Thursday, July 30, 2015

Finding New Authors to Read - K.K. Hendin

I am so happy when I find new authors to read. Someone made a comment on twitter about a book they were reading and it sounded good so I checked it out. I don’t read a ton of NA (New Adult) books but I’m always happy when an author finds a way to make them new or interesting.

K.K. Hendin just drew me right into the Twelve Beats In A Bar series. I read the first book over the course of about two days, then the next day I managed to finish the 1.5 sequel in probably two hours. The characters and their story just catch you right away and you’ll just have to know what happened next. Of course now I plan to read book two ASAP.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

My Favorite Quotes/Lines - Stone Rider

Stone Rider by David Hofmeyr

* Provided by the publisher for review

“What’s comin is comin, Not a damn thing in the world you can do about that.”

“You can see it in the eyes. Eyes don’t lie. Not ever.”

“And may you live to see the sky.”

Monday, July 27, 2015

Review - Stone Rider

Stone Rider by David Hofmeyr

* Provided by the publisher for review

3 gnomes and a gnome hat out of 5 gnomes


This is a crazy ride of a book, with the characters and the actual race they partake in. These characters live in a brutal world on an earth that’s pretty much a wasteland except for one thing voddenite which gets mined and used for a bunch of cool stuff. The haves all live on Sky-Base and the have nots are stuck on earth either racing or mining.

It’s pretty great how the first chapter at first doesn’t make a lot of sense but later it loops back to where it does.

The race and bykes they use are fascinating. The bykes actually have an echo of all the Riders who have ridden it that the current Rider can access. The whole culture of bykes and the different gangs that form around them show how insane the world can be.

The romance was more than a little hurried and seemed to come up out of left field. I guess it could work because of the whole crazy atmosphere they’re in but it could have used a lot more context (I kind of thought he was dreaming about it at first.)

Sky-Base does sound great but like any futuristic dystopia/apocalyptic world you get the feeling things might be more than a little weird up there too.

There are a plethora of mysteries to solve about the characters and things that they’ve seen. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next from this world.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Sentence Sneak Peek - Stone Rider

Stone Rider by David Hofmeyr
The first sentence from each chapter of Stone Rider, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.
* Provided by the publisher for review
* Spoilers are highlighted like so :)

“Here for blood.”

“Adam Stone empties the bucket of rotting vegetables into the trough and then he stands back to watch.”

“How long can someone hold their breath?”

“There’s no escape.”

“On the western shore of the lake, the water is dark and deep.”

“It’s cold on the starting line.”

“Steep cliffs rise behind the farmhouse, maroon against the dark sky.”

“He glides through a desert, infinite in all directions.”

“Adam feels his legs carry him to the porch.”

“He rides wild and fast.”

“Will it hurt?”

“Twilight.”

“Drums throb and the morning sun slants down on the grim procession.”

“The pistol report is loud as a clap of thunder.”

“He knows he should take it slow at first, conserve his energy, save his strength for the end.”

“Weightless.”

“The first thing he hears is the snapping of a fire.”

“They sleep on their rolled-out mats, taking turns to stoke the fire.”

“The two Riders on their metal horses tremble in the heat.”

“Sadie Blood?”

“He wakes with a start.”

“The desert bakes.”

“He sits bolt upright.”

“Adam looks at the medicine woman.

“They are back on the road, taking a track worn smooth by the Nakoda.”

“This camp is different from the first one.”

“Sadie grips Adam’s elbow, digs her fingers into him.”

“He sails high above the desert, looking down at the corrugated sand, the rock sentinels, boulders riven with deep cracks, ragged and crumbling mountains.”

“Adam lies on his back.”

“The bad weather keeps Riders another day in the muddied camp, holed up in their drenched tents, waiting and watching.”

“Kane’s Drifter.”

“He rides into the night, watched by a gathering of indifferent airships.”

You!

“Adam looks at Red, to the left of Levi.”

