W...W...W...Wednesday 11/02/15

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

My current read is Unbeautifully by Madeline Sheehan

I recently finished reading Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan

I think my next read will be...wait for it...Unattainable by Madeline Sheehan

Teaser Tuesday 10/02/2015 'Undeniable'

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

This week my current read is Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan.
Teaser comes from the 20% (page 70)




"If I needed anymore proof that the Hell's Horsemen were into some seriously illegal shit- other than their alliance with my father- all I had to do was take one look at their clubhouse.  Smack dab in the middle of the Montana hills, down a barely there dirt road, enclosed with an electric fence topped with razor wire, sat their whitewashed warehouse, massive at around 30,000 square feet, with their insignia painted huge on the front building."

The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon and Hoang Nguyen

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey Books (1 Sep 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345505387
• ISBN-13: 978-0345505385

Diana Gabaldon’s brilliant storytelling has captivated millions of readers in her bestselling and award-winning Outlander saga. Now, in her first-ever graphic novel, Gabaldon gives readers a fresh look at the events of the original Outlander: Jamie Fraser’s side of the story, gorgeously rendered by artist Hoang Nguyen.
 
After too long an absence, Jamie Fraser is coming home to Scotland—but not without great trepidation. Though his beloved godfather, Murtagh, promised Jamie’s late parents he’d watch over their brash son, making good on that vow will be no easy task. There’s already a fat bounty on the young exile’s head, courtesy of Captain Black Jack Randall, the sadistic British officer who’s crossed paths—and swords—with Jamie in the past. And in the court of the mighty MacKenzie clan, Jamie is a pawn in the power struggle between his uncles: aging chieftain Colum, who demands his nephew’s loyalty—or his life—and Dougal, war chieftain of Clan MacKenzie, who’d sooner see Jamie put to the sword than anointed Colum’s heir.

And then there is Claire Randall—mysterious, beautiful, and strong-willed, who appears in Jamie’s life to stir his  compassion . . . and arouse his desire. 
 
But even as Jamie’s heart draws him to Claire, Murtagh is certain she’s been sent by the Old Ones, and Captain Randall accuses her of being a spy. Claire clearly has something to hide, though Jamie can’t believe she could pose him any danger. Still, he knows she is torn between two choices—a life with him, and whatever it is that draws her thoughts so often elsewhere. 
    
Step into the captivating, passionate, and suspenseful world of The Exile, and experience the storytelling magic of Diana Gabaldon as never before.

Cover:  A beautiful, stunning hardback cover.

Outlander is taking over my life.
I'm actually obsessed with it.
I read the first book, Cross Stitch a few weeks ago- and loved it.
Then I started watching the TV show- in love with it.  
And then I found myself reaching for the graphic novel.
As soon as I saw that it was Outlander from Jamie's point of view- I knew I was going to read it.
And I loved it.
It's not the whole of the first book- I would say it ends at about the halfway point of the actual novel.
But for me, it was worth it.
There was subtle differences, and the different POV's meant that you got more all round knowledge of what is going on, then rather just through Claire's perspective.
The art was enjoyable.  Not completely stand out, but it did definitely add something.
I highly recommend it for fans of Outlander, but people should definitely know that it is not the entire first book re-told.  But I definitely hope that a second graphic novel will be released.  Fingers crossed.
4.5/5 stars.

Read on November 11, 2014

January 2015 Reading Wrap Up

W...W...W...Wednesday 04/02/15

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

This week my current read is The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons.

I recently finished reading Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover.

I think my next read will be Hero by Samantha Young.

Teaser Tuesday 03/02/2015 'The Bronze Horseman'

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser.

This week my current read is The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons, for a Buddy Read.

Teaser comes from page 237.

"A few days later Tatiana and Dasha counted what was left of their provisions, most of which Tatiana had purchased with Alexander's help on the first day of the war.  

Their ephemeral first day of war.

That day seemed so far away, as if it belonged in another life, in another time."

The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning by Chris Colfer

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (8 July 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034912437X
• ISBN-13: 978-0349124377

Conner Bailey thinks his fairy-tale adventures are behind him--until he discovers a mysterious clue left by the famous Brothers Grimm. With help from his classmate Bree and the outlandish Mother Goose, Conner sets off on a mission across Europe to crack a two-hundred-year-old code.

Meanwhile, Alex Bailey is training to become the next Fairy Godmother...but her attempts at granting wishes never go as planned. Will she ever be truly ready to lead the Fairy Council?

When all signs point to disaster for the Land of Stories, Conner and Alex must join forces with their friends and enemies to save the day. But nothing can prepare them for the coming battle...or for the secret that will change the twins' lives forever.

The third book in the bestselling Land of Stories series puts the twins to the test as they must bring two worlds together!

Cover:  Another stunningly beautiful cover.  I love the covers to this series so much.

I love The Land of Stories series.
It's my favourite middle grade series, and one of my favourite series period.
Just when I think Chris Colfer couldn't possibly do it again.  He gives us another fantastic story of Alex and Conner, twins that explore life and adventure in the magical Land of Stories.
I loved that this one included the Brothers Grimm in a most ingenius way.
This series has me hooked, and if you haven't already, I highly recommend you check it out.  It's one of those series that anyone of any age can enjoy!

5/5 stars.

Read from November 30 to December 06, 2014