In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren (www.thestorysiren.com). I'm not doing a vlog today because all my books this week were either Kindle books or from Net Galley for review.

From NetGalley




Caribou Island by David Vann
Chrissy's Shell by Brooke Keith
Crying Blood by Donis Casey
The Mermaid's Mirror by L. K. Madigan
The Cellar by A. J. Whitten
Wake of the Boatman by Jonathon Scott Fuqua
Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern
The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer
Night of the Vampires by Heather Graham
Loom by Therese Soukar Chehade
Hope Burned by Brent LaPorte
Those That Wake by Jesse Karp
Fiona Stolen Child by Gemma Whelan
Murder at Plain Sight by Marta Perry

For My Kindle:




The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

That's what's in my mailbox. What's in yours?

Top Ten Tuesdays

Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish (http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/). This week the topic is for Halloween this week and it is top ten 10 spooky/creepy/scary books. Here are mine:


10) Heartstopper by Joy Fielding: I found this book creepy because at certain points in the novel it is in the point of view of the killer. I always find stuff like that creepy just because I could never conceive of how someone can do something like that.



9) Heartsick by Chelsea Cain: I also found this book creepy because of the killer in the novel. The killer is a female and she find pleasure in torturing people and eventually cutting out their hearts. Gross!




8) Still Alice by Lisa Genova: This novel is scary for a different reason. The main character in this novel develops early onset Alzheimer's disease. The novel is told in the point of view of the woman with Alzheimers and I find it scary because it would horrible not knowing who the most important people in your life including yourself.




7) Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: This novel is told in the point of view of a girl who was killed by her neighbour. I found this emotionally scary. I couldn't even imagine having to go through this.



6) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Well this is a classic and it shoudn't be a surprise why it is on my top ten list.


5) The Strain by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo del Toro: I loved loved loved this novel. I find that there are many novels out there with "tamed" vampires. This novel brings it back to a carnal almost zombie type of vampire. Super creepy!



4) Lust Killer by Ann Rule: I read this true-crime book when I was in grade 9 and I was so disturbed by the things that human beings do to eachother. This man actually made paperweights from the breasts of the women he killed.




3) In Cold Blood by Truman Capote: I also read this book in grade 9 and it is a novel with a fictionalized version of a true life crime. Again I guess I find that killing another human being is so disturbing.


2) The Passage by Justin Cronin: I read this book over the summer and I loved it. It is a zombie novel and it focuses on the breakdown of civilization. It was super creepy but at the same time showed a bit of hope for the humans.


1) Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill: This book is high on the scare factor. It is a ghost story and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I read it.

Well there are mine... What are yours?

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

From the Publishers:

The sequel to the New York Times Best selling phenomenon, Hush, Hush!

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

My Review:

Well, I have to say I liked this book better than the first novel in the series. As stated in previous entries I have never been one for really reading a lot of YA but I thought I'd give it a try and I am really enjoying what I am reading. By the end of Hush, Hush I didn't quite know what to think of some of the characters in the books. Nora seemed a bit flat at times but in Crescendo I think Fitzpatrick has developed her character a little more. I love that Fitzpatrick writes her novels in the mindset of a teen. Many novels that I read with teens in them have these unbelievably mature teens who rarely fly off the handle. I like that Nora is guided by impulse and her emotions. I have to admit I was this way in high school.

One of my critisms of the novel though is that it seems to promote unhealthy relationships. Nora and Patch's relationship is anything but stable/healthy. In a way this relationship reminds me a bit of Edward and Bella in Twilight. I know you die hard Twilight fans will disagree but if you love someone you do not continue to push them away and that being said after so many times of being pushed away a girl needs to move on. (Even if the reason for pushing the girl away is that it's for her own good.) That's just a little pet peeve of mine in some of these novels.

That being said, I still quite enjoyed the book. Fitzpatrick is quite good at drawing the readers in. I will most definitely be going out to get the next installment of this series. The book ends on quite a cliffhanger and I actually thought my Kindle didn't download the whole book for a moment. I can't wait to see what happens next. My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

In My Mailbox (2)

IMM is a weekly meme from Kristi at The Story Siren (www.thestorysiren.com). Her site is amazing so don't just check it out for IMM.
Anyhow this is my first vlog so hopefully it works out.




