1 {A}The Help - by Kathryn Stockett

The Help by Kathryn Stockett


I picked up this book merely because I heard its title a bunch. Um, there is a reason. It is great. Yeah, not a good adjective, but it really is. I laughed and cried, held my breath and let it out. I don't want to summarize the book because I hate reading summaries before I read a book. Let me just say, this should be required reading. For everyone. It made me look at myself differently; as a friend, as a neighbor, and a mother...mostly as a mother, but that is the 'season' I'm currently in. You should read this book. Now. (I have a copy to lend even)


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0 {C-} Hold Still - by Nina LaCour

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

I have many mixed feelings about this book. It was very sad and I took a few days to read/process it, however I didn't walk away at the end depressed. I do want to warn you. It deals with suicide and mental illness. There is some rotten language and a brief sexual encounter (I wished I'd read it with a black marker to edit my copy). All that said it was an emotional read that took me on a journey. I don't think I'll re-read it and I'm not sure I suggest you read it, but if you want to borrow, I've got a copy...maybe I will go back and edit it anyway.


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0 {A} Crescendo (Hush, Hush, #2 of 3+) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick


Okay, just read the last page and COME ON! Another twisted cliff hanger? NO! The next installment isn't due out till Oct. 18, 2011. I really shouldn't read a series until all the books are out. I just can't take it. I hate waiting a year to see how things turn out.  UGH!


Some people rag that this series is a Twilight knockoff, but I disagree.  (I'm trying not to leave spoilers below)

• Nora creates drama.  The author seemed to be trying a bit too hard not have her NOT be a spineless clingy girlfriend, but I wanted to yell at her at times to not be so gullible or create so much drama.
• Patch is "the bad boy Edward wishes he was".  One one side he is tempting (hottie), but on the other hand why does Nora like him so much?  I think I need to reread the first book for that.
• I wanted to kick Marcie's bully bum (until the very end).  No spoilers here, but I am really looking forward to her story continuing in the next book. 
• Vee is major comic relief. I laughed at/with her so many times, but she did feel a bit hollow.  Like a side-kick, which I guess she is.  Still, I wanted to know more about her feelings, history, ect.
• Don't get me started on Nora's mom.  She has a lot of explaining to do in the next book. 

Yeah, the characters and plot aren't real life, but hey this is a fun fantasy story set in high school. In 'Hush, Hush' I groaned at the end; it was a bit much to take...somewhat overdone. However, this installment was much better that way. I read it in one day and didn't want to put it down.
(As of a month ago, Becca didn't know if book #3, "Tempest", will be the last book in the series)


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0 Mini-Shopping Spree

Yesterday I hopped on my favorite book-buying site ( www.half.com ) and got a bit out of control.  I ordered SEVEN books!  Granted they were all under a dollar each and from the same seller (Snow Lion Books).

I jumped on thinking of getting the 3 books in the 'These is my Words' series, but #2 & 3 couldn't be found for CHEAP.  'The Help' wasn't cheap either.  I'll have to check back another day.

It makes me SICK to see that the shipping cost triple the price of the books.  I just have to tell myself that I got 7 books for $21, or $3 each. That less then anywhere except the Jenson Book Warehouse (which I need to post about).

 

     Fever 1793                                                 1    $0.75

     These is My Words                                     1    $0.88

     The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel...     1    $0.75

     Gathering Blue (Readers Circle)                   1    $0.75

     Emma (Penguin Classics)                             1    $0.75

     Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1)                       1    $0.75

     Eldest (Inheritance, Book 2)                        1    $0.75     ____________________________________________

     Subtotal:                                           $5.38

     Shipping:                                           $15.93

     Order Total:                                        $21.31

Oh, and 'Eragon' and 'Eldest'  are even hardbacks to match book #3 that I already have!

0 {A} MAGIC OR MADNESS SERIES, #1-3 of 3 – by Justine Larbalestier

 

by Justine Larbalestier

 

#1) Magic or Madness,   #2) Magic Lessons,    #3) Magic's Child     

I really enjoyed the Australian slang the author uses for the appropriate character's voice. It also tickled me that the main character is a math prodigy. Even though the magic is fantasy, the characters feel real. They are flawed in ways that real people are. I really liked that this trilogy has a start, middle, and end. So many series don't ever seem to end, they just drag our the middle. I'd definitely have all three books lined up before starting on the first.

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0 {A-} The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner Series , #2 of 3)- by James Dashner

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

WOW! This series is intense! Intense like 'Hunger Games.' I'm AGAIN waiting for a book #3. I do not like cliff hangers that last a year plus. If you liked Hunger Games, pick this up too. I'll lend you books #1 & 2


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2 I am cheap!

