Wake

Wake (Dreamcatcher Trilogy)
By Lisa McMann
2008
210 pages
Book 1

Summary: Seventeen year old Janie has a big problem; she can see into other people’s dreams. Not only is it annoying (how many falling dreams can you stand, really?) but she doesn’t have control over when they happen. Usually they are nothing more than a huge inconvenience, but when she enters into someone’s gruesome nightmare things take on a whole new level of scary. Will she find out the identity of the dreamer, and will mysterious Cabel still like her if he finds out her secret?

Review: Wake was an unexpected read. The writing it very stylized with short choppy sentences and the story is structured around a time line. While it serves to move the reader along at a quick pace, it does limit the amount of depth the novel can reach. This will no doubt frustrate some readers, but I found the writing style unique and refreshing. While I would have liked more depth to the story and the characters, I was happy to be along for the ride. The concept of dream watching is interesting, and I liked how McMann jumped into the story without a lot of background explanation. The elements of mystery and romance will make this book appeal to a wide audience. The style of writing and fast paced plot will also make it accessible to reluctant readers. A very fast and enjoyable read.

Also by Lisa McMann: Cryer’s Cross (Feb 2011)

If you liked Wake you might also enjoy: Deadly Little Secrets by Laurie Faria Stolarz, Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, Sleepless by Cyn Balog, Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling, Evermore by Alyson Noel

Additional Info: There are two more books in the series: Fade and Gone. There will be a movie, possibly with Miley Cyrus as lead.

Non-fiction Connection: Dreams: Close Your Eyes and Open your Mind by Tucker Shaw

Author website: http://lisamcmann.com/

Rating: W3/4 C2.5/4 P3/4 O3/4 PP3.5/4 CR3/4
Grade Level: JS – low level for reading but somewhat mature elements.

From the Desk

One of my favourite things about being a Children and Youth librarian is that every morning someone puts on my desk all the new books that have arrived at our Branch for me to look over. It’s a really great way for me to know what we have in our collection, and I’m learning about all kinds of great new books.

Considering I don’t have time to read everything, I thought I would highlight some of the books that I find on my desk that look really interesting.

The Joshua Files: Invisible city by M. G Harris (2010) - Joshua's life was pretty average until his archaeologist father was reported dead in a plane crash. Josh's dad had been searching for the Mayan Codex, said to contain key information about the 2012 Mayan prophecy foretelling the end of the world. Was the crash simply a tragic accident, or is there more to his father's death than the authorities are willing to tell him?

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather David (2009) - Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys. But her stepmother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior: Suddenly Shelby's being packed off to brat camp. It's good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots. Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there's more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby's help guarding it.

The Vanishing Violin by Michael Beil (2010) - When there are mysteries to be solved, the Red Blazer Girls are on the case! The discovery of the Ring of Rocamadour has secured the girls' reputation as Upper East Side super-sleuths, bringing many sundry job requests and some unwanted attention from crooks. This time the girls must follow a trail of cryptic clues, involving everything from logic to literature, to trace a rare violin gone missing. But nothing is as it appears, and just as a solution seems imminent, the girls find themselves scrambling to save the man who was once their prime suspect.

Book Blogger Hop

Time for the Blogger Hop from Crazy for Books

What a great idea! I love following readers blogs almost more than I like blogging myself. What a great way to get out there and meet new people who share the same interests as you.

This week’s question: What are your feelings on losing followers? Have you ever stopped following a blog?

Hmmm, I haven’t put a lot of thought into it to be honest. I don’t put a lot of stalk into how many followers I have, it’s not why I blog. Although I would be sad if someone left because I offended them, hopefully that has never happened.

I have stopped following blogs, mostly because they have stopped posting. I’m pretty committed to visiting the blogs I follow. I have everyone in my reader and I check them all once a day. Just because I don’t comment doesn’t mean I’m not there. I appreciate all of you!!

Coming Soon to a Library Near You

Coming Soon to a Library Near You is a weekly feature inspired by Jill at Breaking the Spine that looks at upcoming books.

This Week’s Book: Leverage

Author: Joshua C. Cohen

Release Date: Feb 2011

Summary: The football field is a battlefield There’s an extraordinary price for victory at Oregrove High. It is paid on—and off—the football field. And it claims its victims without mercy—including the most innocent bystanders. When a violent, steroid-infused, ever-escalating prank war has devastating consequences, an unlikely friendship between a talented but emotionally damaged fullback and a promising gymnast might hold the key to a school’s salvation. Told in alternating voices and with unapologetic truth, Leverage illuminates the fierce loyalty, flawed justice, and hard-won optimism of two young athletes (goodreads)

This just sounds so different. Plus the cover is very interesting.

