Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Book: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA Fantasy
Rating: A-
For: Fun
From: The library

This is the story of Meghan Chase. Her life seems fairly normal at first. She's got a quirky friend (that's a boy) and a cute four year old half brother and busy mom and step dad. She's concerned about getting her learner's permit and dealing with the popular girls at school. Yes, all pretty normal.

But then, strange stuff starts to happen. Her brother starts acting weird and she learns he might not be who she thinks he is, and her friend might not be who she thinks he is. And suddenly her world is turned upside down.

Many things in this story reminded me of other books. There's a magic closet door, and a clever smiling cat, and all sorts of strange talking creatures, and mean queens. Oh, and of course the darkly handsome, mysterious yet angry prince!

This book started out great. I felt like it was going to be different and fun. But then in the middle it sort of turned into the same old same old and it drug a little for me. But then, it perked up and felt different again toward the end and had me turning the pages pretty quickly. So I'm a little mixed in my feelings for it, but:

Bottom line: I really quite liked it.

For more about this series (because of course, you know it is a series, right?!) here's it's own website.
For more about author Julie Kagawa check out her official site

Other Reviews:

One Librarian's Book Reviews
Jenn's Bookshelves
The Page Flipper
Sarah's Random Musings

The Sunday Salon: My Own Little Readathon

I've been reading a lot this weekend. So yes, it's been like my own private readathon. So what else is new, right? Isn't this how every weekend is? Well, not always. But it has been especially slow and quiet around here the past couple of weeks. I think it's the calm before the storm of school starting and the lazy summer life being completely turned upside down.

So I must take advantage while I can!

Friday I was completely absorbed by Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, and finished that Saturday morning. It was much better than I expected, but I'll let you know all my feelings on it coming up in a real review soon. And that I've got it read, I probably won't even see the movie for awhile. To me, it's more a "rent from Redbox" movie than a "pay for the big screen" sort. What do you think?

Once that was done, I started concentrating on Children of God by Mary Doria Russell. I'm starting to get a feeling what might be happening in this book. Sheesh. And there was a surprise right from the get go that I really enjoyed! Anyway, so I've got a good start on that.

Then last night, and today I couldn't help myself and started reading A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner. That one is a little surprising so far too. Hmmm.... not sure what to think. There's not quite enough Gen in it for me at this point. I'm holding out hope though.

I've gotten back on the treadmill this week too (yes I took a little break okay?) and so that book is currently Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr. Hopefully I'll finish that one this week too.

I've got a lot of spiritual-ish books going on these days. What's up with that? Is someone trying to tell me something?

In between reading, we've been continuing with our Prison Break marathon. We got season two from the library last Monday and every night have watched at least three episodes. Tonight, we have the last two to go. And I'm really nervous about how it will end because we don't have the third season waiting in the wings! This just might be the thing that pushes us over the edge into getting Netflix finally! And I'm also nervous because I heard that, like many TV series, it goes down hill in the final seasons, but oh, well. I'm so hooked I don't care hardly.

So, how's your weekend going?

Reading Along

I love read alongs. So I'm doing two this month. Well, one this month and one that will last a couple of months because this is no small book!

Yes, maybe, once and for all, I'll get this Bleak House book read!  Amanda from The Zen Leaf went and created what looks like a wonderful read along schedule, which I joined of course. Check it out here and come join if you, like me, have always wanted to read Bleak House.

Here's the schedule for that one:

Aug 25 - Chapters 1-7
Sept 1 - Chapters 8-13
Sept 8 - Chapters 14-19
Sept 15 - Chapters 20-25
Sept 22 - Chapters 26-32
Sept 29 - Chapters 33-38
Oct 6 - Chapters 39-46
Oct 13 - Chapters 47-53
Oct 20 - Chapters 54-59
Oct 27 - Chapters 60-67


The idea for this one is to post "thoughts so far" on all these dates. So we'll see how that goes.

