Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Intrepid. The posting is going well and Dahl is making friends with other new crew members. But the new crew notice something strange-the away missions always seem to end up dangerous-even the ones that seem like they should be routine. The senior staff always seem to survive these away missions, no matter how many crazy things may happen to them along the way. And there's always a low ranking officer that ends up getting killed. Something strange is going on on the Intrepid and Dahl and his friends are determined to find out what it is.
Every once in awhile I manage to squeeze in some adult fiction into my reading (or listening) pile. If you know me well, then you know that I am a big
fan. And as a
fan, I understand that you must never beam down in a red shirt (lest you want to be killed on an away mission). So one I saw the title and premise of this book, I knew I had to read it!
, science fiction spoof. The humor is spot on. The outrageous captain who solves things just in the nick of time, the over the top adventures, and the fact that the senior crew get beat up every mission and yet continue to survive all add up to a perfect spoof that will have science fiction fans laughing. But the book is so much more than a spoof of the genre. There are many twists along the way to keep readers surprised and just when you think you've got things figured out, you discover something new.
I enjoyed the plot twists and found that they added something new to what could have just been a very funny take on the science fiction genre. The best way to describe this book would be to say that it's meta-the plot becomes very self referential. I don't want to give the plot twists and surprise away, but I enjoyed the way the story ended up and how everything came about full circle.
I listened to the audiobook, partly because I'm reading so much the only way I can add in anything extra is by audiobook and also partly because the narrator is Wil Wheaton. I thought this would be a good audiobook pairing and in some ways it was. Wheaton gets the humor of the book and adds a nice spin on the characters (especially the captain's more crazy moments). But he doesn't do a wide range of voices like I'm used to from my audiobooks. And at times he reads really, really, fast! This was especially confusing at the beginning when there is a lot of quick dialogue between two characters-Dahl and Duvall. Their names are so similar and add in a fast narrator without different voices and I was getting a bit lost between all the "Dahl said" and "Duvall said". I caught one soon after though and overall it was a very enjoyable listen and as the book got going I appreciated Wheaton's narration.
If you enjoy science fiction (and this is light science fiction) and want an enjoyable read, give
a try.
I love my book club! It's a group of librarian friends and we call ourselves the NOprah book club. We read whatever we want (typically fantasy and YA) and we don't worry about having literary discussions about the book-it's OK if we just want to gush over the hot literary boys! It's seriously the best book club ever.
Last year, a book came out that my book club was all abuzz about. We read and loved A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. So of course, with the sequel coming out, my book club is eagerly anticipating the release! You know what we'll be reading in July!
I know we're not the only ones waiting to read Shadow of Night, so I'm thrilled to offer one lucky reader a chance to win a copy of the book (plus some very awesome swag!) thanks to Penguin Books.
About the Book: (From Publisher) SHADOW OF NIGHT picks up right where A Discovery of Witches left off. Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont, a witchhistorian and vampire geneticist respectively, have timewalked to Elizabethan England on their hunt for a magical alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782—its sudden appearance and sudden disappearance have upended the delicately orderedworld of magical creatures (witches, vampires, and daemons), threatening tounleash unprecedented metaphysical chaos.
Though Diana and Matthew have escaped thethreats of the present, they soon find the past holds its own challenges—Dianamust find a witch to continue her magical education, a task made difficult by arash of witch hunts across the British Isles. And Matthew finds himself back in a life he thought he left behind, reuniting with friends and familythat had long been reduced to memory, opening wounds he thought hadhealed. Some of those friends comprise the infamous School of Night, acoterie of visionaries that includes Christopher Marlowe and Sir Walter Raleigh. Together, Matthew and Diana must navigate the new dangers of an oldcentury—bringing them closer and closer to solving the mystery of Ashmole 782.
Want to win?
