Top Ten Tuesday: Books To Get In The Halloween Spirit

Happy Top Ten Tuesday! We are always happy to participate in TTT, hosted by the book- and list-loving The Broke and the Bookish. This TTT is dedicated to spooky reads that get you in the mood for Halloween. As you know  I am an ENORMOUS WIMP, but Goosie Mama loves this stuff.  This list is low on YA in part because my roommate is the person who recommends scary books to me and she does not share the love of YA. What creepy reads made your list?


Grad Student:

1. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. A truly terrifying haunting tale that sticks with you. If you have read this and you know about the garden scene and the bite marks; SWEET JESUS I WAS SO SCARED.
2. Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama (Review to come soon) This read was far more of a spook-fest than I expected.
3. Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake. These are some seriously creepy ghosts.
4. Any book by Tana French, but In the Woods in particular. "As dusk approaches a small Dublin suburb in the summer of 1984, mothers begin to call their children home. But on this warm evening, three children do not return from the dark and silent woods. When the police arrive, they find only one of the children gripping a tree trunk in terror, wearing blood-filled sneakers, and unable to recall a single detail of the previous hours." Seriously. 

Crazy Camper:

1. Bonechiller by Graham McNamee. There is some sort of monster haunting a Canadian teenage boy in the winter.... who ever knew Canada could be so scary.

Goosie Mama:

1. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. A happy, bittersweet sort of spooky and a fantastic sort of story. I will re-read this book in a few years it was so lovely.
2. The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson. I read this because it was on NPR's list of guilty pleasures and I kid you not, I slept with the lights on for the week. I was 26 and a half at the time.
3. Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith. A darkly entertaining, creepy-funny read. Will I see the movie? Prob not.
4. Any of The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting. I see dead people? Always spooky!
5. Grad Student (yes, we're calling each other these nicknames in casual conversations now) - I think I've relayed this story to you before, but my dad knows I love ghost stories and for every Christmas I can remember has given me some sort of "true ghost stories" or hauntings book. A casual glance at my bookshelf includes such titles as: Ghosts of Manhattan, Ghosts of the Northeast (you're welcome), and True Haunting. None of these last books are particular terrifying, (or of the YAF genre) but might give you a quick chill on those crisp fall nights.

See our reviews of Anna Dressed in Blood, The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead! Boo!

MISSING: Reward if Found -- Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

I recently moved to a new apartment, which traumatically ended my previous library subscriptions on my Nook MIDREAD as soon as I changed my license.  BUT also allowed me to join a new library that, hold on people, is open on SUNDAYS.

I will let that sink in.  1 to 5 on Sundays.  Be jealous.

So, excited, I went and promptly picked up two books, one being Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter. I got about 80 pages in..... and I lost it.  The book was last seen in a backpack after a white water rafting trip, and along with my fake-camping-coffee creamer, is just totally MIA.

Not only will I have to pay for this at the library (unless it miraculously appears while I keep renewing it) I don't know what happened.  So YAF and WS Readers I need your help- Has anyone read Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter?  If so, and you would be generous enough to tell me what happens, perhaps you could even give us a YAF & WS review?

I need to know, and please, send me some lucky-finding skills please.

Stacking the Shelves: Baller Edition, Tempered by Dorkiness

I am claiming baller status for this Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Get a load of the A-list that arrived at the library:

So you would have to have been under a rock (or off climbing one, heeeeeyyyyyy Crazy Camper!) to not know about Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys or Deborah Harkness's Shadow of the Night (we WoW-ed both here). Just in case you don't know about the awesomeness that is Rae Carson's Fire and Thorns series, see the blurb on The Crown of Embers:

Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds. A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume in the Fire and Thorns trilogy (GoodReads).

Also, as I am want to do, I managed to make my dorkiness obvious on this library trip. So the library is only 4 blocks from where I live in the East Village, so I walked. BUT because I had so many books to get ( I also got history looks that you don't care about) I had trouble CARRYING them all. So when I stopped for a pumpkin latte I had to say " I would like to buy a coffee but I can only do so if you give me a takeout bag for my library books." GAH! Book-Dork-Alert.

Review: Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

I have read Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready and have good news- Logan was not as annoying as he was in Shade (see my review). PHEW. And the plot was forwarded, rather than stalling out as some middle books do in trilogies. Two good things to report on regarding this ghosts/conspiracy/ancient temples-esque series.

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.


Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift. As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart (GoodReads).

Originality: 7. I still think the whole Shift conspiracy is cool. I read this so fast, however, that I am not sure I working with all the information to totally understand. OOPS. I also find the stories about Stonehenge-y ancient sites as solstice calendars fascinating. Because the history of science and technology is fascinating.

Absurdity: 5. Do handsome Scottish boys really show up and share feelings in high school? I wish that had been the case in Connecticut. WHERE WERE THE BOYS WITH SWOON WORTHY ACCENTS!?

Level of Paranormal Romance: 6. Nothing like having your dead boyfriend suddenly become corporal to encourage paranormal makeout sessions. But I have to deduct points for the ‘swapping’ of paranormal ghost powers when Aura kisses a certain someone else. If I had cool paranormal powers no way I would want to ‘share’ them. Is that shallow? Hmmmm but even if I was  a selfish magical person that accent might sway me….

Level of Harry Potter-ness: 4. Middle of the road YA PLUS a Goth/Mumfords and Sons element. How do those two things mix exactly?.....oh, and it is all set in Baltimore. Lets get to to the UK already.

A Little Shameless Self-Promotion

Grad Student spikes the mic and throws her hands up like a baller; Goosie Mama spikes her second Kindle (in its protective cover) and Crazy Camper spikes either some camping gear or a J.Crew blazer - whichever is closest to her!!

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR 100 FOLLOWERS - WE'RE HAVING A BLAST!!!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

Adorable Cover Alert!

In the good old days, magic was indispensable—it could both save a kingdom and clear a clogged drain. But now magic is fading: drain cleaner is cheaper than a spell, and magic carpets are used for pizza delivery. Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, an employment agency for magicians—but it’s hard to stay in business when magic is drying up. And then the visions start, predicting the death of the world’s last dragon at the hands of an unnamed Dragonslayer. If the visions are true, everything will change for Kazam—and for Jennifer. Because something is coming. Something known as . . . Big Magic (GoodReads).

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde came out October 2nd in the US, but I am still "waiting on" my library to get it in. If you loved the quirky-smart-funny story of The Eyre Affair even half as much as I did, you will also want to get involved with Fforde's foray into YA.


What are you "waiting on" this week? As always, merci beaucoup to Jill at Breaking the Spine for hosting WoW, a weekly event showcasing upcoming publications we cannot wait to read.

Review: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population, and those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for? Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery makeup . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club--in the depths of her own despair--Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club, and Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does. And Araby may find not just something to live for, but something to fight for--no matter what it costs her (GoodReads)

Originality. 9. This is a retelling of Edgar Allen pies short story about a party and Death. I haven't read it. Oops! But I am a wimp and Poe is pretty scary. Also, I THINK this is Steampunk. Corsets, faded Victorian morals and 'flying machines.' This is my first foray into Steampunk, and I have to say it is a bit weird. But Poe +Steampunk gets a high originality score for sure.
Absurdity. 10! I rolled my eyes at the goth/punk ripped Victorian dresses these girlies wore to the club. Yes club. It was more a private society than disco but still. Glittery eye shadow is involved in the pseudo-Victorian world. Princes are involved, too. EYE ROLL.
Level of Paranormal Romance: 4. Yet another tattooed love interest; sign me up for some of that! Plus he adorbs loves his little brother and sister. This is more a manners romance a la Austin than it it hot and heavy, but I still rooted for our potential couple.
Level of Harry Potterness 5: I was pleasantly surprised by Griffin's eerie and evocative writing style. It fit perfectly with the story and build a good amount of tension.

Steampunk club based on Poe story: Admits one.

Review: In Which Grad Student Summarizes Crossed by Ally Condi Over Pretend Margaritas

Tacky and awesome- Tortilla Flats, West Village 

Due to our conversations with Crazy Camper and you awesome readers, I have put together a version of the narration I gave CC regarding Crossed by Ally Condi. To set the scene: we are either poking around T.J. Maxx's neon workout gear or are listening to some great country music apres a dinner at goosie mama and my go-to, Tortilla Flats (it depends on the time of day). 

You say, "I liked Matched." and I respond "Me too! Too bad Crossed was such a snooze." 

"Noooo, really?" You respond. "Tell me about it."

I roll my eyes and say: "Both Ky and Cassia run around the same work camp in the Outer Provinces pining for each other. They there are only a few weeks apart but do not know it. They both make some alliances and then run away and to be fugitives in the same desert--but they do not know it. If you had to imagine seeing this from an observation platform it would be like watching mice circle each other obliviously in a maze." 

"Some threats of totalitarian Society forces in the canyons are avoided. Angsty feelings about the desert are felt. The beauty of the desert is also reflected on. Teenage lovers are reunited in the desert, literally running into each others arms. Secrets are kept about The Rising that should not be ( use your words! Share important info!).  Poetry is repeated in internal monologues. Cassia will also write her own poems that make me squirm."

( I then get on GoodReads on my phone and pick out a doozy for you):

I marked a map for every death

for every ache and blow

my world was all a page of black

with nothing left of snow

"And in the end? We finally find The Rising...and Cassia gets send RIGHT BACK INTO SOCIETY. (This is  not a spoiler. See the Reached blurb). Oh, and Xander has been part of The Rising the entire time. Sheesh, that was a lot of running around the desert without a plot but arc for nothing but teenage longings!"

So do you agree? Did I miss something crucial? Am I totally off-base on this book? And most importantly, will you read Reached?

There are less bubbles and far more desert dust in the book.

L.M. Montgomery had it right.....

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Preach, L.M.M.

Love, Crazy Camper

                                  

Review: The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

After two checkouts from the library, I have finally finished The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman. I found the first 100 pages great. But sadly, the last 2/3rds of this read dragged--hence the double check out. But in the name of YAF and WS, I persevered.

It was like a nightmare, but there was no waking up.  When the night began, Nora had two best friends and an embarrassingly storybook one true love.  When it ended, she had nothing but blood on her hands and an echoing scream that stopped only when the tranquilizers pierced her veins and left her in the merciful dark. 

But the next morning, it was all still true: Chris was dead.  His girlfriend Adriane, Nora's best friend, was catatonic. And Max, Nora's sweet, smart, soft-spoken Prince Charming, was gone. He was also—according to the police, according to her parents, according to everyone—a murderer.

Desperate to prove his innocence, Nora follows the trail of blood, no matter where it leads. It ultimately brings her to the ancient streets of Prague, where she is drawn into a dark web of secret societies and shadowy conspirators, all driven by a mad desire to possess something that might not even exist. For buried in a centuries-old manuscript is the secret to ultimate knowledge and communion with the divine; it is said that he who controls the Lumen Dei controls the world. Unbeknownst to her, Nora now holds the crucial key to unlocking its secrets. Her night of blood is just one piece in a puzzle that spans continents and centuries. Solving it may be the only way she can save her own life (GoodReads).

                 
           Which cover do you like better? I like the bridge version, since it fits the plot. That face is odd.

Level of Originality: 6. As a history nerd, I love the idea of mysteries surrounding archival research, like A Discovery of Witches and The DaVinci Code. I find these stories are detailed and original in how they weave history, conspiracies, and a bit of the paranormal. If you like historical fiction, you might want to get a hold of this, since a fair amount of the book is "excerpts" of  a centuries-old diary.
Level of Absurdity: 4. I know a plot that involves high schoolers solving a centuries-old mystery while on the run in Prague SHOULD be high on the absurd charts, this well-plotted story saved me from eye rolls.
Level of Paranormal Romance: 3.  Chris is great but dead for most of the book, Max is a snore, and Eli  has NINJA skills and tattoos. Clearly my fave boy in the book is Eli, although he is not strictly a love interest. I was not taken with Max nor do I think he is much of a "Prince Charming."
Level of Harry-Potterness: 4. A couple points here reflect the castles of Prague (which reminds me of Hogwarts, yay), but the writing didn't grab me. The reason is I prefer the Prague of  The Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I was drooling over how gorgeous and Gothic the city is in Laini Taylor's beautiful prose, but here the city remains gritty.