Wordless Wednesday

The Basilica of Saint Mary

Minneapolis, Minnesota

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

ISBN-13: 9781406311525

Publisher: Walker & Company
Published: May 2011

Format: Hardcover, 214pp

Source: Personal Library

I picked up Patrick Ness' A Monster Calls for Carl's R.I.P. VI Reading Challenge, thinking that the title and its cover are appropriate of the challenge's theme; and while they seemed to fit the theme, let me tell you that the story was mind-blowing and a tear-jerker as well.

Connor O'Malley, a thirteen-year-old boy, has always been the target of bullies in school. Back at home, things aren't as easy as he has to deal with the harsh fact that his mother has cancer but the worst of all is the recurring nightmare which has been tormenting him almost every night.

One night, he awoke hearing someone calling out his name and it turns out to be a human-like yew tree who walks and talks. This yew tree has been growing at the back of his house but Connor didn't take notice of it until now. The monster told him that he is ancient and has walked about the earth for some time. He also told Connor that he has three tales to share but he would want Connor to tell him the fourth tale after he has finished and that he wants the truth from his story.

At a glance, A Monster Calls may seem like an ordinary horror story but don't let that mislead you or stop you from reading it as I felt there is nothing horrible or scary about this story but more of an emotional journey of a boy who overcomes his guilt and loneliness, and learning about letting go.

(Image Credit)

When I first started this book, I was intrigued by the tone and Patrick Ness' amazing storytelling skill. However, the more I flipped through those pages that feeling of waiting for the story to unfold has slowly turned to a heartbreaking feeling for it reminds me the time when my mother was diagnosed with cancer and how we have to learn to cope and to accept the sad truth (she passed away in 2006).

That said, this story isn't about depression and feeling sorry for Connor. On the contrary, it is a spirit lifting story that is bound to make you think hard about life and all. What I liked about this story is it isn't told in a preaching tone and that there are also some great illustrations done by Jim Kay and they absolutely add life to this emotional-filled story.

I have a lot more good things to say about this book but as they always say, it is always best to experience that wonderful reading journey yourself so what can I say. . . Go read this book, now!

Teaser Tuesdays

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

Rafe and I had grown from children who played together without noticing our differences into a teenage boy and girl who were no longer allowed to associate as friends. A social chasm had opened between us and we fell naturally into our proper roles.

(Pg 38-9, Shadow of a Quarter Moon by Eileen Clymer Schwab)

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This month's Mailbox Monday is hosted by Amused by Books.

Here's what I bought and received from The Book Depository:

1) Headhunters by Jo Nesbo

What books came into your house last week?

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

Like many young girls, I was given a copy of Little Women as a gift.  Lousia May Alcott's perfect roman a clef about growing up in genteel poverty during the Civil War has been universally adored by generations of young readers, and despite the drastic social changes that have taken place in the intervening years, Jo March's struggle for independence and freedom from the conventions of society still resonates with many young women struggling to find their way in a complex and often confusing world.

So it was with great excitement that I picked up a copy of The Lost Summer of Lousia May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees at a local discount store.  I had read glowing reviews of the book on many of the blogs that I follow, and I anticipated feeling just as taken with the fictionalized account of one youthful summer as all of those bloggers had been. While many authors over the years have used primary historical documents to write fictionalized accounts of the lives of real people, this book seemed to promise some kind of new insight into a hidden chapter of Miss Alcott's life.

The Lost Summer recounts the events of one summer when Louisa was 20.  She and her family go to stay in the house of a friend of their father's in Walpole, Massachusetts.  Her father Bronson Alcott, was a philosopher who was friends with many of the important intellectuals of the mid 1800s-Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Thoreau, and others.  Unfortunately for his family, he believed that working for money would sully his mind, and as a result the Alcott family lived off of the generosity of their friends and family, as well as whatever money the girls could bring in doing piecework or working as tutors and companions.  Louisa meets Joseph Singer, a young man trying to manage his father's shop during the older man's long illness.  There is an instant attraction between Joseph and Louisa, but he is already pledged to another girl, and she longs for the independence to write.  Despite never wanting to marry, Louisa feels herself falling in love with Singer, bonding as they do over Walt Whitman's recently released Leaves of Grass.