-One lucky winner will receive a copy of Shadow of Night as well as an "Ashmole 782" temporary tattoo and a set of buttons:
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Rating: 3.5/5 StarsGenre: ArtRelease Date: 9/22/2011Add to GoodreadsAbout the Book: A collection of artwork based on missed connections ads.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Not my usual fare, I know, but I do read some adult titles once in awhile! This book has been on my radar since I got the Love at First Sight poster from ALA which features a missed connection in a bookstore. (Sadly, this print is not incldued in the book).
I love Sophie Blackall's artwork, so I was very excited for this collection! We've all read missed connections, right? (Admit it, I'm not the only one!) It's a fascinating peek into another person's story and in some ways it gives us hope that love can be found. Some are funny, some are strange, and some are heartbreaking.
The introduction to the book made me nod along as Sophie explained her fascination with missed connection ads. Who hasn't read one and wondered what happend? (Or secretly wished there was one about you?) I always want to know more of the stories and this collection made me want to know more about the pictures. Sophie included a note that she heard from some people who met via missed connections and I would have liked to know if any of the connections illustrated actually did. They are heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time.
I would suggest this as a story starter set for older teens and adults-I know I can't be alone in imagining the outcome of each posting!
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Genre: Gothic Suspense
Release Date: First published 1938
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About the Book: The novel is told from the point of view of an unnamed narrator. From the beginning we get the sense that the story is a flashback and the narrator is reflecting on a time in her life that continues to haunt her. Her story starts when she is visiting Monte Carlo with Mrs. Van Hopper, who is her employer. The narrator works as a paid companion to the elderly woman who is always keen on gossip. One day while dining, Mrs. Van Hopper notices a man at a table nearby that she recognizes as Max de Winter, the owner of Manderley. His wife recently passed away in a boating accident and rumor is he can’t get over her death. Mrs. Van Hopper intrudes on the man’s meal and thus begins the relationship between the narrator and Maxim de Winter. After spending time together in Monte Carlo, the narrator begins to realize she loves Maxim, even though he is more than 20 years her senior. On the day she and Mrs. Van Hopper are supposed to leave, the narrator cries to Maxim that she will miss him very much and he proposes. After a whirlwind honeymoon, the pair return to Maxim’s home of Manderley. At Manderley, the new Mrs. de Winter is constantly haunted by the presence of Rebecca, Maxim’s first wife. The household staff don’t respect, the people in the community compare her to Rebecca, and Rebecca’s touch on Manderley echoes throughout the entire house. Secrets begin to unravel and the truth about Rebecca is slowly uncovered.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I had always wanted to read this book, so when I had the chance to for class I decided to finally read it. I loved it and am eager to read more of Du Maurier’s work now.
The writing is wonderful and really places the reader into the story. It’s easy to get caught up in the book and get lost in the story. The author puts the reader right into the narrator’s shoes and I felt as though I was upset and haunted by Rebecca just as the narrator is. There were lots of twists and they were surprises which I always like-I hate when I can figure out the story.
It is a chilling, psychological story and I even wish there had been a bit more to it-especially about Rebecca as she’s a fascinating character, especially for not even appearing in the novel! I wouldn’t say this book is the stuff of nightmares, but it is suspenseful and very creepy-the author does a fantastic job of setting up Manderley to be an odd, strange, creepy sort of place. I read the entire book with a sense of foreboding, especially since you never really know the truth or who to trust. I did think it was interesting how at first the author makes you not really sure about Maxim de Winter, but then switches things up and makes you like him at the exact moment you really shouldn’t be liking him!
(SPOILER ALERT) I mean, really, we discover the truth about Maxim and what happened to Rebecca and that he killed her, yet at this point, I didn’t find him creepy and strange anymore. I had been all annoyed at him for never telling the narrator he loved her, yet he confesses everything and says don’t you see, I really loved you all along. I wanted him and the narrator to make things work. How twisted is that? Props to the author for making me suspicious of Maxim and then when I find out the truth, I like him more!
A fantastic book that I'm so glad I finally read-highly recommended!!
