Read-A-Thon Update: Hour 4

After 136 pages of World War Z, I decided discretion was the better part of valor and ran off to the decidedly less grim and gruesome world of Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper.

"I'm starting to think running away is a valuable and oft-maligned tactic that should be used much more often than it is."

-Damin Wolfblade

Warrior by Jennifer Fallon

Listening to: The Phantom of the Opera soundtrack via Spotify

Happy reading!

Read-A-Thon Update: Hour 3

I've been reading for about an hour and a half now, so I figured it was time for an update (read: break).

Currently reading: World War Z by Max Brooks (p. 105)

Listening to: Monty Python's Spamalot soundtrack via Spotify

Mini-Challenge: Book Puzzle

I figure this one should actually be pretty doable. Let's see...a book, a book, my kingdom for a book...

Okay, here's one I just finished yesterday:

Good luck everyone! Happy reading!

Update: the answer to the puzzle is...Storm Born by Richelle Mead (Dark Swan #1)

Protip: Never google image search "born." You get scary pictures.

READ-A-THON!

Good morning, bookworms! It's time for the 24-hour Read-A-Thon to start! (Technically, it started four minutes ago, but it's 8:04 a.m on a Saturday and I'm awake, which is an accomplishment in and of itself.) Today's lineup consists of me trying to finish a bunch of library books that are due next week.

Shesten from I Heart Monster put up an introduction meme, so here goes:


1)Where are you reading from today?
At the moment, my apartment (DC). I'll probably move to a coffee shop at some point this afternoon just for some variety.

2)Three random facts about me…
Um...does "I like to read" count? I guess that's not random. Okay: 
-I used to work at Universal's Islands of Adventure, where I had to wear a really stupid outfit and explain to people why disposable cameras cost $18.07. (Yes, that was the real price. Yes, it was four years ago. Yes, I still remember it. See what I mean?)
-I took Irish step dance lessons. Make fun of me, I don't care, because they were awesome.
-Dogs rule, cats...make my nose drool.

3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
How many books are in my TBR pile forever? That many.

4)Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?
Are you kidding? I have no idea what's going on!

5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?
See previous comment. Help! I'm lost in dark and very expensive forest!



Now I'm off to have coffee so my brain will work.

Elemental: The First by Alexandra May

Elemental: The First
Alexandra May
Elemental #1
Source: PNR/UF Fanatics' R2R Program

In theory, this book had great potential. In practice, it was incredibly frustrating. The world May set up was interesting and unusual. Rose's story was suspenseful and will probably grow to be quite impressive.

However, there were some major issues, particularly in characterization. Most of the time I can get a pretty good feel for characters, but I had no clue about Rose. Honestly, I'm not quite sure the author did either. Rose contradicted herself multiple times in the story about her feelings for Morgan and Aiden, whether or not she wanted to live with Daisy, what to do about the various situations that cropped up, etc. Normally characters' actions and emotions match up well, but Rose kept pulling these stunts out of left field and I was left flipping back in the book to try to figure out where they came from.

A story is the direct result of the actions of the characters, not the other way around. But at numerous point during the book I got the feeling that the characters were just means to an end. Yes, your story has to have something happen, but I have to believe that the people in it would actually do whatever it is that they're doing, and a lot of time, I didn't. Because of this and other factors, none of the characters felt real to me.

Even the plot itself had its weird quirks. Things like the boy Rose saw in the street and Rose and Mira's bullying episode raised their heads and then vanished, never to be seen again.

Something indefinable bothered me about the writing style, especially at the beginning of the book, but whenever I tried to put my finger on what, exactly, it was, it skittered away from me. I suppose that's the definition of the word indefinable, but I did try.

Despite all these problems, there really were parts of the book I enjoyed a great deal. Most of the scene on the hill at the alien party was entertaining. Many of the action sequences were good. But every time I started to get into the story, another glaring inconsistency popped up that distracted me from the tale itself. With a decent editor, this could have been a great book. As it is, it's an adequate draft.

Plot: 2 cupcakes
Characters: 2 cupcakes
Style: 2 cupcakes
Overall: 2 cupcakes

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Rhyming Review Challenge!

Well, Chris, your challenge I accept

To write a post that rhymes

And for this task, the book I chose

I've read uncounted times.

When I began this book I was

A child of Harry's age.

These words imagination sparked,

Dreams of magic from a page.

Quidditch, wands, and owls as pets:

Old myths greet others new,

And through my youth I learned to love

This tale that grew and grew.

A world of wizards Rowling spun

In loving, bright detail

Though one small flaw this jewel marred--

That magic's price seemed pale.

But Harry's story here is told

Not of magic but of love.

Here good and evil, friends and trust

Reach heights few rise above.

And so this book I recommend

To everyone and all!

For laughter, tears, great loves and fears

Sing in its siren's call.

Follow Friday (3)

Follow Friday is a weekly blog hop hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. This week's features are Book Savvy Babe and The Bursting Bookshelf.
This week's question is...
What superhero is your alter ego?
I don't know about alter ego, but I've always loved Storm from X-Men. Lightning storms fascinate me - though preferably from inside solid walls of course! And she can fly, which I've always wanted to be able to do. Finally, I love her hair!

Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater may be my new favorite author. I just got back from the launch party for The Scorpio Races (which I finished last night and loved, and I'll post a review soon). Maggie was absolutely amazing, funny and friendly. I bet her kids love her - she makes funny faces when she talks and does different voices for people even when she's not reading!

Okay, enough fangirl-ing. Maggie was nice enough to take the time to sign everyone's books:

She also had random copies of foreign editions of her books that she gave away, and I won Shiver in German! I love the cover:

Anyway, if Maggie Stiefvater is ever at an event near you, it's more than worth your time to go!