Tuesday 23 June 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
Happy Again by Jennifer E. Smith.
Confession: I have a dichotomous feeling about e-shorts. Sometimes I love them for expanding the world of a story I already love or want to dip into before committing to the whole series or to build a bridge between two main books. And then there are those that I’m torn about because they add to what I perceived to be the end. This is one from the second category. I loved the end of This Is What Happy Looks Like in the sense that it closed the story but was still open to interpretation. This addition tells me that after the end one thing happened which necessitated this addition. Don’t get me wrong, more Graham and Ellie is definitely not a bad thing, but I would have thought that things had played out differently than described in this short story. I can arrange with how it ends now, but I really hope that now they aren’t just happy again but also stay that way.
What are your feelings on e-shorts? One disadvantage it their restriction to a digital medium, but on the other hand they’re really suited for it and wouldn’t really work in print. Share your opinions and teasers in the comments!
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!
Happy Again by Jennifer E. Smith.
 |
| Happy Again – Poppy |
“There was so much I was trying not to say. I guess it was easier to talk about nothing than about how much I missed you.”
— Chapter 13
“I want to be able to stand in front of a room full of people and actually be able to say the thing I want to say,” she told him.
“And I want to be able to stand in front of just one person and say the thing I want to say.”
— Chapter 13
Confession: I have a dichotomous feeling about e-shorts. Sometimes I love them for expanding the world of a story I already love or want to dip into before committing to the whole series or to build a bridge between two main books. And then there are those that I’m torn about because they add to what I perceived to be the end. This is one from the second category. I loved the end of This Is What Happy Looks Like in the sense that it closed the story but was still open to interpretation. This addition tells me that after the end one thing happened which necessitated this addition. Don’t get me wrong, more Graham and Ellie is definitely not a bad thing, but I would have thought that things had played out differently than described in this short story. I can arrange with how it ends now, but I really hope that now they aren’t just happy again but also stay that way.
What are your feelings on e-shorts? One disadvantage it their restriction to a digital medium, but on the other hand they’re really suited for it and wouldn’t really work in print. Share your opinions and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 16 June 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
End of Days by Susan Ee.
I was wrong ... but I was also right. As this is mildly confusing, let me elaborate a little: Back in 2012 I told myself that I would read no more angel books because I was so over them but that I’d make an exception if the book didn’t have a love story front and centre. Luckily, I excluded series I had already started ... yes, I like to hoodwink myself when it seems opportune. This series is very much a love story and a lot of things are very much driven by this love, but it is never sappy or the single driving force. More like a creeping vine and before you know it you’re completely entangled.
Most series make you wait about a year between books but this series started out as a wee indie and it has been a great pleasure to watch it build momentum and be picked up by a bigger publisher over the years even if the two year waits between the instalments were agonisingly long.
As implied in the name, this is the angel-apocalypse to end all angel-apocalypses, no further candidates need to apply. This series calls for a re-read now that all books are available and can be read back to back. As much fun as theorising between two books can be, there are details that are bound to get lost between book one and three if they are separated by almost four years. And to anyone who might not be satisfied by the end: The world in this series as we know it ended, there was an actual apocalypse. Don’t expect everything will magically go back to normal because the beauty of this is also in showing how the main character endures and tries to make the best of her situation no matter what. Now excuse me, I need to have a good wail over the fact that some things that were logical to happen were also heart-wrenching and beautiful in their perfect imperfection ... which is again mildly confusing but in this case you’ll need to read the series and the end to understand how this impression is achieved.
I’m usually a little sceptical when it comes to indie-published stories, but as the exception proves the rule I’m always open to suggestions. If you have recommendations for a book that has been overlooked by the major publishing houses please share them in the comments along with your teaser.
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!
End of Days by Susan Ee.
 |
| End of Days – Hodder & Stoughton |
I don’t like it when angels murmur in agreement. Nothing good ever comes of that.
— Chapter 33
Knowing about the horrors that have happened and will happen but choosing to live anyway. Maybe there’s an art to being human.
