Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Monday, June 08, 2015

Where Is Your Bookmark? (06/09/2015)

I am nearly finished reading The Mapmaker's Children by Sarah McCoy. I had hoped to finish it this weekend, but I wasn't able to fit in any reading time. We were celebrating my husband's birthday, among other things. I did make a little more progress in my audio book, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, however. I thought I would share the first paragraph and a teaser from a book I read last month. My review will be going up later this month.

First Paragraph of The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker, a young adult, historical fantasy novel:

I stand at the edge of the crowded square, watching the executioners light the pyres. The two men, dressed for work in dark read cloaks and charred leather gloves, circle the narrow wooden platform, their lit torches held high. At the top of each, four witches and three wizards stand chained to a stake, bundles of wood heaped around their feet. They stare into the crowd, determined looks on their faces.

Teaser from 28% into the e-book:

I think about denying it. Then I remember what Blackwell told us: If ever we got caught, tell the truth, as much as doesn't condemn you. The less you lie, the less chance there is of confusing your own story. Not that it mattered anyway. He also told us that if we ever got caught, we were on our own.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

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This week's Top Ten Tuesday hosted by Broke and Bookish theme Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For the Rest of 2015. Oh my goodness, have you seen all the wonderful books that are coming out the second half of this year?! I am so bad about keeping up with what's coming out when, I admit, but in preparation for this post, I did a little research. And my wish list grew by ten feet. At least. Here are the top ten books I am looking forward to the release of in 2015.

1. X by Sue Grafton ~ Because . . . Sue Grafton! This is one of my favorite mystery series, which features Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone.

2. Saint Mazie by Jami Attenberg ~ Don't you just love this cover? This particular book just came out, and is about a Mazie Phillips, owner of a movie theater. During the Great Depression, she opens the doors to help those who need help the most. This novel is told from the perspective of those who knew her, interspersed with entries from her diary. This story is a fictionalized story based on the life of the real Mazie.

3. Language Arts by Stephanie Kallos ~ One of my all time favorite books is Broken for You. This one sounds like it will be just as good. According to Goodreads, the author "spins the stories of a dedicated teacher, his enigmatic son, and a wartime survivor into an affecting tale of love, loss, and handwriting."

4. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George ~ The obvious reason for my wanting to read this one is that the title contains the word "Bookshop". But it's really more than that. This is the story of lost love and the power books can have on our lives.

5. The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley ~ I am really excited about this one. It's been described as a historical fantasy novel, set in London 1884, with somewhat of a Sherlock Holmes feel to it.

6. Lair of Dreams: A Diviners Novel by Libba Bray ~ The second book in A Diviners series, the first of which I still have to read and plan to. I cannot NOT read this series. Fantasy. Thriller. This sounds right up my alley. (I'm not a big fan of the cover. I liked the first book's cover much better.)

7. The Forgotten by Heather Graham ~ I have enjoyed the other FBI Krewe Hunter books I have read. This is another paranormal mystery/romance novel in the ever growing series. (Each book can be read as a stand alone-so feel free to jump in anywhere if you want to give the books a try.)

8. The Blue Between Sky and Water by Susan Abulhawa ~ The title is what first caught my attention, and I barely had to read beyond the first sentence of the synopsis to know this is a book I want to read. Abulhawa's novel is the story of four generations of Palestinian women who are forced out of their home in a farming village and into a refuge camp in Gaza.

9. On the Road with Del and Louise (A Novel in Stories) by Art Taylor ~ This sounds like such a fun book. Something on the lighter, funny side. Del is "a small time crook with a moral conscience" and Louise, a rather sassy holdup victim turned lover of Del's, go on all sorts of adventures together, and this book of six stories offers the reader a ride along with them.

10. Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta ~ When I first heard about this book I knew I had to read it. This is a coming of age story for both a country (Nigeria) and a young woman. It is the story of forbidden love, prejudice, and the impact a civil war can have on people and a country. Somehow, I doubt my eyes will be dry when I finish reading this one.

Do you plan to read any of these books? What new releases are you looking forward to, this second half of the year?

© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Sunday, June 07, 2015

From the Archives: The Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Canavan

I began keeping a reading journal several years before I began blogging. I find it interesting to sift through my thoughts of books that I read back then. My reviews were often brief and contained little substance, but I thought it'd be fun to document them here on my blog as well as share them with you. The first half of 2006 seemed to be my time for series reading. Here are some of my reviews from 2006 and one from 2005:

The Magicians' Guild ( The Black Magician Trilogy #1) by Trudi Canavan
Harper Collins Eos Fantasy, 2001
Fantasy; 370 pgs

My husband was the first to introduce me to the world of fantasy novels, encouraging me to read the Last Herald Mage trilogy by Mercedes Lackey. I am especially drawn to stories involving magic, which is why The Magicians’ Guild caught my eye when I saw it listed in a publishers’ e-newsletter that I subscribe to.

Set in Imardin, the novel opens with the main character, Sonea, working her way through the streets to warn her old friends of an impending attack. She finds herself caught up in the confrontation between the street dwellers, or commoners, and the magicians who have come to clean the streets of the riff raff. Enraged, Sonea throws a stone at a magician expecting it to bounce off the shield, however, much to hers and everyone’s surprise, the stone breaks through and hits the magician, knocking him out. Suddenly, Sonea finds herself on the run, trying to hide from the magicians, fearing they will punish and destroy her. And yet, the magicians have other ideas. They want to bring her in to train her to control her power before it destroys her and possibly those around her. Not all of the magicians are so inclined, however. One in particular has his own ideas.

The Magicians’ Guild was enjoyable, however, it was predictable and there was not very much excitement. I liked it enough to want to continue with the trilogy and look forward to getting to know Sonea and her friends more in the future books.

The Novice (The Black Magician Trilogy #2) by Trudi Canavan

Harper Voyager, 2002

Fantasy; 465 pgs

In the second book in the Black Magician Trilogy, The Novice, seventeen-year-old Sonea begins her first year of study at the Magician’s Guild. She finds herself targeted by a nasty bully who rallies her classmates against her to play mean-spirited jokes and pranks on her. Lord Dannyl, newly appointed as Second Ambassador to Elyne, is given a secret secondary assignment to uncover what High Lord Akkarin had been up to in his research of ancient magic. And a serial murderer appears to be at large in the city, one who possibly uses dark magic. I enjoyed The Novice slightly more than I had the first book in the trilogy, The Magicians’ Guild. Although predictable and not always original, I enjoyed the story. The characters are likeable and my curiosity about the High Lord increased tenfold as I read this novel. I have a strong suspicion that all is not as it seems.

The High Lord (The Black Magician Trilogy #3) by Trudi Canavan

Orbit, 2003

Fantasy; 531 pgs

Full of suspense and magic, The High Lord was an intense reading pleasure. The third novel in the Black Magician Trilogy was darker and more complex than the first two in the trilogy. Magician-in-training Sonea is faced with a difficult decision when she learns her guardian, the High Lord’s secret, including his reasons for practicing the forbidden black magic. I was glad to see Sonea’s childhood friend, Cery, take on one of the leading roles in the book. The difference in treatment between the classes comes out clearly in this novel and the poor, who the magicians and upper classes tried to hide and forget about, show they are much stronger than anyone imagined (except perhaps to themselves). Browsing the author’s website, I was relieved to see that there will be more books set in Sonea’s world.

Wednesday, June 03, 2015

Bookish Thoughts: Huntress Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff

The city teems. ~ Opening of Huntress Moon

Huntress Moon (The Huntress/FBI Thrillers #1) by Alexandra Sokoloff

Thomas & Mercer, 2015 (originally published 2012)

Crime Fiction; 369 pgs

It could have been an accident, but FBI Special Agent Matthew Roarke does not believe it. When one of his undercover agents is killed on a busy street right in front of him, the coincidences seem to be too much. The agent had contacted him for an emergency meeting as their current investigation was reaching a climax, a major breakthrough on the horizon. Just before the accident, a woman had caught Roarke's attention, and although he had little to go on but a feeling, and later a witness who said the woman spoke with the agent before his death, Roarke is certain she had something to do with it.

