Friday, January 31, 2014

The Art of Falling by Kathryn Craft


Release Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
From her earliest memories, Penelope Sparrow's life centered around dance. When she awoke in a hospital bed, bound by injuries and doctor's orders, she began to wonder if her life would ever regain the momentum it once had. All she had ever known was ripped away from her in one moment.

Fighting to regain her footing in the world, Penelope must deal with both her physical and mental wounds caused by her accident and the events leading up to it. Along the way she meets a group of people who will offer her help - if she can conquer her demons. The main question on her mind is will she ever dance again?

Review:
I requested permission to read this book at NetGalley because both the cover and description intrigued me. What I thought would be a mystery turned into something more by the time I was a quarter of the way through the book. The cover is beautiful in its simplicity and portrays the feeling of weightlessness perfectly. In a sense it mimics what we can feel when we let go of the chains that bind us and do what is in our hearts.

The story affected me a lot more than I had anticipated. Not only was the story about a woman triumphing over adversity, in this case a pretty severe accident that she was lucky to live through, but it was also a story about healing in nearly every aspect of the word. Having watched someone close to me suffer through a chronic illness and then leave this mortal world, I could picture everything Angela was going through and then some. In a way, I was Penelope in some moments.

Because I connected with the story, the characters seemed more alive to me. At first I couldn't understand some of the reasoning behind the actions of a few characters. Once the story progressed, the ideas behind the worries and the reactions became clear. To me, it made them seem as real and flawed as we all are. But I'll be honest. There were a number of times I wanted to smack Penelope to get her to open her eyes. Still, she had to learn in her own time - exactly as we have to in this life.

From the first word to the last, the story moves at a steady pace. The minor characters and actions support the main characters and storyline perfectly. It all adds up to a very compelling and illuminated story on a number of levels. The author manages to tackle issues from life and death to battling one's self-degradation. She is able to do this in a thought-provoking and caring manner which disarms the reader and pulls them further into the characters world.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. Even though I need a few tissues at specific moments, it was well worth the snubby nose. If you're looking for an engaging and uplifting, educating story, this book is one to put at the top of your list.

The Art of Falling by Kathryn Craft is available in either paperback or Kindle form. It can be purchased from Amazon.com by clicking the link provided below.
The Art of Falling by Kathryn Craft

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Currently Reading

Hello, readers! Good to have you with me on this cold Wednesday. Winter has definitely reasserted herself as top season around here. I guess we'll have to keep these heaters and blankets handy a bit longer. As for me, it's limited my work on the Brown-Brooks Project (crocheting granny squares). On the other hand, it's allowed me much more time for reading, reviewing and writing!

In the middle of all this lovely coldness, there's a contest going on! On Monday, I posted my review of a great book set to be released on 2/4. Etched on Me by Jenn Crowell is one of the books you won't want to miss out on reading. So, for those of you in the US or Canada, click HERE to enter the contest. One lucky winner will receive a signed copy of the book! How awesome is that! You can enter all week until 2/4/14, so get to entering!


Currently, I'm reading;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Everybody's Got a Story (Toronto #12) by Heather Wardell
Joe Victim: A Thriller by Paul Cleave


I finished the following;
Twelve Nation: Book of Epoch by Michael Reiss, Walter Timoshenko, Darryl Kravitz
House of Bathory by Linda Lafferty
The Law of Second Chances (Jack Tobin #2) by James Sheehan


No matter what you're working on this week, I wish you lots of productive, fun moments. Okay, warm ones too, if you need them. Good luck!

Until next time,
Kay B

Monday, January 27, 2014

Contest Time!

Welcome to the first contest here at CoWA!

I posted a review of Etched on Me by Jenn Crowell earlier today. It was a great read so I want to pass the opportunity to read it along to one of my fabulous readers!

Starting today until the book's release on February 4th, you can enter to win a signed copy of the book in paperback form! How cool is that?

The rules:
  • Live in either the US or Canada.
  • Fill out the form at Rafflecopter below (it's free!)
  • Make sure I have an email to contact if you win!

That's it! Keep racking up those points until February 4th. A winner will then be selected and notified by me through email to confirm details for shipment. Then the book will be on its way. So, without further ado, get to getting those points!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck! Remember to spread the word!

Until next time,
Kay B 

Etched on Me: A Novel by Jenn Crowell


Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Washington Square Press


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.


Synopsis:
After escaping the hellish torment of an abusive father and disinterested mother, Lesley Halloway found refuge in the Child Protective Services, which gave her the freedom she longed for. However, being a teenager on her own with responsibilities of work and school, Lesley soon found the weight to be unbearable and turned to self-harming as a way to cope with the nightmares and pressure. She spent time in several psychiatric facilities and learned the tools necessary to live a productive, happy life.

Conquering her fears and triggers, Lesley pushed herself past her limits to make something of herself. All was well until she found herself unexpectedly pregnant. Lesley's past called into question her ability to care for a child and the same agency that helped to save her life was now trying to take her child. Will Lesley be able to her bad habits in the past? Will she be able to be the mother she dreamt of being?


