New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

From Barnes and Noble's website:

I FELT LIKE I WAS TRAPPED IN ONE OF THOSE TERRIFYING NIGHTMARES…For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella ever could have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realize their troubles may be just beginning. . .

My Thoughts:

Sorry guys but really do you need more of a description than that? Everyone in the world seems to have already read these and of course I'm behind the times. My opinion on this book basically comes down to this: I liked this one better than Twilight. It still wasn't amazing or anything but I found myself enjoying it and wanting to pick it up again after setting it down. I've read the reviews and a lot of people find Bella annoying in this one. It didn't bother me that much but I found myself wanting her to look at Jacob as more than a friend. What it comes down to for me is that they are teenagers with those kind of emotions, and reading these books brings me back to all of it. I was less dramatic than Bella as a teenager but I remember being completely in love for the first and the first time that my heart was broken. Maybe that is why these books are so successful, because we identify with some of the emotions that the characters go through. Notice I said some and not all :) I like the way that we got to see the experiences that Jacob goes through in this book and by the end I was definitely rooting for him over Edward. Although I am pretty sure that Meyer is going to take it in the opposite direction. All in all, a good but not great book and I'll eventually get to Eclipse.

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Challenges: 2nds Challenge, YA Challenge, 100+ Book Challenge, A-Z Challenge ("N" Title)

The Sunday Salon- Random Book Stuff

Good morning everyone! It is another Sunday morning with snow on the ground. Yuck! Although it does make for a perfect day of staying inside warm, reading, and blog visiting. Or in my case catching up on a week's worth of stuff that I've been neglecting. First thing though, I need to share the winners from The Crimes of Paris giveaway. I was supposed to tell you a week ago but completely forgot about it. Sorry! But I have good news...I now have 5 copies to giveaway which means 5 winners. The winners are:

• Trish


• Donna S.


• Mystery Robin


• Jessica Marie


• Kristi

Congrats to the winners and I will be sending you an email asking for your mailing addresses. Valerie from Hatchette Books will be send you out your copies :)

In reading news, I am currently reading Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells. This is a strong debut from a new author, and I've been really enjoying it so far. I would have been done with it now but life has gotten in the way a bit. Still trucking on America and the Age of Genocide as well. I finished Kitty Raises Hell this week and will be posting my reviews of the last two Kitty books soon. I also have a few more reviews to do and then I will be completely caught up going into April.

I didn't get a chance to read a lot this week as it was super busy. I started a new full-time job Tuesday which kept me on my toes. I will still be able to sub on Mondays which means a six day work week for awhile. Plus, my baby boy turned 6 on Thursday which meant celebration central here at our house. This is a picture of him and I this fall...getting ready to watch the Bears play. I've been playing Wii with him like crazy as he got a couple of new (addicting) games for it. Seriously, the Sonic/Mario brother Olympics is SO fun and really gives you a work out. My arms hurt. LOL! But it is cutting into my reading time quite a bit which isn't always a good thing. That is really all I have for you this week. I've gotta go start some laundry but I will be back to visit all of you. And thank you to all of those who left such nice comments on my blog this week. It always brings a smile to my face to hear from you :) Here is a picture of my baby girl as well...I realized I hadn't shared any in quite awhile.

Library Loot and Random Thoughts

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by myself and Alessandra that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

Just a few this week as I already have way too many checked out. I was reading other participant's posts for this week and wanted to state that I, too, am a library addict. And proud of it :) Here is what I found:

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly- The Once Upon a Time III Challenge just started and it is already adding to my TBR list. I read a review of this and couldn't resist.

Would-Be Witch by Kimberly Frost- I haven't a clue what this is about...I saw the cover and couldn't resist. I just had to grab it and take it home with me.

