Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters/Worlds I Wouldn't Want To Be In


1. PANEM/ Katniss Everdeen
Um, I think this will be on every ones list. 

2. Ravka / Alina
To have that power and to be put in those situations would not be fun. Plus I wouldn't want to face those screeching flying demons in the fold.

3. New Victoria / Nora
Zombies. Not thanks. 

4. The Room / Jack
To live in a room and only a room and to know nothing else but abuse, would not be ideal.






Friday, January 24, 2014

Book Lovers SHOWDOWN: Pre-Lims


We all have a fictional lover, a book boyfriend or girlfriend and a book crush. 
The real question is WHO should hold the title as the Ultimate Book Crush!
February we will be pitting lover vs lover and This week in the Pre-Lims! 
Pre-Lims will end on January 31st
Vote for your favorites, feel free to add your crush (with book title) below in the comments. 
 Top 16 will go on to Round  1.
Please feel free to campaign your choice through your blog and other social media outlets

Now... Let the battle begin!


Who is the Ultimate Book Crush?
  
pollcode.com free polls 



Thursday, January 23, 2014

Curtsies & Conspiracies (The Finishing School, #2)

Summary:
"Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests?
Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy (won't Mumsy be surprised?). Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners.
Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a school trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.
In this sequel to bestselling author Gail Carriger's YA debut Etiquette & Espionage, class is back in session with more petticoats and poison, tea trays and treason. Gail's distinctive voice, signature humor, and lush steampunk setting are sure to be the height of fashion this season."
Buy The Book 

Carriger's story for Curtsies & Conspiracies was great, because I got to immerse myself in that world and I got to know it a lot better and understand it, the way I had wanted to in Book 1. Here we see Sophronia expand her spying horizons and also really begin to understand the world she has herself has entered. That it isn't just for fun, that it is life and death and that there are complicated matters at hand and she starts to begin to question if this is what she really wants. 

Can we PLEASE just talk about Lord Mersey?! Because I love him. He is the perfectly safe bad boy or so he appears to be and the chemistry between him and Sophronia is sizzling hot.
Also, WHY wasn't there more Captain Niall?! Although, Lord Mersey is more age appropriate for Sophronia, I still ship them together and find him absolutely delectable. Which is why I beg the question.. why wasn't he in the book more?!
I acknowledged Sophronia's growing up in the plot summary, or coming to terms with growing up. However, I enjoyed seeing the other girls grow-up too, We get a better sense of themselves in this book and how their lives may play out for them.
Then there is Soap. The cheeky sootie, who is also being added into the love mix for Sophronia. I am not buying it or liking it one single bit. I do believe their is more to his story and I cannot find to see what it is.. but I am just not buying that coupling.
Oh and Bumbersnoot, my favorite character who isn't a character at all. Really, I adore him.

Really impressed. I liked Etiquette & Espionage, but Curtsies & Conspiracies was really going to determine whether or not I would continue with the series or not and Carriger delivered! I would say 95% of the book is full throttle awesome-ness. We really get a feel for life at the school, as well as the world they are in. I loved the mystery & romance of the plot. The only thing that irked me, is something Carriger did in her writing previously and something, that in general bothers me in writing a story. That is right, the quick wrap up. When you are absorbed in the book and its story and there are a lot of answers to be well, answered... BUT there are only 10 pages left! So, in a quick manner almost everything is answered in those 10 pages and on to the next. Leaving your head spinning and a tad disappointed. So, that is something I wish didn't happen.. but really when I finished Curtsies & Conspiracies, I wanted Book 3 in my hand IMMEDIATELY. 




Saturday, January 18, 2014

Just One Day (Just One Day,#1)

Summary:
"A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.
Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!"
Buy the Book 

Man oh man! What a great plot. What great writing! The story is told in two parts, which I didn't expect but TOTALLY makes the plot that much better!  This is just some fantasized hook-up on a summer trip to Europe. It explores raw human emotions we all have and I love it, especially because it is done in a way only Gayle Forman can do.

Allyson aka LuLu - watching her grow and truly find herself is what makes her great and even relatable. However, the character who really steals the show isn't Allyson, it isn't William. It is Dee. Dee is great and honestly can book #3 be about him?! Because there is so much about him that we don't know, but I want to know and I think that says a lot that secondary character can make you want to know more about him. William is intriguing and you can see why Allyson has fallen for him, but Just One Year (the sequel,which I just finished) tells a way better story of the person he is. 

I have said this before.. I got the privilege of meeting Gayle Forman at the Burbank Library last year and she made a slideshow and she read several long passages from the book and with those passages she told us the stories in her life that inspired them. It was beyond wonderful and honestly it felt like she had read to us most of the book. Boy was I wrong, this book has so much content and emotion. It is amazing and definitely a book I recommend. I was SO glad that I checked Just One Year out with this book, because I could not wait to find out William's side of the story. 




