The Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Synopsys:
Life is looking up for D.J. Schwenk. She's made it to eleventh grade, finally. After a rocky summer, she's reconnecting with her best friend, Amber. She's got kind of a thing going with Brian Nelson, who's cute and popular and smart but seems to like her anyway. Plus there's the fact that she's playing for the Red Bend High School football team as probably the first girl linebacker in northern Wisconsin.

But then the season, which began so well, starts to go suddenly, horribly wrong. As autumn progresses, D.J. struggles to understand what's happening with football, Brian, Amber, and most of all her family. And as her life turns completely upside down, she discovers she's a lot stronger than she--or anyone--ever thought.

My Rating: 6/10

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but was a little let down by this one. The Off Season seemed to keep stressing all thing things I didn't like about Dairy Queen, like the fact that she can't ever say what she wants, and move away from all the things I did like, for example, football.

Even the love story got a little old. I never could really tell if Brian was a positive influence or a negative influence on D.J.'s life and because I was so back and forth about him, I was never really into the romance of this book.

Overall the book was entertaining enough to keep me going, I wanted to see where it would end up, but not nearly as good as the first one.

"Waiting On" Wednesday : Silver Borne

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Silver Borne
by Patricia Briggs
Publication Date: March 30, 2010

From Amazon:
When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.

It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side-leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit.

All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live...

I LOVED the first three in the series, but the fourth one let me down a little bit. Here's hoping number five returns to the brilliance of the early books!

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Synopsis:
When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Harsh words indeed, from Brian Nelson of all people. But D.J. Schwenk can't help admitting to herself that maybe he's right. Because it's obvious that no one is talking about why D.J.'s best friend, Amber, isn't so friendly anymore. Or why her little brother, Curtis, never opens his mouth. Or why her mom has tow jobs and a bit secret, or why her college-football-star brothers won't even call home nowadays. And certainly no one is talking about ho D.J.'s dad would go ballistic on her if she tried out for the football team. There's definitely a lot no being said. And that's not even mentioning the many reason the Brian Nelson is so out of D.J.'s league. Welcome to the summer that fifteen-year-old D.J. Schwenk of Red Bend, Wisconsin, learns to talk and ends up having an awful lot of stuff to say.

My Rating: 7/10

My Thoughts:
I was a little surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. I'm always kind of hesitant to read these types of young adult books, these modern day coming-0f-age, finding yourself types. Instead I tend to stick to books with a bit more of a fantasy or dystopia element to them. Books with something going on besides every day life. However, this book was really entertaining to me. I liked the main character, I could relate to her love of sports, and found the dysfunction she was dealing with in her family very interesting to read about.

My biggest annoyance with the book, was that D.J. could avoid so much conflict if she just opened her mouth and explained things. So much of the drama between her and Brian would never have happened if she had told him when it happened, rather than letting him find out from another person. But even though I found this really annoying, it's kind of a major plot point in the story, D.J. learning to talk, so I don't really know how much I can complain about this. But it did really annoy me.

Overall, it was a really good, quick read. There are two more books in this series, reviews to follow soon.

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about a keeping books.

Do you keep all the books you ever buy? Just the ones you love? Just collectibles? What do you do with the ones you don’t want to keep?

So far I have kept every book I've ever bought. Usually I only buy books that I've researched and read reviews of, so I'm fairly certain I'll like them. However, just after high school I was working at Borders and had a mega discount, so ended up buying many books on a whim, which now, years later, I still have not read. And looking at those books sitting on my shelf, I still don't have much interest in picking them up.

So I suppose, eventually, I'll have to sort through my books and give some away. I don't think I'll be able to find many that I'm not completely attached to, but I might be able to find 5 or 10 I don't need. But as far as what to do with them? That I don't know. Maybe trade them in at my local used bookstore, or perhaps donate them.

Musing Mondays can be found at Just One More Page.

The Maze Runner by James Dahsner

Synopsis:
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is blank.

but he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thom as, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.

The Gladers were expecting Thomas's arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up- the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home... wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable.

And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers-- if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

My Rating: 9/10

My Thoughts:
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, in fact I don't think there is anyway you could know what to expect from this book, because it's so completely unique. The entire narrative takes place in this one small, bizarre setting with a small group of people. You as the reader have no idea what the rest of the world is like, because the characters have no idea what it's like. The outside could be like today with states and countries and cars and computers, or it could be a wasteland destroyed by any number of disasters. Or it could take place on Mars, or even another planet altogether. The only thing you know about is the Glade and the Maze and the people and creatures encountered therein, and I find that fascinating because I found myself wondering what was going on as much as the characters themselves.

