Thursday Three (8)

1) I am DETERMINED to keep this going and be more regular...like maybe even every week?  Wouldn't that be novel?  So if you're friends with me nudge me on Wed nights and let me know you look forward to my posts, cause I need to feel the love to feel the inspiration!

2) I am SO giddy that Halloween is coming up next week!  One of the things I do with my girls for any holiday is get a bunch of picture books from the library that are holiday specific.  This year I want to share two of my faves with you in mini-review format!

LITTLE GOBLINS TEN by Pamela Jane , illustrated by Jame Manning

Hardcover, 32 pages

Published July 26th 2011 by HarperCollins

Great Halloween counting book with rhythms and rhymes that allowed my 4 year old to participate in the reading process. Also the illustrations are absolutely adorable!

THE PICKY LITTLE WITCH by Elizabeth Brokamp, illustrated by Marsha Riti

Hardcover, 32 pages

Published July 7th 2011 by Pelican Publishing Company

This was a cute book. Great for Halloween and also your picky little eaters to show them that trying new foods can be a good thing!
3) I cannot believe that it's pretty much the end of October.  Where did this year go?  Wasn't it just yesterday I was making goals for the year, and not that it's October I'm thinking...I am running out of time!  What are some goals you made that you feel like you need to pick up the pace to accomplish?  One of mine is how many books I wanted to read.  Seems like I haven't been reading as much this year, which has resulted in me not blogging as much.  Which has all just made me sad.  Time to pick up the pace and take some more book time and less Facebook time!

Movie Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Last night after book club (which I always love!) a bookie friend of mine and I went to go see The Perks of Being a Wallflower. 

Now I have to admit that I have not read the book.  But my friend had, and so wanted to see how the movie adaptation compared.  And from the previews I was also interested in the movie.

Here is the summary from IMDB: An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world.

That's it...it really tells you nothing about the film.  So here's the scoop.  This movie is not a light fun movie.  It isn't just about an introvert, but about a group of High School kids that are all dealing with some serious life issue stuff.  Things that make them outsiders, or make them feel that way anyway.  

Yes, the main character is a freshman that finds friendship and connects with seniors and NO one else -- except maybe his advanced placement English teacher.  He doesn't even seem to fit in his family.  But it is about so much more.  It is touching, it is tough, and it is also real. 

Here's a link to a pretty great clip in the movie:  http://www.imdb.com/rg/s/4/title/tt1659337/#lb-vi674145561


Although I wouldn't give it a top picks rating simply because it's not a movie I would own and watch over and over, but I would give it a Reaching New Heights because of how well done I felt it was.

One perk of "Perks" is that the screenplay was also written by the author.  So the story held true to the characters and plot of the novel.

I think the acting in this movie was pretty darn superb. Each and every character down to the minor ones were completely believeable in their own personal journeys.  It was really quite refreshing to see.

So if you are in the mood for something that will make you think about hard things this one is for you.  Just a warning for my readers -- cause I think I know many of you well this movie deals with some adult themes with regards to sexuality pretty much on all levels.  But the movie itself is not explicitly sexual and does a good job of letting you know what's going on/has happened without showing too much.  

ARC Tour Review: EVERBOUND by Brodi Ashton

EVERBOUND 
by Brodi Ashton
Hardcover, 384 pages
Expected publication: January 22nd 2013 by Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins  

Placement in the Pile: Top Picks!  

Summary: (from the back cover of the ARC)
Two months ago, the Tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett. That night, Nikki's boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice. All Nikki wants is to save Jack before it's too late. All Cole wants is to find his queen--and he thinks Nikki is the one. Both determined, both desperate, Nikki and Cole form a tense alliance, leading them on a dangerous journey to the heart of the Everneath.  

Review: 
I have been SUPER lucky enough to participate in a local ARC review tour for local author Brodi Ashton's EVERBOUND, book 2 in the Everneath trilogy!

 For those who don't know an ARC tour like this sets up a chain of local authors and bloggers to pass around one copy of the ARC to review it! It's so fun because we all leave notes in the book for Brodi, and in the end she gets it back with all of our little notes to her. So cool, right!?

Well, I was so lucky to be first on the list, and I dove right into this amazing novel. Brodi Ashton has done it again! Her writing is so smooth and honest that I fly right through her books. The pace just never stops, and even when you think you can catch a moment, or a breath, don't worry, there's something new up ahead that you didn't expect.

Nikki's story in this book is a story of fighting to get Jack back. And we see a lot more of her relationship with Jack and come to love them as a couple so much more. But don't leave Cole out. Could he possibly have true feelings and good intentions?

This is no sloppy middle book. EVERBOUND is a page-turning story that will hold your heart and make you ask, what would you do for the ones you love?

If you have not read EVERNEATH yet, go to the bookstore now, in just a few short months we will have EVERBOUND to add to our shelves, and this is one I certainly will be buying!

And for those DYING for more -- a novella NEVERFALL will be released also sometime in January e-book only, but a short story from Cole's perspective post EVERNEATH. I am DYING to read this one too, especially after reading EVERBOUND! Here's the gorgeous cover for that!

Happy October!

I sure have let life get away with me and this blog has suffered.  I appologize!  Next week is going to be Shannon Hale week!  If you love her, or have never read her stuff, come on over and check out my September month that was very Shannon Hale centered book-wise!

Movie Review: The Words

The poster for the movie

Okay, I know this is not a movie review site, but, I have been having a hard time posting on here and after my experience last night at the movie THE WORDS I really wanted to share it with my readers!

