Koey is BACK!

SURPRISE COUSIE!

First of all,I would like to apologize to my cousin, Aik, for abandoning this blog for quite some time. In fact, I keep giving excuse that I don't have time to spare. But, I guess, for a bookaholic, you shouldn't say that to books. I really admire your spirit, couz. I wish I could learn that from you. Yes, I will try to adapt your habit. Don't worry I'm not kidding this time. =)

Secondly, I want to thank my cousin, Aik for managing this blog so well when I'm away. Thanks for making this blog so beautiful. Warning to readers - This blog is really addictive.

Also, I would like to announce that I have added some books for sale. Check it out!

There's more at books for sale. If you have any book you're interested in, you can contact me. I guess you know where to find me.

In case you don't, click here for my email.

Or you can follow me on twitter.

Check out my tumblr if you have one!

The End of Bookstores?

I found an interesting post online, thought I'd share:

What a week for bookstores! First, Borders in the US files for bankruptcy and then REDgroup over here in Australia (owners of Borders, Angus and Robertson, and Whitcoulls in NZ) goes into administration!

I am not sure what to think of this situation. Part of me is worried that this may be the beginning of the end for bricks and mortar bookstores, the other part says serve them right for charging such outrageous prices!

I mean, if you want to compete you need to be competitive. As it stands, both Borders and Angus and Robertson are pretty expensive places to shop. Last time I entered an Angus and Robertson store to buy a book, I was shocked to find it was $36. Dymocks were selling the same book for $30, Big W for $21.95 and Book Depository, $17.64. With prices like that, where would you buy that book from?

Not to mention the lack of customer service at Borders and Angus and Robertson stores. I was talking to a fellow book blogger about this today, and we agreed that customer service at these stores is pretty much non-existent.

You have to basically chase the staff around the store to ask a question and you are greeted with surly looks and a big *Sigh* that you would dare interrupt them while they are working.

It's not wonder REDgroup finds itself in such a bad position... and to make matters worse, Borders are not refusing to accept gift certificates unless the holder spends equal value to the certificate so they can redeem it.

Uuuum excuse me, Borders? You are telling your customers that although you have already taken the money for the certificate, you are going to charge your customers to redeem it?!

So I understand that they have gone into administration meaning they have no money... I get that. But they have ALREADY TAKEN THE MONEY FOR THE CERTIFICATES! Surely this is illegal? I am not an expert on these matters but this reeks of a money-grabbing scam.

I am happy I don't have a Borders gift certificate, but even if I did I think I would rather forfeit it than be forced to spend money to redeem it. Forcing customers to spend double is just wrong. Not to mention they are no longer accepting the use of gift cards on their online store (which is cheaper than their bricks and mortar store). They are not only forcing their customers to spend double, but to do so in store, hence spending even more!

Poor poor form, REDgroup. Poor form. Any support you may have had from consumers has pretty much been destroyed by this move. Enjoy the demise of your business.

From Me To You Award

From Me to You award
Thanks to Velvet from vvb32 reads for nominating me!

RULES:
Share 7 Things About Yourself
Pass This Award On To Other Bloggers

1. I love playing the piano. K-Drama OSTs, Transcribed songs, Self-improvised songs and Chopin's easier pieces.
   
2. I love reading modernized version of Shakespeare's stories. Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet...
   
3. I don't drink coffee - Surprising, eh?
4. I'm a night owl - You'll know that instantly when you see me, 'cos I'm the panda's distant relative.
5. I wish I have the gift of the gap. I've always admired those people who can always think of a witty, high EQ remark/comeback without offending anyone.
6. I wish I have the power to control time - make it stop, reverse, fast-forward...
   
7. I learned how Shakespeare saved his own grave from being hacked by tomb raiders - with a poem:

Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear
To dig the dust enclosed here.
Blessed be the man that spares these stones,
And cursed be he that moves my bones.

