Who knew that something so pretty, fluffy looking, and fun to play in would become such a big problem? Who knew I would be out a whole week from school, because of this fluffy mess (I needed a break anyways, but still!)? Who knew that after about the third day of school closure, things were getting old, dangerous, and cold?

Snow! How could snow cause so many problems?!

So if you didn’t know, I live here in the states, in the Northwest to be exact! We’re used to the cold, and the rain, but not twelve or more inches of snow! When it hit us, it was all fun and games at first, school was out, I had more time to read, do homework and just hang out. But after about the second or third day, I was tired of being cold, stuck inside, and not being able to see ALL of my friends from school.

That fourth night, I remember going to bed, and watching the news. Listening to the reporter telling us that snow was sure to melt by the next morning, and that schools would open up again if not in the morning, it would be at least a late start. Well, that report was VERY WRONG!

I woke up the next morning, with a good foot of snow in my front yard! I’m not even sure if you would consider it snow, since the top layer was frozen ice. The streets and trees were covered in this ice! I couldn’t believe my eyes! And again school was out!

I remember going to bed Wednesday night, hoping and praying it would go away, and go away fast (come out suuun, where are you?). All that night, I would randomly wake up to my printer turning on and off, being super loud, and doing, who knows what. At that time (middle of the night) I didn’t pay too close attention, I just wanted to go back to bed.

But I should have known, I should have payed attention to the clues!

The power went out! Not just a hour, or two. Not even just one day, but three! Three days without power! Lisa can not survive without Internet, checking her email, or blogging! The first day without power wasn’t too bad, since Josh was over, and we were having fun. But after the first night, the house was freezing, and we basically had nothing, but my small radio!

But I stayed strong and survived!

My friends are all okay, my family is safe, and none of my neighbors are hurt! We’re all fine! But within this last week, I learned tons of lessons!! The biggest one being, is always stayed prepared for anything, have flashlights, candles, and tons of canned food ready for any possible emergencies.

Even though the power outage sucked, I hope you guys enjoyed this week’s Life with Lisa, and make sure to check out my blog post on Turning Pages, and learn different ways to prepare for power outages!

Lisa

As the sand pours through Sir Terry Pratchett’s gilded hourglass I find myself again honoured to be able to review his latest work of craft; Snuff.

The Discworld collection is comprised of several mini-series and several one-off novels; each has emotion and plot that comes together to make a meta-series that has allowed fantasy to become more than just swords and sorcery. In fact for the most part Pratchett’s works have been almost completely deprived of the traditional elements of the fantasy genre; sure it has dwarves and trolls, witches, wizards and the undead, but for the most part race has been more about background colour than overarching plot. Ankh-Morpork is home to any species with money in their pocket.

Over the last few years Pratchett has worked very hard to bring each of his mini-series to a satisfactory conclusion; not an easy task with a world as large as the Disc.

The Rincewind series, beginning in 1983 with The Colour of Magic, came to an end with Unseen Academicals, thirty-six Discworld books later.

The Witches series, beginning with Equal Rites in 1987, became the Tiffany Aching series, and was finally brought to a conclusion in 2010 with I shall Wear Midnight, encompassing a total of ten separate novels.

And in 2011 Pratchett brought his longest running, eleven novels, and probably best loved story arch to a conclusion that was both emotionally moving and extremely satisfying.

The City Watch series began in 1989 with Guards! Guards!; a film-noir style police drama full of intrigue and dragons. This book had everything you could want from a crime novel; hard-boiled cops, suspense, a little romance and even more dragons.

As the Discworld became more developed the stories became deeper, the characters more detailed and the context heavier.

Many of the City Watch books covered racial prejudice, corruption and the lengths and depths people will go to in order to survive. And while the subject matter itself was heavy the storytelling has always been light enough that the reader is not overwhelmed with what is occasionally Orwellian content.

Snuff is everything special about Discworld rolled into a novel that melts into your mind like the finest meringue and sits in your stomach like a concrete bowling ball.

