Pop Culture Junkie

Hardcover vs Paperback 56

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Perfect on Paper by Maria Murnane

Original Cover

AmazonEncore Edition

Amazon.com:

Anything can look perfect on paper. When her fiancé calls off their wedding at the last minute, Waverly Bryson wonders if her life will ever turn out the way she thought it would...or should. Her high-powered job in sports PR? Not so perfect. Her relationship with her dad? Far from it. Her perfect marriage? Enough said. To keep sane, Waverly makes a habit of jotting down "Honey Notes," her own brand of self-deprecating wisdom and a pipe-dream for a line of greeting cards.

As Waverly stumbles back into the dating scene (no stalkers or jean shorts, please), her personal and professional lives threaten to collide. Perfect on Paper reminds us that everyone has a bad date (or twelve), and that everyone eventually needs a best friend to tell them, “Honey, you are not alone.”

Perfect On Paper was one of my favorite books I read in 2008 so when I heard the book was being re-released by Amazon I was very excited, it's going to get into the hands of more people! Anyways, I was very excited to see what they did with the cover and now I know!

I never really had a feeling towards the original cover I just read the book and fell in love with the story but I do like what they did with the new Amazon edition. I think it keeps the spirit of the original cover but does it up a bit more. I'm glad they didn't slap a person on the cover, then it would have looked like everything else out there!

Hardcover or Paperback?

Thanks to Book Chic who showed me the new Perfect on Paper reissue cover!

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Amazon.com:

An exchange student who's really an alien, a secret room that becomes the perfect place for a quick escape, a typical tale of grandfatherly exaggeration that is actually even more bizarre than he says... These are the odd details of everyday life that grow and take on an incredible life of their own in tales and illustrations that Shaun Tan's many fans will love.

This book is an experience. Shaun Tan's mind, I don't even know how you would describe it and coupled with his extremely beautiful art, it's just mind blowing. Basically everything you've ever heard about Shaun Tan is true, he's a master and this book is a true gem.

The stories range from one page to several, from tiny simple illustrations to full page extremely detailed ones. I haven't read his book The Arrival yet, but Tales From Outer Suburbia sure seems like a masterwork to me. Even the Table of Contents which is usually very simple in books is extremely beautiful, it might actually be my favorite page in the book. It is a series of postage stamps one for each story.

While the stories explore a variety of situations and events they all carry this feeling of a beautiful and haunting imagination. Pick this book up now, seriously.

Tales From Outer Suburbia was released on February 1st 2009
Genre: Children's Book
5/5 Stars
Review copy provided by publisher

GIVEAWAY: "I Will Make You A Feltie"

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:23:00 +0000

So, if you've talked to me lately you know all about my felties obsessed based on the book Felties by Nelly Pailloux, if not here's my review of the book.

Anyhow the response to the pictures of the patterns I've made has been overwhelming, you all think they are as cute as I do! So I'm having a contest, so 3 of you can each have your very own feltie too, made by me!

Here's how to enter to be one of three winners of the feltie of your choice!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S and Canada.

The giveaway will end December 6th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

Look below to decide which pattern you would like me to make you if you are the winner. The form will ask you to choose one (or pick surprise me! if you really can't choose).

"Mushroom Girl"

"Babushka"

"Hoodie Wolf"

Mouse (modified from "Pirate Mouse")

"Pensive Rabbit"

"Little Lion"

"Sleepy Fox"

"Polaro-roo"

"Vivid Squirrel"

Puppy (modified from "Sailor Puppy")

Felties by Nelly Pailloux

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Amazon.com:

In Felties: How to Make 18 Cute and Fuzzy Friends from Felt, crafters and artists alike get the goods on how to make the cutest of the cute using felt and fun embellishments. With only the most basic of sewing skills, crafters can fashion their own Feltie friends with an average construction time of only 15 minutes per pattern. Each Feltie design includes a full-color photograph of the Feltie project at hand, as well as an illustrated instructional overview, pattern diagrams, and a convenient list of every item you will need to complete the project located in a handy sidebar reference section.

