"Waiting On" Wednesday: Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser

Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a bookish meme where were share upcoming releases that we are waiting on.

Pieces of Us
by Margie Gelbwasser
Publisher, Flux
Expected Release, March 2012

From Goodreads:


At home in Philly, Alex is angry. Angry at the dad who offed himself rather than stay around; angry at the mom who goes from one guy to the next without a thought for her family. Alex may be a player and a bully, but his little brother Kyle will do anything for his approval. 

At home in the suburbs, Katie is Miss Popularity, the golden girl that everyone expects too much of, the one who will always be the prettiest and best in her parents eyes, and everyone else’s. Her shy little sister Julie just wants a bit of the attention that Katie gets so easily. 

But during their summers at lake houses in Upstate New York, all four teens have a chance to leave their old identities behind. They can be anything here. 

Here, no one knows the truly disturbing nature of Kyle and Alex’s dysfunctional relationship. No one knows that the girl Katie pretends to be is a lie. Julie never worries that Kyle is only spending time with her to get to her prettier sister. And the secrets that are threatening to destroy each of them seem are safe. 

But secrets have a way of getting out…

What are you waiting on?

Review: Remembrance by Michelle Madow

Remembrance
by Michelle Madow
Self Published
Released July 2011
E-book provided by Author


From Goodreads:


New Hampshire high school junior Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from Regency Era, England ... but she doesn't know it yet. 

Then Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie's school at the beginning of the year, and she feels a connection to him, almost like she knows him. She can't stop thinking about him, but whenever she tries talking with him about the mysteries behind her feelings, he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching him is even more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has started to become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can't she seem to get him out of her mind?

Even though Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, the pair of them soon find that fighting fate isn't going to be easy.


My Thoughts:


This was a really cute book. I enjoyed the whimsical premise and the vivid imagery of Lizzie's dress and her flashbacks. She seemed like a neat character. I would have liked to have gotten more from Drew's character. I didn't feel like I got a good feel from him at all. He seemed all over the map at times.


I was never confused about what was present and what was past, which is a good thing, I will say I would have liked to have seen more of the characters that allowed me to distinguish their past selves from their current selves. 


The build-up of the story was really good, I was definitely trying to figure out how she was going to resolve the story. There are a few unfinished plot lines that I imagine will be addressed in the next book this author is releasing, Vengeance.


This was a very lighthearted quick read with a fun premise. I was fascinated by the idea that a music video inspired the plot. (The author was inspired by the music video for Taylor Swift's 'Love Story'.) I am guessing that it was actually the dress in the video and not the video as a whole, now that I have read the book, but it was definitely fun.


I would give the book a 3.5 if I didn't try to keep to whole numbers. My only complaints were that the characters could have been developed a little better, and while there was a lot of build-up, if felt like there was a lot left out of the resolution that isn't likely to be addressed in a story from Chelsea's point of view.


I enjoyed it! I will likely read the next book in the series to see what happens with Chelsea and Lizzie's friendship.

Follow Friday (5)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.
This week's featured blogs:



This week's question:
Write Santa a letter telling him what books you want for Christmas.
Dear Santa :)
I haven't been too bad this year. As long as you ignore New Year's Eve, My Birthday, and that Halloween party the other week. I've done some really good things this year and I think that maybe I deserve a few things. A list of household items and clothing will be sent separately, but this letter is to address the issue of books. There are a few that I simply must have!
The Next Always by Nora Roberts11/22/63 by Stephen KingBooks 2 and 3 in The Rizzoli & Isles series by Tess GerritsenShadow's Stand by Sarah McCartyFragile by Shiloh Walker
I could list more but I hate to be greedy.
Thanks!

Review: Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows

Published by Random House

July 2008
Acquired through bookswap

From Goodreads:

"I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers." January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.... As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends--and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society--born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island--boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. As Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever. Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

My Thoughts:

This book was absolutely delightful! This was a Book Club read and I am so glad I read it! The book takes the form of a collection of correspondence. While reading it you feel as though you have found a  treasured box of secrets. It is such an interesting was to tell a story! It doesn't have a 'dear diary' feel to it either. It is as though someone stumbled upon a stack of letters in various houses and put them in chronological order to see what happened with this group of people. There is more than enough in the letters to keep you from becoming lost or confused, but the story moves along much more quickly this way.

The content of the story is quite heavy since these people are dealing with the aftermath of the German Occupation, and yet their telling of their own experiences in a way that focuses on the happy times and the friendships that they've formed.

It was truly impressive to me that the author is painting a vivid picture of the aftermath of WWII and yet this book seems so warm and inviting. It is really all about the interesting characters. There were moments that I shed tears, but even more when I found myself laughing along with the characters.

I loved this book. I highly recommend it!

Review: If You Hear Her by Shiloh Walker

If You Hear Her
by Shiloh Walker
Published by Ballantine Books
Released October 2011
Received as a gift (RAK rocks!)


From Goodreads:


A CRY IN THE WOODS 


The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood—she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration. 


Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can’t escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman’s screams, his instincts tell him that Lena’s life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her


My Thoughts:

Squeel! I loved this book! It was everything I hoped it would be. I've always loved Shiloh Walker but the more I read her work the better it gets!

In Shiloh Walker’s new release we meet a handful of friends and acquaintances from Ash, Kentucky. I really enjoy Lena Riddle, the main character. She is a cook at a local Inn and she hears screams coming from her woods. When she reports the incident to the police she can only tell them what she heard because she is blind and couldn’t actually look out to see who might’ve been there.

Her grit and determination with the jerk deputy really made me love her. She and Ezra King, a town newbie and off-duty state cop, are thrown together by circumstances as well as by their growing attraction for each other. Ezra has his own dark past and he’s a wounded and sometimes broody character. Overall though, I really liked him too. He’s got a fierce protective streak, not only for Lena but for anyone who may need it. He’s a good cop and notices things about people. When we get to read portions from his point of view I feel like we get a lot of insight.

Law O’Reilly is a good friend of Lena’s and hopelessly in love with her. Although, I’m not sold on his dying devotion. He steps aside far too easily for Ezra and his fascination with Hope seems more than brotherly. I know that isn’t supposed to be the case, but that’s how it feels. He’s got this puppy dog thing going on. I want him to get aggressive and heated. I’m hoping that the third book will bring some romance for him and we’ll get to see him grow out of his reclusive shell.

Hope is possibly one of my favorite characters. I know she takes a more prominent role in ‘If You See Her’ and I can’t wait. She is introduced as this mousy little woman who has been beaten down by her past and needs protecting. As the story progresses though she has this surprising strength! There is a scene (no spoilers) where she puts this busybody woman in her place for talking about Law and it really made me want to hug this girl! I cannot wait to see how her story continues to unfold in the next book.

I really loved this book. This trilogy definitely has to be read in order and together. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

Ever lost a book?

So I misplaced a book this past week. I don't want to say lost because I feel positive it will resurface eventually. It was my book club read for tonight. I was home sick all weekend and I wanted to finish it but I couldn't find it. So last night I took my awesome Nook down to B&N and settled in. I got their new pizza for dinner and then got coffee. You can read for free in store on the Nook. It's supposed to only last an hour but I've learned that as long as you are reading the same book it doesn't cut you off.

So I stuck around reading for 2 hours. I didn't finish but I made progress. I'm planning on taking my lunch there today too so I can make a little more progress. I don't want to buy another copy because the laws of my world say that if I do I will find the other copy and then I'll have bought it twice.

They were playing Christmas music already! I love Christmas Music but seriously? Before Thanksgiving?

Ever lost a book you were reading? Did you buy a new one? Go to the Library? Did it resurface?

I think this is a sign that I have too many books........ nah.

Review of Special Topics in Calamity Physics

Special Topics in Calamity Physics
by Marisha Pessl
Published by Penguin Books Ltd
August 2006
Acquired through bookswap



From Goodreads:


Marisha Pessl's mesmerizing debut has critics raving and heralds the arrival of a vibrant new voice in American fiction. At the center of this "cracking good read" is clever, deadpan Blue van Meer, who has a head full of literary, philosophical, scientific, and cinematic knowledge. But she could use some friends. Upon entering the elite St. Gallway school, she finds some - a clique of eccentrics known as the Bluebloods. One drowning and one hanging later, Blue finds herself puzzling out a byzantine murder mystery. Nabokov meets Donna Tartt (then invites the rest of the Western Canon to the party) in this novel - with "visual aids" drawn by the author - that has won over readers of all ages.


My Thoughts:


This was one of those books for me that when I finished I had to just sit back and say "What the hell just happened?"


I enjoyed the book very much. There are so many literary and cultural references though, I often felt as though I was missing something. (If you've watched the TV show Gilmore Girls, there were actually more references than they use!)When I think about the time that went into the novel on the part of the author I can hardly imagine. I enjoyed the local references, I only live about an hour from the area where the novel was set.