As with most of the City Watch novels the protagonist is His Grace, His Excellency, The Duke of Anhk; Commander Sir Samuel Vimes (Blackboard Monitor). The rest of the City Watch makes occasional appearances, providing necessary background to the main plot, but this is a Vimes story through and through.

Sam Vimes goes on holiday for the first time to his estate in the country with this wife and son. And while his wife would rather he leave his work back in Ankh-Morpork it doesn’t quite work out as planned.

Vimes quickly gets swept up in a conspiracy surrounding the genocide of a race deemed “vermin” by society, smuggling of both contraband and slaves, and a magistrate of wealthy land-owners taking the law into their own hands.

This book answers questions so far ingrained in the world of the Disc that it’s almost shocking to learn the truth; the biggest being ‘What exactly is Nobby Nobbs?’

Outside of that there is little to say without ruining one of the most carefully woven tales ever to come from Pratchett’s own word processor.

The writing is superb, the characters deep without being overly detailed, and the setting so colourful you could use it as a box of crayons.

To say that Snuff is a must have for every Discworld reader is an understatement. Get it, read it, read it again and then you can say your life is complete.

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Harper (October 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062011847
• ISBN-13: 978-0062011848

In the second installment of the Ravenwood mysteries life couldn’t be more complicated for April if she tried.

I mean how is your love life supposed to survive when you’re a Fury (basically the carrier of a virus only deadly to Vampires) and your tall dark and handsome boyfriend is one of the undead?

How is your family life supposed to prosper when you’re still recovering from having your dad die in your arms after a Vampire attack? And forget about the survival of your personal life when a fair majority of your fellow class members are being seduced into becoming food for the emerging Vampire community.

Sure it’s crazy, but it’s all part and parcel in the life of April Dunne.

This series is set in London and, though I’ve never been, I felt like I was really in amongst it all. The gothic romanticism mixed in well with the bitter cold to create a spooky backdrop for the dramas surrounding this unfortunate young lady.

The popular people, or the ‘faces’, are delectably narcissistic, and the idea of April and her friend Caro striving to infiltrate them gives me the heebie jeebies.

There is enough intrigue to keep you turning pages, though there is an infuriatingly obvious information source being deliberately avoided. By the end of the book I was face-planting in frustration.  I hope this issue is resolved in the third book.

I had a measured amount of empathy for April, and at times her hasty recovery from horrible situations made me cringe.

If you are looking for a Vampire mystery and like the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series you’ll find enjoyable similarities, making this series one to consider.

As with most series, I suggest starting from the beginning. By Midnight is the first book and the next is untitled at this stage, but looks to be due out midway through 2012.

Paperback, 352 pages

ISBN 0575095598 (ISBN13: 9780575095595)

Expected publication: March 1st 2012 by Gollancz (first published March 1st 2011)

http://www.ravenwoodmysteries.com/

• 

Glow

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin (September 13, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312590563
• ISBN-13: 978-0312590567

Belinda Says:

Cover

I was taken by the picture of the young lady’s profile over shadowed by stars on the cover. The image is certainly evocative.

Characters

The characters are strong and thought provoking.

Favourite

Waverly is hands down my favourite character. She has guts and a moral compass that cannot be interfered with.

Least Favourite

The populace of the New Horizon. Their actions, though desperate, are just awful.

Beginning

In the opening scene we meet Waverly and Kieran, as they are looking out a porthole at the New Horizon, a sister ship to their own. The ship has slowed down in the nebula and this has the pair confused and concerned. The other ship was supposed to be over a year ahead of their own, the Empyrean, on their journey to New Earth. Why did they slow down and what secrets lie onboard the other vessel?

Storyline

We go on to find the differences between the ships are vast and, as with most things, fear of the unknown leads to violence and betrayal. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, regardless of age or gender. What is it the crew aboard the New Horizon intends to do?

Ending

There isn’t too much I want to give away because I think this book is so good you must read it for yourself. I am haunted by the book; the first in the Sky Chasers series.

Thoughts

In fact I believe it should become compulsory reading instead of making high school students read Lord of the Flies. It is better balanced towards both genders and is far less repulsive.

