Teaser Tuesday: Haunting Violet

This week's teaser is from Haunting Violet by Alexandra Harvey:

He reared up out of the water, coming straight at me. His expression was wild, hungry, savage. He wore the torn remnants of a frock coat, smeared with blood.

Eek! Is anyone else freaked out right now?

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should Be Reading.

Duly Quoted (12)

Today's quotes are from one of my all time favorite movies:

"When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does."

"So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around?"
 
-Kathleen Kelly (the character played by Meg Ryan in the movie You've Got Mail)

I'd also like to direct your attention to a couple of awesome posts I discovered this week, if you haven't seen them already:

Sarah Ockler responds to the NYT review of STAY and BITTER END.

And related, she discusses the "parent problem" in YA.

Kiersten White's post on faith. In which she expresses so many things I've felt, but could never find such perfect words for.

Armchair BEA: Blogging About Blogging

When it comes to book blogging (or, I suspect, any type of blogging), I have one piece of advice: blog for yourself. Do it because you like it, and do it in a way that's fun for you.

If you don't want to post, don't post. And PLEASE, PLEASE, don't apologize to your readers for not posting (I admit to having done this in my early days). Your blog is supposed to be fun, not work! We all have enough work in our lives. You are still a good blogger if you miss a day, or even a week (or even a month, but I don't want to blow your circuits). We will forgive you, promise. Confession time:

1. I don't review everything that I read. And if I start reading a book that I've accepted for review and I'm just not digging it, I stop reading. Why? Because life is too short, my time is valuable, and I can't imagine the author wants a review from a reader who didn't click with their book, no matter how good it might be.

2. Not only are there days when I don't read at all, there are entire weeks when I don't have anything on the go, reading-wise. Because sometimes my kids have the flu, or I have to pick between reading and working out, or my husband is home in the evening after working late for a month, or I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE IT and would rather watch some trashy TV.

3. I don't answer all my email. Or even most of my email. Actually, I answer as little email as I can get away with.

Yet I consider myself to be a fairly good book blogger. So here's my advice: don't submit to the pressure. Have fun, and if you aren't having fun figure out why and fix it. Don't compare yourself to other bloggers who have a bazillion followers, get every shiny new ARC copy that you wish you had, and seem to have it all together. If you're already stressed out by your reading schedule, don't take on more books! It's just silly.

Use your time in a way that enhances your personal well-being. If you miss a day of posting, no one will give you a hard time. If anyone does, you send the to me and I will read them the riot act and readjust their thinking for you.

Anyway, that concludes my ArmchairBEA participation for the year. I've had a blast and discovered some new friends, so I call that a smashing success. See you all next time around!

Etsy Friday (15)

WANT. If I had unlimited funds to do a nursery, I would snap up this bookshelf in a red-hot second. Then when my child outgrows it, I'll use it as display in my beautiful (unfortunately non-existent) indie bookstore. As it is, I may get a couple of the adorable bookends.

Woodland Happy Tree Bookshelf

by Graphic Spaces

ArmchairBEA: My Favorite Book Blogs

Status update: I made it around to almost 50 blogs yesterday. Go, me! However, for some reason the blogger comment system hated me, and I couldn't leave a comment. Sorry!

Today is interview day on the ArmchairBEA. I didn't get signed up in time to participate, so I'll be talking about the alternate topic, "My Favorite Book Blogs." I am terrified to take this on because there's just no way I can write about all my favorites; I would be here all day. So please keep that disclaimer in mind as you read. I am scatterbrained!  That said, when I think about my favorite blogs, the ones I would drag myself to the computer with the flu for, there are a few that spring immediately to mind:

Juju @ Tales of Whimsy. I met Juju on Shelfari way back in 2009, and I'm proud to say I've been followering her blog since day one. She is probably the nicest, sweetest blogger you will ever meet, and her reviews always make me smile. Juju is also known as The Best Commenter in the Book Bloggerdom. Ok, I may have given her that title myself, but I'm sure I could find dozens of people who'd agree with me. Also, her blog is insanely pretty (I adore the retro theme) and well-organized.

Danielle (aka the1stdaughter) @ There's a Book. Reader, writer, musician, mother. Smart, talented, and kind. This gal is one of the ArmchairBEA organizers, and a general all-around busy lady. Her blog covers books for the younger set, from picture books right through to YA. I have found dozens of great reads for my kids here, as well as lots for myself. Danielle has apparently never learned the old adage about never working with children, and her two kids, Littlebug and Turkeybird, routinely make appearances on the blog for reviews. Turkeybird also has an interview series which is too much fun to miss. Danielle is also the host of a weekly meme A Bit of Me(Me), and The Read to Me Picture Book Challenge.

