Book Promo - Moonlight Serenade

Today is the Release Day for Moonlight Serenade (Fascination Island #2) by Kate Hinderer!

Title: Moonlight Serenade (Fascination Island #2)

Author: Kate Hinderer

Description:

Determined to someday sing on the stage in New York City, Collette takes an internship at the luxury resort on Fascination Island. While she plans to hone her craft by singing nightly on the stage of the Moonlight Serenade restaurant, she never expected to be pushed outside her comfort zone. Shy and reserved, she is challenged to step outside herself and release the inner diva. When Falcon comes along, sparks fly and secrets are revealed. Before long Collette is forced to make life-changing decisions that will impact her future in ways she never even imagined.

Excerpt

“Honestly Falcon. What is it that gives you the right to go around kissing any unsuspecting girl you want?”

I didn’t like the sound of that. Part of me had hoped that his instant reaction had been something that struck him as strongly as it had me. I didn’t like the idea he went around kissing any girl that happened to look at him long enough for him to make his move. I didn’t like that at all.

“I don’t kiss every girl,” Falcon argued, but it sounded weak even to me. Tristan cleared his throat in disbelief. “Ok, so I kissed you, Audyn, that first day. But it was more about punishing Tristan than you.”

“Glad we finally cleared that up.”

At this point I was beginning to think faking my continued faint wasn’t such a good idea. My romantic bubble had been thoroughly burst by the strange, impulsive boy who had given me my first kiss. The boy of my dreams had kissed my roommate to get even with Tristan. I already knew what that meant—this couldn’t end well. But as I was about to rouse myself, Falcon said something that nearly had me fainting all over again.

“I swear to you. This was different. She’s different.” His voice sounded closer now, as if he felt drawn to be near me.

“Why? Is she the first one to melt at your touch?” Audyn queried, her words still laced with cynicism.

“Not everyone breaks my toe like you did. But she’s different in a way I can’t explain. I’m sure you, of anyone, should understand that.”

Audyn scoffed at Falcon’s response while my heart began beating quicker. “Get out of here,” she commanded.

To my disappointment he didn’t argue. He didn’t utter a word. The sound of the door opening and then clicking closed echoed in the hacienda. I fluttered my eyes and moved about restlessly, pulling Audyn’s attention back to me.

“Thank goodness you’re all right. How do you feel?”

Dramatizing the act a little, I slowly sat up, dangling my feet over the bed and sitting up next to Audyn. She wrapped her arm around my waist to help support me. The room didn’t sway, proving beyond a doubt that it was the kiss that felled me instead of anything biological. Still, I pressed a hand to my forehead to verify my charade and make me appear less prone to fainting fits at the sight of a good looking guy.

“Did I really pass out in some stranger’s arms?” I asked, looking around to find the place empty but for the two of us.

“Yeah. And that stranger happens to be Tristan’s younger brother, Falcon.” She shook her head in disgust. “I told you, meeting them is always an adventure.”

“Thank goodness you came along.”

“Tristan and I got here a minute after you passed out. Falcon had you laid out on the bed and stood over you like some avenging angel waiting to do battle if anyone got in the way.”

“I guess I owe him,” I said, attempting to sound uninterested even if the mental picture of Falcon continued to grow with each passing minute. He must have been so worried about me, fainting dead away and then not coming to immediately.

“He kissed you. Do you remember?”

My face turned red before I had the chance to respond. My fingers came up and touched my lips as the memory remained fresh and alive. “Yeah,” I whispered, sounding breathless, even to my own ears.

About the Author

In a nutshell: Writer. Blogger. Journalist. Marathon runner. Social media enthusiast. Beer drinker. Avid YA reader. Traveler. Chicago native. Milwaukee resident. Music fanatic. Fashion lover. Oldest of nine.

Writing has been in my soul from the very beginning. In grade school I started my own local paper for the street I lived on. In middle school I wrote for the school paper and loved any English writing assignment. I started writing novels in high school. At the time my friends were the characters, the setting was almost always Regency England, and I scratched the story into lined notebooks.

Now, I have a journalism degree and a dozen various business writing gigs under my belt.

I’ve lived in a handful of US cities including Milwaukee, Chicago, Boston, St. Louis and New York. I pen a personal fashion and lifestyle blog, ModlyChic.com, and continue to write about commercial real estate.

