Saturday, June 30, 2012

Mysterious Saturday Review: The Dive Digs Up Dirt

 * The 6th book in the charming Diva series *

Sophie can't wait for a vacation, she's been working too hard organizing parties and events. She has one last event and then some down time.

She's not going to get her wish, Natasha has plans. A bulldozer comes into Sophie's yard along with a television star. He's going to create a garage for her. Unfortunately, Sophie has no knowledge of her plans and although she would like a garage, she doesn't want to lose her plants or her backyard. Natasha doesn't take no for an answer.

Sophie tries to escape the noise and people in her yard, she heads over to his house to plant a rose bush. While digging in the back yard, she uncovers a purse. The purse belongs to Wolf's wife, whom mysteriously disappeared years ago. Most people assume that Wolf murdered her. Sophie isn't sure what to do, but now everyone's concerned about Anne.  Could she be murdered?

My Thoughts: I really enjoy reading this series. I love Sophie and find her relationship with Natasha both strange and fascinating.  I like their advice before the chapters, I find it amusing when they both answer the same question so differently. 
I loved the garden parties and visualizing the flowers. It felt peaceful and wonderful (except for the manure smell and the dead bodies). 
I thought the Greene family had great characters - the gold digger and trophy wife, the loyal ex-wife who's shocked by events, the proud son who wants to take over, and the man who has everything. Add in a nosy and eavesdropping housekeeper. The Greenes were horrible, but entertaining. 
I liked learning more about Wolf and his wife and their past. 
I can't wait to see where Krista Davis will take the next book!

Cover Thoughts: Beautiful!
Source: My Library.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Top Summer Movies I'm Looking Forward to Watching

Here are the movies I'm most excited to see this summer!

Dark Knight Rising: I love these movies so much and I can't wait to see Catwoman!


Bourne Legacy: I love these movies - lots of action. I'm sad that Matt Damon won't be in it, but I'm looking forward to a new generation of Treadstone.


Expendables 2: I really love cheesy action movies and this one has SO many good stars!





Amazing Spiderman: I love Emma Stone and I liked the first Spiderman movies. It's a little soon for a reboot, but I'm intrigued.



Snow White and the Huntsmen: This looks like she can kick some serious butt!



What other movies are coming out that I'm forgetting about?

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Teen Review Thursday: Inheritance


 The book Inheritance is the long awaited conclusion to the Eragon series by Christopher Paolini.  In this final book the main character Eragon and his dragon Saphira continue their quest to confront Galbatorix and his evil empire by conquering fortresses around his stronghold.  Throughout this novel Eragon grows in his powers as a dragon rider so he can confront Galbatorix.  Eragon’s cousin Roran is now a battle tested warrior who is essential in sacking the multiple fortresses on the way towards Galbatorix and his hideout.  All of Alagaesia depends on the final confrontation between Eragon and Galbatorix and it is long awaited.

  If you have read the other books in this series then this is a long awaited book that is a must read to know the outcome of Alagaesia.  I could not stop and put this book down and before having this book I was only reading school books.  If you love surprises and twists that are unexpected then this is a good book for you.  The reason why I could not put this book down was because of the action and good story.  I do not have any qualms about this book and it is incredibly well written.  The final installment in the Eragon series by Christopher Paolini is spectacular and the best book I have read in a while.

Name and age: Patrick 16
Title: Inheritance
Author: Christopher Paolini
Rating: 10

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

What's On My Holds List (16)

 

My Librarian friend Jess from I Read to Relax came up with a great idea.  It's to highlight the books on hold at the library. I usually have 20-40 items checked out at the library and another 20 items on hold.

 Dream Lake: I LOVE the Friday harbor series and Lisa Kleypas!

Catching Fireflies: I adore this series full of smart women in a small town with deep friendships


Pies and Prejudice: This looks charming and it's the first in a new series. Ella Mae finds herself moving back south after her husband cheats on her. She decides to open a pie shop - with the delicious pies she bakes.


The Great Escape: I really like this author - looking forward  this follow up to Call Me Irresistible.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Tween Tuesday Review: Racing Into Trouble


* Racing Into Trouble is book 2 in the Timber Ridge Riders series. Click here to read my review for book one: Keeping Secrets*
** Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun!  **

Kate and Angela have an uneasy relationship. Angela's excited because a new girl will soon be arriving at the stables. Jennifer West, from England, has riding in her blood. Angela hopes that will her riding skills, Jennifer might be enough to kick Kate off the team.

