Melody

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading/blogging during the holidays…

How does your reading (or your blogging) fare in the holiday months? Do you read more or less? Do you have to actively make time to read?

On an average, I read about 6 books per month (which to me is a small amount considering most of my blogger friends read about 10 books or more given the same time, but hey I am not complaining. After all, everyone of us has different reading schedules and as long as we find some time to read, it is all good, isn't it?).

Anyway, I do notice I have not been reading much beginning end November because of the holiday season where this time I will start to do a little shopping and getting ready to send off all the greeting cards. And then of course there is always my reading mood that has control over what books I should read, as well.

What about you?

Melody

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page.

I received the following books last week:

1) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (bought from The Book Depository) Don't you love the cover?

2) Dying Scream by Mary Burton (review copy)

So what books came into your house last week?
Melody
So I had finished reading these installments a while back, but just did have find the time of reviewing it until now. However this time around, I will discuss more on the characters than giving a brief summary. Moreover, it is hard to talk about these installments without giving away the plots.

If you had read my post on the first installment, you would be able to remember that I had mentioned about not knowing the Japanese names of the characters. So what I did after that is I did a google search and I was glad not only to find out their Japanese names but also found out a link where you could get to read a few chapters online but you will read about that towards the end of this post.

Ninako (a high school girl and the protagonist of the series) is simply a meek, mild-mannered girl and though she knew she could not get into a relationship with the boy she loves because he has a girlfriend, that does not keep her from admiring him from afar and in fact, she is satisfied being the way things are as long as they are friends. And this made my heart ache for her because she does not even think ill of him or his girlfriend.

Her childhood friend, Daiki, shares the same personality with Ninako but his views on love and relationship differs from her. I cannot decide if I should stand by Ninako or Daiki because each has his or her own valid reasons and love and relationship can be such a complicated issue. However, among all the characters I like Ren the most, not because he is the most good-looking and popular boy in school, but he is such an understanding person (and oh, he is a perfect gentleman and if you have read the manga, you would know what I mean).

So what did I feel after reading the first three installments? I loved it! I like the characters and the plot, but most of all the romance and the intensity! And I cannot wait to finish reading the rest of the installments (#6 is the latest installment to-date). I found a link where you can read the first 13 chapters and they are in English edition (Click here if you are interested). I think the illustrations are beautiful, and I hope you will enjoy reading them as much as I do.

My previous post on Strobe Edge #1.
Melody

Bonn, Germany
Melody
This is a weekly event hosted by Marcia of The Printed Page every Wednesday.

Marcia says:

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.

* * * * *

What do you think of these two covers? I have to say I love the first cover most!


Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Synopsis (From B&N):

Nimira is a foreign music-hall girl forced to dance for mere pennies. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to sing with a piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new and better life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets are beginning to stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumors swirl about ghosts, a madwoman roaming the halls, and Parry's involvement with a league of sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. Then Nimira discovers the spirit of a fairy gentleman named Erris is trapped inside the clockwork automaton, waiting for someone to break his curse. The two fall into a love that seems hopeless, and breaking the curse becomes a race against time, as not just their love, but the fate of the entire magical world may be in peril.

Melody
I made a mistake. I did not realize I had posted some titles which are not published in 2009 until Jackie pointed them out to me (Thanks, Jackie!). In a haste of posting my answers for the meme, my mind kept thinking of "Top 10 Books Read in 2009" and needless to say, I did not check what are the years those books are published and of course some of them do not fit under that category.