Review:
As I was looking through the titles at NetGalley one day, this book stood out from the rest on the page. I felt that the subject matter discussed within the book was very much relevant to the lives of many people in the world today. Given the amount of people inhabiting the Earth this minute, it wasn't a stretch to think that a similar situation had taken place. Though the story is set in the UK, it could very well happen any place where the stigma of mental illness and self-harm resonated loudly.

From the first introduction into Lesley's world, it became very clear that she was strong, determined and resourceful. These traits were her saving grace as well as her downfall as her mental ill spiraled out of control once she was out of the abusive situation and into a relatively safe environment. The author made it quite easy for the reader to feel a connection with Leslie, both cheering her on as she made strides to correct her path and emphasizing with her when she made mistakes.

At times the story seemed more like a memoir than a fictional tale. The authenticity of the characters' reactions, thoughts and emotions lent a different kind of realness to the story that I found both enjoyable and heart-breaking. With almost seamless transitions between scenes, the pacing of the book was steady and natural in its progression from the beginning of Lesley's journey to the end of the court battle. Though we, the readers, weren't privy to a lot of the information behind the scenes, we were given front row seats to life as Lesley knew it, felt it, and learned to deal with it.

Witnessing everything that Lesley had to endure was difficult at times, but each experience also led her to create a support system that was loving and nothing like she endured at home. I was both happy and appalled at how the system which readily helped her as a child became the source of further pain and torment during her adult years after touting her successes. Unfortunately that turn of events has played out many times within my own country as I'm sure it has in other countries as well. There are several lessons within this book that would be beneficial to many people if they heed them, myself included.

Overall, I enjoyed this book because it seemed very much like a memoir. It thrust a spotlight on the double standard in certain fields that leaves many people feeling as though they are worthless and have no hopes or aspirations. Try as they might, they were always falling short of the goal because the goal was being moved further away from them. Instead of letting that system continue its behavior, Lesley and others fought back. With beautifully flawed yet approachable characters, the author used a fictional story as a launching pad for discussion and debate that could very well lead to positive changes. If you're looking for an endearing, hauntingly real tale that gives as much as it takes, I would highly recommend this book.

Etched on Me: A Novel by Jenn Crowell will be available for purchase at many online retailers in February 2014. You can pre-order a copy from Amazon in either paperback or Kindle format by clicking the link below.
Etched on Me: A Novel by Jenn Crowell

Friday, January 24, 2014

Pigs Can't Swim: A Memoir by Helen Peppe


Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Da Capo Press

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Writing about one's life can be eventful - especially if you grew up in rural Maine on a farm filled with animals, unruly children and two worn-out parents. Helen Peppe spends her childhood trying to find her place among a brood of nine children, many of whom are years ahead of her. Her inquisitive mind rattles the patience of everyone around her and sets a course for her that she could never have imagined.

Written with honesty and wonder, Helen explores her childhood years in order to better understand what her future may hold. She presents the good, the bad and sometimes the very bad to the reader, bringing her life story to greater clarity. Filled with humor as well as heartache, she shows a side of rural life that many in her generation experienced but few truly understood.

Review:
I found many interesting books available on NetGalley, but few touched my heart with a sense of real honesty. This book was one of those, presenting the many different angles of the author's childhood way of life. From her early years to those confusing teenage years, the author relived the memories that provided life lessons, motivation and sometimes grief to the education she received at school.

There were a number of times that I felt for the author. Her older siblings considered her life to be much easier than the ones they had but the author also acknowledged how hard they and their parents had to work in order to make ends meet. Not only did she write about the darker side of growing up in the country, she also gave the reader a glimpse of how innocent children were back in her generation. In many of her anecdotes, I could see some of my own family members. It made the people within the memoir seem more familiar to me than simple characters within a book.

I cringed when the bad times came into the author's life, wanting more for her to be more than a simple housewife or farmer's wife. When she was placed into a position beyond her understanding, I wanted someone to stand up for her - to protect her innocence. It made me angry that she became the one to blame instead of the perpetrator. Further into the book, I cheered when she realized her worth and was glad that she fought to keep a hold on the one person who could see it as well.

This memoir ran the gamut of emotions, taking me right along with each page I read. The ease in which the author told her story helped to keep the pages turning and made me want to know what was going to happen next. Even if it was something I dreaded to learn, I wanted to read the next page, next chapter. The author didn't try to make herself better than the truth. She wrote about her mistakes as readily as her accomplishments and I believe this made the difference for me. If you're looking for an uplifting, honest and down-to-earth type of memoir, I would put this one at the top of your list.

Pigs Can't Swim: A Memoir by Helen Peppe will be available for purchase in February 2014. You can pre-order a copy in either hardcover or audio-book format from several online retailers. A link to Amazon is provided below.
Pigs Can't Swim: A Memoir by Helen Peppe

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Currently Reading

Can it be Spring soon? It's so very cold outside. My bones aches, my nose runs and I feel like I've been hit by a truck or two. Winter is not a kind season for me, but this one has packed a wallop! It's a very good thing I have some warm blankets and plenty of word-filled company.

