Friday, 25 February 2011
Five Things on Friday
1) The Beach – I love the beach, even in winter it makes me happy. It feels so much more healthy to take a walk at the beach.
2) Crabcakes – so good, especially with french fries.
3) Need You by Lady Antebellum – yes I am one of those people who jump on bandwagons but this song is so good. Definitely deserved the Grammy.
4) Books – well duh! But special thanks to the Penguin books fairy who sent me What Happened To Goodbye by Sarah Dessen. Ah there is nothing like Sarah Dessen novel to sink into.
5) Movie trailers – I could quite happily sit through an hour of movie trailers. I love them! I’m currently hooked on the Water for Elephants trailer. Fingers crossed it is as good as it looks.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Not Enough Bookshelves
Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
I saw this one over at Angieville and flipped out. Would you just look at that cover? It’s soooo pretty. Some books just need to be displayed face out and this is one. Then I read what is was about – a retelling of Tritian and Isolde – and flipped out some more. Oh wow, it’s must have book!
Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer
James of BookChic gave this one such a fabulous review that I must have it, despite it being a spilt narrative. I am slowly over coming my I dislike of split narrative prejudice. Plus it is another gorgeous cover.
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
I can’t remember where I heard about this one, but pretty cover + Hades as a mesmerizing teenager = I’m there!
Mr Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt
This one was Micheal’s choice on “Books we can’t wait for you to read” on the podcast Books On The NightStand. I love Churchill and I always liked that expression Black Dog on your Shoulder. So this is a must read.
Friday, 18 February 2011
Friday Five
Which makes me think I must have some seriously bad karma going on, because she is coming to Books of Wonder in New York City, along with the most amazing line up of YA authors (check out Maggie Stiefvaters blog for the list)
On the 19th March!!!
Which is 7 days after I leave the USA. I mean seriously world, seriously? You couldn’t have made it the 5th when I will actually be in New York City?
So sad.
But I would probably have gone all shy and babbled anyway, so may be it’s actually the world taking care of me 🙂
I wonder if Books of Wonder Ships Internationally?
2) It is finally Spring here. Which is wonderful, but also making me sad, as spring is my favourite season in DC. I can’t believe I won’t see the Cherry Blossoms this year.
3) Anyone watching Any Human Heart on Masterpiece. Not only does it star matthew Macfadyen, but even more excitingly (X-Files’s fans will understand the more excitingly) Gillian Anderson is playing Wallis Simpson in it. Ah, I miss The X-Files.
4) My son got his first handmade Valentine from his girlfriend. I think I need to write a children’s book about them and have them go to all the places we love in DC and have adventures 🙂
5) Did anyone watch Jeopardy with the computer Watson playing? I had to check it out after reading Anna Jarzab’s blogs on the subject. It was freaky! Definitely a book in there somewhere 🙂 My favourite machine ever is the Robot (did it have a name?) in Lost in Space “Danger Will Robinson!”
Have great weekend everyone. Oh and Out of interest which authors would you take a five hour bus ride to see?
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Book Review – Sapphique Catherine Fisher
Warning spoiler for Incarceron
Sapphique is a wonderful follow up to Incarceron. The world Catherine Fisher has created is fascinating and I love how detailed everything is and her descirptions of both the Court and the Prison. Plus I love the idea of a prison as a sentient being, a being that is unsatisfied with its lot and wants more no matter what that means for the inmates! The plot is action packed with surprising twists and the characters are as real, flawed and surprising as in the first book.
At the beginning of Sapphique Finn and Claudia are finally in the same world, but now facing a whole new set of problems. Especially when the Queen produces a rival for the throne. A boy also claiming to be Giles heir to the throne, who is far more believable and impressive than Finn. As the court questions who is the real Giles, Finn drifts into confusion and melancholy. I did sympathize with Claudia’s frustrations with him. He is quite whiney for the first half of the book. Claudia is her usual fabulous self, plotting, scheming, hating her Father and acting exactly like him, I love her! Although both she and Finn are ousted from centre stage by Keiro and Attia, still stuck inside the prison and unwillingly united in the search for Sapphique’s glove. These two are so vibrant and alive they can’t help but steal the book, especially when they fight.