“Levi’s expression doesn’t change, but a flush comes to his cheeks.”

“Adam worries a stone in his pocket with his right hand, looking at Levi, thinking about Kane’s words.”

“They blaze west across a blighted earth.”

“Adam and Sadie arrive at a ruined shell of a home.”

Friday, July 24, 2015

My Favorite Quotes/Lines - Go Set a Watchman

Go Set a Watchmen by Harper Lee

* Spoilers are highlighted like so: :)

“...but when she went to bed the night before, she succeeded in folding herself up into the wall because she had ignored an injunction to PULL THIS LEVER DOWN OVER BRACKETS, a situation remedied by the porter to her embarrassment, as her habit was to sleep only in pajama tops.”

“If you did not want much, there was plenty.”

“He never knew two pairs of eyes like his own were watching him from the balcony.”

“The one human being she had ever fully and wholeheartedly trusted had failed her; the only man she had ever known to whom she could point and say with expert knowledge, “He is a gentleman, in his heart his is a gentleman,” had betrayed her, publicly, grossly, and shamelessly.”

“With all your book learnin’, you are the most ignorant child I ever did see...” Her voice trailed off.” ...but I don’t reckon you really ever had a chance.”

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Review - Go Set a Watchman

Go Set a Watchmen by Harper Lee

* Spoilers are highlighted like so: :)

3 gnomes out of 5 gnomes


This is how I felt about a third of the way through this book:

“I really don’t know what to think of this book yet. It was written a long time ago so it’s moving a lot slower than what I usually read but I do find myself drawn into the story. A couple of parts have had me wondering so far but I am curious how it all ends...”


This is not what I was expecting at all. I expected something big but this book was small and off putting. I’m also very glad that this was not the first book published. I know it’s a product of its time and was actually written a long time ago but wow some of this book just felt very weird while reading.


After finishing the whole book I kind of wished she had just run off with Dill to have adventures and maybe married him.


The flashbacks to her youth were by far the best parts of the books. The only flaw there I think is the very disturbing scene where she’s planning to commit suicide because she thinks she’s pregnant. Let’s just say she got some wrong info from people at school.


Jem’s death bothered me too because they were just so nonchalant about it. Atticus even tells her at some point in the book to pretty much move on/get over it.

Don’t go into this book expecting a big court case again. It’s more of a character study of her going home to visit and seeing how everything has changed. The only part I really understood was the whole hero worship bit, the way it was handled though wasn’t exactly subtle. 

Also not subtle, the racism in the book. I really would have liked to see all the different points of view from each character, I think that might have made the book more well rounded.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Sentence Sneak Peek - Go Set a Watchmen

Go Set a Watchmen by Harper Lee

The first sentence from each chapter of Go Set a Watchmen, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.

* Spoilers are highlighted like so: :)

“Since Atlanta, she had looked out the dining-car window with a delight almost physical.”

“Atticus Finch shot his left cuff, then cautiously pushed it back.”

“There was no doubt about it: Alexandra Finch Hancock was imposing from any angle; her behind was no less uncompromising than her front.”

“The town of Maycomb, Alabama, owed its location to the presence of mind of one Sinkfield, who in the early dawnings of the country operated an inn where two pig trails met, the only tavern in the territory.”

“When she was getting in the car she bumped her head hard against its top.”

“Jean Louise, Jean Louise, wake up!”

“There’s nothing like a blood-curdling hymn to make you feel at home, thought Jean Louise.”

“With the same suddenness that a barbarous boy yanks the larva of an ant lion from its hole to leave it struggling in the sun, Jean Louise was snatched from her quiet realm and left alone to protect her sensitive epidermis as best she could, on a humid Sunday afternoon at precisely 2:28 P.M.”

“Integrity, humor, and patience were the three words for Atticus Finch.”

“Jean Louise got up from the yard chair she was sitting in, walked to the corner of the lot, and vomited up her Sunday dinner.”