Kate's happy to be back riding horses and living with her friend. She doesn't mind helping Holly get around the house. She's excited about Holly's future and her ability to ride horses again. After an accident leaves Holly's mom on crutches, Kate takes over more responsibility in the barn. Things aren't going well as notes turn up missing, a fire starts in the barn, and a horse goes out of control. Both Holly and Kate know Angela's behind these pranks making Kate look bad, but without proof, they can't do anything.

Will these incidents all add up to major trouble for Kate?

My Thoughts: I tore through this sequel, loving the new horse that comes to the barn that's a bit of handful. I love how Kate tries to tame him with Lifesavers!  I love reading about the horses and their quirks. I think Jennifer will be an interesting addition to the stable. The drama between the riders kept me turning the pages as I had to find out what happened. The news at the end makes me eager to read the next book in this fun series.

Cover Thoughts: Cool - I like the horse running.

Source: From the author - Thanks Maggie!


Up Next: Riding for the Stars


Monday, June 25, 2012

Review: Beyond the Hunger Games

I think this book should have been titled Before the Hunger Games as most of the book pertained to the starts of the actress and actors career before making the film.
Each star has roughly 30 pages where their previous work is described along with how they achieved the roles for the Hunger Games.  Plus their family life, love lives, and quotes from interviews are shared.
There's a 20 page ending to the book that talks about moving from the book to film. 

My Thoughts: A quick and interesting read for those interested in the stars of the Hunger Games, but not much information about the Hunger Games movies. I thought that the book was too short, I would have liked to learn more about them.


The photos are great - ranging from young photos to red carpet photos to photos from the movie. 


I wish some of the other actors/actresses had been touched upon, still it's a fascinating book. I like that Jennifer, Josh, and Liam love the Hunger Games and really wanted the roles.


Cover Thoughts: Interesting.


Source: my Libary

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Library Craft: Duct Tape Ties

I found this online and posted it to Pinterest. It doesn't take long if you're used to working with Duct Tape. I did this two weeks ago with the teens at the library.

The instructions are here. I traced the tie with on paper and used that for the template.



Here are some of the ties created during the event:





Have you used Duct Tape with your teens? What sorts of projects do you do??

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Mysterious Saturday Review: Rest in Pizza

Eleanor's happy when she hears her friend will be opening up a bookstore in the square where she own Slice of Delight. She's more than happy to volunteer to help Cindy with the grand opening featuring superstar Chef Benet.

Eleanor doesn't realize what she's getting herself and her sister into. There's no match for Chef Benet's ego. Nothing suits him. He's talking of pulling out of the appearance all together. He heads for Eleanor's shop to think about the situation.

Maddie and Eleanor arrive at the shop to fetch him when they discover his body.  The list of suspects isn't big, but everyone has a reason to dislike the man.  Eleanor wonders why the man came to town in the first place. Could something from his past tie him to the town?


My Thoughts: I really enjoy reading this series for the sisterly bond, the romances of the sisters, and the descriptions of the pizza. I love the small town charm of this series - this is the 4th book in the series. The sisters have a tight bond, but still get on each other's nerves.  They support each other, laugh with each other, and admire each other.


Each sister has a boyfriend. Both the men come into the pizza restaurant from time to time. Maddie's boyfriend has something serious on his mind, a question she's not ready to answer.


The tight knit community rushes to help out in times of need. The owners of the shops, bakery, and restaurants all chat with each other as old friends. 


A charming addition to this delicious series.


Cover Thoughts: Great


Source: Inter-Library Load

Friday, June 22, 2012

Review: Wentworth Hall

Maggie has a secret and she's pulled away from her family to keep it. After her return from Paris, she's no longer the carefree wild child. Instead, she's looking at marriage.

She has no desire to marry any other men around Wentworth Hall, which is crumbling down. When her father's friend dies leaving his children alone, Lord Darlington offers them his home. 

