Books I Read In 2012
Twenty-Twelve is about over. Here are the books I read, cover to cover.
- On Writing by Stephen King (easily my favorite book on "the craft" ever!)
- Drums of Autumn (Outlander, #4) by Diana Gabaldon (Technically I'm not done with this one. I just got a little burned out with this series and decided to put it down. My arms hurt.)
- Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
- Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster
- Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
- Open Minds by Susan Kay Quinn
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
- Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles #1 by Amy Lignor
- If I Stay by Gayle Forman
- On Writing Well By William Zinsser
- Where She Went by Gayle Forman
- Night Sky by Jolene Perry
- Spectral by Shannon Duffy
- Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
- Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James
- Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James
- City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, #5) by Cassandra Clare
- Owlet (Society of Feathers, #1) by Emma Michaels
- Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
- When Angels Speak of Love by Bell Hooks
- The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
- Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick
- Crescendo (Hush, Hush, #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick
- Silence (Hush, Hush, #3) by Becca Fitzpatrick
- Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
I re-read Breaking Dawn in anticipation of the final film in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2.I found these beauties thrifting way back in February. Yay for secondhand books!
Owlet: Society of Feathers Book Review
Everything about Iris’ daily life weighed her down. She lived a sheltered lifestyle filled with nothing but homeschooling and books. Her asthma seemed to limit her every move, never letting her run or get overly emotional. To Iris, everything in life was a threat she had to face—everything but her father. Even her dreams seemed to have switched into nightmares, making themselves her enemy.“Iris, calm down. It is just me. You are all right. I found you and brought you in here.” She heard him add softly, “You are in trouble for not taking your preventative meds, Izzy.”Iris tried to sort out her thoughts and realized what must have happened. Finally awake enough to open her eyes, she looked around. She wanted to be in her room, because there she would find strength in her surroundings. But as she surveyed the scene nothing was familiar to her. It felt as if she were sitting in a foreign land.Novel: Owlet: Society of Feathers #1Genre: Young Adult Paranormal RomancePublished: by Tribute Books, October 13, 2012Stand Alone or Series: This is the first in a series.How I Got it: I received a copy in e-book format from the publisher.Where can you get it? Amazon, PDF version.What’s it About?From the publisher:
Somewhere between falling and flying… there is a girl.
Iris has a secret. She lost her memory eight years ago and never told a living soul. After an asthma attack one night she finds out that her dreams of a strange house on a snowy island may be a memory resurfacing but the more she learns about the past the more she realizes the life she has been living is a lie. As the façade her father has built starts to crumble around her she will have to decide which means more to her; the truth or her life.
What made me want to read it: I love a good "lied to her whole life" story, I am writing one after all.What I thought…Iris, though physically weak due to chronic asthma, is a strong female protagonist, who is smart and likes books. (I can totally relate!) I would have preferred to see this "strong" aspect of her character explored more in the story, instead of having other characters relate their experiences and perception of her strength.I totally dug the premise. This is not a book about a shape-shifter girl who becomes an owl, which is what I was pretty sure was going to happen; but rather a coming of age story in a world where everything isn't as it seems. I went cross-eyed from time to time when the author used an alternate "inner voice" that dwelled inside the protagonist. The main character actually had full blown conversations with this inner voice, which made me wonder in the beginning if she was schizophrenic and these conversations and dreams were hallucinations. As a reader I don't like to work to figure out who's voice I'm reading, and it took me a few chapters to get into it. If you experience the same problem press on, it takes a bit of getting used to, once you do all will be well. The author's writing style is flowery which bodes well with the theme, but at times felt a bit awkward to this reader especially during scenes that contained songs or poetry.What I enjoyed best was the rather witty dialogue between characters, the lovely descriptions of the MC's dream-turned reality island retreat, and her love interest. I wasn't crazy about the extensive use of flashback to relate the protagonist's back story, however it was well done and it helped the reader understand Iris better. Overall the premise is fantastic, and not like anything I've read recently which was refreshing.As part of the blog tour check out this cool giveaway that includes original artwork created by Emma Michaels herself!
Author Emma Michaels On Her Inspiration for "Society of Feathers" Series
Tomorrow I'll share my thoughts on Emma Michael's novel Owlet: Society of Feathers Book 1, but first I had to share with you a post she wrote on what inspired this series...
The dream that inspired me to start drawing Iris had her reaching out for an owl, catching a piece of its soul and flying away. After some time I came to realize that the owl was simply a part of herself that she was reaching for, a piece of freedom. The idea of a human with a part avarian soul then started to fascinate me. How would it affect their day to day life? Would it make differences in the small nuances that make up a personality?
I thought back to my research on ornithology when I was younger and realized that it wouldn’t be a physical difference because anatomically speaking hardly any traits could carry over. It would be smaller things that would matter. Birds have different personalities and it is a mystery how their emotions and thought processes work. So I decided to have some fun playing with the ideas over time. I would see someone on the street or someone who I knew and ask myself what bird they would be. I won’t lie, I think there were a few instances where I burst out laughing in public and everyone looked at me wondering what was wrong. Admit it, when you see a man who is so pompous and swishing from side to side as he walks and peacock pops into your head with their attitudes, graces and unadulterated self grooming, you might laugh too.
As I wrote Owlet the Stryx expanded past just being a concept into being a culture of its own. It has a history, it was rich with knowledge others had forgotten because different aspects of national history meant more to them than the individual countries. I then thought about what a young Stryx might be taught in school and realized that as half avarian souls they would love different aspects of culture like songs, legends and stories.
The more I wrote, the more fascinated I became and the more detailed the world I had created started to be. Now, it is as real to me as the lands in literature I have loved. Creating the Stryx wasn’t just writing, it was an adventure and I loved every minute of it. I can hardly wait to get more in depth and have more revealed to you in book two where you get to find out more about the illustrious Eyrie who work as a council for all Stryx!