Feltie friends can be customized with limitless embellishments and morph into such items as finger puppets, key rings, or mobile phone mascots. The fun creations include Polaroo (part bear and part kangaroo), the wise Samurai Cat, sleepy bushy-tailed Foxy, bamboo-munching Panda, Egyptian Mummy Cat, Stargazing Rabbit, Babushka, and many more.

Now, Felties isn't something I was normally seek out. I'm into the cute but wouldn't really consider myself into sewing. But I happened upon it one day, noticed that it looked simple enough and became OBSESSED. I ordered the book, 2 weeks later it finally showed up, I went out that night and bought just about every possible material (cost around $40) I thought I would need to complete any and all of the patterns and set off to work.

I started off with Mushroom Girl because to me she was the cutest. And I will be honest, it was a struggle, i almost gave up, probably took me about 3 hours. It probably didn't help that I started with a pattern with a lot of embellishments. But once I completed that first pattern I realized it wasn't really bad once I got into the sewing mindset. And from there I went to complete 10 of the 18 patterns in the book as of now. I'd say right now it takes me probably about 1-2 hours to complete a pattern.

Since my sewing skills aren't the great I modified as I went, making things easier for myself and adjusting the patterns to work a little better for me. The book is very simple to work with and definitely has given me a lot of ideas as to how I could create my own patterns, which I would like to try sometime soon. The patterns are very very small but I think it would be very simple to enlarge them on a copier to fit someone's comfort level.

Overall this is a fantastic book that has introduced me to a great new hobby! I just wish there were more patterns in the book!

Felties was released on October 19th
Genre: Felt Crafts
4.5/5 Stars
Book purchased from Amazon.com

Here is what i've made so far:

"Mushroom Girl"

"Babushka"

"Hoodie Wolf"

Mouse (modified from "Pirate Mouse")

"Pensive Rabbit"

"Little Lion"

"Sleepy Fox"

"Polaro-roo"

"Vivid Squirrel"

Puppy (modified from "Sailor Puppy")

Stay tuned for an "I Will Make You A Feltie Giveway"!

This Week In Books Or Look At Me Getting All Chatty

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Monday: nothing

Tuesday:

Raven Summer by David Almond

For review.

Wednesday:

The Pillow Book of Lotus Lowenstein by Libby Schmais

For a blog tour! I wowed this a few months back so I'm very excited!

Thursday: nothing

Friday:

Microserfs by Douglas Coupland
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Got these at the library book store. Has anyone read the Lunch Lady books? I've seen them around, they look fun!

Laid: Young People's Experience with Sex in an an Easy-Access Culture edited by Shannon T. Boodram

For review. This book sounds beyond interesting, I'm extremely excited about it!

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean signed coverflat

Holy crap is this cool! I won it in Sarah's contest a week or two back. I've gotten a few cover flats of books I've worked on but none as been as cool as this. It even has the inset page and some information about Sarah and the book on the back. I love the pearly finish of the cover!

Saturday:

Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag

Earlier this week Khyrinthia told me that she and I (among a few other blogs) had been quoted in the paperback of edition of the book. A few days ago it wasn't in stock locally but now it is and I went out and grabbed it at Borders!

Fall to Pieces by Mary Forsbery Weiland

For review. I don't really know a thing about this book, do you?

Lookalikes 76

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Thanks to Cat and Paradox who suggested this lookalike!

Private by Kate Brian (UK edition)

What I Wore to Save the World by Maryrose Wood

Oh boy is this tough. I really like both of these covers. The whole set of UK Kate Brian books are fabulous with the black and white photography and gold typography but Maryrose Wood's book series is also fabulous, I love when illustration is worked in with photography. So for me this is a tie.

Which do you prefer?

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Winner of Blue Plate Special!

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:14:00 +0000

Congratulations to Jill of the O.W.L.!

I've emailed you so please respond by Monday November 23rd with your mailing address!

GIVEAWAY: Fallen

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Now that you've had a chance to see my thoughts on Fallen, I'd like to give you a chance to win an ARC of the book!

If you need a reminder here's the blurb:

Amazon.com:

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Here's how to enter to win an ARC of Fallen!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here. (Thanks to The Story Siren for the idea!)

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S.

