One For The Money

Penned By: Janet Evanovich

What happens when you mix a New Jersey girl desperate for money with a bunch of criminals, a couple sharp prostitutes, and some really hot guys? Crazy antics and great hilarity ensues. This action packed book follows Stephanie Plum as she enters into her career as a skip-tracer for her bail bondsman cousin. With her street smarts, determination, and fun personality Stephanie is an inspirational and admirable character. This is mystery, romance, and comedy for grown-ups without being overly "grown up."

Quote: "This whole deal was now in the ballpark of doubledare, and childish as it might be, I was not going to walk away from the challenge."

Genus: Whodunit....

Era: Older is Better

Difficulty: 3

Determination: Casual Read

Series: 1st of 18 and 4 companion books

Formats: Print & Audio       Ebook

Film: Yes, in theaters now!

Your type of tale? Try these: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, Size 14 Is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot, and The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun

Cool Stuff: Movie Official Page      Online Store      Stephanie Plum Bio 

LitPool Mentions: The Cat Who Came to Breakfast

Book Places and Spaces Launch

In lieu of being "on tour" today, I am announcing the launch of the page, Book Places and Spaces. Similar to the Author Rainbow in nature, the page will be a directory of physical places books or where books have taken place. I live in the Valley of the Sun and will be hitting places like libraries and bookstores pretty regularly. I will also be talking about places such as the Wizarding World (Harry Potter), Forks, WA (Twilight), and Crescent City, CA (Wings).

Currently every place I've reviewed or mentioned is on a "just because" status. If at any point I am sponsored or anything like that I of course will mention it. On that note, if you have a place you want me to check out, have something to say, or whatever, feel free to comment or email me!

Game of Thrones

Penned By: George R.R. Martin

In the world of Ice and Fire magic is real. Only it's subtle and not overwhelming to the enthralling story unfolding. Each chapter is told from a different characters viewpoint, yet flows easily and the pieces and timeline can be put together with little effort. This first novel focuses primarily on the powerful family in the North of the country Westeros, the Starks. For several years a peace has fallen and a long summer has allowed warmth to seep into their lives. However, "Winter is coming", and strange happenings are sending the country spiraling into a struggle for power, both of the politcal and mystical kind. Follow the Stark family as they are made pawns and major players in the Game of Thrones.

Quote: "You have five trueborn children... Three sons, two daughters. The direwolf is the sigil of your House. Your children were meant to have these pups, my lord."

Genus: Fantastical Worlds

Era: Older is Better

Difficulty: 4

Determination: For the genus lover

Series: Yes, 1st of 7

Film: HBO Series Game of Thrones

Your type of tale? Try these: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Eragon by Christopher Paolini,  Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey

Cool Stuff:  Comic Book       Fan site: Westeros      The Board Game

Ready to buy it?

Quotable Giveway: January 19, 2012

Last time's quote was from Double Fudge by Judy Blume. Weren't expecting that were you?

In the comments, name the piece of literature that the following quote is from. If correct, you'll be entered into a monthly drawing for a $5 Barnes & Noble Gift Card.
" 'Villains!' I shrieked, 'dissemble no more! I admit the deed! -- tear up the planks! here, here! -- it is the beating of his hideous heart!' "

And come back next Thursday for another quote!

The Bartimaeus Sequence: The Amulet of Samarkand

Penned By: Jonathan Stroud   

Welcome to a world where magicians are the ruling class but the real power lies in the creatures they enslave. One young boy slated to be a magician, Nathaniel, will rebel against the system and defy convention to better his life. The djinni, Bartimaeus is Nathaniel's only saving grace but will the mischieveous Bart prove to be his greatest ally or greatest enemy. The story starts slowly with excellent detail and quickly spirals into a harrowing adventure and surprise ending. A fun and thought proving tale that allows the question, is there a right to every side?

Quote: "The shattering of an elemental sphere in an enclosed space is always a frightening and destructive act: the smaller the space, or the bigger the sphere, the worse the consequences are."

Genus: Fantastical Worlds

Era: Everyone

Difficulty: 3

Determination: For the genus lover

Series: Yes, 1st of 4

Film: Up in the air

Your type of tale? Try these: The Golden Compass (Northern Lights) by Philip Pullman, A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony, The Great Book of Amber by Roger Zelazny

Cool Stuff:  Bart's Journal     Audio clip by author      Disney's Bartimaeus Website

Ready to buy it?

On tour: Book Rack

The Book Rack in Phoenix on Bell is a neat little book shop that specializes in used paperbacks. It's bright orange shelves, large windows, and clean, organized shelves allow for a quietly cheerful atmosphere. It's a fun place to browse and with excellent prices and good selection I can never seem to escape without picking out a couple of books.

Book Rack
3539 W Bell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85023

Ugly to Start With

Penned By: John Michael Cummings

Follow Jason through a series of defining moments in his adolesence. Well described details bring to life the characters and scenes so the reader feels as if they are in the room themeselves. Explore a place where history is a way of life and the main characters struggle to live in their own time. Though the book is a series of related short stories the writing smoothly flows and allows the reader to move from one to the next without difficulty.

Quote: "Life, I thought, was like finger-painting with a hopeless mess of gruesome colors. You kept smudging it around until you got it right."

Genus: Literary Minded

Era: Everyone

Difficulty: 2

Determination: Casual read

Series: No

Film: No

Your type of tale? Try these: Holes by Louis Sachar, That Was Then, This Was Now by S.E. Hinton, The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Cool Stuff: Publisher's page      Harpers Ferry National Historical Park      Author Interview

Quotable Giveaway: January 12, 2012

Sorry about the delays folks! It was due to some family health emergencies. Would you like me to use a quote from your favorite book? Email me! I need your name/nickname and the book of choice.

Last time's quote was from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.

In the comments, name the piece of literature that the following quote is from. If correct, you'll be entered into a monthly drawing for a $5 Barnes & Noble Gift Card.

"It wasn't a question of selling out ... It was a question of growing up and following my interests."

And come back next Thursday for another quote!

On tour: My own library

As part of the Book Places and Spaces page I'm including my own private little library. No, I don't live in a huge house or anything, however, I do have a small bedroom in my house that has a large cut out to my formal living room. When we moved in it already had some floor to ceiling bookshelves (below) and so of course as any good bibliophile would do, I declared it the library. My book collection has actually outgrown the little room and it is in progress of  being reorganized and new bookshelves are being added. It looks pretty good in the meantime though. I love book spaces they're just so inviting!