The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White Review 7/31/14

The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White
September 10, 2013
HarperTeen
Hardcover, 277 pgs

What it’s about:

Life can be really challenging when you are the teenaged daughter of the Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris. Isadora has always struggled with the fact that she is a mortal in a family of immortals. Knowing that her family’s will live on, long after she is gone makes her feel unloved and unwanted. Life at home has always been tense, but now that Isis is expecting another baby, things have gotten even worse. When Isis suggests Isadora spend some time with her brother in San Francisco, she jumps at opportunity to finally have a more normal life. A girl can dream, but she soon discovers “normal life” is also full of drama. She also learns that it is impossible to outrun family conflicts.

Why you might like it:

It’s summer! Are you look for a not-so-serious, fun read? You might enjoy the light, romance-y nature of this one. Are you confused and intrigued by Egyptian mythology (I am! I mean, have you read those stories? So complicated)? White does a nice job of simplifying some of the more complex aspects of Egyptian mythology. It’s a great place to get a taste of the myths! Do you like witty banter? White is an expert at witty banter. If you like family drama, teen angst, a dreamy love interest, and a bit of supernatural danger, then you might want to check out The Chaos of Stars.

Want more like this?

For more Egyptian mythology try The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan. There is also plenty of Greek mythology to choose from, as well. You might like The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter and Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini. For a different type of retelling, check out Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay.

Top Ten Tuesday: My Most Owned Authors 7/29/14

This week The Broke and the Bookish want to know what books are on our personal bookshelves. I forgot to do this earlier and I am not a home, so I am going on memory. I am sure I will be forgetting someone…

1. Scott Westerfeld. I own a signed box set of the Uglies series and the first two  books in the Leviathan trilogy. I really need to buy Goliath!

2. Robin LeFever. This fall I will own the complete His Fair Assassin trilogy. I still need to read Dark Triumph!

3. J. K. Rowling. There are mysterious gaps in my Harry Potter collection. I need to start filling in those gaps before my nephews are old enough to read them!

4. George R.R. Martin. I have all of the Song of Ice and Fire books in paperback, but I suppose I should start collecting the hardcovers as well.

5. Stephenie Meyer. Yes, I have the Twilight saga.

6. Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I went through phase in college.

7. Leon Uris. I own multiple copies of Trinity (which I have read many times) as well as Redemption and Mila 18 (which I have never read).

8. Kiersten White. I have 2/3 of the Paranormalcy series. This is a trend with me! I seem to buy the first two books and never get around to purchasing the third.

9. Roald Dahl. I have most of his books, including his autobiography, which I still need to read.

10. Bill Willingham. This is actually part of my wish list. I have begun collecting Fables…someday I will own them all!

Happy Reading!

∼Megan

Mondays with Megan-Summer Reading is Almost Over! 7/28/14

It’s hard to believe, but Summer Reading is coming to an end. I have one more basket to give away. Be sure to get all your entry slips by Saturday. Despite the unseasonably cool and rainy weather, I managed to to squeeze in a ton of summer fun. But not a lot of reading. Part of it is that I still have not found a book that  I feel the need to be lost in. I am enjoying my reading, but nothing has sucked me in lately. Luckily I managed to finish a couple of things so I something to talk about today.

Be sure to stop by Books Journey and Teach Mentor Texts for more great reading suggestions.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Finished:

• Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay was recommended to me by one of my avid teen readers. This book offers a unique twist on the classic Romeo and Juliet tale. In this version, Romeo betrays Juliet in order to secure immortality. For centuries the two have been battling for the souls of true lovers. Good versus evil, light versus dark; it’s always the same, until the day Juliet falls in love…again. I am a sucker for retellings, and this one certainly is satisfying. It was a quick and suspenseful romance and I will definitely read the companion book.
• Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor is the third book in The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. I am not ready to be done with Karou and her gang. Not at all. The ending is fantastic, except that it’s an ending. Zuzana and Liraz really stole the show for me.

Current Audio:

• That Night by Chevy Stevens-the story has really picked up! I need it to stop raining so I can take this book and the dogs for a walk.
• Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King-I just started it yesterday, so it’s too early to tell, but the reader is fantastic. Will Patton reads The Dream Thieves series as well. I really enjoy a familiar voice.

