Take Two: "Linger" by Maggie Stiefvater

We all do it, we read a book and we make an initial impression of it, whether it is a positive or negative impression it doesn't matter- just the fact that we make one matters. And sometimes the impression that we make can very well be impacted by factors outside of the book (ie. our mood while reading the book, other books we were reading at the time, etc.). We then reread the book (which I don't know about y'all, but I am totally a rereader) and notice things we didn't see the first time around, come to understand those characters who bothered us the first time around or just come away from the book with a totally different idea of how we feel about it. As mentioned, I am a rereader sort of person, whether I reread a book right after my initial time reading it, or months, if not years later, well, I don't think that really matters, what I think matters is that with time something about that book hooks us, reels us in, and forces us to once again pick it up. I thought that it would be interesting if I were to reread some books that I have previously read and/or reviewed to see if my initial impression of the book has changed, hence this new little feature I like to call "Take Two" (or in the case of this book Take Three or Four).

From Goodreads: "In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.  Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack.  And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget."

The first time I read this book I didn't really care for Cole. Whatsoever. I just plowed through all of the parts that he was in because I wanted to get to the 'good stuff' AKA the romance between Sam and Grace, however, this time around I really took the time to pay attention to him, and boy, did I ever like what I saw read. In my review of "Shade" by Jeri Smith-Ready I stated, "Logan, Aura's dead boyfriend, is full of fiery passion and it is easy to get swept up by said passion, though he does have his asshattery moments that does leave a bad taste in your mouth," and I think that that statement entirely applies to Cole of this book. On the one hand he completely plays with Isabel's heart, but on the other hand he genuinely cares about Grace's outcome and does everything in his power to see her and Sam together forever.

Furthermore, the first time I read this book I figured that the plot would more so focus on Sam and him adapting to his new life, but when it didn't fully go in that direction, but more so in the direction of Grace and her transformation, I was completely taken by surprise (though a happy one at that) and every time I have read the book since then I am still shocked by what occurs. And I think that that is a mark of a good book, a book which allows you to feel something no matter how many times you may read it.

All in all, this book truly takes you on an emotional roller coaster and is a treat to read once again. While I typically do not like new characters being introduced to well established series (ie. Daniel in Cassie Clare's "Mortal Instruments" series), I didn't mind the introduction of Cole in this series.

Rating: 10/10

Memorable lines from the book:

"Isabel Rosemary Culpeper, are you even going to tell me what a naked boy is doing in this house?"
"What do you think? Isabel replied. "What do you think I'm doing with a naked boy in this house? Didn't Dr. Carrotnose warn you that I might act out if you kept ignoring me? Well, here it is, Mom! Here's me acting out!" (pg. 82).

"My parents had always been so careful with me, until the day they decided I needed to die" (pg. 91).

"Pick one, guys. Parents or roommates. You can't be one and then suddenly be the other" (pg. 220).

"It was a life I didn't want to leave behind" (pg. 338).

Take Two: "Shiver" by Maggie Stiefvater

We all do it, we read a book and we make an initial impression of it, whether it is a positive or negative impression it doesn't matter- just the fact that we make one matters. And sometimes the impression that we make can very well be impacted by factors outside of the book (ie. our mood while reading the book, other books we were reading at the time, etc.). We then reread the book (which I don't know about y'all, but I am totally a rereader) and notice things we didn't see the first time around, come to understand those characters who bothered us the first time around or just come away from the book with a totally different idea of how we feel about it. As mentioned, I am a rereader sort of person, whether I reread a book right after my initial time reading it, or months, if not years later, well, I don't think that really matters, what I think matters is that with time something about that book hooks us, reels us in, and forces us to once again pick it up. I thought that it would be interesting if I were to reread some books that I have previously read and/or reviewed to see if my initial impression of the book has changed, hence this new little feature I like to call "Take Two" (or in the case of this book Take Five or Take Six).

From Goodreads: "the cold.

Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.

the heat.
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.

the shiver.
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human—and Grace must fight to keep him—even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future."
 
Much like Grace I am the sort of person who doesn't understand poetry. It's not that I don't want to, I just can't wrap my head around it (whereas Grace's head is up in clouds of mathematical equations mine is up in clouds of cultures and bones). And even though I know very little about poetry what I do know is that, like a well written poem saturated in emotion, this book is breathtaking, haunting, and powerful. In the "About the Author" section of the book author Cynthia Leitich Smith calls Maggie's writing, "musical, magical, and practically radiating romance... perfect for engaging sharp minds and poetic hearts," and I personally don't feel like she could have described Maggie's writing style any more perfectly. I don't think that the first few times I read this book I appreciated Maggie's writing style- I think that initially I rushed through the book mainly because I had wanted to know what was going to happen to all of my favourite characters. I didn't really allow myself to savor it. Had I read this book a few days earlier into this year I would have awarded it with the most beautiful prose award (see my Fav Books of 2011- So Far).

