The Pub (2008) Challenge Wrap Up

Finally I have completed on one reading challenge! Gosh, I felt like such a slow reader as compared to my fellow book blog friends, most of whom I am sure participated in more reading challenges than I did. Nevertheless, I am glad I am done with the 8 books as requested.

Here is the list of books I read:

• Thigh High by Christina Dodd
• The Mercenary by Cherry Adair
• Dingo by Charles de Lint (I have to strike this out since no children’s/YA titles are allowed)
• The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
• Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart
• The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani
• The Ring by Jorge Molist
• Body Language by Suzanne Brockmann
• Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I have to say my best reads are: Fire and Ice, The Blood of Flowers and Garden Spells. Because this is about books published in 2008, it is still not too late if you wish to join now.

Finally, thanks to Michelle for hosting this challenge!

Garden Spells

ISBN-13: 9780553385885
Publisher: Bantam Books
Published: April 2008
320pp

First line: Every smiley moon, without fail, Claire dreamed of her childhood.


Claire Waverley lives in a beautiful Queen Ann style house in Bascom, North Carolina. It has been occupied by the Waverley family for generations. It has a beautiful garden and the plants they grow have magical quanlities in them. Amongst all, the most magical one has to be the apple tree because not only it bears fruit all year round, but it is known to the Waverley that whoever eats the apple from that tree will see the biggest events in their life.

Besides using some of the plants for her dishes, Claire devotes most of her time to her catering business. She will include these plants as part of an ingredient into her dishes, depending on her clients' needs or preferences. For example, honeysuckle enables one to see in the dark, pansy encourages the eater to give compliments and surprise gifts, while the rose geranium produces memories of past good times.

Alas, just when she thinks her life is quiet and peaceful, Tyler Hughes walks into her life. She only realizes he is her neighbour after a short introduction when she catered for a party event at Orion college. Tyler Hughes is an arts professor and he told her he had moved into Bascom for a year since he took up the teaching position. Though intrigued with him, Claire does not bother to know more about him, after all she is not an extrovert. And most Bascom residents think the Waverley members are different and a little weird anyway.

Then things just got more complicated when she finds Sydney, her sister back into her life since she had walked out of the family and left Bascom ten years ago. Tagging along with her is her five-year-old daughter, Bay. They are on the run from Sydney's abusive husband and she knew home would be the safest place. Claire knew Sydney is not particularly happy being a Waverley and living in Bascom in the past, but in spite of that Claire welcomes them home. They settle down quickly, though Sydney is not prepared to meet her first love and his wife, and the gossip surrounding her from the past.

There are a lot of things happening towards the middle of the story and most of the times I find myself flipping through the pages eagerly as I could not wait to find out what happened next. I liked the characters in this story, especially the quirky Aunt Evanelle who is a distant cousin of the Waverley family. She is funny and she somehow possess the ability of predicting something will happen next and will come up with all the necessary stuff. I also enjoyed reading the 'tension' between Claire and Tyler, as well as her reconnection with Sydney. I also liked reading how an outcome of events have helped Sydney changed her outlook on life and being a Waverley member.

Sarah Addison Allen has weaved a heartwarming, magical story in Garden Spells. If you enjoy mystical fictions with a little romance element, this book will surely entrance you.

Other reviewer:

Stephanie's Confessions of a Book-A-Holic

Friday Fill-Ins

Questions 1 and 2 this week are courtesy of Sherry, thanks!

1. If I could travel back in time, I'd go to my childhood days because they are the happiest and most memorable moments to me.

2. Give me a vacation or give me more time to catch up on my TBR pile.

3. I am listening to the humming of my computer while I am typing this sentence.

4. Somewhere, someone is thinking about what to do during the weekend.

5. I'll always be an avid reader.

6. My idea of a good time includes relaxing and spending time with my family.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going out with my husband, tomorrow my plans include visiting my dad and do a little shopping and Sunday, I want to do some household chores!

Endings

What are your favourite final sentences from books? Is there a book that you liked specially because of its last sentence? Or a book, perhaps that you didn’t like but still remember simply because of the last line?

Like first sentence, the final sentence has the same gripping impact if it is put appropriately. Whereas the first sentence is to hook the readers to read further, usually the last sentence will be to wrap up the story or to leave a cliff hanger should there be any sequel. In any case, like the first sentence, it has to be captivating (or memorable) to the readers.

However, there are times that I will come across some books that leave the endings to our imaginations, which I do not really like. Being a reader, I would want to have a definite answer (be it a good, happy ending or a sad, tragic ending). Unless there is a sequel to the book, otherwise I would appreciate there is an ending to the story.

So, which book has a memorable last sentence? Seriously, my mind draws a blank here. (Yes, it is a tell-tale sign that I am getting old, haha). I guess I remember how the endings end more than the last sentences.

Body Language

ISBN-13: 9780553591651
Publisher: Bantam Books
Published: May 2008 (Reissued)
279pp

Sandy Kirk and Clint McCade are good friends and have known each other for ages. They are like buddies; and they knew they could always count on each other whenever they encounter any problems.

Being a photographer who is always on the go, Clint gives people the impression of a free spirited bad boy due to his rugged personality. Sandy, of course, knew he is much more than that. Just when Clint decided he has had enough wandering around and is about to declare his love for Sandy, he finds she has fallen for another man.

Though disappointed and feeling heartbroken, still he supports and encourages her to pursue her dream man. But one thing is, Sandy knows nothing about men and how she should portray her image in front of them. Clint offers to coach her, giving her advice on the concept of body language and how she should read and use them to her advantage.

Sandy then realizes she has been in love with Clint all this while, however she is not sure how Clint would feel towards her while on the other hand, Clint assumes she is still head over heels in love with the other man. They will soon find out about their feelings for each other, as body language does not lie after all.

Body Language is a reissue copy which was first published in Loveswept series back in 1998. Though I find the plot a little outdated and not up to par with her current Troubleshooter series, Suzanne Brockmann penned a wonderful love story between best friends in this novel. It is a perfect read if you want something light and fun.