As I was reading this book, I couldn't quite figure out how Melissa Anelli got to where she was. I couldn't quite figure out how a "normal" person got to be such a bigwig in the Harry Potter world. There were/are so many huge Harry Potter fans. I wonder how Melissa Anelli got to be the one to run a Harry Potter fansite, to be at premieres, to meet JK Rowling... How lucky can a girl get? She wasn't exactly with the Harry Potter craze from the beginning. Could it have to do with her persistence? Her maintenance of Potter fansite integrity? Her journalism know how? I was in awe because Melissa Anelli appears to be a normal person who got to be a part of things that any Potter fan would have loved, loved, loved to be a part of.
When Melissa Anelli first begins the Harry Potter series, she is interested but not obsessed. She is in college, so other things do come first. When Melissa is finally back home and job seeking, she falls back into Harry Potter and discovers the world of fansites. She ultimately relates the most with the Leaky Cauldron site. It is the world of Harry Potter that helps her through that terrible day on September 11, 2001. It is my impression that that day was a turning point for her. Even when Melissa secures a job, the Leaky Cauldron remains of utmost importance to her.
Melissa Anelli walks us through the different fansites, fanfiction, premieres, interviews with Jo Rowling, a Potter film set, podcasts and so much more. Reading this book was like re-living the Potter craze. I loved being to able to get a sneak peek at being an insider.
This is a great book for any Potter fan!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sneak Peak at Books!
Guess what? I got a book today! I got a book today! Okay, so what's so exciting about that? I have books all around me all the time. Well, this one came from the Barnes & Nobles First Look program. I found out about it through the BBC Book Club. Well, I did know about Harper Collins First Look program. I signed up for it a while ago, but never really did anything about it. None of the books really interested me - mostly nonfiction. I also signed T for the Harper Collins First Look Kid's program and he's actually gotten a few books. We have one right now that I have to read to him.
Let me backtrack - what is the First Look program? It is the opportunity to get an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) for free to review. An Advance Reading Copy, or ARC, is an uncorrected paperback edition created by publishers for distribution to booksellers and the media a few months before the actual publication of a new book. You get to check out new books before they are even on the shelves!
With Barnes & Nobles, it's easier to get an Advanced Reading Copy. You check to see if there is an offering of a First Look Book Club selection. Then all you have to do is enroll. Once there are no more books, enrollment will close. This makes it easier to figure out whether or not you will get a book or not. The number of books are limited and it's a first come first serve basis. So you should check to see if there are new selections each month, since you need to enroll each time. This month's selection The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe. I'm excited to read it. Also with Barnes & Nobles, you get to have a private discussion with the author and chat with other readers about the book online.
With Harper Collins, there will be a list of Books on Offer of their Advanced Reading Editions (ARE). You select the ones you are interested in. Here you simply briefly write why you would like to review the book. Then you wait to see if you will be selected. A random drawing is held. This past month was the first time I saw a book that appealed to me and chose a book to review. So I will have to wait to see if I am chosen. I think I requested to review 4 different times for T and we received the last 3 books. Perhaps there are better odds for the kids. Then if and when you get the book, you read and write a brief review in the time slot given. It's as simple as that.
Happy reviewing!
Let me backtrack - what is the First Look program? It is the opportunity to get an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) for free to review. An Advance Reading Copy, or ARC, is an uncorrected paperback edition created by publishers for distribution to booksellers and the media a few months before the actual publication of a new book. You get to check out new books before they are even on the shelves!
With Barnes & Nobles, it's easier to get an Advanced Reading Copy. You check to see if there is an offering of a First Look Book Club selection. Then all you have to do is enroll. Once there are no more books, enrollment will close. This makes it easier to figure out whether or not you will get a book or not. The number of books are limited and it's a first come first serve basis. So you should check to see if there are new selections each month, since you need to enroll each time. This month's selection The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe. I'm excited to read it. Also with Barnes & Nobles, you get to have a private discussion with the author and chat with other readers about the book online.
