Friday56: Sapphique

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find any sentence that grabs you.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or if you do not have your own blog you can post on Freda's comment section.
* Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice

Closest Book: Sapphique (Incarceron #2)

Author: Catherine Fisher

Page 56: They walked along the paneled corridor in silence, turning in to a long hallway lined with hundreds of blue and white vases each as high as a man, filled with ancient potpourri that moldered mustily.

Theme Thursdays: Touch - Feb 24

Theme Thursdays is a fun weekly event that will be open from one thursday to the next. Anyone can participate in it. The rules are simple:

•A theme will be posted each week (on Thursday’s)
•Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading
•Mention the author and the title of the book along with your post
•It is important that the theme is conveyed in the sentence (you don’t necessarily need to have the word)
Ex: If the theme is KISS; your sentence can have “They kissed so gently” or “Their lips touched each other” or “The smooch was so passionate”
This will give us a wonderful opportunity to explore and understand different writing styles and descriptive approaches adopted by authors.

This week’s theme is – TOUCH
Leave a comment at Reading Between Pages here with a link to your post.

My current read: The Thirteenth Chime (Sense of Truth #1) by Emma Michaels

Reaching out, David stopped just shy of touching the clock's surface, when he pulled his hand away and continued studying the surface of the clock. Then he stepped to one side and his frown deepened. "That's weird," he muttered.

Dystopian February: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Dystopian February Kick-Off 2011 is hosted by Presenting Lenore


Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver

Summary from Goodreads:
Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.
But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

My thoughts:
I give it a 5/5.

The first book in a dystopian trilogy, Delirium starts off strong and maintains that intensity throughout the rest of the book.

I enjoyed all the epigraphs at the start of each chapter that dealt with the beliefs of the society.

A society that believes love is a disease, Amor Deliria Nervosa.
The Government has a cure and every 18-year-old must undergo the procedure to eradicate it.
Lena Holoway, albeit nervous, is counting the days to her own cure. A cure against the infection her own mother succumbed to and the reason Lena believes she lost her.
Then she meets Alex, who bears the mark of the cured but doesn't act like the others.

The story continues to keep the reader in suspense on how they will be together especially since love is against the law.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Sweet Venom

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Sweet Venom (Medusa Girls #1) by Tera Lynn Childs
Published: October 4th 2011

For a summary see my previous post HERE.

Friday56: The Eyes of Kid Midas

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find any sentence that grabs you.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or if you do not have your own blog you can post on Freda's comment section.
* Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice

Closest Book: The Eyes of Kid Midas

Author: Neal Shusterman

Page 56: Frankie Philpot deduced that the Kimball house existed over a space-time wormhole thingy that somehow opened up into the Bermuda Triangle or a distant department store.

My thoughts:
A quick and fun read.
There are parts that make you laugh and parts that make you think.
This is what happens when you can have everything and more, except a way to make it stop.
With the last name of Midas and the power to have anything you want - yeah, this won't turn out well.

Theme Thursdays: Love – Feb 16

Theme Thursdays is a fun weekly event that will be open from one thursday to the next. Anyone can participate in it. The rules are simple:

•A theme will be posted each week (on Thursday’s)
•Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading
•Mention the author and the title of the book along with your post
•It is important that the theme is conveyed in the sentence (you don’t necessarily need to have the word)
Ex: If the theme is KISS; your sentence can have “They kissed so gently” or “Their lips touched each other” or “The smooch was so passionate”
This will give us a wonderful opportunity to explore and understand different writing styles and descriptive approaches adopted by authors.

This week’s theme is – LOVE
Leave a comment at Reading Between Pages here with a link to your post.

My current read: Over the Moon by Diane Daniels

Toatsen, the son, told his crazy, angry father, 'If you make us into stars so we can never come down, we will use our power to make you into a wild coyote. You can never join us in the sky. You will always be lonely and sad, as you are doomed to run in the desert all night, and you will look up at us and howl.' Despite his rage, Tureris loved his family and mourned for them. When you hear the piercing howl of the coyote, remember that is the soul of Tureris crying for his lost family.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Tris and Izzie

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
Published: October 11th 2011

From Goodreads:
A modern retelling of the German legend "Tristan and Isolde", "Tris and Izzy", is about a young witch named Izzie who is dating Mark King, the captain of the basketball team and thinks her life is going swimmingly well. Until-- she makes a love potion for her best friend Brangane and then ends up taking it herself accidentally, and falling in love with Tristan, the new guy at school.

