Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about books for children…

Do you buy books as gifts for children – either your own or those of friends or family? Would you buy books for all children, or only children who are already practiced readers?

I always believe that it is good to cultivate good reading habits from young, so books are usually one of my favourite to-buy items on my gift list, no matter whatever the occasion is (i.e. birthday, Christmas etc). For children who are already practiced readers, I will try to learn more about their reading preference so I would know what to buy them in future; and as for children who do not read much, I will find out what are their likes and will buy the books based on them (or at least something similiar to them) and hopefully this will nurture them to be a reader.

What about you?

ISBN: 9780545123266
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc
Published: August 2009
400 pgs



When Grace was a child, she was attacked by a pack of wolves but she was saved and protected by one yellow-eyed wolf. Though she was bitten, she was fortunate to live but from that day onwards, she is obsessed with the wolves and is always on the look out for her yellow-eyed wolf.

Several years later, Grace, who is now seventeen, is still feeling sentimental towards that particular wolf which she call her own. Her two best friends, Rachel and Olivia think she is insane, but she just could not help herself. When a boy from school was killed by the wolves, everyone living in Mercy Falls is terrified and a hunting party for the wolves begins. Worried that her wolf might be killed, Grace tries to stop the hunt, and later found an injured naked boy at her doorstep. She knew he is her wolf because of his eyes, and this begins their romantic relationship.

During her care for Sam (that is his name), she knew a lot of things about him, including about his shapeshifting experience and how warmer temperature would make him stay human and vice versa. She also get to know more about a few members of the pack and why Sam respect and admire Beck (one of the senior pack who took him under his wings) so much.

Though their relationship is sweet and romantic, they knew it would be a short-lived one because Sam would not remain human for long (it seems there is a limited span) and he would shapeshift into wolf form if there is a drop in the temperature. And this made them appreciate every moment they spend together; and given her parents' hectic schedules and the freedom they gave her, it makes everything easy having Sam to stay with her without much scrutiny.

It is towards the middle of the story that the plot thickens, whereby Jack (the 'dead' boy who was killed by the wolves) returns and he wants to find a cure for this. Adding thrills to the plot is the disappearance of her best friend Olivia and also, finding ways for Sam and Jack to be a human again (by the way, have you ever wonder why Grace did not change despite the bite?), thus that is a clue they have to find out.

Written in alternative first person narrative between Grace and Sam, Shiver is an engaging love story between a girl and a werewolf boy, and the friends surrounding them. Maggie Stiefvater's prose is simple yet lyrical and beautifully written.

She waited to change, and I waited to change, and we both wanted what we couldn't have. (Pg 343)

The above passage simply tells the longing Grace and Sam felt for each other, and it just made me ache for them. The author has also done a great job in creating the wintry atmosphere, and the pace for suspense is right without overtaking the romance. Overall, Shiver is an enjoyable read and one that offers a fresh perspective on the werewolves clan which is so different from the others. I think this might also appeal to the fans of the Twilight Saga since the quality of the romance is somewhat similiar. And oh, did I mention that there will be a sequel (Linger) and it is to be released Fall 2010? I cannot wait. I hope the cover design will be as pretty as Shiver.


Other reviews:
Angieville
AS
Book Reviews by Jess
Chick Lit Teens
Fantastic Book Review
Harmony Book Reviews
Jen Robinson's Book Page
Karin's Book Nook
Presenting Lenore
The Book Smugglers
The Book Vault
The Reading Zone
The Well-Read Child
Today's Adventure
(Let me know if I missed yours.)

What’s the lightest, most “fluff” kind of book you’ve read recently?

How do you define light and fluff? For me, I see something that is just plain fun and entertaining; one that wouldn't allow me to think too hard and just to read, read and read.

I went through my reading list and decided on these three which I read in July:

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer (Loved the heroine! She is opinionated and very witty!)
The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale (A heartwarming story about a friendship between a famous actor and an ordinary housewife.)
Airhead by Meg Cabot (A story about two girls - a superbrain and a supermodel switching their identities. A fun read!)

So what is yours?

I love beautiful, and interesting, cover art so every Wednesday I post my 'Cover Attraction' for the week along with a synopsis of the book. Everyone is welcome to stop by and, if they'd like, post a link to their favorite weekly book cover.

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My find this week is The September Society by Charles Finch.