Currently Reading:

I am still working on all the same books as last week, with the exception of Hatchet. My nine-year old nephew recently read and loved Hatchet and decided that he and I should have a Hatchet book club. I am reading the first book while he devours books 2-4!

On Deck:

I don’t know!! Suggestions?

Happy Reading!

∼Megan

 

Waiting on Wednesday-The Young Elites 7/23/14

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week I am eagerly waiting for:

Young Elites by Marie Lu

October 7, 2014

 

From Goodreads:

“I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt

.”

Despite the disappointingly plain cover, I expect the story to be epic!

Happy Reading!

∼Megan

Top Ten Tuesday-Characters I Would Want With Me on a Deserted Island-7/22/14

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish is all about characters we would want with us on a deserted island. Do you pick people with mad skills? How about that literary crush? With ten open slots, it should be easy to find a balance between useful and entertaining!

1. The Gallagher Girls  I am counting Cammie, Bex, Macey and Liz as one. My list, my rules. The Girls stay together! Trained as spies, these four have all the skills, and I am pretty sure they would be great company.

2. Halt from The Ranger’s Apprentice series. I am pretty sure I talk about age-appropriate literary crush more often than I should…whatever. If Halt is along I know there will at least be good coffee!

3. Jacky Faber from the Bloody Jack series. This gal is the complete package! Resourceful and talented. She’ll either have us out of there in no time or living large on our very own island. Either way, it will be a good time.

4. Flavia de Luce from the series of the same name. I am sure Flavia’s vast knowledge of chemistry will come in handy. If not, her precocious nature will make her a charming addition to our merry band of fictional “strandees”.

5. Jon Snow from A Song of Ice and Fire series.  Thank you Kit for making Jon so DREAMY. Also, Ghost would probably come in handy at some point.

6. Saba from The Dustlands Trilogy. Saba is a hard-core, bad-ass survivor. I want her on my team, for sure.

7. Ed Kennedy from I am the Messenger. Ed is just a nice guy. I think he would be interesting to hang out with. He seems like a good guy and he’s obviously up for an adventure.

8. Magnus Bane from The Mortal Instruments series. Immortal wizard/healer? Yup!

9. Zuzana from The Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. She is described as “…a tiny fairy. A rabid one that bites.”  She’s a real spitfire and I kind of want her around. Even though she is scary.

10. Dumbledore…just because. Someone has to be the voice of reason! And fingers crossed that he thinks to bring Professor McGonagall.

Happy Reading!

∼Megan

Mondays With Megan-Summer Fun 7/21/14

Last week, on the coldest day of the summer, the library hosted a Luau on the Lawn. So much fun was had! We played musical beach blankets, had a limbo contest (boy, those kids were bendy!), there was a Nerf archery contest, an Iron Chef contest, and we topped it all off with a water balloon toss and fight. Good times were had by all!

 This is just half of the balloons we had on hand! Also, how cool is it that my hibiscus got its first two blooms on the morning of our party?

This morning I gave away another fantastic basket! This week’s prize basket includes a make-your-own slushee kit, the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, cookies, candy, Chipotle coupons, and of course, books! I think it’s another fun one. You can’t win if you don’t play, so be sure to stop in and see us. We are down to our last two prize baskets, so it’s now or never.

I am still working on my Summer Reading Throwdown Challenge. I pledged to finish 12 books in July. I am on track to exceed that number. Nine down, three to go, with ten days left. No problemo!

Be sure to stop by Books Journey and Teach Mentor Texts for more great reading suggestions.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

 Finished:

• Fool Moon by Jim Butcher is the second installment of The Dresden Files. I am definitely a fan of this urban fantasy series starring a wizard and the Chicago PD.
• Landline by Rainbow Rowell is yet another fun, romantic offering from the author of Eleanor & Park and Fangirl. Big fan, here!
• The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson is the first in a steampunk-y series. It took a while for me to warm up to this one, but in the end I really liked it! Sign me up for more!
• In the Shadows by Kiersten White and Jim Di Bartolo is a unique collaboration of story and art. Both the text and the images tell the story of a secret society of immortals and the young man who is trying to stop them.

