Happy New Year!

Happy New year!

This is my first year blogging.  Technically, I started like, June, but 2012 will be my official second year!  Whoo-hoo!!!!

Follow Friday (16)

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Question of the Week: The New Year is here -- and everyone wants to know your New Years Blogging Resolution! What are you going to try to revise, revamp and redo for 2012 on your blog?

Um, I don't usually really do resolutions, but how about these:

Re-vamp by blog.  I'd love to get a new look... it probably won't happen, but I can hope.

Comment more.  I don't comment enough!!!!!!!

Well, that's it.

Happy Friday!

 

 

 

Toads and Diamond by Heather Tomlinson

Diribani has come to the village well to get water for her family's scant meal of curry and rice. She never expected to meet a goddess there. Yet she is granted a remarkable gift: Flowers and precious jewels drop from her lips whenever she speaks.

It seems only right to Tana that the goddess judged her kind, lovely stepsister worthy of such riches. And when she encounters the goddess, she is not surprised to find herself speaking snakes and toads as a reward.

Blessings and curses are never so clear as they might seem, however. Diribani’s newfound wealth brings her a prince—and an attempt on her life. Tana is chased out of the village because the province's governor fears snakes, yet thousands are dying of a plague spread by rats. As the sisters' fates hang in the balance, each struggles to understand her gift. Will it bring her wisdom, good fortune, love . . . or death?

I really and truly loved this book.  I know I say that a lot and often give books 4 and 5 out of five stars, but this is one of the few books I wish I could give a ten out of five.

It is a retelling of the fairy tale "Toads and Diamonds", as the title obviously suggests.  However, instead of a fairy who gives the two girls their "gifts", it's a goddess.  The girl who  speaks toads and snakes isn't cruel and jealous, but instead is slighty misguided.  The mother doesn't only love her daughter.  And the story takes place in a Indian-ish/African-ish place, and even though it is made up it feels like a historical fiction book.

This story had a wonderful plot, some tinges of romance, and amazingly developed characters.  I applaud Heather Tomlinson for writing such an amazing novel.  I can't wait to read her other books, and I would totally tell everyone to read this amazing book.

I give this book a 5/5 and would recommend it to lovers of fairy tales and practically everyone else.

Market: YA
Language: None/Mild (um, does the word crap count?)
Sensuality: None
Violence: Mild

Under My Tree: AKA In My Mailbox (12)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted at The Story Siren.  Under My Tree is a modified Christmas version.

 

 

This year for Christmas I got:

 

 Dragon's Bait by Vivian Vande Velde

Icefall by Mathew Kirby

Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen

Cloaked in Red by Vivian Vande Velde

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman

Home for the Holidays by Heather Vogel Frederick

Witch and Wizard: The Fire by James Patterson

The Death Cure by James Dashner

Don't Expect magic by Cathy McCullough

Lost In the Labrynth by Patrice Kindl

Artemis the Loyal by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

Plus, on my Kindle:

So, all in all, I'm a very happy girl:)

Merry Christmas (Eve)

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!

Or, Christmas Eve, I guess.  Though I personally enjoy Christmas Eve better, because my family celebrates Christmas the German way, which pretty much means we open all the gifts from our family on Christmas Eve.  In fact, my Grandparents and Aunt should be getting here soon!

The animated version is SO much better!

So, Merry Christmas!  Or any other holiday you celebrate (Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.).

I hope you get every book on your wish list:):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Follow Friday (15)

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Question of the Week: If you had to spend eternity inside the pages of a book which book would you choose and why?

Well, the obvious answer is Harry Potter.  Besides that, I would choose Percy Jackson,  or The Books of Bayern (Shannon Hale) because the world is amazing.  I also just finished a book called How To Ditch Your Fairy, and the world they live in is doos (super-mega awesome:))

Merry Christmas/Whatever other holiday you celebrate!

2012 Mythology Challenge

Hi!  I'm entering the 2012 Mythology Challenge, hosted by For Those About To Read, and this is my introductory post!!!!  Pretty much, here are the rules:

You have to read 10 books about mythology, whether they are Norse, Greek, Egyptian, etc.

to sign up!

• The challenge will run from January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012.

• You can join anytime by filling out the form below

• Books must be read in 2012

• If you are a blogger, you must write a sign-up post that links back to this challenge page (Please use the image above in the post).

• If you are not a blogger, just leave a link to your account on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, LibrayThing, etc.

