Cramathon 2015

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

Cramathon is a reading weekend hosted by the lovely Whitney over at WhittyNovels. 

It runs from July 10-12, midnight start, midnight end. Over the weekend readers are challenged to read:

1. A children's book
2. A hardback
3. 2 books in 24-hours
4. A graphic novel
5. A book in verse
6. A novella
7. 5 books total

I've included a real picture (gasp) of the books in my line of sight for the weekend. Now, obviously, I will not read all of these. However, three are back ups juuuust in case. All book-sniffers must know to be prepared.

1. The Castle of Llyr (Lloyd Alexander) will fulfill the children's book challenge. It is on my TBR.

2. Of Neptune (Anna Banks) will fulfill a hardback challenge and thus completing the TBR trilogy.

4. Fables: Arabian Nights or Y the Last Man: Kimono Dragons will fulfill the graphic novel challenge.

I'm not personally planning on reading the book in verse or the novella.

Extra options: Bitterblue (Kristin Cashore) on my TBR, The False Prince (Jennifer A Nielsen) on my TBR, and Knight Errant (R. Garcia Y Robertson) on my TBR and currently reading.

Good luck to all those participating!!!

Lush Prince of Palmares Tres

The Summer Prince
By Alaya Dawn Johnston

Probably the best dystopian, future-society book you'll read in today's YA.

Set in a fictional city named Palmares Tres, Brazil, June wants to make art and be the best artist in the city. Political intrigue and high tech surround the world she lives in. Then she meets Enki, the charismatic and lush Summer King. He explodes with life itself and reinvigorates the city with raw passion. At the end of his short reign, he will die. Which makes their team up to make an artistic statement to the citizens all the more poignant.

While reading, listen to some Brazilian music to get you in the mood. Bossa Nova perhaps?

I finished this a few days ago. I needed time to gather my thoughts and steady my emotions. There is no doubt this will be on my Top 5 for 2015.

The thing I liked the most about the characterization was that you could never quite figure out the characters. They were so multi-dimensional. No one seemed cardboard. Not even Bebel (June's rival at school) who at first was cardboard became more complex as the story went on.

One downside, this world took a while to get into. Like any sci-fi or fantasy, there's always a hiccough stage where the author is trying to reveal slowly the completely new world and in a way that's not overwhelming. Once I got about 70ish pages in, the story began to flow.

I realized its wonder and devoured it slowly. Sipping each description, breathing it it.

June's relationship with the Summer King, Enki, is something more than romance. Romance seems like a juvenile word to describe what their connection is. In a sense, this book is full of romance, but it's not your typical heart-pounding, swooning kind.

LUSH. That's a good word to use to describe the story, characters, and world. It had me wanting to find out more. Johnson does this wonderful hinting at other places in the world, but never gives you enough to sink your teeth into. It's great! Some people might find this annoying - those people don't understand that sometimes the mystery is greater than being told outright. Unknown might seem like the author was lazy and didn't want to tell us more, but we have to be intelligent readers. We can't be handed things on a silver platter a la Divergent explain-ese. Trust your imagination.

I wept. No shame. The last 30 pages promptly took my heart out and put it back in. I couldn't breathe. For a story to do that is a great undertaking. It spoke to me on a human level. Isn't that what books are meant do. 

5 STARS

When you finish the book, listen to the song that Bebel sings at the end. It adds another dimension to the story. If you need some reference.Translated to English.

Classroom: Please note, sexuality is discussed in an open manner. Recommended for 16+.

Month of 300 - Wrap Up

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

Month of 300 was a success!!! 

For those of you who missed my beginning of June post, this idea came to me after feeling down about not chipping away at my to-be-read pile. In order to do so quickly, I decided the month of June would  aim to read books under 300 pages.

With 10 books read, I call that a blazing success!

Resenting the Hero
By Moira J Moore
Pages: 292
TBR: No

Hilarious. Fun. Adventurous. Utterly delightful. The book that inspired me to start this. Off my TBR, but totally worth the deviation.




The Lies of Locke Lamora
By Scott Lynch
Pages: 531
TBR: Yes

Ugh. Started this back in April. Hence why it doesn't follow the under 300 club. However, I needed to finish this. I was not into this story at all. Just needed it read and done with. Felt like the author had a lot of "darlings" he couldn't part with. Pretty world building.

