Teaser Tuesday and It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

Frankie later burned her paper, for reasons that will become obvious. This time she was careful to do it in the dormitory shower, and she did not injure herself.
p.136~ The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks







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It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

I'm 15 and have finally come out of that awkward geeky stage, which means that Matt Livingston, who didn't know I existed last year, has finally noticed me!! I attend a swanky boarding school and am basking in the attention from Matt who is a Senior and also the leader of a secret society called the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. They don't allow girls to be a part of their club, but I'm thinking of a way to bring this club to their knees!

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday
is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

My mailbox was pretty good to me this week. Can I tell you how fun it is to get books in the mail?? I love opening the packages to see what goodies showed up for me!!

Turnings: Lyric Poems Along a Road by Donald R. Fletcher
** I picked this book because I don't read enough poetry and I like the description of this book being part memoir and part anthology- where the author uses his own poetry to describe parts of his life experiences.
From Outskirts Press





As Long as He Needs Me by Mary Verdick
** I thought this sounded like a good book with a twist---They thought they were getting a vacation. Their marriage might not survive it. I need to know what happens!!!
From Outskirts Press





Falling Into the Sun by Charrie Hazard
**This book interested me because the author weaves a personal incident into a fictional story.
From Phenix & Phenix














South of Broad by Pat Conroy
** One of my great internet buddies JoAnn just adores Conroy and since I haven't read one of his books since Beach Music, I wanted to experience his writing all over again.
From Shelf Awareness





Darling Jim by Christian Moerk
** I'm doing a reading with Nicole from Linus's Blanket, who sent me this book.
A modern gothic novel of suspense that reveals, through their diaries, the story of sisters who fall in love with a beguiling stranger, and of the town that turns a blind eye to his murderous ways. Sounds good doesn't it? Stay tuned for our thoughts in August!!

What came for you?

YA Review: Wings by Aprilynne Pike

WINGS is the first of four books about an ordinary girl named Laurel who discovers she is a faerie sent among humans to guard the gateway to Avalon. When Laurel is thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to both worlds.

Author: Aprilynne Pike
Published: 2009
Genre: YA
Pages: 304






My Thoughts:
Just when I thought the whole genre of faeries had been beat to death, along comes Wings. To me this book is one of the most original takes on faeries that I have read in a long time. Include with that, a twist on Arthurian legend and this makes for a good start in a series of four books. I WANT to know what happens to Laurel and where the author will take us. If you thought you were burnt-out on the whole every- girl-is-a-faerie-but-she-just-didn't-know-it premise, then grab this one, because it's a FRESH look on this mystical creature!!

Read and Reviewed here:
J.Kaye's Book Blog
direct quote from review: "The last book to blow me out of the water like this was NEED by Carrie Jones."

Review: A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson

A Guide to the Birds of East Africa
Author: Nicholas Drayson
Published: 2008
Genre: Fiction- for Adults and YA
Pages: 202

From Goodreads: A beguiling novel that does for contemporary Kenya and its 1,000 species of birds what Alexander McCall Smith's Ladies Detective series does for Botswana. Kenya is wildlife heaven and Drayson's descriptions make you long to travel there. But the author also turns an eagle eye on the foibles and follies of the people and politicians who roam the East African landscape. Readers looking for winning fiction that delivers wit and wisdom need look no further than in the pages of this novel.





My Thoughts:
This is an absolutely charming book. It made me wish to be in Kenya to observe these birds first hand. Written with humor and grace, this book is a delightful romp into the lives of Rose Mbikwa, Mr. Malik, and Henry Khan. The story is told from an unknown third party and the style reminded me of Alan Bennett's book ,The Uncommon Reader. It has that dry, quirky British humor feel to it. This was a wonderful way to spend three hours. I totally recommend this little book to anyone out there who loves birds, likes to learn about other countries, and enjoys getting a peek into some interesting characters daily lives.

Here are just some of the birds that were spotted during the reading of this book.

Blacksmith Lapwing









African Emerald Cuckoo







Hadada Ibis








Hartlaub's Turaco







Also reviewed by:
The Book Lady's Blog
Direct quote from review: "In A Guide to the Birds of East Africa, Nicholas Drayson has created a very pleasant light read with well-drawn characters and a charming story."

Fresh Ink Books
Direct quote from review: "It's a good story, told by a somewhat cheeky narrator, laugh out loud funny in places and well worth reading. I enjoyed it very much. Four stars out of five."

Library Loot and Waiting on Wednesday

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.
We share what we each picked up at the library during the week.

I've got lots of blame to pass around so let's get started!!


Sleepwalking in Daylight by Elizabeth Flock
** Blaming rights go to Heather from Book Addiction. She posted her review on June 29th and I immediately put it in my library list for a future read. Check out her thoughts here.



