Teaser Tuesday: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

The Book Thief –
Knopf Books for Young Readers

Trust was accumulated quickly, due primarily to the brute strength of the man’s gentleness, his thereness. The girl knew from the onset that Hans Hubermann would always appear midscream, and he would not leave.
— Page 15

I don’t often re-read books, mostly only parts I enjoyed, because my reading list is already so long and the day only has so many hours. This is clearly a re-read to find out if the “it’s not you, it’s me” explanation I gave the book the first time around was true. I first read The Book Thief when it was published in Germany in 2008 and I just wasn’t impressed. At all. I’m now re-reading it in English and have to admit that I’m a little puzzled at all the German words that are liberally strewn across the text. That’s definitely something I didn’t appreciate when I read the translation. Maybe I’m also a little more receptive to the text and writing style now that I’m not attending literary criticism classes and the impression of high school history with its constant WWII this and NS that has paled a little. At least I find that I’m enjoying it more the second time around, if you can call it enjoying. Was this new interest caused by the movie? Yes, in parts. I had already thought about a re-read because I knew that I hadn’t been the best reader the first time and the movie certainly is a good enough reason.

Mandatory question: Have you read the book and/or will you go to see the movie? Let’s hear from you in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Queen’s Choice by Cayla Kluver

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

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
The Queen’s Choice by Cayla Kluver.
Publication Date: January 28th 2014.

The Queen’s Choice – Harlequin Teen

Magic was seeping out of me, black and agonizing. I could see it drifting away. The magic that would let me pass the Road to reach home again.

When sixteen-year-old Anya learns that her aunt, Queen of the Faerie Kingdom of Chrior, will soon die, her grief is equaled only by her despair for the future of the kingdom. Her young cousin, Illumina, is unfit to rule, and Anya is determined not to take up the queen’s mantle herself.
Convinced that the only solution is to find Prince Zabriel, who long ago disappeared into the human realm of Warckum, and persuade him to take up his rightful crown, Anya journeys into the Warckum Territory to bring him home. But her journey is doomed to be more harrowing than she ever could have imagined ...

Synopsis from goodreads.com

I have if I seriously think about it no idea where or when this book made its way onto my wait for publication list. But as I was scrolling through it just now this title came up as a not too distant release. But I’m not presenting this today because I couldn’t think of anything else ... that would be really sad ... but because I want know from you how many chances you give an author before you categorise them as not your cup of tea or read if available but don’t pick up specifically ... or something like that. The reason for this is for one that I read and sort of liked this author’s previous title Legacy yet I didn’t read the sequels. I felt that the book might have been better with a stronger editorial hand in tightening the story. And seeing that this new title is almost 200 pages shorter that might be the case. The writing was absolutely fine so I’ll be interested to see how the story-telling turns out in this one.

So let me know what you think about offering second/third/fourth chances along with your waiting on choice in the comments. Or just the book if you think I’m too nosy. :)

Teaser Tuesday: The Night Itself by Zoë Marriott

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Night Itself by Zoë Marriott.

The Night Itself – Walker Books

Stealing the sword was a bad idea. I can’t pretend I didn’t realize that at the time.
— Chapter 1

He gave Shinobu a narrow-eyed look, as if he suspected him of somehow dragging me and Jack into a bad, nine-tailed vampire-cat-demon-hobnobbing crowd.
— Chapter 11

I finally got around to reading this first book in Mariott’s Name of the Blade series and was hooked from the first sentence. Not only is the story set in London, but there are myths and magic involved. Japanese myths and magic, which I know hardly anything about. I also cannot imagine which direction this book (or the series) will take and find that very refreshing.
From the characters I like Mio the most. She’s courageous, loyal, and witty. She keeps me on my toes, because I never know what she might do. There are so many questions I want answered. I want to know about the history of the sword, which started everything. About Mio’s father and grandfather. And naturally, about Shinobu. Who is he and why is he there?

Are you trying something new as well or making yourself comfortable with favourite authors this week? Leave us a comment and your teaser!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler

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

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler
Publication Date: April 15th 2014

The Forbidden Library - Kathy Dawson Books

Alice always thought fairy tales had happy endings. That--along with everything else--changed the day she met her first fairy. 

When Alice’s father goes down in a shipwreck, she is sent to live with her uncle Geryon--an uncle she’s never heard of and knows nothing about. He lives in an enormous manor with a massive library that is off-limits to Alice. But then she meets a talking cat. And even for a rule-follower, when a talking cat sneaks you into a forbidden library and introduces you to an arrogant boy who dares you to open a book, it’s hard to resist. Especially if you’re a reader to begin with. Soon Alice finds herself INSIDE the book, and the only way out is to defeat the creature imprisoned within. 

It seems her uncle is more than he says he is. But then so is Alice.

Synopsis from goodreads.com

Forbidden rooms are like pink elephants, you just have to think about them and in case of the room find out what’s inside. So I totally get why Alice sneaks off to see the forbidden library. I’d have done the exact same thing.
This middle grade story seems equipped to take the reader along for an adventurous ride as literally seen from between the pages. Especially considering the side effect to opening a book - falling into the story and having to fight oneself out again. (Considering the books I own, I think I’ll pass using that ability.) And who’s the arrogant boy and why is he allowed into the library? And does the talking cat start grinning manically, when asked a question? I’m definitely looking forward to The Forbidden Library turning out as magical as it sounds!

Did you ever (have to) sneak into a library like Alice? Tell us in the comments along with your waiting on choice!

Teaser Tuesday: Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Sentinel – Spencer Hill Press

I really wanted to, because for him I’d do anything. Fight a horde of half-blood daimons? There. Tangle with ticked-off furies? Sign me up. Break a dozen or so rules for one forbidden kiss? Done. Open my eyes? Apparently that was asking too much.
— Chapter 1

I started to wave the scissors but decided I’d look pretty psychotic doing so. “I kind of don’t want to look like a weed whacker got hold of my head before meeting a bunch of people.”
— Chapter 6

The books of Jennifer L. Armentrout have quite a few qualities about them. One clearly is that you can open them on almost any page and find scenes that are entertaining yet also easily convey the atmosphere, characteristics of the protagonists, and overall situation. I really like her books for the lightheartedness in combination with tough action scenes and general greatness. I love nearly anything related to ancient myths so that works out neat for this series, but she makes it work with all of her books. Looking for quick fun reads that are well thought out and offer surprising takes on mythology and fun references to popular culture? You got it. Not saying much about this book since it’s the fifth and – I think – last in this series. Just this: how often do you get antagonists that you hate to hate? Even though I’m most decidedly Team Aiden.

Do you have a go-to author for fun/action books to pick you up? Let’s hear about them in the comments and share your teasers with us!