A weekly meme that asks bloggers to post their opinions on specific topics.
(hosted on Wordpress)

This week's topic: 2009 in Review

I started this blog in October after rediscovering my love of blogging and reading. I started hoarding books that caught my interest during the frequent visits Ah Yuan of GAL Novelty and I paid to the used and franchise bookstores when we met every month. I now have a sizable mountain of books on my desk (don't own a bookshelf) and frequently turn to books when I'm not watching Asian dramas or doing translations.

That said, I'm still quite slow in pushing out reviews and not quite "updated" in terms of the publication dates of books I read. It's mostly because I'm not someone who would go and buy hardcover editions of books the moment they come out unless I am absolutely sure I would enjoy it. Next year, I resolve to visit the library more often so I do get a chance to look at these books when they come out.

People have probably also noticed that I don't focus on a particular genre of books, and this non-trend will probably continue for the next year. I don't like limiting myself to any particular genre because I love all kinds of stories, no matter the setting. I also enjoy reading adult novels, though I'm quickly working my way into the young adult shelves as well.

I'm rather disappointed in myself as I haven't been able to complete any of the reading challenges I've signed up for this year - though admittedly I signed up and started working on them in late October. I've signed up for many more next year and will be working hard to try and complete at least the basic levels in each.

BOOK STATS FOR 2009:
Read: 8 (since Nov 2009)
Borrowed: 0
Received: 29 (includes gifts)
Bought: 22
Gifted: 2

Since I haven't read that many books this year, I will just make a short list of the ones I've reviewed so far here (my favourites have a heart beside their title):

FICTION

Kingdom Come by J.G. Ballard ★★★.5
Mélusine by Sarah Monette ★★★.5
♥ The Virtu by Sarah Monette ★★★★
Blood Engines by T.A. Pratt ★★★
♥ The Strangler by William Landay ★★★★.5
The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan ★★★.5
♥ Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk ★★★★
♥ The Last Knight by Hilari Bell ★★★★.5

MANGA

♥ Saiyuki by Minekura, Kazuya ★★★★.5
♥ One Piece by Oda, Eiichiro ★★★★
♥ Gintama by Sorachi, Hideaki ★★★★.5

As for books I'm looking forward to next year, I've already ranted about them in my Wishlist Wednesday posts. However, here's the top 10 books (in no particular order) from my TBR pile:


Rogue's Home by Hilari Bell √
Fat Cat by Robin Brande
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
The Rise of Renegade-X by Chelsea Campbell
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Warchild by Karin Lowachee √
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Peter & Max by Bill Willingham
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie √
The Crown Conspiracy by Michael J. Sullivan
(books I actually own have a √ beside them)
I am still working on the new layout - hopefully will have it up tonight - and sorting out the details of my new weekly memes (marked with *). Here's a list of the ones I'll be participating in next year:

Monday - Cover Cravings* (temp. title)
Tuesday - Teaser Tuesday
Wednesday - Waiting on Wednesday / On My Wishlist
Thursday - Booking Through Thursday
Friday - Title Talk* (temp. title)
Sunday - In My Mailbox
Reviews will be posted spontaneously whenever I finish writing them up.

And lastly, I'm hoping to become more active in the blogosphere next year, since I'm usually quite a lurker. I would also like to thank all followers for your support - knowing people read my posts helps boost my motivation =)

That's all for this year, Happy New Years everyone!

A weekly event on my blog where every Wednesday I post about 5-10 books (not necessarily pre-release or new) that I've just added to my wishlist, along with a little blurb on why I want to read it.
(hosted by Book Chick City)




The Drake Chronicles #1:
My Love Lies Bleeding
aka "Hearts At Stake" in the US
by Alyxandra Harvey
release date: 4 January 2010

The Blakes are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a vampire slayer on the hunt for his father's killer.

Why it's on my wishlist
The story has TWO heroines and they're best friends. PLUS there's overprotective older brother vampires! Pretty rare that there's friendly family dynamics in vampire literature too, so I'm looking forward to trying this out.


Fat Vampire
by Adam Rex
release date: 1 July 2010

Doug Lee is undead quite by accident—attacked by a desperate vampire, he finds himself cursed with being fat and fifteen forever. When he has no luck finding some goth chick with a vampire fetish, he resorts to sucking the blood of cows under cover of the night. But it’s just not the same.
Then he meets the new Indian exchange student and falls for her — hard. Yeah, he wants to bite her, but he also wants to prove himself to her. But like the laws of life, love, and high school, the laws of vampire existence are complicated — it’s not as easy as studying Dracula. Especially when the star of Vampire Hunters is hot on your trail in an attempt to boost ratings.

Why it's on my wishlist
Overweight vampire of LOL of course! It seems to debunk some cliches of vampire novels these days, but also brings some of its own interpretations to the audience. But mostly the overweight vampire part =D




Wars of Light&Shadow Arc I #1:
The Curse of the Mistwraith
by Janny Wurts
release date: 20 May 1993

The world of Athera lives in eternal fog, its skies obscured by the malevolent Mistwraith. Only the combined powers of two half-brothers can challenge the Mistwraith's stranglehold: Arithon, Master of Shadow and Lysaer, Lord of Light. Arithon and Lysaer will find that they are inescapably bound inside a pattern of events dictated by their own deepest convictions. Yet there is more at stake than one battle with the Mistwraith -- as the sorcerers of the Fellowship of Seven know well. For between them the half-brothers hold the balance of the world, its harmony and its future, in their hands.

Why it's on my wishlist
Ohohohoho, I love love love brotherly dynamics, whether antagonistic or not, so this immediately jumped onto my to-read shelf the moment I read the half-brothers part. Apparently one of the brothers just wants to be a bard, but he's got like, the emo burden of shadow-ness, so he gets manipulated and turned on his brother. I hope the two end up on the same side in the end, but it's fine if it's a surprise!tragedy too 8D


Peter & Max
by Bill Willingham
release date: 13 October 2009

This story stars Peter Piper and his incorrigible brother Max in a tale about jealousy, betrayal and revenge. Set in two distinct time periods, prepare to travel back to medieval times and learn the tragic back-story of the Piper family, a medieval-era family of traveling minstrels. Then, jump into the present to follow a tale of espionage as Peter Piper slowly hunts down his evil brother for a heinous crime, pitting Peter's talents as a master thief against Max's dark magical powers.

Why it's on my wishlist
Erm, apparently in this Peter Piper from the tongue twister and Max "Pied" Piper from the Pied Piper fairy tale are brothers lol I really like what I've seen of the Fables series so far (dark, twisty and witty) so I'm really interested in how Mr. Willingham will spin these two fictional figures into his own dark fairy tale.




Fat Cat
by Robin Brande
release date: 13 October 2009

You are what you eat...
Cat's smart, sassy, and funny — but thin, she’s not. Until her class science project. That’s when she winds up doing an experiment — on herself. Before she knows it, Cat is living — and eating — like the hominids, our earliest human ancestors. True, no chips or TV is a bummer and no car is a pain, but healthful eating and walking everywhere do have their benefits.
As the pounds drop off, the guys pile on. All this newfound male attention is enough to drive a girl crazy! If only she weren’t too busy hating Matt McKinney to notice...
This funny and thoughtful novel explores how girls feel about their bodies, and the ways they can best take care of their most precious resource: themselves.

Why it's on my wishlist
The heroine apparently likes math and science. That's way too rare in YA novels, where teenagers seem to all hate numbers. Of course, this book also explores the issue of body image and gender attractions based on looks, which I hope it handles well instead of doing some kind of "but thin is still the best" thing in the end.


The Thin Executioner
by Darren Shan
release date: 1 August 2010

In a brutal nation of warriors, Jebel’s family holds the highest honor: his father is executioner. But Jebel is considered too thin to compete to replace him.
Humiliated and furious, Jebel vows to regain his honor in a quest to petition the fire god for invincibility. The journey is long, filled with unknown monsters. And by the end of it Jebel isn’t quite sure what he wants anymore.
In Darren Shan’s imaginative first standalone novel, he explores themes of religious tolerance and cultural understanding, and champions the idea that peace is often the bravest choice of all.

