It’s time for a look back over the last week with Clock Rewinders. This feature is based on the original Clock Rewinders on a Book Binge.
This Week on the Bookcase
It’s been a busy week as I’ve caught up on reviews from the Bout of Books list. It was also my three-month blogaversary so I celebrated with Five For Friday – Things I’ve learned as a book blogger newbie.
Reviews:
- Talisman of El, Alecia Stone – Middle grade/YA fantasy that is a little complicated, but quite an epic read.
- Birdie Down, Jim Graham – Science fiction space opera, short but gritty and exciting.
- Dark Kiss, Michelle Rowen – Paranormal romance – a little too swoony for me but still an enjoyable read.
Around the Community
- Jay Kristoff’s debut, Stormdancer, was treated to a big US cover reveal this week. The cover is gorgeous and to celebrate, the nine blogs taking part are holding giveaways of review copies. Jay Kristoff is holding a massive giveaway on his blog as well so check it out!
- Cuddlebuggery wrote a post full of very interesting news this week, but what really caught my eye was the colour chart of YA book covers for 2011, originally put together by Kate Hart. Her charts are beautiful and very interesting! There’s definitely a lot of filigree and flowers around at the moment, but her main point is that covers in YA mostly feature pretty white girls – hardly any have models of other backgrounds. I’m not sure that’s necessarily due to prejudice on the cover artists’ part, or just the available cover models and suitability to the characters in the story, but it’s an interesting statistic in any case.
- Selina Fenech, Aussie fantasy artist and author, has put online the delightful story of Bee, Princess of the Dwarfs, a children’s fantasy originally published in 1912. The illustrations are gorgeous and it’s well worth a read or at least a look at the pictures! It’s free!
- It’s nearly time for those lucky Americans to have their Book Expo America (BEA), but the rest of us can join in with Armchair BEA between June 4-8 to experience BEA from the comfort of our own homes. Hundreds of bloggers and bookish types have already registered, have you?
Book Loot
- The Mine, John A Heldt – from the author in exchange for a review.
- Silver, Talia Vance – from Netgalley (September 2012).
- The Childe – C.A. Kunz – part of a prize pack from Tess at My Pathway to Books – thanks!
Library loots:
- Water For Elephants, Sara Gruen – For the Eclectic Reading Challenge which I really need to get cracking on.
- Ada Lovelace: Computer Wizard of Victorian England, Lucy Lethbridge – What’s not to like?
Freebies from Amazon:
- Call of the Herald (Godsland #1), Brian Rathbone
- Inherited Danger (Godsland #2), Brian Rathbone
- Legon Awakening, Nicholas Taylor – such a gorgeous cover!
Currently Reading
Winter Be My Shield, Jo Spurrier
Sierra has a despised and forbidden gift — she raises power from the suffering of others. Enslaved by the King’s Torturer, Sierra escapes, barely keeping ahead of Rasten, the man sent to hunt her down. Then she falls in with dangerous company: the fugitive Prince Cammarian and his crippled foster-brother, Isidro.
It’s all about getting on top of review copies this week, and this Aussie fantasy sounds like a great place to start.
This Week
Amped, Daniel Wilson
Technology makes them superhuman. But mere mortals want them kept in their place. Enter a stunning world where technology and humanity clash in terrifying and surprising ways.
Finnikin of the Rock, Melina Marchetta
In a bold departure from her acclaimed contemporary novels, Printz Medalist Melina Marchetta has crafted an epic fantasy of ancient magic, feudal intrigue, romance, and bloodshed that will rivet you from the first page.
I didn’t get to this one last week and I really want to. I may have to have another read-a-thon week just to get through these library books.
Have a great week, everyone!
I’ll be doing Armchair BEA this year
Awesome! I’m really looking forward to seeing what its all about, actually.
Oh! River over at the Book Brats did an EXCELLENT post about the white washing of characters in YA. (I have it linked in my own CR post, and I admit I’m too lazy to link it here). You may enjoy the article.
I’ll be watching for your thoughts on Finnikin on the Rock. It was recommended that I read it recently, but it’s just sitting on my wishlist.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender recently posted..Clock Rewinders on a Book Binge [52]
Ooh thanks, I’ll head over and check it out 🙂
I might keep the review for Finnikin until July – I’m doing a feature on Aussie Fantasy so it fits pretty well in there.
Water for Elephants has been on my to-read list for ages! I’m curious to see what you’ll think of it!
Natalie @ Mindful Musings recently posted..Clock Rewinders on a Book Binge (4)
Mine too! I haven’t seen the movie but I wanted to read the book first. Hopefully I can get to it sometime before it’s due back!