Anyway, this is a revised post and here is a my list of the top 10 books of 2009:

Skin by Mo Hayder (Crime Thriller)
Stolen by Lucy Christopher (Young Adult, Fiction)
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (Young Adult, Fantasy)
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Young Adult, Sci-Fi)
The Heights by Brian James (Young Adult, Fiction)
Ash by Malinda Lo (Young Adult, Fantasy)
The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale (Fiction)
The Lost Hours by Karen White (Fiction)
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister (Fiction)
The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax (Fiction)
Melody















ISBN-13: 9789861031446
Publisher: 东立出版社有限公司
Published: April 2009


I must have bitten by a manga bug lately, because this is the third manga book I read in a week (I had finished reading Momoko Typhoon #2 but have yet to draft a review). Anyway, I found this series while browsing through the manga section and I was attracted by the cover art and the blurb. I took the risk and bought the series because I have not read anything by this artist (and the books are sealed with plastic covers to prevent anyone from reading). There were times I was misled by the cover illustrations but funnily enough I just had the feeling that I might enjoy this series and my instinct was right because I really enjoyed reading this book!

Ren Cai Zi (the names are translated from the Chinese since I do not know the actual Japanese names of all the characters) is a high school student and has never fallen in love before though childhood friend, Da Shu fancies her but she does not know his feelings towards her.

However, an incident gave her the opportunity to meet Lian, the most good-looking and popular boy in school. What he did thereafter greatly touches her heart and from that day onwards, she knew she has fallen in love with him. When Da Shu has finally muster his courage to confess his feelings towards her, Ren Cai Zi told him she could not accept his love because she has fallen in love with somebody. Even when she later found out that Lian already has a girlfriend, her feelings towards him did not waver and she told herself that she is satisfied admiring him from afar and that they are friends.

A girl friend of Ren Cai Zi, Xiao Bai He took this opportunity to confess her love towards Da Shu and a complex love story begins this first installment of Strobe Edge.

What can I say? I was so drawn into the story (not to mention the wonderful illustrations as well) that I picked up the second installment and read it right after I had finished reading this book. I am currently reading the fourth installment and I have to say the story is getting more complex and intense than I have first anticipated. Needless to say, I have neglected the other books which I am also reading and this made me feel bad. To break free of my guilty conscience, I brought a novel instead of the manga with me to work today so hopefully I will be able to catch up on my reading and read a few more chapters.

So what are you currently reading?

Note: There is no Teaser Tuesdays post today since I am still reading the same book as of last week.

Melody
Edited to Add: Please ignore the post below and click here for the revised post. Sorry about that!



This week's Weekly Geeks: What are your top 10 books of 2009?

Now, the idea is to only choose books that were published in 2009, regardless of what country you live in. If a book was released in the US in 2008, but released in your country in 2009, that's okay. I know there is still a month in a half left of 2009, but if you know there is a book coming out between now and Dec. 31st, then it’s still eligible.

After reading some of the top 10 lists from my fellow bookbloggers, I know I have to do this although I find it tough to name only the top ten because this year has been a good reading year for me so far (in terms of quality instead of quantity). Nevertheless, I shall abide by the rules and below is my top 10 books after much consideration.

The Ghost Writer by John Harwood (Thriller)
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (Thriller)
Heartsick by Chelsea Cain (Crime Thriller)
Ritual by Mo Hayder (Crime Thriller)
Stolen by Lucy Christopher (Young Adult, Fiction)
Looking for Alaska by John Green (Young Adult, Fiction)
Fallen Skies by Philippa Gregory (Fiction)
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (Young Adult, Fantasy)
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto (Fiction)
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister (Fiction)

As there is still about a month left to go before the end of the year, I am hoping to find some more good books to read and add to my favourites list.

So, what are your top 10 books this year? What books would you recommend? Come on, do share!

Melody
Book Chick City is hosting the Thriller & Suspense Reading Challenge and don't you think the button is lovely?

Participants are to read 12 thrillers beginning January 1st thru December 31st, 2010.

Details:

• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront then you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• If you decide to participate in this challenge please use the links I have set up below with the buttons to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun.

• If you decide to join this challenge be sure to create a post telling others, please make sure you add a link back to this post so others can join in.

• You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.

• There will be a place for you to link your reviews, but this is optional.

For more details, click here.



I love reading YA books so I am participating again in the Young Adult Reading Challenge which is hosted by the lovely J. Kaye. I am going for the Mini YA Reading Challenge where I am required to read 12 books beginning January 1st thru December 31st, 2010.

Here are a few options you can choose:

The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.

Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.

Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.

Guidelines:

  • Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. (Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post. To learn how to sign up without having a blog, click here).
  • Audio, eBooks, paper all count.
  • No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
For more details, click here.


I am glad that Jenn is hosting the popular TBR Lite for 2010 once again and since I have a fun time participating this challenge this year, I am joining it again next year. I am going for Option B since I have no idea what titles to read for this challenge. I am such a moody reader.

There are 3 options for this challenge:

OPTION A: read 6 books in 12 months ~ your list of books CANNOT be changed, but you are allowed to have an “Alternates” list to choose from (like in the Original TBR Challenge).
OPTION B: read 6 books in 12 months ~ you CAN change your reading list throughout the year
OPTION C: make up a list of however many books you think you could get read in 12 months, as long as they are from your TBR stack/list, and then read them between January 1st and December 31st. You must have at least 3 books on your list.

Some Other General Guidelines:

  • You are allowed to overlap with other challenges
  • Audiobooks are allowed
  • e-Books are allowed, but must still be books that you’ve wanted to read for at least 3, or more, months
  • You should still have a list of books posted somewhere for others to see
  • You don’t have to read your books in the order you put them on your list

There is also a Yahoo group set up for this challenge. Learn more at the post about the challenge.

Melody
ISBN-13: 9780451225092
Publisher: New American Library
Published: November 2008
339 pgs



It's a piece of history you can hold in your hands. (pg 10)

Some people have that special 'gift' to be able to see dead people, and Melanie Middleton fits in that category although she does not really appreciate this psychic capability or the fact that she could also communicate with them, not that she could help it in any way. She is also a well known realtor in Charleston and she deals in historical properties though she hates to admit to anyone that she dislike them.

Nevertheless, she came upon an old property on Tradd Street owned by a Nevin Vanderhorst and she is more intrigued with his past than the property after she has learnt that her grandfather and Nevin's father were once good friends and business associates. Nevin could not find answers in regards to the disappearance of his mother when he was a boy and he thinks Melanie might be able to find the answers for him given her special ability.

Unfortunately, Nevin died a few days later before Melanie has the chance to learn more about him or his history. And she could not understand why he left the historic estate in her name, with a condition that she has to have lived in the house for a year before she is allowed to put it on the market. Nevin had already established a trust to ensure that money is spent on the restoration of the house and Melanie is able to draw an amount for living expenses as long as she live in the house. So Melanie moved into the house, along with a housekeeper and a dog she has also came to inherit. But strange things start to happen and Melanie could sense she is not alone in the house.

Author Jack Trenholm has a passion for research and writing true history's mysteries books and he is adamant about making his next book works considering the last one was a flop. He is interested in Melanie's estate as he believes some diamonds that went missing from the Confederate treasury century ago are hidden in her property. Though Melanie does not like the idea of having a stranger walking into her property (not to mention into her life as well), everything about him intrigues her and the next thing she knew, they are working together in restoring the property as well as unravelling the secrets of the Vanderhorst family.

However, someone knew about the missing diamonds too and so it seems Melanie has to be constantly on guard against any threat not only from the supernatural but from that person as well.

Reading The House on Tradd Street was a delightful treat to me because there are supernatural, mystery and a bit of romance in this story, and they happen to be my favourite genres. Aside from this, I loved Melanie's attitude towards her work and her determination in solving the mysteries despite the danger she sometimes put herself in. While her ability to communicate with the dead fascinated me, I do not wish to have this 'gift' because it is creepy and definitely not fun seeing dead people all the time.

Nevin is an interesting character and I was most intrigued with his relationship with his mother. Apparently there are reasons why his mother abandoned him and like Melanie and Jack, I got sucked into the Vanderhorst mystery and find myself flipping through the pages quickly as I was eager to get to the end so I would know what happened and why.

And alas, I should mention Jack because he is such a witty and a charming person. I liked 'watching' how the sparks fly between him and Melanie, considering their acquaintance did not start off well in the beginning and Melanie seems to be a strong-minded and independent woman who thinks she could do well without another man in her life, after all she has some issue with her father after her mother had walked out of their life and she felt he could have done better instead of drinking most of the time. It is good to see him making the efforts to mend his ways and trying to reconcile with his daughter.

