Jill's Book Blog

Stacking the Shelves – July 14

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This is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

I received two paperback books from Penguin Random House Canada! Thank you so much!

A Noise Downstairs by Linwood Barclay
Believe Me by J.P. Delaney

I also borrowed 3 middle grade graphic novels from the girl who I was babysitting this week. Even though she’s 11, we are always recommending books to each other:

Positively Izzy by Terri Libenson
Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

What books did you get this week? Have you read any of these ones?

Review: Archie: The Married Life Book 1

Title: Archie: The Married Life Book 1
Author: Michael E. Uslan, Paul Kupperberg, Norm Breyfogle
Genre: Comics, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Archie Comics
Source: Library
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Find out what happens after the “I do”s!

Delve deeper into all of the emotion and drama surrounding two different choices: Archie’s decision to marry sultry debutante Veronica Lodge versus his decision to marry sexy girl next door Betty Cooper. How do his choices affect not only Riverdale, but the world and everyone around him? Is it a match made in heaven? Will he find that he can’t put a price on love?

Collects the first six chapters of both Archie Marries Veronica and Archie Marries Betty, the most critically acclaimed storyline Archie has ever published, as originally seen in the newsstand magazine Life with Archie.

Review:

I loved Archie comics as a kid, and I still love them today.

This book about an adult Archie reminded me of the show, Riverdale, which I’m obsessed with. It had some of the same subplots, such as Mr. Lodge buying lots of property in Riverdale and an important mayoral race. There were mature themes explored in this story, such as marriage, death, and losing jobs. The comics I read as a kid were more optimistic and innocent. The worst thing that happened was that Cheryl Blossom would come to town and steal Archie from Betty and Veronica. This book shows more of what happens in real life, which was kind of depressing most of the time.

One thing that bothered me about this book was the way that it switched between Archie and Veronica’s married life and Archie and Betty’s married life. Both lives were similar but slightly different. For example in both stories, Jughead was trying to buy Pop’s diner but was struggling to find the money. However, only in one of them does Moose run for mayor. I kept getting confused between chapters because it would alternate between them both. One thing I liked was that there were some characters and events that appeared in both of Archie’s stories, so those things were meant to be. It would have been easier to read if the book was divided into two different sections, one about Betty and one about Veronica, rather than having alternating chapters.

Despite the confusion, I enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

First Lines Friday – July 13

This is a weekly meme hosted by Wandering Words, where you give the first few lines of a book to hook your readers before introducing the book.

Here are my first lines:

“There is a very particular art to the making of grilled cheese. To making the perfect grilled cheese, at least. It’s so much more than just slapping a slice of Velveeta between some white bread and letting the thing languish in a skillet. A grilled cheese, when done right, with melty strings of provolone and buttered French bread crisped to golden brown, is a culinary wonder.”

Do you recognize these first lines?

…

And the book is… The Art of French Kissing by Brianna R. Shrum.

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Here’s the Goodreads synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Carter Lane has wanted to be a chef since she was old enough to ignore her mom’s warnings to stay away from the hot stove. And now she has the chance of a lifetime: a prestigious scholarship competition in Savannah, where students compete all summer in Chopped style challenges for a full-ride to one of the best culinary schools in the country. The only impossible challenge ingredient in her basket: Reid Yamada.

After Reid, her cute but unbearably cocky opponent, goes out of his way to screw her over on day one, Carter vows revenge, and soon they’re involved in a full-fledged culinary war. Just as the tension between them reaches its boiling point, Carter and Reid are forced to work together if they want to win, and Carter begins to wonder if Reid’s constant presence in her brain is about more than rivalry. And if maybe her desire to smack his mouth doesn’t necessarily cancel out her desire to kiss it.

I loved this book. You can find my review here. Have you read it?

Review: Her Pretty Face

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Title: Her Pretty Face
Author: Robyn Harding
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Release Date: July 10, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The author of the bestselling novel The Party—lauded as “tense and riveting” by New York Times bestselling author Megan Miranda—returns with a chilling new domestic drama about two women whose deep friendship is threatened by dark, long-buried secrets.

Frances Metcalfe is struggling to stay afloat.

A stay-at-home mom whose troubled son is her full-time job, she thought that the day he got accepted into the elite Forrester Academy would be the day she started living her life. Overweight, insecure, and lonely, she is desperate to fit into Forrester’s world. But after a disturbing incident at the school leads the other children and their families to ostracize the Metcalfes, she feels more alone than ever before.

Until she meets Kate Randolph.

Kate is everything Frances is not: beautiful, wealthy, powerful, and confident. And for some reason, she’s not interested in being friends with any of the other Forrester moms—only Frances. As the two bond over their disdain of the Forrester snobs and the fierce love they have for their sons, a startling secret threatens to tear them apart…because one of these women is not who she seems. Her real name is Amber Kunick. And she’s a murderer.

In her masterful follow-up to The Party, Robyn Harding spins a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal, asking the question: Can people ever change? And even if they can, is it possible to forgive the past?

Review:

I read this book in one day. I couldn’t put it down!

At the beginning everything was a little confusing. There are three different narratives. One by Frances, the mother of an autistic boy. Another is by Daisy, the daughter of Kate and sister of Charles. Charles is friends with Frances’s son. The third one is by DJ, who tells the story of the trial for his sister’s murderer decades ago.

