It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

I absolutely adore this meme, hosted by Sheila over at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.  It's such a great way to keep me on track as I have a tendency to get excited over every new book that comes my way that I sometimes get sidetracked and forget about those that are waiting in my 'to be reviewed' pile.  I have been known to start reading a book in the post office as soon as I open the package.  This meme focuses on what we read during the past week, what we are currently reading, and what we'd like to read in the upcoming week.    It's also a great way to check out what other bloggers are reading, reviewing, and gushing over.  Interested?  Head on over to Sheila's blog and sign up.

This is what I read this week:

Virginia by Susan Hughes - Interesting read, but can be controversial.  Read my review here.

Changes by Jim Butcher - I have yet to post this review.  Too many things going on this week and next.

Ghosts & Echoes by Lyn Benedict - Review should be up either tonight or tomorrow.

Currently Reading:

Fever Crumb by

Private by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro - This is pretty good so far.

Restoring Harmony by Joelle Anthony

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Intentions to Read:

Intentions to finish all of the above.

A Wretched Man: A Novel of Paul the Apostle by R.W. Holmen

Folly by Marthe Jocelyn - I've read a few pages already, and it's really interesting.

What did you read this week?  I did not succeed at what I intended to do, but I am heading into my second busiest time at work.  For the next several weeks time will be tight for reading as I will need to focus on work, but at least the end is in sight and holidays are almost here. 

Happy reading everyone!

In My Mailbox

What a fantastic weekend!  My husband, the kiddies and I went to our trailer this weekend and celebrated a wonderful long weekend (it's the Victoria Day weekend here in Canada) and we couldn't have asked for better weather.  Last year we had snowflakes, this year it is warm, sunny, and absolutely gorgeous.  It makes it really hard to come back to reality. 

This weekly meme is hosted by The Story Siren and is a great way for me to keep track of when I receive books either in the mail, through the bookstore, or from the library.  I am a notorious renewer at the library and just had to renew several books today because I forgot about them. Oops!!

This week I received the following for review:

Flirting with Forever
by Gwen Cready
Release Date:  March 30, 2010

Ravished By a Highlander (Children of the Mist Series, Book 1)
by Paula Quinn
Release Date: May 1, 2010

Spirit
by Andrew Feder
Release Date: January 14, 2010

The Education of Bet
by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Release Date: July 12, 2010

Theodosia and the Eyes of Horus
by R.L. LaFevers
Release Date: April 12, 2010

They Called Themselves the KKK: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Release Date: August 23, 2010

I was so thrilled to get this one in the mail as a review copy as I absolutely love this author's work.  She is a Newberry Honor-winning author of Hitler Youth and Sibert Award-winning author of Black Potatoes. 






I received only 1 book from the library this week (but had to renew several overdue books as I forgot about them):

The Red Pyramid
by Rick Riordan

I have been waiting to read this, but it has come at a bad time as I have so many other things I need to read first.  And I don't think I'll be able to renew this one. 
And I don't even remember ordering this one either.












From the bookstore:

The Curse of Nefertiti
by Charline Ratcliff

Book Blogger Hop

It's that time again.  Do you want to meet people who are interested in what you are?  Do you want do connect with those who love to read, enjoy discussing books, are obsessed with characters and upcoming releases?  Then you have come to the right place.

It's time to do the HOP!!!!

If you are interested, head on over to Crazy for Books, hosted by Jennifer, and sign up.  All you have to have is a blog with content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.  It's such a great way to connect with people who are interested in the same thing you are, BOOKS.

Let's get hopping and have some fun.  And thank you to everyone who visits my blog; it's still amazing to think that people actually visit and read what I write.   

Have a wonderful weekend!  And to those of us in Canada, Happy Victoria Day Weekend!

Review: Virginia by Susan Hugues

Virginia
by Susan Hughes
2010 Kids Can Press
Softcover Edition; 288 Pages
ISBN:978-1-55453-307-7
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Review copy from Kids Can Press

4 / 5 Stars

Summary
Virginia Donato has always had an indefinable quality that sets her apart from anyone else Ivy Morrell has ever known.  But when this childhood friend and neighbor confides in her, confessing that she has been visited by an angel and asked to do something 'momentous', Ivy begins to think Virginia has lost her mind.  As Ivy struggles to make sense of her friend's bizarre claim, she notices other strange happenings in the Donato household.  Determined to find out more, Ivy discovers that Virginia's older brother Paul may have a shocking secret of his own, one that could have dangerous consequences.  Can it be connected to Virginia?  Should Ivy tell?  And is there anyone she can turn to before it's too late?

My Thoughts
I really did not know what to think when I first finished this novel.  That it was gripping and made me contemplate a lot of things was unquestionable, but I certainly had a lot of questions that needed answering and these were questions that could not be answered through the book.  Bear with me as I will explain what I mean.

First of all, I did enjoy this novel, but it was very different from what I normally read.  Ivy learns from Virginia that Virginia has been visited by the angel Gabriel and has been asked to carry a child from God, an Immaculate Conception.  Ivy does not know what to think about the idea, and is extremely sceptical right from the beginning.  I have to admit that a modern day Immaculate Conception is not something that I have ever really contemplated and as the story went on, I was forced to think about the idea and the impact such a concept would have on our modern world.  It was very unsettling to say the least. 

As a main character, Ivy was enjoyable to read about and follow her story.  She is determined, courageous, loyal, and brave.  Her life is completely different than Virginia's, but she was worried for her friend, so she continued to investigate the situation despite the danger she put herself in.  She was also willing to question, listen, and learn about new ideas and thoughts, especially concerning religion and philosophy, something that is not a really big part of her life as it is in Virginia's.   I also really liked Virginia's brother Joe, but felt he was an under-developed character.  I thought he was often just thrown into scenes as if the author did not quite know how to get him to the same places where Ivy was going to be.    He had a lot of potential as a character and I did not quite feel connected to him like I did to Ivy.

The plot certainly had some unexpected twists and turns, many of which happened because of the great use of different points of view.  The reader was able to 'hear' Virginia's thoughts at the end of each chapter and it gave us insight into what was happening in the Donato household as well as allowed some extra suspense and tension to seep into the novel.  I certainly enjoyed this dual aspect to the story and found it more interesting. 

The story line is certainly imbedded into the issues of religion and philosophy.  For me that was not an issue as I have a strong background in both of these areas, either personally or educationally, so I understood the nuances and hints that were given throughout the novel.  I'm not sure if everyone would however, if you had no background in religion.  This is one of the drawbacks to this novel.  On the other hand, I found myself stopping in the middle of the page or scene and reflecting on what I had read and thinking about my own religious beliefs and ideas quite often.  It was a very reflective and deep thinking read.

Verdict
I thought this novel was gripping and full of religious and philosophical suspense.  It made me think about my own beliefs and truths and these are the questions that cannot be found in a novel, but are found within us.  I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in religion and philosophy and in the Bible.

Interview & Giveaway: Lesley Anne Cowan

Today I'm excited to welcome Lesley Anne Cowan.  Lesley is the author of the forthcoming Something Wicked, to be released June 1st, and also of As She Grows, and she has graciously agreed to answer a few questions for my readers.  I thoroughly enjoyed Something Wicked, and you can read my review here.


Sixteen-year old Melissa's most recent troubles stem from a secret: her twenty-eight year old boyfriend, Michael, has just broken up with her.  Even though the relationship is clearly over, Melissa clings to the past, riding a never-ending wave of hope and disappointment.  Meaningless sexual escapades, drunken nights, and drug-induced blackouts help her deal with heartbreak, but her pain goes much deeper than her failed relationship.  Along with her broken heart, Melissa has to cope with the memories of her younger brother's death; the non-existent parenting of her insecure, flighty mother; being juggled between social workers and psychologists; and getting kicked out of school and sent to a special program for at-risk youth.  So when the cracks in her life threaten to tear her apart, Melissa has to decide whether to keep fighting - or to let go.

Make sure to stick around to the end of the interview as we're giving away 1 copy of Something Wicked to one lucky commentator.

________________________________________________

To start off, can you tell us something about yourself?

Sure.  I'm an author and secondary school teacher.  I have been instructing at-risk youth for over ten years now.  I am also an avid traveler, having spent about half of the last five years outside Canada.  I am currently splitting my time between Kenya and Toronto.

Can you tell us something about your new release, Something Wicked?

Something Wicked is my second novel.  My first novel, As She Grows, was published as adult literary fiction in 2003.  It was re-released as adolescent fiction in 2009.  I find that interesting as I never intended for teens to read that book (which is why they liked it so much).  Something Wicked however, was written specifically for teens.  I'm interested how the two will compare.  While writing Something Wicked, knowing a teenager was going to read it, I had to constantly fight that instinctual 'adult' voice that told me to make my protagonist 'do the right thing' or 'solve all her problems'.  I found it interesting how strong this sense of obligation to be a moral guide for my readers was.  I fought that 'sheltering' urge as much as possible while writing Something Wicked but I still think As She Grows was a more 'carefree' story while Something Wicked holds something back.

