tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24292669768259561962024-03-07T03:14:56.945-06:00As These Pages FlyEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-89616659771724289192012-04-07T15:30:00.001-05:002012-04-07T15:30:42.743-05:00This is good-bye.I won't delete this blog because of all the work I've put into it, but I will not update anymore.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Book blogging was fun while it lasted, but I've moved on.</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-87159190404095037382012-02-19T17:34:00.000-06:002012-02-19T17:34:00.558-06:00Cover vs. Cover [15]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm-TNwpSwhI/TdiXUb7Wf_I/AAAAAAAAAOM/UTDiVZNTPYw/s400/untitledghfgfh.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<center><textarea id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="3"><a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover"><img border="0" src="http://i53.tinypic.com/i2rthw.jpg"/></a></textarea></center>Cover vs. Cover is a weekly feature, hosted here, where I compare different covers of the same book. For more information, visit the Weekly Features page.<br />
<br />
This week's competing covers are:
<br />
<br />
The US Cover The UK Cover<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312074996l/8685644.jpg" width="187" /> vs.<imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1295698008l/9802707.jpg" width="187" /></imageanchor="1"></imageanchor="1"></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br />I like the US better. Even though the lilies are cliche, they're pretty. I like the shade of purple that tones the UK cover better than the purple on the US, but overall the UK cover is too similar to Fallen's cover to be the better of the two. What's interesting is that the title text for both is almost exactly the same.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-11677908520603433872012-02-12T14:07:00.000-06:002012-02-12T14:10:01.003-06:00Review: The Fault in Our Stars<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://i51.tinypic.com/xbswx.jpg" />
</div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Title:</span> The Fault in Our Stars<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> John Green<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Release Date:</span> January 10, 2012<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Publisher: </span></span> <a href="http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishers/yr/dutton.html">Dutton</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">Cover Designer: </span></span> Rodrigo Corral<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Age Audience: </span>YA</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Genre:</span> Contemporary</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">Summary: </span></b>Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs...for now.<br />
Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.<br />
Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Review:</span></b><br />
<i>The Fault in Our Stars </i>lives up to the incredible hype.<br />
<br />
It was lovely that the dedication was to Esther Earl, the Nerdfighter girl in whose memory the This Star Won't Go Out Foundation was founded. While little things like "my best friend was an author who didn't know I existed" can set you off, remember that this book is a work of fiction. Mr. Green has stated several times that Esther and Hazel are nothing alike.<br />
<br />
Hazel has cancer, and Augustus had cancer, but this wasn't a "cancer book" as much as it was a book about teenagers with cancer. When it came to characters, the first thing I noticed was that the secondary characters weren't as developed as they were in the author's other novels. In<i> Looking for Alaska</i>, there was the whole gang. In<i> Paper Towns</i>, Q had Ben and Radar. But Hazel and Augustus created a little world that was only for the two of them. I rather liked Isaac, even thought the part he played in the story wasn't as important as I hoped.<br />
<br />
There were times I wished that <i>An Imperial Affliction</i>, the book that Hazel and Augustus loved, was real so I could read it. The author, Peter Van Houten, never wrote anything else and lived isolated from the world in Amsterdam. Because they knew so little about him, Hazel and Augustus romanticized him as the great thinker of our time. But things changed. Eventually Hazel referred to Van Houten as "an author we used to like".<br />
<br />
<i>The Fault in Our Stars</i> followed Mr. Green's style of being both funny and philosophical, sometimes simultaneously. Hazel and Augusts were humorous in their nerdy, adorable ways, but deeper things lied beneath. One of the recurring themes was death. How everything is a side effect of dying. How thousands die every day, but few are recognized, and why are they the ones to be recognized? How Anne Frank was built a museum and went down in history for being killed in the Holocaust, but the four Aron Franks were not.<br />
Another theme was being a hero. Augustus was obsessed with the idea of a traditional hero. But we were shown that not all of us are going to win wars or save the world. We can be heroes in smaller ways, in the ways Augustus was a hero.<br />
<br />
I was not expecting the turn of events. I knew someone was going to die, but I was wrong about who it was. For a while, I even thought the book would end mid-sentence in the style of<i> An Imperial Affliction</i>. As for how it really did end, let's just say that if you care about Hazel or Augustus at all, you're in for emotional pain.<br />
<br />
Everything you've heard about this book is true.<i> The Fault in Our Stars</i> is everything from heartbreaking to haunting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;">★★★★½
</span></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-86084818836644180222012-01-21T16:12:00.000-06:002012-01-21T16:12:13.979-06:00Review: Don't Let Me Go<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://i54.tinypic.com/2z6hwzc.jpg" /></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Title:</span> Don't Let Me Go<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> J. H. Trumble<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Release Date:</span> December 27, 2011<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Publisher: </span></span> <a href="http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/">Kensington Publishing</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">Cover Designer: </span></span> Kristine Mills<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Age Audience: </span>YA</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Genre:</span> LGBT</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">Summary: </span></b>Some people spend their whole lives looking for the right partner. Nate Schaper found his in high school. In the eight months since their cautious flirting became a real, heart-pounding, tell-the-parents relationship, Nate and Adam have been inseparable. Even when local kids take their homophobia to brutal levels, Nate is undaunted. He and Adam are rock solid. Two parts of a whole. Yin and yang.<br />
But when Adam graduates and takes an off-Broadway job in New York—at Nate’s insistence—that certainty begins to flicker. Nate’s friends can’t keep his insecurities at bay, especially when he catches Skyped glimpses of Adam’s shirtless roommate. Nate starts a blog to vent his frustrations and becomes the center of a school controversy, drawing ire and support in equal amounts. But it’s the attention of a new boy who is looking for more than guidance that forces him to confront who and what he really wants.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><b>Review:</b></span><br />
Gay romance, music, theatre, and a Texas setting all in one book? What's not to love?<br />
<br />
I'll confess, I had misgivings before reading because as a homosexual individual myself, I'm wary of LGBT books written by non-LGBT people. (How could they possibly understand, right?) But the author of <i>Don't Let Me Go</i> proved me wrong by showing just what it's like to be a gay teenager, and how it feels to have to fight to have what others take for granted.<br />
<br />
One of the elements of this book I loved was the theatrical aspect. Adam had been acting since he was a child, and an off-Broadway job was the whole reason he went to New York in the first place. Even though I'm more of a techie, I smiled at all the mentions of rehearsals and cast parties.<br />
Music played an important part in the story as well. It was something Nate and Adam fell in love over, and many important events took place at Mr. Ratcliffe's music store.<br />
<br />
Another fun thing for me was that this book was set in the Houston area! It made it easier for me to see the descriptions in my head, because I knew what was being described. I nearly squealed the first time it mentioned Market Street.<br />
<br />