With Harper Collins, there will be a list of Books on Offer of their Advanced Reading Editions (ARE). You select the ones you are interested in. Here you simply briefly write why you would like to review the book. Then you wait to see if you will be selected. A random drawing is held. This past month was the first time I saw a book that appealed to me and chose a book to review. So I will have to wait to see if I am chosen. I think I requested to review 4 different times for T and we received the last 3 books. Perhaps there are better odds for the kids. Then if and when you get the book, you read and write a brief review in the time slot given. It's as simple as that.
Happy reviewing!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
I only knew about this book because the movie came out last summer. As I was looking for a YA book to meet my book challenge,I thought this would be a neat book to read. I haven't seen the movie but I have seen commercials so I had a rough idea of the actresses that had been cast. So while reading the book, I did have mental images of the characters. I don't know if that helped with the story or not.
This book follows four girls and their friendship one summer when they are apart. They are tied together by a magical pair of pants that travels between them. These pants are magical because somehow even though the girls are all different shapes and sizes, the pants fit them all beautifully.
Carmen, who originally found the pants, is going to visit her father where he lives for the first time. Carmen is all ready for some father daughter bonding when she learns that her father is getting married to a ready made family. Where does she fit into all this?
Lena and her family are visiting her grandparents in Greece. Through a big misunderstanding with a boy, Lena causes her grandparents to fight with good friends. Lena doesn't have the courage to right a wrong.
Bridget is off to soccer camp where she is learning about life, love and when to hold back.
Tibby is stuck at home for the summer. She's making a documentary while working at a local store. She meets a little girl who teaches her there are worse things in life.
The pants travel to each of the girls and gives them the courage to do what's right.
This book follows four girls and their friendship one summer when they are apart. They are tied together by a magical pair of pants that travels between them. These pants are magical because somehow even though the girls are all different shapes and sizes, the pants fit them all beautifully.
Carmen, who originally found the pants, is going to visit her father where he lives for the first time. Carmen is all ready for some father daughter bonding when she learns that her father is getting married to a ready made family. Where does she fit into all this?
Lena and her family are visiting her grandparents in Greece. Through a big misunderstanding with a boy, Lena causes her grandparents to fight with good friends. Lena doesn't have the courage to right a wrong.
Bridget is off to soccer camp where she is learning about life, love and when to hold back.
Tibby is stuck at home for the summer. She's making a documentary while working at a local store. She meets a little girl who teaches her there are worse things in life.
The pants travel to each of the girls and gives them the courage to do what's right.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Nature of Monsters by Clare Clark
It took me a while to get into The Nature of Monsters. I wasn't quite sure where the book was going. I think the title of the book was in the back of my head while I was reading and I kept waiting for the "monster" to appear.
We meet Eliza Tally who is unwed and pregnant. Her mother sends her to be an apothecary's maid in London, where she thinks she is going to avoid disgrace and get help in getting rid of the baby. Eliza's new master, Grayson Black, is a mystery. He hides his face under a veil. He studies her as her body grows big with the baby. Eliza slowly finds there is something wrong in this household. She stays only with the thought that her master will eventually be doing something to help rid of the unwanted child. When Eliza gives birth, she realizes that she does want the child, only to find out that the baby is stillborn.
We learn with horror that the nature of the Grayson Black's studies. He is in the belief that the experiences of a pregnant woman affects her unborn child, maternal impression. For example, if a pregnant woman has horrific nightmares or visions during her pregnancy, she will give birth to a 'monster.' I think this comes from his own disfigurement.
Things get worse when Eliza finds that Mary, the dimwitted maid she works with, is pregnant. Presumably by Grayson Black, although Eliza mistakenly believes it was Mr. Jewkes, an associate of Mr. Black. Eliza tries to get them both away by selling potions, possibly marrying a local bookseller who has taken a fancy to her and then finally running away.
Eventually we learn that Mr. Jewkes is Mary's father, not her lover, but his aid comes too late. Mary dies shortly after childbirth. With Mr. Jewkes' help, Eliza raises Mary's baby.
We meet Eliza Tally who is unwed and pregnant. Her mother sends her to be an apothecary's maid in London, where she thinks she is going to avoid disgrace and get help in getting rid of the baby. Eliza's new master, Grayson Black, is a mystery. He hides his face under a veil. He studies her as her body grows big with the baby. Eliza slowly finds there is something wrong in this household. She stays only with the thought that her master will eventually be doing something to help rid of the unwanted child. When Eliza gives birth, she realizes that she does want the child, only to find out that the baby is stillborn.
