Best Books of the Year (so far!)

Can you believe we are already well into June?  I can't quite either!

At my bookstore, we started a tradition last year around this time of each staffer picking their Best Book of the Year (so far).  Last year, that book was Alice Hoffman's The Museum of Extraordinary Things, which actually went on to be my Best Book of the Year period.  While I read that in February, nothing went on to top it for the rest of the year, despite having read a number of wonderful books in 2014.

So 2015.  Well, again I've read some pretty great books so far this year!  But, if it comes down to picking just one, it would have to be....drumroll...

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume.

For me, this book just captured a feeling I almost can't describe; It just felt so special.  

Since I've already shared my love of this book in a previous post (found here), I won't go into it again.  Instead, here are 5 other books that I have also loved so far this year!

1. The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

The Queen of the Tearling was one of my favourite books last year so it's no surprise that its sequel made my list this year.  Just WOW! Now this is how you do a sequel!  Queen Kelsea is one of the best bad add heroines out there.  If you haven't check out this series, run, don't walk to your local indie bookstore and let the obsession begin.

2. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Another book I've already raved about on the blog (found here)!  

3.  The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Liane Moriarty is the best author find I've had this year and this is the book that did it for me.  It's smart, funny, tugged at the heartstrings, and had explosive twists and turns.  This is a beach read at its best here people!

4. Vicious by V.E. Schwab

I didn't want this book to end and I still miss the characters.  A story of revenge, redemption, loyalty, and the exploration of self.  Plus, tons of FUN to read!

5. Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon

Book 8 in my all time favourite series, Outlander.  Diana Gabaldon, you brought your A game with this one.  Twists and turns all over the place, I was laughing, crying, and savouring every page.

Who Run the World?

I just wanted to share this great article I read in The Guardian a couple months back.  Feeding the Hunger: How Female Writers are Storming the Male Citadels of Sci-Fi is chock full of fantastic recommendation of book that are already out, and forthcoming, by kick ass ladies writing kick ass worlds and characters.  I know this gave me several titles to add to my to-read list!

After having read this article, I went and finally picked up my copy of The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon and yes, while I found it had ups and downs, this is the beginning of an exciting new world and series (there are 7 books planned in this series).  I can also give two very enthusiastic thumbs up to Erika Johansen's The Queen of the Tearling, which was not only one of my favourite books from last year, but also probably the best fantasy novel I've read in a long time.  I was lucky enough to get an ARC of the upcoming sequel, The Invasion of the Tearling, and I suspect it's going to blow me away as well.

Well, what are you waiting for?  Time to get your Sci-Fi on!

Judy Blume: Childhood Hero and Literary Rockstar

Judy Blume is one of those authors that defines childhood for me; I grew up reading and rereading her books.

I devoured her Fudge series, delighting in the hijinks of Peter Hatcher, Fudge, and the great Sheila-the-Great.  As an only child, I loved stories of siblings, even when they were getting into trouble.

I can still remember reading Just as Long as We're Together and Here's To You, Rachel Robinson and finding them extremely timely.  When I was in the fourth grade, our family moved to a new area and that meant a new school.  I can still remember having a conversation with a girl, who I ended up becoming very good friends with, asking if we were best friends.  I was somewhat horrified because I already had a best friend so that position was already filled.  It didn't occur to me that you could have more than one.  Looking back, I can only smile because as I have learned over the years, as Rachel Robinson and friends did, yes, you can indeed have two best friend.

Are You There God?  It's Me, Margaret is still to this day one of the most profound books I've ever read.  And yes, as with many girls, I totally tried to make my boobs bigger while chanting "I must, I must, I must increase my bust!"

I somehow missed reading Deenie as a teenager.  HOW DID THIS HAPPEN??  I mean, I have scoliosis!  I had to wear a back brace for a year in high school!  How did I miss that the one and only Judy Blume had written a book about this very subject?!  I remedied this last year and all I can say is, man, 15 year old me would have really appreciated that book.

But, I digress.