I'm passing this award on to:

Pure Imagination

My Bookish Ways
/- LA FEMME READERS -/
Candace's Book Blog
Frenetic Reader
Once upon a Twilight!

The Tainted Poet's YA Book Review
Steph Su Reads

The Hiding Spot
Badass Bookie

Book Review : Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

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Artemis Fowl (Paperback) by Eoin Colfer

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Puffin Books (March 7, 2002)
• ISBN-10: 0141312122
• ISBN-13: 978-0141312125
• Available at Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository
  

Twelve-year-old Artemis is a millionaire, a genius and above all, a criminal mastermind. But Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories -- they're dangerous! Full of unexpected twists and turns, Artemis Fowl is a riveting, magical adventure.

Artemis Fowl is a prodigious 12-year-old kid who has a mindset which is different from others. Because, you see, he's a criminal mastermind. (Boy, I love his name! It's sounds evil.) In an attempt to restore his family's fortune, Artemis concocts a cunning plan to hold a LEPrecon Unit Captain, Holly Short for ransom.

At first, I was intrigued by the idea of "criminal mastermind", and I wanted to know what was he actually planning to steal. The first two chapters were quite interesting - Artemis and Butler (Artemis' Giant-sized bodyguard) went to Ho Chi Minh City to get a copy of "The Book" which contains fairy secrets from a drunken sprite.

BUT, even though many are raving about how good this book is, I couldn't convince myself to actually like the scenes in which the fey people and their high-tech gadgets were spotlighted. Those things were just not my stuff.

In a nutshell, the story has an interesting premise, and I did enjoy reading it. But, as mentioned above, no trolls, leprechauns, faeries / super-advance gadgets for me. I'm sorry but I couldn't relate to how they look like. Blame my poor imagination for that! I'd recommend this book to those who enjoy adventures, ingenious plots and super gadgets.

Rating:

Eoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) is the New York Times best-selling author
of the blockbuster Artemis Fowl series as well as Airman; Half Moon
Investigations; The Supernaturalist; Eoin Colfer's Legend of... books;
The Wish List; Benny and Omar; and Benny and Babe. He was born in
Wexford on the southeast coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four
brothers were brought up by his father (an elementary school teacher,
historian and artist of note) and mother (a drama teacher). He first
developed an interest in writing in primary (elementary) school with
gripping Viking stories inspired by history that he was learning in
school at the time.

Giveaway Winner!

True Random Number Generator
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Result: 19

Congratulations, amandawk from Tales and Treats! You've won a signed hardcover copy of Michelle's upcoming novel, Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution + a pair of Marie Antoinette cupcake earrings! Please reply to my e-mail with your full name, address and signing preference (general / personalized) within 3 days or a new winner will be selected.

To those who are not lucky enough to win this book, please don't be sad, as there are more giveaways to come! And, you can still buy yourself a copy of the book as a treat! Check the online booksellers below to buy your favourite version of Madame Tussaud! Thanks for your support!

US Hardcover:

Amazon $13.71
The Book Depository $21.32
Barnes and Noble $13.57

UK Paperback:
The Book Depository $15.68

P/S: I will be passing your questions to Michelle, but I'm not sure if she'll be able to reply all of them as she is very busy right now. I will post the answers once she sends them to me. So stay tuned if you want to know her answer! You can subscribe via e-mail to The Bookaholics by entering your e-mail address in the widget on the right sidebar so that you don't miss anything great!

Released: Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

Madame Tussaud is now available at all leading bookstores and online book retailers. You can also enter to win a SIGNED copy on The Bookaholics HERE.

Madame Tussaud

Synopsis
Excerpt
Madame Tussaud Q&A

Michelle Moran was born in the San Fernando Valley, CA. She took an interest in writing from an early age, purchasing Writer's Market and submitting her stories and novellas to publishers from the time she was twelve. When she was accepted into Pomona College she took as many classes as possible in British Literature, particularly Milton, Chaucer, and the Bard. Not surprisingly, she majored in English while she was there. Following a summer in Israel where she worked as a volunteer archaeologist, she earned an MA from the Claremont Graduate University.

