Follow Friday 7/29

 

This Week's Question: Let's step away from books for a second and get personal. What T-Shirt slogan best describes you?

Hmm, well this is pretty hard! There are SO MANY awesome t-shirts, so to narrow things down I headed to a favorite online store, Glarkware,and limited myself to their choices. And then it was no contest:

I have always been pretty shy and awkward with strangers, and this made me crack up because I feel like that a little bit all day at work - obviously as a children's librarian I'm chatting with strangers a LOT at desk! I love talking to the kids but the parents are sometimes much harder. I wish I could buy this shirt and wear it to work - at least parents would understand when I'm a bit awkward at small talk! :)

Review: Bewitching Season

Title: Bewitching Season
Author: Marissa Doyle
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); (April 29, 2008)
Rating: 7/10
Source: library

Waiting on Wednesday 7/27

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it. 

While I complain about the insta-love that is all to often found in paranormal romance, I'm still a sucker for romance. This may be about love at first sight, but it sounds like it is done right, and I LOVE the title and cover. Coming out January 2012!

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

(Anyone miss me? Couldn't stay away!)

Review: The Cupcake Queen

Title: The Cupcake Queen
Author: Heather Hepler
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (September 17, 2009)
Rating: 7/10
Source: library

Penny's parents separate, and her mom moves them back to her small hometown and opens a cupcake bakery. This sweet tale deals with the baggage from the move and separation, as well as some mean girl action, a new friendship, and a lovely romance blossoming as well. It was cute, but still heartfelt and real. Definitely loved the cupcake descriptions, although I thought at the beginning it would play a larger part.

I loved the friendship between Penny and Tally, who is obsessed with Rock Paper Scissors (seriously.) It was just so realistic, the delicate balance of trying to become friends with someone new, and figuring out when you can relax and let your guard down. And Tally is awesome, with her small-town rebellion and 100% awesome boyfriend.

The romance had a light touch, but I was completely smitten with Marcus and his sad history and awesome dad. The parental issues were also handled very well, and both parents were presented fairly, which is always hard.

This was a fairly short book, and didn't have huge amounts of drama, but like the best cupcakes it was small, sweet and satisfying.

"Waiting On" Wednesday 5/11

 

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger.

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty… 

Historical fiction + faeries = awesome. Fact.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is an event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Review: The Grimm Legacy

Title: The Grimm Legacy
Author: Polly Shulman
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (July 8, 2010)
Rating: 8.5/10
Source: library

Review: Into the Wild Nerd Yonder

Title: Into the Wild Nerd Yonder
Author: Julie Halpern
Publisher:Feiwel & Friends; (September 29, 2009)
Rating: 8/10
Source: library