who will stop at nothing until they're under his control. Can the flock protect themselves from his army of mercenaries and save the world from utter destruction? Now, nowhere is safe.

Genre: Fiction, Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy(ish), Young Adult
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 309
Pub. Date: March 16, 2009
Series: Maximum Ride series, Book 5

My Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4 stars
Goodreads: 4.17 (Average)

Recommended For: Teens (although it's an all-age book), Fans of light Sci-Fi, Readers who enjoy a wit and a feisty female lead

(First impression: Nothing really. The cover was cool but I was more excited to continue the story.
(Reaction after I finished: "So when's the next book released?")

Max was vastly better than the fourth book, but not quite up to par with the first one. While I did enjoy it, the plot has somehow managed to go from a flock on the run for their lives, to an Eco-friendly flock saving endangered species from radiation or global warming. Not that there's anything wrong with being Eco-friendly, it's just that I'm beginning to miss the intense action from the first few books. You know... being on the lamb, fighting to survive, kicking butt against crazy Erasers, and bringing down evil with a swift roundhouse kick. Now it's all about radiation, mutated sea turtles, one creepy villain, and then the butt kicking action. The ending left a few open ends but dutifully sets up book 6...wherever that may lead.

While the story line didn't quite woo me, James Patterson's writing sure did. I have to say, I LOVE how he writes the Maximum Ride series from Max's point of view. I'm a sucker for wit and this man is a witty mastermind. But I won't lie when I say some parts were a bit ridiculous, if not amusing.

Plot direction aside - Max is an easy read and has it all: adventure, suspense, humor, and even romance. It just sucks you in. Another enjoyable tale about the wild adventures of the six bird kids. Oh and I can't forget the dog! I definitely recommend the series if you're feeling rather adventurous.

On a side note, I do have one thing to say about a person, or rather persons in the book: IT'S ABOUT TIME! Those of you who've read the series (hopefully) know who I'm talking about. :)

Fang, book 6 in the Maximum Ride series, is said to be released sometime next year. And I'm looking forward to it!

And on a completely unrelated note: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Friday Finds is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. The idea is to share books that you recently came across, whether new or old, that you've never heard of before and added to your TBR pile.

Firespell
By: Chloe Neill
Series: Dark Elite, Book 1

As the new girl at the elite St. Sophia’s boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she’ll have to face…

When Lily’s guardians decided to send her away to a fancy boarding school in Chicago, she was shocked. So was St. Sophia’s. Lily’s ultra-rich brat pack classmates think Lily should be the punchline to every joke, and on top of that, she’s hearing strange noises and seeing bizarre things in the shadows of the creepy building.

The only thing keeping her sane is her roommate, Scout, but even Scout’s a little weird—she keeps disappearing late at night and won’t tell Lily where she’s been. But when a prank leaves Lily trapped in the catacombs beneath the school, Lily finds Scout running from a real monster.

Scout’s a member of a splinter group of rebel teens with unique magical talents, who’ve sworn to protect the city against demons, vampires, and Reapers, magic users who’ve been corrupted by their power. And when Lily finds herself in the line of a firespell, Scout tells her the truth about her secret life, even though Lily has no powers of her own—at least none that she’s discovered yet…

The Monstrumologist
By: Richard Yancey

These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed. But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets. The one who saved me...and the one who cursed me.

So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore Warthrop, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a gruesome find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.

Storm Glass
By: Maria V Snyder
Series: Glass, Book 1

Untrained. Untested. Unleashed. With her unique magical abilities, Opal has always felt unsure of her place at Sitia's magic academy. But when the Stormdancer clan needs help, Opal's knowledge makes her the perfect choice - until the mission goes awry. Pulling her powers in unfamiliar directions, Opal finds herself tapping into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. Now Opal must deal with plotters out to destroy the Stormdancer clan, as well as a traitor in their midst. With danger and deception rising around her, will Opal's untested abilities destroy her - or save them all?

Firespell was found via goodreads, The Monstrumologist along with Storm Glass were found from all around the blogosphere. Feel free to leave a comment and/or link to your Friday Finds!

(Review for Max by James Patterson will be up later today or tomorrow!)

Suggested by Jennysbooks:

Something I’ve been thinking about lately: “What words/phrases in a blurb make a book irresistible? What words/phrases will make you put the book back down immediately?”

Words/phrases that will make an instant grab:

• Magical
• Adventure
• Unpredictable
• Fantasy
• Exhilarating/Fast-Paced
• Humorous
• Sci-Fi (I'm a nerd at heart, what can I say)
• Love Story (some of the time, anyway)
  
• Original
• Page-turner
• Couldn't put it down
  
  

Words/phrases that will make me chuck the book ASAP:

• Politics/political thrillers
• Erotica (or other words such as, sensual, etc. But the cover is usually a dead giveaway)
  
• Anything involving overly grotesque murders (especially children and/or animals) *shudders*
• Spiritual journey (Granted, I don't mind the occasional spiritual book, but I find myself more annoyed with other people's perception of religion *shrugs*)
• When the blurb gives away the plot/story (HATEHATEHATE)
• True story/Non-fiction
  

But honestly, blurbs can be fairly misleading. Even if the blurb completely grabs my attention, I'll go home and look up reviews and ratings to see what other readers are saying. If the majority love it, I'll put it in my TBR pile. But then again I've been know to give anything a shot as long as it had enough to pique my interest. However, that doesn't mean I'll finish it. I guess it ultimately depends on my mood and what type of genre I'm looking for. Oh, and the cover. Yes I'm one of those people. I just won't read a book if the cover is hideous.