Michelle has traveled around the world, from Zimbabwe to India, and her experiences at archaeological sites were what inspired her to write historical fiction. She is the international bestselling author of Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen, and Cleopatra's Daughter. Her fourth novel, Madame Tussaud, was released on February 15, 2011.

US Hardcover:

Amazon $13.71
The Book Depository $21.32
Barnes and Noble $13.57

UK Paperback:
The Book Depository $15.68

Grab 1 and Give Me 1!

Hello my dear readers, I have something to tell you all. Recently, I won WEREling and Dark Moon by Steve Feasey, but the giveaway was for US/CA residents only. I did have a US address when I entered the giveaway, but then my US friend said she had some financial problems and is unable to send me the books from the US giveaways I win anymore. So, here's the deal:

1. I will have the books sent to your home.
2. You can read both of them if you like.
3. Please send either ONE of them to me.
4. You can keep the other one forever!



Anyone who's interested can e-mail me at aikychien(at)yahoo(dot)com
Please let me know a little about yourself, whether you're a book blogger or bookworm.

Requirements

• You are a US / CA resident
• You don't mind to mail 1 of the 2 books to me. International postage costs USD $8 - $10, depending on the weight of the book.
• You have a stable income.
• You love to read books!
  

Book Review : Case Closed?: Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science by Susan Hughes

Case Closed?: Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science
by Susan Hughes (Writer), Michael Wandelmaier (Illustrator)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 88 pages
• Publisher: Kids Can Press (August 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554533627
• ISBN-13: 978-1554533626
• Available at Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository
  

Egypt's first female pharaoh disappears around 1457 BCE -- was she murdered? Find out how DNA closes the case. The ancient Arabian Peninsula city of Ubar vanishes, seemingly without trace. Find out how old maps and modern space shuttles help solve the mystery. Sir John Franklin's 1845 expedition to find the Northwest Passage is never heard from again. Find out how spectroscopy points to some probable explanations. Case Closed? examines these and six other mysteries from ancient and modern times. Accompanied by photos, maps, diagrams and illustrations, this book reveals how modern science sheds new light on people, vessels and entire civilizations throughout history that simply vanished. In some cases, the mystery has been solved. In other cases, readers can examine the latest evidence and decide for themselves.

Case Closed? Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science is an amazingly interesting book which discloses the ways people solve ancient mysteries using modern-day Science and advanced technology. Although this book is oriented towards kids aged 8-12, I'm sure adults will also find this 88-page book engrossing, for it presents a bucketful of historical and scientific knowledge.

With her straightforward and highly-detailed explanations and the accompaniment of photos, maps, diagrams and coloured illustrations as evidences, Susan successfully creates a wonderful, entertaining book which guarantees fun and effective learning. We get to learn about mtDNA, for example, which is used to establish links between groups and civilizations, and to identify the time period a specimen may have come from. We also learn how people can manage to rediscover the Lost City of Ubar with high-end technologies and teamwork.

Cased Closed is a great book! I enjoyed this book thoroughly and will recommend it to everyone who is curious to find out the truths behind the 9 great mysteries! Pick it up, whether you're a science-loving kid, historical buff or a bibliophilic adult!

Rating:

Many thanks to Susan Hughes and Octavia Sloley from Corus Entertainment for sending me a hardcover copy of this book for this review.

Susan Hughes is a writer and editor, and has been writing children's books and articles for nearly twenty years. She writes both fiction and non-fiction. She is often asked to write a book on a topic she knows little about! So she does lots of research and briefly becomes an expert on that subject. Sometimes she works with experts, for example when she wrote about the Megalodon, the prehistoric shark, or Titanic. She lives with her three children, her boyfriend, and his two children. One of her favourite parts of the day is when all the kids come home after school and she gets to visit with them and hear stories about their day. You can read more about Susan on her website.