From San Francisco to Salt Lake City to Portland to Pismo Beach and all the way to Blythe, Roarke follows the very thin trail of the woman, finding more death along the way. Roarke, once a member of the elite Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI, draws from his past experience to search for what he has come to believe is a female serial killer, a rarity like no other he's encountered before. Roarke is obsessed with finding her and discovering what the connection is between her victims. She is definitely on a mission, but what that mission is, he can only guess.

The novel follows both Roarke's search for the woman and the woman as she attempts to hide in plain sight, lying in wait--for what, the reader does not know. She finds refuge with a young boy and his father, neither knowing the danger she may pose.

Huntress Moon is a smart thriller, well-researched and with well-defined characters. As the story unfolds, it becomes more clear Roarke's fascination with the woman he is hunting. As the reader, I am fascinated by her story as well. Who is she? How does she choose her victims? Why does she do what she does?

I always enjoy seeing how a mystery unfolds, walking through the process with the investigator as he pieces together the evidence and tries to solve the crime. It was no different as I read Huntress Moon. Roarke thinks outside the box when he needs to and is thorough in his work. Roarke is confident about his skills as an investigator, although not at all arrogant, and very determined.

One of my favorite characters in the novel is Epps, an FBI agent working under Roarke. There were several times in the novel he brought Roarke back to earth when he most needed to be grounded. It is clear Roarke is identifying with the woman more than he probably should as a law enforcement officer, and the more he learns about her past, the more sympathetic he becomes to her cause (even as a reader, it is hard not to take her side). He's walking a dangerous line.

With serial killers it is often a question of good versus evil. There is rarely anything good about the crimes serial killers commit. Jeff Lindsay pushed the boundaries with his Dexter series, putting Dexter on the path of criminals who "deserved" to die. And now we have the Huntress who is on her own mission, for right or wrong.

Three years ago I read a romantic mystery short story by Alexandra Sokoloff called "In Atlantis" that continues to be one of my favorites even today. I am glad for the opportunity to read more of her work. Huntress Moon was an enjoyable, dark and addicting book to read. I am looking forward to reading the next two books in the Huntress/FBI series, and seeing what direction the author takes us next.

To learn more about author Alexandra Sokoloff and her work, please visit the author's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads.

Source: I received an e-copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

Monday, June 01, 2015

Where Is Your Bookmark? (06/02/2015)

When I read Sarah McCoy's The Baker's Daughter three years ago, I was swept up into the stories of both Elsie and Reba. I knew I would be reading more by the author at some point, and so I was very excited to jump into The Mapmaker's Children. McCoy's latest novel yet again straddles two time periods, this time that of the Civil War era and the abolitionists and modern day. It's the story of two women whose lives weave together "the past to the present, forcing each of them to define courage, family, love, and legacy in a new way." [excerpt from publisher]

First Paragraph of The Mapmaker's Children:

The old house on Apple Hill Lane shuddered against the weighty snow that burdened its pitch. The ancient beams moaned their secret pains to the wintering doves in the attic. The nesting duo pushed feathered bosoms together, blinked, and nodded quickly, as if to say, Yes-Yes, we hear, yes-yes,we know, while down deep in the cellar, the metal within the doll's porcelain skull grew crystals along its ridges. Sharp as a knife. The skull did all it could to hold steady against the shattering temperature for just one more minute of one more hour.

Teaser from 22% into the e-book:

"What if it snows," she whispered. "They can't hang a man in a snowstorm--can't bury the dead in frozen ground." Mary's eyes were bloodshot and dark as a train soot. She needed sleep, if only an hour or two.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

* * *

This week's Top Ten Tuesday theme hosted by Broke and Bookish is Top Ten Books I'd Love To See As Movies/Tv Shows. Wouldn't you know it, the first books that come to mind have already been made into movies or television shows. Probably because they are already movies and television shows. I looked through my book review archive and selected the first ten titles that jumped out at me that I think would make great movies or television shows. But only if they are done right. I suppose that goes without saying.

