Grave Mercy : Robin LaFevers

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

How could you ever deny a book that has the tagline of “Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?” with a tough chick with a crossbow on the cover? Grave Mercy is one of the most badass books I’ve read this year. The book genre I first fell in love with when reading was historical fiction. I think I have read every single Philippa Gregory book on this planet. I was so obsessed with Tudor England and Henry the VIII that I went to England in high school and practically wept when I saw the Tower of London. I have a burning love or corsets and gowns and headpieces and all sorts of costume from the 16^th century. So needless to say, this book caught my attention right away.

Seventeen year old Ismae escapes from a cruel and abusive arranged marriage into the refuge of the convent of St. Mortain. The nuns of this convent aren’t Sound of Music gently singing nuns. The god that they serve is St. Mortain, the god of Death. If Ismae chooses to stay at convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as one of Death’s handmaidens. Up until now, Ismae’s tasks have come relatively easy to her until her most important assignment takes her to the high court of Brittany in France. She finds herself incredibly unprepared; not for lack of murdering skills but because her heart is captured by the handsome bastard brother of the duchess.

Have you bought the book yet? It’s insane how great this book is. This book completely exceeded my expectations. Thou shalt not kill turns into thou shalt kill whomever I say and in this specific manner at this specific point in time and thou shalt not commit adultery turns into thou shalt seduce the hell out of anyone if they have some information you may want. Ismae is a character you root for from page one of this book. She is fierce. Period. She is strong and blunt and cuts right to the point. Her naivety when it comes to men is terribly charming as well. I also want all of her weapons. A headband full of poisonous pearls? A knife that fits perfectly into a corset? A mini crossbow the size of a bracelet? I don’t know why I’d ever need these things but I know what is going on my Christmas list this year. Oh and did I mention the lead male character, Duval, is insanely charming? He might have to be added to my list of fictional boyfriends.

This book isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t a fan of political talk or a large range of characters with difficult to pronounce French names, I would maybe skip this one. If you are looking for a vengeful badass nun who not only kills but seduces her victims, get this book.  I’m incredibly excited to continue with this trilogy. It looks like novels that continue this story are told from the point of view of Ismae’s fellow handmaidens about their assassinations and journey’s while following Death.

Also! On Robin LaFevers website, she goes into detail about how a lot of this book is true!

Bye! Off to join a convent of murderous nuns in France!

When I Grow Up : Al Yankovic

When I Grow Up by Al Yankovic

So we all have embarrassing secrets, right? Well, here is mine: I love Weird Al Yankovic. The first live music concert I ever went to was Weird Al and I loved it. I was little, yes, and I hid when there were scary parts (go look up the music video to 'Jurassic Park' by Weird Al...as a seven year old, you'll understand my freak out.) but it was amazing. My love of his witty word play started like most younger siblings favorite things: my brother loved his music first. I thought I was the cool kid listening to witty music (that I didn't fully understand) that my five years older than me brother listened to.

So needless to say, I've kept this hidden part of me tucked away from friends and relatives. Until I totally geeked out when I saw this book. I can't stop talking about.

Most (all) of the books discussed here are young adult novels. Not this. This book is everything you'd want in a book written by Weird Al. Witty word play, virtuoso rhythm and completely laugh out loud humor. This book goes page by page (in beautiful illustrations by Wes Hargis) with Billy telling what he wants to be when he grows up. From a snail trainer to a chef to a gorilla masseuse to giraffe milker, Billy runs the gamut on future careers. Through all it's silliness, this books ending has something that ultimately choked me up and brought a tear to my eye. 

This, to me, is the perfect book to give to a graduating student (elementary graduate, middle school graduate, high school or college!). It's the funnier, sillier version of the classic grad gift Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. I would especially give it to a college graduate who majored in education. It will also make a great end of the school year gift for your child's teacher. Look out teacher friends, here is your next gift. 

I leave you with my absolutely favorite Weird Al song. I know all the words...yeah. 