(I'll probably keep adding to this the more I have a chance to dwell on it)

Thoughts? Opinions? Also, feel free to link me to your BTT post if you have one!

Lucy Scarborough is seventeen when she discovers that the women of her family have been cursed through the generations, forced to attempt three seemingly impossible tasks or to fall into madness upon their child’s birth. How can Lucy succeed when all of her ancestors have tried and failed? But Lucy is the first girl who won’t be alone as she tackles the list. She has her fiercely protective foster parents beside her. And she has Zach, whose strength amazes her more each day. Do they have enough love and resolve to overcome an age-old evil?

Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Paranormal(ish), Romance, Young Adult
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 376
Pub. Date: September 18, 2008

My Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4 stars
Goodreads: 3.75 (Average)

Recommended For: Older teens, Romantics, Fans of Contemporary fiction with a light fantasy twist

My Summary:

Impossible, inspired by the ballad "Scarborough Fair" (made popular by Simon & Garfunkel), carries its own tale of originality. Nancy Werlin puts together an engaging novel filled with romance, fantasy, and anticipation. It is, in essence, a story about true love and the possibility that it can, indeed, overcome anything.

We begin the journey in high school with Lucy, a 17-year old teenager, raised by loving foster parents after being abandoned as an infant by Miranda, her mentally ill mother. Along with her foster parents, there's her childhood friend and neighbor Zach, who filters in and out until he decides to spend the summer with them. But then the nightmare begins. Soon after Lucy discovers her pregnancy, she comes across a few letters from her teenage mother telling her that the women in the Scarborough family are cursed. Cursed for eternity by an Elvin Knight who was turned down true love by Lucy's great-great-great(you get the idea) grandmother. Doomed to repeat a fate like her mother and plagued by the idea of insanity; Lucy uses the song, the only gift her mother left her, and tries what no other woman in her family has ever done...she tries to break the curse.

My Review:

I have to applaud Nancy Werlin for being able to create such an engaging story from an otherwise esoteric and eerie song. Bravo, Nancy! I'm not sure what made me check out this book in the first place but I'm glad I did.

What I loved about this book was the warmth and purpose with which it was written. And not only that, but the little gems of humor that popped up in all the right places. The flow between characters was easy to follow and quite refined. It never lost consistency and provided a sense of urgency where you had to know what happened next. The plot was well written, and all the secrets unraveled at the right time and place. Point in fact: it was captivating AND original.

The (somewhat-but-not-really) negative feelings:

Some parts of this book were so smothered with cheese, I didn't even know what to do with myself. But I guess it's a good thing I'm partial to cheese. ;) There were also a few times when the characters seemed a little too perfect. A flaw or two, now and then, couldn't hurt. If I was in Lucy's position, I'm pretty sure a little more freaking out would have been involved.

Also, I would have definitely liked to have delved more into the lore of the story. The fantasy element was there - enough so that it didn't overshadow the modern setting, but more information would have satisfied my curiosity.

And while I couldn't find myself totally relating to the characters, I was hoping for their well-being and cheering them on as the story progressed. My few negative feelings aside, I found this to be a pretty solid read. Even with the cheese. And for those not partial to the fantasy element of this novel, don't let it throw you off. There is still much to be enjoyed.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

As it stands, I have 3 books in my possession that I'm planning to read, the only problem is I can't decide which one start first. So you guys are getting a triple Teaser Tuesday!

"It's not something to be happy about", she warned, "a child with strange eyes." Larch couldn't find it within himself to worry."

"Even from this high up, I could hear the exclamations of surprise, the indrawn gasps that told me our captive audience below had noticed one of us dropping like a rock. I'd give him five seconds, and then I'd swoop down after him."

"That night I lay in bed and stared at the window, my blinds pulled up so I could see the night sky. One thousand brilliant stars punched holes in my consciousness, pricking me with longing."

Feel free to leave a comment with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your 2 ‘teasers’ in a comment here!

ETA @ 11:00pm - I decided to read Max. It only took me about 6 hours to come to that decision, haha.

Join the Mysterious Benedict Society as Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance embark on a daring new adventure that threatens to force them apart from their families, friends, and even each other. When an unexplained blackout engulfs Stonetown, the foursome must unravel clues relating to a nefarious new plot, while their search for answers brings them closer to danger than ever before.

Filled with page-turning action and mind-bending brain teasers, this wildly inventive journey is sure to delight.

Genre: Children's Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Young Adult
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 391
Pub. Date: October 6, 2009
Series: Book 3 in The Mysterious Benedict Society series

My Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.37 (Average)

My Summary:

We begin the tale in prison. Or something like it. Due to the fact that the children and their families are being sought after by the cruel Mr. Curtain, it has been necessary to keep them concealed as much as possible. But they haven't remained idle in the process. Mr. Benedict, their teacher and benevolent keeper, has kept them on their toes by testing them with riddles, puzzles, and more importantly, the "Prisoner's Dilemma."

