In My Mailbox (February 26, 2012).

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.  Please click HERE for complete rules and to check out other IMM posts. 

Purchased:

~Usher's Passing by Robert McCammon. 

~Arthur Rex: A Legendary by Thomas Berger.

~A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang.

~Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn.

~Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding.

~Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost. 

Dearly, Departed.

Title/Author: Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel. 

Genre: YA, Dystopian. 

Publisher: Ballantine Books.  

Source: Comic Con.

Favorite character: Pamela Roe.

Husband's quote when he picked up this book for a minutes:  "Is this about zombies?  That's cool.  But it has a chick on the cover so maybe it's like a Fabio book." 

Synopsis:  The year is 2195.  The place is New Victoria, a very human teenager living in high society, falls in love with Bram, a handsome and polite eighteen-year-old lieutenant who happens to be suffering from "the Laz," a disease that is slowly turning him into one of the walking dead.  Bram is fully conscious and healthy enough to take on Nora, killer zombies, and the treacherous humans that plague his life - at least for now.  But it is only a matter of time before the Laz will take him away from Nora forever. ~Product description. 

My Thoughts:  This is an interesting, unique and well plotted book,  but I felt that a lot of issues got in the way.   However, since I read an ARC, the final product may be different.  

I like the beginning and the subtle world building that took place to give the reader a taste of this future society.  I also like the dynamics between the characters.  To me, it seems to be a very quiet beginning and it reminds me of an Austenesque type of tale, then the action starts and I feel *that* is really when the story started.

The premise of the world and what is happening is intriguing.  A society that is fashioned on Victorian England, but they have modern technology?  Cool!  It reminds me of the Steampunk World's Fair, with people walking around in their costumes and surfing the web on I-Phones.   A zombie outbreak occurs and there are "good" zombies, thinking ones with memories and "bad" ones, that are violent and just want to eat your flesh. Chaos ensues, then political ramifications.   It is ambitious in its scope and I commend the author for that.  However, there are some aspects, some small, some large, that I felt could have been left out or changed.  Admittedly on some issues I was very nitpicky, but certain details and plot elements stopped me in my tracks.  Ultimately, it is the author's story and not mine and yes, it should be the way the author imagines it, but I couldn't always suspend my disbelief.

My main issue is the chapters with Bram and Nora.  It was hard for me to differentiate their voices from each other and sometimes I would have to go back to the beginning of the chapter to remind myself who the perspective was coming from.  I also felt that these were the chapters I had the most difficulty getting through.  However, I did like when Bram revealed his past and his story.  It was very touching and I felt I got to see into his heart.

Although they only knew each other a short time, they spent most it together, so their romance convinced me.  It wasn't instantaneous but came about by each getting to know the other with butterflies bubbling up in their stomachs until they came to full boil.

When I got to Pamela's perspective, the chapters flew by.  Her story is fun and compelling. I love how she seems to understand what is going on when no one else does, how quick thinking she is and how she rose to the occasion.

I kind of also liked Vespertine Mink, the rich society girl who is Pamela and Nora's nemesis.  Although she isn't in the book a lot, when she is, she is no simpering damsel in distress.  She also is quick witted and brave and kind of went against her stereotype and I enjoyed that.  If she and Pamela feature in the upcoming books more, I may be swayed to read them.  

I do have to say that although I had issues with the novel, I feel that Habel accomplished a major undertaking and came up with an epic storyline.  If you are a zombie or Steampunk aficianado, this book shouldn't be missed.

Challenges:

Book Blogger Confessions #4.

Book Blogger Confessions is a meme hosted by Tiger from All Consuming Books and Karen from For What It's Worth Reviews to discuss issues unique to book bloggers.  To find out details, click HERE.

Q. Social networking with authors: Do you interact on Twitter/Facebook/etc with authors? Does it affect how you review their work or do you look at their books differently because you're on friendly terms with them? 

A: The first author that I noticed on a social media site was Douglas Clegg.   I was shocked and thrilled when I found him on Facebook a few years ago.  He has features, such as "Want to know about Writing Wednesday," where he encourages his Facebook friends to ask him about writing and he usually inquires what people are reading from week to week.  I wrote him an e-mail to tell him how much I loved his book, You Come When I Call You and he responded with such a nice note back that I was left agape.  

Did it change how I look at his books?  No, but it changed how I looked at him...as an author who really cares about his readership.  Does it make me want to check out more of his books?  Sure, but it's also because I truly do enjoy them. 

On Twitter, I've only followed a few authors.  When they follow me back it's mostly a positive feeling, but there are a few authors who I'm like, "Uh oh..."  And yes, sometimes when an author follows me, I worry about my review, or rather I worry about how they will react to a less than glowing one.  But ultimately, I won't let it affect how I review their work.

However, what I really enjoy is interacting with authors on a personal level not always on a "bookish" level.  It's very flattering when they think something you tweeted is funny or comment on a tweet that's not about their book, or not about books at all!

