Two for Tuesday!

Every reader knows that terrible moment - the moment a book grabs your attention as it sits on the shelf, you pull it down into your loving grasp only to discover the scandalous truth - it's the second (or even more subsequent, although those usually provide more warnings on the cover) in a series!

This happened recently at the library, where Guardian of the Gate beckoned me over to the new book display in YA, all mysterious and Gothic. It wasn't until I had it home that I realized my error! I managed to snag the first book the next day, luckily. So for your Tuesday pleasure, I present a double review of Prophecy of the Sisters and Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink!

Title(s): Prophecy of the Sisters & Guardian of the Gate
Author: Michelle Zink
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 1, 2009) & (August 1, 2010)

Summary: An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

2011 Debut Author Challenge!

I've decided to take the plunge and sign up for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by The Story Siren! I've read some wonderful debut novels recently, and I'm ready to give even more a chance to impress me next year. It was difficult narrowing down the books I'm most eagerly anticipating - here they are listed in no particular order:

Queen of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
Timeless by Alexandra Monir
Rival by Sara Bennett-Wealer
Haven by Kristi Cook
The Demon Trapper’s Daughter by Jana Oliver
Entwined by Heather Dixon
Clarity by Kim Harrington
Memento Nora by Angie Smibert
Saving June by Hannah Harrington
Die for Me by Amy Plum
Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach

2011 is looking like a great year already! Congrats to all the debut authors of 2011 and I hope I exceed my listed twelve!

Review: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

Title: Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares
Author(s): Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Publisher: Random House (10/26/10)

Happy Thanksgiving!

*gobble, gobble*

"Waiting On" Wednesday

Always a Witch
by Carolyn MacCullough
Release date: 8/1/11

Teaser Tuesday: The Ghosts of Ashbury High by Jaclyn Moriarty

Review: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

Title: Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour
Author: Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 352 pages, 5/4/10

So what's up with this chick?

Howdy, Internet Stranger! My, you look lovely today. I am super glad to meet you! My name is Karen, and I am a book lover. I read fast, I read often, I work with books for a living and I am passionate about the wonders of reading. Go books!

So, why do I feel the need to tell the internets what I think? It is a strange compulsion, but I think it is mostly that I can only tell my husband the (totally awesome) plot lines to just so many YA novels before his eyes glaze over. And I need to talk about them. So dear readers, I turn to you.

Well, not that there are any of you yet. I just started this blog today! But one of the wonders of the internet is that someday, there will be a you reading this. Hi, you! Thanks for stopping by!

On the right is a link to my Shelfari bookshelf. It goes back several years, and while I've recently tried to make sure and include ratings, I feel stifled by a 5-star model. All reviews posted here will feature a 10 point rating scale so that I can better differentiate between books that were good-ish, meh, and not too bad.

First review should be up on Monday, and I am already hard at work on my top books of 2010 list!

Hello and welcome!

Hi there! My name is Karen. I am an avid book reader, and a part time youth services librarian in Kentucky. I am 27 years old, and will very shortly be a mother of 2 children of my own. My first is a fantabulous 20-month old boy named Malcolm, and the second will make his or her much-anticipated debut shortly! I clearly have terrible timing since I am setting up a blog 3 weeks prior to my due date. 

I have been a fond reader of many book review blogs for a long while now and the itch to create my own was inescapable. While my job and my inclination generally leads me to read YA fiction, I am also a fan of adult fantasy, mystery and romance novels and may mention those on occasion. And of course if a Juvenile fiction or Children's book really strikes my fancy I'll share that as well.

I am eager and frightened to jump with both feet into the wide world of blogging! I am, as you can imagine, rather busy, but have high hopes of regular postings, meaning at least 3 times a week to start. 


Here are a few general guidelines about this blog:

1. All reviews and opinions are mine and mine alone and do not reflect the opinions or beliefs of the library.
2. Books will receive a rating between 0 and 10. A zero will only be granted to books I did not finish.
3. Any books received for free will be specifically mentioned as such.

This list may be altered as my experience grows, and will be reposted if it is changed!