CATCHING FIRE

Book Number Two for

the R.I.P. Book Challenge

CATCHING FIRE

by Suzanne Collins

2009

Young Adult

Catching Fire is the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. The story picks up where the last one left us. After Peeta and Katniss have both been crowned victors they return to District 12 to try to put their lives back together. But Katniss quickly learns that life will never be the same for her or the ones she loves. Her single act of rebellion in the games, which kept her and Peeta alive has sparked a fire in the people. Now President Snow wants revenge and plans to use Peeta and Katniss as pawns during the Hunger Games Victory Tour. But as they travel to the districts that surround the Capitol they begin to understand that the unrest is not just in District 12, the other districts are also showing signs of rebellion and turmoil.

Something big is coming and Katniss know her life will never be the same. Should she take her family and run for safety or should she stay and fight for the only chance of freedom they may ever have?

I admit I was a little worried that the sequel might not live up to The Hunger Games. It happens with movies and albums all the time-the dreaded sophomore slump. Well I'm happy to say, have no fear, no slump here! The action, intensity and emotion kicks off at page one and doesn't let go.

At the end of the book I had two reactions-despair that I'll now have to wait for the third book to find out what happens to the people I have grown to love and hate. The second was to pick up the phone and schedule a massage because the book is that intense. Loved it and I can't wait to go for another ride!!

This book is recommended for readers 14 and up due to to violence.

Salmon Public Library has this book as well as the Hunger Games.

By The Way.....

Kelley Armstrong author of The Summoning and The Awakening has a monthly give away contest on her website- www.kelleyarmstrong.com
You can win a signed copy of one of her novels by entering your name and email.
It doesn't get any easier than that!

The Summoning

My First Book for the R.I.P. Book Challenge

Drum Roll Please........

The Summoning

by Kelley Armstrong

July 2008

Young Adult

Chloe Saunders just had a really bad day. On her way to class she suddenly develops the ability to see and hear dead people. After one ghost chases her through the halls she freaks out. She is sedated, sent to a hospital, and enrolled in a group home for troubled teens.

Soon Chloe realizes that nothing is as it seems at the Lyle House, where the dead continue to try to speak to her and her room mates have special talents of their own.

But as her housemates each reveal the powers they possess(Super strength, spell casting, starting fires and moving things) Chloe must figure out who she can trust and who has an agenda of their own.

This fast paced thriller is filled with horror, suspense, mystery, conspiracy and a little romance.

The paranormal plot kept me turning the pages as quickly as possible and the little twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat.

The book leaves the door wide open for the sequel called The Awakening which I will definitely read.

I recommend this book for readers 12 and up. This book is not available at the Salmon Public Library but I would be more than happy to get it for you through an Inter Library Loan.

Book Blogger Appreciation Week!

Ya! Book Blogger Appreciation Week!

To celebrate I recently participated in a book blogger interview swap.


I met a super fun blogger/writer from Melbourne Australia who introduced me to a whole new YA genre! She has a bit of a fascination with dystopia- which I'll admit I had to break out my trusty Websters to find the definition for. I LOVE her blog which features reviews on Young Adult Books involving Fantasy, Dystopia and Paranormal Stuff. I find her reviews humorous, insightful and full of information. In fact, I added a few of her favorites to my TBR pile. With her vast knowledge of zombies I think she would be a great person to have around if the undead decide to reek havoc on the living.

So with out further ado I would like to introduce my new friend and fellow blogger Rhiannon Hart. Check out her awesome blog at http://www.rhiannon-hart.blogspot.com/

Here are a few questions I was dying(no pun intended) to ask her.

Q:What made you decide to start a book blog? Did you stumble on one and like the idea, introduced by a friend, etc?
A:I started a book blog because I discovered all the fantastic blogs out there and I just had to join in!

Q:What's up with the dystopia facination/obsession?
A:I love these books because they resemble our own world, but things have gone drastically wrong. They have such heroic narratives, too.

Q:Give me the title of one book I have to absolutely read or you will lose sleep tonight.
A:Ah, the pressure! I'd have to say The Hunger Games if you haven't already, because you're a librarian and should give it to the kids.

Q:What genre makes you want to stick a fork in your eye and twist?
A:Actually, jazz music! I know it's a type of music and not a genre of books, but I really can't stand it!

Q:What do you do in real life, besides blog, read and prepare for the end?
A:I write fiction, I work as a book publicist, go dancing and go out for dinners with friends and the boy. I try, unsuccessfully, to keep my apartment clean too, but I miserably fail.

Q:Does your family read your blog?
A:My dad is a follower! I'm not sure if he keeps up though.

Q:Where is your favorite place to read?
A:On the couch in my living room. The light is good and it's comfy. Plus I can talk to my boy as he wanders by to go to the kitchen--I always want to know when someone's eating something!

Q:Nuclear blast! Get to a shelter fast! Which favorite five books are you taking with you?A:PANIC!! Ooh, ooh ---Jane Eyre! Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klaus, the next Patrick Ness, the next Maria V. Snyder and The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss cos it looks so damned good.

Q:If you could read yourself into any book, which one would it be?
A:Books are horrible places to be! Bad things keep happening! But I'd love to be Daine in Tamora Pierce's The Immortals quartet.

Q:What is the most unexpected consequence of blogging been?
A:Shirking writing my novel...bad blogger!

Q:Zombies are attacking! What is the worst book you have ever read that you would use to throw or beat them with?
A:Madame Bovary! BORING. A hardback edition, natually, for the best beating.

Q:Which book are you dying(no pun intended) to see made into a movie?
A:I can't wait for World War Z (if the rumours are true, then next year!) and Tomorrow When the War Began, which is also 2010.

Thanks Rhiannon for the opportunity to interview you! Check out my answers to her questions on her blog http://www.rhiannon-hart.blogspot.com/

Ranger's Apprentice- The Ruins of Gorlan

Ranger's Apprentice

Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan

By John Flanagan



Will has been waiting for this day all his life. Choosing Day, when a fifteen year old makes the decision of which vocation he will belong to for the rest of his life. Will is an orphan who decided long ago to become a knight and hero like his father before he died. His hopes and dreams suddenly veer off course when he is chosen to join the mysterious Ranger Corp instead. He reluctantly goes with Halt his new master to learn the ways of a Ranger.
The first part of the story concentrates on the training of Will and his relationship with Halt.
There are also interesting side stories involving the kids Will grew up with in the orphanage that are now trying to learn their own vocations. The author pays special attention to character development in his story, which makes the reader really care about Will and his friends.
The second part of the story picks up speed as the kingdom comes under attack by magic evil forces. It's now up to Will to track and defeat the enemy of the kingdom before a war is started.
A great fantasy story for readers 10 and up. This book is the first in a series of six that revolve around Will and his adventures.
I usually recommend this book to readers who love Lord of the Rings but might be intimidated by the size of the J.R.R. Tolkein books. I have had both boys and girls rave about this series.
This book is available for check out at the Salmon Public Library.

Cirque Du Freak-A Living Nightmare

Cirque Du Freak

A Living Nightmare

By Darren Shan

Darren Shan is just a normal boy living a normal life. He plays soccer, has a great group of friends and gets along with his parents and little sister Annie. All that changes in the blink of an eye when one of his friends steals a flyer from an older brother advertising a freak show. Intrigued by the promises of the bearded lady, the wolf man and a snake boy the boys decide to sneak out and see the show at all costs.

What happens that night at the freak show will change their lives forever.

The story grabs you from the first chapter when the narrator tells you that his name isn't really Darren Shan.

This is a true story. I don't expect you to believe me-I wouldn't believe it myself if I hadn't lived it-but it is. Everything I describe in this book happened, just as I tell it.

Everything in this book is true, except for names. I've had to change them because...well, by the time you get to the end, you'll understand.

I thought this book was great. It had me from the first chapter and kept me going to the very end. Boys will be delighted by the descriptions of the dark and mysterious freak show. It's a fast paced story that had me turning the pages to find out what happens to Darren next.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series, The Vampire's Assistant which will also be coming to theaters next month. I'm sure there will be special effects galore and Selma Hayek will be playing the bearded lady.

I recommend this book for readers 12 and up. There is a little blood and gore that goes along with any good vampire story. This book is available for check out at the Salmon Public Library.

A Book Challenge!!!!

R.I.P. Challenge IV
Hosting by Stainless Steel Droppings

Books in this challenge have to contain one of the following elements: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Gothic or Horror.
It's a perfect time to revisit the dark side. I have childhood memories of sneaking my mom's paperbacks of forbidden reads-It by Stephen King, Comes the Blind Fury by John Saul and Children in the Attic by V.C. Andrews. Books read under covers with a flashlight.... quiet as a mouse and the thrill of placing the books back undiscovered.
Things a person has to go through for an interesting book!






So I accept the challenge of 4 books by Oct. 31
here are my choices pulled from my TBR pile-
1. The Summoning-Kelley Armstrong
2. The Forest of Teeth and Hands-Carrie Ryan
3. The Vampire's Assistant-Darren Shan
4. Wake-Lisa McMann
5. Catching Fire-Suzanne Collins
6. Blue Bloods-Melissa de la Cruz
I threw a couple extra in there just in case! I do a lot of traveling to watch my son play football and the car is a perfect place to read.
Wish me luck! Of course I plan to review each book I finish, so stay tuned!

Vampire Kisses

Vampire Kisses

By Ellen Schreiber

Young Adult

Raven is a goth girl stuck in Dullsville(Her description of her small town- It's bigger than a small cave, but small enough to feel claustrophobic)She's a self imposed outcast with a huge obsession for vampires and the dark side. She hates her school, her parents and her little brother who she calls nerd boy. She has one friend named Becky, a farm girl who she protects from the bullies at school. Raven longs for something exciting to happen in her small town. But Raven should be careful what she wishes for.

Chapter Four-

The most exciting things to happen in Dullsville in my lifetime in chronological order:

1. The 3:10 train jumped it's tracks, spilling boxes of tootsie rolls, which we devoured.

2. A senior flushed a cherry bomb down the toilet, exploding the sewage line, closing school for a week.

3. On my sixteenth birthday a family rumored to vampires moved into the haunted Mansion on top of Benson Hill.

I would recommend this book for readers 12 and older. This is the first book in a series. It is available for check out at the Salmon Public Library.

Coming soon to a theater near you!

It's always interesting when you see a favorite book on the big screen. Sometimes it turns into a horrible movie(The Cat in the Hat with Jim Carrey was just creepy in my opinion) and other times it feels magical.(Lord of the Rings)

The old classic Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak will hit movie theaters next month on October 16th. It was directed by Spike Jonze and according to rumor the victim of rewrites, reshoots and crying children at early screenings. So we will see.....

Cirque Du Freak-A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan is the first book in a series that was published almost ten years ago. The movie is the title of the second book in the series called The Vampire's Assistant. It will be in theaters on Oct. 23. The preview looked great, very creepy and will no doubt pull many teenage boys into the theater. I'm currently reading

A Living Nightmare which kicks the series off, I'll be reviewing it in a few days.