Sweet Venom Cover Reveal: Here It Is!

I’m excited to be one of the blogs helping to reveal the cover to
Sweet Venom (Medusa Girls, #1) by Tera Lynn Childs, which is the first book in her new and captivating trilogy, Medusa Girls.
The book is tentatively scheduled for an October 4, 2011 release.


Isn't the cover gorgeous! I love the way the ringlets of her ponytail form Medusa's snake-like hair.

Goodreads summary
New series, in which triplet descendants of Medusa learn they are destined to guard the door between the world of monsters and the world of men – pitched as a mythological Charmed.

“Character Collages”


The three main characters are Greer, Gretchen, and Grace; the separated-at-birth triplet monster-hunting descendants of Medusa who reunite and discover their destiny.

Also be sure to stop by Facebook and click "Like" for Sweet Venom.

Teaser Tuesdays: The Red Garden

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading
Anyone can 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 Red Garden by Alice Hoffman

His wish was small, as hers had been - merely to be beside her. As for me, I already knew I would never get what I wanted.

~* page 109

Dystopian February: XVI by Julia Karr

Dystopian February Kick-Off 2011 is hosted by Presenting Lenore


XVI by Julia Karr


Summary from Goodreads:
Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

My thoughts:
I give it a 3/5.
The plot simply didn't live up to its description.

The synopsis made it sound like it would be about Nina dealing with her upcoming 16th (or sex-teen) birthday and being tattooed and what that would mean for her by having her choices being forcibly taken away and where men held all the power and women were subjugated to their whims.
I expected to learn more about the consequences of losing her rights along the lines of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood but it never really went anywhere with it.

Instead it deals more with her mother's secrets and Nina's struggle with her mother’s abusive ex-boyfriend and his threats.

The story was rather repetitive and I could not fully engage with the main character or her plight.
It didn't end on a cliff-hanger but I was left wanting more.
Hopefully with the sequel, "The Sisterhood" and the spin-off, "Cinderella Girl" - I will find the story I was hoping to read.

Valentine's Day Book Boyfriend Quiz

Find out your ideal boyfriend in time for Valentine's Day by taking TeenReads Book Boyfriend Quiz.

My results:


You win Etienne St. Clair!

He may be short in height, but he's big in love!

Friday56: XVI

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find any sentence that grabs you.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or if you do not have your own blog you can post on Freda's comment section.
* Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice

Closest Book: XVI

Author: Julia Karr

Page 56: Ginnie'd always said this technology was dangerous, especially in the wrong hands, and should be outlawed. I was glad it hadn't been.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: The End of the Line

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The End of the Line by Angela Cerrito
Expected publication: April 14th 2011

From Goodreads:
Gripping and suspenseful, this powerful, no-holds-barred novel by an exciting new talent goes deep inside a young boy's mind. Thirteen-year-old Robbie is locked in a room with nothing but a desk, a chair, a piece of paper, and a pencil. He's starving, but all they'll give him is water. He is sure he's in a nuthouse or a prison. Actually, he's at Great Oaks School, aka the End of the Line. Kept in solitary confinement, Robbie must earn points for food, a bed, even bathroom privileges. He must learn to listen carefully, to follow the rules, and to accept and admit the truth: he is a murderer. Robbie's first-person account of his struggles at the school—at times horrifying, at times hilarious—alternates with flashbacks to the events that led to his incarceration. Ultimately he must confront the question: which is worse—that he wanted to kill his friend Ryan or that he killed him by accident?

E's Blog: Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge

E's blog is having a weekly Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge contest.

The winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.
You have until Sunday, February 13th to get your answers in.
A drawing of all the correct answers will take place on Monday, Valentine's Day, and the winner's name will be posted next Tuesday.

There are a few things you will need to do to qualify to win, and they are:

1) Be a registered follower of E's Blog or
2) ...a follower at http://www.evanlowe.com/
3) leave a comment on E's blog in the comment section on any of the posts anytime during the week of the current challenge.
4) send your answer to info@evanlowe.com - do not post it in the comment thread
5) mention the Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge either on your blog or in a tweet the week of the current challenge.