The giveaway will end December 3rd at 6:59 pm Central Time.

**This ARC has an Amazon Vine sticker on the back**

*** Everyone seems to be reacting to the cover, which sadly isn't on the ARC***

Fallen by Lauren Kate

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Amazon.com:

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

For being so long this book was almost too simple. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, I liked the characters, the atmosphere and the idea of what was to come. But when it played out I realized it happened exactly how I had expected minus one shocking turn of events. I feel a little let down because I was hoped to be surprised a bit more than I was, I was hoping it would lead to some big revelation I never saw coming, but I did see it coming and because of that there was no real revelation. Also I should point out that this story is of the slower variety that some people might not have the patience for, I really liked the pace though because the atmosphere created for haunting and beautiful passages.

I loved the variety of characters from mysterious Daniel, to flirty Cam, to loyal Penn, to wacky Arriane to all the other students and faculty. While I also liked main character Luce, and felt her shame and her confusion, I also felt like she came off as bit a bit of a fool. I wanted her to understand things quicker instead of waiting around while she finally figured it out.

The back story of Fallen is interesting and I can't wait until more of it is explained in book 2, Torment. I feel like Fallen introduced us to the world of Luce and Daniel and all of their friends and enemies and hopefully book 2 will get to the really good stuff!

Fallen will be released on December 8th
Genre: Young Adult
3.5/5 Stars
ARC provided by Amazon Vine

"Waiting On" Wednesday 57

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Seth Baumgartner's Love Manifesto by Eric Luper

Harper Collins:

Seth Baumgartner just had the worst day of his life: His girlfriend dumped him (at Applebee’s), he spied his father on a date with a woman who is not his mother (also at Applebee’s!), and he lost his fourth job of the year. It’s like every relationship he cares about is imploding, and he can’t figure out what’s going on.

To find answers, Seth decides to start an anonymous podcast called The Love Manifesto, exploring “what love is, why love is, and why we’re stupid enough to keep going back for more.” Things start looking up when Seth gets a job at a golf club with his hilarious and smut-minded best friend, Dimitri, and Dimitri’s sister, Audrey. With their help, Seth tracks down his father’s mystery date, hits the most infamous bogey in the history of golf, and discovers that sometimes love means eating the worst chicken-salad sandwich you can ever imagine.

Released June 8th 2010

This books sounds like it will be heartfelt and fun. I love the idea of anonymous podcast too. It just sounds good!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Hardcover vs Paperback 55

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

The Sister by Poppy Adams

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com:

Born into a long line of distinguished lepidopterists, scientists who study moths and butterflies, Ginny and Vivien grew up in a sprawling Victorian home. Forty-seven years later, Ginny lives there alone, tending to her moths and obsessions amid the ghosts of her past.

But when her sister Vivien returns to the crumbling family mansion, dark, unspoken secrets rise, disrupting Ginny's ordered life and threatening the family's fragile peace. Told in Ginny's unforgettable voice, this debut novel tells a disquieting story of two sisters and the ties that bind-sometimes a little too tightly.

Wow, you know, I never knew what this book was about but it definitely sounds interesting. I like both covers but the falling doll on the paperback is distracting so it makes the hardcover the winner in my book. I think the butterflies are more integrated into the hardcover as well.

Hardcover or Paperback?

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Winner of Medina Hill!

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:28:00 +0000

The winner of Medina Hill is Orchid! Yay!

I have emailed you, please respond with your mailing address by this Thursday the 19th! Thanks!

Just Grace and the Snack Attack by Charise Mericle Harper

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Amazon.com:

After reading this new book about Just Grace you will know how to . . .

1. turn your favorite potato chips into a tasty chipwich.
2. draw and fold up your very own zine, which is a cool little book made from only one piece of paper.
3. look for and use the special powers of the wish chip.

This book will not help you know how to . . .

1. do fancy hairstyles for your cat.
2. make a flower garden in your room.
3. bake a four- or even five-layer cake.

But this book might make you feel a little bit hungry, and if it does, then you will know you are having a “snack attack” just like Grace!