Out of the Silent Planet
By C.S.Lewis
Pages: 187
TBR: No

My friend really wants me to love her favourite author. I refuse to read Narnia books. This was the alternative. A delightful surprise. Very philosophical.




Dream a Little Dream
By Kerstin Gier
Pages: 336
TBR: No

Definitely not under 300 pages, but library holds don't always come in at the right time. I've wanted to read this since finishing the Ruby Red Trilogy. A little jarring in writing style (perhaps translation issues). I quickly fell into this dream-like story. Review here.


Vanish
By Sophie Jordan
Pages: 294
TBR: Yes

Dragon-roaring fun ride! Perfect summer book. Review here.





Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
By Robin Sloan
Pages: 288
TBR: Yes

A fast paced mystery revolving around a 24-hour bookstore. Likeable and odd characters, curious mystery. Too much tech.




Of Triton
By Anna Banks
Pages: 246
TBR: YES

More summer fun with mythological-transforming humans. Review here.




The Martian
By Andy Weir
Pages: 369
TBR: No

After watching the trailer for the upcoming movie, I had to read this book. Worth veering off the 300 course. Fantastic!!!! Almost makes me want to go to Mars. Almost...




The Summer Prince
By Alaya Dawn Johnson
Pages: 289
TBR: YES!!


No doubt this book will be on my Top 5 for 2015. Having finished this so recently I'm still raw. Broken. In a funk. Beautiful, lovely, something more than love. Review here.

Needs to include a soundtrack to fully immerse.

Alice in Wonderland
By Lewis Carroll
Pages: 196
TBR: No

This is my third (I think) time rereading this delightful story. It never gets old. Who wouldn't want a trip to Wonderland on a hot summer's evening. A mini bookclub with my best friend.




5/10 books were on my TBR. I am very pleased with the results. This challenge didn't restrict me. Sometimes challenges restrict what the options are to read. I felt very free in all my choices.

For July, there's a Crammathon and at the very end the BookTube-a-thon will be coming up. Cannot wait for another reading month.

Waves Crashing, Mermaids Swimming

Of Triton
By Anna Banks

Back in the mermaid world for book 2! I enjoyed this book last summer ( Of Poseidon), so I decided to kick off this summer with the sequel. It is a trilogy. And after reading this one, I will most definitely finish off the series this summer.

Emma's mom has kidnapped her and they're on the run from the mermaid royals. The book starts with a pretty awesome chase scene. Then it gets complex.

I was reading this in bed and at about 11pm I thought, "One more chapter and then lights off." Next thing I know it's after midnight and I've finished the darn thing. Little did I know that the chapter I was to read kicked the story into full gear. IT WAS GRIPPING!

Same hilarious characters, great story weaving and mythology building - ultimately a great summer read. Fast paced and never dull. Recommended if you read 'Of Poseidon' first. 

I liked this one more than the first.

5/5 STARS

Where'd the Dragons Go?

Vanish
By Sophie Jordan

The second book in the Firelight series. It's impossible to write a review completely void of spoilers. So if you haven't read the first book, please read my review for Firelight and read the book.

Taking off from that cruel cliff hanger, we return to the dragon pride. Jacinda wanted to return, but now that she's back it all seems strange. She's been through things that others cannot understand. The town makes her family, except for her newly-special sister, the pariahs.

Even worse, the two 'princes' of the town have their eye on Jacinda and her sister, Tamra. It becomes apparent that they're meerly competing with each other to win the others choice ove the other. Young male dragons *ugh*.

Of those two dragons, Cassian, the Alpha-Leader's son and original guy that Jacinda was supposed to be bonded to, is the most interesting. He's in a bad spot. He truly cares for Jacinda. The unrequited lover. The reader sympathizes with him. That's the best part of this book. Sympathizing with these incredibly difficult situations that everyone is in.

I could've had more Tamra. She's off for most of the series, separated (intentionally) fom Jacinda and their mother.

Things get worse and worse, and when you think they can't get worse... they do. I kept checking the pages left, thinking the book would have to wrap up fairly quickly and then... of course... a cliff hanger! This one is a little less cruel than the first book's, however, I STILL WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!!!!

Same fun storyline, action came at the right moment, and enough frustration to keep me reading. This book is FUN. It's like candy. Incredibly addicting.

But of course, there's a third book. This is a trilogy. *facepalm* I'll probably finish it next year.

4/5 STARS