The Sugar Queen

Besides buying some of the candy mentioned in the book (Cow Tales, Bit-O-Honey, Caramel Creams, Chick-O-Stick), I cut up Little Debbie swiss rolls *Mmm* and I made peppermint meringue. Since I didn’t have any travel magazines I gathered together the fashion mags I had on hand and a few Kristan Higgins contemporary romance novels (and Garden Spells).

I was nervous we wouldn’t have enough questions or topics to fill the time but my worries were unfounded. We all know each other so well so it was easy for everyone to have a chance to speak and I was able to ask all the questions I had planned on and more. Although there were two people who disliked the book, the majority really liked it.

There’s a Book Club page on Sarah Addison Allen‘s website. I hope that some of our photos will be posted there.

Although I’ve already read them, here is a few of the other upcoming book club titles I’m excited about: The Blue Castle, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. It’s going to be a good inaugural year.

Scarlet caught me off guard. I’m not a die-hard fan of Robin Hood by any means so I wasn’t sure what my reaction would be to this latest retelling. Admittedly after rather happily being approved on Netgalley I didn’t rush to pick it up. Again, I’m finding myself regretting my hesitation, because Scarlet was more than I could’ve hoped for.

Entertaining from the first page, I loved Scarlet for a myriad of reasons, the first for Scarlet herself. She is such a strong protagonist, a fact that is sure to polarize readers. But I absolutely adored her for the fierce, unapologetic way she conducts her life. The pain of her past is hers alone and only under extenuating circumstances will she disclose why she ran and why she robs the rich to feed the poor. I respected her pride and found her secrecy true to life. Besides the immediate connection I felt to her, Scarlet charmed me with her – ahem – more amoral skills. An excellent liar, a deadly knife thrower, and a vicious hand-to-hand fighter, Scarlet is one part fearless urban fantasy heroine and another part Megan Whelan Turner thief. Being a girl has no bearing on her integral place in the Hood, and I enjoyed the dynamic she brought to the band and her at times uneasy relationships with both John and Robin. So much is said in the pregnant pauses and meaningful glances between Scarlet and Robin – just how I like it. Add the characterization to the romance and the perfectly paced and spaced prison-breaks, roadside thieving, and character-driven scenes and Scarlet is a near flawless Robin Hood retelling. I hope AC Gaughen has something else up her sleeve because I can’t wait to read it.

Second Opinions
Angieville Review
Bibliophilic Monologues Review
Dear Author Review
Lauren’s Crammed Bookshelf Review
Mundie Moms Review
See Michelle Read Review
The Allure of Books Review

Onto more bookish topics, this year I’m quickly becoming a big fan of read alongs. After doing my first last November, I’ve done four total read alongs so far. My newest is the Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell read along hosted at Iris on Books. A whopping 1024 pages in the hardback, I’ve understandably avoided it for years despite the wonderful things I’ve heard about this 19th century British tome about magicians. Best of all, it’s not too late to sign up! Iris has set a timetable for reading each volume. The deadline for the first volume is February 22. That gives you a whole week to read it if anyone’s interested. I’m so excited to finally be reading this book.

I also wanted to spread the word about the North and South Celebration over at Melanie’s Musings, which started yesterday and runs through February 24. I was thrilled when I happened to come across Melanie’s blog for the first time on the day she’d announced the feature. If you’re a fan of the book and/or mini-series it’s not to be missed. (And there’s a giveaway!) John Thornton aka Richard Armitage FTW!

And lastly, Happy Book Birthday to Scarlet by AC Gaughen! I just finished this YA Robin Hood retelling over the weekend and surprisingly it’s quite an appropriate read for Valentine’s Day. You know, if you like thievery and knifes and a little blood and pain with your romance. Review to follow.

With multi-platinum records, a celebrity girlfriend, and fame galore, rocker Adam Wilde appears to have it all. But from the surface no one would know how close he is to unraveling. He is addicted to a myriad of substances and his relationship with the band is strained to the point that they don’t even stay in the same hotels.  These pale in comparison to the root of the problem, the absence of Mia in his life. For all he can see, it seems as if Mia hasn’t blinked in the three years they’ve been apart. Studying at Julliard while her concert-career takes off, she’s probably too busy and too happy in her success to miss him. But when Adam and Mia are reunited in New York, they are forced to confront what staying has cost each of them, and where they’ve been. Maybe twenty-four hours is all they needed for closure from the past and hope for the future.

In all honesty I didn’t rush out to read Where She Went after I finished If I Stay (my review). As fitting as the ending was to Mia’s ordeal, I wasn’t sure where her story could go that would satisfy ending on the note that it did, at the beginning of a path of grief and pain. But just knowing the sequel was out there with a possible happy ending for these characters was irresistible. Even if it wasn’t the ending I envisioned I had to know anyway, especially in light of the glowing reviews and better-than-the-first declarations in the blogosphere. I’m very glad that I eventually picked it up – if I had known what I was missing, I would have regretted not doing so.

