Stacking the Shelves #64

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

I didn't do a STS post last week because I was super busy and I didn't have too many new books either. I hope all of you in the States had a wonderful Thanksgiving and an even better Black Friday ;)

Purchased (or Free) for Kindle

My Own Mr. Darcy by Karey White - In love P&P, enough said.

World After by Susan Ee - Angelfall was absolutely amazing and I cannot wait to read its sequel.

Boyfriend from Hell by E. Van Lowe - Not sure how I found this one, but it sounds really good and the cover gorgeous.

Trouble by Samantha Towle - This NA book sounds really good too.

The Waking Moon by T.J. McGuinn - Recommended to me in Goodreads.

Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor - This is Daughter of Smoke & Bones 2.5, I need book three ASAP!  I love this series :)

Purchased Books

After Dead by Charlaine Harris - I still haven't read the last book in the series, but I got this kind of epilogue for when I do.

For Review

Defy by Sara B. Larson - I had this book as a my WOW a little while back and I got this one from Netgalley. Thanks!

What's stacking your shelves this week?

Stacking the Shelves #45

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

Hi gorgeous people!  Another busy week comes to a close.  I'm looking forward to some relaxation today (Saturday) as I'm going to the Frederick Book Festival, other Maryland bloggers are going as well and it should be fun! I'm also counting the days until BEA (12?)  Below are the new beauties stacking my shelves this week:

Purchased (or Free) for Kindle 

The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden - I read two books from Sarah Eden in the past few months and I loved them both, I can't wait to read this one.

Drops of Gold by Sarah M. Eden - Ditto

The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard - I participated in the cover reveal for this book and it was a great deal for Kindle.

Gifts

My wonderful babies got me these for Mothers Day last week (do they know their mama or what?):

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris - This is the last book of the Southern Vampire series and although I can't wait for the ending, I'm a little sad to see it go.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey - I CANNOT wait to read this one. I'm such a big fan of his Monstrumologist series!

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - Well, I haven't read these books yet, but now I have the trilogy :)

Hunger Games Bookmark

Also from hubby I got these two movies based on books:

Safe Heaven

Silver Linings Playbook - I saw this one already and it was awesome!

I also purchased some books to get them signed at the book fair, but I'll share those with you next week :)

What's stacking your shelves this week?

Feature and Follow Friday

 Feature and Follow Friday is an awesome blog-hop hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison CanRead

ACTIVITY:  Write a letter to your favorite character. Rant, rave or gush…just pretend like they are real and you just want to let them know a “few things”. – Activity courtesy of author, Kelly Walker

Well, one of my favorite characters is Ash from the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, but I do like Ash and Meghan together.   So I had to get creative a choose someone else.

YA Book:

Dear Allyson,

I’m so glad you learned to live a little, open yourself to new experiences, and to the ‘accidents’ of life!  Please learn to put some distance between your mom and yourself and cut the cord!  I say this for your own good.  And maybe is time to make new friends and put yourself out there. Be assertive, find out what you want and go for it!

Oh, give my love to Willem and I hope everything works out (*fingers crossed*)

Regards,

Liza

-From Just One Day by Gayle Forman-

Adult book:

Dear Sookie,

I know you’ve been through a lot, but I have always been disappointed in your treatment of Bill.  I know he cheated and lied, BUT he couldn’t help it as he was manipulated and ordered by his maker.  I feel that Bill is the only being (I know he is a vampire!) that loves you unconditionally and treats you well, like an equal and like a lady.

I hope you’d change your mind about Bill and give him a chance.

Regards,

Liza

PS.  Please try to get killed in the last book! (Can’t wait to read it!!!)

- From the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris-

What is your favorite character and what would you say to him/her?

Please be so kind as to enter to the GIVEAWAYS and HOPS that you can find in the left sidebar 

Top Ten Books to Get in the Halloween Spirit

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

I really don't like horror movies or books, but here are some great books /series to get you in the mood for Halloween:

1.   The Mostrumologist by Rick Yancey - I am right now listening to The Isle of Blood, book #3 of this series, and just like wine, these books get better and better with time.  The writing is just amazing, but be warned that it is not for the weak of heart. 

