A Revamped Harry Potter?

As of late, I've been noticing dates on a lot of things. For instance, the years that certain movies came out, or the years of certain video games. Yet, there is one thing I hadn't looked at in awhile and that is the Harry Potter series. Apparently we have lived long enough to see the day that the Harry Potter books need a complete re-design.

Now that may stop you in your tracks like it did me, but never fear! The covers really are nice! Though for us 80s and 90s kids, I'm sure we'll still keep our original sets.

But lets take a look at this new design. Scholastic recently announced - on the birthday Harry Potter and J.K Rowling - the cover redesign and told us that the hard covered books will remain the same. 

But how 'bout those covers?

Scholastic also released the photos for each spine. When the books are together, the image on each spine lines up to reveal the Hogwarts castle.

As of yet we have not been shown the back covers, but it's supposed to be a grand deal! What do you guys think of the new artwork? Do you like it better or do you not care? Leave your opinions in the comments! 

Love & Sporks,

To Be Read List

 

My TBR list is still long and never getting smaller. However, I do have a couple books high up on that list that I hope to read soon. Ya know, the ones with the pretty covers or the amazing characters you're already hooked on? Those ones.

Here's a few of the TBR books at the top of my list. Maybe they'll make their way to the top of yours next.

Title: Between Shades of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Speak
About: "It's 1941 and fifteen-year-old artist Lina Vilkas is on Stalin's extermination list. Deported to a prison camp in Siberia, Lina fights for her life, fearless, risking everything to save her family. It's a long and harrowing journey and it is only their incredible strength, love, and hope that pull Lina and her family through each day. But will love be enough to keep them alive?"'




Title: The Dragon Reborn (Wheel of Time, #3)
Author: Robert Jordan
Publisher: Tor Fantasy
About: "The Dragon Reborn—the leader long prophesied who will save the world, but in the saving destroy it; the savior who will run mad and kill all those dearest to him—is on the run from his destiny.

Able to touch the One Power, but unable to control it, and with no one to teach him how—for no man has done it in three thousand years—Rand al'Thor knows only that he must face the Dark One. But how?

Winter has stopped the war—almost—yet men are dying, calling out for the Dragon. But where is he?

Perrin Aybara is in pursuit with Moiraine Sedai, her Warder Lan, and Loial the Ogier. Bedeviled by dreams, Perrin is grappling with another deadly problem—how is he to escape the loss of his own humanity?

Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve are approaching Tar Valon, where Mat will be healed—if he lives until they arrive. But who will tell the Amyrlin their news—that the Black Ajah, long thought only a hideous rumor, is all too real? They cannot know that in Tar Valon far worse awaits...

Ahead, for all of them, in the Heart of the Stone, lies the next great test of the Dragon reborn...."

Title: And the Mountains Echoed*

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Publisher: Riverhead

About: "In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. 

Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page."

Title: Before I Wake (Soul Screamers, #6)

Author: Rachel Vincent

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN

About: "I died on a Thursday—killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul.The good news? He didn't get it.

The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school…

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life…."

Love & Sporks,

*Indicates a non-YA book.

Life + New

 

Anyone who has checked in on this blog has no doubt seen that the last post was quite some time ago. While long absences are horrid and inexcusable, it happened.

I left for college in fall of last year and it was much busier than I reckoned. Though summers are usually calm, mine has been a little different. Now that I have some time on my hands I will be using it to slowly update things.

For TWotSM, that means updates! Though I will not be able to have daily updates or anything of the sort, I hope to publish every now and then. I'll have reviews and discussion posts mostly. Giveaways may crop up now and then too since moving all the time tends to lend itself to lightening one's load.

If ya'll have any questions or comments or even new ideas(!), comment or send me an email! I love to hear from you guys.

Love & Sporks,

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Defiance

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

  

Defiance

by C.J. Redwine

Release Date: August 28th 2012

Publisher:Balzer + Bray

From Goodreads;

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

Comments;

I love period books with things in them that don't exist/never happened. Sorta like historical fiction, but not. There's a word for it, but I don't remember it. But it's this book. These type of books always catch my interest and this one definately has. I can see a really nicely built world in the book and I would love to lose myself in it. Also, the cover is pretty. Like, I want a poster of it-pretty. (I love pretty covers.)
Thoughts?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Ironskin

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

  

Ironskin

by Tina Connolly

Release Date: October 2012

Publisher: Tor Books

From Goodreads;

Jane Eliot wears an iron mask.

It's the only way to contain the fey curse that scars her cheek. The Great War is five years gone, but its scattered victims remain -- the ironskin.