Unfortunately, I've been sick for the past three days. This funk seems to like its current home so I'll probably be battling whatever it is for a while longer. In between naps, I've been able to get a few more books off the TBR pile as well as some editing finished on my NaNo2012. I really thought simply writing the book was the hardest part. Boy, am I ever wrong! This revision/editing process was an eye-opening experience, to say the least. But I love learning, so it's not been so bad.


Next up on the TBR list;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
The Law of Second Chances (Jack Tobin #2) by James Sheehan
Twelve Nation: Book of Epoch by Michael Reiss, Walter Timoshenko, Darryl Kravitz
House of Bathory by Linda Lafferty

Crossed these off the list;
The Innocent Sleep: A Novel by Karen Perry
A White Wind Blew: A Novel of Waverly Hills by James Markert 


How many of you are stuck indoors this season? Whether it's bitter cold in US or heat in Australia, does the weather affect your writing? I'm interested to know your answers. Please, leave your answers in the comments below.

Until next time,
Kay B

Monday, January 20, 2014

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins


Release Date: August 24, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Series: The Hunger Games

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Katniss has survived the Quarter Quell but herself in the middle of a war for which she wasn't truly prepared to fight. In the mythical District 13, she learns many of her loved ones are safe while a handful remain in the clutches of the Capitol. She knows they will be soon used to get her attention, to make her slip up somehow or to be break down completely.

To finish off the Capitol and exact revenge upon the man responsible, Katniss must come to terms with what she wants in her heart and what is being expected of her by the government of District 13 and the rebels themselves. Can she truly be the mockingjay, a sign of change for the masses? Will she keep all those she holds dear safe in the process?

Review:
Ignoring the repeated warnings of fellow word addicts, I continued with the trilogy. When I finished book two, I knew that I would have to simply deal with whatever I found in the last book because I'm one of the weird people who need to know the full story. Leaving the story alone after how it ended in book two was never an option for me. I was comforted by their warnings but in reality, they did nothing to prepare me for the events that came to pass within the pages of this book. 

The story began not long after the events of the Quarter Quell within the arena and the punishment for those actions had been doled out accordingly. Katniss and few others were rescued from the area and taken to safety within the underground facilities of District 13. Previously thought to be lifeless, it comes at a complete shock to many when a whole system of government and military capabilities are revealed to the refugees of District 12 and the others rescued. To Katniss' (and the readers') dismay, not all the allied tributes in the arena made it out together.

Of course, the events of the books are told through Katniss' eyes which allowed me to almost feel as though I was in those places myself. Having come to know the characters in the previous books made them feel like family so when things begin to happen, the feelings of hurt, loss and pain were easily invoked. In all honesty, it seemed like every single time life began to settle down for the people, something would happen and chaos would erupt all around them again. The pace was constant and unrelenting, even to the end when nearly all the questions were answered.

In truth, I couldn't put the book down once I began reading it. I tried to read for a specific amount of time only to go over my limit because I wanted to know what happened next. This book reads so quickly that I actually devoured the entire book one Sunday afternoon. Between long-awaited answers and new, disturbing dilemmas, there was always something to discover on the next page or in the next paragraph. If you are wanting to invest in an engaging, heart-wrenching trilogy, then I'd say pick up this book (and the previous two as well)!

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins is currently available at many retailers, including those online. You can purchase the book in various forms such as paperback, hardback, Kindle and audio-book formats. Clicking the link below will take you to the book's Amazon page.
Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Friday, January 17, 2014

Funeral in a Feminine Dress: Depravity Reborn as Virtue by M.J. Burke Sr.


Release Date: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Mj Burke Sr

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
During his younger years, M.J. Burke was sure of three things; alcohol and depravity flowed freely, his mother was always punished, and they were poor. From the vantage point of youth, Burke grew up in a world where a child could be left to his own devices below the age of ten and accompanying his parents to bars was routine. He knew something was wrong with the way his mother was treated but felt helpless to intervene.

After interviewing countless family members, friends, business associates and bar buddies, Burke compiled the information into a memoir. He included the obstacles, the triumphs, the bonds and the abandonment that the family endured throughout his parents' lives. Both inspiring and disturbing, the memoir gives a glimpse into one man's beginning, middle and hope for the end.

Review:
This book was a weirdly pleasant surprise. Another book won from a Goodreads giveaway, I was expecting something darker and nothing like the well-rounded book I received. From the start I realized that the author had done more than write his life story and publish it. He talked to as many people as possible about his parents, his brothers, and himself. It became clear that he intended to show the many sides of his parents as he possibly could and not only the darker side.

Not only did the author include his own misdeeds and mistakes, he owned them as well as the consequences. I really enjoyed this level of honesty. The pictures he painted of his life at home were a far cry from the idyllic middle class life shown on television shows of that generation, but for him they were his world. The soft side of his father toward other people and animals made a sharp contrast to the punishing meanness showed toward his mother. Her own duality was presented in the book as well through examples of her sharp wit and inquisitive mind being dulled by the alcohol and various forms of abuse.

