tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10278831877511999352024-02-20T12:12:50.973+01:00The Turn of the PageHildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-52535786855739253902014-07-29T17:08:00.003+02:002014-07-29T17:08:50.390+02:00Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I Own the Most<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s1600/toptentuesday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s320/toptentuesday2.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><br /></i><i>Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature / weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/">The Broke and the Bookish</a>. Each week we make a top ten list from a given topic.</i><br />
<br />
This week's TTT topis is:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Top Ten Authors I Own the Most Books From</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Note: I'm not counting my e-books here, because they are terribly disorganised and I have no overview of them. Also, these are mostly going to be series.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9mICd9EPUpK_abrrmvtvyRzelxDQBUt0MeN_HnIvN4f5CwAohBwH8ociWp702Kp-N4v1UjLUopxJZBfj0pG4QLt6mnD9hQAlkoDsdsDWsgHuw4LxpqT3_0ltLE95Dg11OMuXNrvCKSU/s1600/2014-07-11+20.16.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9mICd9EPUpK_abrrmvtvyRzelxDQBUt0MeN_HnIvN4f5CwAohBwH8ociWp702Kp-N4v1UjLUopxJZBfj0pG4QLt6mnD9hQAlkoDsdsDWsgHuw4LxpqT3_0ltLE95Dg11OMuXNrvCKSU/s1600/2014-07-11+20.16.02.jpg" height="180" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>1. Clive Cussler (23 books)</b><br /><i>The entire Dirk Pitt series, including Dirk Pitt Revealed.</i><br />
I haven't read the last 8 books in the series, but I've been collecting the series for so long now that I can't stop buying the new ones as they come out.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Neil Gaiman (10 books)</b><br /><i>American Gods, Anansi Boys, Fragile Things, Smoke and Mirrors, Neverwhere, Stardust, Coraline & Other Stories, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, The Graveyard Book, Good Omens</i><br />
Gaiman is one of my all-time favourite authors and I'm slowly collecting all of his books.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Rosamunde Pilcher (10 books)</b><br />
<i>Winter Solstice, The Shell Seekers, Sleeping Tiger, The Empty House, The Blue Bedroom and Other Stories, bind-up of Voices in Summer and The Carousel, bind-up of Snow in April, Wild Mountain Thyme and Flowers in the Rain and Other Stories</i><br />
Pilcher is my go-to author for comfort books. I've recently started collecting the new editions of all her books, because the ones I have don't match at all, and the new ones are so pretty.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Scott Mariani (9 books)</b><br />
<i>The complete Ben Hope series (I also have the 2 e-novellas).</i><br />
<br />
<b>5. J.K. Rowling (8 books)</b><br />
<i>The Harry Potter series + The Tales of Beedle the Bard.</i><br />
<br />
<b>6. Cornelia Funke (6 books)</b><br />
<i>Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath, Reckless, Dragon Rider, The Thief Lord</i><br />
I adore Funke's books; they're full of magic and adventure. I'm particularly fond of my editions of the Inkheart trilogy, as you may have seen on the blog lately. :)<br />
<br />
<b>7. Jostein Gaarder (6 books)</b><br />
<i>Sophie's World, The Solitaire Mystery, The Orange Girl, The Christmas Mystery, The Ringmaster's Daughter, Through a Glass Darkly</i><br />
Gaarder has been my favourite author for many years, and these are still some of my very favourite books.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Richard Hammond (5 books)</b><br />
<i>On the Edge: My Story, Or Is That Just Me?, As You Do, On the Road: Growing Up in 8 Journeys, A Short History of Caravans in the UK</i><br />
Hammond is a cutie-pie, and his autobiographies are very entertaining.<br />
<br />
<b>9. Philippa Gregory (4 books)</b><br />
<i>The Other Boleyn Girl, The Boleyn Inheritance, The Queen's Fool, The Virgin's Lover</i><br />
<br />
<b>10. Catherine Fisher (4 books)</b><br />
<i>Incarceron, Sapphique, The Obsidian Mirror, The Box of Red Brocade</i><br />
<br />
For 4 books I could also have mentioned J.R.R. Tolkien, Tamara McKinley, Diana Wynne Jones, Douglas Adams, and probably a few others. Then of course I own a lot of old Nancy Drew books by Carolyn Keene, but I don't know exactly how many, and since Keene technically is several authors, I decided to leave her out.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-11562085640242870582014-07-04T15:41:00.000+02:002014-07-04T15:41:00.341+02:00PSA: TTOTP is on Tumblr!If anyone is on Tumblr, I've made a companion blog to The Turn of the Page. It's mostly for reblogging pretty pictures of books, quotes and other bookish things, and I'm also participating in Book and Cupcakes' <a href="http://books-cupcakes.tumblr.com/post/90020002153">July book photo challenge</a>. Reviews, memes and all the other regular stuff will still be here, Tumblr is just for fun. :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://turn-of-the-page.tumblr.com/">Check it out</a> if you want!Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-48773115223618797802014-06-30T11:15:00.000+02:002014-06-30T11:15:41.055+02:00It's Monday, What Are You Reading?<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiARFJdsQim_wKvw_7REPX3AJXlY1gNwiFssg1Yuu-pyzT_TcGN2HXe8yfqGlA-ki5ynk3V1pknFUBsMp0jHF0UicrOQwQJUfb0njqIoOJX3v7S1rIvhimn1CINwosWUCEqhM2KGjbAn8/s1600/mondayreading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiARFJdsQim_wKvw_7REPX3AJXlY1gNwiFssg1Yuu-pyzT_TcGN2HXe8yfqGlA-ki5ynk3V1pknFUBsMp0jHF0UicrOQwQJUfb0njqIoOJX3v7S1rIvhimn1CINwosWUCEqhM2KGjbAn8/s200/mondayreading.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a><i> </i></div>
<i>It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at <a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/">Book Journey</a>. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">READ LATELY</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdjLa1hF5c4kB-tojdO6CHRC4hSXryoc93cG_G48iVXrBXV-JMfIlqxzaYwYFRrldlEWpclitjH3NEfUACFfRaswrwGVCXfT1vnDI6E-gJO6F92LA9fP-W1gEN93vrR9oEbSYaPQ6ibE/s1600/redseas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdjLa1hF5c4kB-tojdO6CHRC4hSXryoc93cG_G48iVXrBXV-JMfIlqxzaYwYFRrldlEWpclitjH3NEfUACFfRaswrwGVCXfT1vnDI6E-gJO6F92LA9fP-W1gEN93vrR9oEbSYaPQ6ibE/s1600/redseas.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vJV2R3khXfivialW461t-PBT4Fte2iFMT5-bRxp3UPX7Ar3XbROk7du4K8ZyuJMS2tMzId5hxHpl7UjvrsL2Gc751mtAYJqiopJ50vQiEnUdHCsfQsejLbvZ9UaNugddIYzPp7Zi6VI/s1600/bringhimback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vJV2R3khXfivialW461t-PBT4Fte2iFMT5-bRxp3UPX7Ar3XbROk7du4K8ZyuJMS2tMzId5hxHpl7UjvrsL2Gc751mtAYJqiopJ50vQiEnUdHCsfQsejLbvZ9UaNugddIYzPp7Zi6VI/s1600/bringhimback.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA5iPD4bwwO9plCSW1gqW0g0TRiQNnt5mqHU18xX8yvN0N-V-YLfnK11gJxZgwn8hUIm1CxMe0_nk-YuyjFbmcbMpPEPhqWImyv1CRtLb6PSbvzjxdBNfiEXq3k0AdvEDVYtXX_eIuPA/s1600/theoceanattheend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA5iPD4bwwO9plCSW1gqW0g0TRiQNnt5mqHU18xX8yvN0N-V-YLfnK11gJxZgwn8hUIm1CxMe0_nk-YuyjFbmcbMpPEPhqWImyv1CRtLb6PSbvzjxdBNfiEXq3k0AdvEDVYtXX_eIuPA/s1600/theoceanattheend.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGZp1SBWppga7n_DagM51u9TIm8VoOX6eM0LytXBOfufbWTaLlMqc3xrXKMywGynrqyG6cHqliBbV0kMczx4U0qOb7wKRc7oDU8h4seiOtMlbJb2Cz8eHDxMaB5-m7T71ZxbigVAHoVc/s1600/thoseleftbehind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGZp1SBWppga7n_DagM51u9TIm8VoOX6eM0LytXBOfufbWTaLlMqc3xrXKMywGynrqyG6cHqliBbV0kMczx4U0qOb7wKRc7oDU8h4seiOtMlbJb2Cz8eHDxMaB5-m7T71ZxbigVAHoVc/s1600/thoseleftbehind.jpg" height="200" style="cursor: move;" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIirTQt2VCQiz1-mRsBUTbXABDk2aY5KsOv08zaeUCF39fIPImWaTjyk0POGNy7FQsauIueQj88eOcR-ChphGyUH67Xh3PtB8F2IPjg1-f-iabdJ5ju8AcRsDm1ebg_oktHmPpOjcKUrI/s1600/inkheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIirTQt2VCQiz1-mRsBUTbXABDk2aY5KsOv08zaeUCF39fIPImWaTjyk0POGNy7FQsauIueQj88eOcR-ChphGyUH67Xh3PtB8F2IPjg1-f-iabdJ5ju8AcRsDm1ebg_oktHmPpOjcKUrI/s1600/inkheart.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/887877.Red_Seas_Under_Red_Skies">Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch</a></b><br />
Guys, this book. I have no words. It's incredible. Locke and Jean are such amazing characters, and the plot is so full of twists and turns, you never know what's going to happen next. I was laughing, I was crying, I was at the edge of my seat and biting my nails ... in short, I loved it. I know I keep saying this, but you need to read the Gentleman Bastard series. Best fantasy series ever.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20359470-bring-him-back">Bring Him Back by Scott Mariani</a></b><br />
This is another prequel novella to the Ben Hope thriller series. It's fun reading about a young Hope and finding out what made him who he is today, but as always I wish these novellas were longer.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18744618-the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane"><b>The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This was the first book off my <a href="http://turn-of-the-page.blogspot.no/2014/06/top-ten-tuesday-summer-tbr-list.html">summer TBR list</a>. You can see <a href="http://turn-of-the-page.blogspot.no/2014/06/thoughts-on-ocean-at-end-of-lane.html">what I thought of it here</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/133765.Serenity">Serenity: Those Left Behind by Joss Whedon, Brett Matthews and Will Conrad</a></b><br />
This is a graphic novel based on the brilliant but gone-too-soon TV series <i>Firefly</i>. The story is set in between the show and the movie <i>Serenity</i>. It was nice to visit that universe again, even in comic book format.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7306417-inkheart">Inkheart by Cornelia Funke</a></b><br />
I have already read the first two books in the Inkheart trilogy, but I wanted to reread them before picking up the last book. This is a wonderful story about 12-year-old Meggie who loves books. Her father can read characters out of books but this is a dangerous ability to have.</div>
</div>
<br />
<b>Goodreads challenge status:</b> Read 22 of 35 books – 5 books ahead of schedule.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">CURRENTLY READING</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmRSLQFUR4Slbv78kGsxxHJYEXocE2sLTR8yGC9MIEqzsqvPV7mbFBLirNUhA8bXyKsyVXp9B_E4E7Y85Rsh7RRuqoKKbdUeF1CIYnJlbgzFgX4_u_V6bpt5bYLhRJcSHZumN1Og3uU0/s1600/inkspell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmRSLQFUR4Slbv78kGsxxHJYEXocE2sLTR8yGC9MIEqzsqvPV7mbFBLirNUhA8bXyKsyVXp9B_E4E7Y85Rsh7RRuqoKKbdUeF1CIYnJlbgzFgX4_u_V6bpt5bYLhRJcSHZumN1Og3uU0/s1600/inkspell.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've started the second book in the Inkheart trilogy, <i>Inkspell</i> by Cornelia Funke. I've never read a series back to back before, I always break it up with other books in between, so it will be an interesting experience.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">WHAT'S NEXT</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUfxqhyphenhyphenE8ONcNEfHh-8pUcHjvKmG9VST1dJPOfrq1ccBRarGdOwGrKv0T7JDeS9Uq5F5tGp4lq4hOpa5SOiiwSt9IXbNCr-ufidw69q3j6BEWkGPBvBgSOJBUdwRDQZYWZoJ0rLevtc8/s1600/inkdeath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUfxqhyphenhyphenE8ONcNEfHh-8pUcHjvKmG9VST1dJPOfrq1ccBRarGdOwGrKv0T7JDeS9Uq5F5tGp4lq4hOpa5SOiiwSt9IXbNCr-ufidw69q3j6BEWkGPBvBgSOJBUdwRDQZYWZoJ0rLevtc8/s1600/inkdeath.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a></div>
<br />
Next I will pick up <i>Inkdeath</i>, the last book in the trilogy. I can't wait to see how it all ends. After that I'll probably choose another from my <a href="http://turn-of-the-page.blogspot.no/2014/06/top-ten-tuesday-summer-tbr-list.html">summer TBR list</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