Although sometimes there is awkwardness between authors and readers/bloggers due to social media, I feel for the most part the interactions have been positive to the industry as a whole. 

Fahrenheit 451.

Title/Author: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Genre: Dystopian

Publisher: Books on Tape.

Source: Library.

Favorite character: Clarissa.

Synopsis: The system was simple. Everyone understood it. Books were for burning, along with the houses in which they were hidden.

Guy Montag was a fireman whose job it was to start fires. And he enjoyed his job. He had been a fireman for ten years, and he had never questioned the pleasure of the midnight runs or the joy of watching pages consumed by flames, never questioned anything until he met a seventeen-year-old girl who told him of a past when people were not afraid. Then Guy met a professor who told him of a future in which people could think. And Guy Montag suddenly realized what he had to do...~Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
I admit I have never read this important book. Not even for school. Of course I knew what it was about because it is so iconic. A society where reading books is illegal and punishable.  The way these criminal readers are punished?  Burn not only their books, but their entire houses.  Eeek.

The story takes place mostly in the head of the main character Guy Montag. He is a fireman in a dystopian, alternate society. Fireman are responsible for burning things that are dangerous, case in point, books. But Guy has an awakening of conscience after meeting Clarissa, his teenage neighbor, who asks him questions that he is now forced to think about whether he likes it or not and after a woman decides to burn with her books.

The story is a great deal of Montag’s thoughts as he deals with his new views. They are written as a stream of conscience and there is very little container, although I could see the little house where he and his wife lived and his neighborhood and even the woods where he sought refuge. Some of the details were confusing to me at times, but they didn’t take away from the context of the story.

Bradbury’s style is staccato and reminded me of the militant society in which the story took place. This made for powerful thoughts and ideas. It is emotional and sometimes just downright heartbreaking.

The narrator is good, but I felt his voice and language a bit forced at times.  I also think that for me, an audio book was the way to go for Fahrenheit 451.  I'm not sure I would have been able to get out of it what I did had I been reading it myself. 

I can’t say I enjoyed this book, but I’m glad I gave it a try. I find myself thinking about that alternate world, a world without books because different ideas are dangerous, because different views lead to trouble. Burn out anything that is politically incorrect or the least bit offensive and soon you have a sterile setting. In this world, only being entertained and pursuing pleasures are encouraged. The pursuit of philosophy will just make people unhappy because they will see how unfair life is.

I like the character Clarissa, the young girl who had her mind and her eyes open. She is innocent and represents that in the way she asks questions and daydreams and wonders. I thought the wife Millie interesting because although it is apparent that she is unhappy, that she is aware something is wrong with this existence, she shuts it away and pretends everything is fine. 

I really enjoyed the afterward by Bradbury who talks of editing and likens it to the reasons given in his book. He quotes “There is more than one way to burn a book.” He also wrote a play re-visiting the characters of F-451 and said the one who revealed the most is Baty, the Fire Chief. Baty, it turns out, in this play has thousands of books. BUT, he never reads them. The law states you cannot read them, but it doesn't state you cannot have them.  He diabolically lets them die because they are never read.

For more insights and opinions on Fahrenheit 451 simply read the reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.  They are varied and interesting and some readers wrote essays on this story.  Interpretations run the gammut and I'm sure this book has been the topic for coursework and debate.

This wasn't the easiest book to get through for me, but it is an important one that everybody, especially book lovers, should give a try.

Other editions:
 

Challenges:

Mind Games

Title/Author: Mind Games by Carolyn Crane.

Genre: UF.

Publisher:  Spectra.

Source: Purchased.

Favorite character: Justine.

Synopsis:  Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she's convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine's soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It's a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a little of Packard's hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity's worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she's always craved. End of problem. Or is it?

In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine's first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard's help, Justine has freed herself from her madness - only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone's worst fear.~Goodreads.

My Thoughts:
My first impression when looking at this cover is that this book is about a kick ass heroine who doesn't take any crap.  I like books like that, but I've been disappointed by a fair share of them as well.  After getting to know Justine Jones, the main protagonist of Mind Games, I realized that the depiction on the cover doesn't remind me of her.  You see, Justine is a normal woman. Sure she learned to do something kind of extraordinary, but the great thing about her is that she is SO human. She isn’t an expert in karate, or guns, she’s not a vampire hunter or half-vampire. She’s just smart. Maybe not brain surgeon smart, but she can think on her feet.

I was a little nervous about reading a book about a hypochondriac.  I mean, we've all met them right?  Do I want to read about a whiny, complaining, self-absorbed woman?  However, Justine, while neurotic, is not annoying.  For one thing, she does not *want* to be a hypochondriac.  She does not *want* the fear.  To me, she just came off as someone who is paralyzed by a phobia.  I’m not a hypochondriac, but I understand fear of illness and how it can make you crazy. I understand researching the internet for morsels of information hoping to discover something that may disprove your fear.