At times I forgot that I was reading a memoir. I was glad for the different sections of family photographs throughout the book because they served as reminders that I wasn't reading a work of fiction. The natural progression of the story and the pacing of the writing style allowed for easy reading. I kept telling myself to stop at the end of the chapter but nearly always found my finger turning the next page. My emotions were sent on a roller coaster ride as I kept hoping something would change and the outcome would be different.

A poignant reminder that not everyone lived a charmed, happy American dream life, the author was still able to extract the good times from the rubble of the darker, chaotic times. Coming to terms with his family's legacy was difficult but I was glad to see progress toward the end of the book. Always intrigued by the lives of others, I did enjoy reading the author's story and happy to see him break the mold. There was a lot of wisdom imparted by his mother and others within the pages of the book - hope in the midst of despair, hard work pays off more than having things handed to you. It was the same wisdom I learned from my parents and grandmother. If you're looking for an interesting and uplifting despite the darkness type of memoir, I sincerely recommend this book.

Funeral in a Feminine Dress: Depravity Reborn as Virtue by M.J. Burke Sr. is currently available at various retailers in either paperback or Kindle formats. You can purchase a copy from Amazon by clicking the link provided below.
Funeral in a Feminine Dress: Depravity Reborn as Virtue by M.J. Burke Sr.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Currently Reading

The past seven days were not the kindest to me. I am greatly relieved that they've shared their moments and have left me behind. I had to deal with the news of a dear friend's very unexpected passing and the fact he lived many miles away from me. Saying your goodbyes to someone special when you can't be near them is difficult, to say the least. However, he definitely was one of the people who wouldn't want others to mourn for him too long, so I am trying to soldier through.

I wasn't able to devour many books this week because of the news and also my health took a turn for the worse. Now that I'm on the mend, I'm trying to make up for the lost time. Good news is that many of the upcoming books in my TBR pile look delightfully good!


Devouring these books this week:
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
The Law of Second Chances (Jack Tobin #2) by James Sheehan
The Innocent Sleep: A Novel by Karen Perry
A White Wind Blew: A Novel of Waverly Hills by James Markert
Twelve Nation: Book of Epoch by Michael Reiss


Finished these in short order:
Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins
Elfhunter (Tales of Alterra, The World That Is #1) by C.S. Marks


A bit of wonderful news! I've been given clearance to hold my very first book giveaway! In a little over a week, I will be reviewing a very compelling book. The story lingered long after I had finished it. I was happy to learn that I will be given the chance to give a signed copy of the book to one lucky winner! More details in next week's post but be on the lookout! It's going to be an exciting week!

Until next time,
Kay B

Monday, January 13, 2014

The Necromancer's House: A Novel by Christopher Buehlman


Release Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Ace Hardcover


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Andrew Ranulf Blankenship is a handsome, stylish nonconformist with wry wit, a classic Mustang, and a massive library. He is also a recovering alcoholic and a practicing warlock, able to speak with the dead through film. His house is a maze of sorcerous booby traps and escape tunnels, as yours might be if you were sitting on a treasury of Russian magic stolen from the Soviet Union thirty years ago. 

Andrew has long known that magic was a brutal game requiring blood sacrifice and a willingness to confront death, but his many years of peace and comfort have left him soft, more concerned with maintaining false youth than with seeing to his own defense. Now a monster straight from the pages of Russian folklore is coming for him, and frost and death are coming with her. *synopsis provided by Goodreads*

Review:
As with many of the books sitting on my TBR, the description suckered me into giving it a chance. So when I won a free copy from a Goodreads giveaway, I was excited to have it on the list. What I didn't anticipate was how uncommon the book truly was. The writing style was different than what's on the market today in the sense that it was uninhibited, openly brash and at times, crude. Yet, that's exactly why I enjoyed it.

I had some trouble adjusting to the author's style as I began the book, but became more comfortable by the middle. Not unlike stepping into foreign country for the first time, I had to find my footing within the world that the author created because his world allowed for the use of magic in the everyday lives of his characters. Sure, it was similar to the world I currently live with its use of computers and cellphones, but there were also a clear tether to a much older time with the inclusion of myths and legends from centuries earlier.

The characters were very much like modern day people who made a lot of bad choices and yet there was also a spark of hope that they might redeem themselves. Andrew, Anneke, Chancho and others were recovering alcoholics, plagued by the events in their past either directly or indirectly caused by their substance abuse. Not everyone in the story was a magic user. Many were regular people who had no clue what was going on around them. That layer of secrecy gave the users (people who wield the magic) a bond akin to that of a fraternity, sorority and the like. It allowed for some pretty interesting interactions between the two groups, in my opinion.

Now, this story asked me to suspend a lot of belief, but the reward was worth the effort. There were a lot of themes that played out within the story. The use of magic was simply an added element by the time I hit the middle of the book. Mainly the journey of the story covered the principle of Karma, the idea that what you do or put into the universe comes back to you. It was repeated time and again in several of the character's actions. Toward the end of the book, there was a sense of completion, having come full circle.