— Chapter 57
I was wrong ... but I was also right. As this is mildly confusing, let me elaborate a little: Back in 2012 I told myself that I would read no more angel books because I was so over them but that I’d make an exception if the book didn’t have a love story front and centre. Luckily, I excluded series I had already started ... yes, I like to hoodwink myself when it seems opportune. This series is very much a love story and a lot of things are very much driven by this love, but it is never sappy or the single driving force. More like a creeping vine and before you know it you’re completely entangled.
Most series make you wait about a year between books but this series started out as a wee indie and it has been a great pleasure to watch it build momentum and be picked up by a bigger publisher over the years even if the two year waits between the instalments were agonisingly long.
As implied in the name, this is the angel-apocalypse to end all angel-apocalypses, no further candidates need to apply. This series calls for a re-read now that all books are available and can be read back to back. As much fun as theorising between two books can be, there are details that are bound to get lost between book one and three if they are separated by almost four years. And to anyone who might not be satisfied by the end: The world in this series as we know it ended, there was an actual apocalypse. Don’t expect everything will magically go back to normal because the beauty of this is also in showing how the main character endures and tries to make the best of her situation no matter what. Now excuse me, I need to have a good wail over the fact that some things that were logical to happen were also heart-wrenching and beautiful in their perfect imperfection ... which is again mildly confusing but in this case you’ll need to read the series and the end to understand how this impression is achieved.
I’m usually a little sceptical when it comes to indie-published stories, but as the exception proves the rule I’m always open to suggestions. If you have recommendations for a book that has been overlooked by the major publishing houses please share them in the comments along with your teaser.
Tuesday 9 June 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West.
Low blood sugar levels coinciding with a serious lack of sweet fluff? Well, I can’t provide you with chocolate, but I can certainly offer a cute recommendation for your literary craving. Value-added insights on life and relationships with possible allergens of seemingly ignorant brat-girl and possibly supersaturated teenage angst.
I’m opening the supposedly lighter summer read season with this at times not quite so light story. I admire how the author manages to integrate several current topics into this plot that at the surface appears to simply deal with a girl’s road to self-discovery. This is an elegant all-in-one pleasant read that might surprise the casual reader with as few unexpected insights. I personally wouldn’t have minded as last minute fill-in myself if the substitution eventually proved himself to be such an improvement to the initial situation.
Are you a “disagree in my head” person or a “loudly disagree” person? And how often do we question if the “I’m fine” reply is actually the truth or simply what we want to be true to get on with things? I’m curious about your thoughts and teasers; let’s have them in the comments.
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 Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West.
 |
| The Fill-In Boyfriend Sway – HarperTeen |
The more I thought of it, the more I realized that I rarely fought with anyone. I didn’t like fighting. I disagreed with people in my head a lot but rarely out loud.
— Chapter 20
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Did you know those two words make up the most-told lie in the English language?”
— Chapter 32
Low blood sugar levels coinciding with a serious lack of sweet fluff? Well, I can’t provide you with chocolate, but I can certainly offer a cute recommendation for your literary craving. Value-added insights on life and relationships with possible allergens of seemingly ignorant brat-girl and possibly supersaturated teenage angst.
I’m opening the supposedly lighter summer read season with this at times not quite so light story. I admire how the author manages to integrate several current topics into this plot that at the surface appears to simply deal with a girl’s road to self-discovery. This is an elegant all-in-one pleasant read that might surprise the casual reader with as few unexpected insights. I personally wouldn’t have minded as last minute fill-in myself if the substitution eventually proved himself to be such an improvement to the initial situation.
Are you a “disagree in my head” person or a “loudly disagree” person? And how often do we question if the “I’m fine” reply is actually the truth or simply what we want to be true to get on with things? I’m curious about your thoughts and teasers; let’s have them in the comments.
Tuesday 2 June 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
Sway by Kat Spears.
