"Waiting on" Wednesday - March 31, 2010

This weekly event is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I can't wait to read Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly. One of the things I love to see in books is character development, I think this one has that and more going for it!

Release Date: May 25, 2010

Publisher: Henry Holt

Sixteen-year-old music and sound design obsessed Drea doesn't have friends. She has, as she's often reminded, issues. Drea's mom and a rotating band of psychiatrists have settled on "a touch of Asperger's."

Having just moved to the latest in a string of new towns, Drea meets two other outsiders. And Naomi and Justin seem to actually like Drea. The three of them form a trip-hop band after an impromptu jam session. Justin swiftly challenges not only Drea's preference for Poe over Black Lab but also her perceived inability to connect with another person. Justin, against all odds, may even like like Drea.

It's obvious that Drea can't hide behind her sound equipment anymore. But just when she's found not one but two true friends, can she stand to lose one of them?
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What are you waiting on?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - March 29, 2010

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly event to celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week. Feel free to join in this weekly event if you'd like as well as use the picture above. Thanks Sheila for hosting!

Last week:
I read The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting. (review pending)

This week:

I'm reading Hourglass by Claudia Gray. (I just started this morning on the way into work but the action starts on page 1, it's great so far!)

I need to write up my reviews for A Spy In The House (The Agency #1) by Y.S. Lee and The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting.

I reviewed Merlin's Harp by Anne Eliot Crompton (click for review) and I finally got my Heist Society by Ally Carter up (click for review). I loved, loved, loved this one :)

What are you reading this week?

Review: Heist Society by Ally Carter

• Publisher: Hyperion 
• 
  Released: Feb 16 2010
• 
  Hardcover: 304 pages
• ISBN-13: 978-1423116394

Teaser Quote: 

"So," Hale said with a slow, easy grin, "did you miss me?"
A good thief is always a great liar. It's part of the skill set, the tools, the craft. And at that moment, Kat thought it was probably a very good thing she'd walked away from the life, because when she said, "No," Hale just smiled wider.

My Rating: 5/5

My Thoughts:

The plot - loved it! Kat attempts to leave the family 'business' of art theft only to be dragged back into it when her father is falsely accused of stealing from the 'wrong' guy . Arturo Taccone (aka the really bad dude) meets up with Kat to give her father a 'message', he wants his paintings back...but there is a time limit of two weeks. Kat, along with the help of her 'family', decide the only way to save her Dad is to right the wrong by stealing the paintings themselves & returning them. Non-stop action entails as they fly all over the world in search of clues as to where the paintings could be - yep, not only did they have to steal them, they had to figure out where they were to begin with! As I was reading, I couldn't help but think this must have been fun book research! 

The characters - Kat and Hale were superbly written. I loved the way they complimented eachother, the angst, the humor! Hale is in love with Kat but Ally does the best job in making him hot and mysterious, not just some cute, weak guy falling for the strong MC. Gabrielle, Kat's cousin who is super hot and uses it to her advantage, was the perfect addition. You have to love what she gets away with and as much as you want to hate her, you just can't.

As the dust jacket says, think even more turns then Ocean Eleven - I'd add The Italian Job & a pinch of Gossip Girl! Oh my, I loved this book. I feel almost bad saying this, and mean no disrespect to the book, but it was such a fun, easy read, I'd call this the perfect beach (or anywhere) read. It is one of those few books you read each year that when you finish the last page and close the book, you take a deep breath feeling satisfied. 

Review: Merlin's Harp by Anne Eliot Crompton

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire 


Released: March 1, 2010



My rating:  4/5

Goodreads synopsis:
Among the towering trees of magical Avalon, where humans dare not tread, lives Niviene, daughter of the Lady of the Lake and apprentice to Merlin the mage. Her people, the Fey, are folk of the wood and avoid the violence and avarice of man. But the strife of King Arthur's realm threatens even Avalon's peace, and Merlin needs his apprentice to thwart the chaos devouring Camelot. And so Niviene must use her special talents to help save a kingdom and discover the treachery of men and the beauty of love. A mystical love story, now back in print, sure to become a modern teen classic.

My Thoughts:
This was a tough review as I enjoyed the book when reading it but couldn't figure out WHY I liked it and then after I finished I kept seeing not-so-hot reviews.  I thought, well darn I better come up with something to defend this book! Sadly you will see my argument is fairly weak. I can see some of the arguments against  (time lapses made it a tad confusing in parts, slow moving) but I wonder if the reason maybe has to do with people having/not having an Arthurian background? I had to 'consult' my BFF, Jackie, on a few things to see what was added, altered or kept true to Arthur's story and there were parts of story I felt went undeveloped, but overall, I don't see my time was wasted reading this book and perhaps will even re-read it another day.  I came into this book expecting an Arthurian story (which fascinate me) and saw the Fey aspect as a bonus, plus I love variations on stories which is why I think I liked it. If this is also your cup of tea, then I think you too will like this one! (Though I must add Helen Hollick's Arthurian trilogy was amazing, so if you are looking for a purely Arthurian story, check her out!)

1st Rate Fridays #4

A weekly meme to share favorite posts you've come across recently. Although it's impossible to follow every book blogger, this is a great opportunity to highlight exceptional posts you find. Hopefully along the way you'll find some great new-to-you blogs as well. Let's spread the love and support those awesome posts out there!

This was inspired by Cindy at Tynga's Reviews, Jennifer at Reading With Tequila, Lisa at The Little Reader...and me!

Let the fun begin!

I read for fun, try to pick books I think I'll like and so far have had good luck in that the majority of unsolicited books I've been sent are coming from publicists that know what I like too. I sympathsize with the following two posts. I also like that it is a reminder that many of us are blogging as it's something we like to do, we love books, but we also have school/paid jobs/family - heck I'm sure if this was my 'real' job I'd be way more critical, as that is what my job would be, but -sigh- it's not.
 Kristi from http://www.thestorysiren.com/ talks Blog criticism & positive reviews   and  S.F. Robertson is sticking up for bloggers.

Thanks to a tweet from April at goodbooksandgoodwine.com, I found this intersting post by Meg at inwhichagirl.blogspot.com on Why YA Romance needs to change.

What gems did you find?