Not everything that occurred was pretty or filled with rainbows. There were a lot of scenes filled with dark, morbidly occult writing in line with many of the characters being magic users and performing tasks as such. Humor was present in many of the scenes which provided a nice contrast to the darkness. Overall, I enjoyed the book once I found my footing. It was a different way of looking a world filled with people who could use magic and those who couldn't. If you're looking for an off-the-wall, magical journey into something slightly different the world around you, pick up this book. It's a great way to escape the doldrums of normal life for a while.

The Necromancer's House: A Novel by Christopher Buehlman is currently available for purchase at many retailers in hardback, Kindle and audio-book formats. By clicking on the link below, you can purchase a copy from Amazon.
The Necromancer's House: A Novel by Christopher Buehlman

Friday, January 10, 2014

The Companions (The Sundering #1) by R.A. Salvatore


Release Date: August 6, 2013
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Series: The Sundering

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
This latest installment in New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore's beloved fantasy saga, The Companions moves Salvatore's signature hero Drizzt into a new era of the Forgotten Realms. As Drizzt's fate hangs in the balance, he reflects on the lives of the trusted allies who stood by his side throughout his early life--the friends now known as the Companions of the Hall. Meanwhile, the first stirrings of the Sundering begin. *from Goodreads*

Review:
How far would you go for someone you loved? A friend? A companion?

That question was posed to each of the Companions of the Hall upon their deaths as some languished in a spiritual holding place until everyone was present. Cattie-brie, Regis, Wulgar and Bruennor - all have fought beside and loved the drow (dark elf) named Drizzt to a certain extent. Now that love and companionship would give each companion a choice. They could go on to their proper eternal rest as promised to them by their individual gods or they could join together for one last quest in order to help Drizzt when the time came.

Although a few had an inkling what the quest would entail, there were a great many variables that made this journey one of their hardest, most adventurous yet. Those that accepted the adventure were given an opportunity to be reborn and learn while retaining everything from their previous lives. They agreed to meet at a specific place at a specific time in order to help Drizzt however he should need it. In the ensuing years between rebirth and the meeting, each one of the companions experienced the highs and lows of starting anew, found themselves facing more difficult decisions than anticipated and discovered more to themselves than they had ever known.

This book was the first in a new series featuring the world and characters from The Forgotten Realms. Though it did touch on previous events from similar tales told within the world, the book and its plot were very much able to stand alone. I had read some of the earlier books in the Neverwinter/Forgotten Realms series and even played some of the games. But I wasn't as up to date before delving into this book after requesting it from NetGalley. Not knowing everything that happened previously didn't hinder my reading or enjoying this book in the slightest. The author did a great job of using the surroundings, other characters or items to tell the proper history when necessary.

I loved how each of the characters kept the memories and knowledge from their previous lives, making their new life a tad more complicated than it would have been. As with any good adventure, the path to their destination wasn't lined with gold or even arrows pointing them in the right direction. How dull of an adventure that would be! Instead each companion had his/her own set of struggles, including those emotional, mental and physical, to overcome in order for the quest to be a success. Did they succeed or fail? Well, you'll just have to read it and find out. Plenty of fights, pranks, adversity and comical moments to sweep you from page to page. If you're a long-time fan of adventure and fantasy or just beginning your journey into it, this book is a great way to kick off the new series. I definitely recommend it.

The Companions (The Sundering #1) by R.A. Salvatore is currently available at many retailers and can be purchased in several forms including hardback, paperback, Kindle and audio-book. The link below will direct you to the book's Amazon page for purchase.
The Companions (The Sundering #1) by R.A. Salvatore

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Currently Reading

What a way to start off January! It's been so cold here that I've been trapped beneath several blankets for the past two days. The only time my feet hit the floor was when I needed a bathroom break! I am so happy to see that the rest of the week will be in the 30 - 40 F range. Of course, all this extreme weather had my mind thinking about how people survived such periods of time one, two and even three centuries ago.

An exciting note for my readers! I have had some wonderful opportunities to read advanced copies of several books. Having finished one of them, I was recently contacted and asked if I'd like to host a giveaway for a free copy. Once I finish working out the plans, I will post my first ever book giveaway! I'm really excited by the venture. It's another small step up this book ladder of mine.


At the forefront of the TBR pile:
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Elfhunter (Tales of Alterra, The World That Is #1) by C.S. Marks
Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins
The Law of Second Chances (Jack Tobin #2) by James Sheehan
The Innocent Sleep by Karen Perry

Vanquished from the pile forever:
Pigs Can't Swim: A Memoir by Helen Peppe
Etched on Me: A Novel by Jenn Crowell


With plenty of time on my hands as I recover, I'm attempting to work through a lot of my TBR pile. One of my goals for the year is to read 120 books. If the increase in books continues, I may have to increase my posting schedule. We'll cross that bridge when we need to.

Do you have a reading goal for the year? If so, what is it. Feel free to let me know in the comments below.

Until next time,
Kay

Monday, January 6, 2014

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins


Release Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Series: The Hunger Games

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Having won the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta find themselves living in the Victor's Village within District 12. When their victory tour begins, it should have been a time of celebration for the winning tributes. Unfortunately, the Capitol has other plans for the couple.