ISBN-13: 9780312564940
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: July 2009
Series: Charles Lenox Mysteries Series

Synopsis:

In the small hours of the morning one fall day in 1866, a frantic widow visits detective Charles Lenox. Lady Annabelle’s problem is simple: her beloved son, George, has vanished from his room at Oxford. When Lenox visits his alma mater to investigate he discovers a series of bizarre clues, including a murdered cat and a card cryptically referring to “The September Society.” Then, just as Lenox realizes that the case may be deeper than it appears, a student dies, the victim of foul play.

What could the September Society have to do with it? What specter, returned from the past, is haunting gentle Oxford? Lenox, with the support of his devoted friends in London’s upper crust, must race to discover the truth before it comes searching for him, and dangerously close to home.

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To find out more or participate, go to The Printed Page every Wednesday.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

I was so excited to get this book last week and so I have to read it immediately! Anyway here's my teaser for today:

For once in my life,

I was here

and nowhere else.

And then I opened my eyes and it was just Grace and me - nothing anywhere but Grace and me - she pressing her lips together as though she were keeping my kiss inside her, and me, holding this moment that was as fragile as a bird in my hands.

(Pg 88, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater)

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about book series…

Do you prefer to read stand-alone books, or books in series? Do you stick with a series the whole way through or stop after the first instalment? Are there any particular series you enjoy? (question courtesy of Elena)

Generally speaking, I would prefer stand-alone books over series. That said, I don't dislike series either but it is just that (i) I have to remember all the names of the characters considering new characters might be added in each installment; (ii) I have to be very patient to wait for the next installment to be released, (iii) by the time the next installment is released, I might have forgotten some of the plots, and finally, reading a book and then realized it is part of the series! Urgh! Despite these, I still love reading books in series (life is all about contradiction!).

I think I tend to stop after the first installment (because there are so many books waiting to be read) but I will jump into the next book if the story is really good and that I happen to have the book on hand.

Here are just a few series which I love:

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
The Gardella Vampire Chronicles by Colleen Gleason
Annie Seymour Mysteries by Karen E. Olson
The Black Jewels by Anne Bishop
Ice series by Anne Stuart
Jack Caffery series by Mo Hayder
Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris

What about you? Do you prefer stand-alone books or books in series? Which are your favourite series?

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page.

Only one book arrived in my mailbox last week (although I did buy a few from the bookstores!):

1) The White Queen by Philippa Gregory (review copy)

So what books came into your house last week?

I am sure most of you must have read the Harry Potter series or watched the movies so I am taking a different approach when writing the reviews for the Harry Potter Reading Challenge. I would do a self-interview for each book I read in this series and I hope you will enjoy reading them.

Q: What made you pick up this series in the first place?
A: Honestly, I am not aware of this wonderful series until they hit the big screen. I have to admit I did not read a lot of young adult books back then but I am very happy to pick up this series no matter how late I am. Actually, I had read the first three installments last year but just did not get around to writing the reviews. I am glad this reading challenge comes along so it is a great opportunity for me to catch up on this series!

Q: Which is your favourite and least favourite scene? Why?
A: I have more than one favourite scene! Reading this book is like an adventure to me so how could I possibly just name a scene and neglect the others? However, I have to say Harry's journey to the Hogwarts is an interesting read and I loved the part how he got acquainted with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The scene where Ron has to play the chess so that Harry and Hermione could reach the room safely touched me greatly and this says a lot about their friendship and their loyalty to one another.

*****

What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
(Tell me you didn’t see this one coming?)

Oh, I do see this one coming! :-P

I had read a few good books over the months but instead of listing them here, I decided to name the best book I read this month - The Ghost Writer by John Harwood.

I loved the gothic atmosphere; I find it especially creepy reading the book at night but that is just me. I loved it that there are ghost stories within the story and personally I feel they deserve their full story. But most of all, I love the suspense and I think the writing style is simply marvellous! Oh, can you tell that I'm gushing now?

I love beautiful, and interesting, cover art so every Wednesday I post my 'Cover Attraction' for the week along with a synopsis of the book. Everyone is welcome to stop by and, if they'd like, post a link to their favorite weekly book cover.

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My find this week is Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran. I only found the UK cover when I visited the bookstore yesterday so I bought it. Anyway, I think both covers are gorgeous! What do you think of these covers?

