Carol's Notebook – Page 646

M is for Magic

November 4, 2009 by Carol4 Comments

Vicki of Reading At The Beach hosts A-Z Wednesday. Today's letter is M. I read this one in July of 2008. It's an urban fantasy, the first in a series. It has a slightly different spin on creatures like vampires and weres and how they co-exist with humans. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake. Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta's magic circles. The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings—and the...

Teaser Tuesday

November 3, 2009January 28, 2010 by Carol9 Comments

Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you're getting your "teaser" from...that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given. Please avoid spoilers! My teaser: I perceived, as the shape came nearer (sight tremendous and abhorred!) that it was the wretch whom I had created. I trembled with rage and horror, resolving to wait his approach, and then close with him in mortal combat. He approached; his countenance bespoke bitter anguish, combined with disdain and malignity, while its unearthly ugliness rendered it almost too horrible for human eyes. -pg 99, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Play along. My copy was borrowed from the library. I am an Amazon Associate.....

ShapeShifter: The Demo Tapes–Year 1 by Susan Helene Gottfried

November 2, 2009January 28, 2010 by Carol6 Comments

Shapeshifter : The Demo Tapes -- Year 1 by Susan Helene Gottfried This is a collection of short pieces that were originally published at the author's blog between April 2006 and March 2007. I didn't start reading the West of Mars - Meet and Greet until early this year, but have come to adore Trevor and his band Shapeshifter. I was delighted to read this book, because I missed all of these the first time around. As a teenager, and even now to be honest, I was a fan of the big hair, hard rock bands. This was like peeking into their world, seeing all the fun and disasters that happen behind the scenes. Even though ShapeShifter is fictional, these glimpses into the characters' lives are funny and occasionally touching. I fell in love with Trevor, Mitchell, Kerri and the rest. I have to admit to having a few favorite bits, like Green Hair Week, simply because I was at a loss...

October Wrap-up

November 2, 2009November 2, 2009 by Carol8 Comments

October was a really good month, reading-wise and just all-around. I read or listened to 25 books. A couple of the reviews aren't up yet, but will be this week. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón The Lost Years of Merlin by T. A. Barron Penny and Rio: The Locked Dog House Mystery by Jennifer Swanson Charlie and Mama Kyna by Diana Rumjahn Sex, Drugs & Gefilte Fish edited by Shana Liebman Queen Vernita Visits the Blue Ice Mountains by Dawn Menge Poetry for Young People: Edgar Allan Poe edited by Brod Bagert Briar Rose by Jane Yolen The Weeping Werewolf by Bruce Coville (audibook) Ansel Adams in Color edited by Harry M. Callahan The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis Permission Slips by Sherri Shepherd Runaway Mummy by Michael Rex Flesh and Fire by Laura Anne Gilman The Guns of Avalon by Roger Zelazny The Frandidate by Jim Benton Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg Frantastic Voyage by Jim Benton ShapeShifter: The Demo Tapes Year...

RIP IV Challenge Completed

November 2, 2009January 28, 2010 by Carol7 Comments

I had committed to one, but actually read two books that fit in this challenge. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón The Witch's Grave by Shirley Damsgaard...

Mailbox Monday and Library Loot

November 2, 2009January 28, 2010 by Carol8 Comments

Thanks to Marcia at The Printed Page for hosting Mailbox Monday. I got two book in the mail this week, both of which I won in giveaways. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman (Thanks, Stacy!) The 13 Days of Halloween by Carol Greene (Thanks, Melanie! We already read this and loved it.) I picked up a couple at the library this past week, too. Library Loot is co-hosted by Eva and Marg. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Graceling by Kristin Cashore What books found their way to your house?...