In Something Wicked, we are introduced to some very interesting and gritty characters.  Please tell us a little about Melissa, your main character.  Who was the most fun to write? Who was the most difficult to write?  Are any of your characters modelled off anyone you know?

Melissa is the main character.  She's a sixteen-year old girl who is dealing with a number of challenges in her life: an absent father, a questionable role model of a mother, a recent break-up, sibling loss, learning disability, ADD and possibly undiagnosed depression.  (That's all?)  To cope, she turns to drugs, alcohol, and meaningless sex.  Despite her struggles, she still has some good things going on in her life, like, a great job, a good counselor, and a love of reading.  I can't say she was 'fun' to write.  She disappointed me at times.  But don't most people who are living lives in turmoil?

Some of my characters are composites of people I know, but none of them are true replications.  Thing is, many of the young people struggling with difficulties have much in common but don't realize it.  I'm sure a few readers would think, "Hey!  That's me!" and yet I don't even know who they are.  In reality, I've met many, many young women like Melissa.  But it's essential for me to clarify that I never write about the events in my students' lives.  That's really important to me, since I'm balancing teaching and writing.  I need to respect my students' privacy and integrity.

As a teacher myself, I can see what a fine line that would be and how important and necessary that would be.  What was your inspiration for writing your novel? Did you find it difficult to separate your writing world from your daily world?  How much research was involved in the writing process?

My inspiration for my novel stems from my work.  As a writer, I tend to pontificate a lot (about everything).  I'm not someone who just goes home and forgets about my students.  I think a lot about them and it's natural for me to work out my thoughts on the page.  Understanding their motivations assists me in helping them learn.  The research is in my daily living and responding to what's put in front of me.  At the same time, it's easy for me to separate my teaching life from my writing life.  At school, I'm a teacher.  I never discuss my writing.

Do you have a favourite scene in your novel?

I have too many scenes to just pick one.  But I can tell you my least favourite.  That's the Giovanni scene (for obvious reasons).  Writing that scene really broke my heart.  

When you're not working, what do you like to read?  Is there an author who has inspired you over the years?

To be honest, I don't read a lot.  I wish I were one of those authors who boast they read Moby Dick when they were like six years old. And I'd like to say my excuse is that I don't have time, but I know similarly busy people and they seem to find time to read, so I feel I don't know what to say.  I teach full time, I have a good social life, I work out, I write - that all adds up to full days and when I put my head on my pillow, I fall asleep.  Having said all that, I'm currently (and slowly) reading Revolutionay Road.  And my earlier inspirations were Anne Michaels and Margaret Atwood.

How much do say do you have in the book publication process?  For example, do you have a say in choosing the book covers?

Penguin has been great in terms of involving me in the book publication process.  They give me sample book covers and ask me for my input.  I'm really pleased with that!

Can you share with us any projects that you are currently working on or any plans for the future?

Something Wicked and As She Grows are meant to be the first two novels in a series of adolescent fiction books that deal with at-risk youth subject matter.  Specifically, I want to write loosely linked novels about girls who don't necessarily know each other but who are part of the same system (i.e. social workers, counselors, probation officers, teachers, etc). There will be some overlap of characters but the protagonists won't know each other.

I also write adult literary fiction.  I have completed two manuscripts that I hope to publish soon.  One book is about the limitation of language and the freedom of silence.  It has two parallel stories:  One is about a woman who goes to a Thai meditation temple for 26 days of silence.  The other is about her grandfather who was a German prisoner of war in Ontario.  The second book I have written is about a couple who go to an island in Kenya, seeking life on the edge only to get pushed further than they thought imaginable.

What do you like to do when you are not writing or reading or working?

I travel.

Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers?

I'm hoping my adolescent readers will find I treat them with respect.  My stories aren't 'happy' but I think teens are ready for literature that has caught up with the rest of the media that 'tells it like it is'. And I want them to remember that my characters are only 16.  It's a long journey and in my mind, they all make it in the end. 

__________________________________________

Thank you Lesley for visiting Curling Up By The Fire!  For more information about Lesley, please visit lesleyannecowan.com.

Lesley Anne Cowan will be in Toronto, in conversation with Emily Pohl-Weary.

WHEN?  Saturday, June 5,  2 pm (Doors open 1:30 pm)   FREE!