I loved reading about how Nate and Adam's spark of romance grew into the love of a lifetime, then felt sad when it flashed forward to the state of their relationship with Adam in New York. They were very codependent, but I don't think that has to be a bad thing. However, they got more and more dysfunctional as the book went on, to the point where you wonder if they could ever go back to being what they once were.<br />
<br />
I wasn't fond of the character Danial at first, but I grew to like his snarky, sarcastic personality, and felt sympathy when we learned the truth about his past.<br />
<br />
This book wasn't afraid to show the ugly side of dealing with homophobia, for which I was thankful. I wish it weren't true, but people really are that ignorant, and their ignorance can turn into bigoted hate. It wouldn't have been realistic unless Nate and Adam had dealt with hate, even if not on a colossal scale.<br />
<br />
Because of where the near end of the book was heading, I was worried that this would become one of those books with a good but sad ending that keeps me up for days. While the words "Ten Years Later" were a relief, this book will be on my mind for the weeks to come.<br />
<br />
Bittersweet and honest, <i>Don't Let Me Go</i> is a terrific work of LGBT fiction. I'm looking forward to more from J. H. Trumble!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;">★★★★</span></div>
</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-85635219556735730512011-12-31T16:59:00.000-06:002011-12-31T16:59:02.006-06:002011 Wrap-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.designdazzling.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Happy-New-Year-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://www.designdazzling.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Happy-New-Year-31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I've never done a wrap-up post in the past, but I figured the end of the year was as good a time as any to do one.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(every list is in order from oldest to most recent)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
EVERY review I posted this year:<br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/02/ash.html">Ash</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/02/title-ruins-of-gorlan-rangers.html">The Ruins of Gorlan</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-shadow-kiss.html">Shadow Kiss</a> (spoilers!)<br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-halo.html">Halo</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-devoted.html">Devoted</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/title-golden-once-upon-time-author.html">Golden</a> (spoilers!)<br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-doomed-queen-anne.html">Doomed Queen Anne</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-between-mom-and-jo.html">Between Mom and Jo</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-beast.html">Beast</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-waiting-for-odysseus.html">Waiting for Odysseus</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-fire-study.html">Fire Study</a> (spoilers!)<br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-matched_25.html">Matched</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-northern-light.html">A Northern Light</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-amaranth-enchantment_02.html">The Amaranth Enchantment</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-if-i-stay.html">If I Stay</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-hollow-kingdom.html">The Hollow Kingdom</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-imaginary-enemy.html">Imaginary Enemy</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-mermaids-mirror.html">The Mermaid's Mirror</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-white-cat.html">White Cat</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-across-universe_21.html">Across the Universe</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-city-of-fallen-angels.html">City of Fallen Angels</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-paper-towns.html">Paper Towns</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-tempest-rising.html">Tempest Rising</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-as-you-wish.html">As You Wish</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-hush-hush.html">Hush, Hush</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-13-little-blue-envelopes.html">13 Little Blue Envelopes</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-last-little-blue-envelope.html">The Last Little Blue Envelope</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-keeping-you-secret.html">Keeping You a Secret</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-drums-girls-dangerous-pie.html">Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-huntress.html">Huntress</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-all-these-things-ive-done.html">All These Things I've Done</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-low-red-moon.html">Low Red Moon</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-brothersister.html">Brother/Sister</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-clarity.html">Clarity</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-wither.html">Wither</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-where-she-went.html">Where She Went</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-between-sea-and-sky.html">Between the Sea and Sky</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-how-i-live-now.html">How I Live Now</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-adoration-of-jenna-fox.html">The Adoration of Jenna Fox</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-luna.html">Luna</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-we-hear-dead.html">We Hear the Dead</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-invincible-summer.html">Invincible Summer</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-violet-eyes.html">Violet Eyes</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-death-catchers.html">The Death Catchers</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-unearthly.html">Unearthly</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-elsewhere.html">Elsewhere</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-looking-for-alaska.html">Looking for Alaska</a> (spoilers!)<br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/10/review-fallen.html">The Fallen</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/10/review-speak.html">Speak</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-girl-in-arena.html">Girl in the Arena</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Cover vs. Cover posts:<br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/cover-vs-cover-1.html">CvsC 1</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/cover-vs-cover-2.html">CvsC 2</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/cover-vs-cover-3.html">CvsC 3</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/cover-vs-cover-4.html">CvsC 4</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/cover-vs-cover-5.html">CvsC 5</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/cover-vs-cover-6.html">CvsC 6</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/cover-vs-cover-7.html">CvsC 7</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/cover-vs-cover-8.html">CvsC 8</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/cover-vs-cover-9.html">CvsC 9</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/cover-vs-cover-10.html">CvsC 10</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/09/cover-vs-cover-11.html">CvsC 11</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/09/cover-vs-cover-11.html">CvsC 12</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/09/cover-vs-cover-12-double-feature.html">CvsC 13</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/10/cover-vs-cover-14.html">CvsC 14</a><br />
<br />
<br />
I'd run out of room if I list every single post for every single meme I've participated in, so I'll just list the one I participate in the most.<br />
<br />