Words to Live By: Monday

A Song of Ice and Fire aka Game of Thrones gives me a lot of feelings. Good feelings, bad feelings, uncomfortable feelings, holy-crap-his-hand-just-got-chopped-off feelings; just a lot of feelings. My opinions of characters change monthly and chapters always leave me spinning and grasping for more. One of my favorite quotes emerged from George R R Martin's latest installment in the series, A Dance with Dragons. Bran Stark, in response to Jojen Reed's inquiry of his favorite books responds that he only likes some books but never books, where there is lots of kissing and romance, like his sister Sansa enjoys. Jojen simply smiles and says:

A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies; a man who never reads lives only one.

I think that all people should take this into consideration before dismissing reading as a boring or nerdy activity. Though I am young and haven't physically been many places, I am a world traveler when it comes to reading. I have been to urban chic cities to castles ruled by dragons to futuristic communities crumbling to suburban Arizona to 16th Paris and back again.

Take the time to find a book that will transport you someplace else. I guarantee there is one just waiting for you.  

Weekend Reads : April 19th

TGIF, people. Is it just me or did this week drag by? In light of all the news this week, I definitely need some feel good books this weekend to read. 

This is what I plan reading this weekend:

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidy

and

The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi (sequel to Ship Breaker)

and

Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings by Helene Boudreau (there is my fluff)

What are you reading this weekend?

Cinder : Marissa Meyer

Cinder
Book One of the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

A big trend in the literacy world lately has been fractured fairy tales. We all grew up listening to and reading stories about princess and princes and dragons and witches and those stories continue on today. What is so great about the trend of fractured fairy tales is the huge creativity and liberties you can take with it. I bet you would never have imagined the white washed Cinderella as an Asian cyborg girl from the future with a mechanical leg.

Cinder is NOT X-Tina (sadly)

Lihn Cinder is a cyborg, meaning, half of her body is mechanical. She lives in the futuristic city of New Bei-jing, capital of the Eastern Commonwealth of Earth after World War Four. The Commonwealth is being ravaged by deadly plague outbreaks that no one has survived. Not only is the Commonwealth slowly dying because of illness, but the threat of the beautiful and powerful Lunars (humans who live on the moon who have special power to manipulate people with their beauty) hover over the city. Cinder owns a small booth in the market place where she does mechanical repairs and her whole life turns upside the day that the charming (and handsome!) Prince Kai comes to get his android fixed. She befriends him and (of course) falls in love with him and things go awry when he asks her to go to the ball.

Cinder is a smart retelling of a classic fairy tale. Rather than a glass slipper, it's a poorly fitted mechanical foot. Instead of a pumpkin turned chariot, we have a beat and rusting old orange car. Cinder is strong and smart; refreshing from the bland Cinderella who only swept floors and sung songs. This book has so many interesting things going on. Biological warfare. Abusive step mother. Evil Lunar queen. Deadly plague. Cyborg-Android human worth status. Political Intrigue. It's a lot. The only problem I had with this story is that I wanted more! I want a 'Visitors Guide to New Bei-jing' to have along side me while reading this. Chinese culture is so huge and the story only briefly touches on the complexity of the culture. Where is the class system, the heavy emphasis on family honor and respect, the debate of socialism versus capitalism!? People gush over this book and frankly, over praise it. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it! I just don't think that it gave enough. It was like exploring the first four feet of the Marianas Trench.

Just keep swimming!

What I really liked about this book is the author, Marissa Meyer. Her author bio is typical of any young adult novel, except when she mentions she got her love of writing through Sailor Moon fanfiction! I almost fell out of my chair when reading that. We are all secretly (or not so secretly) nerdy and tend to hide our embarrassing likes (yeah, I've watched a lot of Anime...so what). I absolutely love that this author got her start on fanfiction.net by writing romantic Sailor Moon fanfiction. It gives a lot of hope to the millions of young authors chugging through their own creativity and ideas.  You've got to respect a published author who puts a picture of herself as Princess Zelda on her professional website.

