WWW Wednesdays 9/15/10

Woohoo it's my second time, let's see how I did!

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?

Then head on over to Should be Reading and leave a comment with a link to your post so others can see!

I'm currently reading:

	Fantasy Life by Kristine Kathryn Rusch -- Good so far, a daughter who had left comes home as her own daughter's powers manifest tragically, and a murder mystery involving a mermaid, we'll see how things develop!
	I'm listening to Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr - 3rd book in the Wicked Lovely series, watch out for scary faeries!

Since last Wednesday I finished reading:

	The Next Big Thing by Johanna Edwards -- I admit it, I've watched my share of Big Brother, Survivor and Celebrity Fit Club, just to name a few. They're like a train wreck, thankful it's not you, but it's still fascinating to watch. All you have to do is watch for a few minutes and you've already picked out who you like and who you don't. This was a good story about a girl who goes on a Weight Loss Reality TV show, and even though the absolutely unimaginable happens to her, she comes out the other side a winner, and definitely better off than she was before, it just takes her a little bit to realize it. Recommend it!
	Mind Games by Carolyn Crane - Really liked this one, will definitelly be getting the next one! Justine is a hypochondriac that believes she could die at any moment from a vein star in the brain. In order to control her fear, she becomes part of a group of disillusionists who each use their particular neurosis as a weapon, "zinging" it into their target and freeing themselves, while de-stablizing their criminal victim in order to eventually reboot them so that they see the error of their ways and make a turn around in their lives. Very interesting concept, I highly recommend this urban fantasy!
	I'm listening to The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry -- An archaeological thriller where Cotton Malone, ex government agent is on the trail of the Library of Alexandria. Continent hopping, shooting, plane jumping, kidnapping, political intrigue, biblical questions, very interesting and exciting, with a couple twists, and in some cases, you can't decide who the good and bad guys really are! Recommend this series and am looking forward to the next one The Venetian Betrayal about Alexander the Great!
	Unicorns of Balinor: The Road to Balinor by Mary Stanton -- The princess and her unicorn are stranded in our world with no memory of who they are. Definitely one for rainbow/fantasy/horse/unicorn loving young girls! It kept my interest though, and although we're privy to who the princess and her unicorn are, we don't know where the dog came from, so I'll have to keep reading! I recommend it for young girls that love fantasy.

Possibly up next:

	Darkyn #5: Evermore by Lynn Viehl -- I'm taking part in a challenge to read this series by the end of 2010, I think I can make it!
	Dragon Temple Saga #3, Forged by Fire by Janine Cross -- this has been a very dark and gritty fantasy trilogy, I can't really say that I like it, but I also have to know how it turns out, so I would say that does mean it's good! The story is very solid, it's just brutal!
	Slightly Single by Wendy Markham -- write up on Fantastic Fiction: Following her college sweetheart to New York City, Tracy Spadolini is stunned when he leaves her for the summer, and, determined to change her life and get things into perspective, Tracey, with the help of her friends and one special guy, becomes a new woman, one with confidence and determination.

If you made it down to the end here and haven't already seen it, be sure and check out my giveaway offering on the sidebar, a $25 GC to the Literacy Site Store, to be awarded on 10/10/10!

Trying out a change - what do you think?

So I got tired of just plain old black and saw that blogger options were a lot more varied than when I first started doing this. The current layout, rainbow dot background, purple posts and blue gadgets seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I'm not sure if it's pretty or painful. What do think? Nice, or too hard on the eyes?

Giveaway: GC from the Literacy Site Store

Reading is my favorite past time, in fact I can't go through the day without reading for awhile or I really feel like I've left something undone. I can't imagine not being surrounded by books, or at least having easy access to them via the library.

I will be participating in Dewey's 24 hour Read-a-thon in about a month, and while there is not a read-a-thon sponsored charity event, some people do their own thing for it. I think that's a good idea, and have decided I'd like to give away a $25 Gift Certificate to the Literacy Site Store. How will this help? Here is the blurb from their site:

"The Literacy Site was founded to help promote literacy among children from low-income families nationwide. Partnering with First Book and Room to Read, the site makes books available to children around the world, giving many children their very first book. With the generous support of our sponsors, each click provides 1% of a book. Making books a part of a child's life is the best way to encourage the love of reading, and literacy is key in breaking the poverty cycle.