On the off chance that your definition of sway needs as much of a brushing up as mine did when I started reading this book: “Sway helps you make money and money helps make you sway. But sway is not money.” This is conveniently printed right on the first page. It is not quite related to or involving a swing set unless you want to get metaphorical in how on a swing the harder you push something away the stronger it comes back. Disclaimer: This will only work to a certain extend in real life but seems to be utterly successful in literary genres of a particular persuasion.
Nevertheless, this is a very interesting read in that it presents the point of view of the often coveted bad boy, who really is a bad boy in the sense that he commits all kinds of grey-verging-on-black-area misdemeanours. I had a hard time to find an angle to sympathise with him and I think I only succeeded to a certain degree. I still think that the girl is way too good for him and should run screaming in the other direction rather than try to rehabilitate him. He knows this and is in constant wonder of her goodness and possibly later of the fact that she probably likes him more than she should. This is what gives this story an aspect that you don’t see too often. Sure there is a variation of the “I’m not good for you, you should stay away” and the girl then boldly declaring that it doesn’t matter because the guy is inherently good, but here he actually tries to let her be (so some extend). I’m not making excuses for him, because he has made most of the choices for himself and in my opinion should dig himself out of them on his own.I suppose that it is okay for him to receive help as there are outer circumstances that influenced his behaviour. The network he built and dedication to his work are remarkable but not necessarily a good thing to aspire to though.
Can you tell me of a book from the point of view of the redemee rather than the redeemer where the rooting for the redemee is easier because s/he had no other choice rather than has taken the easier choice? Let’s hear from you in the comments!
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!
Sway by Kat Spears.
 |
| Sway – St. Martin's Griffin |
Still, if you were going to lose either way, it’s better to lose without saying anything so it can’t be held against you later.
— Chapter 24
“Don’t you dare,” Theresa said as she put a handful of fries in her mouth. “It’s my story and mine to share if I want to, which I don’t.”
— Chapter 25
On the off chance that your definition of sway needs as much of a brushing up as mine did when I started reading this book: “Sway helps you make money and money helps make you sway. But sway is not money.” This is conveniently printed right on the first page. It is not quite related to or involving a swing set unless you want to get metaphorical in how on a swing the harder you push something away the stronger it comes back. Disclaimer: This will only work to a certain extend in real life but seems to be utterly successful in literary genres of a particular persuasion.
Nevertheless, this is a very interesting read in that it presents the point of view of the often coveted bad boy, who really is a bad boy in the sense that he commits all kinds of grey-verging-on-black-area misdemeanours. I had a hard time to find an angle to sympathise with him and I think I only succeeded to a certain degree. I still think that the girl is way too good for him and should run screaming in the other direction rather than try to rehabilitate him. He knows this and is in constant wonder of her goodness and possibly later of the fact that she probably likes him more than she should. This is what gives this story an aspect that you don’t see too often. Sure there is a variation of the “I’m not good for you, you should stay away” and the girl then boldly declaring that it doesn’t matter because the guy is inherently good, but here he actually tries to let her be (so some extend). I’m not making excuses for him, because he has made most of the choices for himself and in my opinion should dig himself out of them on his own.I suppose that it is okay for him to receive help as there are outer circumstances that influenced his behaviour. The network he built and dedication to his work are remarkable but not necessarily a good thing to aspire to though.
Can you tell me of a book from the point of view of the redemee rather than the redeemer where the rooting for the redemee is easier because s/he had no other choice rather than has taken the easier choice? Let’s hear from you in the comments!
Tuesday 26 May 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey.
This book had me at the first sentence. How could I resist “[She] had gone to the library in search of hope.”? Impossible. As luck would have it, the next sentences didn’t disappoint either and this is shaping up to be a great story. It has an interesting conflict and apparently well thought out characters who come with a complete background. The two sides haven’t actually met yet, but I assume that when they do, this will be very complicated but entertaining to read.
This book has been mentioned to echo (ha, p-un-intended) both the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series and The Mortal Instruments and I can definitely see that. Maybe the former a little more at the beginning of the book. I have no objection to that as long as the level of it doesn’t increase too much.