So, as you may have heard, Judy Blume had a bit of a comeback this year.  It's been over a decade since she published her last book, (Double Fudge in 2002) and that was written for young adults.  Her new book, In the Unlikely Event is most definitely a book for adults, and as hoped for (and secretly expecting) it was just wonderful.  It is somewhat autobiographical since it is set against a backdrop of actual events that Blume experience in the early 1950's growing up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where over the course of several months, three airplanes fell from the sky, leaving the community reeling in the face of tragedy.  But, it wouldn't be a Judy Blume book if we left it just at that.  This is a story about growing up, about falling in love (be it for the first time or not), about friendships and family, and about how life will always go on.

I love this book; I couldn't put it down.  I laughed and I cried.  It made me think and feel.  This is a story about real people, and as I read it, they were real to me.  After I had read the last page, I sighed and hugged the book to me.  You know that feeling you have when you haven't seen an old friend in a long time?  That excitement at reconnecting after so many years apart?  That right there.  That's how I'm feeling right now.  It was so good to see you again Judy.

*Many thanks to Penguin Random House for the ARC!

"As long as there is life, there is hope"

All year I've been looking for that book that would light a spark in me and completely knock my socks off.  Ladies and gents, I think I have found that book.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir has been on my radar for awhile.  Not only had it been getting a lot of fantastic buzz from other bloggers, but it just sounded so very cool.  Gladiator meets The Game of Thrones??  Heck yes.  It was with some trepidation that I picked this one up since, as with many of you I'm sure, I've been burned before by books that are beloved by many and yet, for one reason or another, just don't float my boat.  From the opening few chapters of this one, however, my worries vanished; I was hooked.  I started reading it on my lunch break (and almost came back late because I didn't want to put it down) and was up way past my bedtime because I was just so captivated by the world that Tahir has created.

I don't think I've encounter a YA novel that was so thrilling, so blood thirsty, and so compelling since quite possibly The Hunger Games (ya, I said it).  If you were a fan of Suzanne Collins trilogy, you will enjoy this book.  I would also recommend this for fans of Marie Rutkoski's amazing (and still ongoing) Winner's trilogy.

The world building is well done and inspired by Ancient Rome (and there are maps!  I've said it before and i'll say it again; I love me a book with maps).  The characters are outstanding.  These are hardened individuals that are forced to take risks to survive and yet still contain an almost heartbreaking humanity.  There is romance, but not so much that it overshadows other elements of the book. Oh, and the brutality!  As with The Hunger Games, there is violence here that almost shocks the reader but at the same time is integral in depicting this world.

There is a sequel coming and may I say, THANK GOD, because what an ending.

Looking for an action packed read that has heart?  Read this!

* Many thanks to Penguin Random House for the Reading Copy!

An Ode to Elly Griffiths

One of the best authors/ series finds I've had in the last few years is the wonderful British mystery novelist, Elly Griffiths.  I picked up the first book, The Crossing Places, on a recommendation and my god, I was hooked fast and hard.  At the time my obsession began, there were 5 books out.  I read all of them over a weekend, taking time off only to eat and sleep.  I was lucky enough that a coworker of mine got hooked at the same time so we can happily discuss the books and the characters to our hearts content, secretly hoping that the characters were real people and alway wishing for the next book to arrive.

The series is about forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway.  When she's not digging up bones or other ancient objects, Ruth lives happily alone in a remote area called Saltmarsh near Norfolk.  In book one, The Crossing Places, Ruth  is called in to assist on a case by Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson.  A child's bones are found on a desolate beach and Nelson thinks they may be the remains of a little girl who went missing over a decade ago.  Despite her discovery that the bones are actually two thousand years old, Ruth is drawn into the disappearance of Lucy Downey.  Then another child goes missing and the hunt is on to find her and her kidnapper.

Ruth Galloway is one of my favourite mystery solving ladies.  She is relatable, clever, and funny.  While the mysteries are entertaining, it is the characters that keep you coming back for more.  Looking for a new series?  Look no further.