<b>What are you reading this week?</b></h3>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-15726490358172320022014-06-26T22:08:00.000+02:002014-06-26T22:08:16.283+02:00Thoughts on The Ocean at the End of the Lane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA5iPD4bwwO9plCSW1gqW0g0TRiQNnt5mqHU18xX8yvN0N-V-YLfnK11gJxZgwn8hUIm1CxMe0_nk-YuyjFbmcbMpPEPhqWImyv1CRtLb6PSbvzjxdBNfiEXq3k0AdvEDVYtXX_eIuPA/s1600/theoceanattheend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA5iPD4bwwO9plCSW1gqW0g0TRiQNnt5mqHU18xX8yvN0N-V-YLfnK11gJxZgwn8hUIm1CxMe0_nk-YuyjFbmcbMpPEPhqWImyv1CRtLb6PSbvzjxdBNfiEXq3k0AdvEDVYtXX_eIuPA/s1600/theoceanattheend.jpg" height="400" width="247" /></a></div>
<b style="font-size: x-large;">The Ocean at the End of the Lane</b><br />
By Neil Gaiman<br />
<br />
<b>First published:</b> January 2013<br />
<b>Read:</b> 18-21 June 2014<br />
<b>Format:</b> Paperback<br />
<br />
<b>Book online:</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21819191-coin-heist">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JAGN4JO">Amazon</a><br />
<b>Author online:</b> <a href="http://www.elisaludwig.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ElisaLudwigYA">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElisaLudwigYA">Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<b>Description</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; outline: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; line-height: 19.31999969482422px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It began for our narrator forty years ago when the family lodger stole their car and committed suicide in it, stirring up ancient powers best left undisturbed. Dark creatures from beyond the world are on the loose, and it will take everything our narrator has just to stay alive: there is primal horror here, and menace unleashed - within his family and from the forces that have gathered to destroy it. His only defense is three women, on a farm at the end of the lane. The youngest of them claims that her duckpond is an ocean. The oldest can remember the Big Bang. THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE is a fable that reshapes modern fantasy: moving, terrifying and elegiac - as pure as a dream, as delicate as a butterfly's wing, as dangerous as a knife in the dark. (Goodreads)</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My thoughts</b></span><br />
<br />
I adore Neil Gaiman. In addition to being a very inspirational and witty man, his stories are pure magic, and even the ones I don't care too much for (like <i>American Gods</i>) are so imaginative and compelling that I can't help but admire them. I'm not sure what I expected from <i>The Ocean...</i>, but whatever it was, the book was nothing like it, in the best way possible.<br />
<br />
It's very hard to describe what it's about - on the most basic level it's about a grown man reminiscing about certain events from his childhood - but that summary doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. There is magic, evil, friendship, monsters, and cats; and it raises the question, are any of our memories truly real? In the end I think it might be better to read it knowing as little as possible and just go where the story takes you.<br />
<br />
Gaiman's writing is, as always, flawless. It's so lyrical and beautiful, and it almost has a rhythm to it; it washes over you in waves and it's like you're floating along on the words. It probably sounds weird, but it's hard to explain. His writing just <i>moves</i> me.<br />
<br />
So, is this my favourite Neil Gaiman book? Not at all. Is it in any way exceptional? By no means. But it is a story that will stay with me, because I was a child once too.<br />
<br />
<b>Bottom line: </b>A beautiful, haunting and touching story about childhood memories and ... Oh, nevermind, it's Neil Gaiman. Read it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My rating:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp539nFSFGSar0HbGtYJQhYqoTVFr4_qll6F5FjyWkHytOwyvWefG12KmZSARDAZtLiXuc7foysXsvqWKitvL9zQGXlJzdVOoqhJZsobXN7VOYzZyHIa8sef0hwOfytLJVyDPEo5JN2rI/s1600/terning5small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp539nFSFGSar0HbGtYJQhYqoTVFr4_qll6F5FjyWkHytOwyvWefG12KmZSARDAZtLiXuc7foysXsvqWKitvL9zQGXlJzdVOoqhJZsobXN7VOYzZyHIa8sef0hwOfytLJVyDPEo5JN2rI/s1600/terning5small.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-21393226271155270202014-06-17T10:33:00.000+02:002014-06-17T10:33:00.544+02:00Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s1600/toptentuesday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s320/toptentuesday2.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><br /></i><i>Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature / weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/">The Broke and the Bookish</a>. Each week we make a top ten list from a given topic.</i><br />
<br />
This week's TTT topis is:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR List</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
I'm a mood reader, so I usually don't plan what I'm going to read next until I'm done with my current book, but this year I want to try and stick to a summer reading list as much as possible. These are all books I've wanted to read for a while; some old, some new and some rereads.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc_KmnN3wJf5G2iyq1tIfX_uOPdyZFK8TbYFWtH5qqqTTd56V8KqDr-vA8HRfdIRa93zVEtpG2fs3ezW2qUHhqpr6-sWRXtKVH9ZSMAAXrQ5oqZyNUoMgPasucMYfeNRrKB7FobnDKtE/s1600/inkheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc_KmnN3wJf5G2iyq1tIfX_uOPdyZFK8TbYFWtH5qqqTTd56V8KqDr-vA8HRfdIRa93zVEtpG2fs3ezW2qUHhqpr6-sWRXtKVH9ZSMAAXrQ5oqZyNUoMgPasucMYfeNRrKB7FobnDKtE/s1600/inkheart.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahxGRZihHmd_uyuc-LNlAQD5-IG8Z6kmU8pQ1csK_AQ65656SLYtR3vAZYrdaWKi7rZbZbmhDcL8lrmvWTUDhzgTz9MVe-Se4ejlbvnZEFN6dGKt7hybEY2Uzaw1jKF4HGMcAJqPKrF8/s1600/inkspell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahxGRZihHmd_uyuc-LNlAQD5-IG8Z6kmU8pQ1csK_AQ65656SLYtR3vAZYrdaWKi7rZbZbmhDcL8lrmvWTUDhzgTz9MVe-Se4ejlbvnZEFN6dGKt7hybEY2Uzaw1jKF4HGMcAJqPKrF8/s1600/inkspell.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6djfXptwpyqb8IH59DM2TGEzwMBs31NyhaI69t-Lq9JRKKZztYWhFHwwz_spNDRO04oDi0-CGK_AR2g1-9Ue2g-mZfTB5cyqpke6GO6p-Si3o5NaanjMcC5FML0QpwTIKGgKEsfj2uY/s1600/inkdeath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6djfXptwpyqb8IH59DM2TGEzwMBs31NyhaI69t-Lq9JRKKZztYWhFHwwz_spNDRO04oDi0-CGK_AR2g1-9Ue2g-mZfTB5cyqpke6GO6p-Si3o5NaanjMcC5FML0QpwTIKGgKEsfj2uY/s1600/inkdeath.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>1. Inkheart / Inkspell / Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke</b><br />
I've already read the first two books in the trilogy and loved them, but it's been a few years and I want to binge read the whole series. (Don't you just love those covers?)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmoeKZDJMsOLnXNrFvDtZkQndd6JNoDq3GBZrDqtaxGD7vfXcsfN7FgViFSNGbUkaJOFfA_U2CIEYzMufWbpebdtRxpxx8VYagrh41J_nd34_WyPnNCX1Gm5QrpJGXVz3lD6iasSzfSE/s1600/thenemesisprogram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmoeKZDJMsOLnXNrFvDtZkQndd6JNoDq3GBZrDqtaxGD7vfXcsfN7FgViFSNGbUkaJOFfA_U2CIEYzMufWbpebdtRxpxx8VYagrh41J_nd34_WyPnNCX1Gm5QrpJGXVz3lD6iasSzfSE/s1600/thenemesisprogram.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>2. The Nemesis Program by Scott Mariani</b><br />
This is the latest installment in the Ben Hope series. It just came out and I can't wait to read it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcB6U0RCJK-zw7N4ltVg861ThsNBkIc3uZ6lN6W2GhZNdAjw1KbeJIX6o1LyMB7c6EhnDXC4iXPyEN3jKihuWQP-iLhO8es8p4gdQEJfe99V-3bJQytauRB3tifAj2GoHMlywNxuf1J4/s1600/neverwhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcB6U0RCJK-zw7N4ltVg861ThsNBkIc3uZ6lN6W2GhZNdAjw1KbeJIX6o1LyMB7c6EhnDXC4iXPyEN3jKihuWQP-iLhO8es8p4gdQEJfe99V-3bJQytauRB3tifAj2GoHMlywNxuf1J4/s1600/neverwhere.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>3. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman</b><br />
This is my favourite Gaiman book and one of my favourite books of all time, and lately I've been craving a reread.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKnYuGdzr5bpMjuPJTK3kdlZhqF23Eov-JoKzWjwsuMfOTwW1ozcAgG1LlvL3QxRkKpcH-1FvGwh37J10OKbWvHtpDM6BV3KCgjThxixNDLO-kb26e9ZO_3sHX5aUaVwMv_feNuJx4Cw/s1600/theoceanattheend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKnYuGdzr5bpMjuPJTK3kdlZhqF23Eov-JoKzWjwsuMfOTwW1ozcAgG1LlvL3QxRkKpcH-1FvGwh37J10OKbWvHtpDM6BV3KCgjThxixNDLO-kb26e9ZO_3sHX5aUaVwMv_feNuJx4Cw/s1600/theoceanattheend.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>4. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman</b><br />
I also want to read Gaiman's newest book. I'm very excited, because it's Gaiman, you know?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVk3pnpGBPGjIOm-x5qAgHcypYpE1K_qJjifKw-WTlS7XLqIwfZnmsSpI5I1CzxLjBDepAYzG2d_Qnm_cFgEdO93pSNBv6saX2iGkzVs7K1pzwQr8UjBa6-kBq9WzsVDlfPLOXXhR022M/s1600/cityofbones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVk3pnpGBPGjIOm-x5qAgHcypYpE1K_qJjifKw-WTlS7XLqIwfZnmsSpI5I1CzxLjBDepAYzG2d_Qnm_cFgEdO93pSNBv6saX2iGkzVs7K1pzwQr8UjBa6-kBq9WzsVDlfPLOXXhR022M/s1600/cityofbones.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>5. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare</b><br />
I've been thinking about starting this series for quite a while but never got around to it. Now that all the books are out (aren't they?) I'm finally ready to see what all the fuss is about.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf0YSfoOQuvak08_6ojjHBDyjoBBnSuokT9Tklem5H6KEFZAnllqqXTKGWhuh9HJpROozNFBSGMuU04TPxbT-m07OUhRjj2koMLevZcpHaIo33pBGv7q3yI2SoddTSm41ZeLYw1G9AiQ/s1600/theangelsgame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf0YSfoOQuvak08_6ojjHBDyjoBBnSuokT9Tklem5H6KEFZAnllqqXTKGWhuh9HJpROozNFBSGMuU04TPxbT-m07OUhRjj2koMLevZcpHaIo33pBGv7q3yI2SoddTSm41ZeLYw1G9AiQ/s1600/theangelsgame.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>6. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón</b><br />
I loved The Shadow of the Wind when I read it years ago, and I really want to experience Zafón's beautiful writing again. Plus, this is a long overdue library book so I should probably get to it soon. ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-34DARAgNkEnDTydJzJjX2NLqe2HemmY1aO6HtsGakxcUVEk8QdOTYBjH2bMC1HR1SqTczUOuXwx4hx5J_7FR81GZWnyE9WLdttZS1XAFcYc7uwwwZLhSHTAyYS_A5qxCIywho8ZRfv4/s1600/daughterofsmokeandbone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-34DARAgNkEnDTydJzJjX2NLqe2HemmY1aO6HtsGakxcUVEk8QdOTYBjH2bMC1HR1SqTczUOuXwx4hx5J_7FR81GZWnyE9WLdttZS1XAFcYc7uwwwZLhSHTAyYS_A5qxCIywho8ZRfv4/s1600/daughterofsmokeandbone.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>7. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor</b><br />
I've heard so many good things about this book and I'm really excited to read it. If I like it, I'll probably read the rest of the trilogy right away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZRmap81kFMjvmwQrPuo1CCkEg8KSG0CYOAVWTmTNYWU7eNRdxtJVRrl0E0tmz-4-k_370AIZrIHxDXBLFKWf5qQHpqyjnZw9yhvqIPHq9xRwLd1xKBzGqpPk4mCtabI93V-pyLqHw6o/s1600/ontheroad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZRmap81kFMjvmwQrPuo1CCkEg8KSG0CYOAVWTmTNYWU7eNRdxtJVRrl0E0tmz-4-k_370AIZrIHxDXBLFKWf5qQHpqyjnZw9yhvqIPHq9xRwLd1xKBzGqpPk4mCtabI93V-pyLqHw6o/s1600/ontheroad.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>8. On the Road by Richard Hammond</b><br />
I just love Richard Hammond, okay? While his best book is said to be On the Edge, I'm just not ready to read about the horrible car crash he was in, so I'm aiming for this autobiography about his early years instead.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCNjIo_znQymAByFStV0AKVHirHp9uGY1FiizLDaqghGgLMcbUfcJm8OK4vs1VDM3qX1xw1wyr8Z-CVH-k91XIncmzIcFknkhwg7W6nry_FGffe12cja7E6rJGcyf-mafP9-gVPym2-E/s1600/gardenspells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCNjIo_znQymAByFStV0AKVHirHp9uGY1FiizLDaqghGgLMcbUfcJm8OK4vs1VDM3qX1xw1wyr8Z-CVH-k91XIncmzIcFknkhwg7W6nry_FGffe12cja7E6rJGcyf-mafP9-gVPym2-E/s1600/gardenspells.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>9. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen</b><br />