Many of us have had a long weekend (if you’re not one of them, I’m very sorry to rub it in and sincerely apologise); did you invest the time off in some serious reading time? Or did you, by any chance, watch that minor music competition that took place in Europe on Saturday? Feel free to comment on either reading or music in the comments along with sharing your teaser.
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 Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey.
 |
| The Girl at Midnight – Delacorte Press |
Books didn’t give her dirty looks or whisper snide comments under their breath. Books didn’t judge.
— Chapter 2
“Young?” Echo took another look at the date. “This is a hundred years old.”
“Youth is a relative concept.”
— Chapter 4
This book had me at the first sentence. How could I resist “[She] had gone to the library in search of hope.”? Impossible. As luck would have it, the next sentences didn’t disappoint either and this is shaping up to be a great story. It has an interesting conflict and apparently well thought out characters who come with a complete background. The two sides haven’t actually met yet, but I assume that when they do, this will be very complicated but entertaining to read.
This book has been mentioned to echo (ha, p-un-intended) both the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series and The Mortal Instruments and I can definitely see that. Maybe the former a little more at the beginning of the book. I have no objection to that as long as the level of it doesn’t increase too much.
Many of us have had a long weekend (if you’re not one of them, I’m very sorry to rub it in and sincerely apologise); did you invest the time off in some serious reading time? Or did you, by any chance, watch that minor music competition that took place in Europe on Saturday? Feel free to comment on either reading or music in the comments along with sharing your teaser.
Tuesday 19 May 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
Wrong About the Guy by Claire LaZebnik.
What’s that saying? If I had a [insert currency of your choice] for every time someone ... said they didn’t understand why Jane Austen or retellings were a thing, well, I wouldn’t be rich, but I could afford a very decent meal and probably a weekend spa trip. Like any good English Literature student I couldn’t avoid an introduction to Jane Austen’s novels at some point during my studies. Luckily, I had a lecturer who was very fond of teaching by showing, by which I mean BBC versions of Jane Austen. And from there I found myself voluntarily picking up the source material. A very clever way of teaching, if you asked me. Way better than teaching Hemingway through making students analyse each and every sighting of the blasted fish. But I digress.
This is a perfectly pleasurable read in and of itself if you have no affection for Austen at all. But if you do, it is a lot of fun to draw parallels between LaZebnik’s and Austen’s versions of the characters. Emma is one of the books that I didn’t immediately appreciate, I’ll admit, and if I had to choose now I think I’d pick up another novel of hers. However, LaZebnik’s story is a very cute and fun one with quite a few relevant undertones, which I think are well adapted from the original and translated into a modern setting. Maybe it’s cramming almost too many themes into one novel, but then again, that’s so totally Emma as she also fits in and manages everything somehow while almost overlooking the important things right in front of her nose. Please, just don’t ever make me choose between Mr Darcy and Mr Knightley ...
And on the topic of choosing: There is a truly evil Would You Rather.Very revealing and soul baring. Let me know how it went for you along with your teasers.
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!
Wrong About the Guy by Claire LaZebnik.
 |
| Wrong About the Guy – HarperTeen |
“Yes,” he said. “You’re right. I have no idea what your point is, but I know you can’t be wrong.”
“It’s theoretically possible,” I said. “It’s just never happened.”
— Chapter 18
I don’t like uncertainty. Or waiting around for other people to do things I’m perfectly capable of doing myself.
— Chapter 32
What’s that saying? If I had a [insert currency of your choice] for every time someone ... said they didn’t understand why Jane Austen or retellings were a thing, well, I wouldn’t be rich, but I could afford a very decent meal and probably a weekend spa trip. Like any good English Literature student I couldn’t avoid an introduction to Jane Austen’s novels at some point during my studies. Luckily, I had a lecturer who was very fond of teaching by showing, by which I mean BBC versions of Jane Austen. And from there I found myself voluntarily picking up the source material. A very clever way of teaching, if you asked me. Way better than teaching Hemingway through making students analyse each and every sighting of the blasted fish. But I digress.