The lovely ladies of The First Novels Club. Donna, Sara, Frankie and Janine are four aspiring authors blogging about reading, writing and... well, no 'rithmitic. I believe I was first sucked into this blog by Donna's Disney-fied character studies, but I've stayed around for the reviews, writing tips, hilarity and general awesomeness to be found here.

GMR @ Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. Gina's chatty reviews of eclectic titles are the perfect antedote to reading boredom. I never know what she's going to read next, but I always love reading about it. Her funny, conversational writing style is unique and keeps me coming back for more. She also hosts The Roving Reader, a meme which is perfect for someone as cover-addicted as I am.

Heather Zundel @ The Secret Adventures of Writergirl. An avid reader and querying author, Heather has a love of books that explodes outward from her blog. There's always something fun going on here, whether about books or various randomness. Heather is also one of the creators of the YA Fantasy Showdown.

Armchair BEA: Best of 2011

Who else here is having lots of fun with Armchair BEA? I made it around to about 40 different blogs' intro posts yesterday, and have discovered a few new reading soulmates. Hoping to visit 40 more today!

Tuesday's topic is "The Best of 2011." The year's almost half over, and I have a few reads that are definitely being added to my forever favorite shelf:

There are also more than a few titles coming up during the rest of the year that I'm REALLY excited about. I couldn't list them all, but a few of the biggies are:

Did I promise to make that a short list? Oops.

What's on your list?

Teaser Tuesday: Beauty Queens

This week's teaser is from Beauty Queens by Libba Bray.

Mary Lou and Sosie gathered rocks and pebbles from the beach and spelled out the word HELP along the shore so that it might be seen from a passing plane. At the end of the word, Sosie made an exclamation mark with a smiley face at the bottom.

"That way, they'll know we're friendly," she reasoned.

Haven't finished this one yet, but here are a few words to describe it thus far: twisted, smart, and gut-bustingly funny.  Beauty Queens is available in bookstores today, so march yourself on out and pick up a copy.

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted each week at Should Be Reading.

Kicking Off ArmchairBEA!

This week in New York City, hundreds of authors, editors, literary agents, booksellers, and members of the bookish media are gathering for Book Expo America 2011. There are author signings, free books, tons of book bloggers, free books, exhibitors, and did I mention the free books? I've never been, but I heard it's stupendous. I'm picturing in my head a delightful heaven where everyone prances about on fluffy clouds talking about books.

Sigh.

However, there are lots of us book bloggers who aren't going to BEA this year. And the fantastic thing is that there's an event for us, too! Armchair BEA is just like the real thing, only your feet won't get nearly as sore. It's all about the fluffy clouds and book talk. There are events going on all week, from giveaways to panel discussions to Twitter partying! You can see the full schedule right here.

Today's discussion topic is "Who are you and how do you Armchair?" So...

I'm Vanessa, and I've been book blogging for just a little over two years now. I'm married to Joe and I'm a stay at home mom of three mostly lovely children, Bubble, Whee and Monster (not their actual names. I'm not that mean.) I have a degree in psychology, which comes in handy when I need to diagnose all the kinds of crazy I'm going. Apparently I could not find a picture of myself with my makeup on...

When I'm not chasing after my little yahoos, I like to read books (surprise!). All kinds of books, though I have a partiality for urban fantasy and contemporary fiction, particularly young adult. A few of my faves are:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Water For Elephants by Sarah Gruen

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

So if you like any of those, we can probably be friends. You can find me on Goodreads here.

As to what I'm looking forward to during Armchair BEA, I'm mostly hoping to meet lots of great book bloggers, make new friends and find more awesome blogs to follow. I'm also excited for this Friday, when the discussion topic is supposed to be about the more technical aspects of blogging... I'm hoping to find some good tips.

So that's me. I'm off to go look at all your blogs now.  I'll be seeing you around this week.

34. What Happened To Goodbye

Author: Sarah Dessen

Long story short: Ever since her parents' publicly painful divorce, Mclean has been moving from town to town with her father, pretending to be someone she's not. Then they settle in the town of Lakeview, and Mclean finds she just can't pretend anymore. But she also isn't sure who she is now. She's been pretending for so long that she's not sure she can find the real Mccoy... er, Mclean.

My thoughts: I liked it. No one here should be surprised by that.