Current Audio:

I don’t ever want Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor to end. Ever. It is so beautiful and horrific. I also started That Night by Chevy Stevens, a new suspense/thriller.

Currently Reading:

I am still trying to find my next big read. You know, that book you just can’t put down? The one you think about when you aren’t reading it? These books that I am working on are fine and I am enjoying them, but I am not lost in any of them. I want to be lost! Suggestions?

Happy Reading!

∼Megan

Waiting on Wednesday-Blood of Olympus-7/16/14

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating. 

This week I am eagerly waiting for:

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan
October 7, 2014

From Goodreads:

“Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they’re stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it “might” be able to stop a war between the two camps.The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea’s army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.”

Ever since I finished House of Hades (a million painful years ago…), I have tried to put this series out of my mind. Now, it is close enough to the publication date that I can start wanting it. Now. Please?

Happy Reading!

∼Megan

Top Ten Tuesday-Favorite TV Shows 7/15/14

 

This week The Broke and The Bookish are taking a little break from talking about books. Instead, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday is about our other favorite stories-TV shows and movies! I am not much of a movie watcher, but I do love some TV.

I am a big fan of sitcoms. My favs?

1. The Big Bang Theory. It’s hard to pick a favorite out of this bunch, but I am quite partial to Sheldon and Amy.

2. Modern Family. Somewhere in the third season I lost track of this show, so I am a little behind. I have been catching some “new to me” episodes on reruns lately.

 

3. Parks and Recreation. Amy Poehler is HILARIOUS. I can’t wait to get my hands on her new book!

I also love some shows on premium cable. I don’t subscribe to any of those channels so I rely on my favorite library for them. It also means I am always a season behind. Oh well. Free is free! My favorites?

4. Game of Thrones. I am really missing this one. I am tempted to start rereading the books. Or maybe I will just rewatch the first three season. I love you Jon Snow.

5. Shameless. This one is incredibly addictive and cringe-worth! I just finished binge-watching season 3 and I miss the Gallaghers already.

6.Dexter. Again, I am behind on this one too. My sister and I watch this one together and it is challenging to coordinate schedules. Maybe in the fall/winter when there isn’t so much to do outside.

Speaking of free stuff, a few of my favorites are on PBS!

7. Call the Midwife.  After watching the first season I felt compelled to read the first volume of Jennifer Worth’s (Nurse Jenny Lee) memoir. Also, I confess that I actually forgot to watch season 3 when it was on TV. Again, thank goodness for the library!

8. Downton Abbey. Yup, I got sucked in. And yet, I somehow missed the last season’s finale. I love Maggie Smith and her one-liners!

I am not a huge fan of reality shows, but I will admit to watching every season of this:

10. Project Runway! Make it work, people. I can’t wait for the new season to start next week.

Runners Up:

 Um, I watch a lot of TV….sigh.

Happy watching!

∼Megan

 

Mondays with Megan-It’s Almost Library Luau Time! 7/14/14

Wow! It has been two full weeks since I last blogged! Since I’ve been gone we gave away two more awesome summer reading baskets. This week’s winner is taking home a tie dye kit, the movie The Outsiders, some books, candy, and more. Next week’s basket has some funky duct tape, The Big Bang Theory pens, candy, books, and more! Stop by the Reference Desk to sign up and get busy reading so you can enter the drawing!

Before I get to my own reading list, I have to mention that Wednesday, July 16 will be the second annual Luau on the Lawn at the Library. Students finishing grades 5-8 should join us at 2pm for fun games (Musical Beach Blankets and water balloon tossing, anyone?), snacks (we’ll have smoothies, watermelon, and candy), and even an Iron Chef competition. Not interested in competing? We’ll have Rainbow Looms and bands handy for you to get crafty.