“There was a time, long ago, when the only peaceful moments of her existence were those from the time she opened her eyes in the morning until she attained full consciousness, a matter of seconds until when finally roused she entered the day’s wakeful nightmare.”

“Sunlight roused her.”

“Alexandra was at the kitchen table absorbed in culinary rites.”

“Aunty,” said Jean Louise, when they had cleared away the rubble of the morning’s devastation, “if you don’t want the car I’m going around to Uncle Jack’s.”

“Mad, mad, mad as a hatter.”

“Hank, where’s Atticus?”

“Hank,” said Atticus, “why don’t you go have a long look at the roses on the square?”

“She never knew how she got the car started, how she held it in the road, how she got home without a serious accident.”

“She walked into the foyer of the office.”

Monday, July 20, 2015

Upcoming Reviews

Not even close to as good as I thought it would be...



A crazy ride of a book that introduces an interesting take on a apocalyptic/dystopian mix of a society

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Question of the Day - What are you reading this week?

I really don’t know what to think of this book yet. It was written a long time ago so it’s moving a lot slower than what I usually read but I do find myself drawn into the story. A couple of parts have had me wondering so far but I am curious how it all ends.

So if you're reading this book or have finished it, what do you think about it?

Monday, July 13, 2015

Britishfest

Had an awesome time at Britishfest and can’t wait for next year. Here’s some fun pictures including the first day where I dressed up like King Arthur.

 
 This is my favorite picture, I knew I wanted a picture taken with these guys. :)

Going to Hogwarts.

Such a cool droid.

Chocolate Frog Card!!



My regal pose. :)

Crazy-eyes for Sherlock.

Timey Wimey Puppet show was epic.


Friday, July 10, 2015

Britishfest


I can’t wait for this event, make sure to check out there site here. My sister and I plan to attend on Saturday and it looks like it’s going to be a blast. We both love a lot of British tv shows so it looked like the perfect Con to go to. I’m also going to try out cosplaying for the first time. I made chainmail out of yarn and plan to go as King Arthur (I’ll post pictures of my finished outfit soon.)

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

"Waiting On" Wednesday - Go Set a Watchmen

"Waiting On"  Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on...  


Go Set a Watchmen by Harper Lee

* Book will be released July 14, 2015
* Check out the description from Goodreads:


“Originally written in the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman was the novel Harper Lee first submitted to her pubOriginally written in the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman was the novel Harper Lee first submitted to her publishers before To Kill a Mockingbird. Assumed to have been lost, the manuscript was discovered in late 2014.
Go Set a Watchman features many of the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird some twenty years later. Returning home to Maycomb to visit her father, Jean Louise Finch—Scout—struggles with issues both personal and political, involving Atticus, society, and the small Alabama town that shaped her.
Exploring how the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird are adjusting to the turbulent events transforming mid-1950s America, Go Set a Watchman casts a fascinating new light on Harper Lee’s enduring classic. Moving, funny and compelling, it stands as a magnificent novel in its own right.lishers before To Kill a Mockingbird. Assumed to have been lost, the manuscript was discovered in late 2014.
 
Go Set a Watchman features many of the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird some twenty years later. Returning home to Maycomb to visit her father, Jean Louise Finch—Scout—struggles with issues both personal and political, involving Atticus, society, and the small Alabama town that shaped her.

Exploring how the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird are adjusting to the turbulent events transforming mid-1950s America, Go Set a Watchman casts a fascinating new light on Harper Lee’s enduring classic. Moving, funny and compelling, it stands as a magnificent novel in its own right.”


The first book I remember being forced to read for English in high school and actually liking. I’m very curious about this book and whether it has a chance of standing up to the first book. Either way it’s extremely intriguing getting a chance to see these characters again.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Question of the Week - What book has been unputdownable for you lately?

Question of the Week - What book has been unputdownable for you lately?