2.   Rot & Ruin (Benny Imura) by Jonathan Maberry - This is a series about zombies and it is SO good.  Not for younger readers, but it's still an amazing series. 

3.   Croak by Gina Damico - This series is both creepy and funny.  

4.   Soul Screamer series by Rachel Vincent - Banshees, reapers, demons, and all sort of supernatural beings can be found in this series, another awesome reading experience. 

5.   Clarity by Kim Harrington - If you like mystery, but monsters are not for you, give this series a try.  It does have a paranormal take, but it is more about the mystery than anything else. 

6.   Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann - Creepy and fascinating... loved this one.

7.   Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong - Necromancers, werewolves, witches and warlocks, this series has it all AND mad scientists as well.  Really good series, and the predecessors of Armstrong's Darkest Rising (The Gatherint) series. 

8.   Soulless by Gail Carriger - This is an amazing book!  I'm sad to say that I haven't been able to pick up the rest of the series yet, but I absolutely loved this one.  It has mad scientists too, and werewolves and vampires too. 

9.   Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce - A dark re-telling of the Red Riding Hood series.

10. Southern Vampires (Sookie Stackhouse) series by Charlaine Harris - If you follow HBO's True Blood, they you should pick up these books.  They are different (and in my opinion) better than the series, the last book (#13) will be published next May. 

Others to consider Harper Connelly series by Charlaine Harris, Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead, the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. 

What is in your top ten books for Halloween? 

In Which I Went to the DC National Book Festival

I have proof!

This past weekend I went to the DC National Book Festival for the first time.  Not knowing what to expect, I found it a bit overwhelming.  Let me start at the beginning.  On Saturday I went with my friend’s two daughters and my friend, we are all bookworms, so I felt right at home.  We left the house two hours earlier (the first authors were schedule to talk at 10:00) and I have to explain that I live in Maryland, about 45 minutes away from DC.  Another thing that is very important to know is that every author has a ‘reading’ (I mean, some read from the latest book and some don’t) and then a scheduled book signing time. 

The author that I was more eager to see was John Green, and if you haven’t read The Fault in Our Stars I encourage you to read it ASAP (see my review here).  Unfortunately, by the time I got there I was at the very back of the tent (as you can see by the picture below), but I did get to see him and to listen to him talk.  He is a truly amazing person and I loved every minute of it.  After his talk, I walked as fast as I could in the hopes to get in line and get my copy of TFiOS signed.  Alas, there were hundreds of people in line already!  I stayed in said line for about 40 minutes, and in that time of solitary contemplation I realized this:  I could either get all my books signed by staking the lines all day OR I could enjoy the authors’ readings.  I opted for the second and quickly removed myself from the line.

You can't probably tell, but that's John Green

Next, I sat for the reading of Maggie Stiefvater which I adored.  I got my copy of Raven Boys from BEA and I stood in line two hours for that copy, so I was able to enjoy our time together.  She is so funny and comfortable on stage.  After that we saw Melissa Marr, she opted for a format in which she sat down and her editor or publisher (sorry I don’t remember!) interviewed her.  I’m sorry to say that the sound was terrible and I found that format a bit off-putting and less personal.  Last in the day on Saturday we saw the wonderful David Levithan.  He too seemed very comfortable speaking for a crowd and he read a bit of his new book Every Day (review here).

Melissa Marr

David Levithan

On Sunday, we planned on a much shorter day.  At noon my friend’s daughters and my son ‘B’ sat for Charlaine Harris ‘reading’.  It was so funny and I love her southern accent, it was very interesting how her career took off and how she came up with the idea for the Sookie Stackhouse books (Southern Vampires series).  After that ‘B’ and I went to Ellen Hopkins presentation, this lady is also amazing and she’s had a rough life!  We had to leave early because ‘B’ wanted a book he bought The Creature From The Seventh Grade: Boy or Beast signed by its author Bob Balaban.  While standing in line with him I noticed how all the people that were first in line and waiting to get their books signed were sitting on chairs, with umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun, and refreshments.  This, my friends is serious business!  I was clearly out of my league.  The last authors that we saw were Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian. These ladies were great and funny as well.  They talked about their past experiences in high school and how their book Burn for Burn came to be. 