Is There Teen
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Thriller/Mystery/Contemporary
Release Date: 1/5/2010
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About the Book:
Michael is what's known as "boxman"-he has a talent for cracking safes. He was trained by The Ghost and works for a man in Detroit taking boxman jobs for hire. When he gets a call, he goes. As a kid, Michael survived a family tragedy during his childhood but hasn't uttered a word since, which makes him perfect as his job because he will never tell on anyone. Michael is passing his time by writing his story and recounting the journey that landed him in prison nine years ago. Told in alternating timelines, this is Michael's story of how he became a boxman and the strange events that followed.
Sarah Teenlibrarian Says: This is a unique crime thriller. The book is told in alternating timelines-the first is the story leading up to Michael becoming a boxman (1992-1999) and the second is a narrative of the jobs he takes (2000). This adds to the suspense of the story because things are slowly revealed in the 2000 timeline and then a little bit later we get the backstory of how that happened. In some ways we're one step ahead of the story until the end when the timelines start to connect. This is a effective device as it gives the reader a chance to try and piece together the story before Michael gets there.
Michael is an interesting narrator because he doesn't talk, so his interactions with others are interesting to read about. We know Michael's voice and his snarky comments, but the other characters don't. Michael expresses himself through art to his crush Amelia, and they communicate through comic panels they draw each other.
I was surprised a bit by how much I liked The Lock Artist. It was an inventive story and I liked reading about Michael's safe cracking skills. Anyone who is a fan of crime fiction should pick this one up. This was also on the 2011 Alex Awards list and I could see this having appeal for older teens. especially teens who like mysteries.
I listened to this one on audio and really enjoyed-fantastic narrator and he had a great snarky voice to Michael. I wasn't sure if I would like it on audio, since Michael is a non-speaking character, but it never felt weird and I liked hearing Michael's voice when the other characters couldn't.
Book Pairings: For some reason this book really reminded me of White Cat by Holly Black, even though they aren't that similar. Just the crime aspect of the book makes me think they will appeal to the same readers.
Full Disclosure: Reviewed from audiobook I borrowed from my local library
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: 6/30/2009
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About the Book: Olivia Bevelstoke is spying on her new neighbor. Sure, he's handsome and a bit mysterious, but they say he killed his fiance. Harry Valentine knows that the girl next door is spying on him and he doesn't like it one bit. He hates it when he gets instructions from the war office that he is to spy on a visiting Russian Prince. He really hates it when he finds out that the Prince has set his sights on Olivia and now he must protect her.As Harry starts to spend time with Olivia, he discovers he just might be falling for her himself. Sarah Teenlibrarian Says: What Happens in London is a hilarious regency romance! When I was asking for suggestions for a romance to read for my adult reading materials class, I heard Julia Quinn's name over and over again. While the second book in the Bevelstoke series, I wasn't even aware that it was part of a series and the book can stand perfectly on it's own. The characters are too much fun. Olivia makes lists in her head that pertain to the various situations she finds herself in, which often lead to a funny narration on her part. Olivia and Harry start out disliking each other. It's not even really that they dislike each other, more that they're suspicious of each other. But that soon changes after they talk and get to know each other and their relationship turns to a flirtatious friendship. They talk to each other through their windows and share in the reading of terrible literature with Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron, which adds another element of fun to the book. They have a witty banter and the book made me laugh out loud on several occasions. The supporting cast of characters is hilarious as well. The Prince is rude and obnoxious, Harry's cousin Sebastian is dramatic and hilarious. This cast of characters is one I would love to spend more time with. When I found out it was part of a series, I had to go back and pick up the first book-I was impressed with the author. What Happens in London is a RITA Award winner for Best Regency Historical Romance and the Romance Winner on Rusa's 2010 Reading List. Even if you snub romance or historical romance, give this one a try. It's a fast read and full of humor that makes this a very enjoyable read.Is There Teen Appeal? Maybe. The book is very funny and the characters are fun. This is an adult romance, so there some steamy scenes
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Contemporary
Release Date: 4/29/2010
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2011 Alex Award List
About the Book: Eleven-year-old Kimberly Chang and her mother are brought to America by Kimberly's Aunt Paula. The transition from Hong Kong to American life is a long and frustrating road. Kimberly picks up on English quickly and adapts to American life easier than her mother. She begins to excel in school and is soon awarded a scholarship to a private school.