Currently Reading... #3

I'm currently reading Case Closed?: Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science by Susan Hughes (Author) and Michael Wandelmaier (Illustrator). It's really interesting and informative, and the illustrations are nicely drawn. The book itself is of good quality; it is a hardcover with 88 glossy pages. I'm sure any child would enjoy reading it. I will post my review for this book within this week.

Case Closed?: Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science

by Susan Hughes, Michael Wandelmaier

About The Book:

Egypt's first female pharaoh disappears around 1457 BCE -- was she murdered? Find out how DNA closes the case. The ancient Arabian Peninsula city of Ubar vanishes, seemingly without trace. Find out how old maps and modern space shuttles help solve the mystery. Sir John Franklin's 1845 expedition to find the Northwest Passage is never heard from again. Find out how spectroscopy points to some probable explanations. Case Closed? examines these and six other mysteries from ancient and modern times. Accompanied by photos, maps, diagrams and illustrations, this book reveals how modern science sheds new light on people, vessels and entire civilizations throughout history that simply vanished. In some cases, the mystery has been solved. In other cases, readers can examine the latest evidence and decide for themselves.

Available at Amazon / Barnes & Noble / IndieBound

Currently Reading... #2

I'm currently reading Artemis Fowl (Paperback) by Eoin Colfer. I like the sound of "child prodigy" and "criminal mastermind", but I think the fairy part more or less ruined my good impression of the book. Take a look at the cover and blurb below:

Twelve-year-old Artemis is a millionaire, a genius and above all, a criminal mastermind. But Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories -- they're dangerous! Full of unexpected twists and turns, Artemis Fowl is a riveting, magical adventure.

Book Review : Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Poison Study (Study, #1) by Maria V. Snyder

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Mira; Original edition (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778327116
• ISBN-13: 978-0778327110
• Available on Amazon / Barnes & Noble

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace-- and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison. As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear....

I simply cannot express how much I love this masterpiece. Thrilling and suspenseful, this novel keeps readers guessing what will happen in the next chapter. It infuses me with anticipation and fear for the main character, Yelena, who seems to be facing a lot of trouble and perils, with herself at the center of them all. I prayed for her survival, and was curious how would she solve the problems.

Her handsome and strict mentor, Valek, is an assassin. Being a master of basic survival and combat, Valek possesses extraordinary wit and fighting skills. As the master-apprentice relationship between Yelena and Valek evolves into something more passionate, they also find out that one of the generals in the country is secretly planning a Coup d'état to overthrow the current leader of the country --- the Commander.

As the story goes on, secrets are unveiled and hidden pasts rediscovered. I'm in awe of the author's excellent storytelling skills and her creativity in weaving such a wonderful story filled with twists and turns. Trust me, you must read this book - it's awesome!

Pros: Everything about this book is good, I can't wait to read book 2!

Cons: None that I can think of.

Rating:

Read my review of Magic Study (Study #2) by Maria V. Snyder

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria V. Snyder attended 12 years of catholic school before going to Penn State University to study Meteorology. Earning a Bachelors of Science degree in Meteorology, Maria discovered, much to her chagrin, that forecasting the weather wasn't one of her skills. She found employment in the environmental field as an air quality scientist, and it was during those years that she began writing. After writing many science fiction short stories, Maria started Poison Study, her first novel about a food taster.

Achievements of note for Poison Study include:

• Won the 2006 Compton Crook Award for best debut novel from the Baltimore Science Fiction Society
• Won the 2006 Reader's Choice Award from the Salt Lake County Library System
• Won Cover Cafe's 2007 Cover Art Contest (Trade paperback edition)
• Won Paperback of the Year from the Wirral Schools in the United Kingdom (wirral-libraries.net)