Bingo Update

1. Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

A Book with a Blue Cover

2. Leader's Eat last by Simon Sinek

A Book of Non-Fiction

3. Cress by Marissa Meyer

A Book with a One Word Title

4. Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

A Book You Heard About Online

5. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

A Book with a Mystery

6. Starling by Lesley Livingston

A Book by a Female Author

7. Legend by Marie Lu

A Book Written by an Author Under Thirty

Book Review: Legend

Legend

by Marie Lu

Why Did I Pick It Up:

I suppose people have recommended it to me so many times that when I saw it on the shelving cart this week I just picked it up out of curiosity. 

The Good:

Marie Lu knows how to enthrall the reader from the moment a book begins. I thought I'd read a couple chapters in this book before I went to bed and soon it was two hours later and I was half way through. This book has the most compelling characters, who live in a world that is not unlike ours (although, this is dystopian fiction, so there are some obvious differences). I love that there are so many twists and turns with the plot and the characters that the reader is kept on their toes. 

The Bad:

I typically don't like when an author switches back and forth between two narrators, but here is seemed to work okay. As long as they weren't sharing the information it wasn't too bad. The ending was almost too predictable for me. And, I would have liked to get to know his brothers better, especially John.

The Ugly: 

The ending ties up in a pretty predictable package, which I would have rather had it be messier or a little more surprising (since there were so many twists in the book, I expected it to be more surprising). The font color that is used for "Day's" point of view was hard to read late and night when I was trying to finish the book ;)

Who will love this book? 

Dystopian fans will enjoy this - if you liked the Hunger Games this is a great read for you. I also think boys will like this one since the main character is male, which is so uncommon. 

How much did I like it? 8/10

Will I read more?

Probably not. The ending was pretty neat and there are so many others. But if they make this into a movie, then I'll be forced to read the series :) 

Bingo Update

Okay, I'm starting to like my Bingo Card now that things are moving along :) Check out the update!

1. Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

2. Leader's Eat last by Simon Sinek

3. Cress by Marissa Meyer

4. Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

5. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

6. Starling by Lesley Livingston

Book Review: Starling

Starling

By Lesley Livingston

Why Did I Pick It Up:

Um, I'm not sure, it was there, I was there ... it spoke to me I guess. No, really, who am I kidding, I totally pick books by their covers.

The Good:

At first I was going to say it moved a little slow, but I think I was reading too short of chunks at a time (ie. I didn't spend time to read it all in one sitting). The book starts and no one knows that is going on, the characters haven't any clue and, as a result, neither does the reader. This isn't my favorite style, but it worked to hook you in. Mason is a pretty likable character.

The Bad:

The book is totally plot driven, this isn't actually bad, it is just person preference that I like character drive novels. Mason is awesome, and Roth's character is also pretty interesting, I wish we would have spent more time getting to know his driving force. I felt like the book was trying to get to the end so hard that I missed out on some character development. Has anyone changed/grown by the end of the book? I'm inclined to say no.

The Ugly: 

The book ends in the middle of a sentence. Seriuosly. Lesley Livingston hates us (not really, I'm sure she LOVES all of her readers, but still).

Who will love this book? 

Readers of Meg Cabot's Abandon books will like this, as will anyone who enjoys a modern retelling of Greek literature (think Percy Jackson for an older set ... and girls, I don't think this one would appeal to boys).

How much did I like it? 6.7/10

Will I read more?

The book ended in the MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE ... I mean, yes.

Bingo Card

While I'm aiming for blackout, I'm not making quick progress on my Bingo Card.

1. Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

2. Leader's Eat last by Simon Sinek

3. Cress by Marissa Meyer

4. Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

Book Review: Etiquette and Espionage

Etiquette & Espionage

by Gail Carriger

First, let me read you a quote from the back flap of Ms. Carriger's book, "New York Times Bestselling Author GAIL CARRIGER writes to cope with being raised in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She survived her early years by reading most of her local library and memorizing Greek battles." Let me just say, she sounds as exciting one of her characters!!

Whoever said "Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover" had never read any YA fiction - you can tell so much from the covers and this title is no exception. The cover grabbed by attention and the first chapter did the rest.