In addition to clicking the "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button, visitors can help make books available by shopping in The Literacy Site store. With each item purchased, shoppers generate funds for free books for children in need. The store offers a wide array of unique and meaningful items, including apparel, jewelry, home accents and gifts from around the world."

To enter this drawing, simply comment on this post and tell us the title of one of your favorite books. I will choose a winner on October 10th after the Read-a-thon so that all my fellow 'thoners can have a chance to enter if they like! This giveaway is open internationally, as I will be e-mailing the GC to the winner, just please be aware that shipping charges may vary depending on customs, which they discuss in their FAQ here.

Happy Reading everyone!

WWW Wednesdays 9/8/10

I've decided to start taking part in WWW Wednesdays!

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?

Then head on over to Should be Reading and leave a comment with a link to your post so others can see!

Right now I'm actively reading a few things:

	Mind Games by Carolyn Crane - An urban fantasy about a hypochondriac that learns to use her fear as a weapon on criminals -- really enjoying so far, getting ready to start chapter 9 pg. 86
	Unicorns of Balinor: The Road to Balinor by Mary Stanton -- a kids fantasy about a princess and her unicorn steed, crippled and stranded in our real world (at least that's what I've read so far), I was going to save this for the Dewey's Read-a-thon, but that's okay, I have 5 more of them to go in my possession! -- pg 93, hoping to finish tonight!
	I'm listening to The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry -- An archaeological thriller where Cotton Malone, ex government agent is on the trail of the Library of Alexandria, also hoping to finish this week, sometimes you just need an exciting romp across several continents and a jump from a plane, you know?

Since last Wednesday I finished reading:

The Sons of the Zodiac: Warrior Ascended by Addison Fox -- The idea was intriguing, this was the story of the Leo Warrior, but the execution just didn't do it for me, I'm afraid I have to say I can't recommend it, and I probably won't continue the series.

Final Notice, a Miss Zukas Mystery #6 by Jo Dereske -- Helma's aunt comes to stay with her after a "brain incident" that has left her a little confused and unsteady. We get some of Helma's family history during prohibition. I really like the Miss Zukas series, Helma is very particular and quirky, but that's what makes her endearing. Her relationship with Boy Cat Zukas is just funny! A fun cozy mystery series I would recommend

Possibly up next:

	Darkyn #5: Evermore by Lynn Viehl -- I'm taking part in a challenge to read this series by the end of 2010, I think I can make it!
	Fantasy Life by Kristine Kathryn Rusch -- sounds like a story of fantasy creatures hiding in the real world.
	The Next Big Thing by Johanna Edwards -- from the write up on Fantastic Fiction: a plus-size heroine becomes a reality TV show contestant and discovers she's already beautiful enough to be the next big thing.

The DaVinci Code versus Angels and Demons

I have just finished watching Angels and Demons, which I was told by many was even better than The DaVinci Code. Now this statement was made to me in regards to the books themselves, and honestly, while this one was an intriguing movie, and I'm sure I'll still read the book in the future to get all the interesting details, I was drawn into The DaVinci Code much more. I know exactly why, it seems to me there was more artwork and interesting historical locations in it, not that the Vatican isn't interesting, but I think the whole idea of The DaVinci Code just drew me more.

I did listen to The DaVinci Code before I saw the movie, so in essence I had already read it, and have not yet read Angels and Demons, so maybe it's just that I don't have the backing of the book knowledge to fill in the gaps. I would be curious to know which story you prefer, and why, and what you thought of the movies? Okay friends, discuss! :D

Picking out books for the read-a-thon

I'm really looking forward to the read-a-thon in October, since I'm not a newbie anymore, and I know how much fun, and what a challenge it was. During the last read-a-thon in April, I spent about the last hour of my reading time standing up or pacing in my computer room, just to stay awake and finish the book I was on, silly probably, but I was determined to finish it! Part of the fun is picking out what books to read! I've been thinking about this for awhile, actually since the last read-a-thon as I spotted books on my shelves that would be good candidates. Here are some of the ones I'm considering:





As you can see there is a wide variety there, and I'm certainly not expecting to read all of them, or even necessarily those, since we all know that our tastes can change on a whim! Even as I'm getting ready to post this, I just thought of several others I'll likely add to the stack!