We learn with horror that the nature of the Grayson Black's studies. He is in the belief that the experiences of a pregnant woman affects her unborn child, maternal impression. For example, if a pregnant woman has horrific nightmares or visions during her pregnancy, she will give birth to a 'monster.' I think this comes from his own disfigurement.
Things get worse when Eliza finds that Mary, the dimwitted maid she works with, is pregnant. Presumably by Grayson Black, although Eliza mistakenly believes it was Mr. Jewkes, an associate of Mr. Black. Eliza tries to get them both away by selling potions, possibly marrying a local bookseller who has taken a fancy to her and then finally running away.
Eventually we learn that Mr. Jewkes is Mary's father, not her lover, but his aid comes too late. Mary dies shortly after childbirth. With Mr. Jewkes' help, Eliza raises Mary's baby.
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
I grabbed Case Histories by Kate Atkinson off the library shelf because I thought I remembered it being recommended by someone. It was interesting and not what I expected it to be. The summary tells of private investigator who comes across three cold cases that apparently have a connection. Throughout the book, I look for that connection and expect to at least see it at the end of the story. I don't. So I don't quite understand what was hinted. The only connection that I saw was the private investigator.
Cold Case #1 - On a hot summer day, we meet a stressed mother of three girls, pregnant with her fourth child. She allows her two younger daughters to sleep in a tent in their backyard one night. The next morning, the youngest is missing.
Cold Case #2 - A widower father who dotes on his younger daughter, gets her a job at his law firm. On her first day, the daughter is fatally stabbed to death by a stranger after he asks for her father by name.
Cold Case #3 - A young new mom and wife seems overwhelmed by her new life. One night, apparently she snaps and murders her husband when he wakes up the baby.
Private investigator Jackson Brodie is first called upon by two sisters who have discovered something disturbing upon their father's death. After a long estrangement from their father, the women had returned to their family home to take care of the business and clear up the property. In their father's locked desk, they discover a stuffed animal that never left the side of their missing baby sister. This drives the sisters to try to discover what had happened to their sister - if their father had anything to do with it.
The retired lawyer makes yet another one of his endless attempts to discover the identity of the man who murdered his beloved daughter by having Brodie try to seek out clues.
A woman comes to Brodie to find out what happened to her niece after her sister was sent to prison for killing her own husband.
We follow Brodie as he goes back and traces the steps and tries to uncover what happened so long ago. There are subtle links between the cases, but none that really stand out as to being obviously connected. But as Brodie researches each particular case, he finds out relevant information to these three cold cases plus a couple of cases he is currently working on.
Cold Case #1 - On a hot summer day, we meet a stressed mother of three girls, pregnant with her fourth child. She allows her two younger daughters to sleep in a tent in their backyard one night. The next morning, the youngest is missing.
Cold Case #2 - A widower father who dotes on his younger daughter, gets her a job at his law firm. On her first day, the daughter is fatally stabbed to death by a stranger after he asks for her father by name.
Cold Case #3 - A young new mom and wife seems overwhelmed by her new life. One night, apparently she snaps and murders her husband when he wakes up the baby.
Private investigator Jackson Brodie is first called upon by two sisters who have discovered something disturbing upon their father's death. After a long estrangement from their father, the women had returned to their family home to take care of the business and clear up the property. In their father's locked desk, they discover a stuffed animal that never left the side of their missing baby sister. This drives the sisters to try to discover what had happened to their sister - if their father had anything to do with it.
The retired lawyer makes yet another one of his endless attempts to discover the identity of the man who murdered his beloved daughter by having Brodie try to seek out clues.
A woman comes to Brodie to find out what happened to her niece after her sister was sent to prison for killing her own husband.
We follow Brodie as he goes back and traces the steps and tries to uncover what happened so long ago. There are subtle links between the cases, but none that really stand out as to being obviously connected. But as Brodie researches each particular case, he finds out relevant information to these three cold cases plus a couple of cases he is currently working on.
The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory
Since I'm playing catch up with my book reviews, I am simply going to cut and paste my comments in the group book discussion on The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory. I read The Wise Woman so many books ago, that I cannot remember much in detail anymore.
I don't know if I pinpointed an ultimate villain. It seemed that many of the characters had villainous characteristics in some shape or form. My sympathies with Alys came and went. I certainly did not have any for her when the book began with the fire at the abbey. Then I felt sympathy for Alys when I read about her childhood. I also had sympathy for Alys when she was told that they would take her baby from her.
Despite knowing what that time period was like for women, I felt bad for Catherine knowing she had a husband who would sleep around the way young lord Hugo did. And what her pregnancy resulted in was horrible.
I don't know if I had any sympathy for Lord Hugo. I want to clarify this statement to say that I didn't feel either which way for Lord Hugo - good or bad. To me, he was simply a man, or rather a Lord, who was trying to maintain his realm. I definitely did not for young Lord Hugo. I did not like him. I did feel a tinge bad for young Lord Hugo when Alys was giving him the earthroot, esp after Morach said that anyone who took it for a prolonged period on a regular basis would die.
Alys is a woman with no loyalty. Alys' disloyalty "saves" her throughout the story. She is disloyal to Tom to go to the abbey. She is disloyal to the abbey when she leaves them in the fire. She is disloyal to Morach when she accuses Morach of witchcraft. I think she ends up losing everything by being selfish.
The Wise Woman is definitely not one of my favorites of Philippa Gregory. Interestingly enough, someone commented that in Philippa Gregory's earlier books, there are characters you love to hate and that it takes a lot of talents to create believability. I have to agree. It must be why I keep going back for more.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer is the second book in the Twilight series. The book begins with Bella celebrating her birthday with the Cullen family. Through a series of unfortunate events, Bella ends up with a severe cut that almost gets her attacked by Jasper - who is relatively new at being a 'vegetarian' - and sorely tempts the rest of the family. Edward sees this as a sign of their relationship is not meant to be. Edward promises to remove himself from Bella's life in order to keep her safe, against Bella's wishes. The entire Cullen family abruptly leave Forks. Literally, the next day.
Bella is devastated beyond belief. This is where I think Stephenie Meyer employed a very cute tactic. She proceeds to title chapters by months. However, these chapters have no words. Basically, it is implied that those months passed by like a blur. I have to admit that when I saw those pages, I gasped with foreboding. When Bella finally wakes up, she realizes that she lived those months like a zombie, trudging through life, completely in despair.
Bella makes an attempt to re-enter life, but has trouble. Bella is driven to do risky things because when she does, Bella "hears" Edward admonishing her. In order to hear his voice more, she gets the bright idea of riding a motorcycle when she spots two run down motorcycles for sale. Having not a clue of how to fix a motorcycle, she goes to Jacob Black who is a handy mechanic. Bella finds that the more time she spends with Jacob, the less she is distraught about Edward's absence. Jacob is her sun that keeps away the darkness and shadows. This is not to mean that she is falling in love with Jacob. Although Jacob would love her to do so.
Bella pushes to do more dangerous things. When Bella sees some guys cliff jumping into the water, she wants to do it, too. Jacob is able to hold her off, promising to take her.
Meanwhile other things are happening in Jacob's world. One of his best friends has joined with a cult-like group of young men. Jacob's hates the leader, Sam, for isolating his friend from him. Then suddenly, seemingly overnight, Jacob joins this group. Bella is left confused and in the dark. We soon discover that Jacob, along with his 'pack' of new friends, is a werewolf. Probem - vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies or should I say, immortal enemies.
Anyway, without Jacob to hold her back, Bella attempts the cliff jumping on her own. Fortunately, Jacob is there is rescue her from the water. She is fine but not for long. She gets a surprise visit from Alice Cullen - who has arrived to comfort Bella's dad, Charlie. From what? From her vision of Bella's death. Unfortunately, Edward has mistakenly thought the same. He rushes to Italy to ask for death from the Volturi. Because he cannot live in a world without Bella. Alice and Bella rush to save Edward from his foolish mission. Though the Volturi refuse Edward's request, Edward still plans on provoking them to kill him by exposing himself to the Italian public. The Volturi police the vampire world and they make sure that the secrets of vampires is not compromised. Of course, Alice and Bella arrive just in time. But not early enough to escape the notice of the Volturi.
In the presence of the Volturi, we find that Bella is also immune to the special powers of the minions of the Volturi. We also find that the Volturi had taken notice of the special powers of Alice and Edward. Edward, Alice and Bella only manage to escape, with the promise of making Bella a vampire soon.
This is the least of their problems. Due to a series of mysterious murders that has been occurring in the metro area, the vampires and the werewolves deduce that there is are vampires on the loose. It is determined that Victoria, James' mate, is out for revenge. She is after Bella, Edward's mate for killing her mate (in book #1, Twilight.)
Edward and Bella work through some misunderstandings and the Cullen family return to Forks. Edward promises to never leave or hurt Bella again. And they focus on the threat of Victoria. Bella continues to push Edward on her desire to become a vampire.
New Moon left me wanting more. Not getting sucked into the Twilight until now is a good thing. It's a good thing because now I do not have to wait for each book to be published. I can read one book after another. But I will not. I will not. I will not. I will restrain myself. I do not want to get too obsessive. Although, one easily can...
Bella is devastated beyond belief. This is where I think Stephenie Meyer employed a very cute tactic. She proceeds to title chapters by months. However, these chapters have no words. Basically, it is implied that those months passed by like a blur. I have to admit that when I saw those pages, I gasped with foreboding. When Bella finally wakes up, she realizes that she lived those months like a zombie, trudging through life, completely in despair.
Bella makes an attempt to re-enter life, but has trouble. Bella is driven to do risky things because when she does, Bella "hears" Edward admonishing her. In order to hear his voice more, she gets the bright idea of riding a motorcycle when she spots two run down motorcycles for sale. Having not a clue of how to fix a motorcycle, she goes to Jacob Black who is a handy mechanic. Bella finds that the more time she spends with Jacob, the less she is distraught about Edward's absence. Jacob is her sun that keeps away the darkness and shadows. This is not to mean that she is falling in love with Jacob. Although Jacob would love her to do so.
Bella pushes to do more dangerous things. When Bella sees some guys cliff jumping into the water, she wants to do it, too. Jacob is able to hold her off, promising to take her.
Meanwhile other things are happening in Jacob's world. One of his best friends has joined with a cult-like group of young men. Jacob's hates the leader, Sam, for isolating his friend from him. Then suddenly, seemingly overnight, Jacob joins this group. Bella is left confused and in the dark. We soon discover that Jacob, along with his 'pack' of new friends, is a werewolf. Probem - vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies or should I say, immortal enemies.
Anyway, without Jacob to hold her back, Bella attempts the cliff jumping on her own. Fortunately, Jacob is there is rescue her from the water. She is fine but not for long. She gets a surprise visit from Alice Cullen - who has arrived to comfort Bella's dad, Charlie. From what? From her vision of Bella's death. Unfortunately, Edward has mistakenly thought the same. He rushes to Italy to ask for death from the Volturi. Because he cannot live in a world without Bella. Alice and Bella rush to save Edward from his foolish mission. Though the Volturi refuse Edward's request, Edward still plans on provoking them to kill him by exposing himself to the Italian public. The Volturi police the vampire world and they make sure that the secrets of vampires is not compromised. Of course, Alice and Bella arrive just in time. But not early enough to escape the notice of the Volturi.
In the presence of the Volturi, we find that Bella is also immune to the special powers of the minions of the Volturi. We also find that the Volturi had taken notice of the special powers of Alice and Edward. Edward, Alice and Bella only manage to escape, with the promise of making Bella a vampire soon.
This is the least of their problems. Due to a series of mysterious murders that has been occurring in the metro area, the vampires and the werewolves deduce that there is are vampires on the loose. It is determined that Victoria, James' mate, is out for revenge. She is after Bella, Edward's mate for killing her mate (in book #1, Twilight.)
Edward and Bella work through some misunderstandings and the Cullen family return to Forks. Edward promises to never leave or hurt Bella again. And they focus on the threat of Victoria. Bella continues to push Edward on her desire to become a vampire.
New Moon left me wanting more. Not getting sucked into the Twilight until now is a good thing. It's a good thing because now I do not have to wait for each book to be published. I can read one book after another. But I will not. I will not. I will not. I will restrain myself. I do not want to get too obsessive. Although, one easily can...
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