The Bookaholics

Book Review : How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation (How to Ruin, #3) by Simone Elkeles

2012-01-29T05:47:00.000-08:00

How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation (How to Ruin, #3) by Simone Elkeles
Paperback, 257 pages

Published November 1st 2009 by Flux

Guess who's jetting to the Holy Land this summer!

Remember me, Amy Barak-Nelson—a.k.a the queen of disaster? In case you forgot, my boyfriend Avi is in the Israeli army. A visit is definitely in order.

Somehow my grandmother convinced me to sign up for two weeks of pure hell in a military training base. Getting up before dawn, peeing in a hole, and playing war games in the desert isn't my idea of fun. But what's worse? Our team leader turns out to be Avi!

Amy plans to give Avi a surprise by signing up for the military boot camp in Israel. However, when she realizes that they are not going to have a happy reunion consisting of kisses and endless two-person time together, she is devastated. Worse, she finds out that boot camp isn't a relaxing trip, but rather a place which consists of unsanitary wash rooms, hot bedrooms and many grueling activities aimed to push one's physical limits.

In How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation, Simone Elkeles gives readers the satisfaction of seeing Amy going all the way to Israel to seek her beloved Avi. Even though Amy seems immature and bitchy most of the time, she is actually a good person. She tries her best to help her friend Miranda to get over her crush with Nate by encouraging her to try befriend a fellow soldier at the camp, who is an American-Jew.

After the intensive trainings in boot camp, Amy eventually becomes more matured and her fighting spirit is stimulated until it reaches a peak. She gradually understands Avi's commitment and passion towards protecting his country and develops a new-found respect towards her boyfriend.

Rating:

Simone was raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and then Loyola University-Chicago where she earned a Master’s of Science in Industrial Relations while working for a manufacturing company creating diversity programs for their employees. In her spare time she’s a hockey mom and an active Girl Scout leader specially trained in outdoor education. She also spends time mentoring other teen and adult authors.

Book Review : How to Ruin My Teenage Life (How to Ruin, #2) by Simone Elkeles

2012-01-22T18:34:00.000-08:00

How to Ruin My Teenage Life (How to Ruin, #2) by Simone Elkeles

Paperback, 281 pages

Published June 1st 2007 by Flux

In this sequel to How to Ruin a Summer Vacation, EVERYTHING in sixteen-year-old Amy Nelson Barak's life is going wrong! Her mom got married and moved to the suburbs, and now they are going to have a baby. Amy moves in with her dad in Chicago and signs him up for an online dating service. His first four dates are that night . . .

What else? Her dog Mutt impregnated her grumpy neighbor's prized poodle, so Amy will actually have to get a part-time job to pay for half the veterinary bill. And there's this totally annoying boy, Nathan Rubin, who just moved into her apartment building. Luckily, Amy has a cute boyfriend named Avi. Only he's more like a non-boyfriend considering Avi is in the Israeli army for the next three years.

What's a girl to do when everyone is conspiring to ruin her life?

How to Ruin My Teenage Life is the second book about Amy Nelson-Barak, who comes back to America after the summer vacation ends. Amy misses her Israeli non-boyfriend, Avi Gefen, but she seldom gets to call him on the phone and writes him letters, much less meet him in person.

Her new neighbour, Nathan turns up, miraculously, to be the new transfer student in her school. Too bad they don't get along with each other too well. Meanwhile, Amy's mother is officially married to her stepdad, Marc with a 'c', and is now expecting a new baby.

I don't deny that sometimes Amy acts like a snob, but she's actually a nice person inside. She really cares about her best friend Jessica, and tries her best to help Jessica when she's down and blue. The new boy, Nathan, looks like a geek with his outdated outfit and also his slippery nerd-like glasses. Although he seems uncaring, he actually has a big secret which he never tells anyone.

In How to Ruin My Teenage Life, Amy Nelson-Barak learns the real value of friendship - how friends should help and support each other through hard times. She also strengthens her love relationship with her non-boyfriend Avi Gefen, the hot Israeli hunk who is now her official boyfriend. Though not as amazing as the first book, it's still a likeable novel with its themes of family, love and friendship. And as always, Simone Elkeles humours me with her clever words.

Rating:

Book Review : The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba

2012-01-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba
Hardcover, 270 pages
Published October 1st 2009 by William Morrow

William Kamkwamba, the youthful author of this book, was born in Malawi, an African nation best known for its harrowing poverty, its AIDS epidemic, and its long-term food crisis. In 2001, William was just 14 years old when the country was struck by the greatest famine within memory. With his family now too poor to pay his $80-a-year tuition, this eager learner was forced to leave school. Against those staggering odds, he continued to read, learn, and experiment. Inspired by a few old school textbooks, he devised a primitive working windmill, cobbled together from bicycle parts, blue-gum trees, and other makeshift scraps. With his homemade invention, he gave his family and himself electricity and a new start. Inspiring and refreshing as the wind.

I started reading this book last year, but had to stop it halfway through because of my upcoming SPM exam. After the exam, I forgot about it until an online chat with a fellow friend on Facebook. I instantly picked up this book and continued to read where I last stopped. Good thing I put a bookmark inside.

The first half of the novel focuses on the situation in Malawi: poor farmers shedding their sweat and tears in their crops, politicians giving empty promises, famine striking the country once in a while and killing thousands, children couldn't continue their studies due to the expensive fees, uneducated people preferring to consult a magician instead of a doctor when they fall sick... the list goes on and on.

William is a normal boy who suffers the fate of most of the Malawians - he comes from a poor family whose parents are unable to send him to school for a long time. The cost is just too high for them to burden. However, instead of giving up, William chooses to go to the library to learn by himself. At first, he struggles to grasp English, but he chooses to reread the pages again and again until he is finally able to understand the meanings. He is very interested in Physics, and the book he found in the library proves to change his life in a way that he can never imagine. He learns about windmills - how they are used to generate electricity. With his understanding of the Physics concepts and his willingness to pick through junk to find the hidden gems, along with the support from his helpful friend, he manages to build a mini windmill which actually works - his first taste of success.

Following more success and a few failures, he eventually receives recognition internationally. He has the chance to continue his studies and visit other countries to learn about their technology. Going back to his country, he vows to make Malawi a better place in the future with his skills and knowledge. I loved how inspiring this book is, and a sentence that William mentioned in this book grips me entirely: If you want to do something, all you have to do is try.

Every teenager should read this amazing book and learn how knowledge, hard-work, perseverance and determination can make a difference.