Follow Friday posts:<br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/02/follow-my-book-blog-friday.html">FF 1</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/follow-my-book-blog-friday.html">FF 2</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/follow-my-book-blog-friday-3.html">FF 3</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/follow-my-book-blog-friday-4.html">FF 4</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/03/follow-friday-5.html">FF 5</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/follow-my-book-blog-friday-6.html">FF 6</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/follow-my-book-blog-friday-7.html">FF 7</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/follow-my-bool-blog-friday-8.html">FF 8</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/follow-my-book-blog-friday-9.html">FF 9</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/follow-my-book-blog-friday-10.html">FF 10</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/follow-my-book-blog-friday-11.html">FF 11</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/follow-my-book-blog-friday-12.html">FF 12</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/follow-my-book-blog-friday-13.html">FF 13</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/follow-my-book-blog-friday-14.html">FF 14</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/follow-my-book-blog-friday-15.html">FF 15</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/follow-my-book-blog-friday-16.html">FF 16</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/follow-my-book-blog-friday-17.html">FF 17</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/follow-friday-18.html">FF 18</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/follow-friday-19.html">FF 19</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/follow-friday-20.html">FF 20</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/follow-friday-21.html">FF 21</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/09/follow-friday-22.html">FF 22</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/09/follow-friday-23.html">FF 23</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Miscellaneous Posts:<br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/girly-covers.html">"Girly" Covers</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/special-announcement-from-jennifer-l.html">Book Announcement!</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/09/cover-real-for-obsidian.html">Obsidian Cover Reveal</a><br />
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-favorite-books-of-2011.html">Favorite Books of 2011 </a><br />
<br />
<br />
Have a Happy New Year everyone!</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-77808418974807091692011-12-29T11:00:00.000-06:002011-12-29T11:00:09.029-06:00My Favorite Books of 2011I was going to include ALL my favorite books I've read in 2011 in this post, but since there are simply too many, I'll stick to the ones published in 2011.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1292350615l/6752378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1292350615l/6752378.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><b><i>City of Fallen Angels</i> by Cassandra Clare</b></span><br />
<br />
I'm a big fan of the Mortal Instruments series, and while I had doubts about this fifth book before reading, it didn't disappoint. I loved being back with all the characters, and the new villain was brilliant.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(full review <a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-city-of-fallen-angels.html">here</a>)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1306722698l/9415946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1306722698l/9415946.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><b><i>Huntress</i> by Malinda Lo</b></span><br />
<br />
Like with its companion <i>Ash</i>, I loved this book. The writing was gorgeous and the world-building was captivating. While I didn't like it more than I liked <i>Ash</i>, I can say that I was more attached to the characters here. The ending nearly had me crying!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(full review <a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-huntress.html">here</a>)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51f-a-Fmm4L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51f-a-Fmm4L.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>Wither</i> by Lauren DeStefano</span></b><br />
<br />
I had high expectations for this book, and I was not disappointed. Lauren's writing is both lovely and suspenseful, and I loved the dynamics between the characters, especially among Rhine and her sister wives. Only two more months till <i>Fever</i>!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(full review <a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-wither.html">here</a>)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1277224620l/8105542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1277224620l/8105542.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>Invincible Summer</i> by Hannah Moskowitz</span></b><br />
<br />
This gritty tale of a dysfunctional family was raw and compelling in every way. I can't guarantee happiness after you finish it, but it's certainly worth it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(full review <a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-invincible-summer.html">here</a>)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1295450523l/6702463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1295450523l/6702463.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>Sweetly</i> by Jackson Pearce<br /></span></b><br />
To me this book was even darker than <i>Sisters Red</i>, which I mean in a positive way. And while reading this book, I experienced writer's envy for the first time. More than once I thought, "This is so well-written. Why can't<i> </i>I write this well?"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1308972761l/7075298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1308972761l/7075298.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>Cloaked</i> by Alex Flinn</span></b><br />
<br />
I think it's safe to say that this is my favorite of Alex Flinn's fairytale retellings (I've also read<i> Beastly</i> and <i>A Kiss in Time</i>). Aside from romance being a little too predictable, I liked everything about this book! Despite it being nearly 400 pages long, I read it in one sitting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What were YOUR favorite books of 2011?<br />
(if you leave a link to your post I'll check it out!)Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-73407052175653284462011-12-28T09:30:00.000-06:002011-12-28T15:51:21.783-06:00Review: Girl in the Arena<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://i54.tinypic.com/1z6dq34.jpg" />
</div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Title:</span> Girl in the Arena<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Lise Haines<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Release Date:</span> October 13, 2009<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Publisher:</span></span> <a href="http://www.bloomsburykids.com/">Bloomsbury</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">Cover Designer: </span></span>Danielle Delaney<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Age Audience: </span>YA</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Genre:</span> Sci-fi</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Tagline:</b><i> Daughter. Celebrity. Neo-gladiator.</i><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">Summary: </span></b>Lyn is a neo-gladiator's daughter, through and through. Her mother has made a career out of marrying into the high-profile world of televised blood sport, and the rules of the Gladiator Sports Association are second nature to their family. <i>Always lend ineffable confidence to the gladiator. Remind him constantly of his victories.</i> And most importantly: <i>Never leave the stadium when your father is dying.</i> The rules help the family survive, but rules and the GSA can also turn against you. When a gifted young fighter kills Lyn's seventh father, he also captures Lyn's dowry bracelet, which means she must marry him...<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;"><b>Review:</b></span><br />
<i>Girl in the Arena</i> had a lot of potential, but the execution was poor. I was expecting a lot better.<br />
<br />
I wasn't a fan of the info-dump at the very beginning that went through the history of the neo-gladiator sport, starting in the 1960's. I would have preferred the information to be conveyed little by little as the story progressed.<br />
<br />
One of the few things I did enjoy about this book was the concept of gladiators in modern times. People part of what was known as "Glad culture" lived separated from other people, and often did not marry outsiders. These people were viewed as nearly cultish by some outsiders. What interested me the most was that the rules of the arena were nearly identical to those long ago. No one is forced to fight, but will sign contracts with Caesar's Inc. to fight for a certain number of years, or sometimes a criminal on the death row is sent to the arena. Just like in ancient Rome!<br />
However, I did say almost. I doubt there were hundreds of bylaws confining the original gladiators, and as far as I know, women could remarry as many times as they wanted.<br />
<br />
Despite all the information that was given, I don't understand how the sport become popular. Did millions of modern people suddenly find it acceptable? How did it become lawful? I'm certain there's something in the Constitution against killing for sport. And if the sport was so popular, why did it remain in the U.S. rather than spreading to other countries?<br />