Now Jane returns to the war-torn country to help a fey-cursed child. Helping the unruly Dorie suppress her curse is hard enough -- she certainly didn't expect to fall for the girl's father, the enigmatic artist Mr. Rochart. But her blossoming crush is stifled by her own scars, and by his parade of women. Ugly women, who enter his closed studio -- and come out as beautiful as the fey.

Jane knows he cannot love her, just as she knows that she must wear iron for the rest of her life. But what if neither of these things are true? Step by step Jane must unlock the secrets of her new life -- and discover just how far she will go to become whole again.

Comments;

I love anything fey related so this was an instant attention-grabber for me. The description sounds genuinely intriguing. I also really like the cover from the swirly smoke to her shoes. Something about the mask is off to me, but not hideously so that it ruins the face. Normally, I wouldn't like the font colour for the title but I don't mind it in this case because it really makes it pop out here. This seems like a book I'd pick up in B&N and buy. :]

What do you think?

New Stuff

 

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you all know that I installed Disqus here on the blog and you all now have a fancy new way to leave comments. You can be logged in to your Facebook, Google, or Twitter. If you reply with a tweet, I can see it on Twitter too. Pretty awesome huh? Check it out below by leaving a trial comment!

There is a downside though...All your comments from before were erased. Sadface, I know. However, since this blog is still relatively young, I thought I'd install it before I gathered to many more comments.

Let me know how you guys like it! And if you don't, well, I'll take it off. Sadface.

ALSO! This marks my 100th post, guys! Pretty exciting, no?! :D

Follow Friday (11)

 

  

It's Follow Friday time again! This hasn't been up in awhile, so I thought I'd give you another weekly post. This week's feature is Starcrossed (@ Alison Can Read) and Book Den (@ Parajunkee)! Go check' em out. :D

Now for the question...

  

Go count the number of unread books sitting on your shelf. How many?

 I have around twenty unread books drifting around my room. I don't have that many compared to other bloggers, because I only buy books when I my TBR piles gets low. I'll read until I have around five books left and then I'll buy more. However, sometimes people give me books or I'll get them in the mail so my system will be all thrown off! But they usually all get read.

 

What about you!?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: The Selection

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:



 The Selection

by Kiera Cass

Release Date: April 24th 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

From Goodreads;

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Comments;

The description sounds REALLY good to me. It seems like it's a story crossed between The Hunger Games and Cinderella, which sounds like it would make an intriguing progeny.  Cover wise, I think it looks super pretty. I love the colours. I also love how it doesn't look like it's photoshopped in. It looks like a picture taken at an actual location. What I don't like is the small 'the' placed next to the fancy crown thing. It throws off the whole symmetry. But that's just the cover. I imagine the book will be far greater.

Your thoughts? 

IMM (3)

 

In My Mailbox is an awesome meme hosted by Kristin at The Story Siren!

So, here's my last book In My Mailbox for this year. I think that next year, I shall include movies since this blog does both. What do you think, peeps? :D

Bought:

None

Arrived in the Mail:

None

Given:

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

I'm still obsessed with Puck...and right now, as I read this book, I'm kinda mad at him. Thogh I'm still furious as Meghan for walking out on him. D: Let's just say I'm uber happy to get this book. :D

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

 I planned on waiting for this to come out in paperback, since I already have The Hunger Games in paperback and I hate having a series where its mixed like that. BUT. It's been like, what, three years? I don't think a paperback is coming anytime soon. So, I put it on my Christmas wishlist and here it is! :DD Can't wait to start reading it.

Sapphique by Catherine Fisher

Incarceron was pretty good, so I put this on my wishlist to try.:]

If I Die by Rachel Vincent

Khj;lka;dslkfjas. I've been waiting for this book for SO long. I can't wait to read this book. :D

Inheritance by Christopher Paiolini

I pre-ordered this from B&N and gave it to myself for Christmas. I still have yet to finish reading Brisingr though. :d

The Raven and other Poems by Edgar Allan Poe

I really like his work, and I'm kinda obsessed, for lack of a better term, with the Raven. :]

Then I  got these two novelty books, Peanuts Philosophers and  Curious Events in History.

R.A.K.:

None 

What did you get in your mailbox?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: One Moment

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

One Moment 

by Kristine McBride

Release Date:  June 26th 2012

Publisher: EgmontUSA

From Goodreads;

This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie’s life. Now it's the one she'd do anything to forget.

Maggie Reynolds remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party the night before. She remembers climbing the trail hand in hand with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can’t she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below – dead?

As Maggie’s memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding?

Comments;

I picked this book because I think it's a refreshing change from all the paranormal and fantasy books. It's more of the real life setting with an interesting plot idea. This would be a book that I'd actually buy.

What do you think?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Goddess Interrupted

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2)

by Aimee Carter

Release Date:  March 27th 2012

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

From Goodreads;

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

Comments;

The first book, Goddess Test, was a really interesting read. I remember reading it and thinking that I couldn't wait to read the sequel. And here it is! Sounds really good too. I'm not sure if I like the cover or not....the title font is super pretty, but something about the model and such doesn't work for me.

What do you think?

"Waiting on" Wednesday: Scarlet

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Scarlet

by A.C. Gaughen

Release Date: February 14th 2012

Publisher: Walker & Co

From Goodreads;

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance. Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

Comments;

I love the Robin Hood legend and I think that twists upon legends like that are SO interesting. Also, I love the time period and such. Not to mention, I LOVELOVELOVELOVE the cover. Seriously.  I would love a poster of it. It looks so elfy and pretty. And anyone who knows me, knows I love elves. So, to say I'm looking forward to this book is a bit of an understatement. :D

What is your pick?

Review: The Explosionist

 

Title: The Explosionist

Author: Jenny Davidson

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Release Date:  July 1st 2008

Format: Hardcover (Library)

The Explosionist (formerly known as Dynamite No. 1) is the story of a 15-year-old girl growing up in an alternate version of 1930s Edinburgh. There, the legacy of Napoleon's victory a century earlier at Waterloo is a standoff between a totalitarian Federation of European States and a group of independent northern countries called the New Hanseatic League. This world is preoccupied with technology (everything from electric cookers to high explosives) but also with spiritualism, a movement our world largely abandoned in the early 20th Century; Sigmund Freud is a radio talk-show crank, cars run on hydrogen and the most prominent scientists experiment with new ways of contacting the dead.

 

 
 The Explosionist was not quite what I expected when I checked it out of my library. However, I was rewarded with a different and, most certainly, interesting story.

The description for the book definitely caught my attention, but for some reason, I was expecting something totally different. For one thing, the book is littered with psychics and seances and etc. I'm not a fan of seances and psychics are neutral ground for me - I have no opinion on them. The story also failed to set a time period. I obviously could tell it wasn't modern, so I was thinking 1800s, but then they referred to commodities and inventions that didn't coincide with the time period. It took quite awhile until they mentioned someone's birth year and age when I was then able to calculate the year being 1936. That was a little careless. (Please note that the description I am referring to is the one that appears on the jacket of the actual book. Goodreads supplies a different description that dissolves all doubt -- which is the description above.)

Second, the story is full of European and Hanseatic history. Super in depth history. It was a little too much for a novel like this, and I even had to read the author's biography to see if it was a YA book. (Turns out, she normally writes non-fiction and such. This is the first YA book she's written, and it shows.) It made the story very dry and un-enjoyable, because if you don't pay attention to the history and politics, then you won't understand what's happening.

However, I did like Sophie (the main character) and Mikael (her best friend) very much. They were both interesting and diverse, but not completely formed. I would have liked more flesh to Mikael's character since he was so special to Sophie.

The plot, underneath the crazy history and politics, was pretty good. I loved the whole deal with IRYLNS (pronounced 'irons'). It gave the story a very Sci-Fi feel to it. I think that a lot of readers will be fascinated with IRYLNS and I believe it was one of the more interesting aspects of the storing.

All in all, I enjoyed the book but its not a favourite. I would only suggest this to those who want a read a story that's a bit off the beaten path. I may pick up the second book..who knows? 

I gave it THREE out of FIVE sporks

[[My spork images don't seem to be working with Blogger lately, but they'll be back up and running soon. Sorry for the blurp. D:]]

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Slide

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Slide

by Jill Hathaway

Release Date: March 27th 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins

From Goodreads;

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

Comments;

Slide sounds like very original and interesting read. It's description is simple, yet it's plot sounds good. And the cover is really pretty. :D

What do you think?

"Waiting on" Wednesday: Fury

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Fury
by Elizabeth Miles
Release Date: August 30th, 2011

From Goodreads: 

The first book in a paranormal teen trilogy featuring three beautiful, mysterious girls wreaking havoc on a small New England town.

Sometimes sorry isn't enough....

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen.

Comments;

I absolutely LOVE the cover on this book. The font flow nicely with the model's hair. (Which I am extremely jealous of. I'd love to hair like that.) Plus the fact that the title is bigger than the author's name. I'm always for that.

What's your "waiting on" pick this week?