There is something to say about quick reads that have substance; but whether it was quick or slow, heavy or light, I could not put down Gayle Forman’s Where She Went. The spare prose is even more sure of itself here, with the narration switching to Adam after such a dramatic turn of events. And with the exceptional characterization on display I could not be more captivated. Broken and messed up as he is, I may like Adam more than Mia in If I Stay if only for how his whole soul is laid out. Ms. Forman spares us nothing. In his unhappiness, Adam’s behavior is ugly at times, from lashing out at reporters to chewing out his band mates and simply being a privileged jerk. Anyone can see that he just needs love and friendship, so you can’t hate him for his actions. I loved him all the more for what he’s gone through and how he’s grown up. For all the information given for where Adam has been, we offered about the opposite for Mia. Yes, she’s been beyond busy studying at Julliard, practicing, and traveling around the world performing, but where has she been emotionally? I would have appreciated some of the novel written from her perspective. As it is, it seemed out of character for her to drop Adam the way she does without further explanation. Nevertheless, it’s hard to judge the girl after all she has lost. The ease of the solution seemed to fit the heartbreaking circumstances. After reading the ending I happily flipped back to reread those quiet, intimate moments at Mia’s apartment that made my heart palpitate. Both If I Stay and Where She Went are beautifully written novels that will do just about anything that can be done to your heart. A worthy sequel, Where She Went is recommended for fans of contemporary YA.

Second Opinions
Angieville Review
Good Books and Good Wine Review
It’s All About Books Review
One More Page Review
Rhapsody in Books Reviews (If I Stay & Where She Went)
Savvy Verse & Wit Review

I don’t know if anyone’s noticed but in an attempt to make a noticeable dent in the TBR pile I’ve been mostly MIA online in the past few weeks. I’ve read five books in the last ten days, so in part I’ve succeeded. And while I feel the happiness of the accomplishment and have enjoyed reading almost exclusively in my free time, I’ve missed spending time on my favorite social networking sites and interacting with others online, which is something I can only properly do at night after the kids are in bed. I’m not sure how I can overcome the dilemma and find the perfect balance of reading and blogging/being online. Some nights I know that if I let myself turn on my laptop to do “one” thing online, ten plus little things and three hours later it will be time for bed and I will be too tired to read more than a few pages. Lately to combat this I usually take the extreme route and not go online at all.

Between reading, being online, and blogging, how do you balance it all? Does anyone set time restraints or other guidelines? (For example, some previously unwritten rules for me: no Pinterest, which can be the biggest time suck of all, and Tumblr only rarely or sparingly.) Lol, I know this is not supposed to be a science, but I would love your suggestions. I want to read more books than I read last year. Maybe I just need to be less indulgent and have more self-control.

It’s been awhile since I’ve wanted to kick myself for not reading a book sooner but I’m more than happy to report that the self-published Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park has broken that streak. After reading Julie’s sarcastic and witty reaction to finding a burrito restaurant instead of an apartment I had a good feeling about how I’d like her story, a premonition proven correct as I read on. A bit of a closet nerd myself, I immediately connected to Julie, who always felt like a black sheep in high school and hid how much she liked studying. With that in mind it shouldn’t come as a surprise that meeting tall, blond, and nerdy-and-proud-of-it Matt was love at first sight for me. Their witty intellectual banter (especially the math-related quips) scattered throughout the book charmed and entertained me to no end. The snappy dialogue also translated unexpectedly well in the Facebook status updates, messages, and chats between Julie and Finn. Admittedly I was in danger of overdosing on smart talk – really, was Julie capable of saying anything without sarcasm or wit? – so I was relieved when Finn and Julie’s conversations took an appropriately more serious tone in the latter half of the book. I also enjoyed getting to know Celeste, whose vulnerability and obsessive compulsions are both heartbreaking and endearing. The development of her sister-like relationship with Julie is sweet to watch. I may have figured out the family secret before Julie did but my knowing did not detract from the emotion-rent reading experience. There is deep heartache but there is also such happiness and rewarding romance in Flat-Out Love which make it a complete joy to read. I smiled, I chuckled, I grieved, and I sighed. I love it without reserve and hope my unabashed enthusiasm will help it find new readers.

Flat-Out Love is available in ebook format for $2.99 and also in paperback. There is an interactive, enhanced edition coming out this spring in an app for iPod, iPad, and iPhone. To watch a preview, back the project or sign up for updates, click here and here.

Second Opinions
Angieville Review
Chachic’s Book Nook Review
Janicu’s Book Blog Review
One More Page Review
Proud Book Nerd Review
Rather Be Reading Review

Filled with mystery, romance, and the supernatural, The Raven Boys introduces readers to Richard “Dick” Campbell Gansey, III and Blue Sargent. Gansey has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on the hunt to find Glendower, a vanished Welsh king. Legend has it that the first person to find him will be granted a wish—either by seeing him open his eyes, or by cutting out his heart.

