Hop & Follow Friday! (14)

Happy Friday, lovelies!

This week flew by--and not necessarily for a good reason! My purse was stolen on Tuesday evening at work and my NOOKCOLOR was in it! I feel like I lost an arm or something! Seriously, I have to relearn what life was like before! LOL! Ah well, staying positive and moving on...and it's FRIDAY!!!

TGIF is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger at GReads where she poses a thought-provoking question to prompt some blogger discussion!

This week's question:

Summer Love: Where's your ideal place to take a summer vacation & get lost in a book?

I guess I have two answers to this.  First, my ideal, awesome, super dream summer vacation spot would be this awesome 14th century watermill-turned-vacation cottages in Normandy (France).  There is this small "complex" of cottages that you can rent 1 or more and it is situated on very picturesque land with waterfront view (duh, watermill!).  It looks like a perfect, dreamy location for a relaxing summer getaway with a good book (or 8) and a bottle (or 4) of wine. *sigh* Someday.  My second, more realistic answer, is that I would like to take a vacation to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, where my husband's family used to vacation, and rent a small house on the water for a week or so and just relax with a book.  I'm very much the type of person who likes to kick back and relax away from people on vacation. 

"Follow My Book Blog Friday" is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Parajunkee's View where bloggers make new friends, including this week's featured blogger--Mickey @ I'm a Book Shark!  Pop on over to Parajunkee's blog and join in the follow fun!!  All you have to do is follow the featured blogger, write your own post answering this week's question, and then leave your link!  Oh yeah--and then follow some new peeps!


This week's question:

Q. In light of the Summer Solstice. Also known as Midsummer...let's talk about fairies. What is your favorite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fae?

Ooo...I'll answer both, I think! My favorite fairy tale is Cinderella.  I know, I know--boring answer. I did a project on the Cinderella story for a storytelling class last fall and kind of fell in love with the huge variety of Cinderella stories out there. I love that it is so adaptable and almost every culture has some version of it.  Everyone should check out Vasilisa the Beautiful because it was a really cool version of the story.  In terms of my favorite story that revolves around the fae, I'm a huge fan of Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely books. I was kind of in love with that series not so long ago! I really love Marr's writing--her storytelling is fabulous!

The "Book Blogger Hop" is a weekly bookish meme where you can get to know fellow bloggers! It's generally hosted by Jen @ Crazy for Books, but this week it's hosted by Lori @ Lori's Reading Corner.  Stop by and join in the fun!

This week's question:

When did you realize reading was your passion and a truly important part of your life?

Is it a cop-out to say when I started reading on my own at the age of 5? Seriously, reading has always been that important to me. I actually think I could read a little on my own in pre-school and it's the kind of passion that just grew and grew and grew! I read so much that by 5th grade I had read more books (according to my accelerated reader points--not even ALL the books I read) than anyone else in the entire school. (I got a t-shirt for it!) The local public library made me sign up for adult summer reading when I was 12 because I read too many books otherwise (and then I discovered Danielle Steele and no one stopped me). Reading kind of faded into the background in later high school and college. I didn't stop reading, but I didn't read very much during those years (YA was NOT as prominent then as it is now or I might have continued).  I "rediscovered" my love of reading in my senior year as a way to connect with my students (while I was student teaching) and as a way to escape from the stress of school (and everything else I had on my plate at the time).  Ever since that rediscovery (which I will openly admit began with Twilight at the recommendation of my students), I haven't turned back once!

**I have a real hankering to host a giveaway for my lovely followers! Let's say if I can get to 200 followers today I'll put up a giveaway. Spread the word.**

YA Book Review: Forbidden by Tabith Suzuma

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
© 28 June 2011 by HarperTeen

Goodreads description:

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As de facto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be.

My Thoughts...

*I've purposefully edited part of the description here. This book is probably honestly best if you try to avoid reading too many reviews or descriptions and just let it unfold as you read (and fall in love with the characters).  So, if you're interested, here's my suggestion: stop reading this and go find a copy of this book...and then come back and comment and tell me how much to also LOVED this book (or not). It's almost impossible not to give things away in reviewing this so read on at your own risk! I've tried my best censor myself...but it's not always 100% successful! If you want the full description, click on the Goodreads link above.

This is one of those books that is difficult to describe and review.  The description lets you know from the beginning that this book isn't going to make you comfortable--it's not a "butterflies and bubblegum" kind of story with a fluffy happy ending.  When I picked this one up from Galley Grab, I wasn't sure what to expect from the story.  I mean, my preconceptions of the subject matter of this story had me thinking "Eww! Really? No way can that be anything but disturbing." However, I was WRONG. Suzuma's writing is beautiful.  There were moments when I was disturbed by the situations in the book--but never, NEVER by the love that Lochan and Maya experienced.

Forbidden opens your eyes in a painful way.  It touches your heart.  It makes you think. It makes you cry. There is so much I would like to say here, but I'm going to have to reign myself in so I don't spoil anything for you.  I will say this--go in with an open mind.  I think that Lochan and Maya will surprise you.  I found myself wanting to cheer for their love despite the obstacles (and illegality).  I screamed and cried when they were discovered (and thankfully I was home alone at that point) because it was the most painfully real sex scene and it was incredibly heartbreaking.

Like any book, this one had its minor flaws.  Sometimes I wished Suzuma would show me more than tell me what was going on.  This is a consequence of spending most of the time in the characters' heads with very little active dialogue. However, this didn't stop me from loving this book.  I felt like I knew these two characters inside and out by the time the book was over--their inner thoughts, struggles, desires.

This book obviously isn't for everyone.  If you honestly can't even stomach the idea of the topic of this book, don't read it.  If you're willing to be open-minded and immerse yourself in their world, then you must read this.

*Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab*

Booking Through Thursday (3)

"Booking Through Thursday" is a weekly meme hosted HERE. Be sure to check it out and join in the fun!

This week's question...

What, if any, kind of music do you listen to when you’re reading?
(Given a choice, of course!)

For the most part, I really prefer quiet when I'm reading.  I'm too easily distracted to listen to anything else while I'm reading.  However, I get carsick if I read in the car, and the only (odd) way that I've found to combat that sickness (for those times when I just HAVE to read, lol) is to listen to music through my iPod (a little loudly).  Having the music isolates me, if that makes sense, and allows me to ignore the fact that I'm in a moving vehicle, lol. So, when I'm in the car, there are a couple of different artists/albums that I regularly listen to.

• Gåte, Iseliljia and Jyrgi
• Elis, God's Silence, Devil's Temptation
• Nightwish (basically anything by Nightwish)

What is YOUR reading music of choice?

Waiting on Wednesday (16)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where book bloggers discuss the books that they are most anxiously waiting for! (And this fabulous button was designed by my dear blogger friend Lindsay at The Violet Hour)

This week I'm waiting on...

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

© 12 July 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Description:

Amy Goodnight's family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face.

I stumbled across this book on a giveaway at I Read Banned Books and the cover intrigued me enough that I had to check it out on Goodreads! Sounds like an interesting story! I haven't read a lot of "witch books" (as opposed to "vampire books" or "angel books") so that alone makes it something I would like to pick up and try.

Also, I figured I would combine this post with W.W.W. Wednesdays...so here is some more info about my reading for this week! To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…Grab the logo...and post your link at Should Be Reading!

What are you currently reading? Currently?! Well...many things!

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next? 

What are YOU waiting on this week?

Book Birthday Shout Out! (3)

"Book Birthday Shout Out" is a weekly meme hosted by The Bewitched Bookworms over on their awesome blog.  Be sure to check out which books being release this week your fellow bloggers are super excited about!

This week's Book Birthday Shout Out goes to...

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
© 21 June 2011 by Walker Children's

Goodreads description:

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.  Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

Alyxandra Harvey lives in a stone Victorian house in Ontario, Canada with a few resident ghosts who are allowed to stay as long as they keep company manners. She loves medieval dresses, used to be able to recite all of The Lady of Shalott by Tennyson, and has been accused, more than once, of being born in the wrong century. She believes this to be mostly true except for the fact that she really likes running water, women’s rights, and ice cream.

Among her favourite books are ‘The Wood Wife’ by Terri Windling, ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte, and of course, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen. Elizabeth Bennet is her hero because she’s smart and sassy, and Mr. Darcy is, well, yum.
Aside from the ghosts, she also lives with husband and their dogs. She likes cinnamon lattes, tattoos and books

.I think this one sounds fabulous! Ghost/haunting stories have started to catch my eye as I wear myself thin on a number of other "types" of stories. (Also, I loved Hereafter by Tara Hudson, so that may have started it) I was also lucky enough to get a place on the I Read Banned Books ARC tour for this one and I'm still anxiously patiently waiting my turn!

Other "Book Birthdays" this week...

 

Whose "Book Birthday" are you celebrating this week?

Tween Tuesday: Cinder & Ella Blog Tour

Cinder & Ella by Melissa Lemon
© 8 November 2011 by Bonneville Books

Goodreads description:

After their father’s disappearance, Cinder leaves home for a servant job at the castle. But it isn’t long before her sister Ella is brought to the castle herself—the most dangerous place in all the kingdom for both her and Cinder. Cinder and Ella is a Cinderella story like no other and one you'll never forget.

My Thoughts...

I don't think that I would be alone if I admitted to being nervous about reading classic fairy tale retellings. It's hard to expect something entirely new and each time we open one we mentally prepare for a simple retelling that adds basic twists - a new setting (time or place), for example.  However, Melissa Lemon has taken the story of Cinderella, one we all know and love, and turned it on its head.  Cinder & Ella is NOT just Cinderella...it is a whole new spin on this classic fairy tale.


Cinder & Ella puts a new dark twist on the fairy tale.  First and foremost, we are presented with a single family--mother, father, and 4 sisters.  No step-sisters or evil step-mother here.  On top of that, there is no Cinderella per se; instead we have two sisters in her place - Cinder and Ella (hence the title).  When the family's father disappears, things begin to fall apart.  The girls' mother falls into what appears to almost be a somewhat catatonic state where she does nothing but sit at her spinning wheel and, well, spin.  The oldest daughter, Katrina, and the youngest daughter, Beatrice, are virtually useless while Cinder bears the brunt of the work with help from the mild-mannered Ella.

I don't want to give anything away about this one because I thought it was such a unique take on the Cinderella story! It was a much darker version of the story with interesting fantasy plot elements from the original story (i.e. the tree) woven in.  If the names were different, you may not even recognize the story as Cinderella.  There is love and loss and the hero-prince of the Cinderella you know is, well, clearly absent. Melissa Lemon has deftly created a dark, spell-binding tale of good and evil and of the strength of faith, family, and friends to triumph in the end.

Be sure to check out more of the Cinder & Ella Blog Tour!