Review: Wonderstruck

After watching The Invention of Hugo Cabret, I rose from my chair and applauded the cinematography. Not every director gets to frame shots like that. But then once I read the book, I realized that all the frames had been previously drawn by Selznick. If anything, he deserved a lot more credit. I'm happy to say that the quality of the illustrations are maintained in Wonderstruck.

Having lost his mother, Ben must face his home being sold. While going through his mother's personals, he discovers his father's identity and leaves for NYC alone. Despite being a minor --  a deaf minor. Rose's story on the other hand is told in pictures. She also ran away from home to find her mother. And yes, both stories intertwine with a sentimental ending. Throughout the book, the narration is moving and easy for a middle-grader to follow.

Thank you Selznick for illuminating us again with a sweet message of hope.

Top Ten Tuesday: Restless Temptation

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP REASONS TO BLOG AND READ 

C.S. Lewis once said: "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me,"  which brings me to my main reasons for reading and blogging:


Reading is Endless

There will always be more books than you can ever read. So many different genres when you need a change. It's versatile.

Blogging Allows you to Connect

Imagine the most amazing flavor of ice cream and not being able to describe it to others because they believe desserts are dull. Blogging allows us readers to interact together and dissect those books we love so much.


Keep Updated

When does the new book from so and so come out...? Is it worth the read...? All topics mentioned through blogging.


ARCS

A.k.a Advance reading copies. Bloggers don't always have to wait for the publishing date to read a book copy.

Caught my arrow #31

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to In my mailbox and  Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.

Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day!! Actually, everyday should be Valentine's Day -- filled with chocolate and hugs ;) Except when it comes to restaurant reservations. Total drag!

Borrowed from Library

(hehe, couldn't help myself)

For Keeps by Natasha Friend
Golden by Jessi Kirby
Paul has a Summer Job by Michael Rabagliati

What are you reading this week?

Dreams in her Head: Cover Debut & Giveaway

The aliens are back! Clare C. Marshall returns with the sequel to her YA Sci-Fi Stars in her Eyes. In case you haven't read the first book in the series Amazon and Barnes & Noble has the ebook in stock at only $0.99

Open the door.

Step quickly, step through.

Breathe in the darkness,

Until you are its master.

Ingrid Stanley is in more trouble than she knows. Ingrid’s dead friend keeps showing up in her dreams along with mysterious visions that feel all-too real. What’s worse is now the Collective knows that Ingrid is supposed to have superpowers. They’re waiting to pounce the moment Ingrid and her new superpower-wielding friends make a mistake.

When her family is threatened by Professor Jadore, Ingrid decides it’s time to take matters into her own hands. A little student protest can’t go wrong, she thinks. Not when her almost-boyfriend Ethan is fully supporting it. Not when her friends put an innocent student’s life in danger to make it successful.

Not when a powerful alien is waiting for Ingrid to inadvertently summon him into this world.

Everything’s going to be fine. Absolutely no one will get hurt this time.

…right?

Wrong, and wrong again.

Clare Marshall grew up in rural Nova Scotia with very little television and dial up internet, and yet, she turned out okay. She has a combined honours degree in journalism and psychology from the University of King’s College, and is a graduate from Humber College’s Creative Book Publishing Program. She is a full time freelance editor, book designer, and web manager. When she’s not writing, she enjoys playing the fiddle and making silly noises at cats.

Fairy Inc Press is set to publish the book on March 13 2014.  Feel free to check it out on Goodreads. And don't forget to try your luck at the giveaway. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Elite

Only six girls are left in the competition to win prince Maxon's heart. 

From what we saw in The Selection, the first book in the series, Maxon prefers the company of America over the other girls. But how long will his interest last when America is not ready to let go of her ex-boyfriend? Worse, what can happen if Maxon finds out he is being betrayed?

Kiera Cass caught the readers interest by mixing dystopia and romance. Thankfully, this book isn't a repetition of the previous. Instead of jealous girls backstabbing one another, Maxon gets to deal with rebels endangering the entire kingdom. What good does it do to win a crown when there will be no throne to sit on? If America is going to stay with Maxon, then she'd better do it out of love. 

Love-o-meter: Sex, betrayal, and pleasurable indiscretions.

The series conclusion comes out in May 2014.