Two suspects, partner in crime, are arrested by the police. The police have insufficient evidence for a conviction, and, having separated both prisoners, visit each of them to offer the same deal. If one testifies (defects from the other) for the prosecution against the other and the other remains silent (cooperates with the other), the betrayer goes free and the silent accomplice receives the full 10-year sentence. If both remain silent, both prisoners are sentenced to only six months in jail for a minor charge. If each betrays the other, each receives a five-year sentence. Each prisoner must choose to betray the other or to remain silent.

But in this case, the prison sentence was replaced by dish duty for a house of 13. As usual, the foursome find a way to turn the situation to their benefit. But while mischievous activity is going on under the Benedict household, other sinister events are underway in the city of Stonetown. Determined to get his Whisperer back, Mr. Curtain has devised another evil plot to try, once again, to reign his terror and superiority over the world. But the Society is fast on his heels.

My Thoughts:

Another hightailed journey with Reynard "Reynie" Muldoon, Kate Wetherall, George "Sticky" Washington, and Constance Contraire: the nerdy fearsome foursome. The thing I love about this series is: it's never dull. There's always an adventure, always a new puzzle to be solved, and a clue to be figured out.

The camaraderie between the 4 friends is endlessly fun. Whether it's Reynie's knack to solve the unsolvable, Kate's penchant to take action, Sticky's unnerving ability to remember everything, or Constance's quirky habit of forming poem's about the most random things - they each contribute something unique to the book and bring out the best in one another.

Your brain will be teased with excitement and tossed with adventure. You'll experience suspense, dread, happiness - all whopped in to 391 pages. But it's more than just an adventure story, it's a tale about friendship and sticking together through thick and thin. Kinda leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Finally, this book gave the series a sense of closure. Many unanswered plots and threads from the previews books were dutifully answered and did the series justice. (But then again, I haven't read anything about this being the final book, so don't count on me) Such a satisfying read. Makes you want to keep reading about those 4. A series/book to be enjoyed by everyone!

"In My Mailbox" is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren!

It's my first time participating in this meme and hopefully not the last. I have a rather large haul to share today seeing as I clicked my way over to the bargain section on Barnesandnoble.com. Oh and of course I stopped by the book section at work, which I do about 2/3 times a day when I'm there. Highly unwise on my part since I keep telling myself to save money. Hah!



From the Mailbox:
+ Freaky Green Eyes by Joyce Carol Oates
+ Stormbreaker (Alex Rider #1) by Anthony Horowitz
+ Geek High by Piper Banks
+ Young Goodman Brown & Other Short Stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne
+ Alice's Adventure In Wonderland by Lewis Carrol
+ Through The Looking Glass by Lewis Carrol
+ The Naming by Alison Croggon
+ Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz
+ Looking For Alaska by John Green

Ahhh, gotta love bargain books!

Store Bought:

+ Evermore by Alyson Noel - I bought this on a whim after reading some strong reviews about it from fellow bloggers.
+ Riding Lessons by Sara Gruen - I loved Water For Elephants so I figured it was about time I read something else by Sara.

Phew! Definitely have some busy months of reading ahead of me.

This is a weekly book meme hosted by J. Kaye over at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Due to a Halloween party this weekend and a busy schedule at work, I wasn't able to get in all the reading I planned on. But have no fear, I plan on doing a whole lotta catching up seeing as my new books should be here sometime today! :)



Completed this past week:

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart (Review to come)

Currently reading:

Impossible by Nancy Werlin (Almost finished)

Up Next:

(In no order because I just can't decide! Help, anyone want to choose for me?)

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Max : a Maximum Ride novel by James Patterson
Fire by Kristin Cashore
Evermore by Alyson Noel

What are YOU reading? Link me!

★ Her Fearful Symmetry
(Re-edited, yet again x_x)

Posts:

★ Friday Finds (Oct. 23)
★ Booking Through Thursday (Oct. 22)
★ Library Loot (Oct. 21-27)
★ Teaser Tuesday
★ It's Monday! What are you reading?

Upcoming:

★ Reading: Impossible by Nancy Werlin and/or Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
★ Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart
★ Author/Series Spotlight: John Flanagan

Sites/Links to check out!:

★ Megabook Giveaway @ Teens Read and Write - A plethora of books up for grabs. Go sign up!
★ YA Connection (Oct 17-23) @ The Story Siren - Links and news from around the YA blogosphere.

If you got a link you'd like me to add to this, please leave a comment! I'll gladly stick it up there. :) Hope you all had an eventful week of reading. The weekends are and have always been the busiest time for me, which = less time for reading. :( With the holidays approaching it doesn't look like I'm going to be cut any slack but I will do my best to keep up with everything. ♥

Friday Finds is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. The idea is to share books that you recently came across, whether new or old, that you've never heard of before and added to your TBR pile.

The Pace
By: Shelena Shorts

Weston Wilson is not immortal and he is of this world. But, aging is not part of his existence, and eighteen-year-old Sophie Slone is determined to find out why. In doing so, she could also uncover something about her own life expectancy that she may not want to know. Suddenly, immortality will mean everything and nothing all at the same time.

Knife of Never Letting Go
By: Patrick Ness
Series: Chaos Walking, Book 1

Todd Hewitt is the last boy in Prentisstown.

But Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in a constant, overwhelming, never-ending Noise. There is no privacy. There are no secrets.

