Book Reviews by Today, I Read…

A Continuous Book Review and Vocabulary Assignment

August 5

Comments: 5

Waiting on Wednesday: Who’s in Your Crib?

by Ann-Kat

Thanks to Jill at Breaking the Spine, I present another edition of Waiting on Wednesday…

The Replacement I’m waiting, rather impatiently, on a book called The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff.

While browsing Amazon, I saw the cover and stopped in my tracks. I mean, look at it. It’s the right amount of creepy, whimsy, and cute.

But since I rarely buy a book (or covet it) based on cover alone, I read the description and knew immediately that I had to have this book the moment it comes out.

Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement—left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate’s baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

Tell me you’re not hooked now, too. It’s due out September 21, 2010 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon.

5 Comments, add yours...

July 29

Comments: 7

Review: Stolen by Lucy Christopher

by Ann-Kat

Stolen Cover

Title: Stolen
Author: Lucy Christopher
ISBN: 978-0-5451-7093-2
Story Length: 304 pages
Genre: Young Adult Drama

Three Quick Points About Stolen

  • Point 1: Slow. No, that’s not right. In fact, a new word needs to be coined because “slow” (and all its various synonyms) is inadequate.
  • Point 2: The camel won. It was the only character that felt genuine. Ty came close, but meh. Let’s not start on Gemma.
  • Point 3: A twisted love story. Still, it was an interesting take on the evolution of Stockholm syndrome. Continue reading »

7 Comments, add yours...

July 21

Comments: 2

Another Book Binge, and This Time I Didn’t Even Need to Leave Home

by Ann-Kat

Remember how I was saying it’s nearly impossible to leave the house and not come home with a bunch of books? Well, it seems that I don’t even need to leave anymore. The books, they will find me. And I think I kind of like it this way.

Two books came in for review on Monday. First up courtesy of Simon & Schuster is a middle grade fantasy adventure titled Jack Blank and The Imagine Nation by Matt Myklusch. Second is Passing Strange by Daniel Waters (that cover is the UK version, btw), third book in the Generation Dead saga, courtesy of Price Minister.

Jack Blank and The Imagine Nation by Matt MykluschPassing Strange by Daniel Waters

The next two just arrived two, courtesy of the UPS lady. I ordered them from Amazon after they sat in my “to be ordered later” shopping cart for a few months. Both are a set of short stories for children. First is The Devil’s Storybook by Natalie Babbitt and the second is Half-Human compiled and edited by Bruce Coville.

The Devil's Storybook by Natalie BabbittHalf-Human

That, combined with the other books on my shelf waiting to be read should keep me busy for a little while.

2 Comments, add yours...

July 6

Comments: 6

Teaser Tuesdays: Switched at Birth.

by Ann-Kat

Teaser Tuesdays Happy Tuesday! It’s time again for another edition of Teaser Tuesdays

Here are the rules:

  • Grab your current read
  • Let the book fall open to a random page
  • Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • You also need to share the title of the book where you get your teaser from…that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given
  • Please avoid spoilers

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else This week’s teaser:

"And then it happened again–my mother gasped. Gasped and pressed her hands flat against her chest and smiled her most gorgeous smile, reserved only for fireworks with my father, my blonde hair, and Jesus." pg. 149

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

I’m not sure what to think yet. I just started this book, and I’ll admit the opening has thrown me for a loop, but the description just makes it sound like it will be hilarious and poignant and that’s something I can’t resist. Here’s hoping it lives up to expectations.

6 Comments, add yours...

June 4

Comments: 2

Review: The Clearing by Heather Davis

by Ann-Kat

The Clearing Cover

Title: The Clearing
Author: Heather Davis
ISBN: 978-0-5472-6367-0
Story Length: 228 pages
Genre: Young Adult Light Paranormal Romance

Back Cover of The Clearing

Every single night that summer I lay awake wishing my life were different. And then one day it was…but not in the way you probably think.

"Different" for Amy was moving from the city to her aunt’s trailer in the country–starting her senior year at a new high school, putting the pain of a broken relationship behind her, starting fresh.

"Different" was Henry, a teenage boy Amy meets in the clearing behind Aunt Mae’s. Henry dresses differently, talks differently, and treats her better than any guy she’s ever known. And she’s starting to fall for him.

But Amy is stunned when she finds out just how different Henry really is. Because on his side of clearing, it’s 1944. By some miracle, Henry and his family are stuck in the past, staving off the tragedy that will strike them in the future. Amy’s crossing over to Henry’s side brings him more happiness than he’s ever known–but her presence also threatens to destroy his safe existence.

In this touching tale about falling in love, finding strength, and having the courage to make your own destiny, two teens living decades apart form a bond that will change their lives forever…and learn that true love can be truly magical

Three Quick Points About The Clearing

  • Point 1: Ultra-sweet. This is a book for true romantics at heart.
  • Point 2: Melding two generations. Through beautiful prose, Davis paints a lovely portrait of the idyllic life of a bygone generation.
  • Point 3: A few tiny holes. Some inconsistencies (and stupidities) pricked tiny holes in an otherwise beautiful story and made me wince. Continue reading »

2 Comments, add yours...

 

Subscribe

Subscribe to Today, I Read…

Receive book reviews, news, contest & giveaway announcements directly to your inbox by entering your name and email address below.



And don't worry, if you decide you no longer wish to receive the emails, you're welcome to unsubscribe at any time at the click of a link.

Authors & Publishers

If you have a book you'd like to have reviewed, drop an email to todayiread [at] gmail.com

© Copyright 2005-2010 Today, I Read…. All Rights Reserved. (Please don't steal.)