Wednesday, January 15, 2014

It's Called Booktube?!

I am on Youtube.
I have been on Youtube with my The Lost Book Reports channel for awhile now and have started to do more videos. However... I have just discovered that the book community calls it BookTube!

With that being said.. I want to subscribe to more Booktubers. Who else is on youtube and what channels do you recommend?!

Click on Button To Go To My Channel



Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: 2014 Debuts I'm Excited For

(Click Photo For Link)

This is a harder subject for me to do.. since I don't really pay that much attention to this sort of thing. Thankfully, I have Listopia on NetGalley to help and I believe when we say "debut" we mean authors who this is their 1st book... their aka debut. Yes? Not just new books coming out in 2014.

1. Camelot Burning By Kathryn Rose
May 8th
"By day, Vivienne is Guinevere's lady-in-waiting. By night, she's Merlin's secret apprentice, indulging in the new mechanical arts and science of alchemy. It's a preferred distraction from Camelot’s gossipy nobility, roguish knights, and Lancelot’s athletic new squire, Marcus, who will follow in all knights’ footsteps by taking a rather inconvenient vow of chastity.
More than anything, Vivienne longs to escape Camelot for a future that wouldn't include needlework or marriage to a boorish lord or dandy. But when King Arthur's sorceress sister, Morgan le Fay, threatens Camelot, Vivienne must stay to help Merlin build a steam-powered weapon to defeat the dark magic machine Morgan will set upon the castle. Because if Camelot falls, Morgan would be that much closer to finding the elusive Holy Grail. Time is running out and Morgan draws near, and if Vivienne doesn't have Merlin's weapon ready soon, lives would pay the price, including that of Marcus, the only one fast enough to activate it on the battlefield."

2.  Wish You Were Italian By Kristin Rae
May 6th
"Pippa is in Italy for the summer and, despite her parents’ wishes, she has no intention of just studying the local art! She has a list of things of her own to do: from swimming in the Mediterranean Sea to getting a makeover – and falling for an Italian boy! As Pippa explores the dramatic ruins of Rome and Pompeii, she is swept into her own drama with two guys: an irresistible local she knows is nothing but trouble and a cute American archaeology student . . . Will she find her true love?
The perfect reckless romance to enjoy whether you are home or abroad."
3. Pointe By Brandy Colbert
April 10th
"Theo is better now.
She's eating again, dating guys who are almost appropriate, and well on her way to becoming an elite ballet dancer. But when her oldest friend, Donovan, returns home after spending four long years with his kidnapper, Theo starts reliving memories about his abduction—and his abductor.
Donovan isn't talking about what happened, and even though Theo knows she didn't do anything wrong, telling the truth would put everything she's been living for at risk. But keeping quiet might be worse"
4. Love Letters to the Dead By Ava Dellaira
April 1st
"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"
5. Vivian Divine is Dead By Lauren Sabel
June 3rd
"In this fast-paced adventure set in Mexico, teen celebrity Vivian Divine goes on the run after receiving a death threat, and discovers that everything she thought she knew about her charmed life—and the boy she loves—is a lie."

6.  Strange Sweet Song By Adi Rule
March 11th
"This stunning YA novel tells the story of a seventeen-year-old soprano who wants nothing more than to get out from under the shadow of her famous opera singer mother. When she enrolls in a prestigious and remote music academy, however, she quickly develops a fascination with the dark forest bordering the property. She soon learns that there is much more to the forest, the school, and its inhabitants than she could have begun to imagine. A lush tale of magic and mystery, SING is a read like no other."
7. A Mad,Wicked Folly By Sharon Biggs Waller
January 23rd