What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman
** I get to blame Wendy from Caribou's Mom for this book!!! This is the comment I left after reading her review: When you compared her writing to earlier Cornwell I was hooked!!! Excellent review and I’m certainly adding this one to my must read for 09.





Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart
** Lenore's been blamed plenty of times here so I'm sure she won't mind when I point the finger at her and say, "It's all your fault!!" Read her fantastic review and author interview here. I read and reviewed Undercover also written by Kephart and it blew me away. I loved this book so I'm sure her new one is spectacular!! I missed the boat by buying my own copy and helping show the big publishing companies that book bloggers can be a driving force behind book sales by word of mouth, but I hope to make up for it by getting this novel for my niece's birthday later this month.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
** I'm blaming Lisa from Books and Cooks! Read her review here but be warned you'll want to read this book after you do!! But what really sealed the deal is when I asked for friends to tell me what book has really made an impression on them and this is what Lisa said:
Lisa said...A book that stayed with me is Lonesome Dove. Those characters were amazing! More recently The 13th Tale - I loved that story! Great giveaway!!


Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
** I have no one to blame but myself. I'm wondering who has read this and did you like it? I've read some mixed reviews on it so I'm not sure if I should bother reading it or not...you tell me!!






To Read List Total today7/08/2009: 801
Last Week's To Read List total 7/01/2009: 781
Books Read in 2009 to date: 94
Number of Books Checked out from the library:24
Book Blogger Buddies Recommendations TBR List: 170 last week 185 this week
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Waiting on Wednesday
is hosted by
Jill over at Breaking the Spine
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This series, The Last Apprentice, is a favorite of mine and lots of kids at my middle school. We're going to be very excited to get our hands on this book!! If you're looking for a middle school age fantasy series this one is highly recommended!

The Last Apprentice: Clash of the Demons
by Joseph Delaney
Scheduled to be published August 25, 2009
From Goodreads:
As the Spook's apprentice Tom's first duty is to protect the County from the dark. But now Mam needs his help in her homeland of Greece. One of the most dangerous of the old gods, the Ordeen, is about to return there, bringing slaughter and devastation. Meanwhile, the Devil himself is still loose and if he and the Ordeen join forces, a new age of darkness will descend. Mam has summoned a powerful group to her side but among them are Tom's old enemy, the Pendle witches, including the assassin Grimalkin, and the cunning clan leader Mab Moldheel. Can Tom go against all the Spook has taught him and ally himself to the witches? What is the secret that Mam is keeping from him? And what sacrifices must be made in the battle against the dark?

What book are you waiting for ?

Teaser Tuesdays and It's Tuesday....Where Are You?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

The lace makers held their breath as Kate opened a seam in Bernie's garments, where the first insert would go, the stitches pulling away, taking everything apart, before putting it back together again.
p.104
~ The Lace Makers of Glenmara by Heather Barbieri

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It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

I'm currently in Ireland trying to heal from a broken heart, a failing design company, and the loss of my mother. I've been traveling for a month with no particular place in mind, until I came across the small Gaelic village of Glenmara. I've met two ladies who are members of the local lace-making society and Bernie, who has just lost her beloved husband, has asked me to stay with her.

~ The Lace Makers of Glenmara by Heather Barbieri

Mailbox Monday- July 6th

Mailbox Monday
is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

The Black Dog Summer on the Vineyard Cookbook
** I won this from Diane who writes a fantastic blog Bibliophile by the Sea. I've been browsing through this and let me tell you...the photos looks fantastic and the recipes are easy enough for me to follow!! I love it!! Thanks Diane!!





Iceland by Betsy Tobin
**ARC copy (scheduled release date August 25, 2009)
I requested this one because I love fantasy and the blurb compared it to "The Mists of Avalon" which just happens to be one of my ultimate favorite books of all time.





The Hidden Man by David Ellis
**ARC copy (scheduled release date September 3, 2009)
I requested this one because the critics have compared him to Grisham and I haven't read a good legal thriller in a long time!!





The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
** ARC copy (scheduled release date October 2009)
"Chaos is coming, old son."
With those words the peace of Three Pines is shattered. When a stranger is found murdered in the village bistro and antiques store, Chief Inspector Gamache and his team are called in to strip back layers of lies--and catch a killer whose identity will shock them all...
I couldn't resist getting this one because of that blurb!! Plus this is a new author to me and I'm always game to add new ones to my list!!


The Rapture by Liz Jensen
**Bound Galley (tentative date August 11, 2009)
This one just showed up the other day but after read the back cover it sounds like it may be a really good read.
With gothic intensity, Liz Jensen conjures the unnerving relationship between Gabrielle, a physically and emotionally damaged therapist, and her patient, sixteen-year-old Bethany, who is incarcerated in a British psychiatric hospital for the brutal murder of her mother.

What came for you?