Sarah Dessen is, bar none, my favorite YA contemporary author. I love her quirky characters, I love her dialogue, and I love the way her books dip into all sorts of different interests. I am glued to these books from the time I start reading until I turn the last page, I literally can't put them down. I can't even describe what it is about her writing that keeps me riveted, but I know it when I see it.

Mclean is perhaps my favorite Dessen heroine thus far, and I think that's partly because her problem hits close to home. Not the horrifying parental breakup thing (at least not for me), but more the desire to reinvent yourself, to leave behind whatever it is in your past that you don't want to deal with anymore. I know that in my life, especially when I was a teen, there have been times when I wanted to completely change myself and be someone else, to reinvent myself in the guise of Party Girl, Studious Girl, or Seriously Christian Girl. I think most of us experience that at some point. Mclean just does it more literally than most people.

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but it always makes me laugh that Dessen's books are packaged as Romance. There is romance, often quite lovely romance, but the other relationships in the book are always more important to me as I'm reading. Mcclean's connections with her new friends, herself, and even (gasp!) her parents are all just as important as her budding feelings for Dave.

One thing that kind of annoyed me about this book was the way the stories from other novels have become so interconnected. I can't believe I'm even saying this, because normally I LOVE the way Dessen's previous characters will make an appearence in later novels. It makes me smile. At this point (I've read Dessen's six most recent books) there are so many connections that a part of my brain is constantly putting together the random pieces and it's hard to focus on the story at hand. There's a strong liklihood that this wouldn't bother anyone else, though, and you shouldn't let it stop you from reading the book. I'm just sayin'.

Final word: I think Just Listen is still my favorite Dessen, but WHTG is good. You should read it.

Duly Quoted (11)

I am not what you'd call a connoisseur of music, but I do like to have the radio on. Usually I listen to the local Top 40 type station, but after getting tired of listening to my daughter singing about brushing her teeth with a bottle of Jack, I decided to make the switch to something less likely to make me the "bad mommy" at playgroup. (Ask me sometime about the time my daughter explained to another little girl about where babies come from... I was SUPER popular after that.)


So I thought and thought about it. I have a strict no-Elmo policy here, and I sorta kinda hate most "kid's" music. Then the perfect answer came to me. Country music! Country music is wholesome, right? Ya, not so much. Let me share with you a few lyrics from the first song we listened to after changing the station.

Now Honey, you can't blame her
For what her mama gave her
It ain't right to hate her
For workin' that money-maker
Band shuts down at two
But we're hangin' out till three
We hate to see her go
But love to watch her leave
With that honky tonk badonkadonk
Keepin' perfect rhythm
Make ya wanna swing along
Got it goin' on
Like Donkey Kong
And whoo-wee
Shut my mouth, slap your grandma
There outta be a law
Get the Sheriff on the phone
Lord have mercy, how's she even get them britches on
With that honky tonk badonkadonk

"Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" -Trace Adkins

Now my daughter is singing about her honky tonk badonkadonk. THAT'S going to clinch the Mother of the Year award, for sure.

For shame, country music. For shame.

If you have a quote to share, I want to hear about it. Leave the quote or a link to it in the comments!

33. So Much Closer

Author: Susane Colasanti

Summary: Scott Abrams is the love of Brooke’s life. He just doesn’t know it yet. So when his family moves to New York City the summer before senior year, Brooke has no choice but to follow Scott. It’s her last chance to prove to him that they’re meant to be together.

But the city is full of surprises that Brooke never expected. Ever since a painful family trauma, she’s been closed off to her parents, to her friends, and even to herself. Now, inspired by the thrilling energy of the bustling and creative city around her, Brooke starts to explore her talents and become someone she never dreamed she’d be.

So what will she do when her biggest dream finally comes true . . . and instead, she wants something more? (website)

My thoughts: Let me give you the bottom line at the top. I like it, I love it, I want some more of it! (Sorry, I've been listening to the country music station lately and I just can't seem to help myself.)

The narrator of So Much Closer, Brooke, is absolutely brimming with cringe-inducing earnestness. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to hug her or slap some sense into her. Maybe both. I was certainly invested. Brooke is a bit of a creeper (after all, she's basically stalking Scott), but so very relateable at the same time. I'm not sure I like what that says about me.

Maybe Brooke is so easy to spend time with because she feels like a real person. Colasanti absolutely nailed the voice here. It's very colloquial, but it sounds like Brooke is actually talking to you. The casualness may turn off some readers, but I found it real and refreshing.