In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!

Cinder is just the start of a several book series. The second book, Scarlet, came out in January and frankly, I loved it a lot more than this one. I bet you can guess what fairy tale it plays on! There are going to be four books total. Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter when put together may just give me the depth that I so desperately want from these books. 

Fire Is Catching

Perks of my job?

Oh just everyone in the office freaking out about the new Hunger Games Catching Fire trailer. We are all fangirl-ing and flailing about it. 

If you haven't watched it, you probably should right now. What do you think? Will the movie live up to the hype? If the trailer is any indication, all signs are pointing to yes right now!

Legend : Marie Lu

Legend  by Marie Lu

So you’ve read the Hunger Games series in a day, watched the movie a thousand times and braid your hair on the regular to emulate the fierce Katniss Everdeen but it still isn’t enough? You are shaking and craving yet another dystopian novel. Get your fix with Legend by Marie Lu.

I, like every other person on earth, loved the Hunger Games and I, like everyone else on earth, have fallen in love with dystopian fiction. Give me a world crumbling and I am there. This is Marie Lu’s debut novel and she has created a phenomenal world that will envelop you.

One hundred years into the future, the United States has been split into two warring nations: the Colonies and the Republic. Natural disasters have ravaged the landscape, biological warfare is creating plagues that are diminishing the population, and the Republic’s biggest hero is a fifteen year old girl named June. June is, indeed, a legend. Though she is young, she is top of her class, rich, intelligent, and (of course) beautiful. Her brother, Metias, is a high ranking solider with a heart of gold. That is until his heart stops beating because of murder (supposedly) in cold blood by the Republic’s most notorious criminals: Day. Day is from the poorest sector of the Republic and has suffered greatly at the regime of his government. His father has been killed and now his youngest brother is suffering from the latest mutation of deadly plague. He is a Robin Hood like figure, stealing and gambling with the rich to give back to the poor. And he is, of course, very good looking and a total flirt. He also, did not actually kill June’s brother.

What I enjoyed about this book was the alternating first person point of view: one chapter by the fiercely intelligent June and the next by the witty and charming Day. Both of these characters have distinct voices and undeniable chemistry. I love the action, adventure, espionage, betrayal, and romance in this story. However, if you are looking for anything groundbreaking in terms of dystopian young adult novels, you are sniffing the wrong book. Though this book doesn’t hold the originality of Hunger Games or Divergent, it is still worth a read.  Frankly, it’s worth reading so you can read the sequel Prodigy. It’s even more kickin’ than this one.

Special note: Legend was inspired by Les Miserables! After reading that fact, you can clearly see the connections. Day is the hot teenage version of Jean Valjean and June a teenage female version of Javert. Can they please write a scene in with the two of them singing “Confrontation”?

Even more special: Marie Lu’s website has her original art work and sketches of her characters. It also has great games and playlists she personally made for each book. Awesome!

http://www.marielu.org/

Wonder - R. J. Palacio

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

I came to work with everyone already talking about this book. Though it has been published for more than a year, people still cannot get enough of this book. My co-workers pushed this book on my and I greedily read it in a day. There is definite reason for all the talk.

This is R. J. Palacio’s first novel which she has dubbed “a meditation on kindness”. It’s the story of August (Auggie) Pullman, a fifth grader who was born with severe facial deformity. His whole life he has been homeschooled but his parents have made the decision for him to try something Auggie thought he would never experience: actual middle school. He wants nothing more than to be treated like a normal kid but his classmates just seem the get past Auggie’s face. Auggie’s face is never fully described. The book starts with him saying “I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse”. You do find out, however, that he has a cleft palate, deformed ears, droopy eyes, and an oddly shaped mouth. But you, as a reader, will never linger on those features. More striking about Auggie is his dedication to Star Wars (down to a jedi rat tail braid), his xbox skills, and his love and dedication to his dog, Daisy. I dare you not to be charmed by Auggie. I dare you not to root for him and not to cry when reading Wonder.