"Welcome to the world of the fabulously wealthy in London, 1909, where dresses and houses are overwhelmingly opulent, social class means everything, and women are taught to be nothing more than wives and mothers. Into this world comes seventeen-year-old Victoria Darling, who wants only to be an artist—a nearly impossible dream for a girl.            After Vicky poses nude for her illicit art class, she is expelled from her French finishing school. Shamed and scandalized, her parents try to marry her off to the wealthy Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. But Vicky has other things on her mind: her clandestine application to the Royal College of Art; her participation in the suffragette movement; and her growing attraction to a working-class boy who may be her muse—or may be the love of her life. As the world of debutante balls, corsets, and high society obligations closes in around her, Vicky must figure out: just how much is she willing to sacrifice to pursue her dreams?"
8. Dear Killer By Katherine Ewell
April 1st
 "Rule One—Nothing is right, nothing is wrong.Rule Two—Be careful.Rule Three—Fight using your legs whenever possible, because they’re the strongest part of your body. Your arms are the weakest.Rule Four—Hit to kill. The first blow should be the last, if at all possible.Rule Five—The letters are the law.
Kit takes her role as London’s notorious “Perfect Killer” seriously. The letters and cash that come to her via a secret mailbox are not a game; choosing who to kill is not an impulse decision. Every letter she receives begins with “Dear Killer,” and every time Kit murders, she leaves a letter with the dead body. Her moral nihilism and thus her murders are a way of life—the only way of life she has ever known.
But when a letter appears in the mailbox that will have the power to topple Kit’s convictions as perfectly as she commits her murders, she must make a decision: follow the only rules she has ever known, or challenge Rule One, and go from there.
Katherine Ewell’s Dear Killer is a sinister psychological thriller that explores the thin line between good and evil, and the messiness of that inevitable moment when life contradicts everything you believe."
9. Queen of Hearts By Colleen Oakes
February 14th
"Not every fairytale has a happy ending.This is the story of a princess who became a villain.***A Father’s Betrayal. A Kingdom with a Black Secret. A Princess Slowly Unraveling. 
As Princess of Wonderland Palace and the future Queen of Hearts, Dinah’s days are an endless monotony of tea, tarts, and a stream of vicious humiliations at the hands of her father, the King of Hearts. The only highlight of her days is visiting Wardley, her childhood best friend, the future Knave of Hearts — and the love of her life.
When an enchanting stranger arrives at the Palace, Dinah watches as everything she’s ever wanted threatens to crumble. As her coronation date approaches, a series of suspicious and bloody events suggests that something sinister stirs in the whimsical halls of Wonderland. It’s up to Dinah to unravel the mysteries that lurk both inside and under the Palace before she loses her own head to a clever and faceless foe.
Part epic fantasy, part twisted fairy tale, this dazzling saga will have readers shivering as Dinahs furious nature sweeps Wonderland up in the maelstrom of her wrath. 
Familiar characters such as Cheshire, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter make their appearance, enchanting readers with this new, dark take on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland."
10. 17 First Kisses By Rachael Allen
June 17th
"No matter how many boys Claire kisses, she can’t seem to find a decent boyfriend. Someone who wouldn’t rather date her gorgeous best friend, Megan. Someone who won’t freak out when he learns about the tragedy her family still hasn’t recovered from. Someone whose kisses can carry her away from her backwoods town for one fleeting moment.
Until Claire meets Luke.
But Megan is falling for Luke, too, and if there’s one thing Claire knows for sure, it’s that Megan’s pretty much irresistible.
With true love and best friendship on the line, Claire suddenly has everything to lose. And what she learns—about her crush, her friends, and most of all herself—makes the choices even harder.
In her moving debut, Rachael Allen brilliantly captures the complexities of friendship, the struggles of self-discovery, and the difficulties of trying to find love in high school. Fans of Sarah Ockler, Susane Colasanti, and Stephanie Perkins will fall head over heels for this addictive, heartfelt, and often hilarious modern love story."

Friday, January 10, 2014

The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy


Summary:
"Witty, sarcastic Ethan and his three friends decide to take down the reality TV show, For Art's Sake, that is being filmed at their high school, the esteemed Selwyn Arts Academy, where each student is more talented than the next. While studying Ezra Pound in English class, the friends are inspired to write a vigilante long poem and distribute it to the student body, detailing the evils of For Art's Sake. But then Luke—the creative force behind the poem and leader of the anti-show movement—becomes a contestant on the nefarious show. It's up to Ethan, his two remaining best friends, and a heroic gerbil named Baconnaise to save their school. Along the way, they'll discover a web of secrets and corruption involving the principal, vice principal, and even their favorite teacher."
Pre-order the Book
Comes out April 8th,2014


The coolest thing about this book is the name,the summary and Baconnaise. Now, I'm not saying it was a bad book... its just that the plot was boring. Which sucks because I think it had plenty of basis to be a an exciting.fun and edgy book. First off, there wasn't really any Vigilante Poets society. They formed a group that lasted basically like 2 pages and then PLOT TWIST <-- a="" and="" bland.="" fell="" felt="" for="" great="" in="" is="" it="" just="" myself="" nbsp="" of="" outline="" p="" plot="" quite="" short="" story="" summary.="" the="" there="" was="" which="">


To add to the bland plot the characters were pretty bland. We only knew them on the surface and never really got into what made them tick. I knew more about the characters they were investigating then themselves and although, I liked Ethan has a narrator and he seems to be a sweet boy. He is rather odd and lacking a sense of self. He felt self deprecating and it got old.  I would have rather had Elizabeth and Jackson tell the story, since they seemed more Vigilante like.


My feelings were middle of the road with The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Acadmy. It just could of been better in my opinion. However, I don't feel like it was a waste of time to read and in a lot of ways the writing style reminded me of John Green. So I see potential to want to read more books from this author. 






Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: 2014 Resolutions


1. To Be A CONSISTANT Blogger, as I have stated before I failed at this last year. With 138 post last years compared to my close to 200 posts in previous years.

2.  To reach my reading goal of 115. 

3. To expand my youtube channel. (check it out youtube.com/user/thelostbookreports)

4. To comment more and be a more active blogger within the community. This year I really stopped being involved and I miss that. I miss talking to other bloggers and getting to know them outside their blogs.

5. Really I would like to say go to BEA, I mean that is a wish of mine EVERY year, but I know I won't be able to. =/ Still  a continues Resolution until it happens.

6. This ties into #2 but in general to read more books, and to read them in a timely manner.

7. Go to More Book/Authors events. 

8. Get My Book/Work Charity started.



Sunday, January 5, 2014

In My Mailbox #55

Hosted By The Story Siren
Other Similar Posts...Stacking the Shelves
From The Library
Just One Day By Gayle Forman
Just One Year By Gayle Forman
United We Spy By Ally Carter
Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Witchstruck (The Tudor Witch Trilogy,#1)

Summary:
"If she sink, she be no witch and shall be drowned. 
If she float, she be a witch and must be hanged. 
Meg Lytton has always known she is different—that she bears a dark and powerful gift. But in 1554 England, in service at Woodstock Palace to the banished Tudor princess Elizabeth, it has never been more dangerous to practise witchcraft. Meg knows she must guard her secret carefully from the many suspicious eyes watching over the princess and her companions. One wrong move could mean her life, and the life of Elizabeth, rightful heir to the English throne. 
With witchfinder Marcus Dent determined to have Meg's hand in marriage, and Meg's own family conspiring against the English queen, there isn't a single person Meg can trust. Certainly not the enigmatic young Spanish priest Alejandro de Castillo, despite her undeniable feelings. But when all the world turns against her, Meg must open her heart to a dangerous choice. 
The Secret Circle meets The Other Boleyn Girl in Witchstruck, the first book of the magical Tudor Witch trilogy"
Buy On:




The tone of the book, was actually quite realistic. Lamb did a good job at making you feel like you were in that era and what it would be like for someone who practices witchcraft. All the obstacles they would face. She was also able to make the witchcraft believable, not overly dramatic and fantasy-like. Needless to say I was impressed with hoe well the atmosphere of the book is set and the general plot was well done. It had always been rumored that Anne Boleyn was a witch... so to have a witch present with Elizabeth and for Elizabeth to maybe possess those powers herself is plausible. Add the mix of Catholic vs Protestant and forbidden love, family and witch hunters and execute it perfectly as Lamb did and you can't fail. I can only say I did feel that towards the middle-ish end that is slowed down a little and for a second I lost some interest. 


Meg has some gumption for a girl of her age and stature, but she still knows her place; although at times she has tested it. I enjoy that she is learning that she is scared but willing. She has a way of being empowering. Then there is the sexy Spaniard Alejandro. He can be quite frustrating and stubborn, but he is conflicted between his duties and his feelings. Personally, I find their connection to be forced and more lust than love. Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Elizabeth a Princess imprisoned. Lamb portrayed her perfectly. She is someone of royal stature, yet she is still a young girl. She has her beliefs that she wants to instill, yet she still doesn't want to upset her sister. She really just wants to know what her future will be and hopefully that future involves staying alive.


Honestly, I didn't expect much from this book at all. I requested it for two reasons the name Tudor and the pretty cover. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself actually intrigued and enjoying it. What I most excited about though is reading the next book, since it ended at a great turning point. 









Thursday, January 2, 2014

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer

Summary:
"Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.
But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.
Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .
Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen"
Buy On: 



The concept of the plot was pretty nifty and in my opinion, well executed. It was pretty much everything I wanted Flirting in Italian to be. It gave me teen angst, it gave me cheesy, it gave me love, and mystery and history and foreign places. My only slight with it would be the ending... I just wasn't completely satisfied with it. However do I sense more?


I feel for Colette. She is in this odd position and time in her teenage life and her friend situation may seem kind of dumb to some people, but I have witnessed "friendships" like this first hand. I actually had a friend similar to Hanna. Not as bad, but similar. So, I see Colette's approach to Hanna has being more passive, than doormat. Hanna's character is the perfect domineering female friend. The second Colette does something a little diverse from the crowd, you instantly think.. "what will Hanna's reaction be?!" I enjoyed Pilar, but felt she could of added a little more the the trio.  As for Jules, what a crush worthy french boy he was! He was the perfect addition to the cast of characters. 


You need to be in the right mood for this book, you need to want cheesiness,travel and mystery... otherwise you will be disappointed. However, when you are in the right mood this book will be perfection for you. You will not want to put it down until you know every last detail.