Top of My Pile (5)

Hey there and welcome to Top of My Pile! I decided to start this post because I often times feel the need to talk about the book that I'm currently reading and throw out some of the thoughts I have about before I finish it! I usually have all these crazy theories about how the story is going to end or what's going to happen to the main characters. But by the time I get around to writing my review, I forget what was swirling around in my head. So that's why I started this new Saturday post. It also gives me a chance to let you know what I read this week and also, what I'm planning on reading next.

Feel free to participate! Just remember to grab the button, link back to me and submit your below!

Currently Reading:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling

I've told you guys before that I've read the whole Harry Potter series a couple of years ago.  Since then I feel like I've lost some of the magic and decided to participate in a re-read.  I follow along with the Alohomora podcast and they go 2 chapters at a time. The hosts are really awesome and they're always giving new insights that I wouldn't have thought of.  It's a lot of fun and I've been really enjoying the in-depth analysis that they give. 

Enclave by Anne Aguire

I just started Enclave last night and I've only read the first chapter.  I can already feel how dark the book it and I think I'm really going to like it.  I've heard it's kind of a zombie book so we'll see! 

Reading this week:

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

The Turning by Francine Prose

Little Magic Shop of Horrors by Annette and Gina Cascone

Weekly Re-cap:

Sunday: I showed you what new books are Stacking my Shelves

Monday: I posted my first Middle Grade Monday

Tuesday: I post my Top Ten books that I hope aren't forgotten

I reviewed Through to You by Emily Hainsworth

Wednesday: I waited on In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Thursday: I hosted a guest post by Tiffany Schmidt for the Send Me a Sign Blog Tour

Friday: I reviewed A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Review: A Discovery of Witches

Title: A Discovery of Witches
Author: Deborah Harkness
Series: All Souls Trilogy #1
Publisher: Penguin Books
Find it here: Amazon, Goodreads
Source: Purchased

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism.

My thoughts: 

I remember thinking when A Discovery of Witches came out that I absolutely have to read that book because it sounds so amazing! It was getting rave reviews and I love books that deal with witches and magic. So why did it take me so long to finally read it!? I have no idea but I'm definitely kicking myself for not reading it sooner! 

I love the whole aspect of the story that there's all these family secrets and the fact that Diana does not want to be a witch and choose not to participate in all these witchy things.  So she run to the opposite of witchcraft which is facts, history and studying things that have evidence.  She is super smart and doesn't let anything get in the way of her studies and research.  She is also very determined.  She has a tough time coming to terms with notions that she could possibly be the chosen one and that her magic and relationship could bring about the biggest change known to her supernatural kind.  

Matthew is such a great character and one of my favorite vampires of all the vampire books that I've read. He is such a gentleman and deeply rooted in old fashioned chivalry while being very fierce and protective at the same time.  He is the ideal vampire. And he's smart and sexy to boot.  Even all the side characters were really great! They all have their own very unique personalities and while I was reading some of the vampires, I truly believed that they had been living for over a thousand years! The characterization in A Discovery is Witches is phenomenal! 

I love that A Discovery of Witches is a mix of supernatural creatures instead of focusing on just one. If witches can exist why not vampires? Even though it is a pretty long read, it is richly detailed and very interesting.  I give A Discovery of Witches 5 hearts for finally portraying vampires how I always imagined them to be.  And can I say new book boyfriend? Most definitely!

Blog Tour: Send Me a Sign by Tiffany Schmidt-Guest Post!

I have the great pleasure of welcoming Tiffany Schmidt to the blog today with a guest post! Tiffany's new book Send Me a Sign was released this week and has already received great reviews! I hope you guys are able to pick up her book soon and that you enjoy her guest post!

I was the type of child who makes adults say, “You just wait until you have children of your own—I hope they’re just like you.”

They usually said this when we were en route to the Emergency Room so I could be stitched up, or casted, or otherwise reassembled. Or they said it as they put me in time out for the third time in an hour. Or as the cleaned up the mess I made after I’d given myself and my Barbies a haircut. Or as they called home from school to tell my parents how I’d told the whole class to “start circle time without me, I’m busy. I’ll catch up in a few minutes.”

My mother often stated that while one of us might survive until my 18th birthday, she doubted both of us would.

This might have been true if it weren't for books. Reading and writing were the only times I sat still long enough to stay out of trouble.