The story is told from the point of view of Blue van Meer, a young girl headed for the ivy league under the watch of a somewhat eccentric father, and is full of interesting characters and plenty of dysfunctional relationships.


Blue and her father, a traveling professor, finally settle in for Blue's final year of high school. Blue, at the urging of a very unconventional film teacher, joins a group of friends known as the bluebloods. Over the course of the school year Blue becomes close with Hannah Scnieder, the film teacher, and forms a unique bond with the woman who brings about more questions than answers.


Blue tells us in the first few pages about the unexpected death of Hannah Schnieder, and then goes back to lay out the story for us. 


I don't typically enjoy stories that start at the end, but in this case, it allowed me to try and read more into the plot throughout so that, thankfully, I had a fighting chance of keeping up in the last 100 pages where the entire story unravels and tries to catch up with itself. It was a really intense resolution that leaves a lot open to interpretation.


I don't like to include spoilers, but it is soo hard with this book! I definitely recommend it if you are a reader who doesn't mind taking your time with a book and really settling in for a while.

Blog Tour de Troops with Terri Giuliano Long

COPYRIGHT (C)2011 JAM ON TOAST PRODUCTIONS, INC.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
Winston Churchill

This weekend, November 11 – 14, Terri Giuliano Long, author of the bestselling novel In Leah’s Wake, joins 50 indie authors in Blog Tour de Troops, a charity blog hop sponsored by the Indie Book Collective.

To celebrate, Terri is hosting Emmy-winning film editor Nina Gilberti, currently a full-time editor for the hit CBS crime drama Criminal Minds. Nina is also an indie filmmaker. On Terri’s blog, Nina talks about her upcoming documentary, When Jane and Johnny Coming Marching Homeless, a powerful film about the horrors faced by some veterans upon their return home after war.

In my dreams I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield.
Douglas MacArthur

Did you know that one-third of the people living on the streets are veterans who served in the Vietnam War?

In addition to physical homelessness - whether couch surfing, living in a car or existing on the street – many vets also face emotional, psychological, and spiritual homelessness. While they may seem fine on the outside, within they struggle with the hidden wounds of war - issues like Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD), nightmares, hyper-vigilance, meaning they are on high alert all the time, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), drug & alcohol abuse and addiction, prescription drug addiction – resulting in high divorce rates, joblessness, spousal abuse, and suicide. Naturally, these life-altering problems also affect the spouse, children, and parents of veterans.

With her film, When Jane & Johnny Come Marching Homeless, Nina hopes to inspire our nation to care, to generate real compassion - and perhaps create a movement towards profound healing and understanding for these veterans and their families.

Blog Tour de Troops

This Veteran’s Day Weekend, November 11 – 14, 50 indie authors are participating in a daisy chain blog hop to support U.S. troops. Anyone who leaves a comment on a participating author’s blog will receive a coupon for a free eBook  - plus the author will give a free eBook to one active-duty U.S. troop. This means you have a chance to collect 50, yes 50, FREE eBooks.  

For details and a list of participating authors, please visit the Indie Book Collective site: http://indiebookcollective.wordpress.com

AMAZING PRIZES

Leave a comment on Terri’s blog and receive a coupon for an In Leah’s Wake eBook – for every comment, Terri will also give a free eBook to an active-duty troop.

PLUS, just for leaving a comment, you’ll be entered in a random drawing for one of these amazing prizes:

FIRST PRIZE – a $ 50 Amazon gift card, a copy of the Criminal Minds script for episode 701- the season seven opener written by executive producer and writer Erica Messer, SIGNED BY MS. MESSER AND THE ENTIRE CM CAST, PLUS an autographed photo of the Criminal Minds cast!

SECOND PRIZE (total 3) – autographed photograph of the Criminal Minds cast!

WIN A CARE PACKAGE FOR YOUR FAVORITE SOLDIER

With your comment, leave the name of a U.S. troop and he or she will be eligible to win an awesome care package, consisting of:  $ 100 Amazon gift card, a boxed video set of Criminal Minds, Season 6, PLUS an autographed photo of the CM cast!

* Winners to be determined by a random number generator, using random.org.

To learn more about the film When Jane & Johnny Come Marching Homeless and to enter the raffle, please visit Terri’s blog: http://www.tglong.com/blog/2011/11/blog-tour-de-troops/ 

I'm back!

I feel as though I have completely neglected my poor book blog! Work has been so busy lately and I got stuck on this one book a few weeks ago. I've learned what the DNF list is for. I'm reading again though! I'm actually making some progress and hope to get the time to write out a few reviews this weekend :)

So hopefully I can say "I'm back" and not be lying :)