This book is told from several different perspectives: of course Auggie, his older sister Via, Via’s boyfriend, and Auggie’s friend Summer and Jack. These rotating perspectives keep the story fresh. The characters in this book  are upbeat and funny. You will be in tears laughing along with them. But you will also be in tears at the cruelty of fifth graders.

 I can’t even properly describe how much I enjoyed this book. Frankly, I think it should be read by every elementary, middle, high school, college, master’s program, PHD, person, animal and plant on this earth. Others agree with me and in fact, a movement called “CHOOSE KIND” has sparked because of this book. There are teacher resources for lesson plans and a pledge to do one act of kindness can make a huge impact. This book is beautiful, perfectly written, and incredible; really and truly a story of courage, kindness, and wonder.

One of my favorite quotes in this book come from Auggie, “Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world”

Visit the CHOOSE KIND tumblr and sign the pledge.

http://choosekind.tumblr.com/

Weekend Reads : April 12th

It's finally Friday! Is it just me or did this week fly by? But of course, Friday morning is dragging slowly....typical.

What books are you bringing home this weekend?

I'm reading:
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (about a third of the way done and this book is amazingggg. expect a review soon)
The Raft by S. A. Bodeen
Paintings from the Cave by Gary Paulsen

I hope the weather continues to be 80 plus degrees (! in April!) so I can sit outside and read allllll weekend long.

The Fire Horse Girl - Kay Honeyman

The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman

I've always been interested in Asian culture. It is incredibly rich and I always seem to gravitate towards books with an Asian protagonist. Memoirs of a Geisha, Shanghai Girls, Bitter Melon, and now Fire Horse Girl are just some of my favorite Asian inspired novels.

If you know me personally then you know that I am super interested in astrology. Whether it be western traditional (Cancer ruled by the moon…double whammy) or Chinese zodiac (metal horse, hollah at your girl), I have books and manuals dedicated to finding out what the universe wants for me. Of course, as with all horoscope and mystic information, you have a take it with a grain of salt

Jade Moon was born in the most unfortunate sign in the Chinese zodiac: the fire horse. For girls it means stubbornness, head strong, reckless and impulsive. Her family dreads marrying her off (who would ever want to wed a fire horse!) so instead, Jade Moon creates her own ideas of romance. A distant adopted cousin with a far-fetched name (Sterling Promise) comes to her village and offers her family an amazing opportunity: to travel to America. They depart on a long journey to America but have to face time on Angel Island: the ‘Ellis Island of the West’. Entering a country that is incredibly hostile towards your culture creates a whole mess of challenges. Jade Moon’s stubbornness and hot hotheadedness with either save her family or burn them all to ash.

This book takes place in 1923 China and San Francisco. If you recall anything about Asian American history in the early part of the twentieth century, you know that Angel Island was not the most angelic place to be. Recently immigrated families were split apart by gender and forced to wait to enter the country in horrible conditions for months and sometimes, years. Before they were allowed to enter the country, they had to face hours of interrogation from officials to find out if they were able to become legal citizens. Pregnant women were forced to give birth on cold, dirty floors. Men carved poetry of heartache into the walls. It was really a horrible, horrible place. 

This book is all over the place. Literately. First in rural China, then on Angel Island, then San Francisco in gang warehouses, firework factories and brothels littered with prostitutes. This book goes into detail about a little known part of United States history so may be worth the read if you are a history buff. Anyone who knows me knows that I am all about girl power and women fighting for their rights to be heard. As a female immigrant in 1920's, Jade Moon uses what little resources she has to create a life for herself. Jade Moon is a surprisingly real character: a girl who is seemingly cursed with a big mouth and hot head but deep down, a romantic. Jade Moon is a fighter: for love, for her family, and above all, for herself. X-Tina Aguilera would be proud.