What I loved most about this book was that it isn't about romance, or love, or boys, or any of that stuff. All that is just the side dish. This story is about a girl learning to respect herself enough to truly live her life with verve and enthusiasm. To live for herself, not for someone else or for a vague ideal. I think that's a message that anyone, at any age, can stand to hear.

Mailbox Happiness

Look what was on my doorstep waiting for me when I got home today:

I'd give it a kiss but I'm having a hard time finding a spot that's appropriate to kiss it.

Unexpected bookmail is sometimes the very best kind. So excited to read this, review will be up soon. Many thanks to the book fairy at Scholastic Canada!

Book description: From bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray, the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island.

Teen beauty queens. A "Lost"-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to email. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count. (Goodreads)
 
Teaser: Taylor examined the palm sized foot grater. "Good work, Nebraska. Sparkle Ponies and Lost Girls, start buffing and polishing those sticks into fish-killing machines." p. 95

Will they or won't they?

I watched the season finale of Castle this week. I really enjoyed it (apparently I was the only one in the whole world who didn't see the Capt. Montgomery thing coming), but it got me thinking. I'll try to avoid spoiling you, but at a couple of points during the show, Castle and Beckett have some "moments." Castle finally says a few things we've been waiting for him to say, and waiting all summer to see what happens next is going to be painful for me. Not only because I'm curious, but because terrified. Castle and Beckett are dangerously close to becoming one of my biggest story-telling pet peeves: the perpetual will-they/won't-they (WTWT) "couple."

I have a love/hate relationship with WTWT. On the one hand, the constant tension, byplay and wondering if it's really going to happen adds a lot of interest to a story. And there's no doubt that flirtatious dialogue is a lot more fun than.... well, whatever these couples would talk about if they ever did get together. BUT. There comes a point where I as reader/watcher will realize that the writer is just playing with me to maintain my interest and I stop caring. It happens on tons of shows. Off the top of my head:

Meredith and Derek (Grey's Anatomy) Yes, they finally got together, but not until long after most of us were bored of the drama.

Rachel and Ross (Friends) You were on a break, Rachel! Get over it! I could not have cared less when they finally got together in the finale.

Booth and Brennan (Bones) Snore.

This problem isn't as common in books as it is on television, probably because most book series have a definite end, whereas a television series is designed to run as long as it can. But it does happen, usually in those episodic-type series of books. The first example that pops into my mind is Stephenie Plum and Joe Morelli/Ranger in the series by Janet Evanovich. I enjoy this series, but I've stopped reading it because I know Janet's just teasing me. Stephenie's never going to pick one of these guys until the day we all stop reading and Janet has to write the last one. Can anyone give me a few more examples?

I don't know what the solution to the problem could be, I only know it bugs me and I would be sad to see Castle turn into a show that annoys me. There's a critical point where it feels forced to keep drawing out the drama, and once you cross that line, you can't go back.

What do you think? Love or hate the WTWT couples?

PS. Yes, I know I have just revealed the pathetic depths of my obsession. Don't bug me! You're on a book blog, so you're already crossing some lines yourself =o)

PPS. Anyone else excited about the Derek Storm graphic novel?

Teaser Tuesday: What Happened To Goodbye

Today's teaser is from What Happened to Goodbye by the inimitable Sarah Dessen:

"I think I can handle her," my dad said as I moved off the bottom step, out of sight, to wait for him in the dining room. "You just deal with the criminals."

I already finished this book and it's a gooder. Review coming soon.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted at Should Be Reading.

Movie Review: Thor

So, Joe and I had the chance to go out to the movies last weekend. I wanted to see Water For Elephants, but Joe talked me into seeing Thor using promises of chiseled masculine abs to convince me. It's annoying sometimes hanging out with someone who's so familiar with all your weaknesses. And I'm happy to report, it's actually a decent movie. Also, the abs are A MAZE ING, though I wouldn't have minded seeing more of them.

The movie is about Thor (Chris Hemsworth) the Norse God of Thunder, who ticks off his daddy, Odin (Anthony Hopkins), by reigniting an ancient war. His punishment is banishment from the realm of Asgard, so Odin strips Thor of his god-like powers and flings him down to Earth to learn a lesson or three in humility. There, Thor is helped along by astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who believes he might hold the key to the discovery she's spent her life researching. But trouble is afoot in Asgard, thanks to Thor's brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), and only Thor can save the day.