Blue Sargent, the daughter of the town psychic in Henrietta, Virginia, has been told for as long as she can remember that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die. But she is too practical to believe in things like true love. Her policy is to stay away from the rich boys at the prestigious Aglionby Academy. The boys there—known as Raven Boys—can only mean trouble. When Gansey and his Raven Boy friends come into her life, Blue realizes how true this is. She never thought her fortune would be a problem. But she was wrong.

Sounds cool, right? Add that to my love for all of Stiefvater’s novels and this is in my cart faster than you can you say preorder. I think I may have to go the signed/doodled route this time and preorder through Fountain Bookstore. The Raven Boys is the first book in a four-book series and releases on September 18. Cannot wait!

I waited far too long to pick up this or any of Sarah Addison Allen’s books, but I’m so glad I finally did. All of my best blogging buddies and their dogs have read it already (see below), and since there was not a ho-hum or negative reaction among them, I was never worried about my own response. I told myself I was just waiting for the right time, but I let all these other books get in the way. It took me until my newly formed family book club chose it for its inaugural meeting, but honestly? At this point I have no regrets – I do enough self-punishing in other areas of my life. I am simply too busy being happy to finally know what everyone’s been talking about, pleased in The Sugar Queen and already anticipating reading SAA’s entire backlist as soon as possible.

I find it ironic that what interested me the most yet made me most skeptical of in SAA books – the magic realism – fit seamlessly. Chloe’s books and Josey’s red cardigan seemed to be naturally-occurring parts of their personalities. It was the initial setup that rang a little unrealistic to me. How could anyone in reality be so trapped at twenty-seven and feel so indebted to their mother that they had never moved out and had never had a real life of their own? It seemed too pathetic to be true. But Josey is not pathetic, not at all, and as you slowly get the pieces that make up the complicated relationship she has with her mother you begin to understand Josey’s slave-like commitment to her. Continuing on that honest note I did find it a little a lot strange that anyone would break into the Cirrini house and live in Josey’s closet for more than a night or two, but as time goes on (of course!) I found my doubts utterly unfounded. Doubts and lengthy tangents aside, the sharp yet warm writing won me over from the first chapter as I connected immediately to Josey and Della Lee. There were enough pages with quotes I wanted to remember so I actually jotted the page numbers down as I read, which I rarely do. Of course this makes choosing a passage to share all the more difficult. I finally settled on an early exchange between Josey and Della Lee:

“So who is he?” Della Lee asked from the closet.

“Excuse me?”

“The man you ran out of here to see.”

Josey immediately sat up straighter. She put the catalog on the desk and opened it, startled. How on earth did she know that? “I don’t know what you mean.”

Della Lee was silent for a while as Josey ate cookies and pretended to look at the catalog. “It feels like he’s taken your heart, doesn’t it?” Della Lee finally said. “Like he’s reached in and pulled it from you. And I bet he smiles like he doesn’t know, like he doesn’t know he’s holding your heart in his hand and you’re dying from him.”

It was the truest, purest, saddest thing she had ever heard spoken. It was like hearing gospel for the first time, how it shocked you, how it made you afraid because you thought no one could see inside you. Josey leerily turned to look at Della Lee.

“You’re wondering how I know. Girls like us, when we love, it takes everything we have. Who is he?”

“Like I would tell you.”

Ah, the truth in such statements; the words struck me in the most comforting way. I’m not sure if any of the subtle touches of magic in The Sugar Queen or frankly any of Sarah Addison Allen’s novels can come close to topping Chloe’s power of summoning any book out of thin air, just when she needs it, to have it reappear at home, at work, or at a restaurant if she’s ignoring it. This is a book lover’s dream. What a way of having your books always with you. From the writing to Chloe and Jake’s troubled relationship and the twist ending, everything about this book ended up coming through for me in spades. As novels set in small towns aspire, The Sugar Queen was a cozy read full of flawed yet likable and real characters, sweet romances, and a charming North Carolina town. You’ll be rooting for them all to find their own little corner of happiness while enjoying the magic of appearing books, inexplicable boiling water, and the smell of peppermint oil. I cannot wait to settle in with another of Sarah Addison Allen’s books. Question is, which one?

Second Opinions
Angieville Review
Chachic’s Book Nook Review
Janicu’s Book Blog Review
One More Page Review

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren and was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. This meme is about books that you received or bought during the week.

It’s been a few months since I’ve done a IMM post, and while I haven’t bought many books in that time I’ve collected enough for a post.

Bought:
The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whelan Turner
Wolfskin by Juliet Marillier

For Review:
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
The Girl on the Cliff by Lucinda Riley

What have you gotten in the mail recently?

If you haven’t read the series yet (what are you waiting for?!), you can get The Thief right now for a mere $1.99 for Kindle or Nook.

The Queen’s Thief series:
The Thief
The Queen of Attolia (my review)
The King of Attolia (my review)
A Conspiracy of Kings (my review)