Book Review: With a Name Like Love by Tess Hilmo

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With a Name like Love by Tess Hilmo Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication date: September 2011ISBN: 9780374384654 Source: review copy sent by publicist Ollie Love has never lived in one place for longer than three days.  As the daughter of the Reverend Everlasting Love, a traveling preacher, she and her four younger sisters have spent their lives on the road.  But when Ollie meets Jimmy Koppel, a young boy in trouble in a small town riddled with anger and fear, she and her family might end up staying longer than they expected.Things I Liked: This was a sweet and heart-warming little book about family and friendship and the...


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Top Ten Tuesday: My Winter TBR Pile

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This week's Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) is Books On My TBR List For Winter.  But since I'm not big on reading holiday books (I've not found many I enjoyed) I thought I'd adjust it a little.  With the year coming to an end, I do have a few books I'd like to read before January (or maybe early next year), so that's what my list contains.  I guess it's more like my immediate TBR pile :)1. The Death Cure by James Dashner (seriously, bought this one right away and still have it waiting for me...)2. Brisingr and Inheritance by Christopher Paolini (I've been re-listening to the first books...


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Name That Book, Episode 21

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Name that Book is a biweekly game where you get to guess a book title from the photo clues.  Occasionally I offer prizes for those who guess right!In honor of the culinary delights I enjoyed last week, I thought I'd have this special Name That Book episode.  Feast your eyes upon these (and leave guesses in the comments):   Book 1:         Book 2:     If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percent...


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Sign Up for the Classic Double Challenge: 2012

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I finally got myself together enough to start this challenge!  Thanks to all those who expressed interest in joining up.  Here is the info about this challenge:Essentially, the Classic Double Challenge will encourage you to read one older book (classic) and a newer book that relates to the older one in some way.  (BTW, can be any reading level from MG to Adult.)  This is best understood by examples, which I'll post below.  I've also compiled an anything-but-complete list of some examples for further perusal.  You do NOT have to pick something from the list.  I'm leaving the choices to your discretion - if you...


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Retro Friday Review: Alanna: the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

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Retro Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Angie of Angieville and "focuses on reviewing books from the past. This can be an old favorite, an under-the-radar book you think deserves more attention, something woefully out of print, etc."Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora PiercePublisher: AtheneumPublication date: 1983ISBN: 9781442426412 Source: Audiobook from libraryAlanna of Trebond was supposed to go a convent and learn how to be a woman. Instead, she switches places with her twin, who wants to learn magic, and disguises herself as a boy to become a page. But things are a lot more difficult than she imagined they would be, especially...


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Book Review: Bright Young Things by Anna Godberson

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Bright Young Things by Anna Godberson Publisher: HarperCollinsPublication date: October 2010ISBN: 9780061962677 Source: Library Letty and Cordelia have run away from their small town life and found their way to the Big Apple.  Letty is determined to make it big as a singer, to see her name in the lights, but runs into a lot more competition and problems than expected.  Cordelia is searching for her father, a rich and famous man in the town of Manhatten.  But finding her life there is a lot more difficult than she imagines.  She makes an ally in Astrid, her brother's girlfriend, who wants to help Cordelia out, but also hides...


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Book Review: Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

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Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick Publisher: Simon & SchusterPublication date: October 2011ISBN: 9781442426641Source: Audiobook provided by publisher When Nora wakes up in a cemetary with no memory of the last five months of her life, not only does she feel disoriented, but like she's missing something.  No one wants to give her details on just what happened, though they might not know themselves.  The only things she does know are that her mom is dating Hank Miller - the creepy father of her arch-enemy Marcie Miller - and that she's falling for the hot, mysterious Jev, someone she just might have known before.  Will...


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Book Review: Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

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Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.Wonderstruck by Brian SelznickPublisher: Scholastic PressPublication date: September 2011ISBN: 9780545027892 Source: Library Ben has been struggling to feel comfortable in his life, ever since his mother died.  Living with his aunt and uncle is strange and he feels alienated.  When a strange turn of events leaves him unable to hear, he sets off on a journey to find someone, though he isn't quite sure who.  His story intersects with Rose, who lived fifty years earlier with her father.  But she is not satisfied to have the quiet existence her father seeks for her...


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Interested in Joining a New Challenge?

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Update: I'm thinking I'll get the ball rolling for this challenge.  I'm working on compiling book companions for this, so feel free to leave more suggestions.  And watch the blog for more to come!So, I'm thinking of starting a new challenge for 2012.  It might be a little obscure or niche, but I thought I'd see if there is any interest.  It would be to read at least two books that were related in some way.  One of the books could be a "classic" meaning it was published probably quite some time before the other.  This could be reimaginings or it could be sequels or it could have some other tie-in.  Very vague, I know, but I think it's clearer with examples:   A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle and When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. ...


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Book Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

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Crossed by Ally Condie Publisher: Dutton JuvenilePublication date: November 2011ISBN: 9780525423652 Source: Purchased*Some possible spoilers for Matched*When Cassia is sent to the Border Provinces, she hopes to be able to find Ky.  She finally makes her way to the Outer Provinces, with a new companion,  But will she be able to find him before they are all caught, and will it be enough to be together when she does?Things I Liked: I simply fell in love with this book.  It is not what I'd call a typical dystopian full of action and excitement, though it does have some.  What I love most is the quiet nature of it, the slow development,...


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Book Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

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Nightshade by Andrea CremerPublisher: SpeakPublication date: October 2010ISBN: 9780142419809 Source: ARC provided by publisher Calla has always been alpha to her pack.  She knows what is required of her and that her union with Ren is inevitable.  But when Shay Doran shows up in her life and just keeps coming, she begins to question duty and the way things have always been run.  Will she be able to figure out what is true and who to trust before it is too late?Things I Liked: I really liked the Guardian/Keepers/Searchers mythos.  The dynamics, history, and ideas behind these paranormals was so intriguing, definitely helping...


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Top Ten Tuesday: Outside My Usual Fare

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I'm doing another Top Ten Tuesday list hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.Instead of books outside my comfort zone (which, I'm not entirely sure what that would be) I'm listing ten books I read outside my usual fare (to find out what that may or may not be, check out this post): Liked it. Would't say I liked it, but it's important and well-written. It was ok. Didn't like it (except for the writing). Didn't like it. Much. An emotional ride. Liked it? I guess thought it was good. Liked it.  Kinda. Not so much. Loved it! It was ok.What about you? Do you generally enjoy books outside your usual? If you buy through my Amazon linkage,...


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Listless Monday, Stormy Weather Edition

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Listless Monday was inspired by both Amanda at A Bookshelf Monstrosity's feature Books by Theme and Court at Once Upon a Bookshelf's Listed feature.  Be sure to check out their lists!It's the time of the year for winter storms, so I thought I'd gather together some books about storms/tempests/gales/hurricanes and anything else stormy I could think of.  Stormy Weather   After the Snow by S.D. Crockett Frost by Wendy Delsol Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell Ice by Sarah Beth Durst Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger...


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