The themes we’re dealing with here are more up to date, and both the boys and the girls are portrayed in a positive light; even in the moments when their actions aren’t so positive. There is an outstanding level of respect for the young characters. The girls have strength and brains. The boys aren’t mindless delinquents. They go through hell and come out of it with opinions of their own.

Glow hits all the right marks. It breaks through some serious barriers and makes me believe there is hope that finding well written science fiction books for a YA audience is still possible. They are no longer just exclusively for the nerds and geeks.

I have no idea what direction Amy will take Waverly and Kieran in the next installment in the Sky Chasers series; but if it gives me goose bumps like Glow did I will be over the moon.

Further Thoughts

I would seriously love to hear from any male readers of Glow. Did this book have you sitting up and taking notice? Did you feel like you could connect with Kieran or Seth? Did the portrayal of the male characters feel accurate? What if it was your sister or girlfriend in Waverly’s position; what lengths would you go to, to get her back safely?

Lisa Says:

Cover:

First looking at this cover, I had absolutely no clue what it was. I mean, yeah, I saw the girl, and the position she was in, but I didn’t really connect it with anything. Reading Glow, you don’t even have to read beyond the first three or four pages, and you already know what the cover represents. It’s Waverly! Her on her ship, the Empyrean!

After connecting the cover, with the story it contains, and keeps safe, I liked it a lot better 🙂

Characters-

First impressions aren’t everything! But they are a lot! When we first meet Waverly, she seem kind of, like a, uhmmm, let’s just say a jerk. Kieran, was just so cute and sweet, talking about their future and having kids. I know, they’re only teenagers, but still he was just being soo cute! And her response was just, mean, and harsh. She wasn’t even trying to be gentle with him, and that made up my mind; “I don’t like her.”

Favorite:

Okay, so after saying the above, Waverly is also my favorite character. Yeah, yeah. I was ranting why I don’t like her, but I also said first impressions aren’t everything! She grew so much throughout the story. She went from being a jerk and not knowing what she wants, to being a strong woman able to save the Empyrean, and wanting to be with Kieran.

Least Favorite:

Even though I started out loving Kieran, towards the end of the book, I just didn’t enjoy reading about him, as much. He was such a sweetie pie at the beginning of Glow, but towards the end he became a dictator. He was running things “his way”, instead of what was best for the Empyrean.

Beginning:

I went into reading Glow, a little hesitant. I usually don’t read books like this. So I had pretty high expectations, and within the first few pages, Glow had me wrapped around its little finger. I couldn’t stop listening ( I have it on audio book ) to it. I seriously put one disk in, and as soon it was done, I quickly took it out, and tossed the next one in until they were all gone!

Story Line:

Glow was definitely something I’ve never read before.

In Glow’s world, a ship named the Empyrean is out trying to find another way/place for the human population to survive, and live safely. After being attacked by the Empyrean’s sister ship, all the adults are killed, or hurt, and the girls (who are very vital, since their the only way to reproduce; which is a huge part of Glow!) are kidnapped. Kieran, the next in line to become the captain, takes the lead. Not only steering the ship, but also saving the girls, and any adults who survived.

Ending:

The ending was a bit of a cliff hanger, but not the bad kind. It was just leading us to the second book (which needs to hurry up, and come out, so I can start reading it!). The ending was kind of a twist, but in a way you could see it coming, just through Kieran’s actions.

Overall Thoughts:

LOOOVED IT! I usually don’t read books like Glow, about spaceships, the future, and what the human race would do if the world wasn’t inhabited-able anymore. Glow, changed my opinion, and blew my mind! I loved it, and can’t wait for the second book to hit the shelves!

Krista Says:

Cover

I am a fan of the US cover. I like that the O represents a window in a spaceship (also like a submarine) It’s very simple but very nice.

Characters

Favorite

The main character Waverly was admireable, she stands up for her beliefs and I liked that she fought back. I also found Anne Mathor very interesting as well, the evil that was shown through her really touches on some of the basic evils of humanity, religious zealots, sexual violence, drugs, and drive for procreation in an almost helpless situation.