I can't wait to see what others choose! Is it Oct. 9th yet? Heehee!

Dewey's Read-a-thon - October 9th 2010

I had a great time at this back in April this year, and am very excited for the next one in October! Come join us!

You can sign up HERE, and make sure and look around on the blog to find out what it's all about!

Hope to see you there so we can cheer each other on!

Winners for my 7th BC Anniversary Giveaway

I was very happy to have takers for all the books I offered, so here are my winners, and thank you for helping me celebrate my 7th Bookcrossing Anniversary!

Guitar Girl goes to Susan Helene Gottfried!

Attila goes to Becca!

Daughter of Venice goes to Audrey!

Forbidden Game Trilogy goes to throuthehaze!

The Tale of Despereaux goes to Mary!

Anatopsis goes to Wss4!


Thanks everyone! I'll be contacting you to get your addresses!

Giveaway: Help me Celebrate my 7th Bookcrossing Birthday!

I always seem to miss my Bookcrossing Anniversary, I joined on August 21st in 2003 and will be 7 this year! This time I'm going to remember by giving away some books! Please keep in mind that all of these books are used and Bookcrossing labeled. You do not have to be a Bookcrosser to enter this giveaway, and while I would love a journal entry from you if you win (which can be done anonymously if you decide that Bookcrossing is not for you) the book is yours to do with as you please.

To enter, please comment on this post to tell me which titles you are interested in, list them in order of preference please, as I may have to draw names. Also, please tell me what about the book interests you on each one. Gotta make you work a little bit, right? Please also give me an e-mail to contact you with. I will choose winners on August 21st.

This giveaway is open to the US and Canada, I apologize to my international friends, but a couple of these are hardbacks, thanks for understanding!

Here are the books I'm giving away:

Daughter of Venice by Donna Jo Napoli -- It is 1592 in Venice and Donata Mocenigo, younger daughter to one of the city's great noble families, leads a life full of wealth and privilege. But she feels constricted by the many strict rules of etiquette a young noblewoman must observe, and longs to throw off her veil. I talk about it in a previous post HERE




Attila by William Napier -- 406 AD, and the Roman Empire totters on the edge of the abyss. Already divided into two, the Imperium is looking dangerously vulnerable to her European rivals. The huge barbarian tribes of the Vandals and Visigoths sense that their time is upon them. But, unbeknownst to all these great players, a new power is rising in the East. A strange nation of primitive horse-warriors has been striking terror on border peoples for fifty years. But few realise what is about to happen. For these so called 'Huns' now have a new leader. And his name is Attila - 'the Scourge of God'.Thus begins a saga of warfare, lust and power, which brought the whole of the Christian world to its knees, and was only ended in blood on the fields of France. It is a story of two men - Attila the Hun and Aetius the Roman. One who wanted to destroy the world, and one who fought one final battle save it... My review is HERE




The Forbidden Game Trilogy by L. J. Smith, The Hunter, the Chase and the Kill. I am giving these three away together, so if you are interested in them, just list The Forbidden Game Trilogy.

Descriptions Taken from L. J. Smith's Website:

The Forbidden Game, Volume I: The Hunter
Jenny wants to get her boyfriend, Tom, a special game for his birthday party. However, she can’t help but be fascinated by the boy with the white-blond hair who sells her a strange game as a present. It turns out that the boy, Julian, is the youngest of those from the Shadow Lands, a race of evil beings who live invisibly just beside our own world. Once Jenny opens the game, she is in his land. Julian is determined to seduce her, but he has to work by a set of inflexible rules, only touching Jenny where she has reached for him.
In the fantasy house that Julian has created, where everyone at the party must face their greatest fear, Julian himself is Jenny’s worst nightmare. . . and maybe her dream lover, as well.