I wish I could say more about this wonderful story but my post is getting longer and plus, I would rather you read it yourself. Anyway I have the next book, The Girl on Legare Street, on my reading list and I am thrilled to see Melanie and Jack are back with another new adventure. I wonder what they have in store for us readers. I cannot wait.

Other reviews:
(Let me know if I missed yours.)
Melody

Berlin, Germany
Melody
This is a weekly event hosted by Marcia of The Printed Page every Wednesday.

Marcia says:

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.

* * * * *


The Everafter by Amy Huntley
ISBN-13: 9780061776793
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: September 2009

Synopsis (From B&N):

Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this - she is dead. And alone in a vast, dark space. The only company Maddy has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things she lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that, with these artifacts, she can reexperience - and even change - moments from her life.

Her first kiss.

A trip to Disney World.

Her sister's wedding.

A disastrous sleepover.

In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and frightening truths about her life - and death.

Melody

Teaser Tuesdays

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!

My teaser for today:

We are not as we seem. I closed my eyes, trying to block out the words and the distant voice on the telephone. After Jack and I had spent half a year eradicating the ghosts that had haunted my new home, I had hoped that my days of ghost hunting were over.




(Pg 18, The Girl on Legare Street by Karen White)



I still have about 4 more chapters to go with The House on Tradd Street and I am enjoying reading it. I think I might finish the book today. Then, I will start reading The Girl on Legare Street, which I am sure will be another enjoyable read.

What are you reading?

Melody
Many thanks to all the participants for entering my giveaway during the Green Books Campaign on 10 November.

According to Random.org, my gently used copy of Fishing for Bacon goes to...


Congratulations, Alice! I will be in touch with you shortly.
Melody

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about holiday season…

With the holiday season now upon us, have you left any hint – subtle or otherwise – for books family and friends might buy you for Christmas? Do you like to receive books, or do you prefer certificates so you can choose your own?

Most of my friends and my family knew of my passion for books and reading, so I don't think there is a need to drop any hint or otherwise. Moreover, I feel embarrassed and uncomfortable if I would ask someone to buy something for me, and after all it is the person's thought and gesture that count for everything.

It does not matter if I receive books or certificates because both are equally wonderful gifts in my opinion.

What about you?



Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page.

I received one book (via BookMooch) last week:

1) Zel by Donna Jo Napoli


So what books came into your house last week?

Melody
ISBN-10: 0747546290
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: 1999
317 pgs



Synopsis
Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can't wait to get back to school after the summer holidays. (Who wouldn't if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?) But when Harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There's an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school ...

I have to admit I took a longer time to read this book, and the main reason being I got sidetracked by other books (i.e. books that need to be reviewed), or the fact that I had watched the film adaptation of this book a couple of times and I don't feel the rush to get into this book (boy, I was so wrong! How many times have I heard that saying about the books are always better?! Though I think the movie is pretty well done too). Anyway, it was a delight re-reading this book. So without further ado, here is my self-interview review of the book.

Q: Which is your favourite and least favourite scene? Why?
A: Where shall I start? There are so many things happening in this book and once again, I am in awe of the wizarding world that J.K. Rowling created. Right from the beginning, I knew I would be in for a great reading journey the moment I read Harry received the mails/gifts from his friends and that he would be out of the Dursleys family soon the moment he starts his third year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The scenes about The Monster Book of Monsters and Harry's encounter with Buckbeak brought a huge grin to my face. I was not at all fascinated with the Dementors and think they are the creepiest thing besides ghosts and anything that goes bump in the night. Surprisingly, I enjoyed reading the part where they attended Professor Trelawney's classes as I was quite intrigued with the tea leaves reading (I googled and found out it is also known as tasseography, tasseomancy or tassology) as it gives me a refreshing outlook of another fortune telling method besides tarot cards, palmistry or any others.