So back in the spring when they hold the annual Sundance Festival up here in Utah I was looking at pictures from the events.  I don't usually care much about the films because they are usually more racy or more artsy than I generally would watch.  But, I like me some fun celeb pictures and knowing who is here so close to home.

That's when I saw him!  My big celeb crush Ben Barnes (ie-- Prince Caspian).  Brittish cutie extraordinare!  And then I thought WHY DID I NOT DRIVE UP THERE TO STALK (I mean take pictures of or have a chance to see) HIM!?  Okay, I'm not that crazy -- I grew up in CA and saw celebrities fairly often and never freaked out over one.  I even served Jared Letto and Cameron Diaz ice cream once.

Ben at a red carpet for the Words, and a pic of him from the film.  Mmmm.

But the point was back then I had to see...why was he there?  Was he in a film?  And there it was on IMDB, THE WORDS.  Looked like a pretty good cast and it was getting great reviews at Sundance.  AND it was rated PG-13 so most likely I'd be okay with the content.  Cool!

I had to wait till now to actually see it. 

From the non-artsy community it is getting mixed reviews.  It is certainly not a blockbuster rom-com or even the standard commercial drama. Many people don't like the open ended ending, saying it's unfinished or felt that way.

Honestly, I think that was the point.

Those of us who are book lovers, and know anything about the publishing industry, I think will VERY much appreciate this film.  I connected to almost all 3 stories (yes, it is a story within a story within a story!).  And yet the one rooted deepest in fiction -- the Jeremy Irons as old man and Ben Barnes as young man -- was the one that I connected with the most.  I don't think that was a coincidence. 

It was an at times heart wrenching story of love, the love of words, and life.


Personally, I loved it. 

So there ya go.  A movie review to get me thinking that I need to neglect my book blog less now that my older daughter is back in school and baby girl is still napping.  

TRANSCENDENCE Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to all those who took the time to enter!  The winner of our ARC of TRANSCENDENCE by C.J. Omolulu is:

DIALMA!

 

Review and Giveaway: TRANSCENDENCE

TRANSCENDENCE
by C.J. Omololu
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published June 5th 2012 by Walker & Company

Placement in the Pile: Middle of the Stack

Summary: When a visit to the Tower of London triggers an overwhelmingly real vision of a beheading that occurred centuries before, Cole Ryan fears she is losing her mind. A mysterious boy, Griffon Hall, comes to her aid, but the intensity of their immediate connection seems to open the floodgate of memories even wider.

As their feelings grow, Griffon reveals their common bond as members of the Akhet—an elite group of people who can remember past lives and use their collected wisdom for the good of the world. But not all Akhet are altruistic, and a rogue is after Cole to avenge their shared past. Now in extreme danger, Cole must piece together clues from many lifetimes. What she finds could ruin her chance at a future with Griffon, but risking his love may be the only way to save them both. Full of danger, romance, and intrigue,

Transcendence breathes new life into a perpetually fascinating question: What would you do with another life to live?

Review: First of all I have to apologize that it took me so long to get this review up. Between family vacations, sick kids, Olympics and many other things It took me longer to read it than I wanted. Part of that was, although for me the book was enjoyable it didn't hold my attention and make me want to read without stopping.

The premise is very interesting and was a unique read for me. I've never read a book about reincarnation. Some aspects were interesting, others predictable. I liked Cole and Griffon. Laughed out loud at times. Disagreed with some of the "rules" of the reincarnation but understood why it was the way it was in the end.

In the end I enjoyed it and I now am actually more interested in the plot of book 2 than I am book one. So don't let my lower score trick you. I do want to read the next one!

And now because I was so lacking how about a giveaway to pick up the pace of the blog shall we? Plus, the beginning of this book tales place in London, perfect for Olympic fever!  Just comment on this review and fill out the information below to enter!

US and Canada mailing addresses only.  Contest will be open until 11:59 pm Wed Aug. 15th!  Good Luck!

Book Signing with Kiersten White

I was very excited to go to my first book signing in a long time.  I miss going, seeing the crowd, feeling the energy supporting the authors.  It has been far too long since I've been able to attend an event.

I love how much expression she uses.  I really do.  She's so fun to hear talk!

 And I am so happy that the event I was able to go to was for Kiersten White!  Book three in the Paranormalcy series, ENDLESSLY, came out on Tuesday and she did her signing here in Utah on Thursday night.  We are so lucky to have her come here to Utah!

She was saying something about 5...I don't remember what but it was the best shot I got of her whole face!

I missed  much of what she said because I was running late, but I did catch the Q&A.  It was pretty awesome.

Signing my book!

Here's what I learned:

Keirsten and Me!

1. Kiersten likes Pinky Pie because she weaponized her confetti cannon.
2. Natalie Whipple, critique partner and best friend (and author who's book is being published next year) of Kiersten kinda hated Kiersten in High School because Kiersten wrote a mean article about the prom decorations that Natalie had been in charge of.  Don't worry, they love each other now!
3. Movie rights have been sold for the Paranormalcy series, but Kiersten thinks (and come to think of it, I agree!) that it would make a better TV series.
4. Steve the vampire/poultergeist is named after a blog follower from England.
5. Fans of Kiersten's will not have to wait long for more from her!  She will be publishing two books a year from now on out for a while!  
6. (well this I already knew) Kiersten is adorable, so kind and just made of awesome.