The Forbidden Game, Volume II: The Chase
Jenny begins to get terrifying phone calls and soon it’s clear that Julian is loose is the real world. More and more, Jenny falls under his spell, allowing herself the freedom to do as she likes, no matter the consequences. It seems that Jenny has chosen Julian over Tom. But then her friends are disappearing, sucked into the Shadow Lands, paper dolls left in their places. Can Jenny outwit Julian without giving in to his demands entirely?

The Forbidden Game, Volume III: The Kill
Jenny returns to the place where it all began; her grandfather’s house, where as a child she first met the child-Julian. A door with a strange rune on it opens to the most fantastic creation of Julian’s of all: an empty amusement park that Jenny loved as a child. Except here, all the rides are deadly. More, Jenny must survive her confrontations with an increasingly frustrated and determined Julian. Will he really kill her if he can’t have her? Jenny forces him to make the choice—and two worlds are changed forever.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo -- Synopsis (From Publisher's Weekly): Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. And what happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

Guitar Girl by Sarra Manning -- Seventeen-year-old Molly Montgomery never planned on becoming famous. Molly's band, The Hormones, was just supposed to be about mucking around with her best mates, Jane and Tara, and having fun. But when the deliciously dangerous Dean and his friend T join the band, things start happening fast. Soon The Hormones are front-page news, and their debut album is rocketing up the charts. Molly is the force behind the band, but the hazards of fame, first love, screaming fans, and sleazy managers are forcing the newly crowned teen queen of grrl angst close to the edge. Fame never comes for free, and Molly's about to find out what it costs.


Anatopsis by Chris Abouzeid -- Princess Anatopsis Solomon wants to be a knight-errant. But her mother, chairwoman of Amalgamated Witchcraft Corporation, plans for her immortal daughter to take over the family business. The Queen has even hired a new tutor: a demigod named Mr. Pound. But Mr. Pound’s plans go far beyond completing Ana’s education. He is searching for the mysterious and powerful Os Divinitas. And if he finds it, nothing will survive. A shocking and powerful gift will catapult the Princess into an unlikely quest through the rich worlds of Anatopsis, inhabited by magic immortals, a rebel army, and the last dog in the Universe.

There we have it! I have read and enjoyed all of these, and now it's time to pass them on to new friends! Thanks for helping me celebrate!

Movie Check In

I've actually gone to see some movies this summer! Three movies in the last three weeks, that's a record for me I think!

First we went to see The Last Airbender which we'd really been looking forward to as we have watched the cartoon and really enjoyed it. We saw this one in 3D and loved it! I do have to say it was darker and more serious than the cartoon, but even so I think they still did a good job in staying true to the characters. The scenery was gorgeous! I was very pleased with how it turned out and am looking forward to more of them!




Next we saw The Sorcerer's Apprentice, which was cute if not as amazing as The Last Airbender, still a fun movie, especially if you like Nicholas Cage. There was a nod to the Disney cartoon of course, and it's a great scene.









Just tonight we saw Inception and wow! This was an amazing psychological thriller, very convoluted and exciting! I was on the edge of my seat, and just exhausted when it was over, one of the most engrossing movies I've seen in a long time! Originally I thought this one was in 3D also but it was not, and it probably would have been amazing if it was, but honestly it didn't need it, and I think it might have even been distracting if it had been.


I highly recommend all three of these movies!

Winner: Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan

Swordbird is taking flight, and going to visit...

Cheesygiraffe

Congratulations Cheesy, hope you and your son enjoy it!

Movie: Legend of the Guardians, The Owls of Ga'Hoole

I saw this movie poster tonight while out to see The Last Airbender. Guess I'd better get busy and read the books! The movie is due out this September.



Check out THIS SITE to see the other movie posters for each of the owls.

For more info on the book series Guardians of Ga'Hoole, see Kathryn Lasky's Website

Author: Donna Jo Napoli

Donna Jo Napoli is a very prolific writer of children's and young adult books. As I've been devouring a lot of YA books lately, and have read a few of hers I wanted to put a little spotlight on her today! My most recent read of Napoli's was The Smile, pretty obviously from the cover picture a story about the Mona Lisa. This story centers around the early life of Elisabetta, as she learns some hard truths about life and love. Her family has a silk farm out in the country, and with her best friend Silvia, a servant for her household, she works and dreams of their lives ahead. She would never guess that she would catch the eye of Giuliano de'Medici. It seems the match would be perfect, but then a priest by the name of Savonarola begins wreaking havoc in the city, and the Medici family must flee. Elisabetta believes that Giuliano will come back for her, but she is still a young girl, and her father has other plans for her. The Mona Lisa painting happens in this book after Elisabetta is older, married and with her own children, where her smile captures all the lessons, good and bad that life has taught her.