The twins stand to inherit a large fortune on their 18th birthday, but until then, they are penniless. Lord and Lady Darlington hope to marry Maggie to Teddy Fitzhugh.  Maggie isn't sure she wants to marry Teddy, but there's no harm in spending time with him.

My Thoughts: The tagline for this book states that it's perfect for Downton Abbey fan and it's true. The book features multiple perspectives from Maggie, her sister, and their maid. There's also an anonymous newspaper series based upon Wentworth Hall that isn't kind to anyone in the house.  Maggie and her sister used to be close, but that was before her trip to the continent. Now, there's obvious tension between the two sisters. Scandal, romance, and jealous all reside with the family in Wentworth Hall.

I really enjoyed this read, except that I felt it wrapped up too quickly. It felt like the beginning of a series, but I'm not sure if that's true and I can't find any information to a sequel.


Cover Thoughts: I Like it


Source: My Library

Challenge: Historical Fiction


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Review: Throne of Glass

Celaena Sardothien used to be the world's best assassin - until someone betrayed her. She's spent the last year working in the salt mines. She assumes she'll be there a long time - until someone makes her an offer she can't refuse.
The King needs a new assassin. He's holding a tournament to fill his new position. Prince Dorian makes her a deal - win the tournament and serve the King for three years. After that, she'll have her freedom.
Celaena leaves behind her old life and settles into the palace under a false identity. She's not allowed to socialize with the other ladies of court and they assume she's closely connected with Prince. To fill her days, she reads and starts getting her body back into shape. 
She's going against 24 men - all of whom underestimate her and her skills.  The captain of the guard, Westfall, oversees her training sessions. At first he tells her to stay in the middle of the pack - never let them see her true abilities. That doesn't work out exactly. Still, she holds her own against the men during the various tests to weed out the weaker contestants. The tests aren't the only thing killng off these men, there's something prowling around in the castle, something dark, magical, and deadly. Will Calaena survive to the final test?


My Thoughts: I DEVOURED this book. It's my new favorite book and I'm telling EVERYONE to read it. Especially if you liked Grave Mercy, or Graceling or Poison Study.
I adored this book. I liked reading about the training regiments, figuring out the court intrigue, and the dreams Calaena dreamt. The training sessions and the tests were brutal, but I loved how everyone underestimated her skills. She reminded me a little of Katniss with her knives.   Calaena was opinionated, determined, strong, and best of all, snarky. She wasn't afraid to share her thoughts and she didn't sugar coat them. 
I loved her banter with both Prince Dorian and Westfall. The romance triangle works well, although of course I have my favorite all picked out.
While it didn't end on a cliff hanger, more questions were raised than answered. I can't wait for more in this series!

Cover Thoughts: I like the castle in the background and Calaena in front with a knife strapped to her arm. She looks  young and vulnerable, but the knife makes her stand out.

Source: Netgalley/BEA (I got the ARC signed at BEA and read it while waiting in lines)

Keep your eyes peeled for this book, which comes out August 7th. You don't want to miss this amazing debut!!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

What's on My Hold List (15)


My Librarian friend Jess from I Read to Relax came up with a great idea.  It's to highlight the books on hold at the library. I usually have 20-40 items checked out at the library and at least another 20 items on hold

This batch comes from BEA and some of them might be coming out 6 months from now. Keep your eyes out for them, because they look excellent!


Prodigy - LOVED Legend (It's on the summer reading list this year) and I'm about 1/4 through this one and loving it.


Confessions of a Murder Suspect: Love the fast pace action style of Patterson's writing formula - looking forward to this one immensely


Darkest Minds: I adored the author's first book, can't wait to read more of her work




Keeper of the Lost Cities: Looks like an excellent tween read with secrets, action, and danger! Plus I love the cover


Falling Kingdoms: Magic, battles, kingdoms, and four people forever changed. And the cover is amazing.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Tween Tuesday Review: Blowout

** Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun!  **


Mickey loves her mother's salon. She's dreamed of working there and now on her 13th birthday, her dreams are coming true. She's going to be responsible for sweeping up the hair on the floor and making sure the stations are set.
When she meets two girls at school waiting to get haircuts, she attempts to befriend them. Mickey wants to be liked so she shares gossip with the girls and gives them an extra bottle of nail polish each. She doesn't realize that by spreading gossip she might hurt one of the stylist's career. Nor does she think the salon will miss the nail polish until someone takes inventory.
Mickey desperately wants to keep her new job. Will she confess her crimes and help right her wrongs?