This is a perfectly pleasurable read in and of itself if you have no affection for Austen at all. But if you do, it is a lot of fun to draw parallels between LaZebnik’s and Austen’s versions of the characters. Emma is one of the books that I didn’t immediately appreciate, I’ll admit, and if I had to choose now I think I’d pick up another novel of hers. However, LaZebnik’s story is a very cute and fun one with quite a few relevant undertones, which I think are well adapted from the original and translated into a modern setting. Maybe it’s cramming almost too many themes into one novel, but then again, that’s so totally Emma as she also fits in and manages everything somehow while almost overlooking the important things right in front of her nose. Please, just don’t ever make me choose between Mr Darcy and Mr Knightley ...
And on the topic of choosing: There is a truly evil Would You Rather.Very revealing and soul baring. Let me know how it went for you along with your teasers.
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.
One day, I’ll stop jumping headfirst into new series by authors who I know will have me begging for the next book to be published sooner ... she said as she added another to her growing list.
However, there aren’t many authors with two series underway in which I’m so very impatiently anticipating the next book. I should have known with this one though. Sarah J. Maas is a brilliant storyteller and the mythology she so casually weaves into this wonderful re-imagination (I don’t want to use the term retelling because that would be misleading as there is so much more to it) of the beauty and the beast theme is very thorough and fantastically implemented. I strongly disliked Feyre’s family and the rational part of me will never understand why she didn’t leave them, but my messy heart was totally on board with that and with the forgiveness. It’s in my opinion the skill of a great writer to create a character (or a host of characters) whose actions you would personally never support and comprehend, but which make absolute sense for this character in their context. So yes, I might have guessed the riddle but my background (and that of many readers, even those complainers) is vastly different from Feyre’s. And if I had been brave enough to voice that guess about the solution, is written on a completely different page.
I love the clever foxy Lucien and his grudging but growing acceptance of Feyre; and I am so!intrigued! by the dark and mysterious Rhysand (isn’t that name alone really cool?). And the most amazing thing is that I was expecting a major cliffhanger, as I know the author is capable of them, but the end is actually quite tame. But don’t think that there aren’t still enough open questions that have me chomping at the bit for the next book. Maybe if I barter a week of service each quarter as a house elf?
What would you be willing to trade in for a chance to have any of your upcoming anticipated books right now? Leave suggestions and teasers in the comments.
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!
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.
 |
| A Court of Thorns and Roses – Bloomsbury Children’s Books |
He jerked his chin at the knife. “It’s yours. Don’t bury it in my back, please.”
— Chapter 18
“I realized he wouldn’t have gone with me to save you from Prythian.”
And for her, with that raging, unrelenting heart, it would have been a line in the sand.
— Chapter 30
One day, I’ll stop jumping headfirst into new series by authors who I know will have me begging for the next book to be published sooner ... she said as she added another to her growing list.
However, there aren’t many authors with two series underway in which I’m so very impatiently anticipating the next book. I should have known with this one though. Sarah J. Maas is a brilliant storyteller and the mythology she so casually weaves into this wonderful re-imagination (I don’t want to use the term retelling because that would be misleading as there is so much more to it) of the beauty and the beast theme is very thorough and fantastically implemented. I strongly disliked Feyre’s family and the rational part of me will never understand why she didn’t leave them, but my messy heart was totally on board with that and with the forgiveness. It’s in my opinion the skill of a great writer to create a character (or a host of characters) whose actions you would personally never support and comprehend, but which make absolute sense for this character in their context. So yes, I might have guessed the riddle but my background (and that of many readers, even those complainers) is vastly different from Feyre’s. And if I had been brave enough to voice that guess about the solution, is written on a completely different page.
I love the clever foxy Lucien and his grudging but growing acceptance of Feyre; and I am so!intrigued! by the dark and mysterious Rhysand (isn’t that name alone really cool?). And the most amazing thing is that I was expecting a major cliffhanger, as I know the author is capable of them, but the end is actually quite tame. But don’t think that there aren’t still enough open questions that have me chomping at the bit for the next book. Maybe if I barter a week of service each quarter as a house elf?