My first book, Aurora Undefined, was published in 2011. The Emerald Isle, the first Fascination Island book, came out during the summer of 2012, at which time I immediately began writing the second book in the series.

Next up . . . stay tuned! I’m working on a new contemporary novel as well as the third book in the Fascination Island series.



Links

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Kate Hinderer Writes (blog)

ModlyChic (fashion blog)


Twitter: @kate_hinderer

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Book Review - Sir Thursday

Title: Sir Thursday
Author: Garth Nix
Series: Keys to the Kingdom (book 4)
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Release Date: 6 Mar 2006
ISBN-13: 978-1741145885

Synopsis

Get ready for more brilliant page-turning fantasy from master, Garth Nix. On the fourth day there was war! Pick up with Arthur Penhaligon as his Keys to the Kingdom adventures continue in the mysterious House.

Following their adventures in the Border Sea, Arthur and Leaf head for home. But only Leaf gets through the Front Door. Arthur is blocked because someone – or something – has assumed his identity and is taking over his life.

Before Arthur can take action, he is drafted by Sir Thursday and forced to join the Glorious Army of the Architect. The Army has its headquarters in the Great Maze, a defensive area of the House. Half of the Maze has already been dissolved by Nothing, and hordes of Nithlings emerge regularly to attack the rest. If the Nithling invasion can overcome the Army and the Great Maze, the House will be lost and the whole universe with it.

While Leaf tries to banish Arthur's doppelgänger on earth, Arthur must survive his basic training, avoid getting posted to the Front and work out how he can free Part Four of the Will and gain the Fourth Key from Sir Thursday. If the latest, strongest and most dangerous Nithling offensive doesn't break through first…

My Review
After struggling a bit with book 3 I wasn't sure what I was going to get from this one, I didn't remember ever having read this one so I was coming to it fresh. But I was pleased to find that some of the magic was back, I found myself racing through it. I kept saying I would put it down and get on with other things then another hour would pass and I still hadn't moved.
I ended up having to put it down so I could get some sleep, but I picked it up again as soon as i could today to finish it.
Arthur is stuck in the house as a creature of Nothing has taken his place back in our world, Leaf leaves to try to stop him, but she has to be careful, one touch from the creature could mean she loses control and he could take over. Meanwhile Arthur is drafted into Sir Thursdays, whether by accident or by deliberate plot, but with a 100 year service hanging over him he needs to find a way to escape and free the fourth part of the will and get the next key all without losing anymore of his mortality.
I liked the whole army setting, it was well created and I felt myself pulled in, once in the army Arthur meets Fred, a fellow recruit and they strike up a friendship and try to help each other out.
I found Leaf's storyline quite exciting, it's very fast paced and you can feel her desperation and urgency, it flows through the pages and has you gripping the edge of your seat hoping she succeeds. 
This one felt a lot more thought out than the last and made me excited about the series again.

My Rating

 

Book Review - Drowned Wednesday

Title: Drowned Wednesday
Author: Garth Nix
Series: Keys to the Kingdom (book 3)
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Release Date: 6 Jun 2005
ISBN-13: 978-0007175055






Synopsis

On the third day, there were PIRATES! Arthur Penhaligon finds himself on an adventure that will pit him against pirates, storms, explosions and a vast beast that eats everything it encounters. Will our unwitting hero be able to find the third part of the Will and claim the Third Key?
No rest for poor Arthur Penhaligon. As Grim Tuesday ends, he discovers a square of stiff cardboard under his pillow, gilt-edged and inscribed with the following words:
LADY WEDNESDAY
Trustee of the Architect and Duchess of the Border Sea
has great pleasure in inviting
ARTHUR PENHALIGON
to a Particular Luncheon
of Seventeen Removes
Transport has been arranged
RSVP not required…
It’s an invitation he cannot refuse. From hospital room to the high seas, Arthur finds himself on an adventure that will pit him against pirates, storms, explosions of Nothing-laced gunpowder, and a vast beast that eats everything it encounters. Through it all, he is drawn deeper into the central mystery of the House. Arthur must find the third part of the Will and claim the Third Key – not just for himself, but for the millions (if not trillions) who will suffer if he doesn't.
The first step? Surviving life aboard ship on the Border Sea…