Why it's on my wishlist
The opposite of the book above, this is a boy worried and unhappy that he's too thin. I've always liked stories about someone going on a journey to fulfill what they think is a great goal, only to find that their perspective was wrong from the beginning. The theme of peace over violence is also another favourite of mine, so I'm really giddy about this particular novel.

That's all for this week, you can see my full wishlist at goodreads.

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)

“To be a supervillain, you need to have certain things. Don't bother with a secret identity, that's a hero thing. Not that it wouldn't be convenient to take off the mask and disappear into the crowds, the houses, the working world. Perhaps too convenient -- why become the most audacious criminal mind on Earth (or at least in the top four), only to slink off in the other direction when things get difficult?
from chapter 1 of Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman

Though it's less laugh-out-loud funny than I had expected, the sombre tone and dry humour works rather well to make this superhero-populated world rather believable.

I'm in the process of changing my layout for the new year and setting up a few (two to be precise) new weekly features where I rant about covers and titles. I'm not sure if I should put them on Mondays, Fridays, or Saturdays though...
Also, I've switched to linking to Amazon from now on because I realize not everyone shops on Amazon.ca =)

Knight and Rogue #1:
The Last Knight ♥
by Hilari Bell

Need a Hero? You've got one in Sir Michael Sevenson.
Although there hasn't been a knight errant in over two hundred years, this young noble has decided to revive the trade. He's found himself a reluctant partner in Fisk, a clever rogue who has been given the choice of serving as Michael's squire or going to jail for a very long time. Now Michael and Fisk are on a quest to right wrongs, protect the innocent, and make the world a happier place.
It's not going to be easy. On their first attempt at rescuing a damsel in distress, they break a lady out of a tower, only to discover she was there for good reason: awaiting trial for poisoning her husband. Now the would-be heroes must find Lady Ceciel and return her to justice or be condemned themselves.

Why I Read This
I found this book quite by surprise in the teen section of a relatively small Indigo store. The cover was pretty generic, though the two moons and the "Knight and Rogue" line got me to look into it more. I'm a reluctant fan of the BBC Merlin tv show, and this premise sounded rather similar, with an unwilling servant following a kind of dense knight/prince, eventually cultivating a trusting friendship.
The title is kind of generic (even though the font is pretty), but it makes sense in the context of the plot. The dark cover doesn't really fit with the friendship theme of the book that well either. They should have kept the two moons and put in a picture of Michael and Fisk instead of the non-existent magical sword. I love the series title though.

First Lines

“Fisk: To say it was a dark and stormy night would be a gross understatement. It was colder than a witch's kiss, wetter than a spring swamp, and blacker than a tax collector's heart. A sane man would have been curled up in front of a fire, with a cup of mulled wine and a good boo--, ah, a willing wench. But not me. I was out in it. I'm squire to a hero.

☂☂☂☂.5

I was in quite a rush to finish this book because I had bought it with the intent of gifting it to my friend the next day but instead, I became quite captivated by it myself. The mythology and world building is imaginative and original, combining a medieval setting with a unique blend of magic and quite "modern" characters who believe valiant knighthood is outdated. The character voices are distinct and sympathetic, alternating every chapter between the cynical but good-hearted "rogue" Fisk and the stupidly honest but well-meaning "knight" Sir Michael. However, they are not at all stagnant in their traits: Fisk learns to trust and sacrifice, while Michael learns to lie and manipulate. Side characters are also given depth and acknowledged as independent beings with their own character traits and personalities. The story itself was full of both plot and character twists, and it keeps you guessing as to who the real villains are and who is in league with who until the very end. This is one of those books where I would go and buy my own copy later because I enjoyed it that much.

review posted to AmazonCA, Book Depository, goodreads, LibraryThing, Shelfari

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 2009/12/27
Borrowed: 0
Received: 5
Bought: 8
Christmas gifts for friends: 2
Total Cost: $50.88 (gifts not included)