Rating:

William Kamkwamba was born August 5, 1987 in Malawi, and grew up on his family farm in Wimbe, two and half hours northeast of Malawi’s capital city. William was educated at Wimbe Primary School, completing 8th grade and was then accepted to secondary school. Due to severe famine in 2001-2002, his family lacked funds to pay $80 in school fees and William was forced to drop out in his freshman year. For five years he was unable to go to school. Rather than accept his fate, William borrowed books from a small community lending library, including an American textbook Using Energy, which depicted a wind turbine. He decided to build a windmill to power his family’s home. First he built a prototype, then his initial 5-meter windmill out of a broken bicycle, tractor fan blade, old shock absorber, and blue gum trees. He was able to power four light bulbs and two radios, and charge neighbors’ mobile phones. He then added a car battery for storage, as well as homemade light switches and circuit breakers. Subsequent projects have included clean water, malaria prevention, solar power and lighting for his family compound, a deep water well with a solar powered pump, a drip irrigation system, and the outfitting of the village team Wimbe United with uniforms and shoes. In September, 2008, William started as one of 97 inaugural students at the African Leadership Academy, a new pan-African prep school based outside of Johannesburg, South Africa whose mission is to educate the next generation with rigorous academics, ethical leadership training, entrepreneurship and design (africanleadershipacademy.org).

Book Review : Storm Glass (Glass, #1) by Maria V. Snyder

2012-01-15T04:45:00.000-08:00

Storm Glass (Glass, #1) by Maria V. Snyder

Paperback, 504 pages

Published July 17th 2009 by Mira Books

Untrained. Untested. Unleashed. With her unique magical abilities, Opal has always felt unsure of her place at Sitia's magic academy. But when the Stormdancer clan needs help, Opal's knowledge makes her the perfect choice - until the mission goes awry. Pulling her powers in unfamiliar directions, Opal finds herself tapping into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. Now Opal must deal with plotters out to destroy the Stormdancer clan, as well as a traitor in their midst. With danger and deception rising around her, will Opal's untested abilities destroy her - or save them all?

Storm Glass circles around Opal Cowan, a glass maker who did not realize her potential for magic at the beginning of the novel. If you can recall, Opal is a minor character in the Study series, the one who lost her sister to a murderous blood magician who tortures and kills his victims before injecting their blood in his skin to increase his own power. She might not be as clever and multifaceted as Yelena, but she has her own talents, which is making glass animals that enables magicians to communicate with each other with the spark of magic trapped within.

In Storm Glass, Opal and her mentor Master Magician Zitora were sent on a mission to investigate the truth behind the failing glass orbs created by the Stormdancer clan as these things, unable to contain the power of the storm, have been bursting and killing a few Stormdancers. She finds herself getting interested with one of the Stormdancers - Kade, but her very presence seems unbearable to him.

The starting is a little too slow according to my standards, but it is still tolerable as facts are thrown in time to time to reveal pieces of puzzle that will finally make up the whole story. The romance between Opal and Kade is not really clear and obvious. It is true that there is some attraction between those two, but Kade always shuts himself off to the world since the death of her sister. Ulrick, the son of a famous glass maker, on the other hand, is a protective bear - he clearly has some interest in Opal, but her mind is solely on Kade.

Storm Glass has all the usual elements present in Maria V. Snyder's books - suspense, intrigue, romance, betrayal, and the ingenious plot twists. Following the adventures of Opal Cowan, this book is a good start to the Glass series. Even though our heroine here is not as clever or multifaceted as our beloved Yelena from the Study series, I still admire her courage and strength. Opal has low self-esteem, she is a little slow (meaning not so clever) and she is indecisive in matters of love. (Not that we can blame her, given Kade's trademark I'm-not-interested-in-you-but actually-I-do actions. Sometimes even I feel like slapping some sense into him.) Opal is definitely a flawed person, but that is what makes her special.

Rating:

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.

The Great Rafflecopter Giveaway!

2012-01-10T04:06:00.001-08:00

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please enter my name: Aik as referral if you're entering via my blog or decide to enter the giveaway after seeing this post. Thanks!

Note: This giveaway is fully sponsored by Rafflecopter, and I hold no responsibility in any part of this giveaway.

Study .5 Books

2012-01-08T03:39:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you know how much I loved Maria V. Snyder's Study series. I found some .5 books from the Study series a few days ago which are free for readers to read and browse. (These books are also available for free at Goodreads and Maria's website). I wanted to share this good news with Study lovers who haven't discovered these wonderful gems, so here you go:

Assassin Study (Study #1.5)

Download for iPad/iPhone (1.58 MB)
Download for NOOKcolor (993 KB)
Download for Literati/Kobo (610 KB)
Download as pdf. file (331 KB)

Power Study (Study, #3.5)
Download for all devices (41 KB)
Download as pdf. file (138 KB)

Ice Study (Study #3.6)
Download for iPad/iPhone (3.41 MB)
Download for NOOKcolor (1.96 MB)
Download for Literati/Kobo (1.18 MB)
Download as pdf. file (242 KB)

Book Review : The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner

2012-01-07T00:10:00.000-08:00

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner

Paperback, 416 pages

Published January 6th 2011 by Hodder Paperbacks
Available on Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Synopsis

The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess.

So reveals Catherine de Medici in this brilliantly imagined novel about one of history’s most powerful and controversial women. To some she was the ruthless queen who led France into an era of savage violence. To others she was the passionate savior of the French monarchy. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner brings Catherine to life in her own voice, allowing us to enter into the intimate world of a woman whose determination to protect her family’s throne and realm plunged her into a lethal struggle for power.

The last legitimate descendant of the illustrious Medici line, Catherine suffers the expulsion of her family from her native Florence and narrowly escapes death at the hands of an enraged mob. While still a teenager, she is betrothed to Henri, son of François I of France, and sent from Italy to an unfamiliar realm where she is overshadowed and humiliated by her husband’s lifelong mistress. Ever resilient, Catherine strives to create a role for herself through her patronage of the famous clairvoyant Nostradamus and her own innate gift as a seer. But in her fortieth year, Catherine is widowed, left alone with six young children as regent of a kingdom torn apart by religious discord and the ambitions of a treacherous nobility.

Relying on her tenacity, wit, and uncanny gift for compromise, Catherine seizes power, intent on securing the throne for her sons. She allies herself with the enigmatic Protestant leader Coligny, with whom she shares an intimate secret, and implacably carves a path toward peace, unaware that her own dark fate looms before her—a fate that, if she is to save France, will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, her reputation, and the passion of her embattled heart.

From the fairy-tale châteaux of the Loire Valley to the battlefields of the wars of religion to the mob-filled streets of Paris, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is the extraordinary untold journey of one of the most maligned and misunderstood women ever to be queen.