I especially liked reading the relationships between Harry Potter, Professor Lupin and Sirius Black. I wish I could say more about Sirius Black but I won't because I think it is better off reading about him from the book than having me explaining here anyway (in addition there is one thing that is called 'spoilers' and I don't want to do that to anyone who has not read or watch the movie).

And oh, I also loved the part where Harry and Hermione travel back in time to remedy some of the things and I feel that is another highlight of the book besides Sirius Black.

As for my least favourite scene, I can't think of any at the moment. I guess the above summarize my feelings towards this book - I loved it.

Q: Name a trait which you think we all should learn from any of the characters in this book.
A: I think I had mentioned courage, determination and loyalty in my previous reviews of the first two installments so I won't bring those up again. In fact, after reading this installment I have found another trait in Harry Potter that I feel I should mention and that is - to believe in yourself. I would skip the part about what Harry has done in regards to this trait but I feel this is a great lesson to anyone who has a low self esteem or having no faith in themselves. However, believing in yourself by no means signify arrogance (which is a huge difference) and I think this applies not only to the younger readers but to everyone as well.

Q: Your overall thoughts on this book?
A: I know I have mentioned this but I am going to say it again anyway. I loved it! I just wish the movie has followed every details to the book!

~*~*~*~*~

During my review for the previous installment, I had requested some questions from fellow bookbloggers for this review and Trish asked me this question:

Can I ask you a question that might lead to a spoiler for #3? Who did you think the giant wolf was following Harry around? Does that make sense? Trying to ask my question in a cryptic kind of way in case you haven't finished yet!

Spoiler Alert!
Certainly! I believe it is Sirius Black and he is watching over Harry Potter.
What do you think? Am I right or wrong? What's your opinion? I would love to hear them!

Note: Please feel free to ask me any questions for my next review of the fourth installment, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on this post.

Melody

Booking Through ThursdayCheck Spelling

Suggested by JM:

“Life is too short to read bad books.” I’d always heard that, but I still read books through until the end no matter how bad they were because I had this sense of obligation.

That is, until this week when I tried (really tried) to read a book that is utterly boring and unrealistic. I had to stop reading.

Do you read everything all the way through or do you feel life really is too short to read bad books?

I used to read books through until the end, but that was way before when my TBR pile only consisted of 10 books or lesser. That said, it does not mean I will totally give up on a book if the story does not interest me. I will still give it a chance by reading a few more chapters. Another option is I will skim through the book if I want to find out what happened towards the end, or if I still care for the characters. If the story gets too boring and seems to be getting to nowhere, I will then give it up.

What about you?

Melody
Hamburg, Germany

(It was a pity that my husband didn't get the chance to visit the museum and he only get to take this picture while visiting to other places.
)
Melody
This is a weekly event hosted by Marcia of The Printed Page every Wednesday.

Marcia says:

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.

* * * * *



I found two covers for Angels of Destruction by Keith Donohue. Which one do you prefer?

Synopsis (From B&N):

From a talented new author comes a poignant and haunting novel of creation and desire, passion and madness, art and love.

Margaret Quinn lives alone, quietly mourning the disappearance of her only child, who fled ten years earlier to join a radical student group known as the Angels of Destruction.

On a cold winter’s night, a nine-year-old girl arrives on Margaret’s doorstep, claiming to be an orphan with no place to go. This child beguiles Margaret, and together they hatch a plan to pass her off as her newly found granddaughter, Norah Quinn.

Their conspiracy is made vulnerable by Norah’s magical revelations to the children of the town, and by a lone figure shadowing the girl, who threatens to reveal the child’s true identity and purpose. Who are these strangers really? And what is their connection to the past, the Angels, and Margaret’s long-missing daughter?

Melody
(Logo designed by Susan Newman, a participating blogger)

This review is part of the Green Books campaign. Today 100 bloggers are reviewing 100 great books printed in an environmentally friendly way. Our goal is to encourage publishers to get greener and readers to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books. This campaign is organized by Eco-Libris, a a green company working to green up the book industry by promoting the adoption of green practices, balancing out books by planting trees, and supporting green books. A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website.