Reading this book is very hard to stop, because it's nonstop action. What starts off as normal life for the Gladers, quickly changes, and then changes again. Something new and exciting is revealed practically every chapter, and it all either reveals a clue for escaping the maze, or makes the situation more dangerous, thus pushing everyone to fine a solution faster.

This is the first book in a series, and the ending leaves you hanging a bit, and I still don't have the whole picture of what's going on. But I can't wait to see what happens next and I look forward to the release of The Scorch Trials in October!

"Waiting On" Wednesday: The Line

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:






The Line
By Teri Hall
Publication Date: March 4, 2010

From Amazon:
An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.

Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.

Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

First Signs of Spring

I thought it might be fun to every once and a while deviate from book blogging. Besides reading, I also enjoy the outdoors, so expect a post now and then about my wilderness explorations.

Today my boyfriend Tony and I went for a walk in Hendricks Park in Eugene, Oregon. It was a gray day, with some slight drizzle and it was a little chilly, but over all very nice. We walked along some paths through both natural forested areas and the landscaped Rhododendron Garden. Just as we were nearing our car we had a small encounter with a flock of wild turkey, and briefly I wondered if one of the giant puffed-up male turkeys was going to attack us, but then suddenly I realized it was almost spring and he was just trying to impress the ladies.

Now I know spring is still a long way off, especially here in the Pacific Northwest, and it might seem really far away to those getting bombarded with snow on the east coast, but the evidence that spring is coming is really starting to show. Daffodils are popping up, the flowering plum trees are budding and beginning to bloom and little green leaves are coming out on the trees. And all these signs of spring are getting me really excited for summer and the hiking and backpacking I'm going to do.

As much as I enjoy sitting inside curled up with a good book, I also love being outside in the wilderness, the more remote the better. That's why I'm so lucky to live in Oregon on Mt. Hood, where I have endless outdoor opportunities. Below are some of my trips from last summer, and hopefully I'll be able to post about new adventures in the coming months as a slight break from book reviews and challenges...

This is my boyfriend Tony and I at McNeil Point on Mt. Hood. It's a pretty extreme 3 or 4 mile hike to get to the top, but that makes it worth it because so few people get to see this view.

This picture was taken by my friend Renee when we backpacked into Jefferson Park. That's Mt. Jefferson behind me. We camped by a lake down in that valley, and it was one of the most beautiful hikes I've ever done.

This picture was taken by my friend Rachel when we decided to road trip around Oregon. Most of the population in the state is west of the Cascade Mountains, and the least populated area is in the southeast corner, so that's where we decided to head. This is me in front of the Alvord Desert, a dry lake bed that's now a vast mud flat.

This last picture is up the road from the Alvord Desert, and this is were we camped for the night. Mann Lake is about 40 miles up a gravel road from any civilization, and by civilization I mean a town with the population of ten people and a single gas station. It was beautiful there.

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

Synopsis:
Welcome to a surreal version of Great Britain, circa 1985, where time travel is routine, cloning is a reality (dodos are the resurrected pet of choice), and literature is taken very, very seriously. England is a virtual police state where an aunt can get lost (literally) in a Wordsworth poem, militant Baconians heckle performances of Hamlet, and forging Byronic verse is a punishable offense. All this is business as usual for Thursday Next, renowned Special Operative in literary detection, until someone begins kidnapping characters from works of literature. When Jane Eyre is plucked from the pages of Bronte's novel, Thursday must track down the villain and enter the novel herself to avert a heinous act of literary homicide.

My Rating: 9/10

My Thoughts:
About a year and a half ago I was at my university bookstore buying my text books. I was taking two lit classes and so I was in that section picking up The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin and Daisy Miller, when I happened to look at the shelf right next to me. Really it was the title that had caught my attention, because I had just finished reading Jane Eyre, and I wondered if this novel had anything to do with the Charlotte Bronte book. After quickly scanning the back, I was happy to discover that this book looked very interesting, so on an impulse I bought it. At that time, I knew nothing about it, but I'm so glad that I brought it home, because I love this book.

All I can say about this novel is that it's crazy awesome. It took me a few chapters to get the feel for the alternate Britain that Fforde creates, and believe me a good understanding of classic literature and history are necessary for you to really understand a lot of the references. At the very least I would recommend knowing the story of Jane Eyre, since that is the most prevalent novel featured.