Or are there?

Just one month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd unexpectedly stumbles upon a spot of complete silence.

Which is impossible. Prentisstown has been lying to him. And now he's going to have to run...

Boneshaker
By: Cherie Priest

In the early days of the Civil War, rumors of gold in the frozen Klondike brought hordes of newcomers to the Pacific Northwest. Anxious to compete, Russian prospectors commissioned inventor Leviticus Blue to create a great machine that could mine through Alaska’s ice. Thus was Dr. Blue’s Incredible Bone-Shaking Drill Engine born.

But on its first test run the Boneshaker went terribly awry, destroying several blocks of downtown Seattle and unearthing a subterranean vein of blight gas that turned anyone who breathed it into the living dead.

Now it is sixteen years later, and a wall has been built to enclose the devastated and toxic city. Just beyond it lives Blue’s widow, Briar Wilkes. Life is hard with a ruined reputation and a teenaged boy to support, but she and Ezekiel are managing. Until Ezekiel undertakes a secret crusade to rewrite history.

His quest will take him under the wall and into a city teeming with ravenous undead, air pirates, criminal overlords, and heavily armed refugees. And only Briar can bring him out alive.

I actually feel like one of the few people to recently come across this book. The more I peruse blogs, the more I realize that I'm mildly behind on the times. I blame work. And maybe space aliens.

All 3 books were found via goodreads. Gotta love it! Feel free to leave a comment and/or link to your Friday Finds!

(On a sidenote: I made some edits to my review for Her Fearful Symmetry late last night. It felt rushed and incomplete, which is probably due to the headache I had all day, but alas. It is ready for viewing if you feel so inclined.)

Amazon.com review:

a haunting tale about the complications of love, identity, and sibling rivalry. The novel opens with the death of Elspeth Noblin, who bequeaths her London flat and its contents to the twin daughters of her estranged twin sister back in Chicago. These 20-year-old dilettantes, Julia and Valentina, move to London, eager to try on a new experience like one of their obsessively matched outfits. Historic Highgate Cemetery, which borders Elspeth's home, serves as an inspired setting as the twins become entwined in the lives of their neighbors: Elspeth's former lover, Robert; Martin, an agoraphobic crossword-puzzle creator; and the ethereal Elspeth herself, struggling to adjust to the afterlife. Niffenegger brings these quirky, troubled characters to marvelous life, but readers may need their own supernatural suspension of disbelief as the story winds to its twisty conclusion. --Brad Thomas Parsons

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Ghost (ish)
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 401
Pub. Date: September 29, 2009

My Rating: 2.5 Stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 3.5 stars
Goodreads: 3.5 (Average)

My Summary:

The story focuses on the two twin sisters: Julia and Valentina. Julia being the one in charge, while Valentina is left to follow in her wake. At first the move to London is an exciting adventure of exploring and discovering a past of an aunt they hardly knew. Then in comes Robert and Martin. Both charismatic in their own way and both provide a much needed sense of relief for the sisters. But as things progress, they come to realize that there's a presence that haunts them and that dear aunt Elspeth is not quite so dead. This discovery puts a strain on both Julia and Valentina, and their sisterly relationship starts to unravel. Emotions fly in all directions as new feelings emerge, along with a few twists and a few discoveries come to light about their family.

My Thoughts:

(First impression: GORGEOUS cover.)
(Initial reaction after I finished: "Oh. Okay.")

Well, I don't quite know what to say about this book. In all honesty, I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. Disappointed pretty much fits the bill.

The first few chapters kick off with the death of Elspeth and were probably the most interesting of the entire novel. On a whole, the story itself was meager and slow. The first two-thirds was like reading a daily account of their lives, which at first is curious and exciting, but gets boring after awhile. However, I did enjoy the vivid details. I especially loved the imagery of London and the surroundings, which gave much fuel to my imagination. But the pace was inconsistent. Often the prose went from slow to fast, then dropped off completely when the going was getting good. And the scenarios, often bizarre, led to baffled reaction and much consternation.

After being held in rapture by The Time Traveler's Wife, I had high expectations for this. Maybe a little too high. I spent most of the book waiting for something to connect, waiting for a part of me to become invested. I didn't feel emotionally attached to any of the characters, as I had with Henry and Claire, and spent most of my time rather indifferent at the bizarre scenarios that were unraveling (which were quite far fetched, I might add). I tried to pick out bits and pieces I could appreciate, but they were few and far between. It did get rather climactic during a few parts of the second half, albeit incredibly convoluted, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect the outcome.

Unfortunately the articulate writing and vivid imagery couldn't save this for me and I was left with a brewing sense of disappointment. I can't really say it's worth the time and energy, unless maybe your a fan of Audrey's. Just proceed with caution and not a lot of expectations. Who knows, you might find something I missed and find it delightful.