Fables: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham- Another one that I had to give a try because of all you enablers :)

That's it for my library loot this week. I completely understand if readers want to stop reading here as I may go on to rant and ramble in the next paragraph. Just ignore me if you are so inclined and I will understand :) Of course, I'm behind in the times and just came across the discussion going on at Amy's blog about community and parasitic book bloggers. A blogger anonymously commented their thoughts on other blogs out there and blew me away. Not in a good way. I left my two cents but kept it short and sweet. But as I'm still chewing on it and stewing over it (hmm...am I hungry or what?) I had to post a bit about it. Basically, anonymous alluded to the fact that they have a "top tier" blog and that there are too many blogs out there that aren't as good as theirs and shouldn't receive review copies because of this. I'm taking review copies out of the equation because they don't matter to me. Review copies aren't what makes me blog, books are. I may not be the best reviewer out there and I am okay with that. I may not have the most followers or visitors and I am okay with that too. What I am not okay with is somebody telling me that my blog isn't good enough because it doesn't get thousands of visitors or because I don't write the best reviews. I put a lot of effort and thought into my blog posts and that is what matters. It disgusts me that someone can get on their high horse and say that others aren't good enough. Who made you judge of all of the parasitic (did I even spell that write?) book blogs? Others felt that Anonymous should have shared who they were for various reasons...mine is pretty simple. That is the type of person that I do not want to be "rubbing shoulders" with or taking the time to comment on their posts for. And for those of you who take the time to visit and comment a HUGE thank you! I appreciate each and every one of you which is why I take time out of my week to comment on all of your blogs. I feel better now :)

P.S.- Thanks to Kimberly at Darque Reviews and Kara at World According To Books for the awards...sorry ladies but I've been too busy to post about them sooner. I do appreciate them and love both of your blogs!!!

P.P.S.- One good thing came out of the discussion and that is I added a Site Meter...something I had never even considered doing before.

Kitty and the Silver Bullet by Carrie Vaughn

Sorry guys, I'm a bit late on posting these last couple of reviews but I've been really busy. I started a brand new job this week and it is probably going to take me a bit to adjust. Don't worry though as I'm still finding time to read in the midst of chaos :)

***Minor Spoilers*** SORRY!!!!

Seriously, you can't even read the back cover of this book if you haven't read the previous 3 in the series without something being given away. I will try not to spoil anything but don't say I didn't warn you.

Kitty is heading back to Colorado and her hometown Denver which is something she thought she would never do. Her mother is sick and she realizes that she has to go back. The vampires are having problems back in Denver as there is a power struggle going on. Of course Kitty finds erself in the midst along with dealing with her former pack.

I am happy to say that I have yet to not like a Kitty book and of course this one doesn't disappoint. Kitty is stronger than ever and while she did have a few "weaker" moments, it wasn't anything huge that took away from her as a character. In fact, I thought that this book made her even more likeable and easy for me to relate to. And that is important sometimes...that the reader can relate to the main character and the choices that they make. There were twists that I didn't see coming at times and this was a real page turner. I like that we continue to see Detective Hardin in these books as she struggles to regulate and investigate cases relating to the supernatural. In talking to other readers of this series, I have to voice my opinion that I really like the relationship that Kitty is in. I've heard that some readers wanted it to go in another direction but I like the way that it is turning out. All in all, another strong read in this urban fantasy series. I am becoming a HUGE fan of Carrie Vaughn!

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Challenges: 100+ Book Challenge, Series 3 Challenge

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Summary from Barnes and Noble:

For more than two hundred years, the Owens women had been blamed for everything that went wrong in their Massachusetts town. And Gillian and Sally endured that fate as well; as children, the sisters were outsiders. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, but all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One would do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they shared brought them back-almost as if by magic...

This was my first book by Alice Hoffman and I adored it. I'm cheating a bit by using the summary for Barnes and Noble but I couldn't figure out where to start summarizing. This cuts it down and gives you the gist without the spoilers so now I can share my thoughts. I loved this book and my first experience with this author. There is the hint of magic throughout the story but this book is mainly about love. The things that people will or won't do for love as well as the joys and pain that love causes. The beginning of the story moves quickly through the early years of Sally and Gillian's lives and their experiences and hardships that come from living with the Aunts. It then moves on to their lives as grown women and the moment that they are brought together again. There are no chapters in this book, rather the story is broken down into four (I believe) sections. Each of the parts of the story were woven together into the perfect story that it was. I was captivated with this novel and don't care if that is a cliche. LOL! :)

One of the things that kept me on edge with this book is that you never knew what was going to happen next. Hoffman includes enough twists and turns to keep the reader slightly off balance and trying to figure out the ending. I loved it and was inclined to read later and later into the night. The author wrote about love throughout the story and one particular passage that I marked said:

"This girl had no right to demand anything more. What had she thought, that love was a toy, something easy and sweet, just to play with? Real love was dangerous, it got you from inside and held on tight, and if you didn't let go fast enough you might be willing to do anything for its sake."