Review

The opening line of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is simple yet powerful: "The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess."

Well, I have to say that I'm glad I had the chance to read this book, because it's amazing. Before reading this novel, I knew nothing of Catherine de Medici. To make sure that I have a vague idea of what I'm reading, I googled about Catherine de Medici. Turns out, she's a prominent historical figure in France. To be precise, she's the mother of the last three Valois kings of France, a major force in French politics during the 30 years of Roman Catholic-Huguenot wars and the instigator of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Her acts earned her the nicknames of Madame La Serpente and The Black Queen among many others.

At a young age, Catherine de Medici was married off to King Henry II of France. She was optimistic towards her new life in her newly-adopted country, but her optimism did not last for long when she realized that her husband had no interest in her at all and preferred to shower favours on his chief mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who was about twice his age. Even though her husband never neglected their utmost duty - to produce heirs to the throne, she was overwhelmed by loneliness and sadness when she learned that to him, she was merely a breeding mare and nothing else.

After her husband died, Catherine acted as the regent on behalf of her son and held great power. However, she feared that the noble figures in court would trigger an uprising to overthrow the current ruler of France - the royals. She constantly faced complex and daunting problems - the conflict between the Catholics and the Protestants being the main problem. Desperate to keep the Valois monarchy on the throne, she set various policies to ease the tension between the two conflicting parties in religion. However, when things got out of control, she was determined to protect the throne of France at all costs.

To many, she may seem to be the representation of evil itself, but The Confessions of Catherine de Medici deems otherwise. Under Gortner's expert pen, we see a hidden facade of the queen herself; we observe the heartaches, the pain, the despair and the sadness of a queen who struggles alone to defend the throne of France. The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is a powerful appeal for the queen, who, with the burden of the throne of France on her shoulders, is forced to do what is best for the country - even if it means betraying her own heart.

Rating:

About The Author

C.W. GORTNER holds an MFA in Writing with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies from the New College of California.

In his extensive travels to research his books, he has danced a galliard in a Tudor great hall and experienced life in a Spanish castle. His novels have garnered international praise and been translated into thirteen languages to date. He is also a dedicated advocate for animal rights and environmental issues.

He's currently at work on his third novel, about Isabella of Castile, and the second novel in his Tudor series,The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles (US) or Elizabeth's Spymaster (UK).

Half-Spanish by birth, C.W. lives in Northern California.

Book Review : Angelfire (ARC) by Courtney Allison Moulton

2012-01-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Hardcover, 453 pages

Published February 15th 2011 by HarperCollins / Katherine Tegen Books
Available on Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Synopsis

First there are nightmares.
Every night Ellie is haunted by terrifying dreams of monstrous creatures that are hunting her, killing her.

Then come the memories.
When Ellie meets Will, she feels on the verge of remembering something just beyond her grasp. His attention is intense and romantic, and Ellie feels like her soul has known him for centuries. On her seventeenth birthday, on a dark street at midnight, Will awakens Ellie's power, and she knows that she can fight the creatures that stalk her in the grim darkness. Only Will holds the key to Ellie's memories, whole lifetimes of them, and when she looks at him, she can no longer pretend anything was just a dream.

Now she must hunt.
Ellie has power that no one can match, and her role is to hunt and kill the reapers that prey on human souls. But in order to survive the dangerous and ancient battle of the angels and the Fallen, she must also hunt for the secrets of her past lives and truths that may be too frightening to remember.

Review

Ellie is a typical seventeen-year-old teenage girl. Well, that part is true until she meets Will, a handsome stranger whose face looks strangely familiar to her. Turns out, Will is her Guardian, and Ellie is the Preliator, a being destined to fight evil to prevent the Apocalypse and save humanity.

The concept of Angelfire isn't new to me, as angel-themed books, both fallen angels and vice versa, have been flooding the YA market since the birth of Hush, Hush (which I loved) and Fallen (which I despised). The novel, which spans a thickness of 453 pages, is actually a bit too long for me. I think some of the parts can be omitted as they are not really needed in the novel.

Something I want to comment is the romance between Ellie and Will. I don't really feel the chemistry between them. Sure, they have been partners for many times in the last 500 years, and Will has sworn to protect Ellie with his life, but I just don't feel their immense love for each other.

Angelfire has lots of kick-ass fighting scenes, in which Ellie and Will battle the evil reapers - monsters which consume human's flesh and soul. Ellie and Will, along with fellow angelic reaper Nathaniel, plan to throw the locked-up-in-a-sarcophagus Enshi, or the giver and taker of life, overboard into the depths of the deep blue sea so that Bastian and his thugs cannot get their hands on the ancient evil that is sealed within and trigger the Apocalypse.

Angelfire is action-packed, and I'm sure those who love a butt-kicking heroine would greatly appreciate this novel. The ending, though a little anti-climatic, will leave you in awe with The Preliator. That is, if she is in a movie with cool music playing in the background.

Notable Quotes:

“I guess it's true that love makes you blind."
"No," my mom said. "It doesn't make you blind. You're very, very aware of everything about the one you truly love, whether you know it from what your eyes tell you or your heart. So no, love doesn't make you blind. It paralyzes you until you can't breathe or run away from it.”

Rating:

About The Author

Courtney Allison Moulton lives in Michigan, where she is a photographer and spends all her free time riding and showing horses. She has always loved reading about ancient mythologies, dead languages, and telling scary, romantic stories. ANGELFIRE is her debut novel. For more information about Courtney, visit her online at www.courtneyallisonmoulton.com.

Our Heroes:

Book Review : The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkle

2012-01-02T07:02:00.000-08:00

The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkle

Product Details

Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Compass Press (November 11, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0984786309
ISBN-13: 978-0984786305
Available on: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Synopsis

It's hard enough being a teenager under normal circumstances; imagine being orphaned, sent to live with an unfamiliar aunt-and learning that there really is magic in the world. Following the tragic death of her parents, Eren Donovan moves to Spruce Knoll to live with her aunt. Little does Eren know the entire town of Spruce Knoll is filled with so-called "channelers"-a magical group of people who immigrated to the small Colorado town when they were driven out of their own lands.

Channelers are tied to the fate of the world. As the world slowly dies, so do they-and they alone have the power to stop the destruction of Earth. Now, Eren learns she not only lives among them, but she is one. When she meets local boy Aiden, his charming tricks show her being a channeler isn't all bad; in fact, it's kind of cool. But is it Aiden's abilities or Aiden's looks that Eren finds so fascinating?