My Review
After finishing books 1 & 2 so quickly I was ready to dive into book 3, but I've had a hectic week at work and I only managed to read about 100 pages throughout the last 5 days. I sat down today to finish it and hopefully get onto the next one. 
Maybe that's why I struggled a bit more with this one, I didn't feel as hooked or interested. My mind kept wandering and I had to concentrate harder on it. This is strange for me as I usually love things to do with pirates and the high seas. The actual plot was good and I liked Arthur's journey on the Moth ship and all the new characters. I second guessed who was trustworthy thorughout, and if i really think about it I should have loved this more than the previous two, but I just didn't feel really pulled in. Something was missing. Maybe the fact that Suzy isn't in the story nearly enough, in fact it's about 65% of the way through before she appears really. She really brightens the page for me and Arthur becomes more interesting next to her.
I did like that Leaf featured more, I've been waiting for that since book 1, and I wish we had got a bit more of her in it. I'm hoping she features more in the coming books.
I did still mostly enjoy this one, it just felt a bit slower. The whole being swallowed by a giant whale thing reminded me a bit of Pinnochio, that's been done before, and I wanted them to get on with it a bit, but the ending was good. Really made me want to go onto the next books.
The characters are really developing and growing and changing as the series progresses and I am looking forward to seeing what will come next. 


   

My Review
After finishing the first 2 books so quickly I was looking forward to continuing with this one, but I had a manic week at work and only managed to read about 100 pages of this throughout the week, so I sat down today determined to finish it. That may be why I didn't enjoy it as much though, for some reason this book just didn't grab me like the first 2.
I usually love anything to do with pirates and the high seas but this just didn't work for me. I liked the Moth and it's crew and the set up of the other ships and the threat of the dreaded Feverview pirate king. They brightened the story up for me, but the Giant Whale thing was a bit silly to me, and reminded me a lot of the bit in Pinocchio when they get swallowed by a whale. 
I found myself having to really concentrate on reading this one, I kept getting distracted, I missed the presence of Suzy in this one, she isn't in it until about 65% of the way through and I find she brightens the page and Arthur becomes more interesting next to her. However, the characters have grown with the story and changed and are really holding their own now. 
I love that Leaf featured more and I would like to see even more from her, hopefully in the coming books. 
The overall plot wasn't bad but I just felt it was a bit too drawn out. The ending however totally pulled me back and got me excited for the next book, which I have ready to read beside me.
  
My Rating

 

FF (125)

Follow Friday is an opportunity to discover and follow other book related blogs! Want to join? Check it out at Parajunkee.

This week's question feature is  Rainy Day Reads

Q: Have you broken up with a series? If so which one and why?

My Answer: Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr. I really loved the first book (and still have it on my shelves) but after that it got disappointing, a bit confusing and just lost it's spark. I never did finish the series, just couldn't bring myself to read the last one. 

 

Happy Hopping & Blogging. :D

New Children's Laureate

I just wanted to say a quick Congratulations to Malorie Blackman who has been announced as the new Children's Laureate. I can't think of anyone more deserving, she has amazing writing talent, a really big heart and is made of pure awesomeness.

The next 2 years are going to be amazing with her in this role, I can see good things coming.

If you don't know what the Children's Laureate is here's a quick summary:

• The role of Children's Laureate is awarded once every two years.
• The post was created to celebrate exceptional children's authors and illustrators and to acknowledge their importance in creating the readers of tomorrow.
• Malorie Blackman is the eighth author to receive the honour - and the first black person to take on the role.
• Past Children's Laureates include Jacqueline Wilson, Quentin Blake and Michael Morpurgo.

(taken from CBBC news article here )

Basically they do a lot of promotion both for books in general and in getting more people to read. It has been said that Malorie is going to back and support libraries, enhance books in the media and look at race equality issues in fiction.

She is best known for her 'Noughts & Crosses' series, which of course deals with issues of race, so she is well suited in her role. 

In 2008, she was honoured with an OBE for her services to children’s literature. 
Although I've never met Malorie, I have read a lot of her books and have her as a Facebook contact and I like what she posts, it's always something encouraging about reading, writing and generally being a better person.

So basically a big well done and congrats. Malorie Blackman - you rock!!!