Not sure what to read? Check out the YA Mythology Challenge Goodreads List

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Make sure if your going to enter to GO HERE

Waiting On Wednesday (13)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

This week I am waiting for:

A choice between love and survival . . .
Lucy's family is excited to spend the summer in Bar Harbor, Maine. Her minister father is pleased to preside over such a prestigious congregation, and his social-climbing wife is ecstatic at the chance to find a rich husband for her daughter.
Yet Lucy wants nothing to do with the Bar Harbor social scene; she's simply excited to spend the summer by the sea, watching the waves from her favorite spot on the cliff. Despite having never gone swimming, Lucy feels an intense connection to the ocean, and meets a handsome ship-builder who shows Lucy a world she's never known, yet somehow always longed for.
However, her mother will stop at nothing to keep Lucy and the ship builder apart, even if it means throwing Lucy into the arms of a wealthy man with a dangerous secret. Can Lucy break free and embrace her destiny as a daughter of the sea? Or is she doomed to waste away in a gilded cage, slowly dying of a broken heart?


Why am I waiting for it?  Because the first two were awesome and I can't wait to see how this trilogy ends.  The first two left many loose ends and as this book is the last they will hopefully be tied.

Follow Friday (14)

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Question:  When you've read a book, what do you do with it? (Keep it, give it away, donate it, sell it, swap it..?)

I get most of my books from the library (my second home:) so I return them.

Of the books I own, I keep them.  Sometimes I'll let people borrow them, but I miss them so much when I do!  Especially when the people borrowing my babies are slow readers:(

Happy follow Friday!

Waiting On Wednesday (12)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

This week I am waiting for:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Why I'm waiting for it:

The cover, the description...I'm in love:)

The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller

Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia. Like the fingers on a hand--first headstrong Olga; then Tatiana, the tallest; Maria the most hopeful for a ring; and Anastasia, the smallest. These are the daughters of Tsar Nicholas II, grand duchesses living a life steeped in tradition and privilege. They are each on the brink of starting their own lives, at the mercy of royal matchmakers. The summer of 1914 is that precious last wink of time when they can still be sisters together--sisters that link arms and laugh, sisters that share their dreams and worries, and flirt with the officers of their imperial yacht.
This book was truly amazing and haunting at the same time. It took place during the Russian Revolution following the lives of the five Romanov children, Olga, Tatianna, Maria, Anastasia, and Alexei.

This book was so sad, and, well, heart-wrenching. The characters seemed so real, probably because they were, and you knew that the story was true. There were pictures of the family in the back of the book, which was both awful and nice at the same time.

It was very easy to connect to the siblings, especially the girls. They had animals they adored, family they loved, and yearned for life to be how it was before the revolution. They watched countless people die. At the beginning of the book and the revolution, they more of watched the misery and heard about it then be greatly affected by it. They tried to help the people and shorten the war. Then their father was abdicated, and their life suddenly got worse, until the end, then they DIED.

This book just goes to show you that real life isn't a happy ever after.
At first, even in the midst of a war, their lives were easy.  Sure, they knew what was happening, and they were helping in all ways they could, but what they did before their father abdictated was nothing compared to what happened to them next.

This story was heart wrenching.  It was not the kind of story to make you bawl, but I had tears in my eyes several times.  Little things - most having to do with Anastasia, because I know the most about her - wrenched my heart.  Such as when the girls are learning about people who impersonated dead monarchs, and Anastasia says that no one would be able to impersonate her. Or when she wishes people would not think of her as the ex-tsar's fourth daughter, but as Anastasia Romanov. I actually cried during the Christmas scene. They were all so happy, but at the same time, so sad. 

Also, I will never look the same way at Disney's Anastasia again.  Seriously!  What were they thinking!  It was so off, it wasn't even funny!

This book deserves to be read.  Although it was slow going, and I almost gave up on it in several occasions, I'm s glad I didn't.  It was so unlike any book I have ever read before.  It was sad, happy, fun, dark, and beautifully written.  Miller made it seem like the Romanov girls had actually written the book.  Their narratives felt so real, and you could feel their pain.

I give this book a 4/5 and would recommend it to lovers of history lovers, and anyone who is looking for a heart-wrenching read.

Market: YA
Language: Mild/Moderate
Sensuality: Mild/Moderate
Violence: Mild/Moderate
But in a gunshot the future changes for these sisters and for Russia.
 
As World War I ignites across Europe, political unrest sweeps Russia. First dissent, then disorder, mutiny, and revolution. For Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, the end of their girlhood together is colliding with the end of more than they ever imagined.
 
At the same time hopeful and hopeless, naive and wise, the voices of these sisters become a chorus singing the final song of Imperial Russia. Impeccably researched and utterly fascinating, this novel by acclaimed author Sarah Miller recounts the final days of Imperial Russia with lyricism, criticism and true compassion.
But in a gunshot the future changes for these sisters and for Russia.
 
As World War I ignites across Europe, political unrest sweeps Russia. First dissent, then disorder, mutiny, and revolution. For Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, the end of their girlhood together is colliding with the end of more than they ever imagined.
 
At the same time hopeful and hopeless, naive and wise, the voices of these sisters become a chorus singing the final song of Imperial Russia. Impeccably researched and utterly fascinating, this novel by acclaimed author Sarah Miller recounts the final days of Imperial Russia with lyricism, criticism and true compassion.