Charlaine Harris

Ellen Hopkins

Bob Balaban

Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

A word about the Barnes & Noble tent: It was hotter than h*** in there!  Obviously the tent was all closed and well guarded to prevent theft, BUT there were only a few air conditioners along one of the walls, and it was not nearly enough for the size of the tent.  I pity those poor people working there all day. Oh, and they sold out of many books before they first day was out! 

Overall, this was a great experience and I certainly hope I can attempt it again next year.  Maybe I can bring a non-reader (like my hubby or our son ‘A’) to stay in line and get my books signed :)

Review: Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #12)

*************NOT YOUNG ADULT***********

Title: Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

Published: May 1^st, 2012 by Ace Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Format: Hardcover book

Challenge(s):

Grade rate: B

  

With Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), in town, it’s the worst possible time for a body to show up in Eric Northman’s front yard—especially the body of a woman whose blood he just drank.
Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

My Review

Well *sigh in relief* that wasn’t so bad.  After being sorely disappointed with the last two books in the series, I have to say that Deadlocked was an improvement.  Not to say that I’m completely happy as to where the story is going, but overall it was a much better book.

This is book 12 in a long series (this is the next to last book) and I will try my best not to spoil it for you, but I have to mention things that happened in the previous books, so please be warned that there will be spoilers from other books in the series.

Sookie is as always a delightful character. She is charming, beautiful, with good manners, personable, loyal and brave.  She had had a really hard time in the past and is trying to cope with all the supernatural things that happen all around her.  Trouble is always following Sookie around and it is part of what makes me keep reading the series.   She had to make some really tough choices this time around and I am proud of her for what she did.

Eric… hmm.  Eric is much more himself in this installment, but he hardly makes an appearance since he is busy with the body found in his front yard, Felipe de Castro’s visit and the visit of his intended.  I wish things were different between them and I don’t know what to think anymore.  Bill makes a longer appearance in Deadlocked, which was refreshing.  I’ve always have a soft spot for Bill and his undying love and support for Sookie, I am glad they remained friends. 

There is no lack of characters in Deadlocked, we get to visit with Warren, Alicide, Niall, Claude, Dermott, Pam, Bubba, Tara, Kennedy, Sam and much more.  I know that sometimes all the re-capping that happens in sequels can be boring, but I was glad of it in this case, otherwise I would have been hopelessly confused.

The plot was better that the last two books, although I wish certain things related to Eric, the fairies and the werewolves didn’t happen (sorry for being so cryptic, but WHY, OH WHY!?).  Don’t worry; I’m saving all my spoilery comments for the review of the last book :)  The writing as great, I really like Charlaine Harris’ style and character building.  After so many years, I honestly don’t know how she keeps all the characters straight in her head!

And not it begins the excruciating wait to the last book, *sigh again* next year.

About the cover:  These are always beautiful covers.  Here we see Sookie, with the Cluviel Dorr (probably spelled it wrong, sorry!), wolves looking at her and an envelope in her hand.

Spring Fever: Top Ten Books I'd Play Hooky With

 Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

Translation: This is my list of Top Ten Books that I will drop anything to read.  As a warning, this has been known to happen in the past :)

1.  Destined by Aprilynne Pike - This is the conclusion of the Wings series, can't wait!

2.  Until I Die by Amy Plum - *sigh* for Vincent.

3.  Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready - Can't wait for the conclusion!

4.  Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore - I have been waiting for this book forever! If you haven't read Greceling and Fire, what are you waiting for?

5. Struck by Jennifer Bosworth - This book sounds truly awesome.

6.  Insurgent by Veronica Roth - Again, if you haven't read Divergent, start now!

7.  The Selection by Kiera Cass -  This book sound so interesting!

8.  Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent - I love the Soul Screamers series with a passsion!