Cover Reveal - Resilient

Resilient by Patricia Vanasse is garnering some great attention, even long before the release date of September 3rd, 2013. Published by Pants on Fire Press this is the story of Livia and Adam, two teens who are far from normal and have more in common than they could ever imagine.



According to the press release, Resilient has already got attention from A-list movie studios and production companies that are interested in the movie and screen rights.  Resilient was also the 4th place winner of the 2012 Golden Acorn Excellence in Writing Award.

Livia has never felt like she fits in. As normal as it sounds, Livia is anything but ordinary. She can feel every emotion of every single person around her, and it’s maddening. In pursuit of some psychic quiet, she moves with her family from New York City to Whidbey Island in the lush and sleepy Pacific Northwest. But when a horseback riding accident in her new home gives her a broken leg that heals in a day, she finds that another unexplainable ability has manifested, and her life isn’t about to get any easier.

Adam has no problem fitting in and making friends. In fact, he’s the top of the school, the boy everyone knows and loves. However, people only see what he allows them to. No one knows what Adam is truly capable of. After witnessing Livia’s accident, Adam sees something intriguing in her quick recovery, something that gives him hope that he’s not alone.

Adam is the only one whose emotions Livia can’t read. Afraid of not knowing what goes on behind his dark eyes, Livia decides to keep him at a distance. Yet the more she tries to ignore him, the more alluring he becomes, and while their personal quests for identity will inevitably bring them closer together, it is the confirmation of what they really are that threatens to tear them apart.



Resilient, told in alternating point of views, is a gripping story of survival and romance, in which two teenagers face the consequences of being anything but normal.

Resilient is a YA book recommended for ages 13 and older.  It has 318 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback.


Excerpt:

He opens his eyes and sees me ogling.

         Embarrassed, I turn my attention back to the sky. “I thought you had fallen asleep.”

         “And then you’d take advantage of me.”

         “No! I was just…” I trail off, not knowing what to say. “Can we go? It’s getting late.” 

         “We just got here!” He smiles in amusement. “How about we play a game?”

         “What game?”

         “I ask you a question, you answer, and then you ask me one. It’s a good way to get to know each other.” He turns his body to the right so he’s facing me. “Before you decide I’m the worse person ever, you should know the facts.”

         “As long as you tell the truth.”

         “You have my word.” I laugh despite myself as he asks, “If you had to choose between day and night, which would you pick?”

         I frown for a second, thinking. “Day,” I say “Wrestling or football?”

         “Wrestling for sure,” he answers. “Favorite cartoon character?”

         “Ha! Definitely Daria; I feel like we have something in common.” I chuckle while Adam’s eyebrows scrunch together. I guess he’s having a hard time finding the similarities. “Yours?”

         “I’ve got to say SpongeBob. No similarities there, though.” He smiles and lies back down, inspecting the stars. “Do you believe there’s life out there besides us?”

         That question has been on my mind for years, but I never had to answer it until now. “I don’t know. I hope so.”

         “You hope so?” His brows shoots up, “Wouldn’t you be afraid if aliens really existed?” He sounds sincerely curious.

         “No, I don’t think they would be the monsters Hollywood makes us believe. I think they would be just like...”

        
 “Us?”

         “Yeah, like us. How about you?”

         He nods, “I agree with you.”

         We fall into silence for a little while before his next question. It would be too pretentious of me to believe humans are the only ones to live in a universe so much bigger than we know. There are so many places we haven’t even begun to discover yet. In any case, other life forms could be the explanation to all of my inhuman abilities.

         “What do you like most about yourself?” he asks. 

         My mind wanders; I’m not sure what my qualities are, really, but I think of something to say. “I’m stubborn.”

         “And that’s a quality?”

         “Yes. I mean, it keeps me from giving up when things gets rough.”

         He turns to look at me, probably wondering what could be so rough in my life. He doesn’t know that I don’t have everything, I don’t have what I want the most: answers to what I am.

Patricia Vanasse was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Now she lives on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two adorable children, and two crazy dogs. She has been trough Culinary Arts, Psychology, Law School, and now has finally found her passion in creative writing. She also loves traveling, cooking, and is an avid reader. Her strength- believes that everything is possible. Her weakness- an obsessive relationship with caffeine.