This book is for anyone interested in Chinese culture or anyone whose favorite Disney princess is Mulan. If you feel like a good girl power book with some little known history, Fire Horse Girl should be the book you pick up next. 

Stacks on Stacks on Stacks

Every Monday, I reorganize my bookshelf and separate what I have read and what is next on my list to read....

The stack grows more and more each week! Have you read any of these books?

See You at Harry's - Jo Knowles

See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles

 When I read the summary of this book, it didn't necessarily appeal to me but it was projected to a be a best seller, so I figured I’d get to know the product. It also features a bowl of empty ice cream on the cover. I’m all about it.

This book was nothing like I expected. I predicted the typical things from a story about a girl starting middle school: boys, lip gloss, annoyance at your family, all that good stuff. I did not expect this book to run the gamut of social issues: bullying, death and mourning, homosexuality, distant family members; you name it, it’s got it.

Fern is twelve year’s old and is mortified by her family. Her father owns the local diner, her mother is constantly locking herself in a closet to meditate, her older sister Sarah is taking a ‘gap year’ and growing dreadlocks, her older brother Holden has a new “friend” he is spending way too much time with, and then there is Charlie, younger brother and known whoops-a-baby who is sticky and gross and always the center of attention. After a horrifying accident, Fern not only feels responsible for what happened but even more distant and alone than ever. Her best friend, Ran (who just happens to be cute), always says ‘All will be well’ but it doesn't seem like all will ever be the same. 

This book is excellent; a great book for summer reading. This book is heart wrenching and above all, very real. It feel likes a genuine portrait of a family in grief, a girl growing up, and small town America. This book is technically a middle school title but I really believe that it will touch older audiences more. Parents and older siblings will definitely feel for the characters in this book. I highly recommend it for older siblings who easily get annoyed with their brothers and sisters: a book to teach you how to appreciate your family. 

We live in a world that moves so fast and as a young adult, I am eager to move and create and keep moving. This book reminded me to slow down, to notice things, and to appreciate the gifts and blessings I have in my life. Grab this book, find a quiet spot, get some tissues, and dig in. 

Minor note: I love how the parents in this book named their children after their favorite book characters: Sarah from the Little Princess, Holden from Catcher in the Rye, Fern from Charlotte’s Web, and Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Little details like this made me really take this book to heart.

 

Words to Live By: Monday

Happy Monday!
April is National Poetry Month so I wanted to share two quotes from one of my favorite artists who recently celebrated her 85th birthday! 

“Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.” - Maya Angelou

and

“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.” - Maya Angelou

Brilliant words from the woman who knows why the caged bird sings. 

Weekend Reads

A couple of books to start this weekend! Sitting at the airport and on a two hour plane ride gives plenty of time to start a new book.

This weekend I'm bringing home:
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
and
Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Happy weekend!

Who Could It Be at This Hour - Lemony Snicket

All the Wrong Questions: Who Could It Be At This Hour by Lemony Snicket

 Lemony is back and is as weird as ever. I got this book as one of my ‘Free of the Week’ for purely selfish reasons: it’s a really good looking book. It's a hardcover and the front is engaging and it has a really interesting texture. I know, it's vain, but you have definitely touched a book and read it because you liked the weight and feel of it. Judging a book by its cover in it's purest form. 

Lemony Snicket writes about his younger days as an apprentice for an organization nobody knows anything about. He travels to Stain’d-By-the-Sea, which is no longer by the sea, to investigate the supposed theft of a precious and priceless heirloom. He runs into twins who drive a cab, a Moxie who definitely has moxie, and a killer (maybe?!) Bombinating Beast. He asks, as the series indicates, all the wrong questions and has now written about these questions in yet another series that you “shouldn’t be reading”.

Snicket is well known for his Series of Unfortunate Events which are written in the same style as this novel. I enjoyed Series of Unfortunate Events to a point. It got to be book ten and you really start getting concerned about these kids. It’s pretty messed up and I know it’s his shtick but seriously, can’t those kids have one happy day?

