Book of the Week

Book of the week is a new thing I've decided to do. Each week I will post a book I think deserves a little more attention.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

published by Harper

$14.99 (paperback)

Genre: adult fiction

321 pages

What it's about:

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side.
A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it.
Why:
I've been thinking about this book a lot lately and everytime I think about it, I get teary eyed. I can not talk about this book without wanting to cry and I read this book a year ago. It is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. You don't have to be an animal lover to enjoy this book. This book will move you in a way no other book can.

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

Waiting On Wednesday (1)

Firelight By Sophie Lordan

published by Harper Teen

Release date: 9/7/2010

Hardcover

What it's about:

A hidden truth.

Mortal enemies.

Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.
Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.
Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

I think this book sounds pretty amazing. I've found that I really love stories about dragons and you add in a forbidden romance and I'm sold.

Early to Death, Early to Rise

Early to Death, Early to Rise by Kim Harrison

published by Harper

$16.99 (hardback)

228 pages

FTC: this is my book and I will not be compensated for reviewing it.

What it's about:

Madison Avery's dreams of ever fitting in at her new school died when she did. Especially since she was able to maintain the illusion of a body, deal with a pesky guardian angel, and oh yeah, bring the reaper who killed her to his untimely end. Not exactly in-crowd material. It's amazing that her crush, Josh, doesn't think she's totally nuts.

Now Madison has learned that she's the dark timekeeper, in charge of angels who follow the murky guidelines of fate. Never one to abide by the rules, she decides it's time for a major change to the system. With the help of some unlikely allies, Madison forms a rogue group of reapers who definitely don't adhere to the rules of the heavens.

But as she grapples with the terrifying new skills that come with b eing a timekeeper, Madison realizes she may not be prepared for what lies ahead--unless she gets some seriously divine intervention.

My thoughts:

I know I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again: You can't go wrong with a Kim Harrison book. You really, truly can't.

All of Kim's books have some of the same elements, 1) they are always paranormal 2) there is a small creature that is a side kick, 3) they are all incredibly amazing! :)

The idea for this series, to me, is very unique. Sure there are stories about dark and light fighting against each other, but this books puts a new spin on it. Both dark and light are still a part of Heaven. It's not like in Star Wars when dark=bad and light=good. Both light and dark are good and bad. The book really has you thinking about your views on the matter because the characters are constantly questioning their views. Is there really a thing as fate? Or is everything a matter of choice?

The first book in the series, Once Dead, Twice Shy, was about Madison dying and becoming the dark timekeeper. It was setting everything up and was about her personally. This book isn't really about her, but about the new system she is trying to set up. She is changing everything about the ways the dark reapers opperate. Let's just say, some people are having trouble with the new ways.

One thing I love about Kim Harrison books is the character development. All the characters are constantly learning new things about themselves and growing in personality. They always become better, stronger people. Even the bad guys grow and learn and half the time you are rooting for them as well. EtDEtR was full of character development. Nakita is constantly trying to learn what all her new feelings mean and how to blend in and trust people and through her, Madison is learning things about herself as well.

There is only one small complaint I have about this book and that is Josh. He's hardly in it! I love Josh's character and he needs to be in it more!

Okay, I lied, I have a second complaint and that is that the book is too short. Sure everything is solved and the ending is perfect, it's just I love the books so much I wish they were longer.

My rating: 10/10!

Quote from the book: "Madison is how she was christened, when she's angry her eyes tend to glisten. Lives she does save, no thanks does she crave. It'd be easier if you crapheads would listen." --Grace

The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

release date: Oct 12, 2010

Today Borders sent me an email saying that Rick Riordan is once again writing about Demigods and camp half blood!

What it's about:

It was hard to say good-bye to Percy--but fans don't have to! A lovable new generation of demigods have their own prophecy to prepare for, and their hero Perseus Jackson just may turn up in times of need.

