Top Ten Books on Jan's List for Winter

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by the Broke and Bookish.

This week's list highlights books that are due out between December through March.What better way to stay cozy and warm than with a great book? Here are the ten books I hope to do just that with.

Wintertown by Stephen Emond: When I first read the summary for this one it reminded me of John Green meaning it is all about relationships and has a male protagonist infatuated with a girl. I love reading books that focus on relationships that are slightly askew, and this sounds amazing.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare: I am definitely ready to read more from Clare so I am super excited about getting my hands on this sequel to Clockwork Angel.

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder: This is a debut novel and sounds fantastic since it deals with a protagonist who is dying; it also sounds like a intensely personal read.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith: A book that takes place over a 24 hour period in an airport. Can't wait to read this one.

Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh: Nevermore was an amazing read and it seems like I have been waiting forever to see whether Isobel will be able to save Varen.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver: I love Oliver and would read anything she writes. I am certainly excited about finding what will happens next for Lena and Alex.

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins: Love the Hex Hall series and cannot wait to find out what is up next for Archer and Sophie.

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand: Pretty sure that this one will be on a lot of the list today and like everyone else I cannot wait to find out more about Tucker (sigh) and Clare.

Bewitching by Alex Flinn: I have to admit I just learned about the release of this one (thank you Melissa) and am very excited about it. I enjoy Flinn's writing and even use a couple of her books in my classroom so when I learned that she was focusing in on Kendra I was thrilled.

The Fine Art of Truth and Dare by Melissa Jenson: This one is definitely has my interest piqued. It sounds very cute, has a boarding school vibe and while it might just be a fluff read the title and the summary has me wanting it.

Well, that my list for winter releases so far. What are books are you looking forward to snuggling up with on those long cold winter days and nights?

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT DAY

In the third installment of the Tiger series, Kelsey Hayes pushes through the pain of lost love and strengthens her friendship with Kishan. Despite his strong feelings for her, Kishan has agreed to be her ally in helping her reunite with the man she still loves. Together, they seek to help Ren regain his memory and begin the search for the third magical gift—an object of power that will help break the curse that causes them to live part of their lives as tigers.

They board a luxury yacht and seek Durga's aid once again, who supplies them with her golden weapons. With Nilima, Mr. Kadam, Ren, and Kishan at her side, she soon learns that the task ahead will be even more difficult than the others. Confronting a dark magician, multiple dragons, and terrifying denizens of the deep seems easy when compared to facing the daunting task of stitching up her heart. Just when she thinks she's ready to set her feet on a new path, she is yanked back with a jolt to the one she's determined to leave behind.

The jarring tug-of-war that ensues for Kelsey's heart leaves her anxious and confused. Combined with the stress of almost being killed every other day, it would appear that saving the tigers is almost more than she can handle. Still, she presses on, knowing that a choice is looming on the horizon. One she cannot put off making for long.

Tiger's Voyage is an irresistible romance with a barrage of action on the high seas, where a reader will find a treasure chest full of dragons, sea monsters, knights in shining armor, fabled weapons, and enduring love. The tropic waters of India create the backdrop for the latest installment in the tiger series. This novel, a multicultural take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale, delves into the complex emotional turmoil and pressure associated with not only making the best choice for a nation but also the best choice for yourself. (Publisher's summary from Goodreads)

Reason Why I Chose the Book:


I have been enamored with Colleen's series from the get go. I loved Tiger's Curse and after listening to it as an audio book, I ran right out and bought both the first book and the second. It has also been quite popular with my students.

Reason Why I Liked/Disliked the Book: 

Like the other two books in this amazing series, Tiger's Voyage finds Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan getting ready for another dangerous mission to break the curse that has kept Ren and Kishan tigers. It picks up right where Tiger's Quest left off with Kelsey reeling from Ren's loss of memory, and Kishan being support and caring.  Ren is unable to touch Kelsey or spend too much time near her without getting physically ill. While I am not a huge fan of the love triangle and often got anxious over the situation that Kelsey and her tigers find themselves in, Colleen does an excellent job creating unbelievable tension between these three wonderfully drawn characters.

I love how creative the mythology in this series is and Tiger's Voyage finds our protagonists on board a luxurious yacht in search of Durga's Necklace. In order to find it, they must visit five different dragon realms eliciting help from each, which is no easy task and the danger they face is filled with suspense and kept me furiously turning pages.


The only complaint I had with this one is that I felt the relationship between Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan was drawn out too much. I really wanted a resolution, and if I am completely honest, I wanted Kelsey to rush into Ren's arms as soon as it was clear that his memory was back and that the strength of his love declared. However, Kelsey continued to deny that she and Ren were obviously destined for each other and stubbornly refused to tell Kishan that while she loved him too, their love was not as strong or as passionate. 

Finally, I was quite surprised with the ending as I thought that Tiger's Voyage was the last book in the series. The ending, however, leaves the reader gasping and once again anxious for book four.

Reasons Why I Would Recommend This Book:

If you love mythology, beautiful settings, intense romance, and lots of action then this is a series you need to read. The characterization is perfect, and the plot so intricate, complex, and exciting that I guarantee it will hold you spellbound and gasping at every page.

 

 

Waiting on WednesdayIrises by Francisco X. Stork

Waiting On Wednesday, is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and asks the question, "What are books are you anxiously waiting on?"

Author: Francisco X. Stork

Publisher: Arthur L. Levine

Release Date: January 1,2012

Two sisters discover what's truly worth living for in the new novel by the author of MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD.

TWO SISTERS: Kate is bound for Stanford and an M.D. -- if her family will let her go. Mary wants only to stay home and paint. When their loving but repressive father dies, they must figure out how to support themselves and their mother, who is in a permanent vegetative state, and how to get along in all their uneasy sisterhood.

THREE YOUNG MEN: Then three men sway their lives: Kate's boyfriend Simon offers to marry her, providing much-needed stability. Mary is drawn to Marcos, though she fears his violent past. And Andy tempts Kate with more than romance, recognizing her ambition because it matches his own. 

ONE AGONIZING CHOICE: Kate and Mary each find new possibilities and darknesses in their sudden freedom. But it's Mama's life that might divide them for good -- the question of *if* she lives, and what's worth living for.

IRISES is Francisco X. Stork's most provocative and courageous novel yet. (Publisher's summary from Amazon)

I loved Macelo  in the Real World, which was an book with wonderful and honestly portrayed characters, not to mention a very realistic plot and excellent writing.  Irises sounds like another character driven story with an intriguing plot drawn from real life.

ReviewCryers Cross by Lisa McMann

The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried (Summary from Goodreads)

Reason Why I Choose the Book: After seeing Cryers Cross on so many of the Halloween posts and lists last week,  I decided  to give to see why it was so popular. When the book first came out I had wanted to read it but never got around to it. I love books that have a creep factor to them and between the cover and the summary, Cryer Cross most definitely fit that requirement. Since I also needed a  new audio book, keeping the Halloween theme in mind, I added this one to my audio library.

Reasons I Like/Disliked about the Book: I loved everything about Cryers Cross. As an audio book it was terrific. Julia Whelan who is a wonderful narrator and someone I have had the pleasure of listening to with a couple other books, was perfectly pitched as Kendall. However, an audio narrator is only as good as the written narration and McMann's characterization of Kendall was perfection.

I have never read a book that featured a character with obsessive compulsive disorder, and I was fascinated with the way McMann was able to build Kendall's character around this disorder. It made Kendall so much more real in my eyes. Her thoughts and feelings about her disorder gave a reality to her character that I doubt would have been as prominent without it. Jacian was also a terrific character. His moody distant attitude made him both sympathetic and troublesome, and I really liked the progression of his and Kendall's relationship. Definitely not a love at first sight so prevalant in many YA novels.

Together with such fantastic characters, McMann's plot took on a suspenseful tension that kept me tuned into her story about missing teens. The pacing was flawless and the ending although not completely a surprise, was distrubing and eerie lasting just long enough to have my heart thumping and my breath bated for the resolution. 


Reasons Why I Recommend This Book: Without hesitation I would urge anyone who loves suspenseful stories with a certain degree of creepiness to pick Cryers Cross up. The characters bring this one to life with such an eerie realism that it is impossible to put it down, and if you are into audio books this is a sensational listening experience.