Sarah's books are perfect for long, light summer nights. I adored The Girl Who Chased the Moon and The Sugar Queen, and I've been saving this for a while because I want to savour it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAsCfNXdtaSUoo4Y3ANi5YJ_zY7S_NrdW4s01CAq-WTF1fUXDi4qKws7Z8gs9Xg7LAqwl3_UlHD9QhmET1GQCh1Po3mA591XDYom2llw6bjHw6JXUP_1f2UsSCNE83sP1IQAcX4j6bZ0/s1600/endofenemies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAsCfNXdtaSUoo4Y3ANi5YJ_zY7S_NrdW4s01CAq-WTF1fUXDi4qKws7Z8gs9Xg7LAqwl3_UlHD9QhmET1GQCh1Po3mA591XDYom2llw6bjHw6JXUP_1f2UsSCNE83sP1IQAcX4j6bZ0/s1600/endofenemies.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>10. End of Enemies by Grant Blackwood</b><br />
When I've read The Nemesis Program I won't have any more Ben Hope books to read for quite a while, so I need another thriller series to fill the gap. This one sounds interesting.<br />
<br />
<b>What is on your summer TBR list?</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-78397463333489744222014-06-11T00:39:00.000+02:002014-06-11T00:39:58.352+02:00Thoughts on Coin Heist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VKlx-Gfz38jCwriFkJjz7Hz61lRuYKSD4azEprMiw6IEutExsRmPetnq2wMMvMydWJtmQ7rB05DfUfmgmZ22pUv66JvrB8zkxjBcyLGfC8Xw2e5fm_b6UKLIeaKrngVl6BufePGi7ek/s1600/coinheist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VKlx-Gfz38jCwriFkJjz7Hz61lRuYKSD4azEprMiw6IEutExsRmPetnq2wMMvMydWJtmQ7rB05DfUfmgmZ22pUv66JvrB8zkxjBcyLGfC8Xw2e5fm_b6UKLIeaKrngVl6BufePGi7ek/s1600/coinheist.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Coin Heist</b><br />
By Elisa Ludwig<br />
<br />
<b>First published:</b> 10 June 2014 by Adaptive Studios<br />
<b>Read:</b> 13-20 May 2014<br />
<b>Format:</b> E-book<br />
<br />
<b>Book online:</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21819191-coin-heist">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JAGN4JO">Amazon</a><br />
<b>Author online:</b> <a href="http://www.elisaludwig.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ElisaLudwigYA">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElisaLudwigYA">Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<b><i>I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley</i></b><br />
<br />
<b>Description</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; outline: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last place you’d expect to find a team of criminals is at a prestigious Philadelphia prep school. But on a class trip to the U.S. Mint—which prints a million new coins every 30 minutes—an overlooked security flaw becomes far too tempting for a small group of students to ignore. United by dire circumstances, these unlikely allies—the slacker, the nerd, the athlete, and the “perfect” student—band together to attempt the impossible: rob the U.S. Mint. This diverse crew is forced to confront their true beliefs about each other and themselves as they do the wrong thing for the right reasons.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; outline: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; outline: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="outline: none;">Coin Heist </i>is a dynamic young adult caper told from the revolving perspectives of four teens, each with their own motive for committing a crime that could change all of their lives for the better—that is, if they can pull it off. (NetGalley)</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My thoughts</b></span><br />
<br />
If you know me, you'll know that I can't resist a book or movie with the word "heist" in the title, so I was thrilled when I got a chance to read this story.<br />
<br />
The book is centered around four main characters who all go to the same posh high school. We have Alice, the nerd; Jason, the slacker; Dakota, the princess; and Benny, the scholarship kid. When the principle, who is also Jason's father, gambles away the school's money, the school is in danger of closing. That is when our four unlikely allies come up with a plan to raise the money and save the school: hack into the U.S. Mint and print their own money.<br />
<br />
This was a quick and fun read. Each chapter is told from one of the four students' perspective, so we get to know what each one is thinking. It soon becomes apparent that while they seem like the usual high school stereotypes on the outside, each of them have their own struggles to deal with that no one else knows about. I was a bit worried that the alternating perspectives would disrupt the pace of the story, but it flowed nicely. However I didn't think their different voices were very distinct, so a couple of times I got a little confused as to who was actually telling the story but not enough to throw me off track.<br />
<br />
Personally I wish the heist itself had been more elaborate - I think the execution seemed a little too easy, and the resolution to everything was very convenient. But that's okay, because the story is more character-driven anyway. I liked all the main characters and felt sympathetic towards them, and I really enjoyed seeing how the relationships between them developed.<br />
<br />
<b>Bottom line:</b> A fun and exciting heist story for fans of Ally Carter's <i>Heist Society</i>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My rating:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYFdOdCq8_XmmuXFt-MIVZpJlyWERclugSUCUnhyQms9vrHPcpHHUKORR4-anano95aqHSPIYE7DAi6cUwZZZleaUzPkPjtst_pLaWXTuuej5foSIEgtHfNciwhaoa59tL9scXpY2Ve8/s1600/terning4small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYFdOdCq8_XmmuXFt-MIVZpJlyWERclugSUCUnhyQms9vrHPcpHHUKORR4-anano95aqHSPIYE7DAi6cUwZZZleaUzPkPjtst_pLaWXTuuej5foSIEgtHfNciwhaoa59tL9scXpY2Ve8/s1600/terning4small.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-4604541500103897182014-06-10T13:06:00.001+02:002014-06-10T13:06:31.778+02:00Top Ten Tuesday: Read So Far This Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s1600/toptentuesday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s320/toptentuesday2.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><br /></i><i>Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature / weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/">The Broke and the Bookish</a>. Each week we make a top ten list from a given topic.</i><br />
<br />
This week's TTT topis is:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Top <strike>Ten</strike> Seven Books I've Read So Far This Year</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
I don't really have a proper top ten, because I've only read 17 books so far this year, and I only gave two of them 5 stars on Goodreads. In addition some of my 4-star reads were novellas and I've decided they don't count. So, you get a top seven instead. :)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgcv6_HiZykIrLZEHlM04KeKzeiJM0k64x6Xt9fQRn-KH637GeJW7z5Ktm6naOEgXGXFRsY3f3i7PymcxVsW6C2sWLoPS8LyAL2uYAd5GrosRTal448GRWyBaXc-7n8cQa6DcVaStHaM/s1600/wheredyougobernadette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgcv6_HiZykIrLZEHlM04KeKzeiJM0k64x6Xt9fQRn-KH637GeJW7z5Ktm6naOEgXGXFRsY3f3i7PymcxVsW6C2sWLoPS8LyAL2uYAd5GrosRTal448GRWyBaXc-7n8cQa6DcVaStHaM/s1600/wheredyougobernadette.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>1. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple</b><br />
I aboslutely adored this book; it's totally unique, funny, and heart-warming (<a href="http://turn-of-the-page.blogspot.no/2014/01/thoughts-on-whered-you-go-bernadette.html">read my review</a>).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIccOIwQWu1Vhvww0obBg9zYCELgOzCCVkbNZ9ijqkfpapq5y2JHZ-gnRhhLiVaaJRawSG6nmh8zmzWk7_iV39xUVeIyQbLw14ucPKOA3dQBQVUcSjUsunVGRnjGxVRK6ZptfmvUunr8/s1600/fangirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIccOIwQWu1Vhvww0obBg9zYCELgOzCCVkbNZ9ijqkfpapq5y2JHZ-gnRhhLiVaaJRawSG6nmh8zmzWk7_iV39xUVeIyQbLw14ucPKOA3dQBQVUcSjUsunVGRnjGxVRK6ZptfmvUunr8/s1600/fangirl.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell</b><br />
This was such a cute book! I loved the characters and felt like I could relate to Cath on many levels.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzfwVRff9v6C-o8YutlITpuvDlmOW-2bgezgfSQwKWvjmla6XqAHThL1skbgmaFk2TZltQbuMyEkO964i-ysTWjm0CI5xAH0Bq16a72Kxf1gp3Y_4NEVgN2wDSVF27J3Rn4JJOgips2c/s1600/harrypotter7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzfwVRff9v6C-o8YutlITpuvDlmOW-2bgezgfSQwKWvjmla6XqAHThL1skbgmaFk2TZltQbuMyEkO964i-ysTWjm0CI5xAH0Bq16a72Kxf1gp3Y_4NEVgN2wDSVF27J3Rn4JJOgips2c/s1600/harrypotter7.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling</b><br />
I finally finished the Harry Potter series. Yes, I cried.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7OEr6ykwXJ56l2S5KhsdFZY3unYG-NBrUT2ps2cC130g1pcerqM5P_FFd7USen7Y80I5YcMu3CwIJjVsjNXqBi_x541Sxo-OIS0OAU6Lw0g96bbTB24cyx3XMoJMy9jHf2-hkk3q-uU/s1600/storiesionlytellmyfriends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7OEr6ykwXJ56l2S5KhsdFZY3unYG-NBrUT2ps2cC130g1pcerqM5P_FFd7USen7Y80I5YcMu3CwIJjVsjNXqBi_x541Sxo-OIS0OAU6Lw0g96bbTB24cyx3XMoJMy9jHf2-hkk3q-uU/s1600/storiesionlytellmyfriends.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>4. Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe</b><br />
I've been a fan of Rob Lowe for many years, and his first autobiography was a delight to read.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8yoR781uADNebxdb-phMs7CAEpTar9A_b_0iuLS99IVHiOFGURYw7l-oqBM5nwj58JO1xtUSaNx06REE39tm-lq5OQBj7leiWd0NBpvvD0De0mcU2ay8on_6HgYi6H0CSoYI3x7kma8/s1600/veronicamars1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8yoR781uADNebxdb-phMs7CAEpTar9A_b_0iuLS99IVHiOFGURYw7l-oqBM5nwj58JO1xtUSaNx06REE39tm-lq5OQBj7leiWd0NBpvvD0De0mcU2ay8on_6HgYi6H0CSoYI3x7kma8/s1600/veronicamars1.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>5. The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham</b><br />
I LOVE Veronica Mars, and I'm so happy her story will continue in this new book series. This first book was like reading an episode of the show.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZes3DAvxlbT_oCpafeqzNIrRsJAY9u6SHOB_b6XLJZv-84WmsKHJ6aWzRGPa1J-qUZhGruS6tp1zYCAI3FivI7QVG640A9fvTORJZtV58nPEvKD5MSi73Ypa_-UYM5KM7EKhdcLPWej8/s1600/stiltskin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZes3DAvxlbT_oCpafeqzNIrRsJAY9u6SHOB_b6XLJZv-84WmsKHJ6aWzRGPa1J-qUZhGruS6tp1zYCAI3FivI7QVG640A9fvTORJZtV58nPEvKD5MSi73Ypa_-UYM5KM7EKhdcLPWej8/s1600/stiltskin.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>6. Stiltskin by Andrew Buckley</b><br />
An interesting new twist on fairy tales (<a href="http://turn-of-the-page.blogspot.no/2014/01/thoughts-on-stiltskin.html">read my review</a>).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdjLa1hF5c4kB-tojdO6CHRC4hSXryoc93cG_G48iVXrBXV-JMfIlqxzaYwYFRrldlEWpclitjH3NEfUACFfRaswrwGVCXfT1vnDI6E-gJO6F92LA9fP-W1gEN93vrR9oEbSYaPQ6ibE/s1600/redseas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdjLa1hF5c4kB-tojdO6CHRC4hSXryoc93cG_G48iVXrBXV-JMfIlqxzaYwYFRrldlEWpclitjH3NEfUACFfRaswrwGVCXfT1vnDI6E-gJO6F92LA9fP-W1gEN93vrR9oEbSYaPQ6ibE/s1600/redseas.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>7. Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch</b><br />
I'm only half-way through this book but I already know it's going to be one of the best reads of the year. I just love Locke and Jean so much.<br />
<br />
<b>What are your best reads so far this year?</b><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-15277713758815506362014-06-02T00:35:00.000+02:002014-06-02T00:35:44.729+02:00It's Monday, What Are You Reading?<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiARFJdsQim_wKvw_7REPX3AJXlY1gNwiFssg1Yuu-pyzT_TcGN2HXe8yfqGlA-ki5ynk3V1pknFUBsMp0jHF0UicrOQwQJUfb0njqIoOJX3v7S1rIvhimn1CINwosWUCEqhM2KGjbAn8/s1600/mondayreading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiARFJdsQim_wKvw_7REPX3AJXlY1gNwiFssg1Yuu-pyzT_TcGN2HXe8yfqGlA-ki5ynk3V1pknFUBsMp0jHF0UicrOQwQJUfb0njqIoOJX3v7S1rIvhimn1CINwosWUCEqhM2KGjbAn8/s200/mondayreading.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a><i> </i></div>
