Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

There is a book review with a GIVEAWAY at Mymcbooks . Don't miss out on a chance to win The Weaver. Another great year of reading! Total number of books read in 2011 = 77. Slighty more than last year. I can’t thank my family enough for all the time they endure of me reading.  Still looking for that gift of a speed-reading course.  2011 I fell in crush with the writing of Cassandra Clare with her Mortal Instruments series. I was wowed by self published books by authors, Susan Kaye Quinn (Open Minds), S.R. Johannes (Untraceable) and P.J. Hoover (Solstice). Sobbed while reading If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Grinned like a loon while reading Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. But if some terrificly awesome God of Reading were to force me to choose a favorite from the 77, I'd have to say The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater would be the one.  So many of the books I read were enjoyable, or entertaining, or emotional o...

As George Lucas fans enjoy the long awaited premiere of "Red Tails", movie goers have the opportunity to share the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen with their kids and grandkids through children's picture book, "Chasing the Spirit of Service." Written by author Kristen Zajac and illustrated by Julie Tucker, this book was the recipient of the 2011 Global eBook Award in Multicultural Fiction and was featured in the 2012 Tampa Bay Black History Festival at the Glazer Children's Museum. Released by Guardian Angel Publishing, the book is an educational resource for parents, teachers, and history enthusiasts who wish to share the inspirational story of America's first African American pilots in World War II with young readers. * Synopsis of the movie Red Tails : 1944. As the war in Europe continues to take its toll on Allied forces, the Pentagon brass has no recourse but to consider unorthodox options -- including the untried and untested African-American p...

I haven’t posted my recents in a couple months. Granted, not one person has sent me an email and said, “Why haven’t you posted?” Maybe I’ll drop it in January, but for now it’s time to play catch up. I’m posting them grouped together by rating. Just when I think it is safe to wade into the waters of self publishing, I get one with amateur writing that is so horribly edited that I have to stop reading it. I rarely stop reading. I have not listed it on my recents and I won’t name it out of respect for the author. But I find it sad that somewhere along the way no one told her the book wasn’t there yet. I did some research. She had an editor. Though not a good one in my opinion. I don’t understand the good reviews. She’s released another in the series, which probably would be a good series if she’d taken more time. Why don’t some readers care if the writing is amateurish and there are missing words and one awkward sentence after another? Why? I’m glad there is more and more good, stro...

Recent Reads The Storyteller by M Arthur – humble rating: Golf Clap+ – Well written story by fellow Bend-ite and middle-grade author. Good, strong p.o.v. which added to the intensity of the storytelling. I liked the end of the story line, I wasn’t super crazy about the Lemony Snicket type of dialogue at the very end. But I got over it quickly. Abandon by Meg Cabot – humble rating: Golf Clap+ – So, when I first started reading I thought, “Wow, this is so cliché. How disappointing.” Me of little faith. Seriously, this is Meg Dang Cabot. Of course it was engaging and left me wanting the next book immediately. Duh. Passion by Lauren Kate - humble rating: Golf Clap++ – I like this series. I’m a sucker for a good love story and this one is pretty compelling. I got a bit tired of jumping from life to life with Luce, but Lauren handled the time travel aspect and meeting the different time versions of the characters well. ...

It has been two months since I last posted my recent reads. A couple good reasons for this. One is that life got really sad and complicated. Two, I read four books I can't post about because they are for a competition. So in order to make up for it, I plowed through two books this weekend. I feel back on track with my reading. Recent Reads: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray – humble rating: Motivational Speaker – Fun! Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine – humble rating: Motivational Speaker – Powerful, sad, hopeful. Eighth Grade Super Zero by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich - humble rating: Golf Clap++ – Good vulnerability and growth in the m.c. I loved how he questioned religion. So realistic, never preachy. Tomorrow Girls – Behind The Gates by Eva Gray - humble rating: Golf Clap – Fast, fun reading. Tomorrow Girls – Run For Cover by Eva Gray - humble rating: Golf Clap – Just as quick ...

Recent Reads City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare – humble rating: Motivational Speaker – I’m not sure how I feel about this installment. The writing is great. The story development is great. As usual. I’m not questioning Miss Clare’s abilities. I’m just not sure I was too crazy about the direction Jace and Alec took. I loved Simon’s growth and even Maia and Jordan’s storyline. But both Jace and Alec seemed so – oh, must I say it?! Wimpy. I’m sure this is part of the overall journey. But I don’t have to like it, do I? Ever by Gail Carson Levine – humble rating: Golf Clap – I don’t quite know how to describe my relationship with this book. I think I felt detached from the story. I wanted to like it more than I did in the end. Good writing, especially of Kezi dancing and making her rugs. Warped by Maurissa Guibord - humble rating: Golf Clap++ – Really well written. Loved the journey and the bad guy (well lady actually) was satisfyingly bad.   The Tota...

Recent Reads Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs– humble rating: Golf Clap –Fun read. There were a few times I raised an eyebrow at the improbability of circumstances. But when I chose to view the book as a light, fun read, that ceased to needle me. Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney – humble rating: Golf Clap – I was surprised at how the author seemed to talk down to the reader, often over explaining or telling instead of showing. I wasn’t crazy about the time travel aspect in this story. Maybe I was just starting to relate to cast of characters and wasn’t up to the task of starting again. Just didn’t work enough for me. Liked the magic though. Very well developed. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly - humble rating: Golf Clap++ – This story was woven together so well. I loved the history and the music elements. Really great story. Solstice by PJ Hoover - humble rating: Motivational Speaker – I am so excited to report that I really, really enjoyed this book! The story...

Recent Reads City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare– humble rating: Motivational Speaker –I have to admit to being completely obsessed with this series. I intentionally held off on reading the next books because I knew once I cracked open the cover, nothing would get done in my life until I finished the book. It really is that good. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare – humble rating: Motivational Speaker – Some day a book I write will affect the reader like these books. This one even felt unnecessarily long and I didn’t care. What is that all about? Firelight by Sophie Jordan - humble rating: Golf Clap++ – I’m such a sucker for forbidden love. Fun! The Curse Girl by Kate Ellison - humble rating: Golf Clap – I really love Beauty and the Beast. Even danced to the theme song at my wedding reception (okay, so that was tongue in cheek, but FUN!) This is a really good retelling. Stays true to the core of the story, yet adds enough newness to keep the reader engaged. ...

Please stop in on my tour today: At Lori’s Reading Corner I’m guest blogging about how to keep your favorite author writing. And The Weaver and I are spotlighted on The Plot today. Hopefully you haven’t missed these stops: Book review at One Day At A Time Fun interview at Pump Up Your Book Yummy family favorite recipe at Authors & Appetizers Another fun interview at The Children’s & Teen’s Book Connection Help me spread the word of the tour by sharing the link to your favorite article with your friends and family. Recent Reads - haven't had as much to read as I'd like (sad face)  Torn by Amanda Hocking– humble rating: Golf Clap – I am so conflicted over these books. I enjoy the story, but I simply don’t understand why a million copies of them sold. That said, I have to finish out the series. If for no other reason so that I have completed my research and can bang my head against the wall with reason. Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson – humble rating: Golf...