It would appear that Sophronia is a bit of a disappointment to her mother, so when the opportunity arrises to send her off to finishing school, her mother jumps at the chance with no more than a wave goodbye.

As the title would suggest, this is not simply a finishing school - and Sophronia had no idea what she was in for. Turns out Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has some tricks up its sleeve, since it is flying, a werwolf gets them in, and there is a vampire instructor. This isn't even the most complicated thing that Sophronia is having to deal with. There is a prototype that never made it back to the safety of the school (what is it? I have no idea) and there is this crazy group after it and Sophronia, being the awesome adventurer that she is, is determined to find it.

What I love about this book: Sophorina is an awesome character with flaws and personality. She is truly three dimensional. Plus, the awesome school, interesting characters, and the whole steampunk vibe make this a fun and different read (who is getting burnt out on dystopian novels - this girl!).

Who will like this book: Anyone who loves Cassandra Clare will find many similiaries in style and character types - plus if you like Steampunk fiction this is a fun choice.

How much did I like it: Well, I'm a couple of chapters from the end, but right now I'm going to say 7.5/10

Will I read more: Yes, both of this series and this author. Her other series sounds quite intriguing as well!

Dear J. K. Rowling, keep your mouth shut!

Dear J. K. Rowling,

I am a huge fan. Seriously. I've laughed, cried, and lived with the characters in your stories. I want to be friends with Ron, go on an adventure with Harry, and hang out at the library with Hermione (she'd totally make my job awesome, although she would probably want to enforce the "be quiet in the library" rule that I don't care so much for). Snape is my favorite character, I want to be under the tutelage of Professor McGonigal who is tough but fair, I want to see all the amazing creatures that Hagrid's huge heart loves, and I totally want to go shopping in Hogsmead.

You created a world that I occasionally daydream about living in (and by occasionally, I probably mean daily). I've spent hours on PotterMore just looking for new thoughts, new information about Harry and friends. My favorite wall quote reads, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good" and I think communicating via owl would be awesome. Oh, and I would totally give the name Bellatrix to a child, because it is awesome. 

However, all this love for you might be overpowered by the terrible thing you said earlier this week. While reading the series I expected Harry and Hermione to get together. Even when she and Ron started dating. Then, when I began to like Hermione and Ron together, I thought maybe Harry would be alone, which was fine. Maybe Harry is meant to be alone. Maybe everything in life shouldn't be tied up in a pretty little ribbon. Maybe Harry leaves the series as he came in, having saved the world, but not really having a family (arguably, Ron and Hermione are now his family, but still). BUT, you didn't leave it at that. Somehow, a character who I had always ignored because she was a little one dimensional, a little pointless, who I wasn't sure was even important to the story line - it was she, little Ginny Weasley, who became Harry's true love. 

Now, I've justified this over the years. Maybe Ginny was just who was available and Harry was tired of being alone. Maybe there wasn't enough room in the hundreds of pages written to talk about why Harry and Ginny fell in love, or ended up together, or were perfect for each other. Maybe no one else saw how Hermione and Harry were perfect for each other because they had been through it all, Hermione knew Harry's pain, she loved him with all his flaws, they brought out the best in each other … maybe no one else saw it. Then I thought maybe that would have made them a power couple and that wasn't how you wanted to end the story. Maybe you just wanted them to all live simple lives and fade off into the sunset. That's fine, I had adjusted.

So, Ms. Rowling, why come forward now and say that you've messed up. Why say that after we have loved and lost these delightful characters whose lives have been immortalized on the page and the silver screen, why now say that Harry and Hermione should have been together? Now is NOT the time. Unless you are planning on offering a heartbreaking rewrite, why say anything? Why not just keep your mouth shut? Why not take these doubts to your grave? AUCK! I'm so confused now. Should I agree that they should be together? Should I push these thoughts out of my mind? Should I ignore everything Potter and just move on (ha, FanGirls never say die). 

I don't know what to do with this information. What was your plan? Why say anything? How to I cope as my nerdy little heart is oh so confused? 

Sincerely - 

Lizz the Librarian

Events discussed here are in light of a recent interview with Rowling and Emma Watson, read more here