Summer Throw Down: Week 2

I have now completed week two of the Summer Throw Down and have met one goal and exceeded the other.

Goals: 5 Audio Books & 3 Print Books

Achieved:  5 Audio Books & 5 Print Books

As I mentioned last week, I was half way through two books when the week started, so although I finished 5 print books it was more like 4.

So, what did I read and listen to this week?

Audio Books:
          

     

Print Books: 
          

     

As I look back at what I read each week, it amazes me of the wide spectrum of reading material I enjoy.  Of course there are some things I don't really enjoy, but if I am asked to read it, I find I can get through almost anything.

This week's reading is up for grabs.  I'm about one third of the way through a print book and it will probably take 2 more days to finish.  I really don't think I will get through extra print books this week.

See you all next week!

Review: Midnight Frost

Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Gwen Frost is still adjusting after the last battle with the Reapers. She isn't allowed anywhere without her guard nearby and her heart is still broken about Logan staying away. Of course, trouble won’t stay away for long. When a Reaper tries to poison her inside the Library of Antiquities and someone else drinks it instead, Gwen and fellow Mythos Academy students and staff leave in search of the flower that may be a cure, but is also definitely a Reaper trap. Nike’s Champion must also learn some troubling truths about her family and continues to wonder who she can trust.

Midnight Frost is the fifth book in the Mythos Academy series. Readers anticipating a conclusion will be disappointed, but if this volume is any gauge of the length of this series, there are several more books to come. Estep did a smooth job refreshing reader’s memories on characters and situations, but there was not enough meat to this story. I enjoyed the book and will be recommending it to all my readers, but I will need to encourage some of my readers to wait and read it until the next book (Killer Frost) is released. Although I am sure Midnight Frost has many important components to the final story that I won’t give away in the review, I believe readers will be better served consuming this volume with the next.




View all my reviews

Review: A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Conor has been having the same nightmare every night since his mother started her treatments. In this nightmare there is a dark and dangerous monster. When an ancient monster appears after midnight one night, Conor wonders why it is a different monster. This monster tells him that he will tell Conor three stories, and then Conor must tell him one. Each story has a strange truth and Conor is not sure if he wants the monster to return or not. All of this occurs while his mother is in the hospital fighting for her life.

Patrick Ness takes a book idea by Siobhan Dawd and weaves his own story from the leavings. The book that grows from these seeds is a gripping tale with a lot of thought provoking ideas and teen concerns. A Monster Calls is about more than just the monster. It is about coping with a family that is being held together by a thread and friends that are not really friends when the need arises. What will Conor learn from the monster he has called? Will the treatments help his mother? Can he tell himself and the monster THE TRUTH!




View all my reviews

Review: Raven Flight

Raven Flight by Juliet Marillier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Toward the end of Shadowfell, Neryn finally found the rebel group she was looking for and accepted that she was a Caller. Now we find her building her strength and preparing for the next task. She must locate the Guardians and be trained as a Caller. Unfortunately, these four Guardians are no longer on friendly terms with humans and Neryn must prove to them and herself that she is worthy of the training they can provide. If she can learn the four lessons presented, then maybe, just maybe the rebels will be able to take back Alban from King Keldec.

Raven Flight finds Neryn on a time limit. Not only must she complete her training before she can fully control her Caller gift, but fellow leaders have placed a deadline for the direct attach against the king. If Neryn wants to be ready in time, she must complete two of her training sessions before winter. Roads are not safe for anyone, especially two women, even if one is a trained fighter. Of course Flint still has a vital role to play in the rebellion, and Neryn must trust her instincts that he is on their side. Readers of Shadowfell will not be disappointed in the second book in the series. Marillier takes the world building she already created and weaves new threads of folklore into it. The variety of Good Folk introduced is fascinating without being distracting. Many second books in a series fall flat, but Raven Flight soars above the norm and brings the reader closer to the prize to come.




View all my reviews

Summer Throw Down - Week 1

OK, I have completed week one of the Summer Throw Down and have exceeded one goal and fell short of another.  

Goals: 5 Audio Books & 3 Print Books

Achieved:  8 Audio Books & 2 Print Books

I think I will meet and/or exceed my goal this week.  I am currently half way through two different print books, which means I would only need one additional book to meet that goal.

So, what did I read and listen to this week?

Audio Books:

              

                

     

Print Books:

     

It is not too late to set a goal and join the Summer Throw Down:  http://www.thebrainlair.com/2013/06/summerthrowdown2013.html 

ALA 2013 - Chicago

On Saturday June 29th, I was able to visit the ALA 2013 Exhibit Hall with two coworkers.  We were lucky enough to be close (it was in Chicago) and thanks to Demco, we were able to get free Exhibit Hall passes.  There were so many "best parts" that I thought I would share the highlights.

Many vendors enjoyed our "got books?" t-shirt.  It made us noticed and we got lots of smiles.

Authors Visited

  

Lois Lowry was our first stop.  

We got luck (actually we had a plan) and were the 5th, 6th and 7th person in line!

  

Laurie Halse Anderson

  

Nancy Werlin

  

Mike Mullin is an Indiana author I have met before. 

If you have not read the first book, Ashfall, you need to read it now!

  

Gene Luen Yang and Thien Pham are a great writer/illustrator team.  

This is the best signature.  If you notice, Pham drew me into the signature with two of the characters.

 I ended up with 15 signed copies

And 58 books total!

Characters Visited

 

AWE Mascot 

           L. Ron Hubbard Pirates (Argh!) 

 

Vordak 

Joe Cool (Snoopy)

Star Wars (May the force be with me)

All of us were tired when we left.  We made three trips back to the truck to drop off our swag.  Between books, posters, buttons, pins and information we all had FOUR bags (not including the bag we carried our personal items in).  There was barely room for all three of us to ride home. :) 

 

Treat Tuesday: The Immortal Von B.

Be sure to visit www.mretome.wordpress.com the host blog for this meme to see what Mr. Etkin

 is reading this Treat Tuesday!

I received a copy of The Immortal Von B. while visiting ALA 2013 in Chicago this weekend and needed a sweet treat to enjoy while finishing the book.  A Wendy's Chocolate Frosty is always a great pick.  It is cold, sweet, cheap ($0.99) and under 300 calories.  It always hits the spot.

Summary:  Josie Brunswick has had many life changes over the past few years.  Her father was hired to be lead scientist for a genetics company and their family had to move to Vienna.  Shortly after arriving and getting settled, her mother dies and her father begins to distance himself.  She loves music.  She loves to listen and play, but she also is filled with knowledge of all aspects of music including classical history.  Why wouldn't she? Her mother's favorite composer was Beethoven and studying him is like studying her mother.  When an accident in her father's lab sends her and those around her on an escape route through Vienna she discovers who she can trust and who she can love.  

Review:  Unfortunately, the person at the book booth gave a little too much information away, so I kind of knew where the book was going to go.  I will not do this to you.  What I will tell you is that Carter can take the minimally musically literate (me) and teach what needs to be known to thoroughly enjoy this story.  Although there are not many laugh out loud moments, the witty banter throughout the book is truly enjoyable.  The publisher's booth says there will be a second book to follow, so if you aren't satisfied with the conclusion, you will just need to be patient!

Rating: