The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Hey readers, My hair is up cause its so HOT outside i could melt and Yes im holding a library copy of MockingJay. I do not actually own any of the Hunger Game books, however, i have read all of them. The reason I even know about the stories is because after the bookstore i worked at closed my boss continued to receive ARCs. One of them was the Hunger Games. I believed i asked to keep it and was declined. The next year she got the 2nd book also as an ARC. This year i had to settle for the library but it was worth it.

  Over all its an awesome series, but like most series the last book falls short of expectations. Its not the authors fault. It is the readers imagination that takes hold of a story set before them. As the mind wanders readers think of many possible endings. Endings are never fun. Its the same as saying good bye to someone you may never see again. Bittersweet really.

 BUT read it anyways. It is an awesome book that may spurt and interest in politics (may, it didnt work for me but it might for someone younger). I just recommended this book to a friend whose 12 year-old son is a reluctant reader. The goal is to find a book that will spark and interest in reading. This is a type of series that is capable of that. Im sorry if I am being vague. If you have any questions leave a comment and i will try to reply ASAP
         

TIGERS CURSE by Colleen Houck REVISISTED

 Much congratulations to Mrs. Houck on her public publication of the Tiger Curse series.  If readers were lucky enough to buy the original copies via kindle or amazon. You are now the beholders of a special edition to your library, and given bragging rights to say you discovered Colleen Houck before Hollywood did. You took a chance of a real good thing and therefore i give you bragging rights. So if you want to gift your friends with a possibly shorter but published version of your favorite tiger series "Tigers Curse" will be out in January, and "Tigers Quest" will be out in June.

 But like all those who discovered Mrs. Houck we are still waiting for the next chapter in the series. As you sit and grumble about the wait stop and think about how bless we are that Mrs. Houck took the energy to self-publish in the first place. After working in the book biz for a time i can tell you most would call self-publishing as money suicide. Thankfully it was not the case.

Heres the link for Tigers Curse republished. Be sure to tell everyone who (you) read it first!

Mrs. Beast by Pamela Ditchoff

 Mrs. Beast is currently available via Kindle on Amazon. I purchased it since Beauty and the Beast was my all time favorite fairy-tale (thanks Disney). Truely this book is not a happily-ever-after musical. In fact its rather Grimm and disturbing. It has a similar feel of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years) by Gergory Maguire. I admit Mr. Maguire is one of my least favorite authors but can twist a dirty tale. Ms. Ditchoff is a bit different. She is not afraid to make her readers blush. She has Beauty speak of her sexual encounters with the Beast and how she would wished he never became human. Therefore seeks out the witch to turn her prince back into the Beast.
    This book is not for the Teens of the Twilight Saga. Ms. Ditchoff is a Professor and writes and educational and questioning tale of the Grimm fairy tales. I can not say I loved this book. I think bringing Zoophilia into the story tainted it but I that subject just grosses me out.


 So why should you read this book?  Well it has an interesting take on fairy tales and what they represented to the people who created them. Some of the psychology surprised me. It asks the questions Disney painted over. What really happens after happily-ever-after? Can a prince really change his lifestyle after he is turned into a Beast? and What is the price beauty pays for beautiful people?

I must say this book is intriguing. I would like to meet the author and if ever partake in her classes. She must be something. I might regret it but I am strongly considering reading the sequel PRINCESS BEAST.

Buzz Worthy? Very Much So but not for the reasons i usually read books or my favorite fairy tale

LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater

   Sorry its been a month since I've read anything and months since ive posted anything. Having a month of free Netflix will do that to a bored college student. I was also waiting for...  [drumroll]... Its about time ..."Linger" by Maggie Stiefvater.  Finally! it hit bookstores or in my case delivered  to my front step by amazon (thank you amazon). I like it better that way its like Christmas in July. Linger is the sequel to one of the best werewolves book ever written. Sam and Grace are once again face with the problem of choosing humanity over becoming an free wild animal. 

  Its hard to say more with out adding spoilers to the blog. Heres what i can say. I cant wait until the sequel comes out and all the questions the book poses will be answered. I guess i could compare the Shiver trilogy to Romeo + Juliet. Nobody dies, thats not what im saying. Just the torn romance between two souls that belong together and the trials they go through to get there is just beautiful. It is another book i cannot put down and a series i shove in my friends faces. Pick up this series and you wont regret it.


This book is so buzz worthy i would move to Montana just to drink hot chocolate, read poetry and watch wolves.