The next Hunger Games set to take place is known as the Quarter Quell, a special event with new rules that happens every 25 years in order to remind the people in the districts of the Capitol's victory over their insurrection. It takes everyone by surprise when President Snow declares that a reaping will take place among the victors in each district. Can Katniss and Peeta survive another round in the arena? Will their deaths quench the rebellion simmering within the districts?

Review:
Book two of the Hunger Games series picks up shortly after the couple's amazing win of the 74th Hunger Games. Both Katniss and Peeta have moved into the area reserved for the victors and their families. Each have settled into their own ways of life as they await the upcoming victory tour. With all this in the beginning, I was wondering if the rest of the book was going to move as quickly as the first book had or if it would suffer the sophomore slump. Let's just say that it's definitely not affected by the slump.

I could tell that the undertone of rebellion had begun at the end of the first book. However, I had no idea that it was more widespread until the group reached the Capitol for the formal ball given in Katniss and Peeta's honor. Along the way, the author gave hints and glimpses of life within the other districts and how severe the changes had been to keep the people under control. Unfortunately, when oppression weighs too heavily, a break will happen somewhere - even with the best laid plans.

The second trip into the arena was no less eventful than their first either. In fact, it was more dangerous than the first due to the fact that other victors were in the arena with them. No amount of preparation could have taught them everything that they needed to know but there was an underlying plan. When it was all said and done, the reader is left knowing as much as Katniss did. And to be honest, it wasn't a lot nor was it pretty news to hear. Because the books are written from her point-of-view, it's very easy to slip into her character and feel/see the things that she does.

Overall, the story kept me turning the pages and wanting to know what happened to the characters, both major and minor. I sincerely cannot wait to delve into the third book. Thankfully, my fellow addict was wonderful enough to lend me the entire trilogy at one time. If you're looking for a quick, engaging and fast-paced thrill ride, I definitely suggest you get this book (and the other two as well)!


Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins is currently available at all major retailers in several forms including paperback, hardback and Kindle. Provided below is a link to Amazon.com where you can get a copy.
Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

Sunday, January 5, 2014

January's Hopes and Dreams

Yay! A new year!

To be honest, I'm very ready for a new year. Last year was filled with some pretty awesome good times. Unfortunately, I also had some deep low times as well. I'm so very thankful to have this blog  and my readers! I know the few of you are out there. I want you to know that I do appreciate each and every one of you so very much!

I'm hoping that this month will be a low-key one where I can get a lot of books knocked off my TBR pile. I have a lot of them thanks to some sweet deals I've found over the last few months. Of course, I need to finish my original goal of rereading all the books currently on my bookshelves and deciding which are to be kept and donated. There's so many books and so little time!

Of course, I'm still writing. Beginnings of four stories/novels and almost 2 completed short stories are up to be revised/polished. NaNo2012 was on the back burner for a bit. It's now on the front burner and I'm hopeful to have it revised before the end of February. Next step will be to have a few beta-readers go through it before I send it off. I don't want to have overwhelmingly huge plot holes. That's my biggest fear with this project.

Since the hats/scarves were a big hit for the Brown-Brooks Project, we're looking to do that again in 2015. For 2014, we're going to be collecting various granny squares to create afghans. Not sure if it's been decided as to whether they'll go to the local nursing home residents or where right now. I believe it may be them or the kids of the behavior center. I'll keep you all updated!

Here's to having a much better year. I truly hope the year brings brighter, happier days to all of you.
Until next time,
Kay

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Best of 2013

Though I started my blog several months into 2013, I still managed to read a lot of books. Some I liked. Some I didn't like. In the various titles I was able to read throughout last year, I had a few that I would deem my favorites. Here's the list I liked the best from the books I reviewed in 2013 (in no particular order).


The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti
Gifted with a mind that continues to impress the elders in his village, Ichmad Hamid struggles with knowing that he can do nothing to save his friends and family. Living on occupied land, his entire village operates in fear of losing their homes, jobs, and belongings. But more importantly, they fear losing each other.
On Ichmad's twelfth birthday, that fear becomes reality.

With his father imprisoned, his family's home and possessions confiscated, and his siblings quickly succumbing to hatred in the face of conflict, Ichmad begins an inspiring journey using his intellect to save his poor and dying family. In doing so he reclaims a love for others that was lost through a childhood rife with violence and loss, and discovers a new hope for the future. Reminiscent of The Kite Runner and One Thousand Splendid Suns, this is an uplifting read, which conveys a message of optimism and hope.

Why I liked it:
Though the story centered around two clashing cultures in the Middle East, the underlying themes of prejudice, fear, and misunderstanding can be seen in any part of the world. How a person chooses to address them depends upon a number of factors. In the book, two people from the same family are presented with the same challenges and yet they go down very different paths. The level of intimacy the book creates between the characters and the reader stayed with me long after I finished reading.



Night Film by Marisha Pessl
On a damp October night, beautiful young Ashley Cordova is found dead in an abandoned warehouse in lower Manhattan. Though her death is ruled a suicide, veteran investigative journalist Scott McGrath suspects otherwise. As he probes the strange circumstances surrounding Ashley’s life and death, McGrath comes face-to-face with the legacy of her father: the legendary, reclusive cult-horror-film director Stanislas Cordova—a man who hasn’t been seen in public for more than thirty years.