...Though there were plenty of phone calls home about getting caught reading during math, science, history, spelling… and even reading. Yes, it takes a special talent to get in trouble for reading during reading class. Apparently you aren't supposed to ignore the kid who’s reading aloud and just forge ahead… Apparently it’s not okay to decide the excerpt in the anthology isn't enough and get up in the middle of a story discussion to see if the whole novel is in the classroom library…

I spent most of my early school years having books confiscated.

Luckily, I got in less trouble as I got older. By the time I was a senior in high school, my yearbook superlative was “class angel.” This isn't to say I wasn't reading during algebra, bio, chemistry and world civ…. I’d just gotten much better at hiding it. And writing poems in my French notebook totally looked the same as copying verb conjugations off the board.

I can think of only one time that I was caught in high school – that’s when I decided that a movie-day in Chemistry was a great time to finish reading A Separate Peace. The movie ended. The lights turned back on. I was holding the book with tears still pouring down my sob-splotchy face. I think the teacher thought my ugly-crying was punishment enough…

This morning I rescued one of my toddler twins from the third shelf of our bookcase—meanwhile, his brother was removing his diaper and running laps around the kitchen yelling: “Nudie! Nudie!” As soon as they had all four feet on the ground (and clothing on) the first thing they demanded was “Book! Snuggle!” – yup, my children are just like me. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Waiting on Wednesday (74)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating. This is one of my favorite memes because not only is my TBR pile so much bigger at the end of the night but also the covers are always amazing!

Title: In the Shadow of Blackbirds
Author: Cat Winters
Hitting the Shelves: April 2013

In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

Why I want this: I LOVE historical fictions and this one sounds amazing! I looks a little creepy and spooky which is definitely my cup of tea! And those goggles around her neck give me a slight hint of steampunk! I can't wait!!

Review: Through to You

Title: Through to You
Author: Emily Hainsworth
Publisher: Balzar & Bray
Release Date: October 02, 2012
Find it here: Amazon, Goodreads
Source: ARC from ALA

Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. Viv was the last good thing in his life: helping him rebuild his identity after a career-ending football injury, picking up the pieces when his home life shattered, and healing his pain long after the meds wore off. And now, he’d give anything for one more glimpse of her. But when Cam makes a visit to the site of Viv’s deadly car accident, he sees some kind of apparition. And it isn't Viv.

The apparition’s name is Nina, and she’s not a ghost. She’s a girl from a parallel world, and in this world, Viv is still alive. Cam can’t believe his wildest dreams have come true. All he can focus on is getting his girlfriend back, no matter the cost. But things are different in this other world: Viv and Cam have both made very different choices, things between them have changed in unexpected ways, and Viv isn't the same girl he remembers. Nina is keeping some dangerous secrets, too, and the window between the worlds is shrinking every day. As Cam comes to terms with who this Viv has become and the part Nina played in his parallel story, he’s forced to choose—stay with Viv or let her go—before the window closes between them once and for all.

My Thoughts:

The concept of the parallel universe has really hit big in the media and pop culture lately. Fringe is a really popular TV show and even though I have somewhat fallen away from, it’s a really great show! The idea that there are parallel universes out there with ourselves living different lives is a very interesting concept and I too wonder how my life would have changed had I made different choices.

Through to You starts off sad when we learn that Cam’s girlfriend Viv has died in a car accident. His whole life is turned upside down and he doesn't seem to know what to do to feel better. I have an easy time relating to characters that have lost someone very important in their lives and I immediately felt attached to him. Every time someone would try to get him to snap out of it, I would get a little upset because I know that everyone grieves differently. I was just so sad for him.

The Viv from Cam’s memories seemed like a really nice person and I could see why he really liked her. They got along well, they had common interests and when Cam because unpopular because he had to quit the football team, Viv supported him and quit cheer leading  They seemed like a really great couple. But when he starts hanging out with the other Viv in the other universe, I could see almost immediately how the two Vivs were different. Cam doesn't quit football in the other universe and it makes all of Viv’s unattractive qualities come out. She selfish, self-centered and jealous of all Cam’s other commitments. She was also very reckless.

The choices and the circumstances surrounding the choices that these characters made turned them into very different people. I’m really glad that Hainsworth was able to make that distinction. And sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side. I give Through to You 3 hearts because Hainsworth did a great job of combining science fiction and contemporary and turning it into a very enjoyable story.

Top Ten Tuesday: Older Books I Hope Aren't Forgotten

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme of lists that is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

Top 10 books and/or series I don’t want people to forget:

1. A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb: I really loved this book back when I read it in 2010. It was already old by then but it was one of my favorite books that I read after Twilight. I've been hearing for some time now that there is going to be a sequel and it’s finally going to be released in May of next year!!

2. The Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray: Hands down one of my most favorite paranormal trilogies out there! A Great and Terrible Beauty was first released in 2003! I absolutely cried my eyes out when I read A Sweet Far Thing!

3. I Know it’s Over by CK Kelly Martin: This book took me by surprise. It deals with teen pregnancy but from the guy’s perspective. So rarely do we take into account the guys feelings. Pregnancy doesn't just happen to the girl who is pregnant, it happens to the guy who got her pregnant as well. And this book portrays it perfectly.

4. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols: Going Too Far is my favorite contemporary book! Since Going Too Far I've read almost all of Jennifer Echols’ books and she has proven herself to be a fantastic writer!

5. The Queen of Babble Series by Meg Cabot: One of the funniest books I have ever read! Caution: Do not read in public, people will stare are you for laughing out loud while you’re reading!

6. The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides: This book was crazy!

7. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: SO, SO GOOD! Once you get used to the story going back and forth in time, then it’s amazing!

8. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: I don’t know if this book will ever be forgotten because it’s kind of a classic but definitely worth mentioning!

9. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein: I still remember some of the short little poems in the book! It’s so imaginative and perfect for getting kids to read.

10. The Shining by Stephen King: Did you know a sequel is going to be released next year? It's called Doctor Sleep and I can't wait!!! Perfect for horror lovers!!

Middle Grade Monday (1)

Hey! Welcome to Middle Grade Monday, a weekly feature I started to talk about anything middle grade bookish related! I never thought I would really enjoy middle grade novels but after reading my first one this year, I was hooked! Since I review mainly YA on this blog, I didn't want the middle grade reviews to get shuffled in with the YA books so I decided to create this feature!

Title: Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrows
Author: Katy Towell
Find it here: Amazon, Goodreads
Source: Purchased

Twelve years ago, for 12 days straight, the town of Widowsbury suffered a terrible storm, which tore open a gate through which escaped all sorts of foul, rotten things. Strange things and strange people were no longer welcomed in Widowsbury, for one could never be sure of what secrets waited under the surface . . .

Adelaide Foss, Maggie Borland, and Beatrice Alfred are known by their classmates at Widowsbury's Madame Gertrude's School for Girls as "scary children." Unfairly targeted because of their peculiarities—Adelaide has an uncanny resemblance to a werewolf, Maggie is abnormally strong, and Beatrice claims to be able to see ghosts—the girls spend a good deal of time isolated in the school's inhospitable library facing detention. But when a number of people mysteriously begin to disappear in Widowsbury, the girls work together, along with Steffen Weller, son of the cook at Rudyard School for Boys, to find out who is behind the abductions. Will they be able to save Widowsbury from a 12-year-old curse?

My thoughts:

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrows is a book that I purchased at ALA this year. What initially drew me to the book was not only the cover but the spelling of the title Skary Childrin. Right off the bat I knew this book would be a fun and slightly spooky read and great for my Middle Grade Monday feature! After flipping through the book I knew I had to purchase it because the illustrations are pretty awesome!

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrows centers around the three main characters who are the “outcasts” of their private boarding school in a town that hates outsiders or anything new. Adelaide is believed to be a werewolf, Maggie has super-human strength and Beatrice says she can see and talk to ghosts. Everything that ever goes wrong at the school is always blamed on the three of them and they spend most of their days in detention. Weird things start to happen around town when a mysterious carousel appears and people start to go missing!

Even though this is a middle grade novel, I still didn't catch on to whom the villain was until he was revealed. After the villain tells his story, I found myself feeling sorry for him even though he was doing all these terrible things. He was a product of those who bullied him when he was a child.

I really enjoyed the overall message that the story gave. Be better than those who bully you because you still have a choice to make the right decision. The villain gave the three girls a chance to take revenge on those who bullied them and in the end they made the right decision. Even though they were still considered “outcasts” and not well liked, they had clean consciences.

The story got a little scary at parts but it was really fun to read! I give Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrows 4 hearts for being a little spooky but also sending out a great message to the younger audience!