<br />
Fighting was not even the main focus of the book. It was mostly about how rough it was for Lyn being a celebrity. There were only two or three battles in the entire book.<br />
I didn't like Lyn at all. She wasn't a distinct character to me. Nothing about her stood out except that she was the daughter of seven gladiators. I also didn't buy the romance between her and Uber. How could you fall in love with the person who killed your father? I couldn't.<br />
<br />
I wish the time period had been a little more clear. While there were things we don't have today, such as the Living machine, aside from the Gladiator Sports Association the world of <i>Girl in the Arena</i> was just like today's world. I assumed this book to be dystopian science fiction, but that threw me off.<br />
Speaking of the Living machine, its existence made no sense. How did it work? How did the projections of people eat food? And how did such a machine fit in with the Roman-based culture of the neo-gladiators?<br />
<br />
One of the formatting styles of this book annoyed me. Instead of quotation marks, dialogue was indicated by m dashes. I don't see why this was done, as it was unusual and confusing.<br />
<br />
The ending was open enough to be followed by a sequel, but apparently this book didn't gain enough popularity for that to happen, and I can see why. On a final note, I very much dislike the cover. I find it more fitting for a TV show poster than a book cover. And the expression of the model seems more pouty than angry to me.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-large;">★★</span></div>
</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-90892492461967284632011-10-17T11:18:00.000-05:002011-10-17T11:18:00.316-05:00Another HiatusI feel really guilty about taking another long break because of the month-long one I took just a few months ago, but here's why:
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blog.bookrix.com/wp-content/upload/nanowrimo-official-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://blog.bookrix.com/wp-content/upload/nanowrimo-official-logo.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<br />That's right. NaNoWriMo! I'm participating for the first time this year. I'm a little scared but also very excited. Yes, it's not until November, but I want to get in as much outlining and planning as I can before November 1.<br /><br />I might drop back in a few times for the <a href="http://hauntedorchid.blogspot.com/p/inheritance-reading-challenge.html">Inheritance Reading Challenge</a>, but no reviews or Cover vs. Cover posts until after NaNoWriMo.<br /><br />Vale te, readers!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-91581237217480452802011-10-15T11:00:00.000-05:002011-10-15T11:04:09.834-05:00Cover vs. Cover [14]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm-TNwpSwhI/TdiXUb7Wf_I/AAAAAAAAAOM/UTDiVZNTPYw/s400/untitledghfgfh.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<center><textarea id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="3"><a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover"><img border="0" src="http://i53.tinypic.com/i2rthw.jpg"/></a></textarea></center>Cover vs. Cover is a weekly feature, hosted here, where I compare different covers of the same book. For more information, visit the Weekly Features page.<br />
<br />
This week's competing covers are:<br />
<br />
The US Cover The UK Cover<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309058438l/3236307.jpg" width="187" /> vs.<imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51eMDBvxuLL._SL500_.jpg" width="187" /></imageanchor="1"></imageanchor="1"></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
US. The UK cover isn't bad on its own, but to me it pales in comparison. I like the faded background with vintage vines and flowers because it really gives the feeling of an old-timey fantasy. I also like the sword and the eye on the blade. But one thing I like about the UK cover is the snow in the background, because it represents a journey that takes place in <i>Graceling</i>.
<br />
<br />
<br />
**On an unrelated note, I'm glad I picked <i>Graceling</i> for this week because I haven't read it in over a year and it's nice to think about it again.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-8992655551485246592011-10-13T07:00:00.000-05:002011-10-13T09:12:14.383-05:00Review: Speak<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://i55.tinypic.com/t6ros6.jpg" /></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Title:</span> Speak<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">Author:</span></b> Laurie Halse Anderson<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Release Date:</span> October 22, 1999<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Publisher:</span></span> <a href="http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishers/yr/puffin.html">Puffin</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">Cover Designer:</span></span> Michael Morgenstern<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Age Audience: </span>YA</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Genre:</span> Contemporary</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Tagline: </b><i>The tough, tender, and darkly funny story of a teenage outcast.</i><br />
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Summary: </b>Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that's not safe. Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">My Review:</span></b></div>
I certainly have mixed feelings.
<br />
Based on what I’ve been hearing ever since I started reading YA, I’d come to expect something amazing and true and relatable from <i>Speak</i>. <br />
However, this was not the case for me.
<br />
<br />
One of the things I liked was the writing. It was very simplistic, yet beautiful in an ordinary and everyday sort of way. Because there weren’t definite chapters in the book, it was almost like reading Melinda’s thoughts and feelings in their purest form.
<br />
<br />
I think that high school was portrayed stereotypically and unrealistically. Yes, it’s not a blast, but it isn’t exactly the worst thing that’s ever going to happen to you. I don’t find it believable that Merryweather High changed their mascot several times in one year. My school has had the same mascot for 30 years, and it will probably keep it for another 30 years. <br />
Maybe this only applies to my school, but I don’t think “cliques” exist. There are divisions of sorts (the athletes, the people in band, the theatre kids, etc.), but not so strong that you don’t associate with people outside your group. Also, not every cheerleader is a ditzy blonde princess. I know that this book was published in 1999, but really?<br />
<br />
Thanks to the lovely people on Goodreads who don’t put spoiler warnings in their reviews, I knew the reason for Melinda’s silence long before I read this book. I’ve never had something like that happen to me, so maybe I’m being insensitive, but I think that Melinda really should have told someone. It would have saved her so much pain and loneliness. This is another reason this book would be better for people other than me, because what happened to Melinda is not something I can relate to.
<br />
<br />
Overall, I don’t have any strong feelings of like or dislike. <i>Speak</i> is a good book, it really is. It just wasn’t for me.
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;">★★½</span></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-43690589109114633822011-10-05T13:00:00.000-05:002011-10-05T15:19:07.280-05:00Review: The Fallen<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://i56.tinypic.com/krq7p.jpg" /></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Title:</span> The Fallen<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">Series:</span></b> The Fallen, #1<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Thomas E. Sniegoski<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Release Date:</span> March 5, 2003<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Publisher:</span></span> <a href="http://imprints.simonandschuster.biz/simon-pulse">Simon Pulse</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">Cover Designer:</span></span> N/A<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Age Audience: </span>YA</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Genre:</span> Paranormal</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Tagline:</b><i> Aaron Corbet isn't a bad kid—he's just a little different.</i><br />
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Summary: </b></div>
On the eve of his eighteenth birthday, Aaron dreams of a darkly violent landscape. He can hear the sounds of weapons clanging, the screams of the stricken, and another sound he cannot quite decipher. But gazing upward at the sky, he suddenly understands. It is the sound of great wings, angels' wings, beating the air unmercifully as hundreds of armored warriors descend on the battlefield.