As Eren and Aiden's relationship blooms, so too does a mystery in Spruce Knoll. The town holds many secrets-and many enemies. It soon becomes apparent that the untimely death of Eren's parents was no accident and that her life might be in danger, too. Only time will tell if young, inexperienced Eren has the power to protect the people she has come to love.

Review

Being the first book in the Channeler series by debut author Heather McCorkle, The Secret of Spruce Knoll presents readers with a refreshingly new type of paranormal - one that concerns the Earth and its inhabitants - a magical group of people called "channelers".

In this novel, our protagonist Eren Donovan is a teenager who has recently lost her parents. She has no other choice but to move to a place called Spruce Knoll to live with her aunt. As she learns about her heritage and the different societies in the said community, she discovers that she is also one of the people with magical abilities, and that comes as both a surprise and a shock.

When she encounters a good-looking young man called Aiden, she realizes that being a channeler isn't too bad after all. It is later revealed that Aiden is an orphan as well, which makes Eren feel a deeper connection with him. As the story progresses, the plot thickens as well. Eren and her family members raise some suspicions about her parents' untimely death.

McCorkle captures the sweetness of Eren and Aiden's courtship, their sincere feelings for each other, and their differences, partly — but not only — because they are from different societies. Eren has been brought up in the city, and when she arrives in Spruce Knoll, the lack of "living necessities" (TV, cinema and such) surprised her to a certain degree. She is an outcast in school - almost no one wants to hang with her because of her "halfbreed" identity. As for Aiden, he is sweet and charming, but he holds a dark secret about himself. Aiden, being an Irish by birth, was adopted by a family from a different society since he was born. However, it seems that he hates it when Eren inquires about his family.

Even though this book is set in the world of adolescence, adults also play an important part - Aunt Sylvia always takes good care of Eren and is concerned of her well-being, Grandpa Zolin teaches Eren about their kind and gives her some exposure about the history of the different societies in Spruce Knoll. While being kind and loving, these adults are strict when it comes to Eren's relationship with Aiden. They young lovers are not allowed to overstep the limits of a healthy relationship.

The Secret of Spruce Knoll is a good introduction to the Channeler series, and I'm sure it will greatly appeal to fans of paranormal and young adult novels. Albeit being a work of fiction, this novel manages to highlight the importance of conserving and preserving the Earth - which earns some extra brownie points from me. However, the part where the teens (Eren and Aiden) channel together in their birthday suits more or less freaked me out. It just doesn't sound right to me.

Rating

Note of Thanks

I would like to thank Heather for sending me a copy of this book for this review.
Thanks, Heather!

About The Author

"I am an author of young adult fantasy, in all its many sub-genres. Helping other writers and supporting fabulous authors is my passion. When I'm not writing or surfing my social networking sites, I can be found on the slopes, the hiking trails, or on horseback. As a native Oregonian, I enjoy the outdoors almost as much as the worlds I create on the pages. No need to travel to the Great Northwest though, you can find me here, on my blog four days a week, and Monday night's on Twitter where I co-moderate the #WritersRoad chat with my good friend TS Tate."

Heather McCorkle's Online Connections
Blog :: Twitter :: Goodreads :: Facebook :: Critique Sisters Corner :: Scribblerati

Book Review : Air by J.D. Richard

2012-01-01T00:03:00.000-08:00

Air by J.D. Richard

Product Details

Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace; Lrg edition (November 3, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1466390514
ISBN-13: 978-1466390515
Available on: Amazon (Paperback) / Barnes & Noble, Diesel, Sony Reader Store, and Smashwords (E-book)

Synopsis

Prepare to feast your mind on the death defying, thrilling, and unexpected! Smarty and Speedy are two boys in the wrong place at the wrong time. They become the unwitting executors of a supernatural artisan's estate. Consequently, the two must flee in terror for their lives from a threat that is set upon them—which they cannot see or touch. Three years later Essie, a runaway, balks at inheriting her cousin's three-year-old son. She is sure that the way to deliverance from her drifter existence lies in attending the prestigious Mann University. Yet, the seemingly ordinary child, with an aura in the magic rings around his neck, and his insightful German shepherd protector defy that logic.

Review

Air is quite an interesting read, in which the author presents an entirely different paranormal element with skill and ease. I like how the author describes the situation when the main characters face trouble and the events which take place. However, I think some of the descriptions can be omitted, as it is not necessary for readers to know their every move.

Smarty and Speedy are two youngsters, who, I believe, will play a greater role in the second installment of this series. Though I do not understand the motive of the experiment run by Dr. Thomas Salvo which was attended by Essie and her "baby" (who is actually Juliana's son), I suspect that there might be an evil plot behind all these things. I'm curious about what would happen next. Hopefully Essie and little Henry can be safe from harm.

Air is targeted at middle grade and young adult readers. I find it quite enjoyable and easy to read with its large print. The author's use of language is excellent, and there are no mistakes in terms of grammar, spelling and sentence structure. Furthermore, the content is clean, so it would be suitable for young readers. The only drawback is that the book cover looks a little strange. It would be better if the cover has something that depicts the title or a scene in the book, such as Juliana's power releasing in the flames.

Rating:

About The Author

"In grade school my love of reading carried over to a secret resumed after 8:00pm by night light. My mother's expansive garden with every good thing from strawberries to strawberry popcorn, the rusty old station wagon that magically cranked up on frigid mornings, and looking up to the princess that fought the dark side on movie screens were further inspiration. It all helped me to see past bad days and growing pains and to strive to rise above indignities to the tune of 90th percentile SAT scores and completed undergraduate studies at Indiana University--the unintended side effect of my secret practice. "

You can buy the 99¢ ebook at Barnes & Noble, Diesel, Sony Reader Store, and Smashwords OR the large print paperback at Amazon. Visit the author's blog HERE.

In My Mailbox (Christmas Edition)

2011-12-29T06:50:00.000-08:00

Air by J.D. Richard

Synopsis

You can buy the 99¢ ebook at Barnes & Noble, Diesel, Sony Reader Store, and Smashwords OR the large print paperback at Amazon. Visit the author's blog HERE.

#2

The Secret Of Spruce Knoll: A Channeler Novel by Heather McCorkle

Synopsis

eBook and paperback available here:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Amazon Germany

Amazon France

Barnes & Noble
Powell's
Diesel-eBooks
eBook Mall
Books On Board

Visit the author's blog HERE.

#3

Tree of Cranes by Allen Say

Synopsis
As a young Japanese boy recovers from a bad chill, his mother busily folds origami paper into delicate silver cranes in preparation for the boy's very first Christmas.

* This book is for my little brother who turned 9 years old this 20th of December. He doesn't enjoy reading as much as me (he prefers computer games) but I hope I can instill some love for reading in him.