DEWEY by VICKI MYRON and BRETT WITTER

      Now I do not usually post books that are non-fiction, so here is a special treat. Dewey the "Small-Town Library Cat who Touched the World" is the cat lovers equivalent of a dog lovers  "Marley and Me." It is written by the person closest to the cat, the librarian Vicki Myron.  Dewey is a orange tom cat that Vicki found in her Library's drop box on what is said to be the coldest morning in Iowa. The book is partly Vicki's autobiography and Dewey's biography. Dewey's story would not be complete without Vicki's recount of her life. Together Dewey and Vicki lives are heartfelt and hopeful. The story is as warm, sad, and funny as the entire book of Chicken Soup for the Cat lovers soul. I would not be surprised is a bit of Dewey's life wasn't found in Chicken Soup for the Cat Lovers soul. Readers, however, do not have to be a cat lover to appreciate the fight and miracle of an animal or towns survival in the middle of no where. Like I mentioned before its the cat version of "Marley and Me." Note to readers this books will probably not be made into a movie anytime soon but the cat in question has been in several movies before the end of the book and many more Cat friendly magazines and news papers. Perhaps I am wrong since there is already several children's book and a teen version of the Dewey's story. Dewey's story is a quick and light summer read.   Its one of those books you can pick up when you need something to read on vacation or between books.

This book is Buzz Worthy because it reminds readers on how special life is and how magical certain people can affect a life.

*TEASER* TIGERS VOYAGE by Colleen Houck

 With permission from Colleen Houck I am posting this excerpt from Tiger's Voyage. This passage may contain spoilers, therefore, read at your own risk.

TIGERS VOYAGE 

As a tentacle moved past its head, I saw the posterior surface change color. 

The purplish-brown skin briefly turned pale with black spots.  I saw the 

funnel above its eyes shoot out a stream of bubbles as it moved again, 

thrusting out powerful arms.  The water surged around us. Ren twisted the 

staff of his trident and shot three spear darts in quick succession towards 

the beast.  One missed, one speared a tentacle to the stalactite and one 

grazed the mantle.  Black blood clouded the area where the creature hung. 

With a quick move, it yanked its pinned tentacle away from the stalactite. 

Arms shot out in every direction.  I blasted one that wrapped around 

Kishan's throat but it hung on tenaciously.  He began sawing at it and was 

successful in getting it off but it tore away his breathing tube.  He 

reached for his back up and gave me the thumbs up sign.

Ren and I began pummeling the monster with lightning power and darts.  The 

mantle expanded and in a flash of light and a rush of water, the creature 

was gone.  I swam in circles trying to see where it went but with the lights 

off, it could have been anywhere.  I kicked my legs and moved closer to Ren, 

figuring it might help if we fought back to back.  Kishan had just started 

moving closer to us when the lights came back on.  It was right behind 

Kishan. Two fleshy limbs wrapped around his body and shook him in the water. 

One of his fins came off and dropped slowly into the chasm below us.  Ren 

swam powerfully forward and thrust the trident into the largest arm.  The 

creature squealed but held on.  Kishan slashed with the chakram and, at the 

same time, I raised my hand to blast through it.  That's when I felt a tug. 

The beast wrapped a limb around my waist and yanked me towards it at a 

frightening speed.  Attacking Kishan had been a diversion.  The creature 

pulled me away and shut off the lights.

HEARTS BLOOD by Juliet Marillier

    "Heart's Blood" by Juliet Marillier made my hearts blood pump fast.  So much so i stayed up to two in the morning before i convinced myself to put it down.  The  book is the retelling of Beauty and the Beast (my favorite fairytale). Im not too impressed by the cover art, but this would be a great example of not judging a book by its cover.  The book follows Caitrin,18 year old orphan whose relatives beat her for no reason. Running away she finds a position as a scribe at a castle that is cursed. A tragic young lord lives in the castle (of course) but the curse isnt his (which makes it so tragic). 

   Once i started reading "Hearts Blood" i could not put it down. There is nothing i love more than some good tragedy in a love story. Seeing everything through the eyes of a damaged but loving Caitrin lets the reader feel the passion, pain and terror that taking control of your own life entails. It reflects how negativity can destroy a person where hope can truly rebuild a broken heart.


"Heart's Blood" is so Buzz Worthy since i was tense through out the entire adventure. So good it gave be butterflies.

My other favorite book of Juliet is "Wildwood Dancing"
For more information on Juliet Marillier books check out her website.

MARCELO in the REAL WORLD by Francisco X. Stork

  I am aware most of my reviews are for fantasy novels so heres a change of pace. "Marcelo in the Real World" gives you a first hand look in the life of a boy with Asperger's syndrome. Asperger's syndrome is often labeled under the Autism spectrum disorder umbrella. We are guided by Marcelo into the problems he faces in life due to his disorder. Challenged by everyday events that may be simple to everyday people are a tedious complex tango to Marcello. The story takes you into the music that is Autism. "Marcelo in the Real World" is a musically inspiring story that lets its readers put their feet in someone elses shoes. Francisco Stork takes a delicate topic and weaves it into a compelling and deeply spiritual book. There may not be any dragons to be slain in this book but it sure makes the reader think and reflect on life.

"Marcelo in the Real World" is Buzz Worthy because it opens the mind and hearts of its readers. It gives an understanding and tolerance to a growing disorder through the mind of Marcelo.

This would also be a great read if your teacher wants you to do a book report

BEASTLY by ALex Flinn

"Beastly" is the modern day version of Beauty and the Beast. I know I know its a fairy tale that some author who cant come up with their own material is using to make money. WRONG!

1. Beauty and the Beast is not a story that is retold very often like Cinderella
2. Alex Flinn did some crazy research on all that is Beauty and the Beast (Which is AWESOME)
1. And this is my all time favorite Fairy tale So what makes "Beastly" different. Its told from the beasts side of the story. Raised by a father who is thick in the media beauty is every thing to Kyle Kingsbury. Kyle is the type of guy that you want to fall in love with in high school because he is beautiful, built and popular. But he probably doesn't know your name and if he does there is nothing nice he can say about you. BUT you still think "What if?" What if happens to Kyle when he ticks off the wrong type of girl at his school. His dad buys him a house where no one can see him and his only support group is a aim chat site for the magically challenged. Getting a hold of a copy is becoming easier due to the soon to be movie release. Its worth picking up if your having a fairy tale with drawls   "Beastly" is so buzz worthy I loved this book before i knew there was a movie coming out  For more information on Alex Flinn's books check out his website.

TIGERS CURSE by Colleen Houck

1. I first have to say Kindle by Amazon is a wonderful thing now that you can download the application free for any computer
2. This book was in my Amazon wish list before I had Kindle
3. Its only $0.99 via Kindle
4. It WAS only $0.99 via Kindle. Now that Colleen has a publisher the books are being pulled off of Amazon. They will return soon, i promise, just with a publisher under its name. Good Job Colleen, your books are worth publishing!

So yeah i bought it and then finished it within the week. I did ask myself "why is it only a dollar. Is it that bad?" No, its marketing. D. J MacHale publisher did the same thing for his "The Merchant of Death (Pendragon)" series. Which i would never had picked up if it wasn't $1.99 at the time.

Back to "Tigers Curse." If you love Tigers, exotic places, Princes under a curse, and mythological Gods then this is the book for you. I would not mind paying more than a dollar for this book because it is so worth it. Colleen Houck is new to the publishing world and is doing much better writing original stories compared to authors who are her seniors.

When a hot royal Indian Prince tells you that you are the only one who can break his curse be prepared for an adventure. There is some major Indiana Jones: Temple of Doom vibes going on in the book but with a Jane instead of a Jones.

"Tigers Cures" is the first book out of Colleen Houck's first cycle (four) which makes the wait for the last book so painfully juicy. Colleen is the next teen author to look out for. Her adventures are new, original and refreshing. Her protagonist is a smart responsible girl who can see fact from fiction.

"Tigers Curse" is SO buzz worthy I'm jealous of the main character. But i would also pass my copy along to a friend if it wasnt stuck in my computer

For more information on the "Tiger Curse" cycle and other news visit Colleen Houck's website.

SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver is the type of books that proves vampires might be immortal but their days are numbered when it come to books. So reigns the werewolves of Minnesota, in this heart wrenching love story between a girl and her yellow-eyed wolf. Don't stop reading, its not the sappy five dollar paper back, "Shiver" has the substance to keep you warm wherever you are. So much so i want to bundle up in plaid and move to the backwoods of Minnesota. The story is original compared to other Supes (supernatural) books. These wolves are special; they dont always come out during the full moon. I will stop there, i would not want to spoil this seasoned story. Just thinking about it makes me shiver. "Shiver" is the book I love passing along and thankfully the story wont just end here. A sequel is due out in a couple of months, a bare-able wait.

If only there were more books as reflective, deep, and interesting as "Shiver"

This book is soo buzz worthy my voice goes up an octave just talking about it and i have already pre-ordered the sequel

" Information about the author Maggie Stiefvater and her other books are available at her website.

FORGIVE MY FINS By Tera Lynn Childs

There is no reason to ask for forgiveness for purchasing Tera's latest book. Its her third and so far my favorite. "Forgive My Fins" is about Lily whose a mermaid (for those little mermaid fans). She just discovered she is half human (maternally) and is trying out high school for the first time. This sweet teen book is a perfect summer read and very beach appropriate. I got a total splash out of reading it. It comes with the woes of high school which is classic. Of course there's a boy.....or two, but don't worry parents this book wont make you blush. I would let my little sister read it in a fin flap. But it also made me want to not share at all put on "The Little Mermaid", "Splash," grab a mermaid stamped Starbucks cup and have a complete fin fest. "Forgive My Fins" is a great change of pace compared to what is currently being published now, and its funny to boot (biker boots that is). There is no depressing vampires or death. In a positively uplifting book, "Forgive My Fins" brings a breath of fresh salty air to teen books. If your hesitating to pick up "Forgive My Fins" wait no longer.

Be sure to check out Tera's website for more fin fun