After reading that, don't you just love the way the author writes? She writes in such a fluid, descriptive way that I was able to picture the characters in my head with the way that she wrote them. I would hazard a guess that this book fits in with the magical realism genre which is a first for me. It definitely won't be my last though and I am going to be reading more from this author soon. I finally got the chance to see why Hoffman is a favorite of so many. What a magical tale and a perfect way to end the Winter Reading Challenge!

My Rating/Recommendations: 4 out of 5 and recommended to those who enjoy a great story with magical elements!

Challenges: Winter Reading Challenge, Year of Reading Dangerously, New Author Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge, A-Z Challenge ("P" Title), Support Library Challenge

Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn

Give a brief summary of the book:

This is getting a bit harder to do without spoilers for this series but here I go: Kitty has gone off to a cabin in the mountains to try and center herself after some recent bad experiences. What Kitty doesn't realize is that she attracts trouble like a magnet, and before she knows it is even happening trouble is at her doorstep in the form of Cormac and slaughtered animals. Cormac, the bounty werewolf hunter, brings his own form of trouble along with the fact that it looks like someone is trying to curse Kitty. There is never a dull moment when Kitty is involved :)

Likes?

Gosh, even this is hard when you don't want to spoil future books for readers. I would have to say the developments in the relationship between Cormac, Ben, and Kitty. For all of you who have read this book that probably is pretty clear and for those who haven't I'm sorry. Give this series a try and you'll figure it out. I still think that Kitty is a strong, enjoyable main character who has a knack for getting herself into strange and dangerous situations. She gets stronger in every book and I'm liking that as a reader we get to see her grow as both a human and a werewolf. Plus, she isn't always sure of herself which makes her come across more realistically in these books. I also enjoy how easily I am pulled into these books...I look up and I've read 100 pages. They just keep me entertained and are all around fun reads.

Dislikes?

Hmm...I don't have any complaints with this one. The end portion of the book with the Cormac situation was frustrating but not a dislike. I just wasn't expecting the author to take that direction which makes the series all the more interesting for me....which means that it probably doesn't count as a dislike. I think I'll stick with none on this one.

Additional Thoughts?

For all of you who are on the fence as to whether or not you should read this series, I say give it a try. It is unique and fun with a strong main character. I'm liking the series more and more as I go on with it which is always a good thing. Carrie Vaughn has created an intersting urban fantasy series that will appeal to anyone who enjoys the paranormal aspect in their books. Overall, good read and recommended!

My Rating: 4 out of 5
Challenges: Series Challenge 3, 100+ Book Challenge

Once Upon a Time III Challenge

Color me crazy but I cannot resist joining in on the fun for the Once Upon a Time III Challenge. I've never participated before (although last year I might have signed up and forgotten about it) and I'm looking forward to giving this challenge a try. I don't read a lot of fantasy besides urban fantasy so I'm going to attempt to stretch my limits with this challenge. I've decided to sign up for quest one which means:


Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time III criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.

I'm pretty sure I can handle 5 books although now I'm thinking that I am already going to have to change my reading list for the Spring Reading Thing. Go figure! Carl, the host, doesn't require a list that you plan to read other than he suggests making a pool of books that I can choose from. Here is what I have so far:

• Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr


• The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale


• Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale ( I will read something by this author for this challenge)


• Briar Rose by Jane Yolen


• The Wood Wife by Terri Windling


• The Little Country by Charles de Lint


• Sorcery and Cecilia by Caroline Stevermer
  

Okay, that is what I have come up with on my own and with thanks to Eva's suggestions. I am completely out of my realm so any other ideas of "great or fun" books that fit this genre let me know. Comment away and I will add them to my pool of books!

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

Glass Houses is the first book in the Morganville vampire series and it was a great start to this YA series. Claire is beginning her first year of college and although she is only sixteen, she is very smart for her age. In the dorm where Claire lives, a girl named Monica and her friends/followers don't like Claire though and Claire finds her life in serious danger. She finds a place to live at the Glass house with 3 other misfits and begins to learn more about the town of Morganville. And the dangers that lurk in the dark...

