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: Requiem

 

"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:

  

Requiem (Delirium, #3)

by Lauren Oliver

Release Date: March 5th, 2023

Publisher: HarperTeen

From Goodreads;

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight. Of Pandemonium, ALA Booklist noted that “like all successful second volumes, this expands the world and ups the stakes, setting us up for the big finale.”

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

Comments;

The first two books in this series, Delirium and Pandemonium, were absolutely amazing. So, needless to say, I'm really looking forward to this last book in the series. Not only do I have so many burning questions that need to be answered, but the description sounds really good! I'm dying to know whats going to happen to Lena's love life and if Hana's procedure really worked. Cover wise, I'm not in love with it, but it's not bad.

Any thoughts?

Review: Delirium

 

Title: Delirium (Delirium #1)

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: February 1st, 2011

Format: Paperback (Bought) 

THEY SAY that the cure for Love will make me happy and safe forever. And I've always believed them. Until now.

Now everything has changed. Now, I'd rather be infected
with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.

Lauren Oliver is an amazingly poignant writer and I absolutely love her stories. Delirium is definitely not an exception of her her talent. So far, this book has been my favourite of hers.

Now that being said, here's a look at the book and what I liked. Delirium revolves around the life of Lena Haloway (Tiddle). The period is a dystopian type future, set in America. In this future, love (amor deliria nervosa) is a disease and America has found a cure. Every person 18 and older gets this cure and goes on a to live a happy, care-free life because they no longer can love anything. But because love is considered dangerous and horrible, this cure is great thing to the people.

Basically, they're lobotomized. Cool? Not so much. I'd much rather be sick with the disease, thank you very much.

However, Lena can't wait to be cured so she can prove everyone that she won't wend up like her dead mother...until she falls in love. I was hoping that this falling in love stuff wouldn't be cheesy, and it turns out that it wasn't. The whole thing was very tasteful and actually beautiful. The underlying plot to this story (actually, the trilogy) is also super interesting. I can't say what that is without spoiling it, but lets just say that love always wins. Winkwink.

Alex, the one who contaminated her with amor deliria nervosa? Totally awesome character. He felt like a real guy, not a fantasized one. Lena was also a great character. Though I didn't sympathize all that much, I agreed with her feelings and her actions for the most part. (Not so much the whole, 'All praise the cure!' thing.) She was also an enjoyable protagonist. I wasn't annoyed by her mistakes or angry for things she did do (go out on a raid night) or didn't do (not leave Portland earlier, or not burn down Aunt Carol's house).

The ending is a killer. My heart was pounding through out the whole thing. I refuse, absolutely refuse, to believe that what Lena thinks what happened to Alex actually happened. She never says for sure! There /could/ be a chance! I highly doubt it...but there could! My heart will break if its true...but I again, I can't give away what happens. You'll just have to read the book.

As a whole, the book was great! There's meat to the story and the characters, and it's all super interesting. I can't wait to get my hands on the next books!

I gave it FIVE out of FIVE sporks!