WHERE?  Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario

To celebrate the launch of Something Wicked, Lesley Anne Cowan will discuss writing and working with at-risk youth with noted author Emily Pohl-Weary.  An extended Q&Q will follow the conversation.

A Small Print Toronto Event presented by Penguin Group Canada, Gladstone Hotel and Torontoist.com.

Media/Info Contact: Vimala Jeevanandam:  (416) 928-2419  vimala.jeevanandam@ca.penguingroup.com

_________________________________________________

Contest Time!!

Penguin Group Canada has graciously given one copy of Something Wicked to give away to one commentator and it's very easy to enter.    Just leave a comment, including your email address,  telling us why you would like to win this book.   The contest is only open to residents of Canada.

Additional entries:
+1 Become a follower
+1 Leave a meaningful comment on any other post on my blog and let me know which one.
+1 Post about this contest on your blog or anywhere else you wish.  Leave me the link in your post please. 

Contest ends June 5, 2010.

Good luck everyone!!!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming new releases we are anxiously awaiting.  There are so many books I am waiting for it is difficult to really focus on only a few each week.

Betrayal
by Gillian Shields
Release Date: August 3, 2010

Dragongirl: A New Story of Pern
by Todd McCaffrey
Release Date: July 27, 2010

Young Fiona, rider of the gold dragon queen Talenth, has returned from spending three years in the past, where she helped sick and injured dragons and riders to heal in order to return to the present to fight Thread.  She is three years older and wiser, but all around her dragons are falling ill and dying, and she and the others are still no closer to uncovering a cure.  In this sequel to the bestselling Dragonheart, Fiona must learn to balance responsibility and ambition, help a friend discover her own place among the dragonriders, and solve the myster of the illness that threatens the very survival of Pern.

Upcoming Releases May 17-24

I always try to limit myself to ten books for this post or else I would be here writing forever.  This week was another hard week as there are so many interesting and intriguing book being published it was hard to decide what to include.  Here are some my family is looking forward to reading:


Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy Series, Book 8)
by Richelle Mead
Release Date: May 18, 2010

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dmitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's - and to her best friend, Lissa.  It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dmitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance.  And now her worst fears are about to come true - Dmitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her.  Only this time, he won't rest until Rose joins him - forever.

Love Bites (Vampire Kisses, Book 7)
by Ellen Schreiber
Release Date: May 18, 2010

As a mortal girl dating a vampire, Raven knows that love isn't always easy.  Now that Alexander's parents have returned to Romania, Raven and her dreamy vampire boyfriend are happy to resume their cryptic romance.

But soon another visitor comes knocking: Sebastian, Alexander's best friend, arrives for a stay at the mansion. At first Raven is wary, then thrilled - this is the perfect chance to learn more about her darkly handsome boyfriend and his past.  Raven has been wondering whether Alexander will ever bite her and make their love immortal, and Sebastian could be her guide to the love habits of Alexander and his kind.  But when Sebastian falls for a particular Dullsvillian, will another mortal beat Raven to the bite?

The Kings of Clonmel (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 8)
by John Flanagan
Release Date: May 18, 2010

My son almost ripped my arm off when this came in the mail as a review copy, so this one is for him.

Will is at the annual Ranger Gathering but Halt is investigating mysterious happenings in the west.  When he does finally return, it's with bad news.  Hibernia is in turmoil.  A religious cult calling themselves the Outsiders are sowing confusion and sedition, and five of the six Hibernian kingdoms have been undermined.  Now the sixth, Clonmel, is in danger.  Halt, Will and Horace set out to restore order.  Can the secrets of Halt's past help them in their mission?



Blood Oath (Nathaniel Cade, Book 1)by Christopher Farnsworth
Release Date: May 18, 2010

Zach Barrows is an ambitious young White House staffer whose career takes an unexpected turn when he's partnered with Nathaniel Cade, a secret agent sworn to protect the President.  But Cade is no ordinary civil servant.  Bound by a special blood oath, he is a vampire.  Cade battles nightmares before they can break into the daylight world of the American dream, enemies far stranger - and far more dangerous - than civilians have ever imagined.

Claire de Lune
by Christine Johnson
Release Date: May 18, 2010

Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday.  Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there.  But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy; she's a werewolf.

As Claire is initiated into the female pack of werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger.  Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt.  Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin.  With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, whe will make a choice that will changer her forever.