 

www.patriciavanasse.com

http://patriciavanasse.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/PatriciaVanasse

https://www.facebook.com/ResilientByPatriciaVanasse

Giveaway:

Paperback ARC (early copy) of Resilient.

Open worldwide.

Ends 6/11/13

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Book Review - Grim Tuesday

Title: Grim Tuesday
Author: Garth Nix
Series: Keys to the Kingdom (book 2)
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Release Date: 7 Jun 2004
ISBN-13: 978-0007175031

Synopsis
Arthur doesn't think he will ever have to return to the strange house that nearly killed him on Monday -- the house that contains an entire world. But Tuesday brings new challenges -- in the form of an enemy named Grim Tuesday, who threatens the well-being of both Arthur's family and his world. Arthur must retrieve the Second Key from Grim Tuesday in order to save everything -- an adventure that will include stealing a Sunship, surviving a very weird work camp, befriending a bearlike spirit, fighting the voidlike Nithlings, and traveling to the scary Far Reaches for the ultimate showdown.

My Review
After finishing book 1 I went straight onto this one, this one follows on directly and carries on where book 1 left off. Although I did find a continuation error. At the end of book 1 he returns to his house at 1:35 and says he has 10 hours before he can set up the magic cure to be ready for Midnight, which he does. But then at the start of this book his magic phone from the House rings with an emergency and he comments that "It was less than eight hours since he'd defeated Mister Monday,..." (page 24) which of course is not right. Only a slight fault but it niggled me! But I will put that behind me.
This one seems a little bit darker than the first, Grim Tuesday is trying to claim Arthur's Key and take over the Lower reaches of the house, he starts some underhanded tactics to try and get Arthur to hand it over, threatening his whole family and friends. Arthur has no choice but to make his way back to the House and face Tuesday himself. 
The only problem is, the House isn't where it used to be and he has to find another way to get in.
Once there he comes out in the Far Reaches, a dark and miserable place run by Tuesday himself, think great big Mine shafts only dirtier, more dangerous and filled with 'Nothing' and 'Nithlings' (creatures made from dark nothing)
Trapped down in the Far Reaches a few steps away from The Pit, Arthur has no choice but to join the workers as they make their way through, but he has to find a way out before Tuesday hurts his family.
Enter Suzy Blue again, I was so glad to see her back again, she seems to light the page up and brings a lighter side to the story. 
There is quite a dark part to this story when Arthur meets 'The Old One', he is chained to a giant clock and every time the clock strikes 12 these 2 mechanical beings come out and try to cut out his eyes. That was pretty gruesome so I would warn against that. Apart from that the book is just overall exciting and fast paced.
At 374 pages it's slightly shorter than the first book and I read it in a few short hours.
These are the sort of books that you struggle to put down, something just draws you in. 
It's great to see how much the characters have grown since the first book and I look forward to reading more of the series. 
Certain details of this book came back to me whilst reading, more that book 1 did. But it didn't spoil it for me, I still enjoyed it. 

My Rating

    

Book Review - Mister Monday

Title: Mister Monday
Author: Garth Nix
Series: Keys to the Kingdom
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Release Date: 5 Jan 2004
ISBN-13: 978-0007175017

Synopsis
Seven days. Seven keys. Seven virtues. Seven sins. One mysterious house is the doorway to a very mysterious world – where one boy is about to venture and unlock a number of fantastical secrets.
Arthur Penhaligon is not supposed to be a hero. He is supposed to die an early death. But then his life is saved by a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock.
Arthur is safe – but his world is not. Along with the key comes a plague brought by bizarre creatures from another realm. A stranger named Mister Monday, his avenging messengers with bloodstained wings, and an army of dog-faced Fetchers will stop at nothing to get the key back – even if it means destroying Arthur and everything around him.
Desperate, Arthur escapes to the mysterious house that has appeared in town – a house that only he can see. Maybe there he can unravel the secrets of the key – and discover his true fate.

