Mailbox Monday and It's Monday...What are you reading?

Mailbox Monday

is a gathering place for readers to

share the books that came into their house last week 

and explore great book blogs. 

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Hosted this month by

MariReads 

Down From Cascom Mountain by Ann Joslin Williams- from Bloomsbury Walker  & Co. (TLC Tour book)

French Lessons by Ellen Sussman- from Ballentine Books (TLC Tour Book)
Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer MacMahon- copy given to me by the ever wonderful Kay@My Random Acts of Reading

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Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

 

Books reviewed last week:

The Russian Winter- loved this book so much...you must read it! 9.5/10

Reviews for this week:

Faith by Jennifer Haigh- Tuesday

The Judgement by Beverly Lewis-Thursday

Tentative reviews: 

Awaken the Highland Warrior

The Truth about Mr. Darcy

On My Nightstand and still working towards!!

 

'Russian Winter' by Daphne Kalotay (TLC Tour Book)

Teaser synopsis:
“This novel, about an oppressive Soviet Russia, a mysterious amber pendant, and the lives of ballerinas, composers, and poets, is fantastic.” —The Rumpus

My Thoughts: I was pulled into this story from the very first chapter. The whole premise of the book intrigued me from the beginning and I have to say that the author delivered a stellar read. I especially enjoyed how the author weaved Nina's past into her present. It came together cohesively and really added that extra special layer to this story. The jewels had me mesmerized and I often found my mind wandering as to what they looked like and feeling a sort of attachment to them. Strange, huh? This story has many elements that make it a top-notch read; a mystery, closely guarded secrets, well-written fleshed out characters, time periods that just call to you, gorgeous gems, and wonderful writing.

Recommend? Without hesitation. If you're looking for a smart story that comes alive while reading then I think this would a story for you. I've pretty much read nothing but top-notch reviews on this book and I believe this book truly deserves them all and more. Treat yourself and read this one!!

Rating: 9/10

Published: April 5, 2011

Publisher: Harper Perennial

Pages:466

Genre: Semi-historical fiction that makes you feel as if you are there!

ISBN: 9780061962172

About Daphne Kalotay

Daphne Kalotay grew up in New Jersey, where her parents had relocated from Ontario; her mother is Canadian, her father is Hungarian. She attended Vassar College, majoring in psychology, before moving to Boston to attend Boston University’s graduate program in fiction writing. She stayed on at BU to study with Saul Bellow as part of the University Professors program, where she earned a PhD in Modern and Contemporary literature, writing her dissertation on one of her favorite writers, Mavis Gallant. Her interview with Mavis Gallant can be found in the Paris Review’s Writers-at-work series.
At Boston University, Daphne’s stories won the school’s Florence Engell Randall Fiction Prize and a Henfield Foundation Award. Her first book, the fiction collection Calamity and Other Stories, includes work first published in Agni, Good Housekeeping, The Literary Review, Missouri Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, and Prairie Schooner, and was short-listed for the Story Prize.
Daphne has taught literature and creative writing at Boston University, Skidmore College, and Middlebury College. She lives in the Boston area.
Find out more about Daphne at her website, and be sure to like her on Facebook! A reading group guide is available.

 

Disclaimer:Thank you to TLC Book Tours for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

 

 

 

Winner of The Peach Keeper

  
1. 4/26/2011 1:55:44 Jan von Harz
2. 4/26/2011 4:32:25 Mary (Bookfan)- Winner * notified via email3. 4/26/2011 4:51:44 Harvee Lau
4. 4/26/2011 5:17:49 Nicole
5. 4/26/2011 7:39:04 Tobe Buffenbarger
6. 4/26/2011 8:00:09 Shannon Landis
7. 4/26/2011 8:48:28 Linda
8. 4/26/2011 8:58:16 Carol WOng
9. 4/26/2011 10:31:Lori L (she treads
softly)
10.4/26/2011 10:32:12 Anna
11. 4/26/2011 13:05:52 Nise'
12. 4/26/2011 13:43:44 Sandy
13. 4/26/2011 13:52:29 Konnie Nazario
14. 4/26/2011 14:34:36 toothybooks
15. 4/26/2011 14:50:13 Kathy P
16. 4/26/2011 15:35:09 Marjorie
17.4/26/2011 15:41:40 Margot Peck
18. 4/26/2011 16:37:35 Sheila K
19. 4/26/2011 16:37:50 Beverly H.
20. 4/26/2011 19:47:01 Ann
21. 4/26/2011 20:50:39 ArtsyBookishGal
22. 4/27/2011 19:2018 katia
23. 4/27/2011 19:50:43 stacybuckeye
24. 4/28/2011 7:55:40 Theresa Norris
25.4/28/2011 10:51:36 karenk
26. 4/28/2011 15:08:21 Dawn Rankin
27. 4/29/2011 11:03:58 Leslie
28. 4/29/2011 16:49:58 dianne m

Waiting on Wednesday's selection- Bitter End

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event,

hosted at Breaking the Spine,

that spotlights upcoming releases

that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

BITTER END

When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is.
At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose "love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose - between her "true love" and herself.

I loved the author's book Hate List and when I saw
this one was coming out I did a bit of a happy dance!!

Available May 2011

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday..What are your reading?

Mailbox Monday

is a gathering place for readers to

share the books that came into their house last week 

and explore great book blogs. 

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Hosted this month by
MariReads 

The Bond by Wayne Pacelle- review copy from William Morrow

Until Tuesday by Luis Carlos Montalvan- review copy from Hyperion

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Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

Read and reviewed last week:

The Peach Keeper- great Southern fiction 8.5/10

The Hunchback of Neiman Marcus- loved every single word 10/10

Beautiful Disaster- beautiful debut novel 8.5/10

Sing You Home- just o.k. 2/5

Miranda's Big Mistake- fun Brit Chic lit! 3/5

Choosing to See- heart wrenching but worth the read 4/5

Reviews for this week:

The Russian Winter- Thursday TLC Tour Stop

Faith by Jennifer Haigh- Friday

On my nightstand for next week:

Six Sentence Saturday- 3 very different books

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Happy that I read it...a good read.
2 of Hearts- Just O.K but nothing to write home about.
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)



Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult (click on title for synopsis)
Source: Shelf Awareness ARC
I have read Picoult for a long time now and for the most part she has delivered good solid reads. This one is no different in that sense. As for me, I think I'm burnt out on the same scenarios she presents in her books- controversial subjects, bad guy, good guy, and a battle in court. I don't know why I wasn't drawn to this story as I expected to be...I found myself not connecting with the characters and I pretty much knew how the story was going to turn out.  Not a terrible read but not one that will stay with me down the road.
My Rating:

Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell (click on title for story synopsis)
Source: Kindle free download offered by Sourcebooks
I have become addicted to Jill Mansell!! Her books are fun, fast, and she really spins a great story! I totally enjoyed the complications that her characters experienced in their lives. There were so many fun moments and a few of those "aha" ones to boot. Who can resist characters that pop off the pages and really pull the reader into their tale? Mansell delivers another solid Brit Chic adventure and I can't wait to read another one of her books!
My Rating:

Choosing to See: A Journal of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman (click on title for synopsis)
Source: My public library
Read because of these fellow bloggers reviews:
My Friend Amy, & Lynne's Book Reviews
I've been a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman for over 15 years and when I heard about the accident that killed their youngest child my heart hurt for the entire family. This is Mary Beth's (his wife) story about how she and her family have made it through the last two years. This book had me blubbering at the prologue! It's heart wrenching to read but it also left me with a heart that swelled with hope! Mary Beth is honest about the struggles her family encountered and never tries to sugarcoat her anger, despair, and her questioning God's will.  I'm glad that I read this book....it's made me ponder things in my own life.
My rating: 

'Beautiful Disaster' by Laura Spinella

About the book:
Mia Wells is poised to finalize the deal that will make her eco-friendly career goals a reality.  The moment is interrupted when an unexpected phone call ushers in a tremulous past.  The man she’s always loved, the one who abandoned her years before, has mysteriously resurfaced. As the past and present reconcile, Mia’s what ifs are endless.  Filled with sweetness and suspense, Beautiful Disaster is an achingly powerful tale—the kind of love story each of us wishes was ours to tell.

My Thoughts:
Beautiful Disaster was a beautiful debut novel! I was hooked from the first chapter and had a hard time putting the book down. I loved the way the author worked the relationships in the story and I felt pretty connected to Mia. I absolutely understood (from personal experience) of falling in the love with a dangerous person and how intoxicating that love affair can become. I thought the pacing of the story was great..never a dull moment. The characters were fleshed out and the events unfolded in such a manner that kept me reading for hours at a time.

Recommend? Yes...without hesitation
Why? Because at the end of the book I was totally satisfied with my reading experience!

Rating: 8.5/10

Published: January 4, 2011

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Pages: 384

Genre: Page turning women's fiction with fantastic writing!

ISBN: 9780425238608

Visit the author's website
Buy the book here

Disclaimer:Thank you to Laura Spinella and Erin Galloway of Penguin for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.