<br />
Orphaned since birth, Aaron is suddenly discovering newfound—and sometimes supernatural—talents. But it's not until he is approached by two men that he learns the truth about his destiny, and his role as a liaison between angels, mortals, and Powers both good and evil, some of whom are hell-bent on his destruction....
<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">My Review:</span></b>
<br />
I wanted to like this book. I wanted to believe that <i>Unearthly</i> is not the only good YA angel book out there.
<br />
However, I was disappointed once again. I received the first two books in this series, <i>The Fallen</i> and <i>Leviathan</i>, in one volume. I had to make myself finish <i>The Fallen</i>.
<br />
<br />
The writing was very stiff and stand-offish. I could not connect with Aaron at all. When we’re given back-story about the angels, I almost felt like I was reading the Bible because of the way it was written. <br />
I know this book came long before most of today’s popular YA angel books, but the angel lore hardly had anything original to offer. Aside from a prophecy and a group of evil angels called the Powers, it was almost verbatim to the angels of the Bible. Now, there’s nothing wrong with books based on Biblical legends, but I prefer those legends to be dark and twisted (a la <i>Prophecy of the Sisters</i>).
<br />
<br />
As for the romance? It was completely unnecessary and did not contribute anything to the plot. The Brazilian girl whose name I can’t even remember was such a flat character. I felt like the author thought he just <i>had</i> to have romance because of the silly train of thought that “all YA books need romance”. Hence, romance that was nothing more than filler content.
<br />
<br />
For lack of anything else positive to say, I enjoyed reading the few battle scenes in this book. But overall, I don’t regret donating my copy to the library. Reading time has become precious to me, and I’m not going to spend it continuing this series simply to see if it gets better.
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;">★★</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-45808110363850118062011-10-01T13:46:00.000-05:002011-10-01T13:46:53.576-05:00Cover vs. Cover [13]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm-TNwpSwhI/TdiXUb7Wf_I/AAAAAAAAAOM/UTDiVZNTPYw/s400/untitledghfgfh.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<center><textarea id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="3"><a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover"><img border="0" src="http://i53.tinypic.com/i2rthw.jpg"/></a></textarea></center>Cover vs. Cover is a weekly feature, hosted here, where I compare different covers of the same book. For more information, visit the Weekly Features page.<br />
<br />
This week's competing covers are:<br />
<br />
The US Cover The UK Cover<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316738798l/71894.jpg" width="200" /> vs.<imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31DPuTIYsoL._SL500_.jpg" width="187" /></imageanchor="1"></imageanchor="1"></div>
<br />
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />US. The UK cover shows one of the binoculars that Liz uses to see people back on Earth, but she stops using them early on so I don't think it's accurate to have it represent the entire book. I also really like the blurry background on the US cover.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-7734169772026259832011-09-30T19:42:00.003-05:002011-09-30T19:45:35.376-05:00Event Recap: Pen Fatale Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
On Wednesday, I attended a stop of the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/penfataletour">Pen Fatale</a> tour in my town.<br />
It may or may not have been the best book signing I've attended.<br />
<br />
I expected huge crowds, so my friend and I got to the B&N two hours early. We ended up getting seats in the front row! We weren't the only crazy people to show up so early, and talked with a very nice person named Brandy who also loves YA. (I recommended NetGalley to her!)<br />
<br />
Here's what it looked like before anyone came:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FBn5VkU9Ltk/ToYssP8Da-I/AAAAAAAAAVc/fs_zGoLT9Ng/s1600/DSCN5782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FBn5VkU9Ltk/ToYssP8Da-I/AAAAAAAAAVc/fs_zGoLT9Ng/s400/DSCN5782.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7p99y_OJLE/ToYtSQ8qVOI/AAAAAAAAAVg/GsQihxqLhs8/s1600/DSCN5784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7p99y_OJLE/ToYtSQ8qVOI/AAAAAAAAAVg/GsQihxqLhs8/s400/DSCN5784.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Only about 30 people showed up to the signing, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. You know how during a huge signing like Smart Chicks Kick It, there are so many people that you can only ask one question, if any at all? It wasn't like that here. We got to talk to the authors on a more personal level, which I loved.<br />
(But just to be clear, I had a blast at Smart Chicks Kick It last year too!)<br />
<br />
More pictures:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-we7EA6WhVRc/ToYuyPgDbfI/AAAAAAAAAVk/OqdAh8bSIxI/s1600/DSCN.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-we7EA6WhVRc/ToYuyPgDbfI/AAAAAAAAAVk/OqdAh8bSIxI/s400/DSCN.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mary E. Pearson with <i>The Fox Inheritance</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKNTMlchxE0/ToYwStlMtiI/AAAAAAAAAVo/coI_xs9UmXI/s1600/DSCNloljok5804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKNTMlchxE0/ToYwStlMtiI/AAAAAAAAAVo/coI_xs9UmXI/s400/DSCNloljok5804.JPG" width="400" /></a>Gabrielle Zevin with <i>All These Things I've Done</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SR3DqypEBLw/ToY3Rk380kI/AAAAAAAAAVs/PBh2yCaiZeQ/s1600/DSCN5801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SR3DqypEBLw/ToY3Rk380kI/AAAAAAAAAVs/PBh2yCaiZeQ/s400/DSCN5801.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Jessica Brody with <i>My Life Undecided</i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
I didn't get any good pictures of Alyson Noel, but she was there too.<br />
<br />
And the best part? Gabrielle remembered me from when I interviewed her <a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/2011/05/author-interview-gabrielle-zevin.html">back in May</a>! It was so amazing to finally meet her. I loved talking to Mary about Jenna Fox as well!<br />
<br />
Finally, here is my haul of goodies.<br />
(I already had the ARC, but now it's signed+personalized!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALPjmvkXqqw/ToZh4qfD1_I/AAAAAAAAAVw/wGwDm6Vh4Wo/s400/DSCN5838.JPG" width="400" /></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-22124686817867418332011-09-27T11:00:00.000-05:002011-12-11T18:52:16.267-06:00Review: Looking for Alaska<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;"><b>This review is going to contain spoilers</b></span>. I always try to write spoiler-free reviews, but this time I couldn't. The spoilers will be marked, but <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">read at your own risk</span></b>.</div>
<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://i52.tinypic.com/351svt4.jpg" />
</div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Title:</span> Looking for Alaska<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">Author:</span></b> John Green<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Release Date:</span> March 3, 2005<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Publisher:</span></span> <a href="http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishers/yr/dutton.html">Dutton</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">Cover Designer:</span></span> N/A<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Age Audience: </span>YA</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Genre:</span> Contemporary</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Tagline:</b><i> First friend. First girl. Last words.</i><br />
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Summary: </b>Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps." Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">My Review:</span></b></div>
Mr. John Green, once again you have impressed me.