ETA: SPOILERS AHEAD. And a not-so-very-nice rant. Highlight to read.
The thing that annoyed me most was the fact that Audrey let the story drone on and on and NONE of the characters were very interesting. At first I thought they showed potential, but I was sorely mistaken. They began the story helpless and stayed that way throughout. Elspeth annoyed me considerably, especially with her soul snatching escapade. And the fact that Robert, her bed buddy and the neighborhood creepster, went along with it. Apparently when Elspeth "died", it gave her even more reason to be dislikable and gave Robert more reason to be an idiot. And the twins, Julia and Valentina were incredibly impotent. What was with Valentina's sudden need to be away from her sister, even going as far as suicide? Melodramatic much? I just found that abrupt change in attitude quite unbelievable. Unless of course she was taking crazy pills, but alas, she was not. Martin and Marijke's story was the most promising, but of course they were detached from the main story of Elspeth. Her stink was unable to pollute it. Some parts were cluttered, rushed, and abrupt, which gave the novel a whole slew of inconsistency. Oh and don't get me started on the plot twist that involved the OTHER set of twins (one too many in my opinion). Pfft. The pace often changed from slow to fast and then just quit entirely. In the end, this novel was nothing more than a tease. Kind of like when a guy takes you on a few dates, you think all is well, then suddenly he kicks you to the curb. You're having a good time then WHAM, you've been suckered. That's pretty much how I felt when I finished.


(ETA 10/25: I revised my review after having a chance to read it over and added a few things.)

Please feel free to leave your thoughts and opinions or a link to your review if you'd like!

If you could ask your favorite author (alive or dead) one question … who would you ask, and what would the question be?

Well, I suppose I'd ask J.R.R. Tolkien about his experience writing Lord of the Rings and how all those new languages (Elvish, Dwarvish, Entish, etc) came into being. I mean, the man was a genius. If you've ever read the Appendices in the back of Return of the King, you know what I mean. The detail is just mind boggling. And I suppose after this lengthy discussion, I'd make him sit down and watch all 3 extended editions of Lord of the Rings and ask him how he felt about them. Out of all the authors whose books have turned into film, his opinion is the one I'm most curious about. (Yeah, there's no way I could stick with one question, I want to know everything!)

So now it's your turn. What author would you choose to ask a question? And what would that question be? If you already have a BTT post, feel free to link me!

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library.

My original plans were to stagger the books so when I finished one, I picked up another. Well my library decided to see fit to make them all available for pick up on Tuesday. Not that I'm complaining, really, it makes my life that much easier.

Left to right:

Max by James Patterson - The 5th book in the Maximum Ride (Angel Experiment) Series.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - This has been on my to-read list for awhile. I can't wait to read it!

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger - Ahh, 6 long years for this book to finally come into being. Unfortunately because it's been recently released, I can only have it for a week. So needless to say, this has moved up to my "currently reading" list.

Not pictured:



Fire by Kristin Cashore & Impossible by Nancy Werlin, which are to picked up later this week.

Happy Wednesday and happy reading!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"In a city called Stonetown, on the third floor of an old, gray-stoned house, a boy named Reynie Muldoon was considering his options. He was locked inside an uncomfortably warm room, and the only way out was to make an unpleasant decision."

Feel free to leave a comment with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your 2 ‘teasers’ in a comment here!

This is a weekly book meme hosted by J. Kaye over at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Ahhh, work has been kicking my butt as of late. Work and more work is leaving me a lot less time for reading, and this saddens my heart. Hopefully, once the holiday hours kick in, things will start to settle down. I went the entire weekend without picking up a book (up until Sunday night) and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that won't happen very often.

Completed this past week:

Life As We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer
The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Currently reading:

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart

Up Next:

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
Max : a Maximum Ride novel by James Patterson
Fire by Kristin Cashore

What are YOU reading? Link me!

Amazon.com review:

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them.

Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.

Genre: Dystopia, Fiction, Science Fiction/Futuristic Sci-Fi, Young Adult
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 335
Pub. Date: November 6, 2007

My Rating: 5 Stars
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.4 (Average)

"One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have - people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives."

My Summary:

The book focuses around 3 main characters: Connor, Lev, and Risa - strangers until fate dealt a hand that brought them together. And what characters they are!

Connor is the troublemaker. A boy with a hot temper and a tough exterior, but just too much trouble for his parents to deal with. He comes across the papers that sealed the deal for his "Unwinding" and takes matters into his own hands.

Risa is a ward of the state; especially gifted in classical piano. But no practical use for the greater good so she's scheduled to be Unwound due to "budget cuts." (How fair is that?!)

Lev is what they call a tithe. He's been deemed a sacrificial offering to God since his birth. Told for 13 years that his purpose in life as a tithe is considered a blessing and to be looked upon with pride.

My Thoughts:

(Initial reaction after I finished: AWESOME.)

First off, I love the cover. Perfectly conveys just how creepy and intense it is.

Second, I really, really enjoyed this. At first the prospect of the story seemed bizarre, but frankly, that's what made it so great! A story unique and of itself; you'll be flipping pages till your eyes fall out.

Neal Shusterman wrote the 3 characters in a way that made them each believable and real. But that's not to take away from the great secondary characters. It's an exciting ride from start to finish; giving you chills down your spine in all the right places. If you're looking for a book that is captivating, unpredictable, and intense, then this is the book for you.

On a side not, this book explored the many avenues of future technology and what it could become. To me, it's almost unnerving to even consider the fact that technology so advanced could become a reality in the near future. This book brings many questions to life and leaves you with much food for thought. Definitely some eerie prospects that I will be pondering over the next couple days, I'm sure.

Philosophical thoughts aside, there is so much more I could say about this book, but I just can't find the words to say it. (Plus, most of it would involve spoilers and I certainly don't want to spoil anything!) My advice? Just read it!

I reorganized my bookshelves! There's still no room for my recently purchased books from Barnes & Noble, but it's good enough till I can make another run to IKEA. I can't wait to get another bookcase and have everything looking organized and shiny.

Amazon.com review:

The Magician's Elephant tells the tale of Peter Augustus Duchene, a ten-year-old orphan who receives an unbelievable piece of information from the local fortuneteller. Peter learns that his fate is tied to an elephant that has inexplicably fallen from the sky when a magician's trick goes terribly wrong. Why did it happen? And, how can an elephant possibly change the course of Peter's life? This darkly atmospheric, yet hopeful tale, demonstrates that when the answers to life’s big questions are opaque or unforthcoming, all is not lost. DiCamillo's rhythmic writing, combined with Yoko Tanaka's mysterious black-and-white illustrations, enchants and calls out to our sincerest wishes and dreams (recommended for readers ages 8-13). --Lauren Nemroff

Genre: Children, Fantasy, Fiction
Page Count: 208
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Pub. Date: September 8, 2009

My Rating: 4.5 stars
Amazon.com: 5 stars
Goodreads: 4 stars (average)

(Initial reaction after I finished: PRECIOUSSSSS)

Set in a somber world, The Magician's Elephant will bring light & warmth to any heart. What a precious gem of a story! Intended for readers of a young age but definitely enjoyed by all. It's about dreams, hope, and making the impossible, possible. There is no age limit for such things.

"What If?" he said to the policemen.
"Why not?" said Leo back to him. He smiled.
"Enough," said Gloria.
"No, said Leo Matienne, "not enough. Never enough. We must ask ourselves these questions as often as we dare. How will the world change if we do not question it?"

This books is filled with many great pieces and just leaves you with a feeling of goodwill and satisfaction. So much so, that you just want to share it with everyone. I cannot recommend it enough. If you are every having a rough day or are in dire need of a pick-me-up, this is the book for you.

All this praise and why 4.5 stars? Well, because it was so short! 208 pages just wasn't enough!

Just picked this up from the library yesterday and I can't wait to get through it! The cover is just adorable.

Amazon.com review:

Trying to describe a Salman Rushdie novel is like trying to describe music to someone who has never heard it--you can fumble with a plot summary but you won't be able to convey the wonder of his dazzling prose or the imaginative complexity of his vision. At its heart, The Enchantress of Florence is about the power of story--whether it is the imagined life of a Mughal queen, or the devastating secret held by a silver-tongued Florentine. Make no mistake, it is Rushdie who is the true "enchanter" of this story, conjuring readers into his gilded fairy tale from the very first sentence: "In the day's last light the glowing lake below the palace-city looked like a sea of molten gold." At once bawdy, gorgeous, gory, and hilarious, The Enchantress of Florence is a study in contradiction, highlighted in its barbarian philosopher-king who detests his bloodthirsty heritage even while he carries it out. Full of rich sentences running nearly the length of a page, Rushdie's 10th novel blends fact and fable into a challenging but satisfying read. --Daphne Durham

Genre: Fiction, Historical-Fiction, Fantasy

My Rating: 0 ; Did Not Finish

This was anything but satisfying. One of the reviews on the back cover calls it "A baroque whirlwind of a narrative..." And the keyword being, whirlwind.

I just...couldn't get into it. Whoever wrote the synopsis did a wonderful job at simplifying a story that isn't simple at all. I felt like I would have needed multiple diagrams and a map just to get through it. Either my head wasn't in it, or it just isn't any good, but I honestly wasn't sticking around long enough to find out.

This is the first time I have never not finished a book after starting it, so a piece of me feels that I should try again in the future. The very distant future of course, but we shall see. :x

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"What am I?" he said, as if speaking to himself, but using the driver's own language. "I'm a man with a secret, that's what - a secret which only the emperor's ears may hear."

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your 2 ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog).

Contact:
E-mail book.izzle@yahoo.com (or use the form below) - I check my e-mail religiously so please don't hesitate!

What I Read
My motto: I'll read anything once. But my favorite genres are: Comics, Contemporary (Fiction/Romance), Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance (Paranormal/Contemporary), Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Steampunk, and Young Adult. Although, I primarily dabble in Fantasy, Contemporary, Speculative Fiction, and Young Adult.

Ratings
As it stands, I am using the ever popular 1-5 star rating (1 being the worst, 5 being the best). For now this is how I choose to rate reviewed books because it generally gives the visitors of my blog a quick peek of my opinion without exposing too much of the book's content (If you're like me and tend to stay away from reviews until you've had a chance to read it). My rating system goes as follows:

★★★★★
Absolutely loved it. Brilliant!

★★★★
Really liked it, but just fell short of 5 star glory.

★★★
It was good, I enjoyed it enough, but most likely a one-time read.

★★
It was just okay. Read at your own risk.

★
Stay Away!!

Review Policy
My reviews will always be honest and spoiler free. I try to speak from the heart and mind; leaving negativity aside for other discussions. Now I'm not perfect, negativity does seep in from time to time, but my opinions are my own and I speak my mind.

