Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Library Loot: March 23 - 29

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted alternatively by Marg and Claire 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 (at Marg's this week) any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

It's been awhile since I've posted my library loot! I've been doing better about not checking out as much stuff that I know I won't get to. Here's my latest haul:

Books


Pride & Prejudice (Graphic Novel) by Jane Austen & Nancy Butler
Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John

E-books


Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale


Audio books


Room by Emma Donoghue
Narrated by Michal Friedman , Ellen Archer , Robert Petkoff , & Suzanne Toren

Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning
Narrated by Natalie Ross & Phil Gigante 

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

I'd been putting off reading Delirium because I'd seen such polarized reactions to it. Some loved it, some hated it. So I tried to go in with as few expectations as possible. In the end, I'm planted, firmly, in the "loved it" camp.

Lena is counting down the days until her eighteenth birthday when she will receive the procedure that will protect her from, what the government has deemed the most dangerous disease of all, love. Lena's anxious to have the surgery because she's lived in fear that she will turn out like her mother, whose multiple procedures could never quite cure her of the disease and ultimately lead to her mother taking her own life.

Lena's anticipatory countdown warps entirely after meeting Alex. Alex is is an "Invalid", one of the uncured. Lena's relationship with Alex changes her preconceived notions about the "invalids" and slowly realizes that perhaps the "cure" is nothing more than the government's way to control citizens. (D'uh!) Lena's countdown then morphs to a countdown to the now dreaded day.

While Lena's feelings for Alex are strong she is merely dreading the procedure but doesn't intend to do anything rash, like refusing the procedure, until she learns something about her mother. The revelation changes everything she thought she knew about her past and that, in turn, changes everything for her future.

While reading Delirium I realized how much I enjoy a good dystopian novel. I love reading about alternate realities, presented as utopias, and following the character's realizations that the world they live in is anything but a utopia. I really enjoy that growing awareness of all that they're being denied and how the character processes that information.

I loved the relationship between Alex and Lena. I thought it was very well done. There was Lena's initial reaction to finding out Alex is an "invilad" and Alex's patience with Lena's coming to terms that maybe "the cure" is not necessarily the answer. Love Alex!

Delirium is an excellent start to a promising series. I'm so disappointed that, according to Goodreads, I have to wait until 2012 for, Pandemonium, the next installment of Lena's story. *POUTS* I'm so glad I didn't let the negative reviews I've seen of this book sway me from reading it. If you're a fan of the dystopian genre, I'd definitely give it a go. I'm so glad I did!

Rating:







Challenge(s) Fullfilled: E-book Challenge

Disclosure: I received this as a digital ARC through NetGalley. I did not receive any compensation for this review.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Audiobites: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan

Title: Will Grayson, Will Grayson
Author(s): John Green & David Levitan
Narrators: MacLeod Andrews & Nick Podehl
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Hours: 7 hours, 52 minutes
Awards/Honors: Best Audiobooks  - Young Adult (2010) by Audiofile Magazine, ALA's 2011 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults & 2011 Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
Audio Excerpt

I picked up Will Grayson, Will Grayson because I'd seen, as indicated above, that it was named Best Audiobook by several different sources. I'd been wanting to read it so I figured the audio would be a good bet since it was getting such high marks!

The Story:

Will Grayson, Will Grayson is told in alternating chapters by two characters named, you guessed it, Will Grayson. Neither Will Grayson is aware of the other until a fated meeting outside a porn shop. United by one tour de force named Tiny Cooper. While the title would suggest the book is about none other than, Will Grayson, the book is, ultimately Tiny's tale. Tiny was definitely my favorite character. He's larger (and gayer) than life. With all the characters and all the events that take place throughout the book it boils down to a tale of friendship.

The Narration:

Nick Podel narrates Will Grayson #1 (WG1), the straight, broody and moody best friend to Tiny Cooper. I liked Nick's narration and voice. The first chapter is told from his POV and I was really getting into the audio book when it switches over to Will Grayson #2 (WG2), narrated by MacLeod Andrews. WG2 is the in-the closet gay teen whose botched trip to meet his online "boyfriend" leads to the chance encounter with WG1.