<br />
Well, it's not really "again" because this was his debut, but it is for me because this is his second novel I've read.
<br />
<br />
Culver Creek was nothing like I expected, and I mean that in a good way. When I think of a boarding school, I usually picture a grand old mansion in the northeast with a regal history and vintage furniture in every room. Instead, Culver Creek was in Birmingham, Alabama, and everything about it was southern. It was a very unique take.
<br />
<br />
I felt that the "before" section of the book dragged a little. There were many scenes showing Miles hanging out with Alaska and the Colonel and getting to know them. I just wanted to get on with the story.
<br />
But when the story did move on, I wasn't ready for it at all.
<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">*spoilers*</span></b> I already knew that Alaska was going to die because the summary on the publication page mentioned a "fatal car accident", but when it did happen I was not prepared. I actually cried for the first twenty pages of the "after" section, because I could really feel Miles' pain and grief as he tried to adjust to life without Alaska. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">*spoilers*</span></b><br />
<br />
There were a few parts of the book that weren't huge aspects, but I couldn't stop thinking about them. For example, Alaska's theory that imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia. I never would have thought of it, but now I realize how true it is. And if that wasn't enough:
<br />
<blockquote>
<i>"If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane."
</i></blockquote>
That, ladies and gentlemen, is perfection. One of the best sentences I've ever read.
<br />
<br />
I also have something very important to point out. I've seen more than a few reviews on Goodreads stating "all of John Green's novels are basically the same story told over and over again". This is not true.
<br />
I have read <i>Paper Towns</i>, and it was uniquely different from <i>Looking for Alaska</i>. The plots of the two books contrasted, as did the characters. Yes, Miles and Quentin have some similar personality traits, but not enough to dub them "the same character". Alaska and Margo are like that as well: they have things in common, but are two different characters. I actually liked Alaska more than I liked Margo.
<br />
<br />
Even though there were one or two things I didn't like about this book, the things I did were so good that it's more than worthy of 4.5 stars. <i>Looking for Alaska</i>, you deserved every bit of your Printz Award.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;">★★★★½ </span></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-599582261630519762011-09-24T20:52:00.000-05:002011-09-24T20:52:29.342-05:00Cover vs. Cover [12] — Double Feature!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm-TNwpSwhI/TdiXUb7Wf_I/AAAAAAAAAOM/UTDiVZNTPYw/s400/untitledghfgfh.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<center><textarea id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="3"><a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover"><img border="0" src="http://i53.tinypic.com/i2rthw.jpg"/></a></textarea></center>Cover vs. Cover is a weekly feature, hosted here, where I compare different covers of the same book. For more information, visit the Weekly Features page.<br />
<br />
Because there are two US and two UK covers (and because I loved this book), I will be comparing FOUR covers instead of two!<br />
Here they are:<br />
<br />
The First US Cover The First UK Cover<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312568761l/342209.jpg" width="187" /> vs.<imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VcWnGqk0L.jpg" width="187" /></imageanchor="1"></imageanchor="1"></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The candle on the US cover is mysterious, and I really like the billowing smoke, but the UK cover foreshadows the book better with the lonely heart floating in the water. Though I don't understand why the "for" in the title is italicized on the UK.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Second US Cover The Second UK Cover<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267239642l/2745986.jpg" width="165" /> vs.<imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179591446l/934301.jpg" width="187" /></imageanchor="1"></imageanchor="1"></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Again, the UK cover is the winner. There's nothing wrong with the girl, but the daisy with specifically twelve petals is symbolic and I like both the title and author text. Notice how on the first US cover there's the sticker for the Printz Award, but not on the second.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-34985190679411979422011-09-23T15:49:00.000-05:002011-09-23T17:54:36.042-05:00Follow Friday [23]<center><a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/search/label/FF" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4710921228_e3140444bf_o.png" width="214" /></a></center><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">This Week's Question: </span></span> Do you have a favorite series that you read over and over again? Tell us a bit about it and why you keep on revisiting it?
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Answer:</span></span>
<br />
I don't re-read books often, but I used to. One series I've read through about seven or eight times is the Chronicles of Narnia. I don't think I have to tell you about it, because if you don't know, where have you been?<br /><br />
I really love this series, but my favorite part is the world. The world-building of Narnia and its surrounding countries is just so intricate and intriguing. That's also probably why <i>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i> is my favorite book in the series.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-7345391123056438682011-09-21T09:00:00.000-05:002011-09-21T17:51:49.882-05:00Review: Elsewhere<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://i55.tinypic.com/j7fghh.jpg" /></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Title:</span> Elsewhere<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Gabrielle Zevin<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Release Date:</span> August 10, 2005<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Publisher:</span></span> <a href="http://us.macmillan.com/fsg.aspx">Farrar, Straus and Giroux</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">Cover Designer:</span></span> Nancy Goldenberg<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Age Audience: </span>YA</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Genre:</span> Magical realism</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Tagline:</b><i> Is it possible to grow up while getting younger?</i><br />
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Summary: </b>Welcome to Elsewhere. It is warm with a breeze, and the beaches are marvelous. It’s quiet and peaceful. You can’t get sick or any older. Curious to see new paintings by Picasso? Swing by one of Elsewhere’s museums. Need to talk to someone about your problems? Stop by Marilyn Monroe’s psychiatric practice.</div>
Elsewhere is where fifteen-year-old Liz Hall ends up after she has died. It is a place so like Earth, yet completely different. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth. But Liz wants to turn sixteen, not fourteen again. She wants to get her driver’s license. She wants to graduate from high school and go to college. And now that she’s dead, Liz is being forced to live a life she doesn’t want with a grandmother she has only just met. And it is not going well. <br />
How can Liz let go of the only life she has ever known and embrace a new one? Is it possible that a life lived in reverse is no different from a life lived forward?<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">My Review:</span></b>
<br />
Reading this book was a little like talking to a close friend. You know them very well and you don’t do anything amazing, but you could talk forever and will never grow tired of their company.