The Demon's Covenant (Demon's Lexicon Series, Book 2)
by Sarah Rees Brennan
Release Date: May 18, 2010

Wolves, Boys & Other Things That Might Kill Me
by Kristen Chandler
Release Date: May 18, 2010

KJ Carson lives an outdoor lover's dream.  The only daughter of a fishing and wildlife guide, KJ can hold her own on the water or in the mountains near her hometown outside Yellowstone National Park.  But when she meets the shaggy-haired, intensely appealing Virgil, KJ loses all self-possession.  And she's not sure if it's a good or a bad thing that they're assigned to work together on a school newspaper article about the famous wolves of Yellowstone.  As KJ spends time with Virgil, she also spends more time getting to know a part of her world that she always took for granted...and she begins to see herself and her town in a whole new light.

Frenzy (Dreamhouse Kings Series, Book 6)
by Robert Liparulo
Release Date: May 18, 2010

There were things that seemed odd when the Kings first moved into their house - but things got really strange when they realized the rooms upstairs were portals to other worlds.  Even though the rooms were dangerous, it still seemed fun until people started coming into their house and Mom was kidnapped.  They've been desperately searching for her, but they risk their lives every time they enter a world.

Xander has traveled back to visit Uncle Jesse as a boy, but that turns out to be the last place Xander wants to be.  Jesse tells him David died.  But Xander's not about to let that happen - even if it already did.  It doesn't matter how many worlds he has to go to or what it takes, he is going to find a way to change the future.



Restoring Harmony
by Joelle Anthony
Release Date: May 18, 2010

The year is 2040, and sixteen-year old Molly McClure has lived a relatively quiet life on an isolated farming island in Canada, but when her family fears the worst may have happened to her grandparents in the U.S., Molly must brave the dangerous, chaotic world left after global economic collapse - one of massive oil shortages, rampant crime, and abandoned cities.

Molly is relieved to find her grandparents alive in their Portland suburb, but they're financially ruined and practically starving.  What should've been a quick trip turns into a full-fledged rescue mission.  And when Molly witness something the local crime bosses wishes she hadn't, Molly's only way home may be to beat them at their own game.  Luckily, there's a handsome stranger to help.

Firespell (Dark Elite, Book 1)
by Chloe Neill
Release Date: May 20, 2010

Lily's parents have sent her to a fancy boarding school in Chicago filled with the ultra-rich.  If that wasn't bad enough, she's hearing and seeing bizarre things on St. Sophie's creepy campus.  Her roommate, Scout, keeps her sane, but keeps disappearing at night.  When one day Lily finds Scout running from real-life monsters, she learns the hard way that Scout is involved in a splinter group of rebel teens.

They protect Chicago from demons, vamps, and dark magic users.  It's too bad Lily doesn't have powers of her own to help.  At least, none that she's discovered yet...

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This fun weekly meme is hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through A World of Books.  It is a great way to take a look at what you read in the past week, what you are currently reading, and to organize that huge TBR pile and decide what to read in the week ahead.  It is also a great way to check out other blogs and see what other bloggers have read and what other readers are anticipating reading.  Maybe you'll find something so interesting you'll have to put down your current read and go pick up that book. 

If you're interested, click on Sheila's blog to find out all the particulars and join in on all the fun.  Maybe you'll even win a weekly prize if you comment on at least 10 of the participating blogs.  It's always great to win a new book.

This past week was a little rough as I spent most of it home sick.  I don't know what happened as over a week ago I was congratulating myself on how healthy I've been and then WHAM! I woke up with a fever, sore throat, ear problem, the works.  After a two hour wait at the clinic, strep throat and a viral infection, a trip to pick up antibiotics and a four-hour nap, I was finally feeling like I could think again.  So, what else do you do when you can't do anything else?   Nap and read, what else?

This is what I managed to accomplish this week:

Soulless by Gail Carriger - I finally finished this one and enjoyed it tremendously.  Here is my review.

The Golden Spiral (Book 2, The Hourglass Trilogy) by Lisa Mangum - I loved this book.  Read review here.

Vampire Theory by Lily Caracci - Do you see a trend happening here?  Read review here.

Virginia by Susan Hughes - This was an interesting read to say the least. 
                                          I still don't know what I think about it as there
                                          was a lot to take in, both religiously and
                                          philosophically. 
                                          Review is forthcoming.

Currently Reading:

Changes by Jim Butcher - Review should be posted this week as I am almost finished.

Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve

Ghosts and Echoes by Lyn Benedict

Intending to Read Next:

Private by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

A Wretched Man: A Novel by Paul the Apostle by R.W. Holmen