What I also love about her is her warm heart. She is more interested in protecting the people around her than anything, even when they’ve done her wrong, even when she could exonerate herself. There are several choices she made that I feel are commendable and I know I wouldn’t have made them. It does not come off as sappy either.

The writing is clear, concise and the story is so inventive and imaginative.  Everything happens for a reason and a purpose.  The characters and the scenes push the story forward.  "Disillusionists." I may have laughed if anyone tried to explain to me what they are before this book, but Crane makes me believe everything in this story. Everyone’s abilities have a purpose and are convincing.  Justine's as well and she discovers what she can do and who she is.

At a particularly tense time in the book, I found myself with thoughts racing through my head as I tried to get to sleep, trying to figure out what was going on.  Worrying about what was going to happen.  I can't remember a book ever doing that to me.  I was thinking, "Oh my God, who is lying?  Is it this person or that person?  What's going to happen?"

I want to talk about the love interest(s), but I don't want to give too much away.  Let's just say there are no typical love triangles...well there are love triangles, but they don't feel like the tired ol' love triangles that a lot of readers are used to.  The sex scenes...smoking HOT!  But again, no bodice ripping cliches (phew).  They are explicit and tasteful at the same time.

This book is a pleasure to read and I didn’t want to rush through it, because I didn’t want my experience to end. There are quite a few surprises, twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat.  I'm looking forward to the next two installments. 

Challenges:

 

Many Bloody Returns.

Title/Author: Many Bloody Returns. Edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner.
Dracula Night by Charlaine Harris
The Mournful Cry of Owls by Christopher Golden
I Was a Teenage Vampire by Bill Crider
Twilight by Kelley Armstrong
It's My Birthday, Too by Jim Butcher
Grave-Robbed by P.N. Elrod
The First Day of the Rest of Your Life by Rachel Caine
The Witch and the Wicked by Jeanne C. Stein
Blood Wrapped by Tanya Huff
The Wish by Carolyn Haines
Fire and Ice and Linguini for Two by Tate Hallaway
Vampire Hours by Elaine Viets
How Stella got her Grave Back by Toni L.P. Kelner

Narrated by: Luke Daniels and Teri Clark Linden.

Genre: UF.

Publisher: Brilliance Audio.

Source: Library.

Synopsis: This anthology of short stories have two criteria: Vampires and birthdays.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this collection. The stories are varied in style & plot, but with the recurring theme of vampires and birthdays. Some are funny and some are melancholy. Some are deliberate and cerebral and some are fast and action packed.

I stopped reading the Sookie Stackhouse series after the second book because I wasn’t loving it as much as I would have liked. However, Dracula Night, with Sookie is clever and funny. One of my favorites is Christopher Golden’s The Cry of Owls, a beautiful and unique folk tale. I was a Teenage Vampire is humorous and Vampire Hours is a commentary on aging, especially aging women that is written with an astute pen.

I finally “met” Harry Dresden and I love his humor and the whole slew of Jim Butcher’s characters. I’ve heard wonderful things about his books and I hope to get to read them soon. I also got a taste of the Morganville Vampire world. I had little desire to read this series before, but after reading The First Day of the Rest of Your Life by Rachel Caine, now I must!

The narrators did an amazing job. They told the stories and spoke the dialogue seamlessly, naturally with humor when it was called for. They differentiated between voices and portrayed all accents and ages well. Some narrators are stiff or over the top, but these two made the listening experience fun and enhanced the stories.

There were a few stories that I felt disappointed when they ended and wished I could have had more of a satisfying conclusion, but overall I loved this book.

Afterthoughts: There is a very mixed bag of opinions about this book on Amazon and Goodreads. But of course, you should check it out yourself to decide!

Other editions:


Challenges:

Book Blogger Confessions #3

Book Blogger Confessions is a meme hosted by Tiger from All Consuming Books and Karen from For What It's Worth Reviews to discuss issues unique to book bloggers.  To find out details, click HERE.

Q. Deadlines for reviewing and blogging. Do you set them? How do you keep them? What do you do if you can't meet a deadline?

A: What is this deadline you speak of? 
 
So, no.  I don't do deadlines on my blog.  I really admire bloggers who do though.  They use google calender and are able to do their memes at the same time each week.  Wow!  That's amazing to me.  I usually try to post two book reviews a week and for some reason I'm usually able to post them on Mondays and Thursdays.  I think it's just the way things have fallen, but I didn't set out to do that purposefully.  If for some reason I actually have more than two written, I'll schedule it for a date ahead of time, because sooner or later I'll fall behind since I'm a slow reader. 
 
If I can't even manage two book reviews a week, I feel a bit bummed, a bit of a blogger failure.  I become even more envious of the quick reading bloggers who seem to write reviews faster than a speeding bullet, but then I just shrug my shoulders and I don't let it worry me too much.  I'm using this blog to talk about books and to have fun and therefore, I try not to rush myself.