Ruth Galloway Series
1. The Crossing Places
2. The Janus Stone
3. The House at Sea's End
4. A Room Full of Bones
4.5. Ruth's First Christmas Tree (e-novella)
5. A Dying Fall
6. The Outcast Dead
7. The Ghost Fields

Back in the Saddle Again

Well....I feel like I've said it before...but I'm back!

A new computer has motivated me to get the old blog up and kicking again so, to quote Whitesnake, here we go again!

It has been over A YEAR since I last posted! A year! Many wonderful books were read and clearly not discussed here.  If you want to check out what was going on in my literary world last year, you are always welcome to check out my Goodreads page.  Every book I read gets posted there, with a tiny review / general thoughts, so please come visit and say hi!

Since it would take forever to recap all the books I read last year, here were my Top 5 reads for 2014.

1. The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman writes good books.  Really good books.  I was such a fan of her novel The Dovekeepers that I was really excited to read this one and it did not disappoint.

2. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

After finishing this, I actually wanted to go back to the beginning and read it again.  One of the best fantasy novels I've read in a long time and definitely one of the best bad ass heroines I've ever read.

3. Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

Such a beautiful book and my favourite teen novel of the year.  Considering this was Dellaira's debut novel, I'm pretty darn excited to see where she goes next.

4. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

I was so blown away by this.  It deserved all the acclaim it got.

5. Us by David Nicholls

I have talked to several people who thought that this was just ok, but for one reason or another, this just spoke to me.  One Day was a DNF for me so I was really surprised I liked this one as much as I did.

So, there it is, 2014 in a nutshell.

And here we are now almost halfway through 2015!  Book wise, the year is off to a good start. I've read many books that I've really enjoyed, however,  I am still waiting to find that book that really knocks my socks off.

Here are the Top 3 things I have to report for 2015 so far:

1.  My best discovery has been the novels of the absolutely dynamite Australian novelist, Liane Moriarty.  Seriously, go pick up either The Husband's Secret or Big Little Lies, and get ready for a day of addictive reading.  You're welcome.

2. Teen novels everywhere!  Best so far have been Jennifer Niven's All the Bright Places, everything Rosamund Hodge writes (Cruel Beauty, Crimson Bound, Gilded Ashes), and The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski (man, this series just keeps getting better!).  I've got a lovely stack of current and upcoming teen books to get through so I'm pretty excited to read those.

3. I'm making an effort to read more non-fiction since it is something that I don't read all that often and really should.  So far I have I've read Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling, and Without You There is No Us by Suki Kim.  All have been enjoyable and not felt like school (which is always my fear with non-fiction, despite the fact that it is rarely true...)

Well this has been long and rambling!  I'm glad to be back :)




Cheers,
Sam

What I've Been Reading This Year

I'm back!  It's been a long time since I posted anything which means that you have missed out on all the wonderful things i've read so far this year!    I've been posting mini reviews of all the books I've been reading on Goodreads and would love to connect with people there and hear what they think about the book's I've read!  Please visit me there if you would like to read my thoughts on the following titles!

Here's what I've read so far this year:

TEEN FICTION

Cress by Marissa Meyer (Book 3 in the Lunar Chronicles)

Every Day by David Levithan

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Panic by Lauren Oliver

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

AUDIO BOOKS

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

FICTION

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

Annabel by Kathleen Winter 

The Crane Wife by Patrick Ness

Come to the Edge by Joanna Kavenna

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman

Shovel Ready by Adam Sternbergh

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

9-12 FICTION

The School of Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

Operation Bunny by Sally Gardner

NON-FICTION

Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin

Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon

Moranthology by Caitlin Moran

CLASSICS

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

COZY MYSTERIES

Death, Taxes, and a French Manicure by Diane Kelly

Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams

Peach Pies and Alibis by Ellery Adams

Pecan Pies and Homicides by Ellery Adams

Pearls and Poison by Duffy Brown

Teen Books Everywhere!

I recently had a period where it seems I was reading nothing but teen books...wonderful, wonderful teen books...I dove into several series and oh what fun I've been having!

