Just grab your current read, open to a random page, and share a few "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
(hosted at Should Be Reading)

“By the time he'd finished reading the notebook, Jack's cigarette was little more than a tube of ash. He stubbed the remains out on his boot-heel.
<<Is it him?>> he asked.
Tzu-lu was so surprised at hearing a white man speak Chinese that he very nearly missed what came next.
from chapter 1 of Year of the Horse by Justin Allen

Still not sure what to make of this yet, but I'm looking forward to the Chinese Western vibes, a la Firefly (w/o the sci-fi) 8D

A weekly event to celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week.
(hosted weekly by Book Journey)

Completed Last Week

1. Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
   Another #1
    (audio book read by Katherine Kellgren)

Plan to Read This Week

• Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
• Year of the Horse by Justin Allen

Still Reading

• Soulless by Gail Carriger
  Parasol Protectorate #1
• Poison Sleep by T.A. Pratt
  Marla Mason #2
• Nightlife by Rob Thurman
  Cal Leandros #1
• Hunting Fear by Kay Hooper
  Bishop Special Crimes Unit #7
• Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman

New Reviews

• audio review: Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri

Weekly Summary

• 50 Followers Giveaway Winners!
  winners of my first ever giveaway!
• Teaser Tuesday: Soulless
• Wishlist Wednesday: Spellwright/Tome of the Undergates
• Cover Cravings #6: Eyes
• In My Mailbox 2010/03/07
  three signed books this week!
• award: Beautiful Blogger
  learn 7 things about me! 8D

Special Feature
Justin Allen, author of Year of the Horse, has contacted me and would like me to spread the word about a 3-part essay he is writing on the publishing industry and genre fiction. Below is a little excerpt he's sent me, and the full first part should be live at Sci-Fi Signal today at noon:

“For the Love of Pete, Don’t Mix Your Genres;
Or...The New York Times Book Review Hates YOU, but I Don’t;
Or...Why Where Your Book Gets Shelved Determines Your Intelligence, Work-Ethic and Value to Society
 That’s a longish title I’ll admit, and while I generally don’t go in for such larded vessels, in this case I’m willing to make an exception. Monstrous though it may seem (and most assuredly is), the above title sums up pretty much everything I have to say on the subjects of writing and publishing. The first line ought to be read as a word of warning to struggling writers. The second explains - in as much as an explanation of the unintelligible is even possible - why the publishing industry behaves as it does. And the third highlights our common enemy, which turns out to be ourselves.
 Really - if I must say so myself - that title is a wonder of economy, precision and restraint. But maybe you’d like me to elaborate? Normally I’d refuse - principally on the grounds that my arguments tend to be weakened by exploration - but as I have been contracted to provide a minimum of fifteen minutes of reading diversion, I will betray myself and attempt to explain...
Why Where Your Book Gets Shelved Determines Your Intelligence, Work-Ethic and Value to Society.

Another #1:
Another Faust
by Daniel & Dina Nayeri

One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish - only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange and
elegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the city's most prestigious high school, where they soar to suspicious heights with the help of their benefactor's extraordinary "gifts."
But as the students claw their way up - reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty - the side-effects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins.

Why I Read This
I have never read the full text of the original Faust, but I've heard the story and this new interpretation of it sounded quite interesting. I also do love sibling banter and the tragedy of power theme.

First Lines

Five Years Previously
London
Victoria didn’t have time to play. She didn’t have time for friends or laughing or jumping or any other thing little kids do. Victoria was ten, but she didn’t like ten-year-olds. At all the London dinner parties, her job was to shut up and look well-behaved for the adults. She would sit in a big plush armchair, her feet barely touching the floor, and she would pick the petals off a bouquet of blue hydrangeas in a nearby vase. She would quietly brood as she watched the adults circle the room, drink tea or cocktails, and comment on the sculptures in the foyer.

☂☂☂☂

An amazing tale wrought out of teenage desires fulfilled and tested, complicated character dynamics, and the cruel consequences of desperation. It is hard to watch the teens grow more obsessed and dependent on their powers, at the same time alienating themselves and hiding behind their cruelty. The twists and turns in the last few chapters delves further into that overhead question of willing sacrifice versus coming to peace with oneself, culminating in what I choose to believe as an ending open for interpretation.
The narrator breathes a vibrant and colourful life into the story through her amazing range of accents for each character, major or minor, it is easy to overlook the sometimes underwhelming writing.

review posted to Amazon.ca, Book Depository, goodreads, LibraryThing, Shelfari

A big thanks to Amanda of Daydreams and Wanderings for this flattering award!

1. Thank and link to the person that gave you the award.

2. Pass this award on to 15 bloggers you've recently discovered and whom you think are fantastic.

3. Contact said Blogs to let them know they've won.

4. State 7 Things about yourself!

Seven Things:
o1. I do not own a book shelf.
o2. I love broccoli and asparagus.
o3. I love trees, in the aesthetic sense.
o4. I spend 1/3 of every year in China.
o5. I speak English, Mandarin, a bit of Cantonese, and very basic Japanese.
o6. I've translated manga, movies, and variety shows from Japanese to English, as a hobby.
o7. I've just burnt a scar into my eyelid with a hairdryer *FAIL*

Blog Discoveries:
o1. Brooke Reviews
o2. Presenting Lenore
o3. adventures of cecelia bedelia
o4. Jo-Jo Loves to Read
o5. Steph Su Reads
o6. I Heart Monster
o7. Rex Robot Reviews
o8. vvb32 reads
o9. Ari @ Reading in Color
1o. Tarie @ Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind
11. Stephanie @ Juiciliciousss Reviews
12. Lori @ Escape Between the Pages
13. Cate @ Sparrow Review
14. Diana @ Stop, Drop, and Read!
15. Tiger @ All-Consuming Books

Each week I will post a list of the books I've borrowed, received, or bought. I will keep a weekly tally in each post, as well as a yearly one on the sidebar. All books with PoC themes/authors will be listed for the "New Crayons" meme.
All prices are listed in Canadian dollars.
(hosted weekly by The Story Siren / The Printed Page; New Crayons by Color Online)



Tally for 2010/03/07
Borrowed: 0
Received: 4
Bought: 0
Total Cost: $0.00