Move over Judy Moody, Amber Brown and Clementine, there's a new spunky third grader on the block! Learn more about Just Grace at www.justgracebooks.com

I will admit that this book interested me because of the doodles on the cover and that it promised you would "Learn How to Make A Zine Inside!" Being all about cute illustration and zines I knew that this had to be a good time and I was definitely right.

While I'm far older than the intended audience for this book (elementary age) I could still appreciate the story and the accompanying doodles. Just Grace and the Snack Attack is the only book I've read out of the Just Grace series but it read fine as a stand alone for me. I loved the idea of exploring different ethnic foods, it's definitely a great topic for young children to be exposed to. It also talks about things such as family, friendship, what happens when you do something wrong, jealous and other things that are important for kids to learn about.

As far as reading level goes I'd say this would be the step between learning to read simple chapter books and full blown chapter books. The type is rather large on the page and while it isn't split into chapters it's split into small sections with their own headings such as "Eating Lunch" and the doodles also help break up the story.

Just Grace and the Snack Attack will be released on December 14th
Genre: Childrens
4/5 Stars
ARC provided by Amazon Vine

Luv Ya Bunches by Lauren Myracle

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Amazon.com:

What do Katie-Rose, Yasaman, Milla, and Violet all have in common? Other than being named after flowers, practically nothing. Katie-Rose is a film director in training. Yasaman is a computer whiz. Milla is third in command of the A list. And Violet is the new girl in school. They’re fab girls, all of them, but they sure aren’t friends. And if evil queen bee Medusa— ’scuse me, Modessa—has her way, they never will be. But this is the beginning of a new school year, when anything can happen and social worlds can collide . . .

Told in Lauren Myracle’s inventive narrative style—here a fresh mix of instant messages, blog posts, screenplay, and straight narrative—Luv Ya Bunches, the first in a four-book series, is a funny, honest depiction of the shifting alliances and rivalries that shape school days, and of the lasting friendships that blossom from the skirmishes.

I loved the diversity in Luv Ya Bunches, from the characters ethnic backgrounds, to their home situations, to their friends at school, these four girls realize that none of that matters when it comes to true friendship. I also loved the diversity of storytelling methods such as IM conversations, screenplay format, and regular narrative. While format changes are a personal favorite of mine I think they also work well for reluctant readers.

While I had to keep reminding myself that the girls were 5th graders and not in junior high (I guess things were different when I was their age!) I think this story of friendship can be appreciate by anyone from late elementary school age to junior high and beyond, I mean heck I'm nowhere near their ages and I enjoyed reading it!

While I liked all of the characters, personally my favorite character was Yasaman. She's a bit of a loner, a computer/internet guru and a Muslim. It's very exciting to see more and more Muslim characters in young adult and childrens books recently. I'm also excited that this is a start of a series and that we will get to know a lot more about this group of new friends!

Luv Ya Bunches was released on October 1st
Genre: Middle Grade
4/5 Stars
ARC provided by publisher

This Week In Books Or Can You Believe I Didn't Go to the Library Book Store This Week Either?!

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:19:00 +0000

Monday: nothing

Tuesday: nothing

Wednesday:

Muhajababes by Allegra Stratton

I got this off of the Free Books cart at the coffee shop across the street. The books are provided by a book distributor in the building. This book sounds amazing and sounds exactly like what I've been looking for over the last few years.

Thursday:

Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

For review! Might need to refresh myself on the ending of The Nanny Diaries before starting this one.

Friday:

Raiders' Ransom by Emily Diamand

For review!

Saturday: nothing

Lookalikes 75

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman

Not the End of the World by Kate Atkinson

Personally I'm in love with the overall softness in Not the End of the World. From the colors to the beautiful out of focus background and curtains this cover relaxes me and is therefor my winner!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Thanks to Deborah who also noticed this lookalike!

The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship by Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Amazon.com:
Loyalty, loss, and the ties that bind. These are the ingredients of The Recipe Club, a "novel cookbook" that combines an authentic story of friendship with more than 80 delicious recipes.

Lilly and Val are lifelong friends, united as much by their differences as by their similarities. Lilly, dramatic and confident, lives in the shadow of her beautiful, wayward mother and craves the attention of her distant, disapproving father. Val, shy and idealistic—and surprisingly ambitious— struggles with her desire to break free from her demanding housebound mother and a father whose dreams never seem to come true.