Jason has a problem. He doesn't remember anything before waking up on a school bus holding hands with a girl. Apparently she's his girlfriend Piper, his best friend is a kid named Leo, and they're all students in the Wilderness School, a boarding school for "bad kids." What he did to end up here, Jason has no idea, except that everything seems very wrong. Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, and her vivid nightmares reveal that he's in terrible danger. Now her boyfriend doesn't recognize her, and when a freak storm and strange creatures attack during a school field trip, she, Jason, and Leo are whisked away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood. What is going on? Leo has a way with tools. His new cabin at Camp Half-Blood is filled with them. Seriously, the place beats Wilderness School hands down, with its weapons training, monsters, and fine-looking girls. What's troubling is the curse everyone keeps talking about, and that a camper's gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist they are all, including Leo, related to a god. Rick Riordan, the best-selling author of the Percy Jackson series, pumps up the action and suspense in The Lost Hero, the first book in The Heroes of Olympus series. Fans of demi-gods, prophesies, and quests will be left breathless--and panting for Book Two.

Borders has the first two chapters up online to read already! I'm already addicted to the story. You can find the chapters here: http://www.borders.com/online/store/ArticleView_losthero?cmpid=SA_20100621_1

Hex Hall

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
published by Hyperion

$16.99 (hardback)

323 pages

FTC: I bought this book and will not be compensated for reviewing it.

What it's about:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

my thoughts:

I saw this book at the bookstore and fell in love with the cover. It's a gorgeous cover and when I read that it's about witches, vampires, and shapeshifters, I knew I had to read it.

Hex Hall was a page turner and I had a very hard time putting it down. To be honest, the book wasn't very original. It had lots of the same theme as other books I've read, but the writing was captivating. Hawkins uses witty dialoge and upbeat tones to keep the story interesting.

The one problem with the writing is that there wasn't a lot of discriptions. Just enough to help paint a picture of what the characters and surroundings look like. One thing I would have liked to seen was more discriptions of what each of the prodigium could and couldn't do. There are so many different views of what vampires can and can't do. Can they be in the sun? Will garlic and a wooden stake kill them? What about holy water? Some of these are answered throughout the story, but I'd like to have more discriptions. Same with witchs. What can and can't they do? All the supernatural creatures needed a little more defining and maybe a few of Hawkins own ideas about the super natural need to be thrown in. Create her own type of monsters.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It had funny moments and was...perky. It wasn't meant to load you down with emotions, it was meant to be fun and that's exactly what it was. There were twists and turns in the plot to keep the reader on their toes and turning the pages as fast as they could to figure out what is going on. The second I got done reading it, I went online to find out when the next book comes out (early 2011!!). I will definitely keep reading this series.

my rating: 9/10

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
published by scholastic

$17.99 (hardback)

374 pages

FTC: I borrowed this book from a friend. I will not be compensated for reviewing this book.

What it's about:
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before--and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My thoughts:

!!!!!!!!
This book floored me. The intensity of it was so shocking I had to keep going. I'm going to quote a section from the book that I can't get over. It's been days since I've read the book and I'm still thinking about it.

"The arenas are historic sites, preserved after the Games. Popular destinations for Capitol residents to visit, to vacation. Go for a month, rewatch the Games, tour the catacombs, visit the sites where the deaths took place. You can even take part in reenactments.

They say the food is excellent" --Katniss, pg 145

wow.

For most of this book, I forgot it was a young adult novel. Katniss seems so adult like because she has spent her life growing up in fear of the Games, practically starving to death, and always being mindful of the Capital. It isn't until the very end of the book did I remember that she is only 16 years old.

Throughout the whole book, my stomach was in knots and I was freaking out for Katniss. I loved her character even if she was a little thick in the head sometimes. She is very strong, loyal, and pretty much amazing.

I would recommend this book to anyone with a strong stomach who love intense books. I finished this book in one day, staying up till 4am to finish it. It's been a few days since then and I still can't stop thinking about it.

my rating: 10/10!!

Fixing my blog

Summer is here and that means I have a lot more free time. I've decided to try and fix my blog with some of this free time so bare with me while I mess around with html and try to figure out everything. It's going to look pretty funny for a while and I'm sorry about that. Hopefully I figure everything out very soon.

I found an amazing site explaining how to create 3 column templates. Well this is an all around amazing site actually.

Three Column Template