500 Follower Giveaway

2011-12-24T21:13:00.000-08:00

HTML code:

As promised, here's my 500 follower giveaway! Dear readers, thank you so much for your love and support all these while! I hope you'll like this giveaway.

Winner #1 (International) can choose between these two swag packs.

Young Adult (YA) Swag Pack

Adult Swag Pack

Winner #2 (Malaysia) can choose ONE (1) book of his/her choice from the list below. Books will be added from time to time. Some of the books are lightly read and some are new.

Children's

Young Adult

Adult

Signed copies: Cassidy Jones, Brigitta of the White Forest, Echoes, Secret Speakers, Freefall, Heist Society, Afterlight, Black Dust Mambo, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici.

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Book Review : Malaysian Tales: Retold & Remixed by Daphne Lee

2011-12-24T18:40:00.000-08:00

MALAYSIAN TALES: Retold & Remixed by Daphne Lee

Product Details

Paperback: 201 pages
Publisher: ZI Publications Sdn. Bhd.; First edition (June 10, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9675266201
ISBN-13: 978-9675266201
Available on: Amazon / Abe Books / Silver Fish

Synopsis

Fables and fairytales. Myths and legends. They are an integral part of our heritage; of the legacy of our forefathers. Handed down from generation to generation. Passed on by word of mouth. Lamplight stories that quietly and cleverly skirt that fine line between childish fantasy and profoundly penetrating philosophy. This stunning new collection features 16 classic tales as reimagined and retold by some of Malaysia s brightest raconteurs. They spin stories that are steeped as much in mythology and magic as they are in metaphysics. Fictions that delve deep into the power of history and fable, that open our eyes to their importance, that are a testament to the enduring nature of our oral tradition. These are tales so immersive, so enticing, so welcoming, that you ll never want to click your heels and wish for home.

Review

As this book consists of 16 individual stories, I will review them one by one.

A Little Warm Death by Karina Bahrin is a retelling of the legend of Puteri Sa'adong. When I looked at the title, I expected something that is related to murder or crime, but the story turned out to be something else, which was rather bland. 1 star.

The concept of Batu Belah by Zed Adam Idris is new and exciting, but I got confused by the identities of the protagonists. I thought Kenanga is a girl and Tanjung is a boy. But then, the author used the word 'she' when referring to Tanjung. Then, I realized that both the protagonists are girls, and lovers! So does that makes them lesbians? The story was quite refreshing, but the ending of the novel left me feeling bewildered once more. 2 stars.

Bawang Puteh, Bawang Merah by Fazlyn Abdul Malek preserves the charm of the traditional story of the same title while adding some clever twists to the story. In Fazlyn's version of Bawang Puteh, Bawang Merah, the half-sisters are good-natured and kind, but their mothers are always at each other's throats. A series of unfortunate events disrupts their once peaceful lives, but the sisters refuse to give in to their "fates". The story ends without a conclusion, leaving readers to ponder to fate of the sisters. Will they finally live happily ever after? 5 stars.

Don't F*ck with Mother Earth by Jeremy Chin was quite an enjoyable story. It circles around two heavenly princesses, Sania and Sejia who offered themselves to come down to Earth to save the ecosystem. However, they made a huge mistake and had to pay a huge price for their mistakes. 4 stars.

Endless Night by Daphne Lee is told from the point of view of Puteri Gunung Ledang, who is much yearned by the Sultan of Melaka. The Sultan is so obsessive of her that he is willing to fulfill her wanton requests: build her a bridge of gold and silver, collect a few jars of tears and even offer a bowl of his newborn son's blood, but all these do not matter even the least to her. 3 stars.

Mahsuri by Preeta Samarasan tells us of a Malay woman who is betrayed by her husband but has to bear the blame of adultery instead. A guy called Dharma liked her, but he never cross the boundaries between them. Her drug junkie brother killed her when he went to her house to demand for money, but he accused his sister of adultery instead. Such was her life, sad and tragic. 3 stars.

Raja Bersiong by Amir Muhammad is written in the form of a proposal to remake the film of the same title in a musical. This proposal is quite funny and witty, and I really liked it. 4 stars.

The plot of Si Tanggang by Preeta Samarasan follows the tale of Si Tanggang, an unfilial son who denies his parents after he prospers. In the end, his heartbroken mother curses him, and the Gods change him and his whole crew to stone. This story, narrated by Tanggang's mother herself, reveals her regret and sadness for cursing her son, as deep inside she still loves him. 4 stars.

Su and Her Natural Love of Swimming by Ann Lee is a quirky story which tells us about the unusual relationship between Su and Bubbles. Not really my cup of tea, sorry. 2 stars.

The Boy who Saved Singapura by Kee Thuan Chye is a tragic tale about a boy who saved the country from swordfish invasion but paid for his life because of having more brains that the bendahara (prime minister in old Malay) . It also revels the heartless character of the sultan who finds it interesting that his people are killed by the todak (swordfish). The moral of this story is, don't be too eager to show off your brains, lest you lose your neck. 5 stars.

Princess Hang Li Po plays a great part in The Gift by Janet Tay. Being sent to Malacca as a tribute / peace offering, Butterfly dreams of flying free in this new country. She is given a new name, Hang Li Po, meaning "The Beautiful Treasure of China", and she yearns to be happy in her new permanent resident. 3 stars.

The Last Voyage by O Thiam Chin chronicles the life of Admiral Zheng He. We know about his public life as an admiral who spends most of his life at sea, but we know next to nothing about his private life. Did he yearn for love like normal people? Did he think big of his achievements? Did he feel tired after those long voyages? This story challenges the boundaries of fact and fiction. 3 stars.

The Legend of Din Ketolok Rehman Rashid was told by an old Malay gentleman to the author himself. While being exaggerated at times, this story still holds the charm of an ancient tale. 3 stars.

The Proper Care of Princesse by Karina Bahrin is inspired by the legend of Puteri Sa'adong. Infused with mystical elements, this story is about a princess who never take her responsibility lightly. 3 stars.

The White Tiger of Temasek by Ho Lee-Ling is about a white tiger who wants to replace the Singha - a mythical lion to rule the whole region. It is also a tale about how Singapore got its name. 4 stars.

In Trick or Tree? by M. SHANmughalingam, the mouse deer and the crocodile work together to save the jungle. And as opposed by tradition, the two are also lovers. Eek! Trick or Tree? is a fun, witty and enjoyable story. 4 stars.

Overall Rating:

Note: Thanks to Lori Lee from ZI Publications for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T18:31:00.000-08:00

and a Happy New Year!

Book Review : Velvet & Cinder Blocks by Ioannis Gatsiounis

2011-12-23T21:31:00.000-08:00

Velvet & Cinder Blocks by Ioannis Gatsiounis

Product Details

Paperback: 171 pages
Publisher: ZI Publications (September 14, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 967526604X
ISBN-13: 978-9675266041
Available at: Amazon / Abebooks / Silver Fish

Synopsis

Ioannis Gatsiounis' debut collection of short stories brilliantly captures the spirit of the individual who struggles to define himself in a world where the idea of identity is both concrete and perpetually fleeting, a world where loyalties, friendships and family ties can alter in an instant. A young painter follows a false prophet deep into a desert. A pious rape victim struggles to see past her faith in the aftermath of a tsunami. A Chinese-American s Chineseness is put to the test in multi-racial Malaysia. A young Malay caretaker and his lone guest at a remote guest house struggle to find direction and compassion in an era of stark civilizational divides. With these ten beautifully imagined and decadently engrossing stories, Gatsiounis offers us a timely, penetrating meditation on intimacy, alienation and triumph in the post 9/11 world.

Review

It is really hard for me to review this book, and I admit that this book is not in the usual scope of my reading tastes. The themes of the stories in this book will resonate with those who yearn to fit in a society that is entirely different from their own. I appreciate the author's attempt to make his characters real and believable, but sadly, many of the stories are not to my liking. I find myself confused by the plot of the stories.

However, I did find some interesting quotes in this collection:

"You struggle in the name of vision and integrity only to have the world strip you of hope and a sense of belonging. Materialism and conformity are not to be frowned upon. They can save you from your barmy dreams. Some of us pursue the high road of "art" not because we have a particular passion for it but because we don't think we have what it takes to win the rat race."

"We have glossy buildings and good roads. But we're virtually void of intellectual and creative spirit. And without love for each other. The worst part? We want the world to respect us as a progressive democracy - and an exemplary Islamic one at that - without doing what it takes to actually be one."

The most memorable story in this collection would be The Guesthouse, which successfully shows the contradictory views between Westerners and Muslims. It also questions the truth behind some almost-misleading verses in the Qur'an, and whether these so-called Holy verses serve to guide its believers towards creating a better society or converting to extremism which is backed by a distorted version of justice.

It is easy to observe the author's excellent command in English, but there is still room for improvement, plot wise. I'm sure it is every author's wish to see readers developing a bond with the characters in his stories, but every reader's opinion will surely differ from one to another. I may not love this book, but that does not mean that others won't find it enthralling.

Rating:

Warning: This book contains some adult contents. Parental guidance recommended for young readers.

Note: Thanks to Lori Lee from ZI Publications for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Book Review : Rojak: Bite-Sized Stories by Amir Muhammad

2011-12-17T23:58:00.000-08:00

Rojak: Bite-Sized Stories by Amir Muhammad

Product Details

Hardcover: 146 pages
Publisher: ZI Publications Sdn Bhd; First edition (June 30, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9675266104
ISBN-13: 978-9675266102
Available on: Amazon / Abebooks / MPH Online / Silver Fish

{Warning: This is not a recipe book. This is a collection of very short fictional stories.
The taste can be sweet, juicy, spicy, tart, or crunchy! The flavours of Malaysia, in fact.
So if this book could talk, it would say: "Bite me."}

Review

Rojak is a collection of short stories. And by short, I mean really short, where each story consists of at most two pages. Often, the stories end so abruptly that I don't know whether I should feel surprised or out of sorts. Some of the stories left me clueless about what the author wants to express, or are there no special meanings at all? However, I love the sarcasm that is displayed in a few of the short stories.

Stories like Speed, Ex-Prefect and DVD show us how the ones who held authority and power may not be as reputable as they seem to be. The letter Sham wrote to Wati in The Breakup made me laughed my head off with its direct translation from Bahasa Melayu to English. Feng Shui shows us how people tend to look in the wrong directions without pinpointing the cause of problems. Honesty is a wonderful short story; the theme is very much in touch with reality. At the end of the story, the protagonist's action betrays his character, and this creates a rather powerful effect on the reader. Dorm Horror Story is presented in the style of black humour, making readers crack up by the time they reach the end of the story.

Overall, this book is quite enjoyable, but I would recommend parents to read through it first before allowing your underage children read it as it contains stories about sex. Rojak is a funny, witty, sarcastic book, but sometimes I couldn't fully grasp the message the author wants to convey.

Rating:

Note: Thanks to Lori Lee from ZI Publications for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Book Review : How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles

2011-12-16T22:51:00.000-08:00

How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles

Paperback, 234 pages

Published October 1st 2006 by Flux

Available on Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis

Moshav? What’s a moshav? Is it “shopping mall” in Hebrew? I mean, from what Jessica was telling me, Israeli stores have the latest fashions from Europe. That black dress Jessica has is really awesome. I know I’d be selling out if I go with the Sperm Donor to a mall, but I keep thinking about all the great stuff I could bring back home.

Unfortunately for 16-year-old Amy Nelson, “moshav” is not Hebrew for “shopping mall.” Not even close. Think goats, not Gucci.

Going to Israel with her estranged Israeli father is the last thing Amy wants to do this summer. She’s got a serious grudge against her dad, a.k.a. “Sperm Donor,” for showing up so rarely in her life. Now he’s dragging her to a war zone to meet a family she’s never known, where she’ll probably be drafted into the army. At the very least, she’ll be stuck in a house with no AC and only one bathroom for seven people all summer—no best friend, no boyfriend, no shopping, no cell phone…

Goodbye pride—hello Israel.

Review

It's an open secret that I adore Simone Elkeles' writing. How to Ruin a Summer Vacation is a great start for her How To Ruin series. This book is sorta like a chick-lit, but infused with humour, sarcasm and wit. In this book, our protagonist Amy Nelson is sent to Israel because her grandmother on her father's side is terribly ill and her father (whom she dubs as the Sperm Donor) insists that she visits Israel for the Summer.

Amy initially resists going to Israel, but she has no choice - she goes there anyway. She hates her father for being absent in her life for so long, and her words are always filled with venom. She cannot understand how her father gave up on her and her mother so easily. When her father tells her that his family doesn't even know of her existence, she feels so angry and sad that she bursts into tears.

However, after spending more time with her new family, she learns to accept the differences in Israelite and American culture. She learns to live in harmony with her new family members, taste the sweetness of a blossoming romance and rediscovers another part of her heritage which she has denied all these while.

This is a book about love, family and acceptance.

This is a book which teens will gladly devour.