What would you be willing to trade in for a chance to have any of your upcoming anticipated books right now? Leave suggestions and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 5 May 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien.
It’s children’s book week! Luck has it that work requires me to take a closer look at this beautiful classic. I loved the animated movie when I was younger even if the two stories don’t quite match up (the movie has an element of magic while the book really is a classic animal tale). I adore the writing and especially the little gems of wisdom that are hidden in the text. I think that it is a special talents that allows authors to put these truths in their texts without sounding patronising and not all authors have it. It’s a lovely story with short chapter that you can easily fit in when you only have a short time to read ... if you’re the kind of person who reads while standing in line at the supermarket check-out and the likes for example. And if you have someone to read this book aloud to, all the better! You’ll discover amazing new things about a story when it’s read aloud.
Can you recommend other children’s books classics? Are you doing anything interesting for children’s book week? Share thoughts and teasers in the comments!
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!
Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien.
 |
| Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH – Puffin Books |
The size of the brain is no measure of its capacity. And well she might recall it, for the crow’s head was double the size of her own.
— Chapter 3
One warm day, she told herself, does not make a summer. No, nor even a spring.
— Chapter 4
It’s children’s book week! Luck has it that work requires me to take a closer look at this beautiful classic. I loved the animated movie when I was younger even if the two stories don’t quite match up (the movie has an element of magic while the book really is a classic animal tale). I adore the writing and especially the little gems of wisdom that are hidden in the text. I think that it is a special talents that allows authors to put these truths in their texts without sounding patronising and not all authors have it. It’s a lovely story with short chapter that you can easily fit in when you only have a short time to read ... if you’re the kind of person who reads while standing in line at the supermarket check-out and the likes for example. And if you have someone to read this book aloud to, all the better! You’ll discover amazing new things about a story when it’s read aloud.
Can you recommend other children’s books classics? Are you doing anything interesting for children’s book week? Share thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 28 April 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
Tithe by Holly Black.
Hindsight is always 20/20 – or so it is said. With this in mind I picked up the very first book of an author I have discovered through one of her later works. You know how with bands the original fans often dislike the new fans or claim that their band has gone mainstream and no longer sounds the same? I sure hope that bands are able to develop their style and try new things; and if they acquire a bigger following while they do it, good for them. Why this? Because the new fan of a music band might also flip back to the band’s older works and discover that they probably wouldn’t have liked the music had it stayed that way. With authors this is indeed similar enough to be also very different. This book has now been published over a decade ago and the author is still active. You can already see the fine writing skills in this and if you know her current work, admire the advancement. And now imagine if 10+ years have shaped this difference, how much better will the author be in another 5 years? Musicians play with their style and often return to their roots, but authors, in my experience, usually get better with the more books they write. There is a beauty in the thought of growing with your author from their debut, but if you get a chance to get an outside view to compare and contrast a writing period, that is also quite an interesting experience.
Have you ever gone back to an author’s early work after discovering them through a later book? I imagine that many John Green fans started out with The Fault in Our Stars and only later read Looking for Alaska or Papertowns ... especially now that there is another movie right around the corner.
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!
Tithe by Holly Black.
 |
| Tithe – Margaret K. McElderry Books |
Gristle would have loved this. She had thought that many times since she had left the Shore, six years past. My imaginary friends would have loved this. She’d thought it the first time that she’d seen the city, lit up like never-ending Christmas. But they never came when she was in Philadelphia. And now she was sixteen and felt like she had no imagination left.
— Chapter 1
Kaye kicked a flattened soda can down the street ahead of her. Even she could see that she was going in no good direction, and not just literally.
— Chapter 4
Hindsight is always 20/20 – or so it is said. With this in mind I picked up the very first book of an author I have discovered through one of her later works. You know how with bands the original fans often dislike the new fans or claim that their band has gone mainstream and no longer sounds the same? I sure hope that bands are able to develop their style and try new things; and if they acquire a bigger following while they do it, good for them. Why this? Because the new fan of a music band might also flip back to the band’s older works and discover that they probably wouldn’t have liked the music had it stayed that way. With authors this is indeed similar enough to be also very different. This book has now been published over a decade ago and the author is still active. You can already see the fine writing skills in this and if you know her current work, admire the advancement. And now imagine if 10+ years have shaped this difference, how much better will the author be in another 5 years? Musicians play with their style and often return to their roots, but authors, in my experience, usually get better with the more books they write. There is a beauty in the thought of growing with your author from their debut, but if you get a chance to get an outside view to compare and contrast a writing period, that is also quite an interesting experience.