<i>It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at <a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/">Book Journey</a>. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">READ LAST <strike>WEEK</strike> MONTH</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww0ahdUZdQCxOU1-QDSvtYpZ1JVsUSBdUBO_3_3Z8MGMyGoUBPL4KYi1FT_oX6SUQ0HvuXX4FVi7oIr9jZBzBiebE-M30Qrnmz37s66ClDt_wqmpE8ai7SplNo-xgjh-1vdFT_zAh3iU/s1600/veronicamars1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww0ahdUZdQCxOU1-QDSvtYpZ1JVsUSBdUBO_3_3Z8MGMyGoUBPL4KYi1FT_oX6SUQ0HvuXX4FVi7oIr9jZBzBiebE-M30Qrnmz37s66ClDt_wqmpE8ai7SplNo-xgjh-1vdFT_zAh3iU/s1600/veronicamars1.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcQOpJAFIk6_ygqlE78n9QmXlAK73CJTB4yNn0NTQVmZxNo0PWnsF1BdW6EIa3D5vODdh7N1cYtIThl7LvswF1jaHDWW_16RbI-W5M-2Kuxj81Dyj_WNKNZrKvPIChqOYVCH4OTKT6Rw/s1600/pacificvortex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcQOpJAFIk6_ygqlE78n9QmXlAK73CJTB4yNn0NTQVmZxNo0PWnsF1BdW6EIa3D5vODdh7N1cYtIThl7LvswF1jaHDWW_16RbI-W5M-2Kuxj81Dyj_WNKNZrKvPIChqOYVCH4OTKT6Rw/s1600/pacificvortex.jpg" height="200" width="120" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VKlx-Gfz38jCwriFkJjz7Hz61lRuYKSD4azEprMiw6IEutExsRmPetnq2wMMvMydWJtmQ7rB05DfUfmgmZ22pUv66JvrB8zkxjBcyLGfC8Xw2e5fm_b6UKLIeaKrngVl6BufePGi7ek/s1600/coinheist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VKlx-Gfz38jCwriFkJjz7Hz61lRuYKSD4azEprMiw6IEutExsRmPetnq2wMMvMydWJtmQ7rB05DfUfmgmZ22pUv66JvrB8zkxjBcyLGfC8Xw2e5fm_b6UKLIeaKrngVl6BufePGi7ek/s1600/coinheist.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9DrkCDFKerPhz4KgOp-B_Wsge9fGGpTYYsqIe8pxVwmaIrC8sH0IF4ufC7DWBgB6Esv9YLJ2r8q557279O2khx7Asse-MM8oW464N7Ud5kaECwb7I1z59L8vQ4J50Xzp1-Xy9qvWi6w/s1600/passenger13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9DrkCDFKerPhz4KgOp-B_Wsge9fGGpTYYsqIe8pxVwmaIrC8sH0IF4ufC7DWBgB6Esv9YLJ2r8q557279O2khx7Asse-MM8oW464N7Ud5kaECwb7I1z59L8vQ4J50Xzp1-Xy9qvWi6w/s1600/passenger13.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuqtqhdHcVHRej53-q0pPV2oYBWpyz8XKEvd2P4beVlKzxJcGgmsbQwVu6BZ_4V9iAqePHzgAzJ6ieDtoq9nLfwFBKuhwHMnCoHN9hR6m5VYBxHv24_gViCTZ-JL2RfAblYJj_5mYbvE/s1600/kickback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuqtqhdHcVHRej53-q0pPV2oYBWpyz8XKEvd2P4beVlKzxJcGgmsbQwVu6BZ_4V9iAqePHzgAzJ6ieDtoq9nLfwFBKuhwHMnCoHN9hR6m5VYBxHv24_gViCTZ-JL2RfAblYJj_5mYbvE/s1600/kickback.jpg" height="200" width="120" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV27q544TEMdHNkWB5G8yqPlb2lcLNLvanpv7R40iAGD3nS4S3Wjq29yNTOoRAs62nvWjMyhunCB5CV9VW9rdWD7JWg-1Bd5IIflvbTEteijgfcIXFNY1T8D_PYqIVLnPsX12BAH_3YHQ/s1600/breakout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV27q544TEMdHNkWB5G8yqPlb2lcLNLvanpv7R40iAGD3nS4S3Wjq29yNTOoRAs62nvWjMyhunCB5CV9VW9rdWD7JWg-1Bd5IIflvbTEteijgfcIXFNY1T8D_PYqIVLnPsX12BAH_3YHQ/s1600/breakout.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I actually read 6 books in May, which is quite a lot for me. Alright, most were rather short, but I did read a total of 1300 pages, compared to 400 in April, so I'd say that's pretty good. :)<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18209454-the-thousand-dollar-tan-line">The Thousand Dollar Tan Line</a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18209454-the-thousand-dollar-tan-line"> by Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham</a></b><br />
I adore the <i>Veronica Mars</i> TV series, and I was so excited about the new movie. This is the first in a book series that continues on from where the movie left off. The transition from screen to paper was smooth and the mystery kept me guessing until the end. In addition I was completely blindsided by a reveal that I did not expect to find in the books. But I'm always up for more Veronica Mars, no matter which medium, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1128882.Pacific_Vortex_">Pacific Vortex! by Clive Cussler</a></b><br />This is the first Dirk Pitt book that Cussler wrote, but not the first one that was published. I can see why (not that <i>The Mediterranean Caper</i> is much better). Cussler's plots are usually highly entertaining, if far-reaching, but this story was pretty boring. Also, the female characters are just awful.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21819191-coin-heist"><b>Coin Heist by Elisa Ludwig</b></a><br />
This is a YA heist story about a gang of teenagers who decide to break into the US Mint. Review coming soon!<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12003094-passenger-13">Passenger 13 by Scott Mariani</a></b><br />This is a prequel novella to the Ben Hope series. It was fun meeting a younger, less jaded Ben Hope and find out why he left the SAS. The plot is solid, except for maybe the ending, which felt a bit rushed. I'm sure this could have been expanded into a full-length novel.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/737959.Kickback">Kickback by Garry Disher</a></b><br />
This is the first in the Wyatt series, an Australian noir series about a bank robber. I enjoyed this story about the meticulous, quiet thief Wyatt, but since the series is fairly old it's unfortunately hard to find the rest of the books.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11829006-break-out">Break Out by Nina Croft</a></b><br />
First in the Blood Hunter series. I was very excited about reading this book – space! thieves! prison break out! What's not to like? Unfortunately the answer is "a lot". I love the general premise of the story but sadly there was a lot less plot and a lot more sex than I was led to believe. I might have enjoyed it more if I'd actually liked the two main characters but as it was, I found them both simply irritating. And I think I've proved to myself once and for all that vampires just aren't my thing. I won't be seeking out the rest in this series.<br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads challenge status:</b> Read 17 of 35 books – 3 books ahead of schedule.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">CURRENTLY READING</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1e1kNSOrCsc2GR1j54eVK4UYiLasVXTLb5CqDcO6eMLOt259ogpXEcCOpheiPyTlnyqGNqNzwkbXEakMkSF30xoxPuWNtGPItVD7hkMEq-T_lyWcvMf42ezIrHUsjyYvD-laRyuwi_2k/s1600/redseas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1e1kNSOrCsc2GR1j54eVK4UYiLasVXTLb5CqDcO6eMLOt259ogpXEcCOpheiPyTlnyqGNqNzwkbXEakMkSF30xoxPuWNtGPItVD7hkMEq-T_lyWcvMf42ezIrHUsjyYvD-laRyuwi_2k/s1600/redseas.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
I finally found the courage to pick up <i>Red Seas Under Red Skies</i> by Scott Lynch. It's the second book in the Gentleman Bastard series, and those of you who have followed me for a while will know that I absolutely LOVE the first book, <i>The Lies of Locke Lamora</i>. I've been putting RSURS off for years now, because 1, I wanted to wait until the third book came out so I knew I wouldn't be left hanging, and 2, I think I was afraid that no sequel could ever live up to the awesomeness of <i>Lies</i>. I'm happy to say I was wrong on that last part. I'm about 100 pages in, but I was already sold after the first page. I can't tell you how much I love these books. The storylines, the language, the characters... It's all amazing and I can't believe I waited this long to go back to the world of Locke Lamora. I never want to leave again.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">WHAT'S NEXT</span></b></div>
<br />
Red Seas Under Red Skies is a big book so it will keep me occupied for a while (I don't even want to think about it ending!), but after that I'll probably either want to go straight for the next book in the series or read something completely different. I'm waiting for <i>The Ocean at the End of the Lane</i> by Neil Gaiman to come in, so that's an option. Otherwise, we'll see where my mood takes me, as usual.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What are you reading this week?</b></div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-71799948786061604202014-05-27T21:53:00.000+02:002014-05-27T21:54:17.334+02:00Top Ten Tuesday: Book Boyfriends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s1600/toptentuesday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s320/toptentuesday2.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><br /></i><i>Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature / weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/">The Broke and the Bookish</a>. Each week we make a top ten list from a given topic.</i><br />
<br />
This week's TTT is a freebie, so I chose:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Top Ten Book Boyfriends</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b>1. Dirk Pitt (Dirk Pitt series by Clive Cussler)</b><br />
Pitt is my oldest crush on this list, and actually the guy who got me into the thriller/adventure genre, so he holds a special place in my heart. I immediately fell for this charming, devilishly handome action hero who saves the world on a regular basis. He may be too good to be true, but that's alright with me. (Note: The character is terrible in the first couple of books. I'd advise you to pick up a later book first if you want to start the series.)<br />
<br />
<b>2. Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard Sequence by Scott Lynch)</b><br />
I simply can't resist a good con artist, and Locke is one of the best. His physique isn't the most impressing, so he relies on his quick wit and silver tongue to get him out of tight spots (which he often finds himself in). He's loyal to his friends and likes to have a good time. Locke's one of my all-time favourite characters, and I just love him. (Today I heard rumours that there might be TV series in the works based on the books - if this happens I might be the happiest girl on earth.)<br />
<br />
<b>3. Ralph Macnair (A Scottish Ferry Tale & Scotland by Starlight by Nancy Volkers)</b><br />
Out of all the characters on this list, Ralph is the one I most wish actually was my boyfriend. He's a theatre actor; he's kind, caring, funny, handsome and just an overall good guy. Oh, and he's Scottish. *swoon*<br />
<br />
<b>4. Joe Morelli (Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich)</b><br />
I may have stopped reading the books but I never stopped loving Joe Morelli. While everyone else was Team Ranger, I always thought Morelli was the best guy for Stephanie – and me. ;)<br />
<br />
<b>5. W.W. Hale the Fifth (Heist Society series by Ally Carter)</b><br />
Hale is awesome – clever, sophisticated, protective, handsome, rich and a con artist (did I mention how I love a good con artist?), so who cares if he's waaay to young for me?<br />
<br />
<b>6. Ben Hope (Ben Hope series by Scott Mariani)</b><br />
The only thing I love as much as a good con artist is a good action hero, and Ben Hope is certainly one of them. He's a bit moodier and more solitairy than Dirk Pitt, but then again he <i>is</i> British (half Irish). All Ben really wants to do is live a quiet life at his place in Northern France, but he keeps getting dragged into mysteries and conspiracies that needs solving.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Sam Howard (Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher)</b><br />
Sam is just a sweetheart, and I adore him. He starts out being a workaholic, but during the course of the book he realises that there is more to life than earning money.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Corey Purchase (Judd Bell & Corey Purchase series by Steve Worland)</b><br />
My list wouldn't be complete without a charming Australian. Corey flies a plane in the Australian outback, but when he accidentally helps American austronaut Judd Bell save the world, he becomes quite the hero. Corey's funny and laid-back, and he can talk to his dog. And the dog replies.<br />
<br />
<b>9. Aramis (The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas)</b><br />
Okay, I might be cheating a bit here, because even though I've read the book, it was a long time ago, and my perception of Aramis is mostly based on films and the recent BBC series <i>The Musketeers</i>. But he's still originally a book character, so I've decided that he counts.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Levi (Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell)</b><br />
Levi is my most recent crush. He's the kind of guy I wish I'd known in high school or college; sweet and funny and very kind. Heck, I wish I knew a Levi at my current age as well.<br />