Rating:

Too Little Time

2011-12-15T15:42:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry I have not posted for some time. The thing is, I started working as an assistant at my aunt's office two days ago. Working hours are 8.45 am to 5.45 pm. 8 long hours of work and (thankfully!) 1 hour of lunch break. You can imagine how tired I am by the time I reach home. Actually, that's not an excuse, so I apologize. Tons of people are working and they can blog at the same time. I've been planning to have a 500+ followers giveaway, but I'm still working on the prizes. As a student, I don't have much funds, so I'm thinking of some cool swag for international friends and a book of his/her choice for a Malaysian follower. Would you like it if I give away something else instead of the usual books/swag, say, jewelry for example?

If you're a blogger / an author and would like to sponsor prize(s) for my giveaway, please contact me at : aikychien@yahoo.com - I'd make sure that I post an individual post for sponsored giveaways and name you as the sponsor at the end of the post. You'll just have to let me know the prize and geographical restrictions (US&CA / International). If you have any questions, you can also reach me at the above e-mail address. Thanks in advance!

Book Review : Time of the Faeries: Afterlight, End of the World by J. Corsentino

2011-12-11T21:50:00.000-08:00

Time of the Faeries: Afterlight, End of the World

by J. Corsentino, Donny Ha Corsentino (Editor), Elizabeth Maxwell (Editor)

Product Details

Paperback: 98 pages
Publisher: Time of the Faeries; First edition (July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0578085488
ISBN-13: 978-0578085487
Available on: Amazon / Time of the Faeries Store

Synopsis

This is the end of the world. The end of our world. What went wrong? Why do the angels, once guardians charged with our protection and safety, now hunt us to extinction? As we become fewer and fewer will the questions be answered, or lost in the fires of ritual? When all things fade in the Afterlight...What will be left of hope?

Time of the Faeries: Afterlight, End of the World is the first of a four part graphic novel series featuring the photographic art of J. Corsentino.

Review

Time of the Faeries: Afterlight, End of the World is lush, splendid, gorgeous. It's like nothing I've read before. I can observe how much effort Corsentino has put into creating this breathtaking, detailed graphic novel.

Corsentino's artworks are gorgeously detailed, where he views himself on stage narrating a story about the end of the world, where the Faeries discover that they are no longer immortal, and finally revert to the forbidden way of sucking humas' Kai (energy) to sustain their lives and return to E'ven. Thus, a battle between the beautiful, unearthly winged creatures and the desperate humans begins.

There is a striking contrast between the text and the background colors which are usually a darker shade to suit the atmosphere of the story, which makes it easier for the readers. Without using the usual borders and grids, Corsentino creates a great experience for the readers as we wander through his imaginary world filled with with Kai-sucking, predatory faeries and a few pitiful groups of humans who are desperately fighting for survival.

Done with the visual arts... now I'm commenting on the writing. The story starts with a prologue which, while giving the readers an idea of what is happening, is a little too long and has too much information cramped together that I have to reread the whole passage again to understand it better. It would be better if the prologue is short and simple, giving readers just enough information to pique their interest.

Although the book portrays a world which is damaged beyond repair, with traces of civilization wiped out and humans on the brink of extinction, the author did offer a glimmer of hope to the humans in the form of a lone faery, Haylon who ponders the possibility that what her sisters are doing - killing humans - is wrong. Will she submit to hunger and carry out the faeries' barbaric, inhumane acts? Or will she betray her own kind to assist the humans?

Time of the Faeries: Afterlight, End of the World is a dark, exciting journey to a futuristic world which is slowly stepping towards a seemingly unstoppable annihilation. Reading this book is certainly a one-of-a-kind experience - one which is very much appreciated.

Rating:

Note: I received a copy of this book from Donny for reviewing purposes. Thanks, Donny!

About The Author

Joseph Corsentino is a visual storyteller at heart. He took his passion for photography and storytelling to Los Angeles where began Time of the Faeries, a photographic, epic, retelling of faerie mythology. His stunning, ethereal, and realistic faeries can now be seen in private collections and magazines all over the world. His first book, published by Imaginosis Publishing, is a prologue into the Time of the Faeries universe. He just completed the first of his visual novel for the series The Afterlight.

Time of the Faeries Blog

J. and D. Corsentino (@timeofthefaerie) on Twitter
Time of the Faeries, The Art of J. Corsentino
Time of the Faeries | Facebook

Book Review : The Dulang Washer: An Epic Tale of Love, Valour and Secrets by Paul Callan

2011-12-10T20:22:00.000-08:00

The Dulang Washer: An Epic Tale of Love, Valour and Secrets by Paul Callan

Paperback, 381 pages

Published July 1st 2011 by MPH Publishing Group
Available on MPHOnline.com for RM 39.90

Synopsis

Malaya, 1890 ... in the tin-mining camps of Perak's Kinta Valley, only the strongest and bravest survive ... and the strongest and bravest of them all is Aisha, the beautiful solitary Malay dulang washer who labours to support two families.

Fook Sin, the mine's treacherous, thieving proprietor, sees Aisha as his ultimate prize: the most desirable object he can add to his secret hoard of treasures.

Hun Yee, an ambitious young Hakka Chinese miner, shakes off the opium addiction that has insulated him against the harshness of his daily struggle and strives to win Aisha's approval by starting a mine of his own.

But for Donald Redfern, overseer and the only European in the camp, Aisha comes to represent something even more important. The human contact she offers in the language lessons she gives him, and the small gestures of compassion she shows to the isolated, homesick man, fuel his dangerous obsession.

Meanwhile, Aisha herself is harbouring a secret. When events at the mine move towards their shocking conclusion, she is forced to re-examine her life. Confronted with the love of a man prepared to turn his back on his country for her, will she finally seize her chance at happiness?

Review

Paul Callan may be from Ireland, but Malayan history proves to be influential in his debut novel, The Dulang Washer. Following the history of Hakka miners in Perak in the 1890's, when the tin-mining industry was booming, this story unfolds to tell us about the life of a particularly beautiful Malay woman called Aisha, who works as a dulang washer to support two families - her deceased fiancé's family and her own.

Aisha is portrayed as an ethereal beauty who works hard and never complain. With her natural beauty, she often attracts the miners' attention. However, her sole wish is to earn enough money and return home to reunite with her family. Having stayed at the mine for a few years, she is well-versed in Hakka. Apart from being beautiful and hardworking, she is also a courageous woman. She has the guts to speak up against the mine's master Fook Sin out of pity for a young girl called Mee Ling who was abducted in Hong Kong and shipped to Malaya to be sold to the whorehouse. Mee Ling, who appears to be dirty and smelly, is finally approved to become a dulang washer instead of a whore.