I seem be drawn by Italian history lately, and in addition to The Smile I very much enjoyed Daughter of Venice. Donata is one of 12 children, whose future likely lies in a convent, as only one son and one daughter will marry. Donata chafes at the life she has, wanting to be free to explore, she knows there has to be more than what lies inside their palazzo, and is not content to look out from the inside. Sneaking out disguised, Donata finds herself in the Jewish Ghetto in the city, and is befriended by Noe, who thinks she a boy. After many visits to Noe, working in his copywriting shop making flyers, Donata finds herself falling in love with him, as they've gotten to know each other better. Then the unthinkable happens, more than one daughter will be betrothed and the family chose Donata! Though unbelievable good fortune for the family, it seems a disaster to Donata, and she takes extreme steps to try and avoid it. She does not want to be a wife and mother, she wants to explore and learn! Like The Smile, I felt that Napoli has done an excellent job of bringing Italy to life, she's very descriptive and informative while telling the stories.

In addition to historical fiction, Napoli has done quite a few fairy tale retellings that have interesting twists. My favorite of these so far has been Beast, her version of Beauty and the Beast. I have also read Spinners about Rumpelstiltskin, The Magic Circle about Hansel and Gretel, and Sirena told from the point of view of a young siren who falls in love with a sailor that survived the wrecking of his ship on the way to the Trojan War. I'm excited to already have my next Napoli read in Mount TBR, and this one will be The Great God Pan, which I'm really looking forward to!




Check out a list of all Donna Jo Napoli's novels HERE at fantasticfiction.com, and also the author's website. I highly recommend her!

Giveaway: Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan

I admit it, the cover sucked me in to this book. There was just something about little sword-wielding warrior birds that was appealing. This is a kids book, and so, knowing it would be probably a quick and easy read, I chose it as my first book for Dewey's Read-a-thon that I participated in back in April this year. I'm already making a mental list of what books I may want to read for the next 'thon in October, but I digress (oh look, a butterfly!)

We learn in the author's note that Nancy was just a young teenager herself when she wrote and published this book, inspired by a dream of warring birds, and trying to deal with the terrorism of September 11th. This is a book about finding the truth, not letting evil have it's way, and restoring peace. I felt that it was a very solid story, and do recommend it. It is targeted towards the 8-12 year old range.

The Cardinals and the Blue Jays have been fighting each other, each side believing the other guilty of stealing their eggs. In actuality, it is the predator birds, led by Turnatt the hawk, who are stealing the eggs, turning the two sides against each other and enslaving the smaller woodland birds to build a fortress. Once this truth is known, the Cardinals and Blue Jays band together to stop the evil by working to summon Swordbird, a legendary warrior bird who has taken on near diety status to them.

I do love the illustrations, I think my favorite is of the cardinal carrying his bow and arrows, I just love the imagery!

I'm ready to pass along my copy of Swordbird to make a new friend. This is a gently used, Bookcrossing labeled copy, and while I would love a journal entry from the winner (which can be done anonymously if you decide that Bookcrossing is not for you) the book is yours to do with as you choose. To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite type of bird is, with an e-mail address to contact you. No favorite bird, no entry! I will choose a winner on July 31st.

Giveaway for the Ethical Vampire Series at The Book Muncher

I finally took some time to catch up on some of the blogs that I subscribe to this weekend, and found this giveaway! I actually found it through Contests and Freebies which led me to the blog giving the books away The Book Muncher which covers Young Adult books.

Here are the details, and I'm only telling you cause I get an extra entry! ;)

1 lucky winner will receive The Society of S, The Year of Disappearances, and an ARC of The Season of Risks by Susan Hubbard. To fill out the form, and see how to gain extra entries go HERE The contest ends on 7/20/10 at 9:00 pm PST, and is for US addresses only.