writing, reading, art, and randomness
Hope everyone is doing awesome.
MOCKINJAY by (do I really have to say it…you already know) Suzanne Collins
Can I be honest here? I’ve had this book for like a week and I totally haven’t touched it. I did the same thing with the last Harry Potter book. I don’t want it to end. 
MATCHED by Ally Condie
For some reason this book has me so interested — a society where your choices are predicted and controlled and there’s a love triangle somehow?? It doesn’t come out until November, but I really want to see how the plot turns out. Such an intriguing concept.
PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White
LOOOOOVE the concept of this book. Working for the International Paranormal Containment Agengcy??? I’m in. And I’m ordering it from Amazon on payday–which is tomorrow! Can’t wait.
And since my dear kARi always does that fun “What’s in my mailbox” post, I figured I’d share my most recent deliveries:
INCARERON by Catherine Fisher
Okay, so I’m halfway through this book and I’m really liking the plot. It’s like you know what’s coming, but that’s much too simple–so what’s around the next corner?? Plus the imagery and setting is soooooo cooooool. Dystopian Victorian???
THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE by Joan Aiken
I haven’t read this one yet, but the Joan Aiken books I have read have stuck with me for their clarity and plot and interesting characters. This book is older, but I had to get it! Cruel governesses and wolves–need I say more??
THE DEATH (AND FURTHER ADVENTURES) OF SILAS WINTERBOTTOM: THE BODY THIEF by Stephen M. Giles
Oh, don’t try to act like that title didn’t intrigue you. Be honest. I can’t wait to start this book and it looks like a short fun read.
And I’m currently listening to:
FAIREST by Gail Carson Levine
Wow–this story is magnetic. I’m about 5/8ths through and I’m so wrapped up in the plot! Love the characters and the setting–kingdoms and magic mirrors and an ugly protagonist that you root for!!
I haven’t heard many full-cast audio books (every character has an actor doing their voice vs just one actor doing all the voices) so it takes some getting used to. That and there’s singing. Lots of singing. I’m starting to love it.
-M♥lly
Well. This is embarrassing…
err…
The library put my account on hold! I was doing so good! Checking out books! Reading them quickly! Placing holds and returning them for the next person in line!
But now I’ve been lazy/greedy/busy/indifferent/criminal and piled up this gigantic mound of library materials to be returned!!!!
Anyways, the library thinks I lost some stuff and they say it costs a lot of money. Thank goodness I know right where it is. Except for that one book…
How can I show my face there?
Oh well.
I’ll fix that TODAY! I’ll make the walk of shame up to the circulation desk and pay my dues. Yes sir, the check is in the mail. Wait, that’s Big Trouble in Little China. Once my contribution to the librarians’ paycheck has been made, I shall check out some more books, which potentially means more reviews. And I have some good books in mind…
I always like to check out the debut authors. (It gives me hope 
)
So, this week I read Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation, the debut novel by Matt Myklusch.
You’ve got: Comic book-like fighting between good and evil, zombie robots, moving islands, superpowers, hence the superheroes, also bad guys that aren’t all bad, good guys that aren’t all good (which makes any story wonderful), and of course, our MC: a 12 yr old boy trying to figure out where he fits in with all of this.
Yep, I loved it. I think it’s a great book for kids who have a hard time getting into reading, because the story telling is really clear and simple–but the plot is full of wonderful fantasy and action elements, plus–a plot twist.
Oh, I love plots twists.
Also, the book looks thick, but thanks to plenty of white space, you move through it quickly, so reluctant readers can feel like, “Wow, I read all that?” and adults can enjoy it as a fast, fun, original read.
Check it out!
and have a great day,
-M♥lly
Isn’t the year going by fast?????
-M♥lly
work
bike rides
work
walks
work
reading
work
revising
work
work
work
sleep
Meanwhile, here’s something the cat drew during a meeting::
-me♥w
So as much as I l♥ve you and l♥ve blogging, this week I’m calling it off.
I have to get some serious WRITING and READING done, and it’s not happening, so I’m changing my schedule up.
Feel free to leave me some funny jokes in the comments, I will probably need a good laugh.
Hope you’re all doing awesome.
-M♥lly
Like I found a faithful, trustworthy friend who knows about magic and romance and laughs and charm and delight and green slime and weed killer and PLOT TWISTS.
And you know I like all those things.
sigh.
Allow me to introduce you (I think many of you have already met):
THANK YOU SO MUCH to Sandy Shin and Kari, who were genius enough to recommend this amazing book that I can’t believe I never read before.
So clever, so witty, so unexpected…I could go on and on.
I hope you add it to your TBR list.
Also, look at this cover that doesn’t do the book any justice:
Seriously, just stick with the cover at the top of the post. That one’s more like the story. (But the story’s even better.)
Have a great weekend!
-M♥lly
I’m working on my new beginning for my manuscript. This means lots of bike rides and showers are in order, since those are the only activities that seem to get my brain in super-hyperdrive-creative mode.
Otherwise, I’ve been reading.
Have I told you how much I love reading?
Ahhhhh…reading.
Reading at stoplights. Reading in the drive-thru. Reading when you're waiting on a train. Reading while someone else is driving. Reading when I should be sleeping.
I wish my job was to wake up every morning, make some tea, sit on my porch and READ.
If you would like to hire me to do this, I have an extensive reading resume. lol. I seriously drive to work thinking, “How can I earn a living by reading in my pajamas?”
You could do it, too. We could form a Readers Union, requiring benefits and chocolate and tea.
We could go to lunch at bistros and cafes and read! And then we wouldn’t look silly for sitting at a table by ourselves! And maybe the waiter wouldn’t feel sorry for us and ask us what we’re reading and then we could avoid an awkward situation!
I think we should make it happen.
Okay–well, I have to get to work…so, uh, see ya around.
Have a great day!
-M♥lly
I’m on a role: two great books I LOVED in one week! The first was THE BOOKS OF ELSEWHERE: THE SHADOWS, and you can read my review here.
The second book is MISTWOOD by Leah Cypess. This was recommended by author Heather McCorkle, and something about her recommendation made me just go buy the book rather than get it from the library. I’m so glad I did.
MISTWOOD is a book for people who like Fantasy, you know the whole otherworld/special powers/heroic characters thing, without the 600 pages of world building.
That’s one of my favorite things about this book–it gets to the point. You totally know exactly what this story’s world looks like and who the characters are–without pages dripping with detail. Leah Cypess is supposedly a debut author, but as I was reading, I felt like the text had been crafted by a confident storyteller.
You’ve got: Misty woods (hence the title), constant mystery, a rambling castle, mistaken identity, a shape changer, courtly manipulations and intrigue, evil magicians, good magicians, oh-my-gosh-which-side-are-you-on characters, a strong female protagonist, and PLOT TWISTS.
Plenty of plot twists–which I like.
And, because I’m a nerd, I have to admit that there is this cool font they use for the title and chapters and page numbers that is like something out of a fairy tale mixed with something sci-fi-ish. I really liked it.
*clears throat* anyway…
I read on some other reviews that people felt constantly confused by this book. I disagree.
Sure, you don’t know exactly where things are going, because you’re experiencing the story as the characters do, BUT you still know what’s going on when you get there. It’s not like the descriptions or events are confusing. You’re just constantly trying to unravel the mystery surrounding the shape shifter aka the Shifter.
I give it 5 hearts out of 5. Go read it!
Hope you had a great weekend.
-M♥lly
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