I really did not care for WG2'schapters at all, especially the first ones. WG2 is depressed and on medication for his depression. Now, I've never been clinically depressed, I don't mean to demean or belittle his condition. However, his whining, crying, pissing and moaning, and excessive cussing really grated on my nerves. After the second chapter I was seriously considering giving up on the audio book. I disliked WG2 that much. Then WG2's chapter would end and we'd go back to WG1 and I'd be sucked back into the story. If the whole book was from WG2's POV I would not have finished the book. He does get less whiney as the book goes on, but I never really warmed up to him.

There was a lot of cussing in this audio book. I think the excessive cussing was more noticeable because I was listening to the audio book. Had I been reading the book, I don't think I would have taken note of the language as much. However, there was a lot of bad language.

WG2's obnoxious "woe is me" diatribes really did not do this audio book any favors. However, overall, the story was excellent. I love a story that has a little bit of everything: friendship, romance, humor, and showtunes!

Rating:








Challenge(s) Fullfilled: Whisper Stories In My Ear Audiobook Challenge

Sunday, March 6, 2011

March Madness: Featured Site!

Hey y'all! I'm being featured as the site of the day over at Ashley March's March Madness Soiree! Stop by and check it out. I'm soliciting advice for great historical romance reads.

Don't forget this is a month long event that features historical romance authors, bloggers, and daily giveaways! So be sure to check it out!

Help promote this event by blogging about it or grab the button below:



Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Reading Recap: February 2011

Read in February:
Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr - 5 Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning - 5 Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton - 4 Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Eddie & the Cruisers by P.F. Kluge - 4 Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Listened to in February:
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning - 4 Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning - 4 Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan - 3 Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Other books reviewed in February:
The Help by Kathryn Stockett - 5 Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr - 3 Chocolate Covered Strawberries

My favorite read from this month was definitely Shadowfever. Loved seeing the conclusion to Mac's story!

I still have yet to hit the 10 books in a month mark. But I'll keep trying! How was your February?

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

March Madness!

No, I'm not talking basketball! Today marks the first day of the 1st Annual March Madness Blog Party over at historical romance author Ashely March's blog.

Ashley has a fantastic line-up of historical romance authors who will be guest blogging with giveaways every single day, and a special daily feature will highlight romance community sites, reviewers, and bloggers who support historical romance.

Below is the the schedule of authors and websites:



Date
Guest Author
Featured Site
Other Prizes
Tuesday 3/1

Wednesday 3/2

Thursday 3/3

Friday 3/4

Saturday 3/5

Sunday 3/6
Book Bundle
Monday 3/7

Tuesday 3/8

Wednesday 3/9

Thursday 3/10

Friday 3/11

Saturday 3/12

Sunday 3/13
Book Bundle
Monday 3/14

Tuesday 3/15

Wednesday 3/16

Thursday 3/17

Friday 3/18

Saturday 3/19

Sunday 3/20
Book Bundle
Monday 3/21

Tuesday 3/22
Elizabeth Essex

Wednesday 3/23

Thursday 3/24

Friday 3/25

Saturday 3/26

Sunday 3/27
Book Bundle
Monday 3/28

Tuesday 3/29

Wednesday 3/30

Thursday 3/31

Friday 4/1


Grand Prize


There are tons of prizes and giveaways to be had including:

1.A bundle of 5 historical romances every Sunday.
2.8 Victorian lady postcards
3.8 “Do you know the way to Pemberley?” postcards
4.8 “Well behaved women rarely make history” medieval postcards
5.A “Romance Reader & Proud of It” tote bag
6.Two secret prizes (to be announced during the month)
7.A Grand Prize package of historical romance books and a Victorian-styled lovebirds necklace
Aspiring historical romance writers also have a couple of things to be excited about:

1) Kris Kennedy’s agent, Barbara Poelle of the Irene Goodman Literary Agency, has generously agreed to give away a partial critique to the writer she believes has the best 3-sentence written pitch. One of Kris Kennedy’s books will also be given away, as an example of the type of work Barbara loves.

2) Ashley March will provide a full critique of another aspiring historical writer’s completed novel.

Stop by Ashely's blog everyday in March!!!

Help promote this event by blogging about it or grab the button below:




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