I was surprised when we go to the theater by how many kids were there. I'm talking 7-9 year olds. Am I the only one who's shocked by what other people let their kids watch? But I guess these kids' parents were better informed than I, because this movie was a lot more age-appropriate than I thought. With so many dark and less-than-admirable superheroes around (think Batman's brooding and Tony Starks playboy antics), it's refreshing to see a guy get smacked down for arrogance and be forced to actually develop some character. Thor has to learn humility and putting others ahead of himself, which makes this a movie I'd be a lot happier taking a kid to than The Dark Knight or Iron Man.

It's also light-hearted! There were a ton of funny moments in this show, which is always a happy thing for me. I love Natalie Portman as an actress, and she did a great job with her role. (The character was upgraded to astrophysicist. Apparently she's a nurse in the original comic series.) The mild romantic tension between her and Thor was a pleasant addition to the story.

Overall, Thor was a fun movie that both Joe and I ended up liking. I racked up some big-time wife points for agreeing to go, though, so don't tell Joe I enjoyed it.

Content: Fantasy violence is abundant, so tender souls beware.

32. Dead Reckoning

Author: Charlaine Harris

Series: Sookie Stackhouse #11

*review contains spoilers for the previous books of this series.

Summary: When a firebomb is thrown through the window at Merlotte's, Sookie and Sam decide to find out who is responsible. Meanwhile, Eric's conflict with his boss, Victor, is becoming more and more heated (and dangerous). Sookie can tell there's something Eric isn't telling her, but she's afraid to find out what it might be.

My thoughts: I love the way that, no matter how dark her subject matter, Charlaine Harris always makes me laugh. Opening a new book in this series always fills me with anticipation. How will I be entertained this time? Dead Reckoning is no different. From page one, I was completely wrapped up in Sookie's troubles, while also laughing along at her inner dialogue. The girl cracks me up.

So, I've noticed that in Harris's completed series, the heroine might dither between a couple of beaus early on, but will eventually settle on one committed relationship and get a happy ending. I like that. So, while Sookie's dithering was more prolonged (and... er... extensive) than most, I was happy to see her hook up with my favorite vamp, Eric. In my mind, they're stuck together like glue. So in this, the possibly penultimate volume of Sookie's saga, I was a more than a little disturbed to see that glue getting pulled apart. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?! I must know.

*deep breath*

Ok, I am calm. To tell you the truth, I'm happy to hear that the series is wrapping up. Much as I love Sookie and the gang, I'm ready for some closure, and I think Harris has done about all she can with the series without stepping over the line into a place where I, personally, will find it totally ridiculous.

Does any of this ranting qualify as a review? Probably not. But I hope you will leave here with the point that I love this series, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to find out what happened next. Fans of the series should be happy with this one (I was particularly happy with Bubba's scenes). And if you haven't tried the series before, this is a great time to jump in, since the waits between books are almost over.

Content: Please note, as always, that this is a decidedly ADULT series. Sex and violence aplenty.

Duly Quoted (10)

A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.
- Gertrude Jekyll

The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul.

-Alfred Austin

Sounds nice, doesn't it? Unfortunately, in my case the gardening urge is born of embarrassment, not love. I hate when my next door neighbor stands on his verdant front yard and stares at my struggling brownish grass, shaking his head sadly. I come from the Northwest Territories, ok? We don't do lawn! I have the blackest of black thumbs, and yet every spring I somehow forget that and attempt to plant flower beds, battle weeds and trim shrubs.

It's a thankless task. As I crawled around on the lawn pulling weeds, I was followed by a hand-wringing, distraught Whee. "Oh, Mommy, why are you hurting my sweet little dandelions?" Tears and wailing. My lawn is now a registered dandelion haven. May all their seeds blow into my next door neighbor's lawn!

I will say that with the sunshine we (finally!) got this week, it was nice to go outside and putter all afternoon. I felt virtuous. But, it felt a lot nicer to kick back with a glass of ice tea and a book when the job was done.

So, what do you think? Gardening. Yea or nay?

A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors.


Charles Baudelaire

Teaser Tuesday: Dead Reckoning

Today's teaser is from Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris:

I'd whipped my clean white apron off, and I bound Jack Leeds's wound while Lily held his arm out for me, her face white as a vampire's. She wanted to kill Pouty Lips in the worst possible way, because she loved her husband with an overwhelming passion.

Nice, eh? A cameo from a pair of my favorite characters!

I'm loving this latest installment of Sookie's adventures, though I'm getting a little nervous about the fate of my beloved Sookie/Eric pairing.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted each week at Should Be Reading.