This is the second episode in a series called 'I'm cheap'.  Click on the tab at the top labeled "I'm cheap" to see the all such episodes summarized plus links.


My favorite place to buy books online is " www.half.com ."  You can find almost any book every published from the comfort of your own computer.  Best of all, most books that have been out for a while can be purchased for $0.75!  Amazing!!!

But, wait you say.  There must be a catch.  You are right.  Its call 'shipping and handling'.  Not only do you have the WAIT for your books, but you have to PAY a bunch to get them to your house.  How much?  Well about $4 per book.  The good news is that if you can find books from the same seller/shipper you only pay $4 for the first book and about $2 for each additional book (paperback are a bit less than hardback).  So if you have several books you want and you can find them for cheap AND from the same shipper you can still get a great deal.

This means I have to watch out because once I get a book form a seller, it is easy to add additional books at about $3 each.  Sounds cheap, but it adds up in a hurry when your "to buy" list is as long as mine.

Oh,  and there is a new feature called "Buying Wizard". I LOVE it!!!  Instead of adding books to your cart, you click on the 'buying wizard' button in blue right under the picture of the book.  You set the minimum condition you are willing to accept (I always go for 'good+') and the minimum seller feedback (l use the default of '100+' and '98%+).  You can continue shopping and add all the books you are interested in (up  to 10, I think) and then click 'find deal'.  The computer will find the best deal, as in TOTAL COST:  price + shipping', by trying to use the same shipper, as much as possible.  I like to do this if I'm looking for a series.   Once I have added my selected books to my cart, I click on the seller's name and SEARCH THEIR SHOP to see if there are any $0.75 books I want.  The name of the game is to reduce shipping costs.




Example 1: New series by Becca Fitzpatrick

#1 Hush, Hush  (out for about a year)  about $4 for hardback or paperback
#2 Crescendo (out THIS week) listed for $10+

So that would be $14+ + $6 s&h = MORE THAN  $20 for 2 books.  
I could probably pick them up locally for about the same amount and not have to wait.




Example 2: My most recent purchase on half, 
I was looking for the magic trilogy by Justine Larbalestier

#1 -  Magic of Madness  (paperback) $0.75 + 3.49 s&h
#2 - Magic Lessons (paperback)  $0.75 + 1.89 s&h
#3 - Magic's Child  (paperback)  $0.75 + 1.89 s&h
The Scarlet Pimpernel  (paperback)  $0.75 + 1.89 s&h

Total = $12.16 for 4 books, not bad - and they were all in fab conditions, listed as 'good' condition.

0 {A-} The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1 of 3+) - by Carrie Ryan

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

WOW! This is one intense book!!! I was impressed at how much I like a book about zombies. The characters are well depicted. The main character is so flawed, but that is life. Life is hard and sometimes we make the wrong choices. Book #2 is actually out now, but I'll probably wait to read it till February when it comes out in paperback. Darn that OCD thing about having a series either all in hard back or all in hardback.

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0 {B+} The Diamond of Darkhold (The Ember Series, #4 of 4) - by Jeanne DuPrau

The Diamond of Darkhold (The Ember Series, #4) by Jeanne DuPrau


It was good to get back to the characters from books #1-2. The characters were true to themselves and I enjoyed seeing how things ended up. I really appreciate a complete ending to a book. Nice way to end it all.


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0 {C+}The Prophet of Yonwood (The Ember Series, #3 of 4)- by Jeanne DuPrau

The Prophet of Yonwood (The Ember Series, #3) by Jeanne DuPrau

This is actually a prequel to the first book in the series, although the series stands alone without it just fine. It was an interesting story, but didn't seem to have much to do with the other books...which was disappointing to me. OCD me would never read the series without book #3, but you might want to.


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0 {B+} The People of Sparks (EMBER SERIES, #2 of 4) - by Jeanne DuPrau

The People of Sparks (The Ember Series, #2) by Jeanne DuPrau


This book is light, but deep. I really enjoyed it. I'm excited about the next two. Good stuff.


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0 {A} The City of Ember (EMBER SERIES, #1 of 4) - by Jeanne DuPrau

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

I really enjoyed reading this book. Even though the main characters are young (12-ish), the author doesn't treat the reader as juvenile. I like how the details were relieved. Even though it is set in the future, it feels like a classic. I finished this afternoon and launched right into the sequel. I'm glad I have all four books on hand since they are such quick reads.



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