From my Aunt:
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
The Last Stormlord by Glenda Larke
Stormlord Rising by Glenda Larke
The Hand of Justice by Susanna Gregory
Crowner Royal by Bernard Knight
A Plague on Both Houses by Susanna Gregory
206 Bones by Kathy Reichs
Vicious by Kevin O'Brien
9 Dragons by Michael Connelly
Mister X by John Lutz
Wicked Prey by John Sanford
Rough Country by John Sanford
The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell
Where the Dead Lay by David Levien
The Girl of His Dreams by Donna Leon
Torn Apart by Shane Gericke
Hard Stop by Chris Knopf

Bought:
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Une Journee a la Ferme by Kirsten Hall
Caillou decouvre les aliment
Je sais Lire by Louise Gikow
Je suis Gentil by David Parker

Kindle:
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

That's all in my mailbox this week. What's in yours?

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

From the Publishers:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

My Review:

I don't often read YA fiction but since browsing multiple book blogs I have noticed that this is a huge trend. Many blogs are based on YA and I thought I better find out what the fuss is all about. I have to say this book lived up to its hype. I couldn't put this book down and immediately ordered the second book in the series Crescendo as soon as I was done this book. I really liked Fitzpatrick's writing style. The book cover pretty much gives away the secret that Patch is some sort of fallen angel but I think Fitzpatrick did a good job of keeping he suspense and mystery around Patch's character. At times Nora drove me a bit bonkers; I just found myself yelling at her in certain situations. That being said, I do remember what it is like to be 16 years old and thinking you are on top of the world and invincible. You are definitely attracted to the unknown and mysterious and while in your brain you know you shouldn't pursue something you find yourself ignoring it anyhow. At this is how I was at the age of 16. I am curious to see how Fitzpatrick tops her first book. Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Booking Through Thursday

So here is the question this week:

Name a book (or books) from a country other than your own that you love. Or aren’t there any?

Well, since I'm Canadian I guess I could include American novels but I feel like that's a bit like cheating. I read a lot of Canadian literature and many of my favorite novels are by Canadians so I'm having a bit of trouble coming up with an answer. That being said, one of my favourite authors is Marian Keyes who hales from Ireland. I love the book Is Anybody Out There.
I also really like The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Hosseini now lives in the States but he is originally from Afghanistan so I think that should count as a book from another country as well. I realize now that I think I need to branch out and try reading some more foreign books. That is my goal for the next 6 months.

The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff

From the Publishers:

First in a brand-new urban fantasy series from the author of The "Blood" Books
The Gale family can change the world with the charms they cast, and they like to keep this in the family. Alysha Gale is tired of having all her aunts try to run her life, both personally and magically. So when the letter from her Gran arrives willing her a "junk" shop in Calgary, Alysha jumps at the chance. It isn't until she gets there that she realizes her customers are fey. And no one told her there's trouble brewing in Calgary-trouble so big that even calling in the family may not save the day...

My Review:
I have never read any of Huff's novels but I have to say that this book kept me intrigued. It is about a family who has magical powers. Allie gets called to Calgary to take over her grandmother's shop. While there, Allie gets mixed up with leprechauns, sorcerers and dragons. I found that I was pulled right into this magical world and always wanted to know what came next. The characters in this book are amazing. Throughout the novel Allie has a coming of age journey and really grows into a young woman. Her aunties are outrageous and over the top; the same can be said of her cousins. The only thing that turned me off a little with this book is that at times things were not fully explained. You have to assume you know what it is the author means at times. Even by the end of the novel I found myself with a few questions. It seems as thought this is the first book in a new series so I'm guessing Huff is leaving some mystery and intrigue so that you will read the rest of the series. I quite enjoyed the writing style of this novel and I am amazed at the author's creativity. I have her Blood Lines series and I'm looking forward to reading them. Overall I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.