Have you ever gone back to an author’s early work after discovering them through a later book? I imagine that many John Green fans started out with The Fault in Our Stars and only later read Looking for Alaska or Papertowns ... especially now that there is another movie right around the corner.
Tuesday 21 April 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder.
I have a growing appreciation for Sisyphus and his never-ending task, but at least mine is a pleasant one of decimating my TBR ... only that whenever I finish one book at least one more has joined the rest of the pile. More likely two or more. But I’m teaching myself to put down books that aren’t doing it for me and decide whether it’s just for now or to give them away entirely. So far it’s mostly a “maybe later” pile next to the TBR, but I’m getting better at it.
This books is definitely not in danger of being put down ... apart from sleep and work, but everything else can wait. I want to know what happened to Kerrick! I dare the book to keep him from me much longer or this will not have a pretty end. And please return him in an acceptable state, preferably before I completely lose it with Avry and the rest of them. Final book in the series and I’m more than curious how this will come to its conclusion. The build-up over the first two books was very promising.
What’s the news regarding your TBR piles? Do you sort them according to mood or simply by chronological order of books being added to the pile? I’d love to hear about your method in the comments along with new books to be added to my pile.
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!
Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder.
 |
| Taste of Darkness – Harlequin Mira |
“But they fight in the name of the creator.”
“I don’t care if they fight in the name of broccoli. The goal remains the same.”
— Chapter 5
And the lesson had been learned. Stop trying to use the Lily to revive the dead or it might just work.
— Chapter 8
I have a growing appreciation for Sisyphus and his never-ending task, but at least mine is a pleasant one of decimating my TBR ... only that whenever I finish one book at least one more has joined the rest of the pile. More likely two or more. But I’m teaching myself to put down books that aren’t doing it for me and decide whether it’s just for now or to give them away entirely. So far it’s mostly a “maybe later” pile next to the TBR, but I’m getting better at it.
This books is definitely not in danger of being put down ... apart from sleep and work, but everything else can wait. I want to know what happened to Kerrick! I dare the book to keep him from me much longer or this will not have a pretty end. And please return him in an acceptable state, preferably before I completely lose it with Avry and the rest of them. Final book in the series and I’m more than curious how this will come to its conclusion. The build-up over the first two books was very promising.
What’s the news regarding your TBR piles? Do you sort them according to mood or simply by chronological order of books being added to the pile? I’d love to hear about your method in the comments along with new books to be added to my pile.
Tuesday 14 April 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
Sisters of Blood and Spirit by Kady Cross.
Turns out that I’m a sort of visual person after all, because I clicked on it simply based on the cover. But I definitely wouldn’t have it on my reader if that was the only redeeming factor if that’s any consolation. I haven’t read very much of it yet, but the premise of a (so far I think) willing participant in as living-body-snatcher/possession between sisters is a very interesting concept. And considering how often I thought that it would be awesome if someone else could please just live through yet another boring lecture for me, I suppose I wouldn’t be completely disinclined to at least try it ... possibly.
What is the last book you picked up because the cover appealed to you that you then ended up buying? Let’s hear from you in the comments.
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!
Sisters of Blood and Spirit by Kady Cross.
 |
| Sisters of Blood and Spirit – Harlequin Teen |
Talking out loud to someone no one else could see would make them all think they were right, that I was still crazy. I was supposed to be cured.
— Chapter 1
It was an untruth that the dead had all the answers. We just had different questions.