The connection between the three stories becomes clear about halfway through the story. I began to piece together who everyone was and how they were related to the larger story. This kind of thriller, that slowly unravels throughout the book, can be hard to write well, but this one was very good.

Even though I had figured out what was happening, I was excited to read until the end. This story didn’t have a dull moment! I really loved it.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

TBR Thursday – July 12

TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.

My pick this week is Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid’s voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy’s bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.

I can’t wait to read this book! I’m finally caught up on the Grisha verse so I can read it soon!

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Review: Fawkes

Title: Fawkes
Author: Nadine Brandes
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Release Date: July 10, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared, but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.

But what if death finds him first?

Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn’t do something soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in.

The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King.

The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.

No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back.

Review:

This story has a strange mix of true history and fantasy. Some of the events and characters were real. Guy Fawkes did take part in a gun powder plot to kill King James. But, in reality, there were no Keepers and Igniters who could control colour. There is even a different kind of plague in this story. This one turns a body to stone, rather than making someone sick. It was sometimes hard to keep track of what was real and what was fiction.

The war between Keepers (the people who only controlled one colour) and the Igniters (the people who controlled more that one colour) resembled the fight between Protestants and Catholics. They use the same information, in this case controlling colours, in different ways. Racial issues also came up multiple times in the story. Unfortunately, this separation of religions and races is still prevalent today, just as in the 17th century.

This book was good. I liked the way it rewrote history, with a fantasy twist.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – July 11

This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.

The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is Giant Days by Non Pratt.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Based on the hit graphic-novel series from BOOM! Studios, the publisher behind Lumberjanes, Giant Days follows the hilarious and heartfelt misadventures of three university first-years: Daisy, the innocent home-schooled girl; Susan, the sardonic wit; and Esther, the vivacious drama queen. While the girls seem very different, they become fast friends during their first week of university. And it’s a good thing they do, because in the giant adventure that is college, a friend who has your back is key–something Daisy discovers when she gets a little too involved in her extracurricular club, the Yogic Brethren of Zoise. When she starts acting strange and life around campus gets even stranger (missing students, secret handshakes, monogrammed robes everywhere . . .), Esther and Susan decide it’s up to them to investigate the weirdness and save their friend.

I love the Giant Days graphic novels so I can’t wait to see what happens in the novel!

What books are you waiting on this week?

BookCon 2018 – My first time!

Last month, I went to BookCon for the very first time! I absolutely loved it!

It was a little overwhelming at first, because there was so much to do! I went both days, so I was able to go to most of the things that I missed the second day. One thing that was helpful was the guide that was provided. On the second day, we were all given a little magazine that listed all of the highlights and giveaways for the day! It was a huge help and I was able to plan my day that way. I wish something like that had been provided on the first day as well, rather than just the program which listed the exhibits and authors.

I saw the lovely Sandhya Menon on the exhibit floor, so I stopped to speak to her. She’s amazing and I just love her books!

The only autographing session I was able to sign up for was Leigh Bardugo. I love her books so much! She’s an amazing writer. It was such a pleasure to meet her!

This is one of the shirts I bought. I also purchased the BookCon 2018 shirt with my tickets, but I couldn’t resist this tank!

I didn’t take as many photos the second day, but here’s one of my favourites. My best friend, Marsilda, came with me on the second day (my mom went with me on the first), and we had to get a photo with Peppa Pig! It was a fun moment for us.

And finally, here’s my book haul. I got 22 books in total. My goal for this trip was to get as many free books as possible. I didn’t realize, at first, that I would have to get into long lines for the special ARCs, so I didn’t the highly anticipated books that I wanted. However, I did get a bunch signed by authors on the floor including two books from Quirk Books. I also got the coveted sample of King of Scars!

Overall, it was a great experience. I’m not sure if I’m going next year, but I’m glad I went.

Did you go to BookCon this year or in the past? What did you think of it?

Review: Morning Glories, Vol. 1: For a Better Future

Title: Morning Glories, Vol. 1: For a Better Future
Author: Nick Spencer
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Image Comics
Source: Library
Release Date: February 16, 2011
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Morning Glory Academy

One of the most prestigious prep schools in the country…But behind it’s hallowed doors something sinister and deadly lurks. When six brilliant but troubled new students arrive, they find themselves trapped and desperately seeking answers…and escape from a place where nothing is what it seems to be!

Review:

This graphic novel is part teen thriller, part horror. I made the mistake of reading it before bed one night and I couldn’t sleep because there are some particularly gruesome scenes at the beginning, and also because I wanted to see what would happen next.

This first volume set up some potential storylines that could make the rest of the series very exciting. There is a strange connection between all of the new students, because they were all born on the same day. There is also a connection between a Spanish prison in the 15th century and their school. I’m curious to see how these plots develop.

There were some very bloody horror scenes, which I almost had to look away from. One reason why these scenes were disturbing was because the graphics were so good. The images were realistic, so it looked like these things were really happening.

I enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait to find out what happens after the cliffhanger at the end. Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books I’ve Read in 2018 (so far)

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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is Best Books I’ve Read in 2018 (so far). For this list, I only included books that were published in 2018. Here’s my list: