#10 Blog a Quote

Blog A Quote is hosted by Michelle from Michelle Chew Writes where you share a quote from your favorite books (and you can do it any day you like)! Visit Michelle Chew Writes to sign up and submit your link.

My quote this week is from The Spellman Files (The Spellmans #1) by Lisa Lutz

“You're a terrible cook, Daniel."
"I know," he replied, "But it's the effort that counts."
"I hope that's not the slogan for your dental practice.”
― Lisa Lutz, The Spellman Files

The Spellman Series is one of my favorite series of all time. It's funny! I've read the book more than once, and the book still made me laugh! I definitely recommend this series if you like anything humorous :)

#19 Teaser Tuesday

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!

My teaser this week:

"I pulled out my keys and reached over the top of him to open the back door. Too late, I saw one of his hands reach out, snatching air, and he crashed inside the open door, leaving a smear of red on the glass." - page 60, Shiver, Maggie Stiefvater  

I'm reading shiver, the first book of The Wolves of Mercy Falls series this week. I really like the book cover! The changing POV is a bit confusing. But the story is pretty good.

Book Review: The Night Circus

The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern

Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Publication: June 2012 (first published September 2011)
Format: Paperback, 508 pages

The Night Circus began with a deal between two magicians, Hector Bowen and Alexander to take a student, trained them with their art and let them compete. The competition is held in a traveling circus called Le Cirque des Rêves, which only opens at night and closes at dawn. In this competition, Celia and Marco will compete, testing each other with their skills until a winner is picked. None of them know the rules, and what it takes to win the competition.

At first, I thought that there are too many characters in the book. I often wondered what characters like Bailey, Poppet and Widget purposes are. As the story goes on, I finally understand why they are there. Each character in the story has their purposes. Although the book started out slow and a bit boring at first, it gets better as the story goes on. I can see how The Night Circus is well planned with each actions and characters development.

The love story between Celia and Marco was very sweet and sad at the same time. They were bonded, but cannot be together because of the competition. I absolutely adore how The Night Circus was written. It was beautiful. I love the descriptions and details. Reading the book makes me feel that I am almost there, in the circus to witness everything – the competition, magic and everything else.

Book Cover’s Description

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

Book Review: Perfect is Overrated

Perfect Is Overrated

by Karen Bergreen

Genre: Mystery, Humor, Chick Lit

Publication: July 17th 2012

Format: Paperback, 320 pages

Kate Alger, an assistant district attorney went through her post-partum depression after the birth of her daughter, Molly. Her husband, Paul couldn’t understand her depression and this had driven their marriage to an end.

Years later, Kate has finally cured of her depression. Her daughter, Molly is all grown up. And someone is murdering moms from Molly’s preschool. Following her instinct, Kate worked on her own investigation to find out who is killing the mommies and she finally start feeling like herself again – the successful lawyer she used to be before the depression.

I love Karen Bergreen’s Following Polly. I love her writing style in the first book and I was excited when I found out about her new book, Perfect is Overrated. But the first thing that irked me is the cover. I didn’t like it. If I haven’t read the first book, there’s a huge chance that I wouldn’t read the second one (I still couldn’t understand what that dog on the cover got to do with the story).

Perfect is Overated is something that I would recommend if you’re looking to a light/cozy mystery. I have to say that Karen Bergreen is really good in plotting her mystery. I think that she had successfully thrown me off in guessing who the murder is. Karen Bregreen’s writing style is highly entertaining and funny. (Although, I do think that the first book is funnier than this one). There were a few parts which are a bit confusing. Especially when Kate revisited her past and talked about how she and Paul met. I thought it would be great if the book is divided into chapters to separate some scene. Which reminds me... why isn’t the book divided into chapters!!?

Book Cover’s Description

Kate Alger has finally found the cure for her post-partum depression.  After years of suffering, all it takes to bring this mommy back to life were a few gruesome homicides!  When someone starts offing the alpha-moms from Kate’s daughter’s preschool, Kate—who worked as an Assistant District Attorney before she had Molly—realizes it’s time to get out of bed, dust off the skills and find out who is killing all the mommies she loves to hate.

Wickedly funny and slightly twisted, Perfect Is Overrated is a romp through the life of one very needy mom, her cockeyed family, gorgeous ex-husband, and the entire insane, entitled, over-dressed , over-zealous, eternally jealous parent body at The Hawthorne Preschool.

Book Review: The Titan's Curse

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
by Rick Riordan

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Adventure
Publication: First Published May 2007
Format: Paperback, 294 pages

Percy, Annabeth, Thalia and Grover were on a mission to help two demi-gods. But something went wrong when they were attacked by Dr. Thorn, a manticore. A group of huntress; led by the goddess, Artemis appeared to help them and Annabeth went missing in the struggle. Artemis then went on a quest to search for this monster, leaving her huntress with the half-blood camp.