The other read along is for the sequel to The Sparrow, one of the most heart wrenching books I've ever read. So, of course, I have to find out what happens next. This one is headed up by Heather (Age 30+- A Lifetime of Book) and Florinda (The 3 R's Blog).  I started reading that one yesterday and will do a half way post in a week or so and a wrap up post and the end of August. 


I hope you enjoying "reading along" with me. And if you want to read for yourself, come join us!

Music Stuck in My Head: Favorite Soundtracks

You've heard me drone on and on about Josh Groban, and talk up Muse, and rave about Michael Buble, and even highlight Mannheim Steamroller, but did you know that I also love, and I mean LOVE movie soundtracks? Here's a couple of my favorites:

From Batman Begins:



From Pirates of the Caribbean:



From Chocolat:



From Lord of the Rings:



And the movie that started the soundtrack fascination? STAR WARS of course! Yes, the original back when I was a mere 12 years old.



I could go and on and on and on about all my movie music loves. What are some of yours?

Calling All Utah Book Bloggers!

It's time once again for another fun gathering of the Utah Book Bloggers and other bookish people! This will be our fourth get together and each time our numbers have grown substantially. Yes this has become quite the event! If you are blogging from Utah, or are an author, aspiring author, bookseller or publishing industry professional from Utah, you are invited to attend. Here are the details:

Saturday, August 28, 2010
6:00 p.m.
Riverfront Park East (10991South Riverfront Parkway in Sandy, same park as last year)
At one of the small pavilions 
Families invited!

It will be potluck salads and desserts (or whatever else you want to bring!). Pulled pork sandwiches and water will be provided.

Also, bring a book to swap (like we did last time.)

Please RSVP by sending an email to utahbookbloggers AT gmail DOT com or a Twitter message to @MawBooks, @SueySays or @mjmbecky. We look forward to hearing from you. You know you don't want to miss this!

Any questions? Just ask either myself, or Natasha at Maw Books Blog, or Becky at One Literature Nut.

And if you're curious as to what went down at our previous gatherings, here's my take on those events:

Winter Blogger Social January 2009
Summer Blogger Bash August 2009
Winter Blogger Gathering February 2010

It really is a lot of fun, so we hope to see all you Utah types there!

My Top Tens: Orphan Books

Ten of my favorite books where orphans play in the starring role:

1. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

2. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
3. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
4. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
5. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
6. Where the Lilies Bloom by Vera and Bill Cleaver
7. Mandy by Julie Edwards
8. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
9. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
10. A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

The life of an orphan has been oddly fascinating to me, especially when I was a kid growing up in a family of nine children. I would often make my brothers and sisters play "orphans" with me and we would have a blast pretending at surviving on our own.

What are some of your favorite orphan stories? Which ones did I obviously forget? Make a list and share your link in comments!

Review: This is What I Did: by Ann Dee Ellis

Book: This is What I Did: by Ann Dee Ellis
Genre: YA
Rating: A-
For: Support Your Local Authors
From: I bought it awhile back.

Okay, so this local of author of mine, that I've seen/heard a couple of times but not officially met, writes some hard subject books! Wow. Simply and beautifully written, but really hard subjects!

This book is the story of Logan. He's moved to a new school, along with his reputation, which is actually a false one. Because at his old school, and in his old neighborhood, a terrible thing happened involving his best friend and the girl they both liked. And him. Sort of. And he writes about it in this book and says "This is What I Did:"

And his mom talks too much and soon everyone knows about it, but of course, not really and truly. So things aren't too great for Logan. But he tries to deal with it as best he can, and it's all really very sad and very real.

I loved the writing style. It's like this character of Logan is really just sitting down and telling you face to face his story, in his own words. You are totally a part of his thoughts.

Bottom line: I liked it a lot.

Ann Dee Ellis' personal blog is here. And here is her shared (with Carol Lynch Williams) writing blog called Throwing Up Words. Check 'em out!

Other Reviews:

Maw Books Blog
Cynsations
Teenreads.com
Save Ophelia