<br />
<br />
I loved the concept. Just the idea of living your life backwards until you’re a baby again felt so
exotic and intriguing. The world building was excellently done as well. Elsewhere was similar to Earth. People lived in houses and drove cars and had friends and family. Yet at the same time, it
was too different to be mistaken for Earth. I’ll admit that I had misgivings when a new gallery of
Picasso paintings is mentioned near the beginning of the book. I thought that Picasso would
have already been born on Earth again! But after some research, I realized that Picasso still
would have been in Elsewhere at the time of Liz’s death, and I praise Gabrielle Zevin for putting
the effort into making every little detail accurate.
<br />
<br />
<i>Elsewhere</i> is written in third-person present tense. It was very different to read from the
perspective in Gabrielle Zevin’s other novel I’ve read (<i>All These Things I’ve Done</i> was in
first-person past tense), but I really liked it. A few times the point of view jumped from one
character to another, but instead of being confusing it gave us better insight on what was going
on.
<br />
<br />
I’m not a fan of talking animals stories, and I’m not much of a dog person. But I didn’t mind the
fact that dogs could talk in this book. I especially liked the one chapter told from the point of view
of Lucy, Liz’s pug on Earth. It was interesting to see the story interpreted by a dog, and it only
took me a couple pages to realize that a human wasn’t the narrator.
<br />
<br />
If I could only use one sentence to describe<i> Elsewhere</i>, it would be this: It was such a good book.
To me, just that simple statement sums it up. Even though you can tell how the book will end just by reading the synopsis, it was a fresh and pleasant story without any of that over-the-top romance I despise. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;"> ★★★★</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-54722139137559547242011-09-18T02:30:00.000-05:002011-09-18T02:30:00.899-05:00In My Mailbox [18]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DQJgx8rLjNQ/TQ6tuREeRTI/AAAAAAAALSw/pIE5DpXMQpI/s1600/mailbox1.jpg" style="display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 225px;" />In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/">The Story Siren</a>, where we share books that we've received.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Library:<br />
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1296444486l/9415955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1296444486l/9415955.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
I've been waiting to read this book since it was released. I'm excited to finally have it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51umeR41Z%2BL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51umeR41Z%2BL.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
This one has been getting a lot of attention. The synopsis is vague to me, so I want to read it to see what all the hype is about.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312568761l/342209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312568761l/342209.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If you've read my previous IMMs, you know that this isn't the first time I've checked out this book. But I will really try to read it this time! I feel like a bad John Green fan/Nerdfighter for putting it off.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
From book club:<br />
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298835529l/7095831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298835529l/7095831.jpg" width="210" /></a><br />
<br />
This month, my book club that meets IRL is reading <i>Ship Breaker</i>! And because there was a sale, we all got it in hardcover.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
NetGalley:<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41I%2BjOiRh4L.jpg" width="132" /> <img height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51I7IVURfnL.jpg" width="124" /> <img height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1313294100l/11470428.jpg" width="132" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-36067860532725919402011-09-17T00:13:00.001-05:002011-09-17T00:15:02.639-05:00Cover vs. Cover [12]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm-TNwpSwhI/TdiXUb7Wf_I/AAAAAAAAAOM/UTDiVZNTPYw/s400/untitledghfgfh.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<center><textarea id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="3"><a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover"><img border="0" src="http://i53.tinypic.com/i2rthw.jpg"/></a></textarea></center>Cover vs. Cover is a weekly feature, hosted here, where I compare different covers of the same book. For more information, visit the Weekly Features page.<br />
<br />
This week's competing covers are:<br />
<br />
The US Cover The UK Cover<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1301828495l/8235178.jpg" width="187" /> vs.<imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413ySpbBL9L.jpg" width="187" /></imageanchor="1"></imageanchor="1"></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To be 100% honest, I don't like either of these covers. Yes, the bursting stars are pretty, but I think the almost-kissing couple doesn't portray the book very well, because romance was not the main element of the story. I really dislike the big white space on the UK cover, so out of these two I pick the US.<br />
<br />
But the cover for the US paperback is my favorite. It's way more science fiction-y, and it depicts what the book is actually about better than the other covers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311282602l/10802210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311282602l/10802210.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-799219757099113802011-09-14T14:15:00.000-05:002011-09-14T14:15:00.087-05:00Review: Unearthly<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="http://i51.tinypic.com/24zk51e.jpg" /></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Title:</span> Unearthly<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">Series:</span></b> Unearthly, #1<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Cynthia Hand<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Release Date:</span> January 4, 2011<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Publisher:</span></span> <a href="http://harperteen.com/">HarperTeen</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">Cover Designer:</span></span> Sasha Illingworth<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Age Audience: </span>YA</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">Genre:</span> Paranormal</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Tagline:</b><i> In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees....</i><br />
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Summary: </b>Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.</div>
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.<br />
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">My Review:</span></b><br />
After the double disappointment of <i>Hush, Hush</i> and <i>Halo</i>, I came to the conclusion that there are no good YA angel books out there. After hearing about <i>Unearthly</i>, I wanted it to prove me wrong.<br />
I’m so, so glad to say that it did.<br />
<br />
Clara was such a good protagonist. She was a little selfish, but she knew it, so it didn’t make her unlikable at all. I liked how she already knew she was part angel, so there wasn’t a big part of the book dedicated to Clara finding out about her true identity. I liked all the side characters too. Clara’s mother was over a hundred years (though she didn’t look older than forty), and I was really glad to see that she was wise like someone who had been around for a long time and seen a lot, but didn’t act too old.<br />
<br />
The angel lore was simple and clearly explained, which was a good thing! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: you do not need to come up with a great big complicated magic system to have a good paranormal romance. Clara and her little brother were quarter angels, called Quartarius, and their mother was a half angel, Dimidius. All the part angels have a “purpose”, which is the task for which they were born to complete. They are also smarter, stronger and faster than humans, but that part is obvious.<br />
