Monday Meme Spotlight: Scare Factor

Some people like scary movies- and some people like scary books. Here are some scary, unique books that can make you shiver in the dead of night. 

172 Hours on the Moon- John Harstad- Okay, not a lot of people love this book as much as I do. I thought it was the perfect amount of scary and realistic, and the best part was that it was all scientific. It wasn't some supernatural force making things happen- there was a real explanation, and the most terrifying part was that if it really happened, no one would ever know. Click here to see what it's all about.

The Monstrumoslogist- Rick Yancey- Monsters are real. At least they are in this twisted historical fiction novel, the first in a series of four. The first installment focuses on hideous creatures that roam the countryside at night, destructive, terrifying monsters that can't be caught. Until the Monstrumologist takes it into his head to study them, anyway. To see what happens, click here and get the book. 

The Forest of Hands and Teeth- Carrie Ryan- Mind the Fence. Don't venture into the forest- dangerous things lurk there. But as secrets come to light, you might find that all is not as it seems....Click here to unravel the mystery in the first book in the trilogy.

So if you like to be scared, if you like some terror in your reading life, pick up one of these- you'll be sure to enjoy it! And remember what to do if you're nervous:

Monday Meme Spotlight: Short Story Collections

     Sometimes you just don't have the time or the mental awareness to wade through a whole novel. Or maybe you just find that long books get too detailed- you want the action, and you want it now! In that case, short stories are for you! There are innumerable short stories floating around out there, and sometimes, publishers will kindly tie them up in a collection of similarly-themed stories by well-known authors.  Here are a few examples. 

1. Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd- Full of nerd culture references and fun illustrations, these short stories (by such authors as Cassandra Clare, John Green, and Scott Westerfeld) take a fun, lighthearted approach to a movement that is ever growing in the new generation. From comic-con to MMORPGs, this collection is a fun, easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Here's a link to hold a library copy.

2. Corsets and Clockwork- Featuring 13 steampunk stories by such authors as Ann Aguirre and Maria Snyder, this collection is perfect for the history buff who likes a little bit of a twist in their stories. No matter who you are, these action-filled tales of airships and super-technology will satisfy your desire for a quick read. Here's the link to the library copy.

3. Zombies v. Unicorns- For the fantasy lover inside of you, here's a collection of fantastic, outlandish stories that portray the pros and cons of being Team Zombie or Team Unicorn. Featuring stories by Maureen Johnson, Carrie Ryan, and Meg Cabot, this anthology edited by Holly Black is a daring exposé that reveals the truth about how some of our favorite authors feel! 

So whether you're looking for a fun, light read or you're trying to decide what mythical creature to support, expand your world with some short stories and see what happens!

Monday Meme Spotlight: Can't-Wait Summer Releases

  And so I will. Continuing the theme of summer reading (speaking of which- the library's theme for Summer Reading Club is superheroes- be sure to keep an eye out for the signup openings!) my spotlight this week is on books I'm excited for this summer. By 'summer' I mean books released in June through August, even though some of these are technically released in 'spring'. So here are a few I can't wait for (but believe me- there are loads more).

1. Daughter of Deep Silence- Carrie Ryan, 2 June 2015: Just thinking about this book makes me excited. I read Ryan's other series, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, but zombie books aren't really my cup of tea. The writing, however, was fantastic. Ryan is a great storyteller, and Daughter of Deep Silence is exactly the kind of book a like. A mysterious thriller with high stakes and a deadline, this is going to be one for the ages, I'm sure. The library has ordered this one already, so you can put a hold on it  here.

2. The Devil You Know- Trish Doller, 2 June 2015: Another mystery, another thriller this is the newest release from an author I really enjoy. What starts out as a fun camping trip turns deadly when one of the campers turns out to have murderous intentions. Doller's books are concise, well-written, and always interesting, and this thriller has gotten my attention already.

3. Silver in the Blood- Jessica Day George, 7 July 2015: Two of my favorite things are combined in this novel from a proven author- luxurious 1800s history and family secrets. This family's secret is that they're shape-shifters. There are a lot of books that sounds like they're similar, but usually they're set in modern times, and if they aren't, the shifters are treated as outcasts, or put themselves in that position. In this novel, they're powerful families, society's elite. And I can't wait to read all about it.
   

4. The Summer of Chasing Mermaids- Sarah Ockler, (another) 2 June 2015: I saved the best for last. I adore Sarah Ockler- she's one of my absolute favorite authors, and it takes a lot to make it onto that list. This novel especially makes my heart seize up when I think about it, because just the premise is so...different. Different setting, different circumstances, a different perspective- the only thing that isn't different is the knowledge that you will have a happy ending (and as a big believer in that, I simply cannot wait until June).
    
     So this is just four of many, many books that I can't wait to get my hands on. For more highly-anticipated books, make sure you check back every Wednesday for kwatanabe's Waiting on Wednesday selection- she has great taste, and her top picks are usually books I'm really excited for, too. So keep on waiting for the warm weather and the delectable summer releases.
  
      Patience is a virtue, so they say.

Book Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Gabry lives in the protected town of Vista with her mother, Mary. She has always known safety in her small quiet town until one night when she and some of her friends decide to cross the barrier that protects Vista from the Mudo, the walking dead, on the outside. Although Gabry doesn’t want to cross the barrier she goes anyway to win the love of her best friend’s brother, Catcher. Only things don’t turn out as the teens expect, and when tragedy strikes, Gabry would give anything to go back to that moment before she crossed the barrier.

This sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth was exciting and action packed. There were times when my heart was racing because I didn’t know what would happen next. This book was so unpredictable, the narrator so indecisive that I had no clue where the book would take me next. I liked Gabry, but felt that she needed to reevaluate some of the choices she has made. She finds herself facing danger around every turn as her once quiet and safe life unravels around her. But it is her decision making (whether good or bad) that makes this novel such an unpredictable delight.

Cautions for sensitive readers: There is quite a bit of violence in this book. There is no language or sex.

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Book Review: Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book is a hard one for me to review. There are parts of the book that I found intriguing, but there were times that I felt that that main character was exceedingly annoying and whiny. I guess to answer the question of whether or not I liked this book I should ask myself another question, am I willing to read the sequel Dead Tossed Waves. Surprisingly my answer is yes, I definitely want to read the sequel. I want to know what is going on. There were too many secrets in this book that were never unraveled, I hope the author will give us some of those answers in Dead Tossed Waves.

Mary lives in a village surrounded by high fences that are the only protection they have against the Unconsecrated, beings who have risen from death and hunger for human flesh—yes zombies. When her mother becomes one of the Unconsecrated, Mary’s life begins to fall apart. Her brother, angry that she let her mother become one of the walking dead, sends Mary to the Sisterhood where she is to become one of the sisters instead of getting married. Inside the walls of the Cathedral where the Sisters dwell Mary learns that both the Sisters and the Guardians have been keeping secrets from the people. They know more about what causes the Unconsecrated to return than what they have let on, and they know the secret that somewhere beyond the Forest of Hands and Teeth there may be others living. Mary’s one dream has been to see the ocean her mother spoke about, but trapped behind fences and by the confines of her society, she fears she will never see what is beyond the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

This book was intriguing. Sometimes you could really feel how trapped Mary felt she was by both the Sisterhood and her brother. Sometimes she gets a little too obsessive and unpredictable, but that can make her an interesting narrator. I did get frustrated with her obsession over Travis, despite his being taken by someone else.

Recommended.

Cautions for Sensitive Readers: This book can be violent and gory at times, but is definitely worth reading.

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