In childhood, "LillyPad" and "ValPal" form an exclusive two-person club, writing intimate letters in which they share hopes, fears, deepest secrets—and recipes, from Lilly's "Lovelorn Lasagna" to Valerie's "Forgiveness Tapenade." Readers can cook along as the friends travel through time facing the challenges of independence, the joys and heartbreaks of first love, and the emotional complexities of family relationships, identity, mortality, and goals deferred.

The Recipe Club sustains Lilly and Val's bond through the decades, regardless of what different paths they take or what misunderstandings threaten to break them apart . . . until the fateful day when an act of kindness becomes an unforgivable betrayal.

Now, years later, while trying to recapture the trust they've lost, Lilly and Val reunite once more—only to uncover a shocking secret. Will it destroy their friendship, or bring them ever closer?

The Recipe Club was an interesting story of friendship, family and food told through letters, emails, recipes and also some prose. It jumps from the early twenty-first century to 60s-70s and back again, all revolving around two friends and their rough but caring relationship.

I love how the story unfolds, it starts after Lilly and Val haven't spoken in more than two decades and then goes back to their childhood when they started the recipe club. It follows them through school and into college where they eventually stop speaking to each other. And we think we know the cause of their friendship unraveling but then find out things even they themselves didn't know. It definitely shocked me. The Recipe Club really makes you think a lot about family dynamics and also what a true friendship is, it's not always sunshine and rainbows.

I was definitely drawn to the story because of the back and forth letters from Lilly and Val and the story did not disappoint. I also loved how the recipes were worked into the storyline and really how you could use this as a cookbook as well.

Overall a great and touching story told in an original way!

The Recipe Club was released on October 14th
Genre: Fiction/Recipes
4/5 Stars
ARC provided by publicity company

"Waiting On" Wednesday 56

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Cool Beans: A Maya Davis Novel by Erynn Mangum

ErynnMangum.com:

Maya Davis couldn't imagine a better life - she's a barista at her favorite coffeehouse, she's got two amazing best friends, Jack and Jen, and she's got a standing dinner date with her parents every Sunday night.

At least, she can't imagine a better life until Jen starts unknowingly dating Maya's high school sweetheart (whom she nearly married), her genius doctor of a brother moves back into town and ruins her Sunday dinners, and now her dog's picked up a weird Pilates obsession.

Can Maya learn to trust God even when it seems like only an endless bowl of fudge-covered ice cream will help?

Released April 1st 2010

Sounds like a lot of fun to me! I'm not sure if I've ever read any Christian Fiction, but lately the genre has had a lot that seems interesting and fun to me! Who says a non-christian can't enjoy it too! :)

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Green Books Campaign: Celebrate Green! by Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Today I'm excited to be part of a very exciting and original blog tour!

This review is part of the Green Books campaign. Today 100 bloggers are reviewing 100 great books printed in an environmentally friendly way. Our goal is to encourage publishers to get greener and readers to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books. This campaign is organized by Eco-Libris, a a green company working to green up the book industry by promoting the adoption of green practices, balancing out books by planting trees, and supporting green books. A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website.

Amazon.com:

Celebrate Green! offers tips, strategies and ideas for creating celebrations with more meaning and less negative impact on people and the Earth. Whether planning a wedding, a Thanksgiving feast, an Easter egg hunt or any of dozens of other celebrations, this book is a font of creative, engaging activities and memory-builders for the entire family. From food, to decor, to gifts for people in every stage of life, you'll be astonished by the easy, inexpensive and even free ways to make every occasion eco-friendly and fun.

Celebrate Green! offers up a variety of ideas for how to make your life more "green". It offers many many ideas split up by season and celebration, from major holidays to special events such as weddings or family reunions. There is something in this book you can most definitely use. The book itself was printed on FSC-certified paper and recycled paper so it is doing its part!

There is a vast amount of information in this book from recipes, environmental facts, websites to visit, and decoration ideas. Basically anything you would find in a regular "ideas for the holidays" book you will find here. And because of this, I think it would be fairly easy for anyone willing to try things a little differently to make small or big steps towards going green with this book.