But then, the huntress found out that Artemis went missing. Five people among the campers and huntress were chosen to go through the quest – to find Artemis before the winter solstice, excluding Percy. Determined to save Annabeth, Percy went out and followed the group on his own.

I found the third book of Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is much better than the second one. I like the storyline much better than the previous one. I thoroughly enjoyed Percy’s and his friends’ adventure to save Annabeth and Artemis. It was definitely fast-paced and entertaining. I have to say that I am definitely surprised with the twist at the end of the book. I look forward to read Percy’s next adventure.

Book Cover’s Description

When the goddess Artemis goes missing, she is believed to have been kidnapped. And now it's up to Percy and his friends to find out what happened. Who is powerful enough to kidnap a goddess? They must find Artemis before the winter solstice, when her influence on the Olympian Council could swing an important vote on the war with the titans. Not only that, but first Percy will have to solve the mystery of a rare monster that Artemis was hunting when she disappeared—a monster rumored to be so powerful it could destroy Olympus forever.

Book Review: Inkheart

Inkheart (Inkheart #1)
by Cornelia Funke

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Adventure
Publication: 2008 (first published September 2003)
Format: Paperback, 543 pages

I watched the movie years ago and I love it. When I found out that the movie was based on a book, naturally, I have to find out about the book, and read it. The movie and the book version are totally different.

Years ago, something happened when Mo reads aloud from Inkheart. The character; Dustfinger, Capricorn and Basta came out from the book and his wife, Teresa went in. Mo founds out that he have a gift to make the story and characters comes to life when he reads aloud. He never wants to read aloud from a book ever again.

It has been 9 years since then. Mo is now living with his 12 years old daughter, Meggie as he works as a book doctor. One day, Dustfinger appeared to warn him that Capricorn was looking for him. Now the three of them run away to hide with Elinor, Teresa’s aunt. But Capricorn men found him. In order to save Meggie, Mo went with Capricorn’s men. Now, Meggie with Elinor and Dustfinger is going after Mo to save him. And Meggie started to learn things that her father been hiding from her for years – her mother’s whereabouts and her father’s ability.

I love the idea of Inkheart where the characters from a book come to life. I bet lots of readers dreamed of their favorite character come to life. I know I did. It was a very exciting idea.

Inkheart suck me in from the very beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed Meggie and his father adventure to rescue each other. I adore the father-daughter relationship. The middle of the story was a bit slow. But I’m glad that the ending picked up its pace. I love that the ending was not written in rush.  I could see that the author, Cornelia Funke had planned the story very carefully.

The only thing that I regret is that I watched the movie to refresh my memory in the middle of reading. I really shouldn’t do that next time. Anyhow, I’m really excited to read Inkspell next! I wonder what the author had to offer in the next book. I hope it is as exciting as the first one.

Book Cover’s Description
Imagine it were possible to bring the characters from a book to life. Not like when someone reads a book with such enchantment that the characters seem to jump off the pages and into your bedroom...but for real. Imagine they could actually climb out of the pages and into our world.

Then, imagine if those characters brought their world into ours.

One cruel night, young Meggie's father, Mo, reads aloud from Inkheart and an evil ruler named Capricorn escapes the boundaries of fiction and lands in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie is smack in the middle of the kind of adventure she has only read about in books.

Somehow, Meggie and Mo must learn to harness the magic that conjured this nightmare. Somehow they must change the course of the story that has changed their lives forever.

This is Inkheart, a timeless tale about books, about imagination, about life.

#9 Blog a Quote

Blog A Quote is hosted by Michelle from Michelle Chew Writes where you share a quote from your favorite books (and you can do it any day you like)! Visit Michelle Chew Writes to sign up and submit your link.

My quote this week is from Nightshade by Andrea Cremer.

“The relationship of a girl and her favorite novel can be complex indeed.” - Andrea Cremer, Nightshade

Do you have a complex relationship with your favorite novel? Haha... I really need to read the continuation of this book soon.

#18 Teaser Tuesday

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!

My teaser this week:

‘… Naturally I’m sorry now that I thought up such an unhappy ending for the poor fellow, but it somehow seemed right for him. As Shakespeare puts it so well, “Everybody plays his part, and mine is a sad one.”’ - Page 268, Inkheart, Cornelia Funke.

I'm reading Inkheart by Cornelia Funke this week. I watched the movie sometimes ago and I love it! The story and characters from a book comes to life when Mo reads aloud. How exciting! Don't you wonder what will happen if your favorite character from favorite book come alive?