• - I'm always open to receiving and reviewing Advanced Reading Copies and Reviewing copies from traditional publishers as well as self-published works. My preference is for hard copies (something about the feel of a book in my hands makes it much more enjoyable) but I may accept an e-book if it is the only means for review. Please send me an e-mail and we can work something out. I generally tend to respond to those requests that I'm interested in.


• - My preferred genres are mentioned above but I will consider any book with a great synopsis. :)


• - I'm an avid reader so you can expect my reviews to be posted in a timely manner. But that doesn't discount the fact that I work 30+ hours a week, so if there is a time frame please let me know in advance.


• - All my reviews will be posted on my blog of course. As well as external sites such as goodreads, library thing, shelfari, and Amazon.com. I'd be happy to send along a review to the author and/or publisher if the situation calls for it.

I am also open to promoting a book or author as well as hosting interviews and giveaways if you have any extras available. If you would like to reach me, please send all inquiries, questions, or comments to nikkinizzle@gmail.com (or use the form below). I promise to get back to you as soon as possible!

Your Name
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PLEASE NOTE: The majority of the books reviewed on this website have been purchased or borrowed from my local library. There are the few occasions that I acquire a book from an author and/or publisher, but I DO NOT receive or accept payments for any reviews.

Amazon.com review:

It's almost the end of Miranda's sophomore year in high school, and her journal reflects the busy life of a typical teenager: conversations with friends, fights with mom, and fervent hopes for a driver's license. When Miranda first begins hearing the reports of a meteor on a collision course with the moon, it hardly seems worth a mention in her diary. But after the meteor hits, pushing the moon off its axis and causing worldwide earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, all the things Miranda used to take for granted begin to disappear. Food and gas shortages, along with extreme weather changes, come to her small Pennsylvania town; and Miranda's voice is by turns petulant, angry, and finally resigned, as her family is forced to make tough choices while they consider their increasingly limited options. Yet even as suspicious neighbors stockpile food in anticipation of a looming winter without heat or electricity, Miranda knows that that her future is still hers to decide even if life as she knew it is over.

Genre: YA, Fiction, Apocalyptic Fiction
Page Count: 337
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Pub. Date: October 1, 2006
Series: Moon, #1

My rating: 3.5 out of 5
Amazon.com: 4 out of 5
Goodreads: 4 out of 5 (average)

"Life As We knew It" is told from the diary entries of a 16 year old girl named Miranda. This is a story about the very essence of family and what it really means to stick together in a world that has turned upside down. One day you're living as usual, and the next chaos and death every way you look.

The diary format threw me for a bit. I wasn't expecting it at all and it took me the first few chapters to get into it. But once disaster hit, everything just came into place. And trust me, it didn't take very long. Through Miranda's entries we see the daily struggle for a family to come together against all odds. How one must put aside their own feelings to help the bigger picture and come to grips with reality. Towards the end of the book you definitely see how much Miranda has changed, how maturity has nestled its way into her very being and her realization that family is really the most important thing.

It's definitely a thought provoking story that has you asking yourself, "What would I do if I was faced with this type of situation?" Anything I could come up with just left me with an overwhelming sense of dread. I will say one thing, Pfeffer did a wonderful job at capturing the emotions. So much so, that you felt what the characters felt right down to your toes.

I really liked this book, but I didn't love it. If only because it was written as entries in a diary. It's very much a YA book and my tolerance for 16-year old angst can only go so far. But once it strayed away from her personal self pity, it was really enjoyable. Plenty of moments where my heart just ached for everyone and I even went as far as putting myself in Miranda's place. Definitely gives me a new appreciation for all of life's simplicities and the things we take for granted.

"Life As We Knew It" is the first book in the Moon series. The second book titled "The Dead and the Gone" (released in 2008) is dealing with the same cataclysmic disaster from the viewpoint of a 17 year old boy named Alex. Then due to be released in 2010 is book 3, "This World We Live In" which, I believe, brings the characters together.

(On a sidenote: this is my 100th book read in 2009!!)

+ Re-reads will be marked with ★

01. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (485)
02. Brisingr by Christopher Paolini (763)
03. Watchmen by Alan Moore (413)
04. Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office by Jen Lancaster (416)
05. The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima (426)
06. The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection From the Living Dead by Max Brooks (254)
07. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling (42)
08. Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black (332)
09. The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1) by John Flanagan (249)
10. The Burning Bridge (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 2) by John Flanagan (262)
11. The Icebound Land (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 3) by John Flanagan (266)
12. The Battle For Skandia (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 4) by John Flanagan (294)
13. Ironside: A Modern Faery's Tale by Holly Black (323)
14. The Sorcerer of the North (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 5) by John Flanagan (295)
15. The Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima (458)
16. The Dragon Heir by Cinda Williams Chima (500)
17. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (309)★
18. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (352)★
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (435)★
20. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (734)★
21. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (870)★
22. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (652)★
23. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows by J.K. Rowling (759)★
24. Brida by Paulo Coehlo (256)
25. Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling (56)
26. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie (224)
27. Stardust (audiobook) by Neil Gaiman (250)
28. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald (64)
29. The Bro Code by Barney Stinson (208)
30. The Adventures of Tom Bombadil by J.R.R. Tolkien (64)
31. Star Trek (audiobook) by Alan Dean Foster (274)
32. The Giver by Lois Lowry (192)
33. Dancing Barefoot by Wil Wheaton (115)
34. Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk (289)
35. Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore (300)
36. You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore (352)
37. The Rising Force (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, #1) by Dave Wolverton (176)
38. The Dark Rival (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, #2) by Jude Watson (122)
39. The Hidden Past (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, #3) by Jude Watson (144)
40. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly (339)
41. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (554)
42. The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan (401)
43. The Mark of the Crown (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, #4) by Jude Watson (144)
44. The Defenders of the Dead (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, #5) by Jude Watson (140)
45. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (214)
46. White Oleander by Janet Fitch (496)
47. Animal Farm by George Orwell (140)
48. The Uncertain Path (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, #6) by Jude Watson (144)
49. The Captive Temple (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, #7) by Jude Watson (132)
50. The Day of Reckoning (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, #8) by Jude Watson (134)
51. The Fight for Truth (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, #9) by Jude Watson (138)
52. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart (440)
53. I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak (357)
54. Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen (383)
55. Batman: Year One by Frank Miller (144)
56. Batman: Year Two: Fear The Reaper by Mike W. Barr (176)
57. Harry, A History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon by Melissa Anelli (356)
58. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller (224)
59. Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb (336)
60. The Shattered Peace (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, #10) by Jude Watson (130)
61. Batman: Dark Victory by Jeph Loeb (392)
62. The Deadly Hunter (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, #11) by Jude Watson (118)
63. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (590)
64. Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee (224)
65. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (208)
66. Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore (64)
67. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) by Rick Riordan (357)
68. The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2) by Rick Riordan (279)
69. The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3) by Rick Riordan (312)
70. The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 4) by Rick Riordan (362)
71. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (48)
72. Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey by Kelly Slater (338)
73. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (518)★
74. The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 5) by Rick Riordan (381)
75. A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb (282)
76. The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues, #1) by Rick Riordan (220)
77. One False Note (The 39 Clues, #2) by Gordon Korman (174)
78. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (329)
79. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke (115)
80. The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins (374)
81. The Sword Thief (The 39 Clues, #3) by Peter Lerangis (156)
82. The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke by Rainer Maria Rilke (356)
83. Beyond the Grave (The 39 Clues, #4) by Jude Watson (190)
84. The Siege of Macindaw (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 6) by John Flanagan (295)
85. Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1) by Charlaine Harris (292)
86. Catching Fire (Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins (391)
87. The Magicians by Lev Grossman (402)
88. Living Dead in Dallas (Sookie Stackhouse, #2) by Charlaine Harris (262)
89. Club Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #3) by Charlaine Harris (288)
90. The Black Circle (The 39 Clues, #5) by Patrick Carman (168)
91. Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse, #4) by Charlaine Harris (291)
92. Dead as a Doornail (Sookie Stackhouse, #5) by Charlaine Harris (295)
93. Definitely Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #6) by Charlaine Harris (324)
94. All Together Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #7) by Charlaine Harris (323)
95. From Dead to Worse (Sookie Stackhouse, #8) by Charlaine Harris (303)
96. Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse, #9) by Charlaine Harris (312)
97. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen (432)
98. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (471)
99. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream by Hunter S. Thompson (204)
100. Life As We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer (337)
101. The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo (201)
102. Unwind by Neal Shusterman (335)
103. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (401)
104. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart (391)
105. Impossible by Nancy Werlin (376)
106. The Final Warning (Maximum Ride, #4) by James Patterson (265)★
107. Max (Maximum Ride, #5) by James Patterson (309)
108. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (392)
109. Fire by Kristin Cashore (461)
110. Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings by Christopher Moore (321)
111. The Way of Shadows (Night Angels Trilogy #1) by Brent Weeks (645)
112. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (391)
113. School of Fear by Gitty Daneshvari (339)
114. Evermore (The Immortals #1) by Alyson Noel (301)
115. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (416)
116. Truly, Madly by Heather Webber (316)
117. Blue Moon (The Immortals #2) by Alyson Noel (284)
118. In Too Deep (The 39 Clues, #6) by Jude Watson (206)

Total pages read: 36,352

I’ve always wanted to start a book blog and finally decided to kick my butt into gear. I love reading so much and I don’t have many people to turn to when it comes to book discussions so I figured “why not blog about them?”

I can’t help thinking I should have done this earlier, seeing as I’m already 100 books into the year and 2009 is on its way to a close, but better late than never.

The Bibliophile
My name is Nikki and I’m a twenty-something year old who tends to keep her nose in a book and her head in the clouds.

When I’m not reading I spend most of my free time indulging in life’s simple pleasures. I’m a music addict, sports fanatic, baker, lover of geeky things, and I make memories with photographs.

What I Read
My motto: I'll read anything once. But my favorite genres are: Comics, Contemporary (Fiction/Romace), Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance (Paranormal/Contemporary), Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Steampunk, and Young Adult. Although, I primarily dabble in Fantasy, Contemporary, Speculative Fiction, and Young Adult.

I’m always open to book discussions and recommendations! If you would like me to link to your blog, feel free to leave a comment. And you're more than welcome to follow if you'd like, I'm always looking to meet fellow book fiends. :)

If you're looking for my rating & review policy, please see HERE.

Other places to find me:
GetGlue
Goodreads
Last.fm
Shelfari (in the works)