Katie McGarry is definitely an auto-buy author for me. This story like all her others is hard to pull yourself away from because you just have to know what happens next. I knew I needed this book as soon as I found out it would tell Abby's story.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Review - The Vampire's Mail Order Bride

The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter

4 gnomes and a gnome hat out of 5 gnomes

This book is just one of those that will definitely make you smile while you read it. I was first drawn in by the title and cheese-tastic cover. I knew I was either going to love it or hate it (spoiler alert: I loved it.)

It is a really fun book. There is the great concept of having the town of Nocturne Falls celebrate Halloween all year long (to hide some supernatural secrets.) It sounds like it would be one heck of an interesting place to live. I hope to find out even more about the town and its residents in the next book.

It’s great how Delaney resourcefully finds a way into town. Her and Hugh are a very interesting match. If you read the title you know he’s a vampire, his family is also full of some unique characters.

What I liked best about this book was that the secrets weren’t dragged out, they were discovered early. I think that really made the book shine because then you get to see all the effects those secrets had.

The ending was a little bit expected but still awesome in how it was pulled off. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

My Favorite Quotes/Lines - The Vampire's Mail Order Bride

The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter

“Because she wasn’t married, which was fine with her. And if she ever did find a superhero worthy of making her a Mrs., he’d have to be something special.”

“You’ve got me confused with one of those women who needs a ring on her finger to feel complete. I don’t put those kinds of expectations on men. And I’d say I’m sorry things didn’t work out between you and Hugh, but based on your current amount of crazy, I’d say he dodged a bullet.”

“You’ve got ambition and guts, child.”

“Funny what you find when you least expect it.”

“This is weird,” she muttered.
“You started it.”
“That I did.”

“Good thing I have a soft spot for foolish men.”

“The crazy cat lady in love with the vampire.”

“But I’m not going to let that fear make decisions for me.”

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Sentence Sneak Peek - The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter

The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter

The first sentence from each chapter of The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.

* Spoilers are highlighted like so: :)

“Strawberry was a possibility.”

“How are you, Grandmamma?”

“Delaney woke with a start, the rumble from an eighteen-wheeler fading as the enormous vehicle passed her car on its way out of the rest stop.”

“Being able to walk in daylight didn’t mean it was Hugh’s preference, nor did it change the fact that it was in a vampire’s nature to favor the evening hours over those awash in sunlight.”

“There were no true weekends in a resort town like Nocturne Falls.”

“Annabelle was saying all the right things.”

“Hugh shook his head.”

“Hugh shut the door behind him harder than necessary as he entered the house.”

“Hugh got out of the car and went around to open Annabelle’s door.”

“Delaney gave Captain a kiss on the head and inhaled his sweet kitty smell.”

“Delaney woke up fully clothed on the four-poster bed.”

“It didn’t take much for Delaney to get ready.”

“Hugh watched Delaney disappear into the crowd, bereft she’d left him so easily.”

“Delaney enjoyed Hugh’s stunned, open-mouthed response to her suggestion.”

“Delaney was still asleep when Hugh planted a kiss on her temple and crawled out of her bed.”

“What?”

“Howler’s was Hugh’s idea of hell.”

“An hour and a half later, they were finally home.”

“You can’t force him, miss.”

“Morning for Delaney came around eleven a.m.”

“Delaney woke with her head hanging down and her body strapped to a hard wooden chair.”

Fat Eddie jerked Delaney’s chin up, his thick fingers bruising her skin.”

“With Captain trailing her, Delaney stumbled into the kitchen earlier than she’d ex-pected to be awake considering the day she’d had yesterday.”

“Delaney had to knock only once before Alice Bishop came to answer the door.”

“Delaney made a simple flourless chocolate cake, a tribute more to the ingredients on hand than anything else.”

“I don’t feel any different.”

“Delaney woke with a start.”

“Hugh had vowed never to attempt the turning again, and yet here he was, about to do just that.”

“Two days—actually, two nights—later, Delaney stood beside Hugh’s car, about to take her first nervous steps towards Main Street as a vampire.”