Reading the author's note, it becomes obvious that there is actually no historical evidence that Louisa had a love affair as a young girl the year her family lived in Walpole.  The entire affair is completely from the imagination of  McNees.  Which would have been fine, if the story of their love had been as gripping and tragic as some of those rhapsodizing bloggers seemed to find it.  My problem with it was that it didn't seem realistic at all.  They meet, make eyes at each other, read a few poems, and are suddenly consumed with an unquenchable love for each other.  Maybe it's a function of my age, but I just didn't buy the "love at first sight" thing.  Infatuation, yes.  Physical desire, sure.  But full-on, can't-live-without-you love?  Sorry, I just didn't get it.  As a result, while the book is very well written and I enjoyed McNees' descriptions of New England life in the 1850s, I can only say, "meh".

Wordless Wednesday

Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor theme park at the Mall of America

Minnesota

(No, my husband and his co-worker who went with him for the business trip didn't take any of the rides there, which I felt is a pity!)

Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy

ISBN-13: 9780061661488
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: July 2011
Format: Paperback, 416pp
Source: Publisher

When the publicist contacted me awhile back and asked if I wanted to read Simon Van Booy's Everything Beautiful Began After, I've to confess I was a little hesitant at first; after all I've never read anything by this author. However, a little voice inside my head urged me to give him a try and you know what, I was so glad I did.

Everything Beautiful Began After tells a story about three different people and how their life changed after they met one another. At one glance of the blurb, one may dismiss it as a love story but let me tell you that there's more going on here than that.

Rebecca used to be an air stewardess before she comes to Athens to paint. When Rebecca was young, she and her sister lived with their grandfather as they were abandoned by their mother. At that time, she was also very intrigued by their grandmother since their grandfather barely mentioned her or her passing. Rebecca and her sister then grew apart when the latter got married and Rebecca began to travel around the world as an air stewardess. After working for a few years, Rebecca said goodbye to her job and arrived in Athens where she met George under coincidental circumstances.

While Rebecca seeks solace in painting, George, on the other hand came to Athens to learn ancient language. Before then, his life at New England boarding school is often lonely and only revolves around ancient language and alcohol. He began to walk out of his drunken stupor gradually, and he thinks meeting Rebecca is the best thing that happened in his life.

Henry is the last person to enter this story, yet he is the one who creates the ripples in both Rebecca's and George's life. Rebecca began to fall for him after their encounter over a book, and as you can tell their worlds collide and it is only a matter of time that the three will meet one another face to face and see where fate will take them.

Told in two different perspectives (second and third person), Simon Van Booy weaves an unforgettable story about love, friendship, loss as well as the mundane realities of life and how the characters cope when unexpected circumstances befall them. Simon Van Booy's writing is simply beautiful and lyrical; I was both entranced by his prose and his wonderful storytelling skills.

What I also liked about this story is there is an atmospheric feel to it; it is an emotional-driven story that would make you pause and think about life, and the people around you. It definitely made me think a lot about fate.

I will have to check out the rest of Simon Van Booy's books after reading this.

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This month's Mailbox Monday is hosted by Amused by Books.

Here's what I bought and received from The Book Depository:

1) The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson

What books came into your house last week?

BBAW: Blogging

Although I am sad to see Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW) has come to an end today, I am happy to see that this wonderful book blogging community has grown tremendously over the years (just look at the participations and the number of new-to-me book blogs I have explored for the past few days) and the most rewarding part of all is friendship is formed and I have found a few good friends who I can talk with aside from all the book talks. This book blogging community is wonderful and supportive that way, and no doubt the world of blogging is constantly changing, what will not change is our passion for books and reading, and to share what we have read with other readers so that more people will be aware of the books and read them.

I wish I have some new tips that I can share with you about blogging but after giving it some thoughts I think it all come back to the basic:

* The purpose of starting a blog and finding your audience (don't feel discouraged when you first started your blog and it seems no one is commenting. Readership takes time to build);

* Be part of the community (don't be shy and go visit and comment on other blogs); and finally. . .

* Be yourself.

And last but not least, have fun in the process of blogging. After all, we are not paid to do this and this shouldn't be an added stress to our life (though I have to confess I do feel guilty if my reading and/or reviews are slow and for this I want to thank you all for your patience and understanding).

BBAW: Readers

Today BBAW's topic is about readers and if book blogging has changed the way we read. Well without a doubt, book blogging has definitely broaden my reading horizons and allows me to explore other genres which I might not pick up in the first place. Way back when I was a young adult, I used to read only romance and thrillers. I may be wrong but at that time I thought young adult books are quite limited and the varieties/topics covered are not as wide as compared today. I don't know, I may have not explored well enough then but that was how I felt about young adult books then and how it has changed over the years.

Literary fiction and classic are another genres which I rarely explore back then, thinking that they are for serious readers or literature students and not to mention they kind of intimidate me a little. However, my mindset has changed as I grow older and especially after I have discovered this wonderful book blogging community. I do read professional reviews at times but what I feel is they lack the personal touch from book bloggers. What's more, book bloggers tend to share more of their reading experiences and most often they will also tell their readers what makes the story works and vice versa (I also love it when book bloggers share bits of the quotes from the books they read).

Needless to say, this wonderful book blogging community has affected my book acquisition habits and what used to be a few books occupying a corner of my shelf has long been filled and new shelves have to be added along with the books. I just wish I have a room so I can turn it into a library!

Aside from getting recommendations from book bloggers and the book acquisitions, another thing I enjoy is doing a joint-reading and joint-reviewing with another book blogger. It definitely makes reading much more fun and not just a solitary activity! That said, I have not done this for a while. Anyone interested?

BBAW: How Do You Do Community?

Today Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW) asked us to share some tips for finding and keeping community in book blogging despite our daily hectic demands and the overwhelming number of blogs out there.

For starters, I think BBAW is a great link to explore new blogs and to connect with other blogs which you have subscribed to. I wish I have some new and interesting tips to share but all I can say is: visit and leave comments. I understand with our busy schedules and all, it is hard to visit all the blogs daily and leave comments but I think as long as we visit (no matter if it's a day or a week late) and to show our presence (yes, the comments if you have things to say), I think they are good enough (well at least in my opinion).

I know what I have shared above isn't new but what I'm trying to say is to find the time in making the connection - whether it is to share your opinions on your own blog or making rounds on other blogs. That said, I have to confess that I haven't been spending much time on commenting blogs (even on my own!) although I do read them on my Google Reader (on an average about 200+ posts per day), and for this it always makes me feel guilty and wish there are more than 24 hours in a day.

Also, I think joining memes is another way of getting to know book bloggers. A few which I participated are: Mailbox Monday, Teaser Tuesday and Wordless Wednesday, etc. Not only these memes are fun but they also allow me to see things which are out of my boundaries (e.g. Wordless Wednesday, where some bloggers will share pictures of the interesting things they do or the places they live/visit).

I also find Facebook or Twitter is a great platform to connect with other book bloggers as this is easily accessible through our mobile phones and aside from book talks we can also catch up with one another through updates and/or sharing pictures, which we may not post these on our blogs all the time.

What about you? What great tips do you have for finding and keeping community in book blogging?

Wordless Wednesday

Historic Fort Snelling, Minnesota (Part 2)

Historic Fort Snelling (Part 1)

BBAW Interview Swap: Julia @ Julia's Books Corner

BBAW Interview Swap is one of the features which I most look forward to but for some reasons I didn't get to hear from my partner. Needless to say, I was disappointed and I was prepared to post one or two of my previous BBAW Interview Swaps for today's post but Julia, a dear friend, offered to be my swap partner just yesterday so here you go.

Melody: What made you decided to start a book blog and what are your opinions of a good book review?

Julia: In my other reading group, we were doing the 50 Books Challenge. We challenge ourselves to see if we can read 50 books before the end of the year. It then became our tradition to do it every year. I had to find a place where I can record all the books I have read for each month and I thought the blog would be great place to start. I also want to remember details for each book I read, otherwise I won't remember what the books are about and that when I started to review books, but I did it for my own personal use only. Then later I decided to review books for bloggers. Most of the books I reviewed are bought from me. I never get them from publishers. My opinions of a good book review is a well thought out written reviews with good writing depth that gives me ideas and lay down of the story without spoilers (sometime spoilers help) and good judgment; or one that can make me sway and see someone’s opinion in another light and perspective.

M: What is your policy when reviewing books? And would you review every book you have read?

J: I really don't have a policy on reviewing books except that I review books that I bought mostly. And I try to write my thoughts in a positive but nicest way as I can. If at anytime I know that there something in a book that have bothered me or made me mad, I will try to explain it in a positive way. Or I just don't review it at all. I don't mind getting books from authors for review but I would like to be able to write my own reviews the way I want to. I don't want to boo boo my words unless I think it is necessarily to. I don’t always review all the books I read but I do review most of them. I'm slow in posting my reviews these days so sometimes a book I read last month (or few months ago) will be reviewed later; and some of my older reviews are in draft stage that I have yet to post it on my blog but I do try my best to post my reviews as fast as I can. *grin*

M: I noticed you read many romantic suspense and contemporary/erotic romance; could you tell us what are your top 5 favourite books of all times?

J: Romantic Suspense is my favorite genres. I read that genre the most, more than I would read contemporary romance/erotic romance now these days. Even though I am more open to read other genes, it always comes down to these three genes which I read more of. If anyone knows me, then they would know it is hard for me to choose a top 5 favorite books of all time from one genre. I have favorites from different genres. So if it is okay, I would give you my top favorite books of all times from different genres. Below are my list but most are first book from the series or the first book I read by that author. There are a lot more, but these are my favorite books of all times: :)

- All the Queen Men by Linda Howard

- Black Ice by Anne Stuart

- Naked in Death by JD Robb

- Sanctuary by Nora Roberts

- Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann

- Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught

- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

- Behind Closed Door by Shannon Mckenna

- Kill Me Twice by Roxanne St. Claire

M: Onto a non-bookish issue, what do you most enjoy besides reading?

J: Listening to music and singing/dancing. I know I may not have the talent but I just love to do these things, because it relaxes me. I also enjoy taking pictures and scrapbook them. I have one scrapbook album done of my two darling nieces but there are also plenty of other unfinished albums to do. And if I am not reading I would be watching TV of my favorite shows or movies. I can count how many repeat movies/Asian drama movie I had watched over the years *grin*. And last but not least, I love to go book shopping with a nice drink from Starbucks! Can't live without books in my life *grin*.

M: And finally, just out of fun, would you read a badly written book but is highly entertaining, or a well written book with a boring theme?

J: I think I would rather read a badly written but a highly entertaining book because I read books to be entertained and for pleasure. I want to be invested in entertaining characters and plots to keep me interested in the story.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank you, Julia, for these great questions and not to mention being my swap partner at the last minute! I really appreciate them all! Finally, thanks for being a wonderful friend to me!

To read my answers to Julia’s questions, please hop over to Julia's site here. Happy BBAW!

Related post:

BBAW: Community (Day 1)

Teaser Tuesdays

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

I do not often come walking, boy, the monster said, only for matters of life and death. I expect to be listened to.

(Pg 45, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness)

Queen of Sorcery, David Eddings

So a couple of weeks ago I posted a review of Pawn of Prophecy, the first book in David Edding's Belgariad series.  I talked about how it was a well-written fantasy series, with well-developed characters and well-paced action.  All the typical archetypes are there-the sorcerer, the witch, the warriors, the rogue.  It is an enjoyable journey in a sometimes dark fantastical world.

I just finished the second book in the series, that chronicles the further travels of Belgarath, Polgara, and Garion and their allies on their search for the orb.  As for my review of said book-I can only say...

ditto.

BBAW: Community

Founded by Amy of My Friend Amy in 2008, Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW) is a fun event in which where all book bloggers come together to share their reading experiences and getting to know more about one another, both veteran or new bloggers.

I remember my first time participating in BBAW when Amy first started this event; I had a wonderful time getting to know many book bloggers and read about their experiences of the books they read; some readers also shared a gist of their personal life through the blogger interviews (which is part of the BBAW feature scheduled tomorrow). All in all, it was great fun and I am very glad to see that BBAW continues to be an annual event for this book blogging community and that it is getting bigger as each year goes by.

The theme for this year’s BBAW is "Cultivating a Community of Bloggers and Readers" and while there is a diversity of book bloggers out there, I think the common interest among book bloggers is basically to share our passion for books and reading, and to recommend books to many readers as possible.

Today’s topic is about community and while I subscribed to many book blogs and enjoy reading every one of them, what I like most about reading is the writer’s voice and the style he/she writes and through these elements sometimes you may be able to tell the writer’s personality. Thus, as much as I would like to mention a few bookbloggers, I find it difficult to choose among these blogs as I think each blog is unique (yes, the voice!). I know this may sound old but I want to thank fellow book bloggers, as well as this wonderful community, for broadening my reading horizons through all your influential reviews and not to mention your enthusiasm in spreading the book love.

Before I end this post, I want to thank Amy and the rest of the BBAW team for their time and hard work for organising this event. This community flourishes because of you all, so let’s all give ourselves a pat on this occasion!

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This month's Mailbox Monday is hosted by Amused by Books.

Here's what I bought from The Book Depository, which I received last week:

1) Blood on the Moon by Jennifer Knight

2) Sweep, Vol. 2 by Cate Tiernan

What books came into your house last week?

Wordless Wednesday

Historic Fort Snelling, Minnesota

The Egyptian, Layton Green

Last year I reviewed Layton Green's first novel,  The Summoner.  In it, Green introduces us to Dominic Grey, a former member of the US diplomatic services security.  While stationed in Zimbabwe, Grey is drawn into the mysterious disappearance of a US diplomat, and its connection to a ju-ju priest who seems to be able to do the impossible.  This year I was lucky enough to be asked to review his next book, The Egyptian.

When I reviewed Green's first book, I said that while I thought there were some pacing and exposition issues, I was excited to see where Grey's story went as the series continues.  I was not disappointed.  Green has taken Grey out of the Diplomatic Security Service-which I think allows for more flexibility in storylines over time-and has him working with Professor Viktor Radek investigating cults and mysterious, seemingly magical events around the globe.  In The Egyptian, Radek and Grey are called in by a biomedical company to recover stolen research into a life extension product that could literally make humans almost immortal.  But all is not what it seems-when Grey and an investigative reporter begin to uncover the location of the stolen research, they witness the slaughter of a team of scientists, which leads them to believe that the biotech company is somehow behind the violence.  Drawn by their investigation to Egypt, they discover an ancient cult intent on controlling who is bestowed eternal life.

One of my favorite phrases for someone who seems to be feeling at the top of their game is "in the pocket".  Green has found his groove with this series, and The Egyptian felt much more "in the pocket" that The Summoner.  While there is less about Grey's back story in this book, there is enough to keep you interested in him as a character.  The story moves from America to Europe to a lost oasis in the Sahara, making for a lot of globe-trotting action.  The information about the immortality cult, and the science behind anti-aging, was presented in such a way that I felt like I learned a lot without being lectured at, and it was well-placed in the overall arc of the story.  I am so glad that this series is shaping up the way it is...smart thrillers for people who like their action with some cognitive stimulation!

Thanks for Layton for giving me an advanced preview copy.  You can get it in Kindle or Nook version from his website, www.laytongreen.com.

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This month's Mailbox Monday is hosted by Amused by Books.

Here's what I received last week:

1) The Little Bride by Anna Solomon (from the publisher)

2) The Leopard by Jo Nesbo (bought from The Book Depository)

What books came into your house last week?