Least Favorite

Keiran, although parts of this book are told from his perspective I had a harder time connecting to his part of the story, I just felt more drawn and intrigued to what was happening to Waverly.

Beginning

The story starts out with a lot of things happening, you get to just barely be introduced to the characters when their ship is boarded and horrendous murders and riots ensue. It’s a fast paced beginning with a lot of confusion and action happening, setting up the rest of the story.

Storyline

The middle of the story is where I felt the most disconnected to Kieran, but very intrigued by what was happening to Waverly and The Pastor (Ann Mathor). Waverly spends a lot of time drugged, put through surgeries and Solitary Confinement. Kieran on the other ship is trying to save some of the family members they thought they had lost in the raid, salvaging what he can of his people, the ship and constantly arguing back and forth with Seth about what should be done.

Ending

I don’t want to spoil the ending, but it definitely does not leave the reader in a content place. This is one of those books that will keep you thinking about it afterwards. There are a lot of messages that come out of this book. All of the things humans take seriously like procreation, religion, love and survival.

Thoughts

The deeper ideas brought forth in this story may upset some readers. I found it as an opportunity to think about the above subjects personally and how I feel about them. What it would be like to be in this situation and what would I fight for. What if you were raised with no religion and compare it to people whose lives are built upon a certain one. The clashes between the two and the normal everyday lives are bound to come into conflict. This book is one that will get you thinking, maybe freak you out a little, rattle your bones.

Quotes

Waverly reached for Mather’s throat, but straps tied her to the bed. She could only attack with words, and she screamed them: “You’re insane!”

“Power. they never liked the way we did things on the New Horizon. We were more religious and less…I believe they’d call it ‘free thinking.’ I think they wanted to make New Earth into their idea of a free society,” Mather shuddered. “Well, I couldn’t let them do that. It wasn’t just about our own futures, Waverly. It was about your future, too. And the future of every generation of women to follow on new Earth. Do you understand what’s at stake here.”

This was my first accepted request from Netgalley.com; (http://www.netgalley.com/ ) so I was excited to delve in and experience Vee’s story for myself. Here’s the blurb…

“Sylvia “Vee” Bell hates that, like her deceased mother, she has narcolepsy. But this embarrassing condition is nowhere near as bad as what happens during these episodes: when Vee passes out she actually slides into somebody else’s conciousness and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. This is how Vee finds herself in the head of a killer, standing over a classmate’s slashed and murdered body.

When another cheerleader turns up dead, Vee realizes that someone is killing off her sister’s friends. Suddenly everyone is a suspect, and Vee finds herself enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies and danger. She must face up to the fact that she can trust no one-not even the family and friends she thought she knew.”

As it was an electronic uncorrected proof, I don’t have a cover to respond to, but judging by the options I can see on goodreads, both the UK and the US covers are going to be beautiful.  Here, take a look.  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9542582-slide

I tore through this book in less than 24 hours and I felt it was authentically respectful to readers.

The characters are anything but stereotypical, and I am in awe of how multifaceted and well thought out each of them are.

My favourite character is Zane, without giving away spoilers; he’s an incredibly unpredictable dark horse, with a good heart. My least favourite character is Vee’s father. He’s so preoccupied that Vee is forced to practically give up her childhood to be the emotional rock for her sister. That’s just not right.

Jill Hathaway appears to have a way with bringing up touchy subjects such as suicide, binge drinking, and bullying, so as to create a non-judgemental playing field. Her characters are the ones with the moral compass. We are allowed to make up our own minds how these things make us feel. Things just are the way they are, like it or lump it in a very non-preachy manner.

The plot is thick and juicy, making the reading process quite enjoyable.  Her use of imagery plonks you right into Vee’s head and has you galloping right along with her in first person. You can’t possibly know a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes and I can’t wait to walk another mile in Vee’s.

Hardcover, 256 pages

Expected publication: March 27th 2012 by Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins

ISBN 139780062077905

http://jillscribbles.blogspot.com/