My Review
I actually read this book years ago, must be at least 6 or 7 years ago. I remember that I enjoyed it and i think I read up to Thursday (book 4) I have since bought the entire series and it's sat on my shelves for ages and I never got round to finishing the rest of them. Something about these books were calling to me this weekend so I decided to start from the beginning and work my way through.
I only remembered vague details so this was actually almost like reading it fresh. Arthur is starting school 2 weeks late, he has terrible asthma and has just been released from hospital after a bad attack, but he is faced with P.E on the first day. His teacher doesn't seem to pay much attention and Arthur ends up having to go on a cross country run. Surprise surprise he ends up having another asthma attack but just as he is about to black out a strange light appears that then reveals two strange looking men talking about a key and the House. They end up giving Arthur a strange key that looks like the minute hand of an old fashioned clock, stranger still though is that it helps him breathe better when he holds it. Saved from certain death Arthur then has to figure out what it's all about. 
Things just get stranger after that, weird dog-faced people called Fetchers turn up hunting him, desperate to get the key back. In doing so they spread a 'sleepy plague' that starts to cause an epidemic. Arthur is the only one who can stop it and to do that he must journey to the House and confront Mister Monday himself.
Arthur is a bit weak and wimpy and I suppose what you might call a nerd or geek but he is also quite loveable, he takes things in his stride and is prepared to do anything needed to help. He shows his weaknesses and vulnerabilities but doesn't let them stop him. He's quite a strong character actually. We also meet Suzy Blue once in the house, she ends up being Arthur's sort of side kick and she has a great sense of humour. I like her bluntness and bravery, she comes across a bit simple but with a big heart.
I liked the basic plot and the set up of the whole mysterious house, I wanted to know more and journey further in with Arthur. There is a sense of urgency throughout the book - if Arthur doesn't succeed the epidemic will spread and thousands could die so that keeps you hooked but I also found myself getting quite attached to Arthur and I wanted him to succeed. Obviously knowing there is a series he has to survive but that doesn't make it any less exciting. 
This is great for people who want to start YA fiction- it is a sort of crossover level between Middle Grade and YA. would be ideal. Also good for people who want to get into a bit of fantasy adventure. Think this would be very popular for younger teens.

My Rating

      

 

Book Review - Matilda

Title: Matilda
Author: Raold Dahl
Publisher: Rily Publications
Release Date: 9 Dec 2008
ISBN-13: 978-1904357056
First Published: 1988

Synopsis
Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it! 

My Review
Matilda was one of my all time favourite movies when I was young, I would watch it over and over and I can still pretty much recite it! I adored it, but I never read the book. I'm not sure why, I just didn't. Then as I got older I worried that I would be disappointed with it. I loved the film so much I didn't want it to be different. 
I was talking to my best friend the other day about books and this came up and I told her I hadn't read it. She was shocked but assured me it was very similar to the film and that I should try it. We had some new stock come in at the library and there was a copy of this. I love a new book so I decided to give it a read, I knew it wouldn't take me long - there are a lot of illustrations throughout the text and the font is quite big anyway. 
And I have to say the book and movie are very close to each other, a lot of the dialogue was used directly in the film which I loved. I was surprised by how close they were to each other, films don't usually come out that faithful, but this was perfect. 
The main story of Matilda is of course completely ridiculous and pretty much impossible, but as it is written with Roald Dahl's charm and wicked sense of humour, you can't help but love everything about it.
Matilda is an amazing child, at just 4 years old she has taught herself to read, her parents leave her alone every afternoon and she finds her way to the local library where she devours book after book. Her parents see her as a nuisance and complete pain and don't understand why she would want to read. She is then sent off to school where she has to face the Headteacher, evil Miss Trunchbull who hates children and is very extreme. But there is a light in Matilda's life and that is her class teacher Miss Honey who is sweet and caring and completely blown away by Matilda. 
Matilda is intelligent and witty, she is brave and tough and very caring but she never shows off or tries to draw attention to herself. She is very humble and sweet and you can't help but love her. 
Her parents are horrible but really make me laugh, they are just so stupid. I love how Matilda tries to punish them for their bad behaviour, but maybe shouldn't be putting ideas in kids heads for practical jokes.
Overall I finished this in about an hour and really enjoyed it, it is clear why Roald Dahl is so popular as kids would love this.

My Rating

    

Armchair BEA - Childrens & YA Fiction

Today's topic is everything children's right from picture books to young adult

Most of the books I read are YA and I read a lot of Picture books at work as part of my job and there are some truly amazing ones out there.

