Continuation of Books I've received or bought

I kinda broke down as I was in hunt for a Witch's Broom for the Lilygirl, to go with her light up costume that she will be wearing tonight.  I was going to post a pic of it, but the website won't allow me:( Anyhoo, I ran to Barnes and Noble to see if I could find the second book in the "Study" books and voila! I did! And I also found another two other books, so they are:

Magic Study, Maria V. Snyder


Daybreaker, Jocelynne Drake


Leviathan, Scott Westerfeld

I am SUCH a huge Westerfeld fan that I was so excited to get this book!  I hope it's to my liking!  I'm totally into the whole steampunk movement and really hope we get some exciting stories! 

    

I hope everyone has a wonderful and SAFE Halloween!  Remember, think of me for the month of November as I try to write 50K of nonsense for a young adult novel that I will be pantsing through!  I will be keeping up with Picture Book Thursday, but will post sporadically to give updates as to where I am with my NANOWRIMO project. 

What I'm reading and Books I've received this week

I've been lax in doing this and I can't even remember what number I'm up to!  However, what I am reading is:


Poison Study, Maria V. Snyder

I am LOVING this book so far.  I've heard nothing but awesome reviews regarding this story and I'm so glad that I finally found it!  Trying to buy this book has been treacherous!  Borders never had it.  B&N didn't stock it, and I am such an instant gratification girl that I when I want something I want it NOW!  So finally the other day, when I went in hunt for Splendor (which was Monday and they hadn't put it out yet).  So I so that they finally had it and had to scoop it up!  If you haven't read this book, I say go and get it.  I'm not nearly finished with it, but OMIGOD, it's so good.  And a little aside, I met Maria at BEA, but not because she was signing, because she was WAITING IN LINE to get Justine Larbalestier's book, Liar signed!  She was so cool and talked to us for the whole time we waited.  I've e-mailed her back and forth and she really is the sweetest person.  So if you have a chance to see her at a signing, GO! You will be rewarded!

Books I received this week:

Splendor, Anna Godbersen (Bought)
Covet, JR Ward (Bought)
Poison Study, Maria V. Snyder (Bought)
Stupid Cupid, Rhonda Stapleton (Publisher)
College Girl, Patricia Weitz (Publicist)

I'm just a proud mommy!

Here is Lily.

She'll be helping me with Picture Book Thursdays soon!

Picture Book Thursday (10)

This is my 10th Picture Book Thursday and I'm so excited to present one that is a favorite of I think just about everyone who has ever read a book or been read to.  Plus it's celebrating it's 50th Birthday! (can you believe that 50 years of...

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle

How can one NOT love this story of the hungry caterpillar that eats its way through all types of fruit, plants and ends up with a very big tummy ache!  But that is not all, at the end of the week, we see that the caterpillar once he has satiated his appetite cocoons up and turns into a beautiful Butterfly!  Luckily eating like that only works for a caterpillar, but it has enthralled million of children and they can't go wrong!

I love the artwork because of it's simplicity and bright, bold colors.  It's always been a favorite in this household, and I will always love to go back to it from time to time.

But WOW 50 years of Hungry Caterpillar!

Splendor, Anna Godbersen

Splendor, Anna Godbersen  4 Bookmarks

I had to run out and get this book yesterday and yes, I finished it at 12:00AM last night.  I'm not spoiling it, so don't ask.  I loved this series and the covers just sort of cement it for me.  I own all of the books and I'm so glad I do because I can always go back to them when I want perhaps one of the most romantic reads aside from Pride and Prejudice.

Anna Godbersen's voice is really the main character in this series.  I love all the attention to details of New York City during the turn of the 20th Century.  If any of you have ever read The Alienist by Caleb Carr, you'd note that he too explained every minute detail of NYC during the late 1800's.  One could've gotten tired of every description of dresses, lawn, trains, buttons, ribbons and kid gloves.  But they are as much of the story as the actual storyline.

This was a fitting end to a grande tome and it left me wanting even just a little bit more.  I'm excited to see what Anna does next.  What time period will she choose or will she write contemporary novel?