*~*~*~*~*~*

The text paper used for printing Fishing for Bacon is acid-free, 100% old growth forest-free (100% post-consumer recycled), processed chlorine-free, and printed with vegetable based, low VOC inks.


ISBN-13: 9781897126370
Publisher: NeWest Press
Published: 2009
234 pgs



Let me start off by saying that Fishing for Bacon is neither a story about smoked meat nor cooking but is a coming-of-age story of a boy called Bacon Sobelowski who has a passion for fishing. When he was ten, his father walked out of their life and it was at that time his mother bought him a fishing rod at a garage sale. He spent much of his time fishing then, thinking it is the only thing that is worth spending his time on though he is not really good in it. He thinks timing is essential in all the things he does but it seems he has no such luck when it comes to that.

So he led an easy, carefree life living with his mother and Grandma Magic Can all the way till high school, when he met a new girl in class whom he thinks might be his special "someone". It all started after he heard Kenny Roger sings a song about there is a someone for everyone, and he intends to seek that someone based on that belief.

However, Sara Mulligan is not the special someone whom he thinks she is, but he went searching for her anyway after she has left him in Bellevue to big city Calgary. And this begins the plot where Bacon will meet a few others that made him wonder if they are his special "someone" and left him wondering if bad timing is the cause for all the disappointment or even some unexpected outcome.

I have to say I loved the characterization in this story. Bacon is an interesting character, and I could simply connect him to most of the teenaged boys today, who are usually full of angst and plagued by their hormonal urges. Secondary characters like Laszlo Maximilian Mursky reminds me of a pimp but not fully a heartless one; and Grandma Magic Can is an extraordinary woman who has some moxie in her despite her age. There are a few more but I will stop here. This story mainly focus on characters and relationships which allow the readers to get to know more about Bacon through various situations or circumstances as the story moves along. Though I have to admit I did not really care for Bacon in the beginning (and it does not help much that he has a passive attitude), my opinion of him gradually changes after following his journey and knowing that he has learned something out of everything towards the end.

There were times I chuckled reading this book but funny aside, I also felt it is poignant at some point which I think it works for this story. Bacon's relationship with 'Woodrat', a laundry girl he knew at work is the most emotional one I read following his journey, and I find it difficult to express my thoughts into words here the way it evoke my feelings while reading it. All I can say is their connections with each other is simple, bittersweet yet a beautiful one.

I want to thank Raz Godelnik of Eco-Libris and the publisher for sending this book to me for review.



GIVEAWAY: In honour of the Green Books Campaign, I am giving away my gently used copy to one lucky reader. Please leave a comment on this post to say you would like to win this book along with your email address. Closing date will be November 15th and the winner will be announced on the following day. Good luck!
Melody

Teaser Tuesdays

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!

My teaser for today:

Taking a deep breath, I said, "Yes. I saw her. But I don't think it's because she approves of me. I . . . seem to see things that aren't there on a kind of regular basis."



(Pg 10, The House on Tradd Street by Karen White)

Melody

Berlin, Germany
Melody
This is a weekly event hosted by Marcia of The Printed Page every Wednesday.

Marcia says:

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.

* * * * *


Sunflowers by Sheramy Bundrick
ISBN-13: 9780061765278
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: October 2009

Synopsis (From B&N):

"I'd heard about him but had never seen him, the foreigner with the funny name who wandered the countryside painting pictures."

From a talented new author comes a poignant and haunting novel of creation and desire, passion and madness, art and love.

A young prostitute seeking temporary refuge from the brothel, Rachel awakens in a beautiful garden in Arles to discover she is being sketched by a red-haired man in a yellow straw hat. This is no ordinary artist but the eccentric painter Vincent van Gogh—and their meeting marks the beginning of a remarkable relationship. He arrives at their first assignation at No. 1, Rue du Bout d'Arles, with a bouquet of wildflowers and a request to paint her—and before long, a deep, intense attachment grows between Rachel and the gifted, tormented soul.