1. I love it when a true story is turned into a movie, and Allison Hoover Bartlett's The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession would make a good one, drawing in readers, book collecters and anyone who loves a good true crime story.

2. I love fantasy novels and movies. Lena Coakley's young adult novel, Witchlanders, about two young men from different lands, born enemies, whose fates bring them together not only deserves more attention, but I think it could make a great movie if given the chance. I mean, there's magic even. I wouldn't be able to resist.

3. I heard a rumor that Lisa Lutz, author of The Spellman Files, would not mind seeing her books become a television series, and I think that would be great. I have only yet read the first book, but I am already smitten with the characters, and how fun would a television show about a family of P.I.'s be? A lot, I imagine!

4. I really like the show Agent Carter, which aired this past winter/spring. As I watched, I couldn't help but wish someone would make a television show out of Susan Elia MacNeal's Maggie Hope series about a female spy in England during World War II (the first book in the series is Mr. Churchill's Secretary). I do love women in roles like that, not to mention the time period.

5. If ever there was an Oscar contender among my top ten list today, I think American Rust by Philipp Meyer would be it. This one actually may become a movie soon from what I have read. It's set in a small Pennsylvania town focusing on two young men whose lives are irrevocably changed because of a violent death. If the director, screenwriters and actors can capture the feel of that dying town and its people . . . well, it could be a masterpiece.

6. I am not the only one who would like to see Lisa O'Donnell's novel, The Death of Bees, about two sisters who bury their parents in their backyard translated into a movie. I can't imagine how it could be nearly as nuanced and lovely as the book, but one can hope, right?

7. David Peace's Tokyo Year Zero was such an interesting reading experience. Set right after World War II Japan, it is the story of a detective determined to solve a series of murders that appear to be connected even despite the lack of resources and lack of interest by those around him. Japan at that time in history would make for an interesting backdrop for a movie or television series for sure.

8. As I read Marcus Sakey's novel, The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes, I was already envisioning it on the big screen. I'm partial to crime thrillers and this book is nonstop action from the moment Daniel wakes up on the beach unable to remember who he is to the entire time he tries to retrace his steps leading up to his memory loss, including finding his dead wife who he may or may not have murdered. It really is a wild ride and would make a great movie.

9. Another book that had me on the edge of my seat as I read and would make a great movie is Liz Strange's Erased, a science fiction novel set in space. I love a good science fiction movie, especially with a strong female lead. This one is full of action, tension and smart characters. If done right, it would look great on the big screen.

10. Because I cannot resist the pull of stories set around World War II, I was immediately drawn to Michael C. White's Beautiful Assassin, which is a novel about a Russian sniper. Beautiful Assassin is at once a war story, a political thriller, and a historical novel with a touch of romance. I think it would make for an interesting and worthwhile movie.

What about you? What books would you like to see translated into a movie or television show?

Sunday, May 31, 2015

April/May 2015 In Review

What I Have Been Up To: Stuff. A lot of working. Chores. Spring cleaning. Worrying about finances. Worrying about my husband. Worrying about work. Worrying about family and friends going through tough times. A sure sign I have too much on my mind and am feeling stressed is when I am not sleeping well. My nights for the past few weeks have been filled with crazy dreams and frequent wakings.

Illness came and went, making sure we all felt its presence. We had a few health scares with extended family as well. My aunt came through her knee replacement surgery with flying colors, And, fortunately the lump in my half-sister's breast was benign. My father-in-law, who was diagnosed with melanoma recently, wasn't so lucky (but still lucky considering how much worse it could have been!). The doctor was able to get all of the cancerous cells out of one of his arms, but not the other. He is having another procedure to see if the doctor can get the rest early this week.