This week's Trivia Challenge is:

In what weird romantic movie did a character say: "I've never given much thought to how I would die?"

Teaser Tuesdays: Princess of Glass

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading
Anyone can 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!

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

"I know that you were not born to this work, my dear, but then I don't know of anyone who would have chosen it. I would rather be served than a servant myself!" Mrs Hanks smile but Ellen just looked away.

~* page 45

Friday56: What the Night Knows

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find any sentence that grabs you.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or if you do not have your own blog you can post on Freda's comment section.
* Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice

Closest Book: What the Night Knows

Author: Dean Koontz

Page 56: He began to think that in time he might find logical explanations for everything that had seemed outré, that what appeared to be malevolent fate in action might look like mere coincidence in the morning light.

To Tempt a Sheikh by Olivia Gates

To Tempt a Sheikh by Olivia Gates
He rescued hostage Talia Burke from his royal family’s rival tribe and swept her into his strong embrace. But Prince Harres Aal Shalaan soon discovered there was more to the brave beauty than he knew. Talia held information vital to protecting his beloved kingdom…and she had every reason not to trust him.

Marooned together at a desert oasis, Talia couldn’t resist Harres. Yet even as his sizzling seduction entranced her, his loyalty to his family and country would always make them enemies. Falling for the sheikh would be her heart’s greatest mistake…but she feared it was already too late….

In stores February 1!
To read a first chapter and visit Olivia’s webpage, click here.

Help an Egyptian Author

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Song of the Nile

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Song of the Nile (Cleopatra's Daughter #2) by Stephanie Dray
Publication: November 2011

From Goodreads:
Pledged to an emperor who abuses her burgeoning sexuality, and wed to a man who means to rule in her name, a courageous fifteen-year-old queen learns to harness the magic that will protect her kingdom and bring her enemies to their knees…

Cleopatra’s daughter struck a dangerous bargain to win a throne. Now the young queen must face the perverse consequences of her promise to become Octavian’s own Cleopatra. To protect her faith, her brothers, and her people, the teenager upends a world ruled exclusively by men. But while Selene uses her powers to bring forth bountiful harvests that make her indispensable to Rome as a capable leader and religious icon, her rebellious twin brother Helios thwarts the Romans across the African continent, reviving the legend of Horus the Avenger.

Teaser Tuesdays: Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading
Anyone can 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!


Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

She could be trusted to calm a skittish horse or talk sense to the most wool-headed mutt, and the foxes and wolves gave Jarl's barnyard wide berth. When such things were whispered within hearing of Frida, she would sniff and turn away. But Jarl would glow with pride over his youngest daughter, and think to himself that it was a pity his wife had never found a name for her, for she was turning into quite a likely young woman.

~* page 35

Books read - January + Pick of the Month

The Countess by Rebecca Johns
The Mark by Marilyn Bunderson
Stepping Stones By Carol Lynne
Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1) by Kami Garcia
Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles, #2) by Kami Garcia
Z by Michael Thomas Ford
Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Hunger (Horsemen of the Apocalypse #1) by Jackie Kessler
Ember - Bettie Sharpe
The Dark Divine (The Dark Divine, #1) by Bree Despain
The Lost Saint (The Dark Divine, #2) by Bree Despain
Siren Song by Stephanie Draven
Folly by Marthe Jocelyn
The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher
The Heir by Grace Burrowes
The Bar Code Tattoo (Bar Code, #1)by Suzanne Weyn
Bar Code Rebellion (Bar Code, #2) by Suzanne Weyn

My pick of the month was chosen by the fact that it surprised me. I love that! I read several wonderful books but this one really caught me off guard. Later I saw a trailer for a movie adaptation (an American remake). Now I really want to want the original Swedish release. I'm curious if the US movie will include the 'twist'.

The book, if you haven't already guessed is: Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindqvist


Summary by Goodreads:
It is autumn 1981 when the inconceivable comes to Blackeberg, a suburb in Sweden. The body of a teenage boy is found, emptied of blood, the murder rumored to be part of a ritual killing. Twelve-year-old Oskar is personally hoping that revenge has come at long last---revenge for the bullying he endures at school, day after day.

But the murder is not the most important thing on his mind. A new girl has moved in next door---a girl who has never seen a Rubik’s Cube before, but who can solve it at once. There is something wrong with her, though, something odd. And she only comes out at night. . . .