Cinder & Scarlet
by Marissa Meyer
The Lunar Chronicles

What a fun series!  Meyer does a great job retelling classic fairy tales in an interesting and unique way.  Cinderella as a cyborg mechanic?  Yes please!  The stories are fresh, the characters are intriguing and this is a relevant series in a time when dystopian teen lit is the in thing to be reading.  Book 1, Cinder, focus on the Cinderella story, while Book 2, Scarlet, takes the Little Red Riding Hood mythology to new heights. Book 3, Cress, is due in stores early next year and will be taking on the story of Rapunzel.  Definitely on my to read list!

The Raven Boys & The Dream Thieves
by Maggie Stiefvater
The Raven Cycle

When I knew I was going to be seeing Maggie Stiefvater at the Vancouver Writers Fest, I knew that I wanted to read something of hers before hand but the question was, where to start?  I decided to have a go at her latest series, The Raven Cycle.  Teen bloggers had been showing the first two books in the cycle lots of love and that alone made me want to read these books.  I was not disappointed.  Stiefvater has some of the most beautiful writing I've seen in quite awhile.  Her stories were full of magic, yet still stayed grounded in a contemporary setting.  The characters felt real, and, something I often find frustrating with teen novels, actually like teenagers.  I was up late into the night reading the first two installments and I eagerly await the next book.  I definitely want to check out more books by Stiefvater! I currently have The Scorpio Races and Shiver on my bookshelf.

Just One Day & Just One Year
by Gayle Forman

I blogged earlier this year about my immense love of Just One Day (review here) and I was so very excited to read its sequel / companion novel Just One Year.  While Just One Day was Allyson's story, Just One Year is Willem's story.  After having read both, I have to say that I think that the first installment was the stronger of the pair, but I couldn't imagine not having both sides to this story.  I think that you needed Willem's point of view to flesh out the story and I enjoyed the development of his character.  One of the best set of love stories / coming of age tales I've read in sometime.

Eleanor & Park
by Rainbow Rowell

By now you have probably figured out that I'm somewhat obsessed with Rainbow Rowell.  Both Fangirl and Attachments were amazing and I had been saving the critically acclaimed Eleanor & Park like a small child saves Halloween candy to make it last.  Oh my goodness...this one broke my heart.  When I finished the book, I was quite literally surrounded by dozens of tear stained tissues, with mascara running down my cheeks and my perplexed husband asking why I felt the need to read whatever sad thing I was reading right before bed.  Chock full of fun 1980's reference (especially music), this is a love story that pulls every heart string.  You NEED to read this book.  But don't take just my advice, John Green agrees with me too.  Read his NYT review here.

Elementary, My Dear Stoker: Colleen Gleason's THE CLOCKWORK SCARAB

I got a copy of The Clockwork Scarab at the recent Raincoast Teen Reads Winter Preview.  It is one that I had been eyeing out for awhile now so I was really excited to get a copy.  I just loved the premise of the story:

Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never meant to get into the family business. But when you’re the sister of Bram and the niece of Sherlock, vampire hunting and mystery solving are in your blood. And when two society girls go missing, there’s no one more qualified to investigate.

Now fierce Evaline and logical Mina must resolve their rivalry, navigate the advances of not just one but three mysterious gentlemen, and solve murder with only one clue: a strange Egyptian scarab. The stakes are high. If Stoker and Holmes don’t unravel why the belles of London society are in such danger, they’ll become the next victims

First of all, I loved Dracula and I've enjoyed every Arthur Conan Doyle story that I've read so you can see why this book really peaked my interest. Author Colleen Gleason did a great job in capturing the essence of the works of Bram Stoker and Doyle; you really felt that the characters and situations she created could have appeared in either one of their works.  I also really loved what strong and interesting characters Evaline and Mina were!  This is being called the first in the Stoker & Holmes series so I really hope that there will be more novels capturing the adventures of these two!  Lots of fun, full of mystery, adventure, and romance, this is a great read for teen fiction fans!

Talking Books With Simi Sara!