“That's your solution? Have a cookie?" Astrid asked. "No, my solution is to run down to the beach and hide out until this is all over," Sam said. "But a cookie never hurts.” ― Michael Grant, Gone

There is the fun stuff as well. Like hanging out with my family, which, of course, is my favorite part. Early in May, we went to see a ballet production of Beauty and the Beast. Not the Disney version, in case you are wondering. Mouse's best friend and her mom had invited us, and the girls had a great time. We spent Mother's Day at Disneyland, every mother's dream come true. Okay, so maybe just mine, but it sure was a lot of fun. Later in the month, we visited the Santa Monica Pier where I met a long time pen pal of mine from Norway and her family for the first time. We had a nice visit. In between that there were soccer classes, visits to the library, time at the park, and even some lazy days.

For those of you who are actually visiting my blog and not reading this through a feedreader, you may have noticed the new format. I am never satisfied. Haha. My poor husband is used to my frequent requests to create a new header for me.

What I Have Been Listening To: I actually finished an audio book a couple of weeks ago. It only took me four and a half months to listen to Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park. I am hoping it doesn't take me as long to get through the next one. I just started listening to The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, which has been getting mixed reviews. Even the negative and less than positive reviews have only increased my interest in it though. I am loving it so far. If only I had more listening time!

What I Have Been Watching: April and May seemed to be the month for action movies. A bold statement given I only saw two movies the entire two months. Both were action movies, the latest Avengers movie and Fast and Furious 7. I love the Marvel movies and so was excited to see Avengers in the theater. I enjoyed it, although not quite as much as the first. Tony Stark still gets on my nerves and Steve Rogers as Captain America, well, he's my favorite. I thought Fast and Furious 7 was a lot of fun, plot holes and all. I am not a fan of the franchise and this was actually the first of the movies I have seen all the way through. I got bored watching the first one and never finished it.

On television, I am watching Netflix's Daredevil and enjoying it. I saw the season finales for several shows I follow during the regular television season, including Scandal, Revenge, Blacklist, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and The Voice. I am always a bit relieved when this time of year approaches, television wise. I am not too into the summer shows and so am able to catch other shows I missed--like Orphan Black, which I just love. I am curious thought about the Walking Dead spin-off, Fear the Walking Dead (which is an entirely uninspired title, I have to say). I watch way too much television.

What I Have Been Reading: As many of you know, my husband convinced me to re-read Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre since he was reading it for the first time. I finished Jane Eyre in April, and must say I still love the novel all these year later. I enjoyed reliving familiar scenes from the book and getting to know Jane and Edward Rochester again. There were some things I did not remember and much that I did. There was squealing and gasps and tears. I was falling in love with the book all over again. Being much older now than I was when I last read the novel, I wondered if my perspective of the main characters would change. It has to some degree. I have a little more empathy for Rochester than I once did. And even more respect for Jane. I also came away with a deeper understanding of St. John, a character that I only vaguely remembered from my previous readings of the novel.

I read several other good books these past couple months from mysteries/thrillers, fantasies to historical fiction. I liked some more than others, but overall I am pleased with my reading choices. They might not be mighty in number, but I have never been a fast reader. And quality is always more important than quantity when it comes to reading. At least in my opinion.

The Child in April/May:

Library Visit with her Best Friend

Laundry Basket as Sleeping Bag

Drawing with Chalk

Riding the Carousel

Afternoon at the Pier

The cats these past couple months:

Did you say treats?

Doing what he loves best.

Plans for June: June is a busy month with Father's Day and my husband's birthday. I do not imagine we will be doing much outside our usual activities though. Soccer and the beginning of swim lessons for Mouse; work, work and more work for my husband and me.

I only have one book tour in June, which I am excited about. I hope to bring you some long overdo reviews of other books I have read since the beginning of the year as well. It took me forever to write my 3 book combined review of Anne Bishop's Others Series. I just had so much to say . . . I thought about breaking it into parts, or doing each individual book separately, but couldn't think how to do that successfully. The review is pretty long--hopefully I can cut it down some more before I actually post it. This is the longest I have ever struggled with a review. I guess having too much to say is better than struggling with saying anything at all though, right?

How have you been these past couple months? What were your favorite April and May reads?

April/May In Reading Mews:

Number of Books Completed in April: 3