As far as how the book is laid out I like that it is split up by occasion but also season. The use of bullet points and call outs make it an easy book to flip through and find what you want. The book is printed in green and brown ink. There are graphics and a few pictures but I could have used far far more pictures. Pictures are what will get me to stop on a certain page if I'm not looking for something specific, it draws the eye in. But overall this is a great book that makes going green easy by using baby steps.

Celebrate Green! was released on October 1st 2008
Genre: Holidays/Environmental
4/5 Stars
Review copy provided by the publisher

Hardcover vs Paperback 54

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com:

Honor lives in a dystopian world ruled by benevolent Earth Mother, where conformity is prized, the world is peaceful, and the Corporation has controlled the weather since the Flood. But Honor's parents dare to be different, having a second child and pressuring Honor to remember things everyone else is trying to forget. By the time Honor is 13, she cannot understand why her parents refuse to follow the rules, even as she becomes more grimly determined to be the perfect student. For a slightly younger age group than the current crop of dystopian and apocalyptic novels, the book is at its best when it's inside Honor's head, as she struggles to balance her parents' unorthodoxy with her craving to belong. Information about how this new world came to be is teasingly dispensed, and that, too, will keep readers engaged. Less successful is a daring, yet sometimes confusing, rescue at the story's conclusion. Still, as with many books in the genre, this offers readers plenty to consider, including how they might react in Honor's place.

I'm torn. The hardcover instantly says dystopia to me but the paperback is more clever when you know what the book is about. But that's the problem, the paperback doesn't work unless you know what the book is about, at least I think. The title gives you a hint though. The hardcover says more young adult to me than the paperback though. I don't think I can choose one of the other!

Hardcover or Paperback?

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

My Wonderful World of Fashion: A Book For Drawing, Creating, and Dreaming by Nina Chakrabarti

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Amazon.com:

An interactive coloring book for fashionistas of all ages, My Wonderful World of Fashion is packed with beautiful and sophisticated illustrations specially created by the leading fashion-illustrator Nina Chakrabarti. The book encourages creativity, with illustrations to color in and designs to finish off, as well as simple ideas for making and doing (how to make a sari, turn a napkin into a headscarf, dye a T-shirt, and so on). Covering clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry, and other accessories, the illustrations span both vintage fashions—drawing on beautiful and interesting objects from past ages—and contemporary designs from the illustrator's own imagination. 'Did you know...?' features that give brief historical notes encourage children to be inspired by history and by other cultures. A wonderful celebration of fashion, the book will appeal to fashion addicts from 8 years plus.

My Wonderful World of Fashion is flat out awesome. Though it is marketed for children 8 and up I thought it was fabulous. I think anyone interested in sketching, fashion, illustration, patterns or just a cool book to look at for inspiration for drawing would appreciate it. It sure made me want to sit down and draw.

Chakrabarti definitely has a talent for showcasing so much all under the umbrella of fashion. From a brief history of fashion to intricate patterns to giving people the confidence to create their own there is a diverse range of activities in this book. I love how detailed or simple her illustrations can be. They are beautiful and very inspiring.

My one suggestion for this book would be perhaps a different sort of binding that allowed for the book to lay open flat on its own for ease of use. I also think that after awhile the binding might crack. Personally I wouldn't want to make one mark in the book because it is so beautiful on its own but would love to perhaps make a copy of a page so I could complete the activity that way without ruining the book but the binding doesn't really allow for that. Tear out pages would have also been a great idea. The pages are definitely thick enough that they could hold up to coloring.

Overall I am extremely impressed with Chakrabarti's illustrations and ideas and I will definitely be watching to see what she comes up with next.

My Wonderful World of Fashion was released on September 23rd.
Genre: Coloring Book/Illustration
4.5/5 Stars
Review copy provided by Amazon Vine
Nina Chakrabarti website
Sample Spreads

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:56:00 +0000

Amazon.com:

What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane’s Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She’s the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right? With overtones of Jane Austen’s Emma and brimming with humor and heart, this sweet, frothy debut will be savored by readers.