<br />
<b>What TTT topic did you choose this week? And tell me about your book boyfriends!</b></div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-31356956010849279402014-04-09T16:07:00.000+02:002014-04-09T16:07:29.768+02:00Cover Reveal: The Book of BartI'm excited to reveal the cover for <strong>Book of Bart, </strong>a young-adult, humorous,
satirical paranormal-fantasy by <strong>Ryan Hill</strong>, which is scheduled for release
<strong>May 22nd, 2014</strong>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/The_Book_of_Bart_WIP4.png"><img alt="The_Book_of_Bart_WIP4" class="size-large wp-image-21182 aligncenter" height="600" src="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/
The_Book_of_Bart_WIP4-482x600.png" width="482" /></a><br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">About Book of Bart:</span></h2>
<b>Genre:</b> young-adult, humorous, satirical paranormal-fantasy
<b>Publisher:</b> Curiosity Quills Press
<b>Date of Publication:</b> May 22<sup>nd</sup>, 2014
<b>Cover Artist: </b><a href="http://www.conzpiracy.co.uk/">Conzpiracy Digital Arts</a>
<strong>Blurb:</strong>
Only one thing is so powerful, so dangerous that Heaven and Hell must work together to find
it: the Shard of Gabriel.
With a mysterious Black Cloud of Death hot on the shard’s trail, a desperate Heaven enlists
the help of Bart, a demon who knows more about the shard than almost anyone. Six years ago, he
had it in his hands. If only he’d used it before his coup to overthrow the devil failed. Now, he’s been
sprung from his eternal punishment to help Samantha, an angel in training, recover the shard before
the Black Cloud of Death finds it.
If Bartholomew wants to succeed, he’ll have to fight the temptation to betray Samantha and
the allure of the shard. After an existence full of evil, the only way Bart can get right with Hell is to be
good.
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Add Book of Bart to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21838987-book-of-bart">Goodreads</a> 'to-be-read' list.</b><br />
<br />
<h1>
<a href="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Ryan.png"><img alt="Ryan" class="size-full wp-image-21184 alignleft" height="265" src="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-content/
uploads/2014/04/Ryan.png" width="163" /></a></h1>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">About Ryan Hill:</span></h2>
Growing up, Ryan Hill used to spend his time reading and writing instead of doing homework.
This resulted in an obsession with becoming a writer, but also a gross incompetence in the fields of
science and mathematics. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Ryan has been a film critic
for over five years. He lives in Raleigh, NC, with his dog/shadow Maggie. Ryan also feels strange
about referring to himself in the third person.
<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Find Ryan Hill Online:</span></h2>
<a href="http://www.ryanhillwrites.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jptroublebooks">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/J_Ryan">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5804086.Ryan_Hill">Goodreads</a>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-45751491912593320432014-02-04T23:04:00.000+01:002014-02-04T23:04:24.490+01:00Top Ten Tuesday: Tear-jerkers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s1600/toptentuesday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s320/toptentuesday2.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><br /></i><i>Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature / weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/">The Broke and the Bookish</a>. Each week we make a top ten list from a given topic.</i><br />
<br />
This week's topic is<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Top <strike>ten</strike> four books that made me cry</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't usually cry while reading books (as opposed to watching TV or movies or even commercials), but there are a few books that really have made an impact on me.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXNO547jUHcSfUitzFSSIe-xZSPFWQOS9_tjqc5a7c4GCatgVeoJhM61-LqPaAa55BsQHp23eqsDgSXzaRAnPfgrlDKbK8A9kihaDzJKMQGDPNoRpeNQb843Z-qRdfosrfV7208ey5ng/s1600/scotlandbystarlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXNO547jUHcSfUitzFSSIe-xZSPFWQOS9_tjqc5a7c4GCatgVeoJhM61-LqPaAa55BsQHp23eqsDgSXzaRAnPfgrlDKbK8A9kihaDzJKMQGDPNoRpeNQb843Z-qRdfosrfV7208ey5ng/s1600/scotlandbystarlight.jpg" height="200" width="139" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>1. Scotland by Starlight by Nancy Volkers</b><br />
I cried and I cried and I cried. Then I pulled myself together and cried some more.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxB1K_yl-cA2hbVhQFpjgZoFrA2YviXAfX7ZvSCmLfdHjGVofKcdyu0f_muhs3W0gqTEZMbKnVgaDO1flISnUr_qEBYPQ9laqzlqa6rnWGlIsO14ljTJXUMRsGq-m0fzKEkSPMHXysAC8/s1600/harrypotter6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxB1K_yl-cA2hbVhQFpjgZoFrA2YviXAfX7ZvSCmLfdHjGVofKcdyu0f_muhs3W0gqTEZMbKnVgaDO1flISnUr_qEBYPQ9laqzlqa6rnWGlIsO14ljTJXUMRsGq-m0fzKEkSPMHXysAC8/s1600/harrypotter6.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzfwVRff9v6C-o8YutlITpuvDlmOW-2bgezgfSQwKWvjmla6XqAHThL1skbgmaFk2TZltQbuMyEkO964i-ysTWjm0CI5xAH0Bq16a72Kxf1gp3Y_4NEVgN2wDSVF27J3Rn4JJOgips2c/s1600/harrypotter7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzfwVRff9v6C-o8YutlITpuvDlmOW-2bgezgfSQwKWvjmla6XqAHThL1skbgmaFk2TZltQbuMyEkO964i-ysTWjm0CI5xAH0Bq16a72Kxf1gp3Y_4NEVgN2wDSVF27J3Rn4JJOgips2c/s1600/harrypotter7.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince / Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</b><br />
Need I say more? Still not convinced all of it was necessary.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4LDbMQnPPIx5kK8aPtOsNU4w6BcvXqzYZ_-JC5RwXWU1dCuabr1I3oFM4R0hbUHJClONlxwmWAkmsWRsd3wCbertUsBIRnA-P3LibzcYjUFikkDWMT7o2Y17_tIV6wxUR5s-39LcsEI/s1600/theliesoflockelamora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4LDbMQnPPIx5kK8aPtOsNU4w6BcvXqzYZ_-JC5RwXWU1dCuabr1I3oFM4R0hbUHJClONlxwmWAkmsWRsd3wCbertUsBIRnA-P3LibzcYjUFikkDWMT7o2Y17_tIV6wxUR5s-39LcsEI/s1600/theliesoflockelamora.jpg" height="200" width="121" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>3. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch</b><br />
You wouldn't think there'd be crying over this book. There was.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQjH2JogHmaYhQ3Vz3HixNescMRmjnPutghtZhvdxox8vM2wU2AV7e9o_EiP-W6vUwwPrwRo8yksBc8hPV-HQW_Au8AkGH1Ume1LCiWIHW61qcqemv-a4f4euH3qQ0rsfpMTe8sa3jpI/s1600/matildaslastdance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQjH2JogHmaYhQ3Vz3HixNescMRmjnPutghtZhvdxox8vM2wU2AV7e9o_EiP-W6vUwwPrwRo8yksBc8hPV-HQW_Au8AkGH1Ume1LCiWIHW61qcqemv-a4f4euH3qQ0rsfpMTe8sa3jpI/s1600/matildaslastdance.jpg" height="200" width="138" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>4. Matilda's Last Waltz by Tamara McKinley</b><br />
This was my first Tamara McKinley book and it made a huge impact on me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What books make you cry?</span></div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-11014729307260351622014-02-03T01:20:00.000+01:002014-02-03T01:20:50.636+01:00It's Monday, What Are You Reading?<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiARFJdsQim_wKvw_7REPX3AJXlY1gNwiFssg1Yuu-pyzT_TcGN2HXe8yfqGlA-ki5ynk3V1pknFUBsMp0jHF0UicrOQwQJUfb0njqIoOJX3v7S1rIvhimn1CINwosWUCEqhM2KGjbAn8/s1600/mondayreading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiARFJdsQim_wKvw_7REPX3AJXlY1gNwiFssg1Yuu-pyzT_TcGN2HXe8yfqGlA-ki5ynk3V1pknFUBsMp0jHF0UicrOQwQJUfb0njqIoOJX3v7S1rIvhimn1CINwosWUCEqhM2KGjbAn8/s200/mondayreading.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a><i> </i></div>
<i>It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at <a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/">Book Journey</a>. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads challenge status:</b> Read 6 of 35 books – 3 books ahead of schedule.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgcv6_HiZykIrLZEHlM04KeKzeiJM0k64x6Xt9fQRn-KH637GeJW7z5Ktm6naOEgXGXFRsY3f3i7PymcxVsW6C2sWLoPS8LyAL2uYAd5GrosRTal448GRWyBaXc-7n8cQa6DcVaStHaM/s1600/wheredyougobernadette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgcv6_HiZykIrLZEHlM04KeKzeiJM0k64x6Xt9fQRn-KH637GeJW7z5Ktm6naOEgXGXFRsY3f3i7PymcxVsW6C2sWLoPS8LyAL2uYAd5GrosRTal448GRWyBaXc-7n8cQa6DcVaStHaM/s1600/wheredyougobernadette.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
<b>READ LAST WEEK</b><br />
Since my last Monday post two weeks ago I've read <i>Stiltskin</i> by Andrew Buckley (<a href="http://turn-of-the-page.blogspot.no/2014/01/thoughts-on-stiltskin.html">read my review</a>), a fresh spin on the classic fairy tales. Then <i>Where'd You Go, Bernadette</i> by Maria Semple finally arrived in the mail, and I devoured it in just a couple of days, which is really fast for me (I seem to be reading a lot more and a lot faster this year, go me!). I absolutely loved it (<a href="http://turn-of-the-page.blogspot.no/2014/01/thoughts-on-whered-you-go-bernadette.html">read my review</a>)! I also read <i>Double Crossed</i> by Ally Carter, a crossover between her Heist Society and Gallagher Girls series.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>CURRENTLY READING</b><br />
<i>Double Crossed</i> put me in an Ally Carter mood, so I picked up book 2 in the Gallagher Girls series, <i>Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy</i>. I waited until late last year to start the series because I didn't think I'd like it, but it turned out I was very much mistaken. :)<br />
<br />
<b>WHAT'S NEXT</b><br />
I think I'll pick up the Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke again. I've already read <i>Inkheart</i> and <i>Inkspell</i>, but it's been so long I want to re-read both of them before starting <i>Inkdeath</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>What are you reading this week?</b>Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-9196172187167262032014-01-31T19:15:00.000+01:002014-01-31T19:15:44.776+01:00Thoughts on Where'd You Go, Bernadette<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Where'd You Go, Bernadette</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">By Maria Semple</span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikGX1z08PixoAGHGR5EG_InqlkucLaq282bBkwwq1N060Mmy5vlIzvPRkNEVLdEB2thQiefkHKpA7vt9hhaNm9aavGH0Bdmqv_YYGG9jdDBbVVMT3wmMrXgJpBC7TCHjLMGDNbuKTmmk/s1600/wheredyougobernadette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikGX1z08PixoAGHGR5EG_InqlkucLaq282bBkwwq1N060Mmy5vlIzvPRkNEVLdEB2thQiefkHKpA7vt9hhaNm9aavGH0Bdmqv_YYGG9jdDBbVVMT3wmMrXgJpBC7TCHjLMGDNbuKTmmk/s1600/wheredyougobernadette.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a><b>First published:</b> August 2012 by Little, Brown and Company<br />
<br />
<b>Read:</b> 27 - 30 January 2014<br />
<br />
<b>Links:</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18137523-where-d-you-go-bernadette">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Whered-You-Go-Bernadette-Novel/dp/0316204269">Amazon</a><br />
<br />
<b>Author online:</b> <a href="http://www.mariasemple.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMariaSemple">Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<b>Description</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle—and people in general—has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence—creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world. (Goodreads)</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My thoughts</b></span><br />
<br />
Oh, Bernadette. Where do I even start with you? I had read so much praise for this book and I'm pleased to say it's all deserved. <i>Where'd You Go, Bernadette</i> is simply delightful in every way.<br />
<br />
It is an epistolary novel, made up of various written documents which bit by bit reveal the story of Bernadette Fox and help explain how she became the woman she is today. It is all weaved together by notes from Bernadette's daughter Bee. This style is very effective, adding to the mystery and providing different perspectives. The last part of the book is Bee telling us how it all turned out in the end – and what a great, satisfactory ending it was.<br />