Book Review: Virals

Virals (Virals #1)

by Kathy Reichs

Genre: Crime-Thriller, Mystery, Sci-fi, Suspense, Young-adult

Publication: First Published November 2010

Format: Paperback, 454 pages

Website: viraltheseries

Kathy Reichs is the author of Temperance Brennan series that have been adapted into the TV show, Bones. I’ve read the first book, Déjà Dead last month, and didn’t like it as much because it’s a bit heavy to my liking. And for that, I have little expectation for Virals.

Tory Brennan is fourteen years old. She’s smart, fearless, pretty, and she a dog lover. Her curiosity was influenced by her aunt, Temperance Brennan. She lives quietly with her father, Kit after her mother died. She had a group of nerdy and techie guy friends, Hiram, Ben and Shelton.

It started when they found an old military dog tag. Tory and her friends sneaked into the lab (where her father work) to use a machine to clean the tag. It was then when they found a wolfdog, infected with a parvovirus trapped into a secret lab. Determined that the wolfdog was trapped for an illegal research, they decided to kidnap it. It’s not like the parvovirus could infect human. But, what they didn’t know is that the dog was infected with a new parvovirus. And the virus is transmitted to them. The four of them; Tory, Hi, Ben and Shelton have to solve a mystery when the dog tag led them to the discovery of human bones, while fighting the new virus infecting their body.

Like I’ve said, I’ve little expectation for Kathy Reichs’ Virals. I thought that this book will be about a crime solving teenagers, more difficult science terms and nothing more. I was wrong. It was more than that. Kathy Reichs’ added in a bit of twist with the parvovirus which infected those kids. The virus turned the kids into something else – virals. I was really surprised when I actually like the book. A lot! There were a lot of surprises, suspense, mysteries and bits of romance which makes me wanting to read more and more. I couldn’t stop myself. I couldn’t put the book down. Yes. It was that good.

I totally recommend you to read this book. Especially if you’re a mystery lover. There’s a lot of unexpected twist and suspense up till the last chapter. You’ll love it.

Book Cover’s Description

Fourteen-year-old Tory Brennan is as fascinated by bones and dead bodies as her famous aunt, acclaimed forensic anthropologist, Tempe Brennan. However living on a secluded island off Charleston in South Carolina there is not much opportunity to put her knowledge to the test. Until her and her ragbag group of technophile friends stumble across a shallow grave containing the remains of a girl who has been missing for over thirty years. With the cold-case murder suddenly hot, Tory realizes that they are involved in something fatally dangerous. And when they rescue a sick dog from laboratory on the same island, it becomes evident that somehow the two events are linked.

On the run from forces they don’t understand, they have only each other to fall back on. Until they succumb to a mysterious infection that heightens their senses and hones their instinct to impossible levels. It’s becoming clear that the island is home to a secret that has driven men to kill once. And will drive them to kill again… 

#8 Blog a Quote

Blog A Quote is hosted by Michelle from Michelle Chew Writes where you share a quote from your favorite books (and you can do it any day you like)! Visit Michelle Chew Writes to sign up and submit your link.

My quote this week is from All-American Girl by Meg Cabot.

"Being brave is when you have to do something because you know it is right, but at the same time, you are afraid to do it, because it might hurt or whatever. But you do it anyway.”  ― Meg Cabot, All-American Girl

This is one of my favorite book when I was a lot younger. I have to admit that I was actually fascinated by the cover. It's a good book!

Giveaway: Single Girl's To Do List by Lindsey Kelk

I'm aware that most of my followers didn't follow me through GFC for my love towards chick lit. But, I have 2 extra copies of The Single Girl's To Do List by Lindsey Kelk that I'd like to give away, if you're interested. I've read this, and I have to say that this book is my favorite among Lindsey Kelk's work.

To enter this giveaway, all you need to do is to fill in the form below. You didn't need to follow me through GFC, but if you did, that would be great! But, note that the book will take a while to arrive since I'm a bit cheap on paying more for shipping ;)

This giveaway is open internationally, and closes on 31 August 2012 at 23:59. Good luck!

Book description:
A hilarious and romantic standalone novel from the bestselling author of the I Heart series

Rachel Summers loves a to-do list:
• Boyfriend
• Flat
• Great job

NOT on the list:
• Being dumped

Best friends Emelie and Matthew ride to her rescue with an entirely new kind of list – The Single Girl's To-Do List. Rachel doesn't know it, but it will take her on all kinds of wild adventures – and get her in some romantic pickles too. And then it won't be a case of what but who she decides to tick off…
• Mr. bendy yoga instructor
• Mr. teenage sweetheart
• Mr. persistent ex
• Mr. deeply unsuitable

The Single Girl's To-Do List gives Rachel the perfect heartbreak cure – and proves love is out there if you're willing to take a chance. 

* Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond with mailing address before the winning draw is forfeited and a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway close