Marla's Wish List - What I Love & Would Like to See More of

Sometimes you're going along in your reading life, minding your own business, when suddenly you're taken by a yearning for something different.  It could be that you just need to change things up.  Sometimes, however, that isn't quite enough.  Maybe you change direction and find something you really like...

only to realize that you. want. MORE.

Well, folks, I can confidently say that I've been there and I now have a decided opinion on what I want out of my books.  Perhaps these books are out there and I just have yet to discover them.  Perhaps there's a place in the market that has yet to be fulfilled.  Maybe some of you will have recommendations for me.  Either way, I want what I want, so here it is.

Historical Fantasy

This is probably one of those genres that I can find plenty of if I just look for it.  However, I am definitely looking for some recommendations, because apparently I can't do it by myself.

Gothic Fiction

This probably isn't too surprising given my love of all things Jane Eyre.  It's been a while since I read anything recent with a Gothic tone.  Help a girl out?

Horror

Yes, I know!  Horror is out there in force!  However, I need recommendations, people!  Halp!

Epistolary Novels

I loooove books written in letter form.  Ever since Daddy-Long-Legs, I've been completely in love with the genre.  I've read everything from the moving to the silly.  I can't get enough of it.

Dragons

I just took one reading of Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey to get me hooked.  Seraphina?  Awesome.  The Sweetest Dark?  Fantastic!  Must. have. MORE!

Automatons

This is a recent one, but as I prepare to read The Girl with the Wind Up Heart, I get the feeling I'm going to be wanting a lot more of this.  Plus, you know, it tends to be found in steampunk.  God, I love steampunk.

So, how about it?  Can someone out there help me out with some great book recommendations?  I'd be ever so grateful.  I'll be here waiting.

Review - Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

by Stephanie Perkins
publisher: Dutton Books
date of publication: September 29, 2011
format: Hardcover
pages: 338
source: purchased
series: Anna and the French Kiss #2
buy it:

From Goodreads:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

This book has been sitting on my shelves for the longest time, yet I'm just now getting to it.  Why is that?  Heck if I know.  Once I pulled it down and opened that shiny cover, I got sucked in and didn't want to give up reading it. Lola and the Boy Next Door made for a great companion to Anna and the French Kiss, and while it's been quite some time since I read Anna, it still brought back many of the same feelings I had when I did.

Lola Nolan is a girl struggling to figure things out.  She sees herself as much more mature than she really is, evidenced by her choice of boyfriend, a man 4 years older than herself.  That may not seem like much, but at 17, Lola is still figuring out who she is and what she needs.  Seeing Lola get treated like dirt by Max made me very frustrated, almost to the point of putting down the book.  One of her greatest moments of redemption comes in the wake of something horrible he says to her, and it was then that I realized what potential she had as a character.  As she works through the tumult of her thoughts and comes to the realization of who she really is, she really shines.  It is then that you see that Cricket is there to highlight all of the best of her while Max highlights all of the worst.  It made for an interesting contrast and I really enjoyed seeing the culmination of that conflict.

Stephanie Perkins is a very funny writer.  In spite of the heavier issues at hand, she never failed to make me laugh when it was most needed.  The blend of seriousness and humor really worked for Lola and the Boy Next Door and the delivery was much appreciated.  I also loved the subplot involving her dads and her biological mother.  The circumstances surrounding Lola's birth and the lingering effects they left upon her really lent perspective to her overall character.  When combined, it made for an engrossing read that left me alternating between laughter and sniffles.

While I didn't get quite the same level of experience reading Lola and the Boy Next Door as I did Anna and the French Kiss, I still found Lola to be an enjoyable read that ultimately left me with a smile on my face in the end.  The ways in which Perkins incorporated humor and even characters from Anna into the storyline made it even more engaging.  If you're looking for a fun read with some weight at the root of it, Lola and the Boy Next Door should do very nicely.  I would definitely recommend it to all.

Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon 2014

It's been ages since I participated in a read-a-thon, so I thought I would start with this one since I've enjoyed it in the past.  This year, I am committed to reading 3 books.  Because I'm doing this for fun, none will be review books.  All of these are books I own and have been looking for a chance to read.  I plan to read the following:

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff

The Outside by Laura Bickle

Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts

If you would like to participate, follow this link to the sign-up post and use the linky to sign up.  I hope you'll join me!

Stacking the Shelves #4 - April 26, 2014

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is a meme dedicated to sharing your book hauls and swag.  Please visit this link to find out more.

It's been a pretty good week with lots of nice pick-me-ups that were much-needed in light of some medical problems I am facing.  It was nice to have these pretties to think about and I can't wait to read them all.

The Books

For Review

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck (paperback from Sterling Publishing)

Dirty Wings by Sarah McCarry (eGalley from Netgalley & St. Martin's)
The Stepsister's Tale by Tracy Barrett (eGalley from Netgalley & Harlequin Teen)
Firebug by Lish McBride (eGalley from Netgalley & Henry Holt & Co.)

Purchased

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

Steam & Sorcery by Sidney Spencer Pape (eBook)
Photographs & Phantoms by Sidney Spencer Pape (eBook)
Kilts & Kraken by Sidney Spencer Pape (eBook)

What I Read

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

What I Reviewed

House of Ivy & Sorrow by Natalie Whipple
Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

What I'm Reading

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
The Door by Andy Marino

Other Posts

Hannah's Review of Searching for Sky by Jillian Cantor
Feature & Follow Friday - April 25, 2014

Feature & Follow Friday - April 25, 2014

Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It is a way for book bloggers to get to know each other better. To join in and make some friends, simply follow the directions listed by Parajunkee on her blog.  This week's question is:

Have any pets? Tell us or show us!

I have 3 wonderful cats to show you.  First, meet Tadhg:

Tadhg was my little writing buddy and my partner in crime.  He was my first cat in 4 years and he was spectacular.  We lost him in January of this year, but he's still with me and I will never forget him.

Meet Widget:

Widget is a handsome boy, a playful cat, and, to be honest, a complete jerk sometimes.  LOL  He's my daughter's cat and he lets everyone know it.  I'm also convinced he's the cat the Friends song is about.  You know the one.

Meet Rochester:

Rochester is my sweet old man.  We rescued him from the shelter in January, where they thought he was a kitten.  Nope.  He's just tiny and, I'm quite sure, a lot older than they thought.  He's an awesome cat, though, and has so much love to give.  Just look at that face!

So, that's my bunch.  Who are your furry friends?

Review - Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

by Ava Dellaira
publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux BYR
date of publication: April 1, 2014
format: ARC
pages: 323
source: publisher
buy it: Love Letters to the Dead

From Goodreads:

It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path.

I don't often read contemporary fiction.  I do, however, enjoy epistolary novels a great deal.  When Love Letters to the Dead arrived unexpectedly in the mail, I was intrigued by its premise.  I knew it was going to be a tough, heart-breaking book, but it was one that called to be read.  As it turns out, I was right on both counts.

Laurel is a character caught in the vacuum her sister's absence left behind.  She is unable to move past her idealized thoughts of her sister, unable to break free from the same spiral May was on before she died.  As you read Laurel's story through letters, you can't help but be angry on her behalf.  This is a girl who has been let down so many times, times when she needs support the most.  When you find out why she holds such a rosy view of her sister, however, it will break your heart.  It makes Laurel one of the most compelling characters with one of the most heartbreaking stories I've read in quite some time.

Each letter is filled with Laurel's raw emotions, as well as an account of her further loss of control over her life.  Not only that, but each letter addresses what happens to the recipients of each letter.  She talks of their short lives and their deaths and all that makes their memories live on to this day.  This adds to the emotion of the book and makes for an even more poignant reading experience.  By the end of Love Letters to the Dead, you'll have tears in your eyes as the implications of everything fully hits you.

Love Letters to the Dead was so much more than I had expected.  It's not a comfortable read, but you know what?  It's an important one.  Things like this do happen and there are children and teens that really deal with this in their day-to-day lives.  What's more, Love Letters to the Dead doesn't fear to touch upon other subjects of vast importance today.  In the end, Love Letters to the Dead is a gritty, moving novel about death, guilt, redemption, and healing.  It's a novel that stayed with me long after I put it down.

Searching for Sky by Jillian Cantor: Review

Title: Searching for Sky

Author: Jillian Cantor

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Publication Date: May 13, 2014

Source: Netgalley

From Goodreads:

Sky and River have always lived on Island, the only world they’ve ever known. Until the day River spots a boat. Across Ocean, in a place called California, Sky is separated from River and forced to live with a grandmother she’s just met. Here the rules for survival are different. People rely on strange things like cars and cell phones. They keep secrets from one another. And without River, nothing makes sense. Sky yearns for her old life where she was strong and capable, not lost and confused. She must find River so they can return to Island, but the truth behind how they ended up there in the first place will come as the biggest shock of all.

 

This type of book is a tricky one to write. Every one of us sees the world as it is. If you are part of my generation and younger ones then you’ve never lived without a cell phone in your hand or a computer to use. I’ve never lived a life without cars or electricity or modern amenities. I’ve never lived a life where I didn’t go to school. I’ve never had to life off of the land or life on my own. So it’s really hard for me to imagine how someone who has never known any of this can see the world and obviously it was also hard for Jillian Cantor. This was a tricky book and while it had heart it didn’t quite get the end result that she (probably) wanted.

The protagonist, Sky/Megan, seems very ignorant and not just because she didn’t grow up in this world. I blame this on the fact that her entire life she has been taught to only know the things that she needs to know and never more. She has been taught to never question, to live life on strict routine. Never stray from the routine or break any of the strict rules that Helmut has put forth before them. Basically don’t use your mind. River on the other hand is referenced as a dreamer throughout the book. He questions everything, thinks of things bigger than himself, and is not afraid to be defiant.

Because of his ability to process things and question and understand the world better than Sky, it was River who should have adapted better to this new world of California, but instead it was Sky who thrived. I understand that this was because she had a “team of professionals” to help her, but even at the end of the book there was hardly any growth from River and that was disappointing.

One of the things that made this book so tricky was trying to figure out how people who have never been in modern society. I found it hard to believe that Petal and Helmut (the parents on Island) never called the rocks leading down or up, “steps”. Or that they never said any words, like “awesome” or “sucks” or whatever the equivalent would have been before they left California. It just doesn’t seem realistic to me that Sky would only know a few words. It’s strange that she would call a light the “sun”. She should have been smart enough to know that the sun emits light. She would have known the word light; therefore she should have known that a “light” on the ceiling was not the sun, but rather something that emitted light. Even if she didn’t know what electricity was she would have known the word light.

I have read other book very similar to this one and yet those other books surpassed this was by far. Like I’ve said, this is a tricky subject to write. A tricky point of view to write from and unfortunately for Cantor it just didn’t come out like she was hoping it would.

Review - House of Ivy & Sorrow by Natalie Whipple

by Natalie Whipple
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: April 15, 2014
format: eGalley
pages: 352
source: Edelweiss
buy it: House of Ivy & Sorrow

From Goodreads:

Josephine Hemlock has spent the last 10 years hiding from the Curse that killed her mother. But when a mysterious man arrives at her ivy-covered, magic-fortified home, it’s clear her mother’s killer has finally come to destroy the rest of the Hemlock bloodline. Before Jo can even think about fighting back, she must figure out who she’s fighting in the first place. The more truth Jo uncovers, the deeper she falls into witchcraft darker than she ever imagined. Trapped and running out of time, she begins to wonder if the very Curse that killed her mother is the only way to save everyone she loves.

House of Ivy & Sorrow took some serious thought when it came to rating it.  There were elements I did like, elements I didn't like, and elements I didn't quite know what to make of.  There were times that it was deliciously creepy, and times when it was just too cutesy for words.  Where does that leave me?  So far as I can tell, I'm thoroughly on the fence about this one, which is a very bewildering place to be, much like opening one door and finding yourself somewhere you didn't expect to be (you'll see what I did there).

Josephine Hemlock is no ordinary teenager.  Her grandmother, known as an entomologist to the citizens of their small town, is in fact a talented witch and the head of the Hemlock witch family.  Orphaned by the death of her mother at age 7, Josephine has been learning everything from her eccentric grandmother and is proving to be quite the talent, herself.  You may think that with how seriously she regards her abilities she wouldn't have time for mooning over some guy.  Well, dear reader, you would be wrong.  Here is exactly where the super cutesy aspect of the story I mentioned comes into play.  I read a lot of YA since that's mostly what I review.  That's not to say I'm against some romance.  When I feel as though I'm reading about a 13 year old rather than a 17 year old, as Josephine is portrayed, it's a problem.  You don't want to read bits of "romance" that make you roll your eyes rather than sigh wistfully.

Much of the plot was preferable to me over the characters.  The ways in which magic are presented are different than your average witch story.  Rather than being dark and light, all magic is said to come from the dark.  It is a witch's level of control that dictates what "side" they are on, so to speak.  To completely give in to the darkness is to be Consumed, at which point a witch is virtually eaten alive by the power and becomes a power mad, evil being.  This concept is certainly an inventive one and made the magical aspects of the book more interesting.  There were, however, issues that bothered me to no end.  One such issue is continuity.  There comes a point when the Hemlock's are in need of an ancestor's journal (here called "history").  There is much talk of how important it is that they find her long lost house and, subsequently, her history.  However, at some point along the way it is apparently no longer imperative and it ceases to be mentioned.  At all.  What happened to it?  Wouldn't it still be a good idea to have it?  Why mention it at all if you're just going to forget it exists?  So many questions.

Overall, House of Ivy & Sorrow was a fun way to pass the time.  I don't know that I would necessarily want to read a follow-up, but for what it is, I enjoyed it.  If you're more plot driven, you might find this one enjoyable thanks to the different descriptions of magic, the setting (a truly intriguing one with its magical doors and enchantments), and the conflict.  If you can overlook the overly cutesy parts of the romance, definitely try it out.  Otherwise, proceed with caution.  I almost gave up on it, but in the end I'm glad I stuck it out.

Stacking the Shelves #3 - April 19, 2014

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is a meme dedicated to sharing your book hauls and swag.  Please visit this link to find out more.

This week, I'm going to add a week-in-review.  I forgot all about doing that the previous 2 weeks and it's such a good idea.  I'm bringing back my little graphic, as well.  As for the haul, it is once again small but very cool.  I'm really intrigued by what I got this week.

The Books

In the Shadows by Kiersten White and Jim Di Bartolo (finished copy; Thanks to Scholastic!)

Take Back the Skies by Lucy Saxon (eGalley from Netgalley)

Hauntings ed. by Ellen Datlow (eLibrary loan)

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie (eGalley from Netgalley)
A Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn (eGalley from Netgalley)

What I Read

House of Ivy and Sorrow by Natalie Whipple

A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

What I Reviewed

Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen

A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

What I'm Reading

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

Unwrapped Sky by Rjurik Davidson

Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Other Posts

Top Ten Tuesday - April 15, 2014

Feature & Follow Friday - April 18, 2014

Feature & Follow Friday - April 18, 2014

Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It is a way for book bloggers to get to know each other better. To join in and make some friends, simply follow the directions listed by Parajunkee on her blog.  This week's question is:

Spring Break. Where would be your favorite destination spot if you could join the Spring Break festivities?

I've never been one for big spring break festivities.  I would much rather go off to Europe, instead.  I'm a more quiet individual, so seeing the sights with a friend or two is more my speed.  It would be especially cool to wander around Ireland since part of my family came from there.  How about you?  Where would you go?

Review - A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

by Susan Dennard
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: July 23, 2013
format: ebook
pages: 406
source: library
series: Something Strange and Deadly #2
buy it: A Darkness Strange and Lovely

From Goodreads:

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

Oh, man.  That was my initial reaction upon finishing A Darkness Strange and Lovely.  I really didn't see this book coming.  After Something Strange and Deadly, I expected more of the same plucky Eleanor, only with missing things she would have to learn to do without.  While that was partly true, what I found was a new, dark side to Eleanor that made her a frustrating yet even more interesting character.

Eleanor was so infuriating throughout A Darkness Strange and Lovely, but you know what?  It worked.  Characters don't always have to be on their best behavior and Eleanor is proof of that.  She finds herself in a very dark situation with few options and she takes the path that, while difficult and against what she originally determined against, seems the best option in order to save her life.  What ensues is a harrowing ordeal with magical addiction that leaves her making decisions with a much less sound judgment than before.  It all made her a much more dynamic character with so many facets.  I still got mad at her but it was truly an interesting reading experience.

Paris always makes for such an amazing setting in books.  There is so much character in the ways the city can be depicted that it always seems to come alive in a way.  Eleanor's time in Paris is nothing short of intriguing.  The mysteries at play are eerie and menacing in such away that an element of horror is brought into the story.  There were some truly horrific moments throughout that made my hair stand on end.  It was tense.  It was alarming.  It was thrilling.  I couldn't get enough of it and wound up finishing the book when I had only planned on reading a few chapters.

A Darkness Strange and Lovely turned out to be an impressive story that has left me so excited for book 3 in the series.  You had best believe I will be reading it soon.  With an ever-changing main character, terrifying moments, and a lot of mystery, A Darkness Strange and Lovely brings a lot to the table.  If you enjoy flawed characters, check this out.  That coupled with the darkness at hand make this such an engaging, exciting read.  If you enjoyed Something Strange and Deadly, you'll should give A Darkness Strange and Lovely a chance.  It really kicks things into second gear and takes on an entirely new level of amazing.

Top Ten Tuesday - April 15, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme from The Broke and the Bookish.  The purpose of this meme is to create a list based on weekly prompts.  Just link back to The Broke and the Bookish, then add your name and blog post to their link widget.  That's it!

Today's topic is all about the bookish things we all lust after.  In my case, this could get very strange.  Lucky for me I'm a Pinterest junkie, so finding enough items for this list wasn't too painful.

Top Ten Bookish Things (That Aren't Books) That I'd Like To Own

Oh, what I wouldn't do for one of these.  If we ever own a home of our own, I will definitely be installing a reading nook much like this.

I blame you for this, Hannah and Shalena.  Okay, now that that's out of the way, why do I want this?  It's a bookcase made to look like a Tardis.  That even opens.  Why wouldn't I want this?

Today just so happens to be my 8th wedding anniversary.  If my husband were to pull this out of his pocket, I would probably melt away.

Part of me cringes at the thought of turning a book cover into a purse, as it means, you know, removing the pages from a book cover.  However, I love Jane Eyre enough that to carry a purse depicting it would be very satisfying.

I don't wear bracelets very often, but I would definitely change that practice for this beauty.

Just in case you couldn't already tell, I love Jane Austen.  A lot.  This bracelet would be another one that would get me to wear bracelets more often.

They're owls and they're meant to hold up my books.  Why wouldn't I want this?

You know, because I would need a Jane Eyre scarf to go with a Jane Eyre purse.

I really really REALLY want this in my bedroom.  Someday, it will happen.  Oh, yes it will.

I love old-fashioned card catalogs, so to own something like this would be a dream.