All our favorites are back.  Penelope Schoonmaker (nee Hayes) the somewhat suffering wife of Henry Schoonmaker.  Elizabeth Holland Keller Cairns is big with baby and ensconced in her own story with her husband.  When we last left Diana Holland, she had chopped off her glossy black locks in hopes to search for the one she loved who had just joined the army.  Carolina Broad (Lina Broud) is back and she is richer than ever, and completely smitten and in love with the gorgeous Leland Bouchard.

Every story is played out in thrilling fashion with some twists and turns that will leave you breathless and sitting there just adoring these characters even more.  There's definitely romance, murder, adultery and most of all self-preservation.

Couple of Mini Reviews

As You Wish, by Jackson Pearce (2 Bookmarks)


Cute book, readable, definitely great for the tween/young teen age. But I feel as if I'd read this book before. Viola is the MC who unknowingly wishes to be seen. Well voila, enter a Genie (or Jinn) who stalks her at first and demands that she make her requisite three wishes. Reason why Viola made wish. Her ex-boyfriend/best friend has come out of the closet and is more interested in the same sex. What is Viola to do? I think you know where this goes. Jinn (as she names him) is beautiful, ethereal, blah blah blah... You see where I'm going here?


The Van Alen Legacy, Melissa de la Cruz (2 Bookmarks)

Schuyler and Oliver are on the run, Mimi is hooking up with Silver Blood and Bliss is surprise Allegra's daughter, who has some visitor in her body.  This book was broken up in three parts.  Schuyler, Mimi and Bliss.  Bliss annoyed the hell out of me.  She was not herself for most of the book because of this crazy sub-plot where she has been taken over by whoknowswhat.  Mimi is Mimi and is looking for the watcher.  Mimi also finds herself extremely drawn to the reformed Silver Blood, Kingsley Martin even though she should be bonded to her 'brother' Jack.  I love the mythos of this story.  Fallen angels, Caligula, being reborn over and over again.  Charles Force aka Michael.  Allegra Van Alen aka Gabriel, Jack Force aka Abbadon, Mimi Force aka Azrael.  But these past two books have been literally going nowhere.  Yes, there is action and romance, but I'm more confused than ever. 

*Another* Another Faust Contest

Hi everyone. Dina and I are about to kick off a month-long tour for our book, Another Faust, and we want to do it by announcing a contest! We are looking for the most promising writers out there (that’s YOU). And then we want to showcase their work, so that all of the Internet can bask in their awesome writing might (and, you know, give them prizes).

HERE’S HOW IT GOES.

We want you to write your own short story, re-imagining of the Faustian Bargain. (For inspiration, check out Bedazzled, Simpsons “Tree House of Horrors IV,” and The Little Mermaid). It can be about anything you like (but let’s keep it PG-13, and under 3,000 words), and it’s open to everyone.


All you have to do is send your entry to dviergutz@gmail.com before January 31.

Rules and details can be found here:

http://www.danielanddina.com/site/2009/10/writing-contest-create-another-another-faust/

Make sure to read them so you don’t get DQed


And the winner gets all kinds of sweetness:

A signed copy of Another Faust

A handwritten deleted scene

A featured article & interview on our site

An author’s galley of the sequel Another Pan

Though we’ll feature the top five on our site for comments, the judging WON’T happen by popular vote (so basically, we don't care which contestant has the most friends). Dina and I will personally read them.

So, spread the word! Tweet, retweet, forward, thread, spread, embed this post.

Good luck!

D&D

Picture Book Thursday (9)

The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg

I first read this book in a bookstore to Rebecca when she was about 7 or 8. I remember thinking that the pictures in this book were so dark and creepy, but I absolutely adored them. The pictures really tell the story as well. I know what it's like waiting for morning to come on Christmas day. But the trip that boy makes is one in a lifetime and it also shows how cynical we as adults can be around the holidays. We lose that little kid mentality when we have to shop and bake and entertain.

And yes, I cried at the end of this book. Because I want to believe again.