Now for two weeks worth of reading to report! Be sure to stop by Books Journey and Teach Mentor Texts for more great reading suggestions.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Finished:

• The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker is a page-turner of a mystery. I couldn’t put this one down.
• The Boys in the Boat by Daniel Brown is the inspirational story of the 1936 U.S. Olympic crew team. Fantastic audio!
• In Real Life by Cory Doctorow & Jen Wang is a yet-to-be-released graphic novel about a teenaged girl and her experience with a multiplayer roleplaying game.
• Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich is the latest installment in the Stephanie Plum saga. It is exactly what I have come to expect from these novels. They are my summer fluff reading.
• The Girl With a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson is another mystery/thriller. It wasn’t my favorite, but the audio was engaging.
• Bad Medicine, vol. 1 by Nunzio DeFilippis is the first volume in a new graphic novel series that pairs an eccentric doctor and a NYPD detective as they investigate a seemingly impossible medical phenomenon. It was pretty good and I will be watching to see where the series goes.
• Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter is the first in a series about a camp for supernatural teens. I am still not sure how I feel about this one. I was disappointed with the world building. Mostly this was a romance with a love-triangle, set at a camp. I will most likely stop here.
• Animorphs: The Invasion by Katherine Applegate is the first in the wildly popular middle grade series. I am looking for a book that will interest my soon-to-be second grade nephew. He loves animals, music, trucks and tool. He is quite well-rounded in his interests, but doesn’t have the patience to sit for long while being read to. I’ll gladly take suggestions for books his mom can read to him!

Current Audio:

Currently Reading:

On Deck:

Happy Reading!

∼Megan

Nantucket Red by Leila Howland Review 7/3/14

Before I review Nantucket Red, I thought you might like a little refresher on the first book, Nantucket Blue. This is what I wrote in March, 2013:

Cricket Thompson knows that this summer is going to be epic. She has been invited to spend the summer in Nantucket with her best friend Jules and the rest of the Clayton family. In addition to beach parties and sunbathing, she is confident that this will be the summer that her long-time crush, Jay Logan, finally notices her. Unfortunately, all her plans go up in smoke when tragedy strikes. Her invitation is revoked and she faces a summer trapped bouncing between her depressed mother and newly remarried father. Taking matters into her own hands, she heads to Nantucket alone to offer her support to the Claytons. Nothing goes according to plan, but Cricket manages to have an unexpectedly epic summer in spite of everything.

This touching debut novel is the perfect summer read. I loved Cricket and her devotion to Jules and their friendship, even at a time when Jules could not reciprocate. Readers may be eager to criticize either or both of these characters over their treatment of each other, but I have actually been in both situations and have to say that they are both completely realistic and believable. The romance was a bit of a surprise (though admittedly I had hoped for it) and provided an interesting plot twist. The forbidden guy was sweet and funny and the issue of sex was well handled. I enjoyed all of the little side stories and each one plays a role in shaping Cricket into the person she was both when she arrives in Nantucket and who she is at the end of the summer. There is plenty of conflict to sink your teeth into, but the moments of pure joy will warm you heart. I will definitely be watching for more from this author.

You may also enjoy The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson, and My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

And there is more!

Nantucket Red by Leila Howland
May 14, 2014
Disney-Hyperion
Hardcover, 288 pgs.

What it’s about:

All of her hard work has finally paid off for Cricket. She is heading to Brown University in the fall where she will play lacrosse. Her scholarships will cover most of her expenses, but she still needs to make some fast cash, so she heads back to Nantucket for the summer. It becomes immediately clear that the island she loved so much last year is not the same, but then again, neither is she. She is bombarded with new people, experiences, and opportunities, but it is when she with her oldest friends that she makes her biggest mistake. One poor decision could jeopardize everything that she has worked so hard to earn. Cricket is forced to reexamine her plans and really think about what she wants for her future.

Why you might like it:

Are you looking for a fun, summer-y, beach read? Look no further! The island of Nantucket is all about sun and surf. Curious about what life after high school has to offer? Cricket and her friends are busy navigating a whole new world and trying to find where they fit in. Do you like your romances to have a little conflict? Are you a fan of the girl who finally listens to her heart and stands up for herself? You will probably enjoy Cricket’s roller coaster of a summer. She weathers the ups and downs like a champ! This book is all about Cricket and the exciting new adventure she is embarking upon.

Want more?

You might also enjoy Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando and Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller.

Happy Reading!

∼Megan