Kimberly struggles with excelling in school but constantly being an outsider. She and her mother owe a debt to Aunt Paula for bringing them to America and they work in the skirt factory that Aunt Paula and Uncle Bob run and are barely able to make ends meet. They live in a terrible apartment with roaches and no heat. Kimberly tries to make a better life for herself and her mother by doing well in school. But her feelings for a fellow factory worker named Matt may threaten her future and Kimberly must decide what exactly her future holds.
Sarah Teenlibrarian Says: I don't read a lot of literary fiction, but I was interested in Girl in Translation because it was on the 2011 Alex Awards list. Although an adult title, most of the book is spent with Kimberly during her teen years, and I think the coming of age story will hold a lot of teen appeal.
Kimberly is an engaging narrator and her struggles to adapt to life in America are heartbreaking. She's often an outsider and never quite fits in because of her clothes and race and her brain. But she doesn't take things laying down and she fights for herself in her new life which makes you want to cheer her on even more.
The author straddles Kimberly's dual identity skilfully and we see both sides of Kimberly-the shy smart girl at school who wants to rebel a bit and become more American and the girl at home who works in the factory, speaks Chinese, and struggles to hide her living conditions and work life. There is romance with Matt, but this is not a romance-while it's central to the plot, this is a very layered story and the focus is much more on Kimberly and her coming of age and success in school than anything else. The author does a great job of including Chinese sayings but explaining them so they weave into the story without feeling a bit jarring.
The book dragged a bit at times and it took me a bit to get into it.
Remember when I told you about my adult lit class? Well, there was enough interest so I'm going to begin reviewing the titles I read for my class here in a (hopefully) weekly feature!
Rating: 3.75/5 Stars
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: 6/25/2007
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About the Book: Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie is 34th in line for the throne and flat broke. Her brother the duke is economizing and Georgie has been cut off. When the queen tries to set her up with the horrible Prince Siegfried (aka fishface) Georgie runs from her Scotland castle to her family's London house under the pretense of helping a friend with a wedding. Georgie is hoping to make a new life for herself. She moonlights as a maid (the horror!) and befriends the handsome but also penniless Darcy O'Mara. When a blackmailing Frenchman winds up dead in her bathtub, Georgie has a new job-discover the killer.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I decided to read this book because my mom is a fan of Rhys Bowen and I'm a fan of lighter mysteries, so I thought this would be a good read.
In many ways, I believe Her Royal Spyness would be considered a cozy mystery. It is fairly light on the mystery side, and while there is a mystery plot, it does take awhile before the mystery really takes off. The body doesn’t appear until just over 100 pages into the book and even then the story goes between Georgie’s many responsibilities-spying on the Prince for the Queen, avoiding Prince fishface, visiting her grandfather, trying not to fall for Darcy O’Mara, as well as trying to catch the killer.
There was a lot happening in this book away from the mystery that I think makes it seem lighter than typical mystery fare. Georgie is very much an amateur detective and at sometimes a little bumbling in her detective skills. Her brother is accused of the murder and she's working hard to clear the family name. The mystery is somewhat easy to solve, so readers looking for a real puzzle won’t find one here. Clues are dropped early on and they are fairly easy to solve. But the story is still lots of fun and has lots of humor which I think will attract readers looking for a quick easy read with a bit of mystery thrown in.
I was a bit annoyed with how long it took for the story to get going. I think that’s partly due to the fact that the jacket flap covers a lot of what happens in the first half of the book, so I was expecting the body to show up and Georgie to start in on her case early on. It takes a bit to get there, but leading up to it is fun. Georgie’s mother is an eccentric former actress who flits from lover to lover and the relationship between th
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Great review, Sarah! This book sounds intriguing, I will definitely check it out :)
I love the format of this book-I wish I could find more like it.