For McGrath, another death connected to this seemingly cursed family dynasty seems more than just a coincidence. Though much has been written about Cordova’s dark and unsettling films, very little is known about the man himself. Driven by revenge, curiosity, and a need for the truth, McGrath, with the aid of two strangers, is drawn deeper and deeper into Cordova’s eerie, hypnotic world. The last time he got close to exposing the director, McGrath lost his marriage and his career. This time he might lose even more.

Why I liked it:
Marisha Pessl took a long time between the release of her first book in order to create a world that sucks a reader in from the start of the first chapter. The time and attention to detail pays off. I was amazed at how thorough the creation of her world was. From the websites to the documents to the lingering questions after the last word has been read, this book had a grip on me. I definitely would be a Cordovite. Who knows? Maybe I really am.



Pandemic: A Novel (Infected #3) by Scott Sigler
The alien intelligence that unleashed two horrific assaults on humanity has been destroyed. But before it was brought down in flames, it launched one last payload-a tiny soda-can-sized canister filled with germs engineered to wreak new forms of havoc on the human race. That harmless-looking canister has languished under thousands of feet of water for years, undisturbed and impotent...until now.

Days after the new disease is unleashed, a quarter of the human race is infected. Entire countries have fallen. And our planet's fate now rests on a small group of unlikely heroes, racing to find a cure before the enemies surrounding them can close in.


Why I liked it:
As I have said before, I'm a longtime fan of Scott Sigler. Even if I hadn't been, the unique way in which the world is nearly destroyed by the alien virus, coupled with humanity's response, would have been enough for me to pick up a copy anyway. The series tears at your heart while feeding the insatiable part of the brain that craves action and violence. This book is a brilliant conclusion to the series that celebrates the best and the worst this planet has to offer.



Last Train to Omaha by Ann Whitely-Gillen 
Thirty-five-year-old James Milligan, the solitary and impenetrable chief architect at one of Chicago’s leading design firms, has never recovered from the gruesome death of his best friend nearly two decades before. He’s learned that a distant heart is the only way to shut out the nagging guilt and pain that threatens to capsize him at any moment. Only the dying veterans at the Aaron Milligan Palliative Care Center know the depth of the overwhelming compassion that James harbors within himself, and he is determined never to let anyone else into his heart — or his future — again.

However, when caring and patient palliative care nurse Rebecca Doyle enters his world, his hardened exterior begins to crack against his will. Will Martin Diggs, the charismatic and perplexing Vietnam War veteran convince James that it’s not too late to reclaim his future?


Why I liked it:
When a person goes off to war, they come back a changed person. There's so much that they cannot talk about that it's hard for them to slip into their roles as civilians. It's somewhat similar when a person suffers a traumatic experience. Both avenues are explored in this book in such a way that it shines light on the state of help for both categories of people suffering. By reading and talking about the difficulties, awareness is spread so that we may help others before things get out of hand. Not to mention, the bonds between the characters are so strong that they draw the reader further into a net of compassion and leave the reader reaching for the tissues.



Buck: A Memoir by M.K. Asante
MK Asante was born in Zimbabwe to American parents: a mother who led the new nation’s dance company and a father who would soon become a revered pioneer in black studies. But things fell apart, and a decade later MK was in America, a teenager lost in a fog of drugs, sex, and violence on the streets of North Philadelphia. Now he was alone—his mother in a mental hospital, his father gone, his older brother locked up in a prison on the other side of the country—and forced to find his own way to survive physically, mentally, and spiritually, by any means necessary.
 
Buck is a powerful memoir of how a precocious kid educated himself through the most unconventional teachers—outlaws and eccentrics, rappers and mystic strangers, ghetto philosophers and strippers, and, eventually, an alternative school that transformed his life with a single blank sheet of paper. It’s a one-of-a-kind story about finding your purpose in life, and an inspiring tribute to the power of education, art, and love to heal and redeem us.


Why I liked it:
Not your average memoir, this book was full of the cold truth of life on the streets. The author threw caution to the wind, wrote honestly and openly about what he and others went through during that period of time. Yet for all the differences between his world and mine, there were the underlying human needs that connected us - acceptance, survival and love. These are true for anyone any place in the world but the author displayed his faults and flaws as well. Both a survival and coming-of-age story, this book spoke volumes about us as both individuals and as a society when we let our children down.
 


Where We Belong by Catherine Ryan Hyde 
Fourteen-year-old Angie and her mom are poised at the edge of homelessness… again. The problem is her little sister, Sophie. Sophie has an autism-like disorder, and a tendency to shriek. No matter where they live, home never seems to last long. Until they move in with Aunt Vi, across the fence from a huge black Great Dane who changes everything. Sophie falls in love immediately, and begins to imitate the “inside of the dog,” which, fortunately, is a calm place. The shrieking stops. Everybody begins to breathe again. Until Paul Inverness, the dog’s grumpy, socially isolated owner, moves to the mountains, and it all begins again.