My Thoughts: The first book in a new series. I liked reading about Mickey's job in the beauty salon. She had great instincts when it came to accessories.  I thought her mom was a little hard on her at times. 


I loved how Mickey's best friend was Jonah and that they played video games and hung out together. I liked how Mickey tried to branch out and gain some friends who were girls. Although, at times it backfired. 


Mickey had great intentions, but most of the time things didn't work out according to plan, which was fun to read!


Cover Thoughts: Cute!


Source: My Library

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Bourne Trailer

I can't WAIT to see this movie! I hope it lives up to the previous Bourne movies.





It comes out August 3rd!


Of course, I'll have to watch all the other Bournes again before seeing this one.  

Friday, June 15, 2012

review: Radiate

During her junior year, Hayley decides to change her extracurricular activities. She gives up band and starts practicing like crazy. Cheerleading tryouts are help right before summer for the fall.

Hayley's so happy when she makes the team. She can't wait for cheer camp and that first football game. During the course of training, she notices leg pain and lump.

After going to the doctor, she's dumbfounded to discover it's cancer. Right away, she goes into the hospital for an operation.to remove the cancer.

Her recovery takes longer than she would like, but she's determined to make it to the football games. Her determination helps when the doctors aren't sure of her progress, when she's back at school and no one knows what to say, and when her hair falls out.

Can Hayley's senior year be everything she dreamt it could be?

My Thoughts: I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book. I don't like reading about sickness or disease. Plus cancer has hit close to me recently.


But I'm a big fan of Marley's so I read it and I'm glad I did. I was expecting the book to be sad and depressing. While there were moments of sadness, it was mostly uplifting. I expected to cry buckets, but instead, I think I teared up once or twice.


I admired Hayley for her strength, her determination, her courage, and her hope. She came through with humor and honesty. 


Her parents were great, doing everything they could to make their daughter better. They struggled financially due to family drama they tried to hide. Hayley struggled with her friends and their reaction to cancer. Some of them were amazing and some were cruel.


An excellent look at how cancer tried to impact Hayley's life and left scars, but didn't change her.


Cover Thoughts: Cute


Source: My Library

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Books I'm Dying To Read: August Edition

I can't wait to read these books - all coming out in August. Do you have ones you're looking forward to reading in August?
Sour Apples - The 6th book in the Apple Orchard series deals with Meg's former world colliding with her new world.  GoodReads - Out August 7th
Seven Layer Death- book 5 in the Della Wells series - no description or cover art available.- GoodReads - Out August 7th

Powdered Peril  - The 8th book in the Donut Shop mystery series  delves more into the Grace and Peter's relationship.  GoodReads - Out August 28th
Biting Cold - Merit's dealing with the traumatic loss from the last cliff hanger in the 6th book of the Chicagoland Vampire series. GoodReads - Out August 7th

 


Shatterproof - Book 4 in the Cahill vs Vespers series for tweens - highly addicting combination of danger and action.  GoodReads - Out August 31st
Ungifted - An ungifted students mistakenly gets placed among students   GoodReads - Out August 21st


Foretold - 14 Tales of Prophecy and Prediction from amazing YA authors. GoodReads - Out August 28th
Courtship and Curses - The prequel to Betwitching Season - historical fantasy with ballrooms and fabulous dresses.  GoodReads - Out August 7th


False Memory - Sounds like a Bourne type book - which is awesome! GoodReads - Out August 14th
Throne of Glass - Just finished this book and it's AWESOME! Lots of action, danger, and romance. Don't miss this one!!! GoodReads - Out August 7th

 

If I Lie - A girl kisses another boy - not her army boyfriend and consequence ensue.  GoodReads - Out August 28th
Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made me Famous- Summer Romance, a chance to be a star on a cooking show, and a potential future in cooking - sounds great to me! GoodReads - Out August 21st

 


Comeback - Book 15 in the addicting Canterwood Crest series - where Lauren competes for the first time since her accident and deals with friendship drama.  GoodReads - Out August 7th
Mutiny in Time - I just finished this one, and it's very similar to the 39 Clues series!  GoodReads - Out August 31st