Hun Yee is one of the young Hakka miners who is very skilled in martial arts. The miners have great respect for him as he has won the battle against the dragon (opium addiction). Hun Yee plans to open up his own mine and leave Fook Sin's once his contract is over and he has earned enough money. He caught the eye of the new girl, Mee Ling, who described him as "handsome". However, his later discovers that someone else occupies his heart.

Despite the paltry earnings, long hours of work and unsanitary conditions, the miners keep striving until they get the pay that they deserve for their hard work and labour. Some of them has to send money back to China regularly to support their families there. However, the mine's former overseer and the teu-ka (Fook Sin) come up with devious plans to tie the miners to them as long as possible. They indulge the miners with opium and whores, and control the food prices in the mine, thus reducing the miners' wages drastically on pay day.

Aisha's secret is an important element in the novel that piqued my interest even before I read it. The secret is not revealed until story approaches its end. Let me tell you, it is a really big one. Aisha's deceased fiancé, Puteh reacted cowardly when he found out about the incident, and I do not feel good about that. When you really love someone, you accompany and console your loved one when he or she is sad and helpless, not run away!

The Islamic faith also plays a part in this novel, highlighting the controversy of interracial marriage in Malaysia. It is sad that some lovers have to break up because they cannot come to terms regarding their differences in religion. However, there are also many examples of successful interracial marriage in Malaysia.

In The Dulang Washer, Callan manages to capture the essence of Malayan history and present it at its finest. The grueling work in the mine, the seemingly forbidden love between two individuals of different race and the supportive relationship between the miners are vividly portrayed in this ultimate story of love, courage and hope.

Rating:

Note: I received a copy of The Dulang Washer from Joanne of MPH Publishing Group for reviewing purposes.

About The Author

Paul Callan was born in Dublin, Ireland. His love of storytelling was fuelled while attending Chanel College in North Dublin. As a young man in London, he abandoned his first attempt at becoming a novelist in pursuit of a business career. After marrying his Malaysian wife, he visited Malaysia many times, and fell in love with the country and its people. He now divides his time between his homes in Kuala Lumpur and London. The Dulang Washer is his first novel. His second novel, also set in Malaysia, has been accepted for publication. He is now working on his third book, which will be set largely in Singapore, although in part also in Malaysia.

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Book Review : Three Cups by Tony Townsley, April Willy, Mark St. Germain

2011-12-09T00:15:00.000-08:00

Three Cups by Tony Townsley, April Willy, Mark St. Germain

Product Details

Reading level: Ages 4 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 8, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400317495
ISBN-13: 978-1400317493
Available on: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis

Teaching children how to save, spend, and be charitable can be as simple as 1, 2, 3.

All parents want to teach their children good money habits from an early age. Many start by giving them an allowance. But it's equally important to teach children a positive, generous attitude as they learn to use money responsibly.

Filled with warm, memorable illustrations by award-winning painter, April Willy, Three Cups is the story of one family's unique and effective method of teaching personal financial management-and how one boy reaped first the small, then the immeasurably great rewards of the lessons he learned.

Families will be delighted with the heart-warming tale and want to integrate the three-cup system in their own children's lives.

Review

Three Cups is a great book for kids. It teaches them how to manage their money wisely with a simple concept.

The three cups in this book are the saving cup, the spending cup and the giving cup. The money in the saving cup will be kept in the bank once the cup is full.

The money in the spending cup is used to buy something that the kids want. Kids will learn to spend money wisely, and differentiate between what they want and what they need.

The money in the giving cup serves a noble purpose: to help people who are in need. The money will be put to good use, and kids will understand that it is important to contribute to the society, because there are always people out there who really need a helping hand.

Three Cups teaches kids to be disciplined, responsible and charitable - it also helps children to understand that having a lot of money is not the main point, but rather how to manage and spend it.

With eye-catching illustrations, an easy-to-follow narrative and a simple yet profound introduction to a better way of life, Three Cups will certainly make a lasting impression on your kids' lives.

Rating:

Note: I received this book as part of the Book Sneeze book review program hosted by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Book Review : Nightshade by Maryrose Wood

2011-12-08T20:17:00.000-08:00

Nightshade (Poison Diaries, #2)
by Maryrose Wood

Product Details

Reading level: Ages 13 and up
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (October 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061802425
ISBN-13: 978-0061802423
Available on: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Jessamine Luxton is heartbroken. Her true love, Weed, the strange and intriguing young man who came into her life so suddenly, has disappeared.

Jessamine suspects that her own father, Thomas, may have been involved. Thomas was obsessed with poisons and discovering Weed's secret understanding of dangerous plants. This suspicion and her own growing expertise with poisons have changed her. She is no longer innocent. So when Jessamine learns that Weed is alive and in danger, she will do whatever it takes to be reunited with him, including killing whoever gets in her way.

Review

Nightshade picks up where Poison Diaries end. Now awaken, Jessamine is heartbroken to find out that Weed has left, his whereabouts unknown. Her father tells her about how Weed, feeling helpless, left her to die because he knew that he could not save her. However, Jessamine doubts her father’s words, for when she was in a delirium, the Prince of Poison, Oleander had shown her everything.

When she finds out the truth behind her mother’s death, she wants to get revenge… and no other way is better than using what she knows best: poison. After she gets a taste of revenge, she flees from the place she once called home in a quest to search for Weed. On the journey, Oleander seduces her to do bad things and causes her to degrade both mentally and morally. She changes into a whole new person: a beautiful, seductive and heartless woman called Belladonna. (Sounds familiar? Yes, that is the name of the deadly plant which her father planted in the Poison Garden.)

Weed, on the other hand, embarks on a journey to search for his beloved Jessamine, and eventually reaches Italy. He learns about a plot to overthrow the King and set the world in chaos, and he knows that the perfect medium for killing the King is poison. He is determined to stop this from happening.

In this installment, the story turns toward the dark side. It is fast-paced, gripping and infused with elements of fantasy, but there is some confusion between the narratives as the point of view shifts from Jessamine to Weed and then back again. Nightshade ends drastically, leaving readers anticipating the final book in the Poison Diaries trilogy.

Rating:

Note: I received this book as part of the Nightshade Online Book Tour program hosted by KDotOnline. Thanks to Leanne for sending me a paperback copy of this book for review.

About The Author

Maryrose Wood began writing fiction after many years performing, directing, and writing for the theater. Her novels for teen readers include The Poison Diaries, Why I Let My Hair Grow Out, and My Life: The Musical. She is also the author of a series for younger readers, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. You can follow her on Twitter at @Maryrose_Wood.

Nightshade is available on Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository