Monday, Reading, Finally!

After a rough week last week, and after a rocky beginning to the weekend, things have smoothed out and I'm back to reading, blogging, and commenting. I've missed y'all! The weekend was fun as I spent most of Saturday and Sunday having quality time with Greyson, and Sunday afternoon was reserved for a birthday party for Rocketboy filled with pizza, cake, and teenage antics.

After G hit the sack last night, I took a few minutes to finish the book I've been reading for over a week: Swamplandia! by Karen Russell. I can't believe I've been reading it that long, but it really wasn't the book's fault. It was an odd book to say the least, and I'm looking forward to writing the review of this one if I can figure out exactly what I want to say about it. THAT will be the hard part!

I have a few minutes to dawdle this morning before I get ready and leave for work, so I sat down with Teju Cole's Open City to see if I really want to read it. As much as I'm enjoying my Tournament of Books reading, I also have that inevitable itch to read whatever I want to, without obligation. I whipped through a quick 20 pages of Open City, and I think I will read it intensely for a day or two and see if I still feel positively about it. It's one of those meandering books that will likely read a little on the slow side, and I think I might be more interested in a good ole plot-driven book at this point. Cinder is still sitting on my nightstand, staring at me!

What kind of reading mood are you in this week?


P.S. Don't forget to enter my "Spread the Love Giveaway" up on the navigation bar at the top of the page. Tomorrow is my 7-year blogiversary and I'll be announcing the winners then!


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is brought to you by Sheila at BookJourney!

Monday, Reading, Finally!

After a rough week last week, and after a rocky beginning to the weekend, things have smoothed out and I'm back to reading, blogging, and commenting. I've missed y'all! The weekend was fun as I spent most of Saturday and Sunday having quality time with Greyson, and Sunday afternoon was reserved for a birthday party for Rocketboy filled with pizza, cake, and teenage antics.

After G hit the sack last night, I took a few minutes to finish the book I've been reading for over a week: Swamplandia! by Karen Russell. I can't believe I've been reading it that long, but it really wasn't the book's fault. It was an odd book to say the least, and I'm looking forward to writing the review of this one if I can figure out exactly what I want to say about it. THAT will be the hard part!

I have a few minutes to dawdle this morning before I get ready and leave for work, so I sat down with Teju Cole's Open City to see if I really want to read it. As much as I'm enjoying my Tournament of Books reading, I also have that inevitable itch to read whatever I want to, without obligation. I whipped through a quick 20 pages of Open City, and I think I will read it intensely for a day or two and see if I still feel positively about it. It's one of those meandering books that will likely read a little on the slow side, and I think I might be more interested in a good ole plot-driven book at this point. Cinder is still sitting on my nightstand, staring at me!

What kind of reading mood are you in this week?


P.S. Don't forget to enter my "Spread the Love Giveaway" up on the navigation bar at the top of the page. Tomorrow is my 7-year blogiversary and I'll be announcing the winners then!


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is brought to you by Sheila at BookJourney!

Spread the Love Giveaway

Next week is my 7-year blogiversary and I'm giving away books! Click HERE to enter my Spread the Love Giveaway and win one of the following beauties...

Note: Comments on this post WILL NOT enter you into the giveaway!

This giveaway is only open to US residents (Sorry! I'm too broke for international shipping!) and I'll draw the winners on February 21st!

Spread the Love Giveaway

Next week is my 7-year blogiversary and I'm giving away books! Click HERE to enter my Spread the Love Giveaway and win one of the following beauties...

Note: Comments on this post WILL NOT enter you into the giveaway!

This giveaway is only open to US residents (Sorry! I'm too broke for international shipping!) and I'll draw the winners on February 21st!

The Art of Disappearing and Giveaway!

To finish The Art of Disappearing, by Ivy Pochoda, was high on my "to do" list for this year's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon. Sadly, I didn't finish it just yet, but the Read-a-Thon gave me the opportunity (during a very chaotic week both personally and professionally) to snuggle down with this book for some serious quality time. While I would've liked to complete it by my tour stop, I definitely have some opinions to share thus far.

First I thought about going with a synopsis from the publisher, but it's a little too long and too revealing for my taste, so I'll give you my 30-second version:

Toby Warring is a magician--specifically, a real magician who does real magic--and Mel Snow is a textile designer. They meet in a dusty Nevada diner and marry two days later. Soon, Mel finds herself swept up into Toby's world of magic, which is often less than perfect and glazed with a bit of mystery and danger.

In a couple of reviews, I've seen Toby and Mel's relationship compared to The Time Traveler's Wife, and that's a tall order, in my opinion. One of the things I loved most when I read TTW was the intense, romantic, often heartrending relationship between Henry and Claire. I definitely don't feel the same about Toby and Mel, and I'm over halfway through the book. I often find their relationship unbelievable since Mel is prone to refer to him as "the magician" and it seems like the dialogue between them is stilted. It's a tangible distance. This could be Pochoda's way of emphasizing the fact that they really didn't know each other when they got married. I just haven't decided if it works for me.

On the other hand, Pochoda's brand of magical realism is enough to keep me flipping pages. While I'm tempted to compare this book to Sarah Addison Allen's writing, that would be somewhat misleading. Allen is far sweeter and Pochoda a little more raw. Toby pulls objects out of thing air, conjures wonders from the natural world, and can see pockets and channels through dimensions to do his magic. Mel, in all her ordinary existence, hears music and sees the stories behind the fabrics she comes in contact with. It's a weird "power," but it's also really charming in the context of the book. It sounds all good and fine, but on the flip-side, Toby is haunted by the assistant he made disappear and couldn't get back. Mel is haunted by the brother who left.

Toby is often troubled by his abilities. Mel often wonders over the decisions she's made and her new husband's motivations. While I find some bits of the writing unbelievable, I am enjoying this book enough to finish. Pochoda has created a great premise, and I hope the rest of the book delivers.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for giving me a crack at this novel!

Win A Copy of The Art of Disappearing!

If you'd like to win your own copy of the book, leave a comment below! I will draw the winner on Monday, October 18th. It will arrive in your hands via the publisher.



The Art of Disappearing and Giveaway!

To finish The Art of Disappearing, by Ivy Pochoda, was high on my "to do" list for this year's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon. Sadly, I didn't finish it just yet, but the Read-a-Thon gave me the opportunity (during a very chaotic week both personally and professionally) to snuggle down with this book for some serious quality time. While I would've liked to complete it by my tour stop, I definitely have some opinions to share thus far.

First I thought about going with a synopsis from the publisher, but it's a little too long and too revealing for my taste, so I'll give you my 30-second version:

Toby Warring is a magician--specifically, a real magician who does real magic--and Mel Snow is a textile designer. They meet in a dusty Nevada diner and marry two days later. Soon, Mel finds herself swept up into Toby's world of magic, which is often less than perfect and glazed with a bit of mystery and danger.

In a couple of reviews, I've seen Toby and Mel's relationship compared to The Time Traveler's Wife, and that's a tall order, in my opinion. One of the things I loved most when I read TTW was the intense, romantic, often heartrending relationship between Henry and Claire. I definitely don't feel the same about Toby and Mel, and I'm over halfway through the book. I often find their relationship unbelievable since Mel is prone to refer to him as "the magician" and it seems like the dialogue between them is stilted. It's a tangible distance. This could be Pochoda's way of emphasizing the fact that they really didn't know each other when they got married. I just haven't decided if it works for me.

On the other hand, Pochoda's brand of magical realism is enough to keep me flipping pages. While I'm tempted to compare this book to Sarah Addison Allen's writing, that would be somewhat misleading. Allen is far sweeter and Pochoda a little more raw. Toby pulls objects out of thing air, conjures wonders from the natural world, and can see pockets and channels through dimensions to do his magic. Mel, in all her ordinary existence, hears music and sees the stories behind the fabrics she comes in contact with. It's a weird "power," but it's also really charming in the context of the book. It sounds all good and fine, but on the flip-side, Toby is haunted by the assistant he made disappear and couldn't get back. Mel is haunted by the brother who left.

Toby is often troubled by his abilities. Mel often wonders over the decisions she's made and her new husband's motivations. While I find some bits of the writing unbelievable, I am enjoying this book enough to finish. Pochoda has created a great premise, and I hope the rest of the book delivers.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for giving me a crack at this novel!

Win A Copy of The Art of Disappearing!

If you'd like to win your own copy of the book, leave a comment below! I will draw the winner on Monday, October 18th. It will arrive in your hands via the publisher.



Giveaway Winners!

I'm a little behind as I'd planned to draw for my giveaway winners on Saturday. My apologies for keeping you all waiting. Here are the lucky recipients!

The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood - Courtney from Stiletto Storytime!
The Season of Second Chances by Diane Meier - Elisabeth!
Once Dead, Twice Shy and Early to Death, Early to Rise by Kim Harrison - Mandy from She Reads!
A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon - R. from Mrs. O'Dell Reads (not sure if she regularly publishes her first name!)

Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing. You're doing me a great service by getting these books out of my living room floor. I expect to have another box soon!

Giveaway Winners!

I'm a little behind as I'd planned to draw for my giveaway winners on Saturday. My apologies for keeping you all waiting. Here are the lucky recipients!

The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood - Courtney from Stiletto Storytime!
The Season of Second Chances by Diane Meier - Elisabeth!
Once Dead, Twice Shy and Early to Death, Early to Rise by Kim Harrison - Mandy from She Reads!
A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon - R. from Mrs. O'Dell Reads (not sure if she regularly publishes her first name!)

Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing. You're doing me a great service by getting these books out of my living room floor. I expect to have another box soon!

Get These Books Out of My Living Room (Giveaway)

It's just as it sounds. I've started a box of books to be gotten rid of. It's currently living at the foot of the bookshelves in my living room, and I'm tired of stepping over it. I have the following books up for grabs. Add your info to the form below, and I'll choose winners next Saturday, August 21st. Feel free to enter to win one or all of the books. It's up to you!

All of these are gently used ARCs except A Spot of Bother. It's from the used bookstore but in good shape.

The loot:

• The Poison Diaries, by Maryrose Wood (book 1)
• The Season of Second Chances, by Diane Meier
• A Spot of Bother, by Mark Haddon
• Once Dead, Twice Shy and Early to Death, Early to Rise, by Kim Harrison (set)

Good luck!

Get These Books Out of My Living Room (Giveaway)

It's just as it sounds. I've started a box of books to be gotten rid of. It's currently living at the foot of the bookshelves in my living room, and I'm tired of stepping over it. I have the following books up for grabs. Add your info to the form below, and I'll choose winners next Saturday, August 21st. Feel free to enter to win one or all of the books. It's up to you!

All of these are gently used ARCs except A Spot of Bother. It's from the used bookstore but in good shape.

The loot:

• The Poison Diaries, by Maryrose Wood (book 1)
• The Season of Second Chances, by Diane Meier
• A Spot of Bother, by Mark Haddon
• Once Dead, Twice Shy and Early to Death, Early to Rise, by Kim Harrison (set)

Good luck!

And the winner is....

With all my ear drama (went to the doc, got drops, life is good), I almost forgot about the drawing!!!

Without further ado, my hardcover copy of Francesca Lia Block's short story collection, Blood Roses, goes to....

Iliana of BookGirl's Nightstand! Iliana, please e-mail me your new address!

Thanks to all of you who entered the drawing. I have lots of extra books piling up, so watch for another giveaway soon!

Blood Roses, by Francesca Lia Block AND a Book Giveaway!

I've been sort of hazy and flustered and overwhelmed for the last few days. Yesterday was especially swingin' since I received the e-mail about my School of Library Science (hereafter known as SLIS) acceptance, and shortly after I received notice that the school reconsidered my residency status and I'll actually be considered a Texas resident for tuition purposes (half the price, and since I'm paying out of pocket this go-round that's a LIFE SAVER). On the heels of my acceptance, and especially because I'm late coming to the program, I called my advisor. We had a great conversation, she got my classes planned for me for Fall, and we have a phone orientation today. What a day!

Anywho, by last night I was exhausted, headachey, and supremely tired from two--count 'em, TWO--workout walk/run sessions. I'm hopping back on the fitness train, but more about that later. In short, I felt like aquarium residue, the most unpleasant thing that comes to mind right now. While I'm loving Sharp Teeth, I just wasn't in the mood for it and didn't want to concentrate too hard, but I did have a very short story collection, Blood Roses by Francesca Lia Block, on my TBR. It's an ARC I received from HarperCollins, and it looked like just the right fix for my mood.

I've read one of Block's works, The Rose and the Beast, a wonky collection of fairy tale retellings. The blurb on Blood Roses describes it this way (because I'm too lazy to do my own blurb):

A giant with too much passion. An alien boyfriend. An angel with torn wings. Changelings flourish in Francesca Lia Block's collection of magic realist stories, nine tales of transformation, wry, riveting, revealing.

Any fan of children's and adolescent fiction has probably heard of the Weetzie Bat books; I haven't read them but am more enthused to do so now. It's been so long since I read The Rose and the Beast, I wasn't sure what to expect from Block's short stories, but the book is wayyy short, 129 pages, and I knew I could finish it in just an hour or so. Soooo, I tried it. I LOVED IT!

Block's storytelling, her characters in particular, are worthy of sympathy, highly emotional, and really lovely examples of the best in young adult stories. In one of my favorite stories, "Skin Art" Elodie Sweet, a typical "valley girl" is shopping with her friend Rachel when she runs into a tattoo parlor owner named Atila. Covered in tattoos and polar opposite from Elodie's assumed stuck-upedness Atila strikes up a conversation, asks to take some pics of the girls' outlandish outfits for his MySpace page, shows them his tats, and Elodie is immediately attracted to him. Atila assures her that she's too young for him (he's 24, she's probably 16 or 17), and goes on his way. Elodie develops a significant obsession with the man so much her opposite, and beautiful tattoos begin to appear on her body. Block writes:

...the tattoos kept coming. A Tibetan goddess was sitting cross-legged on the lotus flower. Butterflies swarmed around her. Stars hung over her head. Wild animals slept at her feet.

Elodie was not that big. The tattoos soon covered all of her slender back, shoulders and hips. One morning her arms wore lace sleeves. Morning glories and oleander blossoms were clambering over her shoulders toward her breasts. A pretty but lascivious-looking fairy with battish wings flew across her abdomen. Elodie put on a long-sleeved black turtleneck and drove out of the Valley, through Laurel Canyon, down Melrose to Atila's tattoo parlor.

Her detail is just great, and I felt like every story had something hidden to discover. In the case of "Skin Art" Atila gives up and sleeps with Elodie (kinda creepy, but no detail to wig me out further), and Elodie finds herself underwhelmed by the experience. The tats disappear almost overnight, and she forgets Atila quickly. It strikes me as a particularly nice metaphor as teens so often think their adolescent loves and obsessions are permanent (like a tattoo), when in actuality, once the initial rush is over they tend to fade quickly.

Blood Roses is full of striking metaphors and details. It's all woven together so nicely, and every story had something distinctly beautiful and affecting about it. I will definitely seek out more of Block's work, and if you're in the mood for a quick read, this is a great one.

ATTENTION: THOSE WHO LOVE BOOK GIVEAWAYS!

If you're interested, how about joining my GIVEAWAY! In addition to the nice ARC of Blood Roses I received, I also have a pristine hardcover copy that can be yours. Leave me a comment expressing your interest in the book, and I'll draw a winner on July 25th!

The Winner Is....

Sorry I'm a little late with this. Daisy had other plans for me at 8:00 this morning. Things besides drawing a winner. In fact, I believe she was asleep on my leg, and since she was still and calm, I opted not to disturb her.

But I digress...

The winner of a copy of The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming, is Stephanie of Confessions of a Book-a-holic!!!!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the drawing. I was afraid given the nature of this book--a topic that doesn't necessarily appeal to everyone--that there wouldn't be many entries. I'm tickled to see so many interested, and keep an eye out...there might be more bookish goodies--environmental or not--coming soon!

Sticky Post: Book Giveaway!

Leave a comment below to win a copy of The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming! Advertise the giveaway on your blog and your name goes in the hopper twice!

Drawing will be held Friday, April 25th at 8am eastern!

And the winner is....

The time to draw for the winner of a lovely copy of Timothy Findley's Pilgrim is here, and the winner is...

Kristy, from Just Another Blogger!!

Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing. There was a much bigger turnout than I expected. Keep an eye out, I've got lots of books and nowhere to put them, so I'm sure there will be another contest in the near future.

And if you're looking for more freebies, you can always check out the monthly "Door Prize" book giveaway at Estella's Revenge. This month's book is The Lost Constitution, by William Martin, so go enter before time is up!

***********************************

Just to report about everyday life, I have to say, I'm enjoying my last days of summer freedom. Tonight is adjunct faculty orientation at Far Away Community College, and I can't say that I'm looking forward to it. However, if I'm to look at the silver lining in this particular situation, it's a heck of a lot easier to find everything out in one night than trying to cull together all the bits of info that I wouldn't be getting otherwise. In the case of Really Close Community College I missed the orientation, and I'm culling as we speak.

I'm almost halfway through Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood, and I LOVE IT. Murakami's prose is so interesting! I don't know any other way to describe it than that. I know I'm probably the last person to jump on this respective book boat, but I'm glad I got some urging from a Shelfari group member to pick up some of his stuff. I'll save any in-depth thoughts for when I finish. And I'll certainly post some illustrative quotes to share the love.

For now:

Off to Really Close Community College to make some copies, turn in my syllabi, and pick up one of the books for the course.