TWO YEARS AGO TODAY...

...I was walking through a Barnes and Noble.
I saw this book:
I'd seen it before, and once on another occasion I'd even picked it up. But two years ago today,
I bought it. I brought it home. I read it.
And I kid you not, my reading experience has never been the same. And I finally realized the audience that I primarily wanted to write for: young teens (older ones too, but targeting the younger ones).
So thanks, PJ, for opening up the door to Young Adult fiction.
It's been a fun and crazy ride. And it's not over yet.
:)


Most of us read YA, if not almost exclusively. What was that one book/series that really got you into the YA genre?

ARC Review - Much Ado About TEMPESTUOUS

Tempestuous (Wondrous Strange, #3) - Lesley Livingston

Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy
# of pages: 361 (ARC)
Published by Harper Teen
Releases December 21, 2010
Have you read the Wondrous Strange series yet? You should. You really, really should. The final book in this, the *best* faerie series currently in print, releases next week on the 21st. This would be just a fabulous time to begin this series, especially you high schoolers, since you guys are almost (if not already) out for the holidays.
I grabbed at Tempestuous immediately after closing the back cover of Darklight, intent on figuring out how the heck everything would go down in this final installment. Darklight's ending was, to say the least, a real shocker for me...and to be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about the direction the story was taking. I was thinking, "Oohhh, I don't know how I feel about this. This is really not what I expected. Whatever will happen next?" Well, the author certainly didn't disappoint, and out of a complete left-field plot twist came a captivating finale to a beloved series. Without spoiling anything, if you've read Darklight, and the ending made you say, "What in the world?!" rest assured that you will most definitely be pleased with how everything plays out.
So in addition to Kelley and Sonny, the cast of the WS series has been energetic, enigmatic, and hilariously lovable. I've mentioned before how cool a concept it is to have four faerie courts - one for every season - and the folkloric creatures represented in the series (kelpies, creepy sirens akin to vampires, storm hags - YEAH, and ogres, oh my!) are brilliantly crafted. And although they're maniacally evil, the Wee Green Men were (ssshhh!) some of my favorite characters. These ain't your Lucky Charms leprechauns - these are strangely fascinating sociopaths who can terrify and entertain simultaneously. And Robin Goodfell0w/Puck/"Bob" is the *best* portrayal of the character I've encountered in YA fiction. In fact, nobody blends faerie lore with the witticisms of Shakespeare's plays better than Lesley Livingston. If you're looking for anything remotely Midsummer/Auberon-Titania/Shakespeare's take on faeries, you just need to get introduced to this series.
The Wondrous Strange series has nearly singlehandedly restored my love of faerie lore and folk tales. From start to finish, the series was strong, witty, thorough, and downright entertaining, and for that, the author deserves immense praise. The Bard himself would be so pleased.
So (boys and) girls, read the WS series over the Christmas break, then return to your teacher and regale her with "Lord, what fools these mortals be!," "We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep." When she claps her hands in glee and exclaims, "You've been reading Shakespeare over the break!" you can give her a toothy grin and say, "Nope, been reading Lesley Livingston's Wondrous Strange series, published by Harper Teen."
P.S. Don't forget the toothy grin :D

Memory Lane: JULIET MARILLIER

This week - last year - I began a book called Wolfskin, the a historical fiction book with fantasy overtones that I went on to enjoy immensely. It's set in the 9th century in Scotland's Orkney Islands and includes magic, romance, a murder-mystery, and VIKINGS! No, not the team.

I recommend it to all of you (it is "grown up fiction" and it's pretty long, at over 500 pages) but besides the book, this was the first time I'd ever read anything by Juliet Marillier, who is now one of my absolute favorite authors.
Have you read any of her books?

Real quick: Why I like JM: She is a master storyteller. Detail is something I like, and especially if it's historical fiction, I like to feel really transported back in time. Authors who do their research and really put forth a lot of detail are extremely admirable.
Her characters are perfect. No, I don't mean they never do anything wrong, I mean they are perfectly crafted: real enough to be relate-able but good enough to really inspire you. Even her villains are well-crafted and given touches of humanity, making them incredibly interesting and fun to explore.
Her stories are brilliantly paced and executed. Yeah, sometimes it may seem like her plots drag, but there's always so much going on, so many layers of exploration...it's exciting!

What she's famous for:
(Probably her most famous series is:)

The SEVENWATERS books - based on the fairy tale of "The Six Swans," set in early Ireland
Daughter of the Forest
Son of the Shadows
Child of the Prophecy
Heir to Sevenwaters
Seer of Sevenwaters

The BRIDEI CHROINCLES - based on the life on a Pictish king, set in 6th century Scotland
(I read these, and they are amazing)

The Dark Mirror
Blade of Fortriu
The Well of Shades

The LIGHT ISLES Saga - set in Viking Scandinavia and the Orkney Islands

Wolfskin
Foxmask

WHISTLING TOR - her newest non-Sevenwaters book! Set in Norman conquest Ireland & based on the legend of "Beauty and the Beast"!!Heart's Blood

Juliet's NOVELS FOR YOUNG ADULTS! YAY!