US Cover

UK Cover

Synopsis:

The marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of all time, a tale of unbridled passion with earth-shaking political consequences. Feared and hunted by the powers in Rome, the lovers choose to die by their own hands as the triumphant armies of Antony’s revengeful rival, Octavian, sweep into Egypt. Their three orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome; only two– the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander–survive the journey. Delivered to the household of Octavian’s sister, the siblings cling to each other and to the hope that they will return one day to their rightful place on the throne of Egypt. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian’s family and court, by the ever-present threat of slave rebellion, and by the longings and desires deep within their own hearts.

The fateful tale of Selene and Alexander is brought brilliantly to life in Cleopatra’s Daughter. Recounted in Selene’s youthful and engaging voice, it introduces a compelling cast of historical characters: Octavia, the emperor Octavian’s kind and compassionate sister, abandoned by Marc Antony for Cleopatra; Livia, Octavian's bitter and jealous wife; Marcellus, Octavian’s handsome, flirtatious nephew and heir apparent; Tiberius, Livia’s sardonic son and Marcellus’s great rival for power; and Juba, Octavian’s watchful aide, whose honored position at court has far-reaching effects on the lives of the young Egyptian royals.

Selene’s narrative is animated by the concerns of a young girl in any time and place–the possibility of finding love, the pullof friendship and family, and the pursuit of her unique interests and talents. While coping with the loss of both her family and her ancestral kingdom, Selene must find a path around the dangers of a foreign land. Her accounts of life in Rome are filled with historical details that vividly capture both the glories and horrors of the times. She dines with the empire’s most illustrious poets and politicians, witnesses the creation of the Pantheon, and navigates the colorful, crowded marketplaces of the city where Roman-style justice is meted out with merciless authority.

Based on meticulous research, Cleopatra’s Daughter is a fascinating portrait of imperial Rome and of the people and events of this glorious and most tumultuous period in human history. Emerging from the shadows of the past, Selene, a young woman of irresistible charm and preternatural intelligence, will capture your heart.

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To find out more or participate, go to The Printed Page every Wednesday.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

Here's my teaser for today:

Never in her life had she felt guilt when it came to food, or eating. The fact that she was feeling it now, and strongly, was a little disturbing.

(Pg 42, Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker)

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about movies …

How do you react to movies made of your favourite books (or even not-so-favourite books)? Do you look forward to seeing them, or avoid them? Do you like to have read the book before seeing the movie?

I rarely watch movies, not because I do not like them but I can hardly find the time with my work, family and all! However, I do visit the cinemas once in a while and I am choosy over the movies I want to watch because it would be a waste of time and money if I did not do a little 'research' prior to watching (I google a little about the movie and read the reviews from papers and magazines). Sometimes, it would be a movie my husband wanted to watch and I will go along to keep him company (ended up I loved Iron Man, all the Batman and Spiderman sequels and a few others that I could not think of at the moment).

So what do I feel about movies made of the books I read? Generally, I welcome them! I think it is a great way in influencing the non-readers into reading the books after watching the film adaptations, but personally I am also worried that they would not live up to the expectations as we did in books. And another thing is, you would not get the details as much as you read the book so that is another issue I believe we all have with film adaptations.

Here are a list of some of the books I read before and after watching the movies:

• My Sister's Keeper (book first, movie to look forward to)
• The Twilight Saga (books first, movies second)
• The Harry Potter series (movies first, books second)
• The Lord of the Rings series (movies first, books to look forward to)
• The Devil Wears Prada (movie first, book in my TBR pile)
• P.S. I Love You (book first, movie to look forward to)
• The Kite Runner (book first, movie to look forward to)
• The Other Boleyn Girl (book first, movies second)
• Revolutionary Road (book first, movie to look forward to)
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (book first, movie to look forward to)
• Atonement (book first, movie second)

I am sure there are a few others but my memory has failed me so I am thinking the above list will do.

What about you?

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page.

These are the books I received last week:

1) Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker (review copy)

2) Wait Until Twilight by Sang Pak (review copy)

So what books came into your house last week?

ISBN-13: 9780156032322
Publisher: Harcourt Books
Published: June 2005
369 pgs




How could I turn down this book with a title like that? I am a sucker for gothic tales and ghost stories so when I first read about this book from Wendy of Musings of a Bookish Kitty, I knew I just have to have it!

Like any other boys his age, thirteen-year-old Gerard Freeman is always curious about things in general. So when he stumbled upon a photograph of a woman in his mother's locked drawer one day, he knew he would not let his questions go unanswered till he got to the bottom of it. His mother used to share with him some stories about her childhood days in Springfield, England, but after she had caught him rummaging through her drawers she never shared those tales with him anymore. Suddenly, it seems like there is a gap between them and Gerard could never understand what is in his mother's mind and it does not get any better even he has reached adulthood. However, he could not help thinking about the woman in the photograph.

One of the things that made him happy and his mind occupied is his friendship with Alice Jessel, a penpal he corresponded through emails when he was thirteen. Gerard confides most of the things with her and it is no surprise that they fell in love with each other as the time passes by.

Without Alice's letters, life at home would have been intolerable, but without Alice I wouldn't have been living there. (Pg 63)

Gerard wishes to meet her in person but Alice declines whenever he bring up the issue, stating reasons that she is bound to a wheelchair and any other inconveniences such as hospital trips and so forth. He also share with Alice about the manuscripts written by his great grandmother Viola Hatherley he found in his mother's dresser, and this made him wonder about Viola and his mother's past but Phyllis refused to delve into it, and she seems uneasy whenever Gerard asks about her past or Viola. But Gerard did not put a stop there, he decided to dig more as he find more ghost stories from Viola , for he is both intrigued by her and her stories as well. And this begins his journey to England where he hopes to seek some answers and to meet Alice along the way. Gerard soon discover an eerily connection between Viola's manuscript, a diary and a mystery of his family history and this leads him (as well as yours truly) wondering if fantasy has got into its way with reality or vice versa.

The Ghost Writer is a remarkable horror novel (or should I say thriller? I couldn't seem to differentiate these two in The Ghost Writer because it read as a horror and a thriller to me) about family secrets, obsession and revenge. I especially loved the ghost stories Viola written in between the story, they are all so creepy and I felt they deserve a full novel of its own. I loved John Harwood's prose besides the characterization and that it is a plot-driven story; and personally I feel this book leans more towards the literary due to his writing style. I wish I could elaborate more on the characters but I fear I might spoil the story without realizing so myself. This is one of those books which you will have to read it and it will make you stay till the night to finish the last few chapters (which I did!). And this goes without saying that this book will be one of my favourite reads this year. I cannot wait to read his next novel, The Seance.

Other reviews:
A Striped Armchair
Musings of a Bookish Kitty
S. Krishna's Books
So Many Books
(Let me know if I missed yours.)

I always enjoy reading Wendy's (Musings of a Bookish Kitty) "A Page in the Life of..." posts whereby she will feature fellow booklovers' blogs and ask some questions about life in general as well as books and reading. This is a great way of getting to know more about other bookbloggers and so when Wendy asked for some volunteers to do a guest post for her during her absence, I emailed her and told her I would be glad to be the interviewee for this feature. (Please click here if you wish to read her interview with me.)

I love beautiful, and interesting, cover art so every Wednesday I post my 'Cover Attraction' for the week along with a synopsis of the book. Everyone is welcome to stop by and, if they'd like, post a link to their favorite weekly book cover.

* * * * *

My find this week is Gateway by Sharon Shinn. I love the oriental feel of this cover, and on top of that I am hooked by the premise!

ISBN-13: 9780670011780
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Published: October 2009

Synopsis:

As a Chinese adoptee in St. Louis, teenage Daiyu often feels out of place. When an elderly Asian jewelry seller at a street fair shows her a black jade ring—and tells her that "black jade" translates to "Daiyu"—she buys it as a talisman of her heritage. But it's more than that; it's magic. It takes Daiyu through a gateway into a version of St. Louis much like 19th century China. Almost immediately she is recruited as a spy, which means hours of training in manners and niceties and sleight of hand. It also means stealing time to be with handsome Kalen, who is in on the plan. There's only one problem. Once her task is done, she must go back to St. Louis and leave him behind forever. . . .

* * * * *

To find out more or participate, go to The Printed Page every Wednesday.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

Here's my teaser for today:

From old Mrs Noonan I learned that if you shivered for no reason it meant that someone was walking over your grave. Mrs Noonan was thin and stooped and had twisted papery hands with strange bulges around the knuckles; she smelt of stale lavender and felt the cold even in summer, especially when she took her first sip of tea.

(Pg 6, The Ghost Writer by John Harwood)

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page.

These are the books I received last week (all from BookMooch):

1) The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood

2) The Pursuit by Johanna Lindsey

3) Night and Day by Anne Stuart and Gayle Wilson

4) Looking for Trouble by Anne Stuart

So what books came into your house last week?