But the sanctuary Rachel seeks from her own troubled past cannot be found here, for demons war within Vincent's heart and mind. And one shocking act will expose the harsh, inescapable truth about the artist she has grown to love more than life.

Melody
















ISBN-13: 4711552447392
Publisher: 长鸿出版社股份有限公司
Published: October 2009
217 pgs



I participated in Rhinoa's Manga Challenge some time ago but I have yet to read and review any manga so I thought I would read/review at least one before the end of the year.

I chose Momoka Typhoon (by Fujita Kazuko) because I enjoyed watching the first two episodes of Momo Love, a Taiwanese drama based on this manga series and I want to read them aside from watching the drama as well. Anyway, this is a story about Tian Zhong Tao Hua (a Chinese girl's name translated from the Japanese) and her relationship with her five elder brothers and a guy whom she loves.

Being the only girl in the family, she is most well loved and is always the center of attention in the Tian Zhong family. This is no surprise considering their parents wanted a girl and as for the rest of the siblings, they felt the need and responsibility to protect her because they love her so much. Though Tao Hua appreciates her brothers' love, she feels she has no control over her freedom because whatever she does she is being scrutinized.

Yu Yi, being the youngest brother in the family is often being bullied by the other brothers and they have assigned him to spy on her. Tao Hua and Yu Yi share the closest bond and though she feels sorry for him, there is nothing much she could do about it.

When Tao Hua started to fall in love with Shi Lang, who is also a friend of Yu Yi, the rest of the siblings began to plot ways to split them. Torn in between the older brothers and Tao Hua, Yu Yi has never felt so helpless in his life but he feels there should be a resolution to all these so he lied to Tao Hua that Shi Lang already has a girlfriend, hoping that this news would shatter Tao Hua's dreams so that she would forget about him. Unfortunately, things do not go as anticipated as Tao Hua has other plans and the rest of the siblings vowed they would not leave this matter rest.

I have to say I enjoyed reading the manga more than the drama, not that the latter is not nicely done, it does and it has my favourite actor in it (Jiro Wang). I think the main issue lies with the different culture and certain scenes in the drama have to change to suit the chinese audience. I have nothing against this and I feel both have succeeded in creating a wonderful comedy. However, I am disappointed with the cast of the role of the third and the fourth brother because they are not featured as twins as originally seen in the manga but I suppose that is not a big issue since I understand it could be difficult to find artistes who are twins (I have thought of two actors who are twins but I am not telling).

(Image taken from Asianpopcorn.com)

I bought the 2nd installment of the manga series yesterday and I can not wait to read it!



Note: There will be no Teaser Tuesdays today since I am still reading Fishing for Bacon by Michael Davie and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling. I cannot promise that I will finish them by this week but I will definitely try!



Book Bloggers Holiday Swap is here once again! For those who are not aware of what this is, it is an annual Secret Santa gift exchange between book bloggers and BBHS is in its third year now!

Please visit the link for more details (and registration) and please note you have until November 12th to do so! So what are you waiting for? I know you want to participate!

Melody

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about social reading…

How much of your reading do you share with others (outside of blogging?) Do you belong to a book or library club? Do you trade books with friends? Do you tell others what you’re reading?

I don't have a lot of friends who read, or at least they do not read as many books like the way that I do but still I would suggest a few titles which I really loved to a few of them (whom I know will read sometimes) and they would read the books if they have piqued their interest (or curiosity).

I don't belong to a book or library club and honestly speaking, I don't think I will have the time and energy to meet at a place to discuss about books after work (though I would love to!) and my weekends are limited to my family (so that's one reason why I love this book blogging community so much!).

I rarely trade books with friends (that is because they seldom own the books) but I will put the books on to my BookMooch inventory if I have no intention of reading them again.

What about you?



Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page.

I received the following books last week (bought from The Book Depository except #4):

1) Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos

2) We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

3) Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts (Bride Quartet Series #2)

4) The Girl on Legare Street by Karen White (review copy)


So what books came into your house last week?