— Chapter 2
Turns out that I’m a sort of visual person after all, because I clicked on it simply based on the cover. But I definitely wouldn’t have it on my reader if that was the only redeeming factor if that’s any consolation. I haven’t read very much of it yet, but the premise of a (so far I think) willing participant in as living-body-snatcher/possession between sisters is a very interesting concept. And considering how often I thought that it would be awesome if someone else could please just live through yet another boring lecture for me, I suppose I wouldn’t be completely disinclined to at least try it ... possibly.
What is the last book you picked up because the cover appealed to you that you then ended up buying? Let’s hear from you in the comments.
Tuesday 7 April 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski.
I love a good second book in a trilogy and wow this one is an amazing second book. The first book ended with an emotional punch which I thought was quite hard to stomach already, but this book is downright an emotional pummelling. At the same time the plot is a gripping roller coaster that will grip you and before you know it you’re racing through the last chapter with your heart in your throat hoping that it will somehow work out but knowing that it can’t possibly. The author has an amazing ability to make you root for her characters and infuse you with hope for their well-being ... and then almost dangling it within reach before yanking it away. I’m so worried for some characters and heart-broken for others and no matter what will happen, even if it’s a happy end it will also be bitter, but can I please have the third book now?
Did you suffer any literary heartbreak over Easter or lots of sweets and sweetness? Also applicable if you didn’t celebrate the egg-festivities. Let’s hear from you in the comments!
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 Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski.
 |
| The Winner’s Crime – Farrar Straus Giroux |
“Winner take all,” said Arin.
She looked at him. “The Stakes?”
“The truth.”
— Chapter 19
She supposed that it had been lost, and found again. Sometimes things happened that way. But sometimes, Kestrel knew, what’s lost stays lost forever.
— Chapter 37
I love a good second book in a trilogy and wow this one is an amazing second book. The first book ended with an emotional punch which I thought was quite hard to stomach already, but this book is downright an emotional pummelling. At the same time the plot is a gripping roller coaster that will grip you and before you know it you’re racing through the last chapter with your heart in your throat hoping that it will somehow work out but knowing that it can’t possibly. The author has an amazing ability to make you root for her characters and infuse you with hope for their well-being ... and then almost dangling it within reach before yanking it away. I’m so worried for some characters and heart-broken for others and no matter what will happen, even if it’s a happy end it will also be bitter, but can I please have the third book now?
Did you suffer any literary heartbreak over Easter or lots of sweets and sweetness? Also applicable if you didn’t celebrate the egg-festivities. Let’s hear from you in the comments!
Tuesday 31 March 2015
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.
To play along just do the following:
Before the Fall: Arrival by Ally Carter.
There is hardly a better way to encourage readers to buy a book than by giving them a short snipped of the background story and then telling them that there is more. At least if this short appetiser is well-written. And for that purpose this story does its job exceptionally well. I’m quite certain that you will be able to read the main series without this background knowledge, but if you’re uncertain about the author and want to have a peek if you like the writing and basic story layout, this will give you an excellent idea of what it’s all about.
What is your stance on prequel shorts and the like? Do you like having additional information or does it clutter up a series unnecessarily? Let’s hear about your opinions and teasers in the comments.
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!
Before the Fall: Arrival by Ally Carter.
 |
| Before the Fall: Arrival – Scholastic Press |
The woman who sat beside me on the plane is trembling and whispering to the people beside her, no doubt telling them that I had seemed so normal.
Dangerous psychos always seem so normal.
— Chapter 1
For the first time he’s not looking at me like I’m dangerous. He’s looking at me like I’m broken.
It’s a look I know too well.
— Chapter 1
There is hardly a better way to encourage readers to buy a book than by giving them a short snipped of the background story and then telling them that there is more. At least if this short appetiser is well-written. And for that purpose this story does its job exceptionally well. I’m quite certain that you will be able to read the main series without this background knowledge, but if you’re uncertain about the author and want to have a peek if you like the writing and basic story layout, this will give you an excellent idea of what it’s all about.
What is your stance on prequel shorts and the like? Do you like having additional information or does it clutter up a series unnecessarily? Let’s hear about your opinions and teasers in the comments.
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