Frostbite (A Vampire Academy Novel)
By Richelle Mead
2008
327 pages (paperback)
Book 2

“Things die. But they don’t always stay dead. Believe me, I know.”

Summary: Winter break is proving to be more disappointing than Rose could have imagined. She still has feelings for Dimitri, but it looks like he might like someone else, Mason has a crush on her and Lissa has been spending all her time with Christian. On top of that there has been a massive Strigoi attack, putting everyone on edge. Just when she thinks things can’t get worse her friends take off to strike against the Strigoi, and in order to save them she must team up with Christian. Only this time, she might find herself in a danger she can’t get out of.

Review: I really enjoyed the first book in the series and Frostbite didn’t disappoint. Rose is still as interesting, sarcastic and bad ass, and her relationship with Dimitri is still as steamy. I liked that Mead built up Mason and introduced Adrian. Having new people in Rose’s life added a little bit more dimension. However, it seemed to be at a cost to the storyline between Rose and Lissa. Overall, I was pleased with Mead’s ability to maintain all the key elements through the second book. The novel is fast paced with a lot of action. Those who enjoy paranormal romance with fast paced plots will really enjoy this second novel (it could be a stand alone, although I would suggest reading all of them).

Other books in the series: Vampire Academy (2007), Shadow Kiss (2008), Blood Promise (2009), Spirit Bound (2010) and Last Sacrifice (Dec 2010)

If you liked Vampire Academy you might also enjoy: The Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong, Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, Evernight by Claudia Gray and Blue Bloods by Melissa De la Cruz

Author website: http://www.richellemead.com/index.htm

Rating: W4/4 C4/4 P3.5/4 O4/4 PP3.5/4 CR2/4
Grade Level Interest: high J or S

Trash to Treasure - October

Each month there are several books that I start to read but for one reason or another I just can’t get into them. I have a pretty low tolerance for the books I read, usually only giving them between 50-100 pages before I quit. There are just too many books to read and not enough time to “trudge” through something I’m not enjoying. However, I recently realized that I never mention them on here. So I’ve decided to do a monthly feature looking at some of the books I just couldn’t get into and why.

This month I only had one that I couldn't finish, sadly it was one I was really looking forward to.

Gone by Lisa McMann. (2010) – Read 57 pages.
While I LOVED the first two books in the series, I could not get into this last one. There just wasn’t enough going on plot wise and for the first time I found the writing style a pain rather than an asset. The aspect that I really loved about the first two (the crimes) wasn’t there in the beginning of the book, which felt like a big deal breaker for me. I’m sure it’s a good book, and I would have liked to see the conclusion to Janie and Cabel’s story. Unfortunately with the huge TBR pile I have, I just didn’t want to commit any more time to it.

Shooting Stars Mag, The Compulsive Reader and the Cozy Reader all have positive reviews on their sites to check out.

Before I Fall

Before I Fall
By Lauren Oliver
2010
470 pages

“They say that just before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, but that’s not how it happened for me.”

Summary: Sam had it all; she was part of the popular group, she had a boyfriend, was incredibly popular and she was feared and adored by all. Friday, February 12 should have been just like any other day but after a wild party she and her friends get in a car accident, and when she wakes up...it’s Friday, February 12 again. Sam finds her self in a strange time loop that always ends the same. To end the cycle she’ll have to find the key to her death and she’ll get the chance to do things right, one more time.

Review: Before I Fall is a unique spin of the typical high school tale. What if you got the opportunity to do it all again, what would you change, and what would be of value? You might think that re-reading the same day over and over again would make for a slow read, but Oliver has created such an extraordinary main character that it’s hard to look away. The story is more about Sam’s grieving process and her self realization than it is about the days and the differences between them (but don’t worry the days are interesting in and of themselves). The book is fast paced and honest in its observations of cliques, bullying and how easy it is to go through life without noticing things. The novel’s strongest element is its ability to evoke emotion in the reader as it creates an unparalleled experience of hope. Hope that Sam will be able to fix it and hope that things can be better. Incredible writing, incredible characters, this book obviously comes highly recommended.

Also by Lauren Oliver: Delirium (Feb 2011)

If you liked Before I Fall, you might also enjoy: Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr, How it Ends by Laura Wiess,

Author website: http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/

Rating: W4/4 C4/4 P3/4 O3.5/4 PP3.5/4 CR3.5/4
Grade Level Interest: S