<br />
The book is fun and witty, but also poignant and touching. Through it all there's an underlying sadness, and you can feel it building up to something terrible. I reached a point where I almost didn't want to read any further because I was dreading what was coming, but at the same time there was no way I could stop because I absolutely needed to know what happened.<br />
<br />
The cast of characters is quite amazing, and to be honest I think everyone is a little crazy on some level. In addition to the relationship between Bernadette and her family, Bee and Elgin, I found the dynamics between her and her neighbour, fellow school mum and nemesis Audrey Griffin, very interesting, and it did not go where I thought it would. Then again, neither did a lot of the story.<br />
<br />
<b>Bottom line:</b> <i>Where'd You Go, Bernadette</i> is a funny and heartwarming novel with memorable characters and a lot of heart. It will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My rating:</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">5/6</span></div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-12291481599688862622014-01-27T19:45:00.001+01:002014-01-27T19:45:41.100+01:00<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3706899/?claim=7pgs4cy6xtk">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-81768107459377541702014-01-27T15:57:00.000+01:002014-01-27T15:57:47.370+01:00Thoughts on Stiltskin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT64RtwjL1zc_Pswg1sjxg0B_-WPoaHYNNFu2Jxx-K4nzGwjfTgS4Hx29g2aLHzG4VoifEQCPfMO9ysxJ9rU-fHwqj58LNsLRrV75YaW56dIbZ_POOLJVYwbZJmY9EKSpm5yiRceXFtsY/s1600/stiltskin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT64RtwjL1zc_Pswg1sjxg0B_-WPoaHYNNFu2Jxx-K4nzGwjfTgS4Hx29g2aLHzG4VoifEQCPfMO9ysxJ9rU-fHwqj58LNsLRrV75YaW56dIbZ_POOLJVYwbZJmY9EKSpm5yiRceXFtsY/s1600/stiltskin.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Stiltskin</b><br />
By Andrew Buckley<br />
<br />
First published: December 2013 by Curiosity Quills Press<br />
<br />
Read: 19-26 January 2014<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18693057-stiltskin">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stiltskin-Andrew-Buckley-ebook/dp/B00H6W59Y2">Amazon</a><br />
<br />
Disclaimer: I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley<br />
<br />
<b>Description</b><br />
<i>What would you do if you found an evil dwarf in your bathtub?<br /><br />In Robert Darkly’s case you scream like a girl… and then you get taken on a journey to an entirely different world living just on the other side of our own reality; a world where fairy tales are real but not in the way we’ve come to expect them. <br /><br />The aforementioned dwarf, Rumpelstiltskin, has escaped the Tower prison of Thiside determined to finish the sinister plot he started so many years ago. <br /><br />Robert Darkly, oblivious that he is the son of the Mad Hatter, must partner with the mysterious ‘Agency’ to pursue Rumpelstiltskin across our world and the world of Thiside and uncover the treacherous secret that threatens to throw both realities into eternal chaos. (Goodreads)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My thoughts</b></span><br />
<br />
I love re-tellings of fairy tales, especially when they surprise you with something fresh and exciting, and <i>Stiltskin</i> certainly did that for me. Buckley has thrown together elements from several different well-known fairy tales, added a bit of our own world to the mix and the result is very entertaining.<br />
<br />
I think the best word to describe this book is "unpredictable". The minute you think you know where the story is going, you're instantly proven wrong. There are twists and turns on every page, but it doesn't feel hectic or overwhelming. At one point you just have to let go of your expectations and go with the flow. And the story flows well. I was never bored or confused, and the action is pretty much non-stop. I could easily have finished the book in a day or two if real life hadn't interfered (and that's very quick for me).<br />
<br />
The style is somewhat reminiscent of Terry Pratchett with the same sort of surrealistic humour. I didn't find it laugh-out-loud funny (except in a few places) but I was constantly chuckling because of lines like this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"People should know better," piped up Jerry, a thirty-something grocery store clerk who moonlighted as a completely ineffective contract killer.</blockquote>
This line is actually a good example of how this book, even while being very funny, is still quite a dark tale. There is plenty of madness, graveyards, monsters and bad weather, and it's not a story you read to your kids before bedtime (unless you want them to have nightmares).<br />
<br />
As for the characters, I pretty much loved them all, from the slightly awkward Robert Darkly to the evil dwarf Rumpelstiltskin, the warrior gnomes Gnarly and Gnick and the Mad Hatter himself. Thiside is populated by characters from many different fairy tales and while still recognisable to us "Othasiders", most of them are far from what you'd expect.<br />
<br />
I think the concept of parallell worlds is done very well in the book, and I enjoyed hearing the "real" story behind the fairy tales we all know and love. The ending sets the premise for a sequel, which I can't wait to read.<br />
<br />
<b>Bottom line:</b> <i>Stiltskin</i> is fresh and funny and definitely worth a read for any fairy tale fan - or if you're simply looking for a quick and exciting read.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My rating:</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">4/6</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Author online:</b> <a href="http://www.planetkibi.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/abuckley23">Twitter</a></div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-28285137640750733742014-01-23T11:54:00.001+01:002014-01-23T11:56:15.561+01:00New reading journalThe notebook I'm going to use as my new reading journal and matching bookmark arrived today! Seriously, how cute are those owls?<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="580" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/jghj1TSPvz/embed/" width="500"></iframe>Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-9691531784551701322014-01-21T17:09:00.000+01:002014-01-21T17:09:12.714+01:00Top Ten Tuesday: Reading Wishlist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s1600/toptentuesday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGLYTbcpDBap2dAWi3VOU_j66Byvysxi6DmuDSnzKftFVqXl9eMe6ZsXd1kItMc6pmCiR-QU7KgM4fXeF3zVyv5TSGVADSYtTKk-c6Xd1hldIjIHkkXKG_ezPhtpdgkxtv97Wf0ecOo/s320/toptentuesday2.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><br /></i><i>Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature / weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/">The Broke and the Bookish</a>. Each week we make a top ten list from a given topic.</i><br />
<br />
This week's topic is<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Top ten things I'd like to see more of in books</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>1. Books set in the theatre</b><br />
I love the theatre, both watching and participating, and I think a theatre would make a wonderful setting for many kinds of interesting stories.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>2. Swashbuckling adventures for grown-ups</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The kids have all the fun, don't they? While I've enjoyed several fantasy/adventure books with children or young teens as characters, I often find it hard to get really into it because of the age gap. I want to read the same sort of stories but with adult characters.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>3. Witches and wizards</b><br />
Not coming-of-age stories, not "in training" but witches and wizards who know about and are comfortable with their own powers.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Heists</b><br />
I love a good con man or woman and I can never get enough of clever heist stories.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Books set in Norway/Scandinavia that aren't mystery books</b><br />
Scandinavian mysteries are great, but I'd love to see my country used in other genres.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Books set in Scotland</b><br />
I just love Scotland.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Friendships that don't turn into romance</b><br />
Sometimes friends simply don't fall in love with each other.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>8. Scott Lynch to finish the Gentleman Bastard Sequence</b><br />
It took so long before the third book was published that I'm worried he'll never finish all seven before he dies.<br />
<br />
<b>9. More magical realism</b><br />
Sarah Addison Allen does this so well and I wish there were more books with this element.<br />
<br />
<b>10. The Three Musketeers</b><br />
I'm having a musketeer phase right now and I just want to read more about them!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What would you like to see more of in books?</span></div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-31531347956053483832014-01-20T20:37:00.004+01:002014-01-20T20:37:49.927+01:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiARFJdsQim_wKvw_7REPX3AJXlY1gNwiFssg1Yuu-pyzT_TcGN2HXe8yfqGlA-ki5ynk3V1pknFUBsMp0jHF0UicrOQwQJUfb0njqIoOJX3v7S1rIvhimn1CINwosWUCEqhM2KGjbAn8/s1600/mondayreading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiARFJdsQim_wKvw_7REPX3AJXlY1gNwiFssg1Yuu-pyzT_TcGN2HXe8yfqGlA-ki5ynk3V1pknFUBsMp0jHF0UicrOQwQJUfb0njqIoOJX3v7S1rIvhimn1CINwosWUCEqhM2KGjbAn8/s200/mondayreading.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a><i> </i></div>
<i>It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at <a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/">Book Journey</a>. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.</i><br />
<br />
I'm currently 2 books ahead of my Goodreads challenge - that hasn't happened in over a year! *proud* :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLsEcx0A3v21yZPeBKKcCVL2qPz17g6CRNtf1PH24yRhOKlpHMZ7NwNqaV-rfSkxdWh4NcHFc1QB1ld_UleZBroeF7xlgInSg5R1ZO4mA85UV-3YnhoTDO-Bahxm4ss86B4mKinE_UeM/s1600/deathofamusketeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLsEcx0A3v21yZPeBKKcCVL2qPz17g6CRNtf1PH24yRhOKlpHMZ7NwNqaV-rfSkxdWh4NcHFc1QB1ld_UleZBroeF7xlgInSg5R1ZO4mA85UV-3YnhoTDO-Bahxm4ss86B4mKinE_UeM/s1600/deathofamusketeer.jpg" height="200" width="120" /></a><b>READ LAST WEEK</b><br />
Last week I read <i>Tales of Beedle the Bard</i> by JK Rowling. It was a quick and entertaining read; I particularly enjoyed Dumbledore's notes on each of the stories. I'm still sad I have no more new Harry Potter books to read.<br />
<br />
I'm very excited about <i>The Musketeers</i>, a new TV series based on Alexandre Dumas' <i>The Three Musketeers</i> which premiered on BBC One last night. I wanted to re-read Dumas' story but I was a bit intimidated by the size of it. Then I came across<i> Death of a Musketeer</i> by Sarah D'Almeida and the choice was easy. It is based on the characters from the original story and sees the musketeers and D'Artagnan trying to solve a murder mystery. It was an enjoyable story and I loved meeting the musketeers again. <a href="http://turn-of-the-page.blogspot.no/2014/01/thoughts-on-death-of-musketeer.html">Read my review here</a>.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>CURRENTLY READING</b><br />
I started <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18693066-stiltskin">Stiltskin</a></i> by Andrew Buckley last night. It's a version of the classic fairy tales like no other I've ever come across and I'm loving it already.<br />
<br />
<b>WHAT'S NEXT</b><br />