In which I say I'm taking a brief sabbatical from Blogging...

I'm doing NANO this year, again.  Hoping that I will not fail like I've done in past years.  I have TWO works in process that I've done NOTHING to in over a year.  However, most likely will not work on those either.  They're REALLY bad.  If you are a NANO participant and would like to buddy me.  I am Laura McCarthy on NANO.  Yep, that's me! :)

I'll probably still do Picture Book Thursdays because they are so much fun and I really think that Picture Books should be considered when you read a book.  They really are not just for children or toddlers.

I still have the contest going on which you can find above this post.  Please leave a comment to be entered.  It's a very simple contest and there will be TWO (2) winners because I have duplicates of each book!  How easy is that?

Picture Book Thursday (8)

Love you Forever, Robert Munsch; Illus. Sheila McGraw

From Goodreads:

The mother sings to her sleeping baby: "I'll love you forever / I'll love you for always / As long as I'm living / My baby you'll be." She still sings the same song when her baby has turned into a fractious 2-year-old, a slovenly 9-year-old, and then a raucous teen. So far so ordinary--but this is one persistent lady. When her son grows up and leaves home, she takes to driving across town with a ladder on the car roof, climbing through her grown son's window, and rocking the sleeping man in the same way. Then, inevitably, the day comes when she's too old and sick to hold him, and the roles are at last reversed. Each stage is illustrated by one of Sheila McGraw's comic and yet poignant pastels.

I first heard about this book on the Austen listserv of all places.  Educated people questioned this story and what it teaches.  So extremely intrigued, I bought it.  It made me cry.  It creeped me out.  But in the end, it made me cry and I knew that there was something about this story that would stay with me forever.  The debate over the mother crawling in through the grown man's window and rocking him caused a bit of controversy on the listserv and they found it to be extremely inappropriate.  But I think what Munsch was saying was that no matter what age, your children will always be your baby.  Regardless of size, age, and where they live.

For anyone who has children or parents, this book is beautiful written and the illustrations just bring the story to life.

Waiting on Wednesday

GUARDIAN OF THE GATE, Michelle Zink (Book 2)

No synopsis yet.  But Lia embarks on an ocean-crossing trip that will hopefully bring her closer to the clues that makes her the guardian of the gate. 

I am in total anticipation for this book.  I want to know what is going on with Lia and Alice.  What about Lia's beau?!?!  Goodreads has a date for April 2010, don't know how accurate that is, but perfect timing for my birthday!!!!  And of course as soon as we have a cover, I will be plastering it all over my blog!

So what book are you eagerly anticipating?

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill

What I'm Reading and Books I've received this week... (5)

I'm currently reading, well nothing right now:)  However, I think I'm going to start AS Byatt's, THE CHILDREN'S BOOK  Some of you might be a bit young for her literate style of writing, but if you ever want to read an author who harks back to Austen, Bronte, Gaskill, Murdoch, then Antonia Susan Byatt is the person to turn to.  She is the Man Booker Prize winner of 1990 for her delicious POSSESSION.  Which was turned into a movie that I REFUSE to see.  I have my scruples! (Plus it starred Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart which was just WRONG!)

Okay books I've received this week:

From Penguin:

The Naughty List, Suzanne Young

Otis, Loren Long (in which Lily informed me WE have a copy!)

From various publicists:

Karma For Beginners, Jessica Blank

Secrets of a Christmas Box, Steven Hornby

Picture Book Thursday (7)

WHERE THE WILD THING ARE, Maurice Sendak

From Goodreads:

Where the Wild Things Are is one of those truly rare books that can be enjoyed equally by a child & a grown-up. If you disagree, then it's been too long since you've attended a wild rumpus. Max dons his wolf suit in pursuit of some mischief & gets sent to bed without supper. Fortuitously, a forest grows in his room, allowing his wild rampage to continue unimpaired. Sendak's color illustrations, perhaps his finest, are beautiful. Each turn of the page brings the discovery of a new wonder.