What a beginning to this new-to-me series! It was fast paced action throughout the novel and I was turning pages as fast as I could. Claire was a strong willed sixteen year old and I liked her from the start. When she moves into the Glass house she makes friends and these were all strong characters as well. I loved the dangerous spin on vampires that Rachel Caine used within this story and am SO curious as to where the story will go from here. My only qualm with this book is that Claire made decisions that at some points didn't seem very realistic. For her being as smart as she was portrayed, she didn't use the best common sense at times. And a warning to readers that it does end with a bit of a cliffhanger. I was warned ahead of time so it didn't bother me other than wanting to pick up the next book soon. Figured I should extend the same courtesy to all of you :) All in all though, I was hooked with this story and am anxious to continue on with this series. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about vampires or any types of paranormal books.

My Rating/Recommendations: 4 out of 5 and recommended to paranormal lovers!

Challenges: YA Challenge, 1st in a Series Challenge, 100+ Book Challenge

Spring Reading Thing 2009

I am so excited about this challenge as I've always meant to join in on the fun and never have. So this will be my first year and I'm looking forward to participating. I had a hard time at first trying to figure out which books I wanted to read for this but then just went for a wide variety. Here they are in no particular order :) Oh yeah, sorry for double posting the past couple of days but my goal is to be completely caught up with reviews by the end of March.

• The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls


• I Choose To Be Happy by Missy Jenkins


• The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga


• Blindness by Jose Saramago


• The Girl She Used To Be by David Cristofano


• Kissing Sin by Keri Arthur


• Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie


• A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin
  
• A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray


• The Traitor's Wife by Susan Higginbotham

I ended up using a mix of books that are either on my challenge lists or that need to be read from my ARC pile. I didn't want to list too many more and overwhelm myself so hopefully I can finish these....and I hope that 10 isn't too much :) In other challenge news, I should probably mention somewhere on my blog that I have joined the Classics Challenge, the 1% Well Read Challenge, and the Orbis Terrarum Challenge but since I'm not making lists for these I was lazy and didn't do separate posts. Sorry to the hosts! Anyways, I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else is reading for the Spring Reading Thing and all that good stuff.

Library Loot - March 19th

Okay, it has been awhile since I did a library loot post. In fact, it has obviously been too long as I have a bunch to share. It all looks and sounds so good though that I couldn't resist. And I think you all know by now how much I love my library :) Plus, I went to the HUGE library on the other side of the river before my doctor's appointment the other day and found some gems. Including an arc of Honolulu by Alan Brennert for FREE! Yes, you read that correctly...they had a cart of books for free. It took all of my willpower to not snatch a bunch up and take them home. I figured that might be a bit greedy and that everyone deserved a chance to share in the joy of free books. Seriously, I was so excited as I LOVED Molokai by this author. Anyways, on to the loot:

The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason- I've had this one on hold and it just came in. I love a good vampire novel so I'm looking forward to this!

The Water's Lovely by Ruth Rendell- I was just browsing the shelves when I found this one and the description sounded sooo good. I couldn't resist...

Aunt Dimity and the Duke by Nancy Atherton- This for the 2nds and Themed Reading Challenge (my theme is cozy mysteries)

What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt- This is for the 1% Well Read Challenge and I've heard lots of good things about this one.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- Seriously, this one is all over the blogsphere....when I saw it on the shelves I snatched it up. I was practically jumping with joy :)

Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie- My book has this gorgeous black cover and is part of The Agatha Christie Mystery Collection so it doesn't actually look like this. The big library had these and they were so beautiful...plus I have a personal challenge to read all of her works.

Evernight by Claudia Gray- Another vampire novel that I've been wanting to read.






Annette Vallon by James Tipton- This is for a group read and I may or may not get to it but it does sound interesting.

Looking For Alaska by John Green- Another author that has been all over the blogsphere and then some. Sure does sound good!

Holy smokes! I've already overextended myself but these all sound so good. I'm currently reading Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman and it is so good. This is my first book by this author and she has me hooked. Also working on America and the Age of Genocide which I will get through eventually. It is such a chunker though! Happy reading everyone :)