Still waiting for <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13526165">Where'd You Go Bernadette</a></i> by Maria Semple and <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18012909">The Box of Red Brocade</a></i> by Catherine Fisher. Hurry up, postman!<br />
<br />
<b>What are you reading this week?</b>Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-51152852179279571412014-01-18T17:31:00.000+01:002014-01-18T17:31:21.322+01:00Thoughts on Death of a Musketeer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGQkf81KJ63lozYhbimq0W4_pVGpK0Qc0o31XnnPPyJKXVIaMckYOWiaXRjVpdD4zm68NSIsfbuUhmI0qiqHnW1y8S-0UVPDSCpKRyhAXT5CpMX39iw20lB0FzHadStRfx5CA-pLuo90/s1600/deathofamusketeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGQkf81KJ63lozYhbimq0W4_pVGpK0Qc0o31XnnPPyJKXVIaMckYOWiaXRjVpdD4zm68NSIsfbuUhmI0qiqHnW1y8S-0UVPDSCpKRyhAXT5CpMX39iw20lB0FzHadStRfx5CA-pLuo90/s1600/deathofamusketeer.jpg" height="320" width="193" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Death of a Musketeer</b></span><br />
By Sarah D'Almeida<br />
<br />
First published: 2006<br />
Series: Musketeers Mystery # 1<br />
<br />
Read: 14-17 January 2014<br />
E-book<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Death-Musketeer-Musketeers-Mysteries-Volume/dp/1630110094">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/400758">Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
<b>Description</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A dead woman in an alley in the Paris of Louis XIII would not occasion much consternation. Unless the dead woman looked like the Queen of France and was discovered by Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan. Suspecting a plot of Cardinal Richelieu, the three musketeers and their new friend plunge into the investigation of murder, only to find that the matter is both stranger and more dangerous than they could have imagined. Caught in a web of intrigue and death, the four friends will have trouble staying alive, much less solving the crime. (Amazon)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My thoughts</b></span><br />
<br />
I have been a huge fan of the story of The Three Musketeers ever since I saw the Disney movie with Kiefer Sutherland and Chris O'Donnell at the cinema in 1993 (still one of my favourite films). With the new BBC series <i>The Musketeers</i> starting tomorrow, I was looking for something to put me in the right mood when I came across Sarah D'Almeida's (better known as Sarah A. Hoyt) <i>Death of a Musketeer</i>, the first book in a series of five.<br />
<br />
The book starts in the same way as Alexandre Dumas' original story, with D'Artagnan running into the musketeers and landing himself a duel with each of them. From there the story turns into a murder investigation when the comrades discover a beautiful woman in musketeer uniform dead in an alley.<br />
<br />
The mystery itself ended up feeling a bit far-fetched with all the look-alikes and relations, and the climax didn't exactly make my heart race. But even if the main plot left a little to be desired, I enjoyed the characterizations that much more. The POV switches between each of the four main characters, and we get a look into their minds and backstories. Now, it's been many years since I read Dumas' story, so exactly how the details in <i>Death of a Musketeer</i> differ from the original, I can't say. But this doesn't matter anyway, as the information in D'Almeida's book fits nicely into her story. Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan are all portrayed just as I remember them, and their different personalities are easy to distinguish from each other.<br />
<br />
The book is humourous with funny dialogue and the characters' observations of the others. I was frequently chuckling to myself over the bickering between the musketeers, and the running gag of Aramis "knowing a man":<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Aramis sighed. 'I know a man,' he said. Athos smiled, but managed not to say that this was strange as, in fact, Aramis normally knew women." </blockquote>
<b>Bottom line: </b>As a murder mystery <i>Death of a Musketeer</i> could have been better, but the characters and humour make it well worth a read.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My rating:</b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4/6</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Author online:</b> <a href="http://sarahahoyt.com/">Website</a> | <a href="http://accordingtohoyt.com/">Blog</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/SarahAHoyt">Twitter</a></div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-28090090890159385272014-01-13T18:56:00.002+01:002014-01-13T18:56:35.097+01:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiARFJdsQim_wKvw_7REPX3AJXlY1gNwiFssg1Yuu-pyzT_TcGN2HXe8yfqGlA-ki5ynk3V1pknFUBsMp0jHF0UicrOQwQJUfb0njqIoOJX3v7S1rIvhimn1CINwosWUCEqhM2KGjbAn8/s1600/mondayreading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiARFJdsQim_wKvw_7REPX3AJXlY1gNwiFssg1Yuu-pyzT_TcGN2HXe8yfqGlA-ki5ynk3V1pknFUBsMp0jHF0UicrOQwQJUfb0njqIoOJX3v7S1rIvhimn1CINwosWUCEqhM2KGjbAn8/s200/mondayreading.jpg" width="200" /></a><i> </i></div>
<i>It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at <a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/">Book Journey</a>. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.</i><br />
<br />
New year, new chances to read more. I was nowhere near reaching my reading goal for last year, but after the holidays I feel re-energized and ready to delve into my books again! :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDGiLmo12F1rWkmzuLOK6CuspL_STg5MVBTb_1an3kiUseqM3jvUJ6YLGyANAEjizN7lh_bWIGLNml2Q7R0W-FbJ8a3UWoSVP4RGvW5q5NSXyrsv8DLEutuHI0mS8QMw_kP5D91MIaXY/s1600/harrypotter7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDGiLmo12F1rWkmzuLOK6CuspL_STg5MVBTb_1an3kiUseqM3jvUJ6YLGyANAEjizN7lh_bWIGLNml2Q7R0W-FbJ8a3UWoSVP4RGvW5q5NSXyrsv8DLEutuHI0mS8QMw_kP5D91MIaXY/s200/harrypotter7.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<b>READ LAST WEEK</b><br />
If you've been following this blog for a while, you know I've been talking about finishing the Harry Potter series for ages. Well, I've finally done it. I read the last page of <i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</i> late last night. I never thought the series would have such a big impact on me when I started it about ten years ago, but truth is, I lay awake until the small hours of this morning thinking about it all. I'm really going to miss this series.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>CURRENTLY READING</b><br />
I wasn't quite ready to let go of Harry Potter's world, so I'm reading <i>The Tales of Beedle the Bard</i> right now. I expect I'll finish it tonight.<br />
<br />
<b>WHAT'S NEXT</b><br />
I really want to read <i>Where'd You Go Bernadette</i> by Maria Semple because I've hear so many good things about it. I 'm also dying to read <i>The Box of Red Brocade</i> by Catherine Fisher, the sequel to <i>The Obsidian Mirror</i>, which I read last year and loved. I've ordered both these books but they haven't arrived yet, and I'm not sure what to read in the meantime. Do you know any good waiting books? ;)<br />
<br />
<b>What are you reading this week?</b>Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-59712799946737197102014-01-12T15:02:00.000+01:002014-01-12T15:37:08.451+01:00Random Acts of Kindness - Secret Santa Edition #RAKAt the end of last year I participated in <a href="http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/">Booksoulmates</a>' Random Acts of Kindness, the Christmas edition. It was set up as a Secret Santa, and I received these goodies from my Secret Santa:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BCJA4A_l44Ho9Be-ZG3UN8LmBMW3XZPThZs9jDOICcA8CdLQ2m2Io55uV8xN-LOxw_dNZD3rrD1hzyfXM9Fktu6yP4N38pb13byaMeJX9P25qYHfzDHVOVEMhe2ui21pxq9dLHqB1HM/s1600/rakdesember2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BCJA4A_l44Ho9Be-ZG3UN8LmBMW3XZPThZs9jDOICcA8CdLQ2m2Io55uV8xN-LOxw_dNZD3rrD1hzyfXM9Fktu6yP4N38pb13byaMeJX9P25qYHfzDHVOVEMhe2ui21pxq9dLHqB1HM/s1600/rakdesember2013.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you so much, Tobe (<a href="https://twitter.com/TFrances">@TFrances</a>)! Can't wait to read these!</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-60718669186993125382014-01-04T22:13:00.001+01:002014-01-04T22:13:29.777+01:00End of the Year Survey 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshq_2neDyEr8rYI7ZFauNh-draGE-ydsy8OfxAi_G5bjwYmliXmvur3d7JVIdNfOX3PnP1wBa0ZC7cBp87T4IDTCa3PEXUUghDKEZO-GzuGmWYCM99cXyVzw7ouPJJmTnvwiKmJ5SZ74/s1600/endofyearsurvey2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshq_2neDyEr8rYI7ZFauNh-draGE-ydsy8OfxAi_G5bjwYmliXmvur3d7JVIdNfOX3PnP1wBa0ZC7cBp87T4IDTCa3PEXUUghDKEZO-GzuGmWYCM99cXyVzw7ouPJJmTnvwiKmJ5SZ74/s320/endofyearsurvey2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Happy New Year, everyone!</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
Jamie at <a href="http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/">The Perpetual Page-Turner</a> is hosting this exciting survey for the fourth time, and although I didn't read as many books as I'd hoped in 2013, I had lots of fun filling out the survey.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Best in Books 2013</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>1. Best book you read in 2013?</b><br />
Strangely enough there wasn't one particular book that stood out above the others (I gave 17 books 4 stars on Goodreads but none got 5). If I have to pick one of the 4-star books, I'll say The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Book you were excited about and thought you'd love more but didn't?</b><br />
The Orphanage of Miracles by Amy Neftzger. It sounded really exciting and it started out great, but somewhere along the line it sort of lost the pace and I started to get bored. The ending didn't satisfy me at all.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?</b><br />
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter. I wasn't sure if this series was anything for me, but I ended up really enjoying it.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people the most?</b><br />
The Lord of the Rings. You should read it.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Best series you discovered in 2013?</b><br />
The Judd Bell & Corey Purchase series by Steve Worland. I love a good thriller and these books are full of action, excitement and humour.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Favourite new author you discovered in 2013?</b><br />
Diana Wynne Jones. I can't believe I've never read her before.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?</b><br />
Outlaw Trail by Brian Fox. I like watching westerns, both films and TV shows, but I don't think I've ever read a book from the genre before. It probably helped that this book is based on the TV series Alias Smith and Jones, which is one of my faves.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?</b><br />
Velocity by Steve Worland. Non-stop action.<br />
<br />
<b>9. Book you read in 2013 that you are most likely to re-read next year?</b><br />
I don't usually re-read books until a few years ahve passed, but I think I'll re-read The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes before the next book in the series comes out.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Favourite cover of a book you read in 2013?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyzJxnboSYmIOPYzLwEwCV0iAN6IxDEX4HpMIoaBQUKV0_plhZBoJJyr2nYUu7T4J8189FJvv9hT2pamY7S1HqR0TmbnJHwW2N4H8GdhshVqpzcCsfd08yT5m2q-_TB3pQPyXsYUty2U/s1600/orphanageofmiracles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyzJxnboSYmIOPYzLwEwCV0iAN6IxDEX4HpMIoaBQUKV0_plhZBoJJyr2nYUu7T4J8189FJvv9hT2pamY7S1HqR0TmbnJHwW2N4H8GdhshVqpzcCsfd08yT5m2q-_TB3pQPyXsYUty2U/s320/orphanageofmiracles.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>11. Most memorable character in 2013?</b><br />
Every character from The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes. They're all intriguing and colourful and unique in their own way. Amazing ensemble.<br />
<br />
<b>12. Most beautifully written book you read in 2013?</b><br />
The Lord of the Rings.<br />