I've had the privilege to appear on the Simi Sara Show several times in the last year to talk books with Simi and my lovely fellow booksellers Trish and Mary-Ann.  Our last appearance was on Monday October 14th (Thanksgiving!) We talked about a wonderful assortment of books (including one of my favourites at the moment, Fangirl!)  Have a listen!  I would love to hear any of your comments or thoughts about the books we talked about!

The Simi Sara Show on Oct 14th

If you listen to the Simi Sara Show then you know that she is a HUGE reader!  She recently started her own Book Club and Book Blog  which is full of reviews, recommendations, and is sponsored by Black Bond Book /Book Warehouse!  I really recommend you check it out!

October Literary Events in Vancouver (aka Sam Gets to Meet Famous Book People)

This month has been a very literary one for me!  I've had several wonderful opportunities to meet and hear a handful of amazing authors and illustrators speak from all different genre!  Here's the lineup:

Julie Flett, Richard Van Camp, & Julie Morstad 

@ The Vancouver Children Literature Roundtables Annual Illustrators Breakfast

What a fun morning!  Illustrators Julie Flett and Julie Morstad talked all about their process and showed us many images from their various works, while writer Richard Van Camp was full of energy and hilarious talking about his various works for both young children and teenagers.  I have to say, I was partial to Julie Morstad because I find her illustrations to be so beautiful and charming.  I purchased two of her books, When I Was Small, which is a one in a trilogy of picture books, and Milk Teeth, which is a collection of her art.  I've included a few of her images; aren't they incredible?  If you want to see more of Julie Morstad's work, please visit her website!

Grant Lawrence Book Launch 

@ The BC Sports Hall of Fame

Grant Lawrence latest book, The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie, is a the story of Lawrence growing up in Canada and his relationship with the game of hockey.  The book launch took place at the perfect venue, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and included a book reading, an opportunity to take a shot of Lawrence in net, a live performance by one of his team mates musical group, and free beer!  I haven't yet read this book, nor Lawrence's previous, award winning book, Adventures in Solitude, but they are both now on my to-read pile!

Fantasy @ 6 with Maggie Stiefvater & Maureen Johnson

Vancouver International Writers Festival on Granville Island

Oh my god, I want to BE these two!  Or at the very least, be bff with them.  What an amazingly fun evening with two wonderful teen writers.  I've been a fan of Maureen Johnson since I read the first two books in her Shades of London Series (The Name of the Star, The Madness Underneath) so when I heard she was coming to Vancouver I knew I had to see her speak. I'm new to Maggie Stiefvater's work but after having read The Raven Boys and am halfway through The Dream Thieves I feel it is safe to call me a fan.  This event, moderated by the amazing Shannon Ozirny, was one of the best author events I've ever been to.  It was so casual, so hilarious, and so real that it was impossible not to have a great time; laugher was contagious.  If you ever get the opportunity to see these two in action I highly recommend it!

Lunch with Maria Semple

Corner Stories with Maria Semple, Wayne Johnson, Saleema Nawaz, & Anthony De Sa

Vancouver Writers Festival on Granville Island

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple is one of my favourite books this year so when I heard she was coming for the Writers Fest I was so excited!  As the event grew closer I got an even bigger surprise, I was going to have the opportunity to have lunch with Maria with one of my fellow booksellers, Caitlin (another uber Bernadette fan)!  Maria Semple is one of the funniest, most down to earth authors I have ever met.  She generally wants to talk to you about books (not just hers!) and to swap stories.  One of her most memorable stories?  When she was having dinner in New York and at the next table was Daniel Craig, Mike Nichols, and Oprah!  Amazing!  She also managed to give me several book recommendations that I'm really excited to read.

The next day Caitlin and I headed to the Writers Fest and saw Maria on panel with several other big name authors all discussing the importance of place in their novels. She was a rock star and, in my opinion, dominated the panel with her honesty and observations.  If you've read Bernadette, you know that it takes place in Seattle and is just bang on with regards to the culture there.  If you haven't read Bernadette yet, you really really must.