My only complaint is that there will be no third book. I don’t want to give anything away, but there are a lot of emotional ties left dangling, that I’d love to see put into nice neat bows. Especially in regards to a certain relationship. Also I’d just like to spend more time with these characters in this amazing world.
FTC: ARC received from Publisher.
Monday, 14 February 2011
Just Kiss Already!
Write-Brained is hosting a Just Kiss Already BlogFest to celebrate the day of lurve and I decided to join in. So here’s my contribution, but first some background. Nate is completely in love with Emma, Emma loves him back, but is in deep denial. Nate’s just been in a fight defending her causing Emma to lose it, big time, because she does not need a hero!
I sat there staring at him, only the tips of my fingers touching his face, and yet it felt like every part of me, was connected to him. He was so absolutely worth it. I leaned over and pressed my lips to his. I wasn’t prepared for the fire that shot through me; it traveled from my lips, to the tips of my toes, igniting all the places in between. I pulled back, startled. Nate reached out to me and then stopped, his hands hovered in mid air.
It was his uncertainty that undid me. I flung myself at him, pulled him close and pressed my mouth hard onto his.
“Aghh.” The sound was muffled, but it was clearly pain not pleasure.
I pulled back. “Oh crap.”
Somehow I’d bumped his eye and blood was seeping from between the stitches.
“I’m fine,” Nate said.
“You’re bleeding!”
He reached up a hand to touch his eye. “Not much.” He tried to pull me back against him.
“I have some Kleenex in my bag.” I bent down and fished around for them. Then straightened up and handed him one.
He pressed it onto his eyebrow. “There, all better.”
“Do you feel dizzy?” I asked.
“No.”
“But. . .”
“Come here!” He dropped the tissue and encircled my waist with both hands.
All the blood surged inside me. I reached for him, sliding my hands along his arms and up to his shoulders.
“Emma,” he breathed, as his mouth met mine again.
Let me know if you joined in, I LOVE kissing scenes.
My favourite is still Francesca and Will’s first kiss in Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta, followed closely by Kate and Will in Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott and Katsa and Po in Graceling.
How about you?
Me Elsewhere
Oh and then order you copy of GRACE it really is a must read.
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Friday Five
In honour of Valentine’s Day I thought I’d make this the love edition. So here’s five things I’m loving.
1) Valentine Chocolate. I love chocolate, I love romance. So chocolate in the shape of a heart is kind of my perfect food.
2) Rachel Vail. My friend Joelle recommended her to me. She was actually stunned that not only hadn’t I read her, I’d never heard of her. Anyway I am half way through You May and unless things go horribly wrong, I think I can confidently say I have a new favourite author.
3) This Interview by Nic of Irresistible Reads with Cath Crowley. I loved A Little Wanting Song and I can’t wait for Graffitti Moon.
4) This Cookie from Sarah Rees Brennan. Noooo Alan!!!, but also oooohhhh Alan and Sin and hair stroking, I like!
5) Books (well obviously) There are so many books I am dying to read at the moment. I need more hours in my day. Top of the list right now – The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer, Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce, and Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Friday, 4 February 2011
Friday Five
Next week hopefully.
For now here are five things that you may (or may not) find interesting.
1) It’s February, the grimmest month. I don’t know why it always feels epic when it only has 28 days. My friend Joelle has christened it re-reads month. Which sounds like a good idea, I could do with being cheered up by some re-reads, but I have the last 2 Vampire Academy Books to gobble up first.
2) Downton Abby – if you are also feeling the February Blues may I suggest you download Downton Abby. This fabulous upstairs/downstairs British period drama is a joy to watch. I am utterly in love with it.
3) Today I came across this fabulous re-cap of Sara Zarr’s speech to the SCWBI Winter Conference on Notes from the Slushpile A must for all my writer friends.
4) I also found this blog My Mom is a FOB, thanks to a feature on NPR. It’s very funny. My favourite so far is, But I mind – found in the right side bar column.
5) Finally, it is my last SuperBowl! Not that I am in to American football. I don’t really understand it. But I do love the National Event feel of the Superbowl. Not the mention the 5 for $5 avocados and cute football shaped cookies in Wholefoods.
Are you watching the Superbowl? What’s you favourite snack? I feel I should GO for it in snacking terms this year!