Wildwood Dancing - BEST FREAKING BOOK EVER!
Cybele's Secret

It's been a fabulous year of Juliet's storytelling. I've read 5 of her books so far. I hope you find time in your reading future to pick up a book by this amazing author. You won't regret it!

Inspiration - "Dreamy" Edition

I look at these pictures and get all "dreamy." My mind starts to wonder, and I drift away.

Do pictures have the power to sweep you away?

In My Mailbox [28] "Midnight" Edition :D

In My Mailbox is hosted by the Story Siren.

For some awesome reason, 3/4 of the books I got this week all have "Midnight" in their title. Bazinga!
I received:

FOR REVIEW
Born at Midnight - C.C. Hunter
from St. Martin's Griffin, Macmillan

BOUGHT
Scrambled Eggs at Midnight - Brad Barkley & Heather Hepler

GIFTS!
Thirteen Days to Midnight - Patrick Carman (love Patrick Carman! He's the MAN!)
Jellicoe Road - Melina Marchetta (heard from too many people that this was one not to miss; plus it's a "second chance author" book, so that'll be interesting!)

NOTE:
There are still 8 days to enter my Blogoversary Contest before it closes on December 20. If you haven't entered already...please do!

Your Favorite Reads - 2010 [2]

I'll get right to the chase - here are MORE of what your answers from the Blogoversary Contest!

What was your favorite 2010 release?
Answers:



"Changeless by Gail Carriger, it must have been the funniest, most entertaining book I've read all year. I loved everything about it till the end where I was totally shocked by well the ending. What I really enjoyed was the great sidecharacters and the scenery-change in this book, but what I enjoyed most about it is Gail Carrigers language, I love how she writes."




"I really liked Paranormalcy. It was a refreshing twist on paranormal fiction, and the main character was funny. I also really liked the best friend mermaid who bleeped. :)"




"My favorite? Probably INSIDE OUT by Maria V. Snyder. It was AMAZING! It just had so many twists and turns and FASCINATING mysteries. I loved it."





"Perfect Chemistry because it was the first book I read for a while without any paranormal elements, and it was so cute! It definitely topped some of those paranormal books. I love Brittany and Alex!"




"Jandy Nelson's THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE -- her prose is gorgeous, and she captured difficult emotions really well. I loved this book!"








"Forgive my Fins, because its fun, diferent, cute and i just love mermaids."





"Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld was one of my favorite releases this year. It is set in this amazing world with a steampunk vibe, but also has these creatures created by Darwinists that are hybrids. Lots of action and great characters."

Top Ten Best Christmas Movies! (non-book related)

Each week till Christmas I'll feature a holiday-themed post. This week's is HOLIDAY MOVIES!

In our family, watching Christmas movies is just as much a tradition as baking gingerbread and wrapping presents. It's so easy to get into the holiday spirit watching holiday films, and these are my Top 10 Favorite Christmas movies!

10. Scrooged (1988)
Bill Murray + funny 80s cast = amazing Dickens adaptation


9. White Christmas (1954)
Love 50s movies period, but this cute musical is the reason I always wish I grew up in the north, with snow :)


8. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Charlie Brown! And Snoopy with his bent tree. Cute :D



7. The Polar Express (2004)
New classic. Amazing animation. And Tom Hanks. Epic win.
And it's based on a classic book.

6. The Santa Claus (1994)
This is one of the first Christmas movies I remember seeing as a child, and even though it's a little silly now that I'm a grownup, there's still a nostalgia factor. Especially when Tim Allen orders all that food at the business meeting. And every time I see a Denny's, I think of this movie!

5. Elf (2003)
Will Ferrell's movies are usually a little too silly/crude for my taste, but I absolutely love this film! And that duet with Will and Zooey Deschanel is on my ipod too :) So blog buddies...what's your favorite color?


4. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Oh yeah. I was the cool kid in 1st grade because I actually got to see this somewhat creepy movie in the theater. It's the kind of movie that I've had to see a few times before really appreciating it's artistic value. But still, after all these years, this movie still brings a smile to my face. And "Jack's Soliloquy" still gives me goosebumps.


3. Home Alone (1990)
So maybe it's not a "Christmas" movie per see, but it just seems weird for me to watch it any other time besides the holidays. The snow, the Christmas music, etc. Oh, and did any of you guys *actually* try any of the stuff Macauley Culkin did? I totally tried to booby trap our house by scattering toys everywhere. Lol. And the neighborhood kids believed the guy across the street was a murderer, too. Good stuff. Great holiday film.



2. A Christmas Story (1983)
TBS 24-hour-marathon. Red Rider BB Gun. Scott Farkus. The lam. Frah-gee-leh. Dressing your son up like the Michelin Man. The Bumpus's dogs. Far-ra-ra-ra-rahh. Triple dog dares. A bowling ball. Looking like a pink nightmare. HO HOO HOOOOOOO (freaky Santa).
Etc. Etc. Etc.


1. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
And here it is. My all time favorite Christmas movie. I'm not particularly sure why it's just not the holidays without Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, but it just isn't... And what can I say, I love those Muppets!
Those two old guys - Statler and Waldorf - are my absolute favorites, and them cast as Jacob's Ghost is HILARIOUS. Best freaking part!





So that's my list. What movies do you like to watch during the holidays?