We have been asked to list the top 5 (or more) books that every child should have on his shelf.
This is hard but I'm going to try. I'm gonna do a list for each age group though.

Picture Books:
1) Anything by Julia Donaldson - The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, The Singing Mermaid, What the Ladybird Heard etc. She is amazing and her stories hold such great stories and just a sense of pure wonder.
2) Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae. This book gives a really strong and positive message and is so beautifully written.
3) It's The Bear by Jez Alborough. Great fun and a favourite for story time. Love the idea and the series that followed it.
4) Can't You Sleep, Little Bear by Martin Waddell. I got my mum to read these over and over when I was little, they were certain favourites of my brother and I. So adorable and just made me feel so comfortable and safe.
5) Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman. Completely silly but great fun, reads well as it's written in rhyme and kids love it.

I have so many books I pick out to read over and over but they are definitely at the top of the pile. I have to give a special mention to 'It's A Book' by Lane Smith. I didn't put it in my main 5 as I think it is actually geared more towards the parents. It is very funny and full of wit and sarcasm. Makes me laugh everytime. It's just brilliant.

Children's Books:
1) Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling. This is of course always going to be at the top of my list. Filled so much of my life growing up, i still can't get enough. Friends will be made for life in these pages.
2) Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. Great series for both boys and girls. Action packed and full of fun, laughter and excitement. Percy Jackson is a great hero and will capture your heart and mind along with Annabeth, Grover and friends.
3) Cat Royal series by Julia Golding. I love this series, Cat is a great character, really cheeky but instantly likeable she will take you on a whirlwind adventure that will have your pulse racing. Great mysteries that will have you hooked.
4) A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I devoured these books as a kid, racing through them desperate to know more about the Baudelaire children. Great mysteries with a great old fashioned feel to them that will still massively appeal. Quirky is a good word to describe them but totally addictive.
5) The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S Lewis. I had to mention this series. Narnia is one of the fantasy worlds everyone wants to visit. These books captured my imagination and fed my love of reading. The Pevensie children become like old friends and Aslan captures your heart.

Again, I could be here forever listing favourites, but these are the first that come to mind when I think of books I love and cherish and always recommend.

YA:

(this is the hardest for me as I read so much of it, but I'm going to try and show some restraint. But just whilst typing this I can think of about 20 books I want to list!!!)

1) The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Anyone who knows me knows I love these books, so well written and will really make you think.
2) The Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine. I adore Rachel Caine, and the whole set up of Morganville and the world around it is done with such detail and just... wow that the whole place comes to life off of the page. It feels like a place I have really been to and that I know the characters as real people.
3) The Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy. Funny, witty, magical, outrageous and just pure epic awesomeness. These books opened up a whole new world of reading and always have me tearing through the pages desperate for more. Derek Landy is a genius and these books are just incredible.
4) The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series by Michelle Paver. A very different series from the others I have picked but just as amazing. It opens up a totally different world and culture and makes you fall in love with the characters and animals in it. This series is one that has stayed with me for years and always makes me smile and my heart soar. I'm going to have to re-read them soon to get back into that world. I miss my friends in there.
5) Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison. I chose this for my 5th spot as I think we should always have some light relief in our reading and these books are laugh out loud funny and great books for friendship and growing up. I spent many a day laughing with Georgia Nicholson and these books hold a special place.

I am restraining myself from listing a hundred more books,  I could be here all night.

Next we were asked, that if you are an adult who reads YA, why do you keep going back for more?

I am nearly 25 yet I primarily read YA fiction. Some people have asked me why and if I'm ever going to move to adult books. I get the sarcastic 'Aren't you a bit old to be reading those?' but I don't believe you can ever be too old to read YA. The books there are superb, many better written that adult books to be honest, in some ways YA is more raw, real and captivating. They are not afraid to hold back and the writing just whisks you away into another world so much easier in my opinion. Each book calls out with a certain magic, passion, and fresh wonder.

I have made so many 'friends' in the pages of these books, I have laughed, cried, screamed, cheered, thrown them away in anger, hugged them, and cherished each and every page. I love books that can make you feel something and for me YA does just that. It's something to relate to and really a great escape too.
So that is why I love them.
That was all probably mad rambling that made no sense but I hope you get what I mean.

So what about you - what are your favourite books and if you read YA - why?

Thanks. :D