Never caught a break.

Who Could It Be at This Hour is written true to Snicket fashion: pessimistically, humorously, and intelligently.  Fans of Series of Unfortunate Events will enjoy this but frankly, I don’t think WCIBATH lives up to its predecessor series.  I've read other reviews of this book and they, mostly, say the same thing: this book feels like a second book. You are thrown into a plot that’s really interesting but doesn't seem complete. Maybe because it is a first book that has to live up to it’s big brother series but it feels like you are smack-dab in the middle of an open ended story. I did enjoy the story, don’t get me wrong, but I guess I had high expectations coming from such an innovative author like Lemony Snicket.

So mysterious.

This book definitely gives off a film noir feeling; if not an immature film noir. If you are a fan of Snicket’s linguistic play and wit, get this book. If you are a Lemony Snicket virgin, better to start with Series of Unfortunate Events to see what the hype is about.

Rot and Ruin - Scott Maberry

Rot and Ruin 

by Scott Maberry

                I was extremely hesitant to read this series. Though zombies are the trend (Walking Dead, Warm Bodies, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, etc.), it never appealed to me. One of my co-workers, who I get most of my book recommendations from, pushed me to read this. Grudgingly, I picked it up and finished it. Then I picked up the second book in series; finished it. Then I went out seeking the third most recently published in the series; finished it. All in the course of two and half days.  I could not put it down.

You know your life is going to be tough when your first memory is your mother handing you to your older brother while she is being attacked by your zombie-fied father. For this, Benny Imura resents his older brother Tom for being a coward and running away while his parents deteriorated. Fast forward fifteen years and in post-apocalyptic, zombie infested America and Benny’s main concern is finding a job. After failing at half a dozen jobs in their fenced in town of Mountainside, Benny must learn the “family business” from his older brother: zombie killing. At first, Benny expects mindless and easy slaughter of the slow walkers, but as he learns from his brother, his perception total changes. The undead are not the scariest monsters around.

This book, like the Imura family business, is extremely complex. It is no mindless slaughter of words but instead a multifaceted and emotional telling of a family and compassion. In most zombie-dystopian stories, you are required to have a fairly large suspension of disbelief but this telling feels fairly believable. These characters fell incredibly real. Maberry captures the arrogance and awkwardness of fifteen year old boys perfectly while weaving in a story of romance, brutal violence, and samurai logic.

I fell in love with this book for several reasons. One. The writing is rich without sounding conceited. Two. I’ve been reading a lot of ‘girl’ books (not that there is anything wrong with that!) and liked the freshness of a male protagonist. Three. Zombie infection feels like a real thing that could happen. I hope the Center for Disease Control is taking note of this trend and preemptively working on a cure. Four. Tom Imura is hot as hell and I want him on my team in case of an apocalypse.

 For fans of anything zombie, this is a must read. It’s like the Walking Dead’s younger brother; if Carl grew up and followed in Rick’s footsteps. Even if you are not a fan of zombies, read this book. Whatever the reason you are not liking this trend will completely change after reading it. Frankly, I would love if they made this book into a movie or better yet, a video game. I’d play the hell out of it.

This book rocks. Pick it up and read it. You will not regret it. And, even better, it’s available in paperback. And the kindle/whatever other e-reader is there, if that’s your thing. 

Welcome

I'm excited to start this. It feels like I've been reading nonstop ever since I learned how so why not share my thoughts. Inspired by a dear friend, I plan to talk, whine, complain, praise, and read all the books I possibly can and share them with those I love, those I don't love, and those I haven't even met.

The title of this blog is odd but inspired by one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books. 

"Always learn poems by heart. They have to become the marrow in your bones. Like fluoride in the water, the'll make your soul impervious to the world's soft decay." - Janet Finch, White Oleander

I hope you can find some books that become like marrow in your bones; that help sustain you and stay with you.