<br />
<b>13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?</b><br />
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen. I saw a lot of myself in the main character, which felt good and sad at the same time.<br />
<br />
<b>14. Book you can't believe you waited until 2013 to read?</b><br />
No one special, really.<br />
<br />
<b>15. Favourite passage/quote from a book you read in 2013?</b><br />
This is quite random, because I never remember to write down quotes.<br />
<br />
"Miracles are tougher than you think. It's only our belief in them that's fragile."<br />
The Orphanage of Miracles by Amy Neftzger<br />
<br />
<b>16. Shortest and longest book you read in 2013?</b><br />
Shortest: White Collar Christmas by Misty Evans (9 pages) (Does it even count?)<br />
Longest: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (1095 pages)<br />
<br />
<b>17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it? (A WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss etc.) Be careful of spoilers!</b><br />
There's a plot twist in The Sacred Sword by Scott Mariani that I absolutely hate and made me want to scream.<br />
<br />
<b>18. Favourite relationship from a book you read in 2013 (be it romantic, friendship etc.)?</b><br />
Atticus O'Sullivan and Oberon the Irish Wolfhound from Hammered by Kevin Hearne.<br />
<br />
<b>19. Favourite book you read in 2013 from an author you've read previously?</b><br />
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen.<br />
<br />
<b>20. Best book you read in 2013 based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else?</b><br />
Not a direct recommendation, but I'd heard so many good things about the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter around the blogosphere.<br />
<br />
<b>21. Genre you read the most from in 2013?</b><br />
Fantasy (8 books)<br />
<br />
<b>22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?</b><br />
I think I'll have to say Corey Purchase (Velocity & Combustion by Steve Worland), the charming Australian who can talk to his dog.<br />
<br />
<b>23. Best 2013 debut you read?</b><br />
Actually I don't think I read any debuts in 2013.<br />
<br />
<b>24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?</b><br />
The dark and mysterious Venice in The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke.<br />
<br />
<b>25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2013?</b><br />
Either Velocity by Steve Worland or The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes.<br />
<br />
<b>26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2013?</b><br />
None, I think. I'm so often sad or depressed in real life so I tend to avoid sad books.<br />
<br />
<b>27. Book you read in 2013 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?</b><br />
I don't know how most of these were received, but I definitely think more people should read The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes. It's a brilliant heist story in the fantasy genre with memorable characters.<br />
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
Looking Ahead...</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>1. One book you didn't get to in 2013 but will be your number 1 priority in 2014?</b><br />
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I've been meaning to finish the series for years but kept putting it off. I finally started it on New Year's Day. Only problem is, it's so good that now I don't want it to end! I also want to read Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch. It's about time I find out what Locke and Jean are up to!<br />
<br />
<b>2. Book you are most anticipating for 2014 (non-debut)?</b><br />
The sequel to The Obsidian Mirror by Catherine Fisher.<br />
<br />
<b>3. 2014 debut you are most anticipating?</b><br />
I haven't had a chance to look into this year's debuts, so I don't know yet.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Series ending you are most anticipating in 2014?</b><br />
Tbh I don't know if any of my series are ending this year!<br />
<br />
<b>5. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2014?</b><br />
I simply want to read more than I did last year and also try to get my blog going again with more frequent reviews and other posts.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>So that was my 2013! What were your favourite books from 2013?</b></h3>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-86478081779148267672013-12-09T17:47:00.000+01:002013-12-09T17:47:21.340+01:00Help! Recommendations needed!I want to buy a book as a Christmas present for a friend but I have no idea what to get, so I'm hoping you guys can help me out with some recommendations. She's 35 years old but she loves reading YA. She's into supernatural stuff like vampires, and the Twilight saga is one of her favourites. I know she also liked A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. Last year I gave her Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor and while I'm not sure if she's actually read it yet, she seemed excited about it.<br />
<br />
Can you think of a book she might like? All suggestions are more than welcome! :)Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-12992995125513559042013-10-21T16:58:00.000+02:002013-10-21T16:58:00.163+02:00Cover LoveI just love the shiny covers of this edition of Incarceron and Sapphique by Catherine Fisher.
<iframe src="//instagram.com/p/fu71rSSPvW/embed/" width="500" height="600" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe>Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027883187751199935.post-31203348221262494442013-09-03T21:51:00.000+02:002013-09-03T21:51:36.543+02:00Thoughts on Chaos<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUFbT78b3lJ8vAbnn5uzDCpdXDieZYaTVoTV3v1QM8rGvU86tr2Zpqiijm9YKjPeWF5WrSjzhWFtmYx-ZvbcrxozJAek5R8RCcJMGlkgeyAKE2J1yUes-ARJ15TqEVeu7c915JY6vt6g/s1600/chaos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUFbT78b3lJ8vAbnn5uzDCpdXDieZYaTVoTV3v1QM8rGvU86tr2Zpqiijm9YKjPeWF5WrSjzhWFtmYx-ZvbcrxozJAek5R8RCcJMGlkgeyAKE2J1yUes-ARJ15TqEVeu7c915JY6vt6g/s320/chaos.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chaos</b></span><br />
By Christine O'Neil<br />
<br />
First published: August 2013<br />
Series: Book 1 in the Kardia Chronicles<br />
<br />
Read: 26 August - 2 September 2013<br />
<br />
Review copy provided by the author<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18277648-chaos" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Goodreads</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> | </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chaos-Kardia-Chronicles-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00E718YVA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375645476&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+O%27Neil" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Amazon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/temper-christine-o-neil/1116250182?ean=9781622662838" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Barnes & Noble</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> | </span><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/temper-the-protectors" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Kobo</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> | </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/chaos-kardia-chronicles/id680269675?mt=11" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">iBooks</a></span><br />
<br />
<b>Description</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My name is Maggie Raynard. After sixteen years being just plain me, suddenly I can kill people when I lose my temper. Turns out I'm a semi-god, descended from Aphrodite. Sounds cool in theory, but when I accidentally put my ex-boyfriend in a coma, things go downhill pretty fast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Now some new guy named Mac Finnegan has made it his mission in life to continually piss me off. I'm stuck learning how to use my new powers while also dealing with regular high school problems, and with this---annoying and super-hot---guy all up in my business, I'm about to flip out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />But it gets worse. I just learned there's this council for semis that wants me dead. They think I'm bad to the bone and when my ex suddenly dies, it's like everyone is determined to take me out. Mac might turn out to be my only salvation, but he's got secrets of his own---that may just kill us both.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My thoughts</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">First off I
have to say I haven't read many YA books dealing with mythology, so although
the theme seems to be a popular one these days, it was new to me - and I found
it very interesting. I actually wouldn't have minded more info on the semis and
their history, but at the same time I appreciate that there are no info dumps to
slow the story down. And it is by no means a slow story - there is always
something happening to move it along and it never gets boring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In the
beginning I alternated between wanting to high five Maggie and smack her across
the head. She's a smart, sassy girl but like any teenager she could be a bit of
a brat at times, especially towards her mother (or maybe it's just me getting
old...). I would have liked a little more information on Maggie's powers
earlier in the book, because I didn't understand the reasons behind some of her
actions at first. But as the story progressed and I learned more about what was
happening to her and why she did what she did, I understood her a lot better and
really felt for her. It was great seeing how she stood up for herself and how
courageous she was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I loved the
relationship between Maggie and Mac. Mac is mysterious and quite aloof; he pushes
all of Maggie's buttons, and is hiding some pretty serious secrets. And he's
Irish, which is never a bad thing. In fact, he ended up being my favourite
character.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">A few weeks
ago I talked about how<a href="http://turn-of-the-page.blogspot.no/2013/08/booking-through-thursday-its-personal.html"> first person narratives aren't my favourite</a>, but
O'Neil's writing style is very entertaining and flows easily so I never had a
problem with the narrative. The book is fast-paced and full of action and the
last quarter was impossible to put down. I'm already looking forward to the
next book so I can learn more about the mythology and see how Maggie and Mac
develop further as characters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Random thoughts:</b><br />- I don't care if he's 14 years younger than me - Mac is <i>hot</i>.<br />- Bink is so adorable and Libby is just the right amount of awesome and weird.<br />- I'm so glad I'm done with high school!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Bonus tip:</b>
Make sure you read the copyright notice at the beginning. It made me very
curious about what was to come!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Bottom
line:</b> A fun and action-filled start to a new YA series that will appeal to fans
of mythology and sassy leading ladies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My rating:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYFdOdCq8_XmmuXFt-MIVZpJlyWERclugSUCUnhyQms9vrHPcpHHUKORR4-anano95aqHSPIYE7DAi6cUwZZZleaUzPkPjtst_pLaWXTuuej5foSIEgtHfNciwhaoa59tL9scXpY2Ve8/s1600/terning4small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYFdOdCq8_XmmuXFt-MIVZpJlyWERclugSUCUnhyQms9vrHPcpHHUKORR4-anano95aqHSPIYE7DAi6cUwZZZleaUzPkPjtst_pLaWXTuuej5foSIEgtHfNciwhaoa59tL9scXpY2Ve8/s1600/terning4small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Links:</b> <a href="http://www.kardiachronicles.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ConeilYA">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheKardiaChronicles">Facebook</a></div>
</div>
Hildehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963495607830458710noreply@blogger.com0