Emma Michaels is the author of the ‘A Sense of Truth’ and ‘Society of Feathers’ series. Her goal with her latest YA novel 'Owlet' is to give others what she did not have growing up; a strong female protagonist with asthma. While her previous aspiration was to be a lady knight she realized that not being able to run more than a few feet might become a hindrance so turned to writing instead. Her day jobs include being a cover artist, marketing consultant and silk screen designer.
To view other blogs on this tour October 1 - December 31, 2012, please visit Emma's blog
Author Emma Michaels On Her Inspiration for "Society of Feathers" Series
Tomorrow I'll share my thoughts on Emma Michael's novel Owlet: Society of Feathers Book 1, but first I had to share with you a post she wrote on what inspired this series...
The dream that inspired me to start drawing Iris had her reaching out for an owl, catching a piece of its soul and flying away. After some time I came to realize that the owl was simply a part of herself that she was reaching for, a piece of freedom. The idea of a human with a part avarian soul then started to fascinate me. How would it affect their day to day life? Would it make differences in the small nuances that make up a personality?
I thought back to my research on ornithology when I was younger and realized that it wouldn’t be a physical difference because anatomically speaking hardly any traits could carry over. It would be smaller things that would matter. Birds have different personalities and it is a mystery how their emotions and thought processes work. So I decided to have some fun playing with the ideas over time. I would see someone on the street or someone who I knew and ask myself what bird they would be. I won’t lie, I think there were a few instances where I burst out laughing in public and everyone looked at me wondering what was wrong. Admit it, when you see a man who is so pompous and swishing from side to side as he walks and peacock pops into your head with their attitudes, graces and unadulterated self grooming, you might laugh too.
As I wrote Owlet the Stryx expanded past just being a concept into being a culture of its own. It has a history, it was rich with knowledge others had forgotten because different aspects of national history meant more to them than the individual countries. I then thought about what a young Stryx might be taught in school and realized that as half avarian souls they would love different aspects of culture like songs, legends and stories.
The more I wrote, the more fascinated I became and the more detailed the world I had created started to be. Now, it is as real to me as the lands in literature I have loved. Creating the Stryx wasn’t just writing, it was an adventure and I loved every minute of it. I can hardly wait to get more in depth and have more revealed to you in book two where you get to find out more about the illustrious Eyrie who work as a council for all Stryx!
Emma Michaels is the author of the ‘A Sense of Truth’ and ‘Society of Feathers’ series. Her goal with her latest YA novel 'Owlet' is to give others what she did not have growing up; a strong female protagonist with asthma. While her previous aspiration was to be a lady knight she realized that not being able to run more than a few feet might become a hindrance so turned to writing instead. Her day jobs include being a cover artist, marketing consultant and silk screen designer.
To view other blogs on this tour October 1 - December 31, 2012, please visit Emma's blog
The End of Missing Someone #Quote
I came across this quote and it immediately spoke to me, as I am so looking forward to the end of the missing of my beloved.19 months and counting.
photo: I took it while on a plane back home during my failed attempt to see my husband in August. Sigh.
Bloggy Book Tour for Author L.M. Preston, The Pack: Retribution
I think it's no secret that I adore books and reading, which is why I'm so happy to share with you some great authors who are participating in a mini blog tour that culminates in a Facebook launch party to celebrate the release of author, L.M. Preston's latest novel The Pack: Retribution. I will be guest hosting the Facebook release party for The Pack: Retribution, this Saturday, September 28, from 1-2 p.m. EST. There will be lots of bookish things going on and prizes, among which I will be offering up three bookmarks I made.Other authors participating in the blog tour include:KaSonndra LeighEmma Michaels (I'll be sharing my review of her latest novel Owlet: Society of Feathers #1, as well as a guest post from Emma on October 5)Christina Leigh PritchardBryna Butler Nicole LanganNadege Richards
'Night Sky' by Jolene Perry Book Review
Night Sky by Jolene PerryGenre: YA RomancePublished: February 21, 2012 by Tribute BooksStand Alone or Series: It's a loner.Source: I received a copy in e-book format from the author.Where can you get it? These books are available in paperback or e-book. Try Smashwords or Amazon.
What's it About?
After losing Sarah, the friend he’s loved, to some other guy, Jameson meets Sky. Her Native American roots, fluid movements, and need for brutal honesty become addictive fast. This is good. Jameson needs distraction – his dad leaves for another woman, his mom’s walking around like a zombie, and Sarah’s new boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of her.
As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums - she's way more than distraction. Jameson's falling for her fast.But Sky’s need for honesty somehow doesn’t extend to her life story – and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year.
What made me want to read it: Who doesn't love a book about unrequited love?
What I thought...
I thought it was really good! I absolutely loved the main character Jay. It's not often you get a male protagonist in young adult literature, I'm always interested in reading books where there is a strong male voice. Jay is authentic, it's like I was inside the head of a teen.
Jay has two love interests, but there never really is much of a love triangle. I was seriously worried about Sky there for a while, I didn't like her right away. I think this seemed for an overprotective feeling for the MC. I think she make my "Mama Bear" come out a bit in the begining-I'm sure it has everything to do with my mothering two boys of my own. This book does deal with some serious issues like, abuse, rape, and divorce. It's not a dark novel by any means, these issues were handled well, and in a way that wasn't graphic or that could make a person uncomfortable.
It takes place in Las Vegas and since I used to live there it was cool reading about streets and places I'd visited. This is a great story, I'm sure you'll enjoy too!
I received this novel as part of the Night Sky blog hop. Please visit the other blogs on the tour.