OMG! I have 101 followers! You guys rock!

Guess what?
I officially have 101 followers! 


Unfortunately due to the fact: A.  I'm not old enough to have a job, b.  My family doesn't do allowance (nay, we do a way cooler system that unfortunately doesn't help you), and c. What with it being the holidays and because I don't feel comfortable asking them to buy me a book to do a giveaway on my blog because they do a lot for me already, there will be no giveaway, though I promise as soon as I have the funds there will be.

Anyway, at risk of sounding like a speech made by those actors who always thank 'the academy', I still want to thank some people, such as Lulu from The Bookworm is Here, or Random Thinker 1, myself (yeah, I do follow me), and my mom, who have followed my blog since darn near the beginning.  Also, I want to thank Alison Can Read and Parajunkee for creating and awesome meme that is the source of most of my followers.  Also,authors, because without them I wouldn't have a blog.

Pretty much, what I'm trying to say is thank you for following. 

One more time...

Follow Friday (13)

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Question: Keeping with the Spirit of Giving this season, what book do you think EVERYONE should read and if you could, you would buy it for all of your family and friends?

A. I'm going to narrow it down into two categories, as some of my favorite books male readers wouldn't like.

The best female book that anyone could read, whether they are little or old, is.............

I love this book, and have since I first layed eyes on the cover.  Its actually a second in a trilogy, the third not yet released.  Now, this hurts me to say, but it isn't the best book out there.  However, it's the most perfectest book in the world:) Which, kind of contradicts...But anyway, its a great book, at least to me.  I'm kind of a fairy tale nut.

The book everyone should read is..........................................

Besides Harry Potter, the lovely book on your right, Percy Jackson.  Seriously, it has something for everyone.  Besides amazing writing and Greek Myths (which is a sure win), it has humor for boy, romance for girls, action for boys, and strong female character for girls...    Now if only I could get my brother to read it...

Well that's it!  Happy Friday!

  

Tuesdays At The Castle by Jessica Day George

Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. This delightful book from a fan- and bookseller-favorite kicks off a brand-new series sure to become a modern classic.





Jessica Day George is by far my favorite YA author out there.  Sure, I may like a few authors books more than hers, but I love everything she writes.

You can imagine my excitement when this book finally arrived on my doorstep (or mailbox, whatever).  And honestly, it didn't disappoint.

TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE was JDG's first MG novel.  I was a little scared going in.  I don't frequent MG (though favorite series' of mine that are not yet over or highly recommended MG books I do).  I was a little worried that this would be to different, and I wouldn't like it.  I shouldn't have worried.  Jessica Day George managed to create a lovely new fantasy world and a great new adventure.  Even though the MC was much younger than me, the book was enjoyable and the characters relatable.  I can't wait until the next book in the series.

I give this book a 5/5 and would recommend it to lovers of fantasy and adventure.  Don't not pick it up because it's MG!

Market: MG
Sensuality: None
Language: None
Violence: MIld

Follow Friday (12)

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Question: What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to books? Maybe you don't like love triangles or thin plots? Tell us about it!

All right, I have a few, so here goes:

1.  Weak Hero/ines.

A standard Pet Peeve.  Grow a spine, or leave please.

2.  Too Strong Hero/ines.

I know, the exact opposite of what I said above.  But I hate when the MC is strong and brave in the face of struggle.  I don't mind if they show it on the outside, but we have the honor of seing their thoughts, so why not make them have doubts or be scared?

3.  When characters have no character development.

Everyone changes, and when characters are going through whats thrown at them, they should at least be wiser at the end.

4.  When there isn't any romance.

I never used to be this way.  Now I am.

Book of the Month: December

First off, I just want to say sorry.  I haven't updated in like a week!  But to my defense there was Thanksgiving...Black Friday...We went to my Grandparents at the weekend and my laptop broke a few weeks ago so I have this old school desktop one...Christmas shopping...School is coming to the end of the semester, so I have semester tests to study for...

Anyway, you guys probably don't care, so on the the post!

Book Of The Month is a monthly feature here, at Lost In A Book!  It is where you can show the book that you are most looking forward to coming out during the current month, or your favorite book that has been previously published during the month.

The book of the month is....

Whit and Wisty Allgood have sacrificed everything to lead the resistance against the merciless totalitarian regime that governs their world. Its supreme leader, The One Who Is The One, has banned everything they hold dear: books, music, art, and imagination. But the growing strength of the siblings' magic hasn't been enough to stop the One's evil rampage, and now he's executed the only family they had left.

Wisty knows that the time has finally come for her to face The One. But her fight and her fire only channel more power to this already invincible being. How can she and Whit possibly prepare for their imminent showdown with the ruthless villain that devastated their world-before he can truly become all-powerful?

 

In this stunning climax of the epic Witch & Wizard series, the stakes have never been higher-and the consequences will change everything.

Honestly a few months ago I didn't even know this book existed.  Now I wants it!