What’s the most serious book you’ve read recently?(I figure it’s easier than asking your most serious boook ever, because, well, it’s recent!)

This week's question seems to be much harder than I have first thought.

I looked through the list of my recent read and found a few (Click onto the links for my reviews):

The Heights by Brian James (a contemporary imagining of Wuthering Heights. I thought it is a rather serious book since it also covered issues like social injustice and bits on racism)

Looking for Alaska by John Green (a coming-of-age and a thought-provoking story to me)


Song of Renewal by Emily Sue Harvey (a book about hope and renewal, and this book touches my heart!)

What about you? What serious books you have read recently?

Mr Earnshaw found five-year-old Henry on a cold rainy day in San Francisco. That day marked the beginning of Henry's life, but the best thing is it marked the day he met Catherine. Catherine is like a ray of sunshine to him; and for the first time Henry found happiness through her and Mr Earnshaw. However, Hindley, the eldest son in the family does not welcome him and think Henry has taken away all the attention and is a threat to him. It does not help that Henry is a Mexican and thus this is another reason Hindley despise him so.

Henry and Catherine have liked each other from the beginning and they feel nothing will bring them apart from each other. Unfortunately, things change after Mr Earnshaw died and Hindley gains control of the family. Hindley sees this as a payback time to Henry and he make sure to sever Henry's relationship with Catherine, and as if that is not enough, he enrols Henry in a public school where he has to endure the swearings and beatings from the school bullies. These have made Henry to become an angrier and a more bitter person.

It is at this point that Catherine began to get closer to Edgar. Edgar goes to the same school as Catherine and she knows he likes her. Though Catherine treats him as a friend, she couldn't help liking him as the days go by and the fact that he is always there for her whenever she needs him since she could hardly see or talk with Henry given the circumstances.

Henry, on the other hand, sees Catherine a changed person and to make things worse, a tragic accident happened and this has further widened the gap of their relationship. With all the things happening around him, it is no surprise that Henry's rage came to a point of eruption.

I knew this story would not end with a happily-ever-after, and in fact is a dark and a sad tale about doomed love, revenge and tragedy. But there is something more besides those, issues like the social injustice of class and also bits on racism (my heart ached for Henry when he is being bullied and abused by the other students in the public school).

I guess things might be different if Henry and Catherine have communicated more with each other and not thinking of the worse or assuming things that are not true. Honestly, I was a little stumped towards the ending because I thought there are certain things that would help me understand things better if told concisely but that is just me. I think the dark and brooding atmosphere is nicely done and it definitely adds intrigue and intensity to the story.

Now I really look forward to reading Wuthering Heights after reading The Heights. Have you read any of these books? What do you think of it(them)?

Other reviews:
Brontë Blog
Presenting Lenore
(Let me know if I missed yours.)

I love beautiful, and interesting, cover art so every Wednesday I post my 'Cover Attraction' for the week along with a synopsis of the book. Everyone is welcome to stop by and, if they'd like, post a link to their favorite weekly book cover.

* * * * *

My find this week is The Baker Street Letters by Michael Robertson. Loved the postbox!

ISBN-13: 978031253812
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: June 2009

Synopsis:
First in a spectacular new series about two brother lawyers who lease offices on London’s Baker Street--and begin receiving mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes

In Los Angeles, a geological surveyor maps out a proposed subway route--and then goes missing. His eight-year-old daughter, in her desperation, turns to the one person she thinks might help--she writes a letter to Sherlock Holmes.

That letter creates an uproar at 221b Baker Street, which now houses the law offices of attorney and man about town Reggie Heath and his hapless brother, Nigel. Instead of filing the letter like he’s supposed to, Nigel decides to investigate. Soon he’s flying off to Los Angeles, inconsiderately leaving a very dead body on the floor in his office. Big brother Reggie follows Nigel to California, as does Reggie’s sometime lover, Laura---a quick-witted stage actress who’s captured the hearts of both brothers.

When Nigel is arrested, Reggie must use all his wits to solve a case that Sherlock Holmes would have savored and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fans will adore.

* * * * *

To find out more or participate, go to The Printed Page every Wednesday.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

Here's my teaser for today:

She wasn't just another girl...more like a star plucked from the sky and trapped between tiny bones..a star capturing the heat that I could hold on to for warmth. My very own star that I knew would guide me forever as long as I held on tight and never let go.

(Pg 5, The Heights by Brian James)