The Espressologist was a simple and sweet story. The whole plot is anchored by Jane's Espressology which was very clever and original. It made for a very fun storyline. It totally made me crave some hot chocolate and also made me curious about some of the drinks that are mentioned in the story that you don't normally see on the menu at your local coffee shop!

While it was pretty obvious where the story was going I had a great time getting there. Lots of cute boys, sweet boys and great times with friends. I wish the relationship that comes to be at the ending was developed a little more though, making the ending more realistic. Regardless, this is a perfect book for the holidays, sure made me want to sit down with a warm cup of hot chocolate!

The Espressologist was released on October 27th
Genre: Young Adult
3.5/5 Stars
Review copy provided by the publisher

This Week In Books Or How This Was Almost A One Book Week!

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:40:00 +0000

Monday: nothing

Tuesday: nothing

Wednesday:

My Invented Life by Lauren Bjorkman

Thursday: nothing

Friday: nothing

Saturday:

So the mail came early in the day, I was expecting 2 Amazon packages and they didn't arrive. Irish/Gail pointed out that maybe there was going to be a late delivery today so I waited and sure enough there was! I was kind of excited to be able to post a one book week, but alas it wasn't meant to be.

Felties by Nelly Pailloux
Splendor by Anna Godbersen
The Grammar Devotional by Mignon Fogarty

Felties is what I was really waiting for. I'm going to try and make one or a few, depending on how it goes this weekend! These all came from Amazon.

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia by Christopher Paolini

These came from review. What are your thoughts on Paolini's books? I don't know much about them but do believe I saw the movie version of Eragon.

Lookalikes 74

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

A Version of the Truth by Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Fredrick

Much Ado About Anne (The Mother Daughter Book Club) by Heather Vogel Fredrick

UPDATE: Thanks to Bookworm who pointed out there is a third book in the series!

Dear Pen Pal (The Mother Daughter Book Club) by Heather Vogel Fredrick

Ok so obviously the last two are from the same series so the real comparison is between the first one and the second two as a pair. I definitely like them all and think they are a lot of fun, so much so that I would like to read them knowing next to nothing about them, but I will have to go with the first cover as my winner. I love the wallpaper, that's what it comes down to and the fact that the picture is more believable (less books on her head).

Which do you prefer?

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Thanks to Deborah who also noticed this lookalike!

GIVEAWAY: Blue Plate Special

aleareads@gmail.com (Alea) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Now that you've had a chance to see my thoughts on Blue Plate Special, I'd like to give you a chance to win a copy of the book!

If you need a reminder here's the blurb:

Amazon.com:

Doomed loves, failed families, nixed dreams—someone else's leftovers are heaped on our plates the day we come into this world.

Big Macs and pop tunes mask the emptiness as Madeline watches her mom drink away their welfare checks. Until the day Tad, a quirky McDonald's counter boy, asks Madeline out for a date, and she gets her first taste of normal. But with a life that's anything but, how long can normal really last?

Hanging with Jeremy, avoiding Mam, sticking Do Not Disturb Post-its on her heart, Desiree's mission is simple: party hard, graduate (well, maybe), get out of town. But after Desiree accepts half a meatball grinder, a cold drink, and a ride from her mother's boyfriend one rainy afternoon, nothing is ever simple again.

Too many AP classes. Workaholic mom. Dad in prison. Still, Ariel's sultry new boyfriend, Shane, manages to make even the worst days delicious. But when an unexpected phone call forces a trip to visit a sick grandmother she's never met, revealing her family's dark past, Ariel struggles to find the courage to make the right choice for her own future.

Three girls from three different decades find out it's what they do with their leftovers that matters—because, after all, life is your own blue plate special.

Here's how to enter to win Blue Plate Special!

Leave a comment letting me know why you like books with rotating perspectives or alternate viewpoints?

For 1 additional entry, blog (sidebar is fine) or tweet (@reply me @mint910) about this contest and leave a separate comment here linking to your post or tweet (only one additional entry total).

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S and Canada.

Please leave a way for me to contact you if you are the winner!

The giveaway will end November 19th at 6:59 pm Central Time.