<br />
As for the romance...I loved how it had so much buildup! Months pass, MONTHS, before Clara as much as <i>kisses</i> anyone. (I won’t say who!) It also meant that the story moved along a little slowly, but I would much rather have that than insta-love. Clara even says that she's "not going to become one of those girls whose boyfriend treats her like crap and she still fawns over him."<br />
Dear Clara, how I wish every female protagonist in paranormal YA could say that.<br />
Another thing I want to point out is that even though the summary makes it sound like there’s a love triangle, I wouldn’t really say that. I can’t explain why without giving away spoilers, but while there were two boys involved, I didn’t think of it as a love triangle.<br />
<br />
Especially if you’ve also been disappointed by previous YA angel books, don’t hesitate to read<i> Unearthly</i>. It’s given me hope for future books of its sub-genre. I just wish I didn't have to wait until 2012 for <i>Hallowed</i>!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;">★★★½</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-2082151919219452772011-09-13T04:30:00.000-05:002011-09-13T04:30:00.153-05:00Cover Real for Obsidian!I'm about to help reveal the cover and blurb of Jennifer L. Armentrout's most recent book, <i>Obsidian</i>! It will be released on December 6, 2011, by Entangled Publishing.<br />
<br />
*drumroll*<br />
And here it is!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bgP6bVnc3U0/Tm6i2cHf7rI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/lvpIOrKNmB0/s1600/get-attachment.aspx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bgP6bVnc3U0/Tm6i2cHf7rI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/lvpIOrKNmB0/s640/get-attachment.aspx" width="420" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote>
<i>Starting over sucks. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, outhouses, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of<i> boring</i>. Until I spotted my hot neighbor with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>And then he opened his mouth. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>The hot alien living next door </i>marked<i> me. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and the mark he left on me has me lit up like Las Vegas strip to the bad guys. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don't kill him first, that is. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>And then things got really bad…</i></blockquote>
<br />
Here's the complete cover (click on it to see it larger:
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bE4OP9m6YKk/Tm6kaajY0lI/AAAAAAAAAVU/2x9mhNv2wR4/s1600/get-attachmentr.aspx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bE4OP9m6YKk/Tm6kaajY0lI/AAAAAAAAAVU/2x9mhNv2wR4/s320/get-attachmentr.aspx" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object ;="" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" height="275" id="countdown" width="185"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" />
<param name="movie" value="http://countdownpage.createyourcountdown.com/countdown.swf?filename=17834a259d3d4f21a1d6f100b015ec93_14915"; />
<param name="quality" value="high" />
<param name="wmode" value="transparent" />
<embed src="http://countdownpage.createyourcountdown.com/countdown.swf?filename=17834a259d3d4f21a1d6f100b015ec93_14915" ; name="countdown" width="185" height="275" wmode="transparent" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="false" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0"; /></object></div>
<br />
Oh, and did I mention that the protagonist is a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;"><b>book blogger</b></span>?Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-17643204874609298422011-09-11T05:30:00.000-05:002011-09-11T11:03:41.659-05:0010th AnniversaryThis little post has absolutely nothing to do with books.<br />
But I feel that it's my obligation as a human.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://up-nights.com/images-3/9-11-01candleangellarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://up-nights.com/images-3/9-11-01candleangellarge.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't have a long story to share. I just want to say that if you, or someone in your family, or a dear friend was affected by what happened ten years ago, my thoughts go out to you all on this day.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-41621780346861399072011-09-10T22:30:00.000-05:002011-09-10T23:05:24.760-05:00In My Mailbox [17]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DQJgx8rLjNQ/TQ6tuREeRTI/AAAAAAAALSw/pIE5DpXMQpI/s1600/mailbox1.jpg" style="display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 225px;" />In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/">The Story Siren</a>, where we share books that we've received.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
On Monday, I went to Borders. It was pretty sad to see all the shelves empty and the cafe gone. But, on the bright side, I got some books!<br />
<br />
<img height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1306722698l/9415946.jpg" width="131" /> <img height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1277224620l/8105542.jpg" width="131" /> <img height="200" src="http://bookgeekreviews.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/9780803731004-l.jpg" width="134" /><br />
I've already read and LOVED <i>Huntress</i> and<i> Invincible Summer</i>. They are both incredibly good books. I haven't read <i>The Red Necklace</i> yet, but it's a historical fiction set during the French Revolution, so I think I'm going to like it!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-45451114263912010872011-09-10T20:37:00.000-05:002011-09-10T21:19:02.119-05:00Cover vs. Cover [11]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm-TNwpSwhI/TdiXUb7Wf_I/AAAAAAAAAOM/UTDiVZNTPYw/s400/untitledghfgfh.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<center><textarea id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="3"><a href="http://asthesepagesfly.blogspot.com/search/label/cover%20vs%20cover"><img border="0" src="http://i53.tinypic.com/i2rthw.jpg"/></a></textarea></center>Cover vs. Cover is a weekly feature, hosted here, where I compare different covers of the same book. For more information, visit the Weekly Features page.<br />
<br />
This week's competing covers are:<br />
<br />
The US Cover The UK Cover<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCBTszY6MraJuDnThArdxFEUsvMaMLmiOk2La5iWIIlIbhWmhC9iF_AlqDc2nIP-UeX50oTJkj0gSwezfTW2M523OyF_9pOC6L3o4N5M8KmmYpvatSekxxQj8ooB5s2F3zleW-CNNFhKT/s1600/deeb.jpg" width="187" /> vs.<imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f7_kPNv-QfT_1EqrJX5Pch6yOvr6e3ix7Wzmrf9w2Pg6ZGBWykX0HnYG4oRPG6UDmq1aPTXJUYPW_RKVZSe0Yp-hq05qBDHLjJeod6njJ9sty0Jn1S9_bKHWDzgKMsIFmzxavjTs4MQ/s1600/10284389.jpg" width="187" /></imageanchor="1"></imageanchor="1"></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I really don't like the US cover, I think it's too generic (then again, I thought the book was too). I didn't see the UK cover up close until just now, and didn't even notice the seaweed curling around the title text, which I like. I also like the sun shining through the ocean, so the UK cover wins this time.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429266976825956196.post-2265116232691965382011-09-09T20:34:00.000-05:002011-09-10T21:17:20.062-05:00Follow Friday [22]<br />
<center><a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/search/label/FF" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4710921228_e3140444bf_o.png" width="214" /></a></center><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">This Week's Question: </span></span>Have you ever wanted a villain to win at the end of a story? If so, which one?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Answer:</span></span><br />
Anne Boleyn from Carolyn Meyer's <i>Doomed Queen Anne</i>.<br />
<br />
Okay, she wasn't really a villain, but she was very selfish and would stop at nothing to become queen. Even so, I couldn't help but root for her throughout the book.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.com16