Other than the awesome literary and historical references, the situations many of the characters find themselves in are hilarious. From home dodo cloning kits to a father who can travel through time to the ever present question of who really penned Shakespeare's plays, the creativity never ends. This novel is so unique and contains everything I want in a book. There is even a bit of a love story to satisfy the hopeless romantic side of me. I think everyone should read this, ESPECIALLY classic literature buffs.

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about a random book.

I’ve seen several bloggers mention reading multiple books this week. Do you frequently read more than one book at a time? Do you try to limit this to a certain number? Do you have different books for different purposes/topics?

I usually have as many as five books going at once, there is no way I could have only one. I'm very bipolar in my reading habits and will drop a book for a while on a whim if something else catches my interest. At the very least I have two books going, one is always classic literature and the other is whatever strikes my fancy at that moment. Though, I have many books on my shelves, with bookmarks stuck half way through them, which I lost interest in long ago. They have been on the back burner for so long, I don't even consider them part of my active reading pile.

It's a pretty bad habit, and it's very hard sometimes to go back and pick up a book I've abandoned. I wish I could open a book and read it through to the end before starting a new one, but I just don't function that way.

You can find Musing Mondays at Just One More Page.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Synopsis:
Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol--a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

My Rating: 9/10

My Thoughts:
Two of my friends and I got up early the day this book came out, bought it, and then sat in my living room all day reading it. Everyone who saw us laughed, because we spoke very little to each other for hours on end, simply sitting in our chairs reading. Our only interaction was to ask what page the others were on and to comment on the content of the book in our hands. It was a glorious day, and the book did not disappoint.

With this book you get a much broader perspective of the country of Panem. You find out a little bit more about the other districts, and what they do in each one. Also you get a much bigger sense of the anti-capitol undercurrents swirling around the districts. I had a guess about what would be going on in this book, and I guess I was kind of right in the sense that I was still far enough off that I was taken completely by surprise half way through. I don't know, maybe you all saw what was coming, but I didn't.

The only reason I knocked a star off this book is because it lacked the same punch the first one had, but being the second in a series, you can't really blame it. You're left with another clifhanger ending, this one even worse then the end of Hunger Games, and I can't wait for the third book to come out next August. My desktop countdown says only 196 days!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Synopsis:
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before--and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contended. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My Rating: 10/10

My Thoughts:
I don't care what people think about this book, I love it and to me it's perfect. It has absolutely everything I want in a book: An oppressive futuristic society, underlying social commentary, a kick-ass female protagonist, an exciting and action-packed plot, and of course an amazing male love interest. I don't know if it's possible for me to come up with anything negative to say about this book, other than it was too short. I just can't believe I had it sitting on my shelf for so long before I finally read it.

This is one of the books I'm very possessive about. I encourage all my friends to read it, but it's one of those where I just want the rest of the world to leave it alone. Unfortunately there has been a lot of buzz about this book since it came out, but I can live with a bookworld buzz, it's when the outside media gets it's hands on it that I have a problem. However, with the movie planned for release in 2011, I have a feeling the worst is still ahead. I hate when pop culture snatches one of my favorite books, simply because they can make money off of it. They make a movie (usually not a good one ie Twilight), inundate us with mass advertising, collectibles, and media frenzy and take what was once an amazing thing and ruin it. I wish Hollywood would leave my books alone.

But enough ranting. This book is awesome.

O Pioneers by Willa Cather

Synopsis:
Published in 1913, this novel tells of Alexandra Bergson, a Swedish immigrant who, in her early 20s, loses both her mother and father and is thrust into the role of surrogate parent to her three brothers. Alexandra's success with the family farm enables her to send her brother Emil to college, but the family is challenged once more by his tragic love affair with a married woman.

My Rating: 8/10

This book is like Little House on the Prairie for adults, and I think that's why I loved it so much. It's not a thrilling page turner, in fact not a lot happens until the end, but this novel manages to entertain despite its lack of action. To me it was a soothing read, and in ways reminded me of The Country of Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett. In fact, looking at the book again I realize O Pioneers is dedicated to her, so I guess that's fitting.

My favorite part of this novel is the fact that Alexandra is successful and she's a woman. Many books written at the time, and earlier, try to write strong women, or claim they do write strong women but fall short. O Pioneers however succeeded with a strong female character where others fail.

The one thing I didn't like about this novel is how it jumped through time. One section would end right when a plan was thought or a decision was made and the next would start 5 years later. I would have like to see a little bit of the plan or decision executed, but that's just me.

Overall I really enjoyed reading Willa Cather and already have My Antonia sitting by my bed waiting to be picked up.