9.  Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris - Although the past two books were a bit disappointing, I can't help but wishing I have book 12 of the the Southern Vampire series in my hand right now!

10. Exile by Rebecca Lim - This is book #2 on the Mercy series.

What books are in your Top Ten this week?

 

Top Ten Books To Read During Halloween

I take it that this means scary books. I am not one to read really scary books (I don’t watch scary movies either), so my answers might be a little disappointing to some of you. Here it goes:

Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann – The cover itself is just creepy, isn’t it?  This book is mysterious, horrifying, and sweet, all in one.  

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry – This is the first zombie book I’ve read and it was incredible.  Really enjoyed it, it is a little disgusting, is action packed and full of mystery and secrets too.

Dreamhunter duet by Elizabeth Knox – After I finished these I couldn’t stop thinking about the story (and I still do!) The book has a really original plot, confusing at times, but with a good ending.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson – This is another book that had me thinking for a while after I finished.  It involves serious discussions on medical ethics, but the creepy part is that you know (just as Jenna knows) that something is not quite right, and we discover what it is just as she does.

Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent – If demons, banshees, maras, reapers and other supernatural beings is what you are looking for, look no further that the Soul Screamers series.  These books are action packed, full of romance, conflict and much more.  I love them!

Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine – Although I haven’t read the last two books in the series, I really enjoy the residents of the Glass House and their adventures (or misadventures?)

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce – This book has a dark undertone to it and it is one of the few books around in which werewolves are the bad guys.  It is also action packed and has some kick-ass heroines.

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross – Why is this book in this list you ask?  Well, it does have some weird characters, wouldn't you agree?  It also has plenty of scary things happening.  Loved it!

Harper Connelly or Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris – Technically this is not one book, but several and adult reading as well, but I really enjoy the Harper Connelly series and the first books about Sookie as well.  They are also full of creepy stuff!

Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows by J. K. Rowling – For some reason Halloween reminds me of Harry Potter, and what better book in the series than the last one!

What good "Halloween" books are on your list?

Review: Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #11)

******** Not Young Adult*********

Title: Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
Published: May 3rd, 2011 by ACE
Source: Bought this book
Grade Rate: C+

With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover Eric Northman and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...

My Review

I have been reading this series for a while now, and eagerly await my yearly visits with Sookie, but I have to say that books 10 and 11 have been kind of a disappointment to me.  'Dead Reckoning' is a relatively short book and its filled with a lot of mundane, everyday tasks, such as doing laundry or fixing a ham sandwich.  Don't get me wrong, a lot of Sookie's expressions and inner thoughts are very funny, and love her 'voice.'  It's just that I think Ms. Harris is kind of fluffing the book up with irrelevant things, instead of concentrating on the plot, specially since the series will end with book 13. 

'Dead Reckoning' has a lot of characters that we have come to know, like Bill, Eric, Pam, Mr. Cataliades, Alcide, Claude, Amelia, Sam, Hunter and others.  There are a few new characters introduced and the conspicuous absence of others, such as Jason.  The characters, as always, as well developed and each one was a very distinct voice.

There are a lot of twists and turns in this novel and there is a lot going on in a short period of time.  A don't know what to think about the item Sookie found (code name: 'cd') or the new development with Eric, or how out of character certain comments from Bill are, or what are the fairies planning.  This book leaves many untied ends and raises more questions than answers.

For those of you who watch 'True Blood', I have to say (like in most instances,) that the books are much better than the series (even though I do watch it.) The novels are always written from Sookie's point of view and therefore we don't get a lot of insight of what is happening to other characters, unless she is told about it or she is involved in the scene, therefore the TV series makes up A LOT of things to fill in the blanks. 

I do hope that the next two installments are better and that, at the end, Sookie can find her happy ending.  I will still read the remaining books (I am invested in the series now!)

About the cover:  I like all of the covers for the series, the art is very nice and always ties in with the title and the plot of the book.