 

Dear Mr. Darcy - Jane Austen freak - plus I really adore this author. GoodReads - Out August 7th

Dream Lake -I love this series and this author. I'm excited to read about Zoe's story in this enchanting series. GoodReads - Out August 7th

 

A Witch Before Dying - I really enjoyed the first book in this series of magic, sisters, and a small town.  GoodReads - Out August 7th

No Way to Kill a Lady -Blackbird Sister's book 8, so happy there's more of this series as I adore the vintage clothes, the newspaper, the sisters, and the romance. GoodReads - Out August 7th


 

Survive -Described as Hatchet meets Lost!  GoodReads - Out August 2nd

Defiance - 1st in a new series with romance, danger, and rebellion. Plus the cover looks awesome GoodReads - Out August 28th






Tuesday, June 12, 2012

The Hub blog


Today I'm a guest blogger on YALSA's Blog chatting about Camp Books. Check it out

Tween Tuesday Review: Abduction

*Abduction is a first book in a new series that occurs AFTER On The Run series. *

** Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun!  **

 Aidan and Meg are trying to put their lives back together. It's hard sitting in a classroom when you're used to being on the run. Old habits die hard. Plus no one understands - most of their former friends still believe their family are traitors.   


Coming home from school one day, they see a van. Within moments, Meg is drugged and tossed into the van. Aidan can't help her. 


Their old nemesis FBI Agent Harris appears at their house. With the family name in the media again, it's clear that no one has sympathy for them. Aidan can't believe that he allowed the kidnapping to happen. 


He's determined to find Meg and rescue her. After all they've been through together, he might be her only hope.
  
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed On the Run series and loved that Aidan and Meg's adventure continues.  


At first I hated how the siblings were separated as they've been through so much together, but it's interesting to see them apart. Their minds are still connected. Meg knows how her brother thinks and how he will react to a potential clue.


I love how they both think outside the box and how they're strong and determined.


I love the action, the danger, and the crazy stunts. I'm so happy to read more about Meg and Aidan and how their lives have changed now that they've gone back to "normal".


Cover Thoughts: Great!
Source:  Inter-Library Loan

Monday, June 11, 2012

BEA recap: Wednesday (part 3)


I'm still trying to remember everyone I met and everything I saw that looked awesome - it's pretty hard. BEA is my favorite book moments of the year. I look forward to it each yet. I love meeting people who love books as much as I do! 


I love meeting bloggers, who's blogs I read. I love meeting new to me bloggers. I love seeing librarian friends and meeting new librarian friends. I like chatting with the publishers and finding out more about their upcoming books.  I love looking at the book covers on the walls of the booths. 


On Wednesday, I got to the center around 8:15. The tickets for the events I wanted were all taken.


It was a day of lines. After going to a few favorite booths, I headed to the autograph table to meet Sarah Maas and get a copy of Throne of Glass. The line had already started and it got HUGE.



 After meeting her, I went to the Harlequin teen line, which was also really long. But I started reading Throne of Glass (and it's AWESOME! Seriously - you want to keep your eyes out for this book in August!!!!)

Harlequin had some great authors:




After the Harlequin Line, I went over to the Penguin booth and got in line for Marie Lu. While waiting I saw this cover -


which looks awesome! I missed the ball which you can stand inside, but from the pictures, it looked really cool. 
I met Marie Lu at the Penguin party the night before. I can't tell you how happy I was to get Prodigy. I seriously loved Legend


 I walked around checking out various booths. I ran into Sarah MacLean - who I adore. She was signing
11 Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart. I got a copy for the library's collection.

Then I headed to the autograph table where I met Jon Sczieska and Tim Green. They were both really nice. Then I stood in line for Tim Green's sports book. He was super sweet.


After that, I waited in line for Keep Holding On and to see Susane Colasanti one last time. 

After that, it was time to leave. I really loved talking to so many people about books, learning about books, and having books to take back to the library for summer reading prizes. I was tired, hungry, and my feet hurt badly. It was nice to get home to my husband and puppy. I'm already looking forward to next year!

Here's the books from Day 2:



 Books I can't wait to read
 Books I can't wait to read
 Books to be added to the library collection
Summer Reading Prizes that will delight our patrons!