Much to Angie’s humiliation, when they’re thrown out of Aunt Vi’s house, Angie’s mom moves the family to the mountains after Paul and his dog. There, despite a fifty-year difference in their ages, Angie and Paul form a deep friendship, the only close friendship either has known. Angie is able to talk to him about growing up gay, and Paul trusts Angie with his greatest secret, his one dream. When the opportunity arrives, Angie decides to risk everything to help Paul’s dream come true, even their friendship and her one chance at a real home—the only thing she’s dreamed of since her father was killed. A place she can never be thrown out. A place she can feel she belongs.


Why I liked it:
Part of the reason this book resonated with me is the fact that mirrors part of my own past. I was Angie for a number of years growing up and having to care for two younger brothers. Only one was diagnosed with Lupus at a young age but all the thoughts that we see Angie having were in my own mind at times. Though I also had both of my parents for support, there were times when it felt as though I didn't. To see someone in a similar situation made it easy to empathize with the characters but the essence of the story stayed with me long after reading. A very touching story, it reaches into the reader's heart and makes a small place there.



What books made your list for 2013?
Leave me some examples in the comments as well as any suggestions for books to look for in 2014.

Until next time,
Kay

Friday, January 3, 2014

Ten Tiny Breaths: A Novel (Ten Tiny Breaths #1) by K.A. Tucker


Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Atria Books
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Kacey Cleary thought she had it all figured out. Four years after a devastating crash took the lives of her parents, best friend and boyfriend, she held herself together in order to care for her younger sister, Livvie. They made the move to Miami to bury the past and start a new life.

Within weeks the carefully constructed facade began to crumble as Kacey noticed chinks in her armor. People began to worm their way into her heart. For Kacey, that can only spell trouble, but she can't stop herself from falling. Can she survive without facing the past? What will she do when the past no longer wants to stay buried?

Review:
Okay, I'll confess. I heard the buzz about this book while surfing around on Goodreads. When NetGalley had the book available, I requested to read it and was accepted. Truthfully, I was a little nervous of what to expect because I have only read a handful of YA and NA titles to date. Despite my reservations, this book turned out to be dramatically good book.

Firstly, all of the characters were flawed. Not just the main characters, as one expects in many books nowadays, but each and every one of them had their own pronounced flaw. We, the readers, knew right away that Kacey was intensely troubled by the events of her past and the issues that surround her in the present. Her sister, Livvie, took a little longer to show her flaw - her goodness. She was so caring, trustworthy and good that it becomes a fault. She needed the connections with others in order to thrive. Some were too intense, too superficial, too unconventional or simply made bad choices.

Coming in under 300 pages, the book is a quick read. It was hard to stop reading at the end of the page, or even a chapter, when the events of the book kept pushing forward to the climax of the story. By the time I hit the twist in the book, I was already caught up in the emotions of Kacey that I felt anxious for her. When the truth was revealed, my heart sank. I wanted to help make things better but all I could do was turn the page to see what else was coming her way. Needless to say, if you have important things to do, wait until you have them finished before picking up this book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It felt like the story had a grip on me that wouldn't ease until I reached the epilogue. Though the ending was about what I had expected, it still provided the perfect ending to the whole of Kacey's story. Buried beneath and within the words of the story was the cautionary tale of not drinking and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Period. I have to give the author much respect for pointing out the damage done to each side when an event such as an accident happens. If you're looking for something to sink its claws into you and lead you through a roller coaster of emotions, I would most definitely buy this book.


Ten Tiny Breaths: A Novel (Ten Tiny Breaths #1) by K.A. Tucker is currently available at many retailers in paperback, Kindle or audiobook editions. You can purchase a copy from Amazon by clicking the link below.
Ten Tiny Breaths: A Novel (Ten Tiny Breaths #1) by K.A. Tucker

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Currently Reading

Happy 2014 to everyone!

Part of me is still unconvinced we're in a new year. I think it's because I still have so many things to finish up. However, time waits for no man or woman. Time to get back in the saddle and get to work!

Lots of posts coming up in the next few days before we settle back into our regular posting schedule. There will be the book review, a "best of 2013" and of course, the usual hopes/dreams post. I'm sincerely hopeful that the new year will bring better days for many people. When I look back, I see too many down days. Time for that to change.

As I don't do resolutions, I began making goals a few years ago. This year will be no different. I plan to change small things in order to ease into a healthier lifestyle, work through the ever-growing TBR pile, spend time helping others through the Brown-Brooks Project, and most of all, focus more time on writing.


I'm working my way through;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Elfhunter (Tales of Alterra, The World That Is #1) by C.S. Marks
Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins
Pigs Can't Swim: A Memoir by Helen Peppe
The Law of Second Chances (Jack Tobin #2) by James Sheehan


Conquered these titles;
The Necromancer's House: A Novel  by Christopher Buehlman
Funeral in a Feminine Dress: Depravity Reborn as Virtue by M.J. Burke Sr.


May the new year bring you all happier moments, loving days and brilliant memories. Here's making the best of 2014 as possible together!

Until next time,
Kay