The wild things--with mismatched parts & giant eyes--manage somehow to be scary-looking without ever really being scary; at times they're downright hilarious. Sendak's defiantly run-on sentences--one of his trademarks--lend the perfect touch of stream of consciousness to the tale, which floats between the land of dreams & a child's imagination.

This Sendak classic is more fun than you've ever had in a wolf's suit, giggle-stiflingly funny at times, & even manages to reaffirm the notion that there's no place like home.

How can I not choose this iconic book especially now that Spike Jonze has turned it into a movie!  This is a book that I love to read to Lily because of the moral of the story as well.  I love how Maurice subtly adds the morals (see PIERRE) as another one that I used to read to Becky all the time.

Although the monsters look scary in the book, they are friendly and try to teach Max a life lesson.  A favorite for children and adults alike!

Waiting on Wednesday (19)

My waiting on Wednesday doesn't have a cover, a synopsis, or is even finished.  However, last night at the Michelle Zink Signing  Irisheyz77 and I and Lily met a new author whose book will be released by Scholastic in January of '11.  Most likely shipping early in December of '10.  What book is this?

CLARITY by Kim Harrington.  From what we gleaned from her last night.  It's about a psychic named Clare (or Claire), was originally titled WELCOME TO THE FREAKSHOW.  Sound interesting?  Oh yeah.  And just to tell you about Kim.  She lives in MA (so Sharon I CAN stalk her!), not too far from me!  She has a 7 year old son and this is her first book and it's a two-book deal.  She was very open and friendly and really seems like she'd totally engage book bloggers as well.  She said she has a bare-bones website.

Contest

I received duplicates this weekend of Lips Touch, How to Say Goodbye in Robot, The Good Neighbors (books 1 & 2).

So the package will include two winners to win all four books.  All you have to do is comment here.  I'll do Random.org to pick winners.  One entry per person, please.  Unfortunately this is open to US only.  I'm sorry for my international friends.  I will have a special contest that will be for International only very soon!


I will pick a winner on November 1, 2009

What I'm Reading and Books I've received this week... (4)

I still haven't finished SPROUT.  But I started AS YOU WISH, by Jackson Pearce.  Which is really cute so far. I am enjoying it.  Still dealing with a sick household, but I'm feeling better and the little one is feeling better.  Hubby is still dealing with a horrible cold which thankfully is not pneumonia! or the Oink Oink Flu! :)

I've only received one book this week and it was from Scholastic and I picked it out for my stepson.  It's a Star Wars book that I really can't remember the name of.  But Darth Vader is on the cover.

I know I've been lax on posting, but some of you have been lax on commenting!  Comments = Love!  I'm going to be having a giveaway soon, but I want to make sure that people are reading the blog.   So I'm going to ask you a question.  Which Book Should I give away????


Please comment below:

1.  Along for the Ride

2.  The Map of the Known World

3. Lips Touch

4.  The Magicians

Okay, you decide which book will be up for grabs!

Picture Book Thursday (6)

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See, Bill Martin, Jr. Eric Carle, Illustrator

From Goodreads:

The gentle rhyming and gorgeous, tissue-paper collage illustrations in this classic picture book make it a dog-eared favorite on many children's bookshelves. On each page, we meet a new animal who nudges us onward to discover which creature will show up next: "Blue Horse, Blue Horse, What do you see? I see a green frog looking at me." This pattern is repeated over and over, until the pre-reader can chime in with the reader, easily predicting the next rhyme. One thing readers might not predict, however, is just what kinds of funny characters will make an appearance at the denouement! Children on the verge of reading learn best with plenty of identifiable images and rhythmic repetition. Eric Carle's good-humored style and colorful, bold illustrations (like those in The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Ladybug, and Have You Seen My Cat?) have earned him a prominent place in the children's book hall of fame. (Baby to Preschool) 

An all-time favorite in my house because of the gorgeous illustrations and the ease of reading it.  We have the board book version and it loses nothing than the 8x10 book.  It's sturdy, great teething material for young hands!  I had to read this story to Lily all the time and even now, she still pulls out her copy.