When I first saw the covers I (rather superficially) thought, "Oh aren't those pretty with their creepy tree branches and whatnot", but then when I laid the three covers together, I realized that, "DUH!", they basically tell the story (though in a very subtle way). Furthermore, not only do they tell the story contained within them, but they also display many characteristics of the characters. On the one hard they are very organized and calculated like Grace, but on the other hand they are very complex and multi-faceted like Sam.

What I also never comprehended my first couple of times reading this book was how truly developed the characters were. I always saw Grace as kind of 'the girl next door', but she is anything but that. Because she had to become independent at such a young age, due to her parents unwillingness to make time for her, that it was only obvious that over time she would be more comforted by calculations than hugs. And as for Sam? Well at first he may just seem like your typical emo boy with his swoopy hair, lankiness and love of music, there is so much more to him. He is a born leader with the ability to see the good in everyone, whether they deserve it or not.

All in all, this is a book that I could never get sick of rereading. This book is full of raw emotion that is all consuming and will have to hungering for the next book in the series (seriously the last time I cried while reading a book to the extent I did while reading this was when I was in grade 6 and had just learned that Leslie drowned in "Bridge to Terabithia").

Rating: 10/10

Memorable lines from the book:

"Sam backed away farther, crashing into the cabinet behind him, curling into a ball, uncurling. He was peeling free. He was shaking out of his fur. He was wolf and he was Sam, and then
he
was
just
Sam" (pg. 369).

 

"She could've looked at the tiny miracles in front of her: my feet, my hands, my fingers, the shape of my shoulders beneath my jacket, my human body, but she only stared at my eyes" (pg. 390).

 

"His yellow eyes gazed at me possessively- I wondered if he realized that the way he looked at me was far more intimate than copping a feel ever could be" (pg. 282).

 

"Isabel said, 'He's in the living room next to the fire. He just stopped throwing up before you got here. He puked all over the carpet. But that's okay because I like having my parents pissed at me. No point interrupting a constant pattern'" (pg. 331).

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating...
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Title: "Wings of the Wicked"
Author: Courtney Allison Moulton
Release Date: 2012

From Goodreads: "Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.
Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She’s been warned.
Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.

She’ll be betrayed.
Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay."

Fave of 2011 (So Far)...

So this was hosted by Nomes of inkcrush last month but I never got around to partaking in it then, so here it is now!

1. Favourite book read so far in 2011: I really, really, really wanted my favourite read of this year to be "City of Fallen Angels" by Cassie Clare because it is my most favourite book series of all time, but it unfortunately wasn't (mainly because of that ending that ripped my heart out), but it was a close second! That title would actually belong to either "If I Die" by Rachel Vincent (which I know, I know, isn't actually out yet, so that is all that I shall say about that as to not spoil it for anyone- except for the fact that it is the best book of the series and pretty much everything about it was perfect) or "Defiance" by Lili St. Crow (same with what I said about "If I Die", this is but far the best book of the "Strange Angels" series and I could not be any happier with what went down in it).

2. Most powerful book: Oooooohhhh.... I would have to say one this title would definitely have to belong to one of the dystopians I read this year, either "Delirium", "Matched", or "XVI". The girls of these books are definitely kick butt and I can't wait to see what they have in store for us next!

3.  Brilliantly funny: I really love the relationship that Jace and Simon formed in "City of Fallen Angels" by Cassie Clare. Their bantering back and forth was insanely funny and totally unpredictable IMO. Or "The Commander and the Den Asaan Rautu" by Michelle Franklin. The relationship between the Commander and Rautu is one unlike any other I have read of before and one that I don't think I would ever tire of reading.

4. Best ache-y, heart-breaking, tear-jerker read: "Delirium" by Lauren Oliver! That ending? Way to right out hearts out and stomp on them Lauren! 


5. Most beautiful story: I'd have to say either "Anna and the French Kiss" by Stephanie Perkins because the characters were just so gosh darn realistic or "Between the Land and the Sea" by Derrolyn Anderson because the world building was impeccable. 

6. Delicious rainy day comfort read: On a rainy/ depressing day I want a really cute story to uplift my spirits so I gotta choose something cute... "Anna and the French Kiss" by Stephanie Perkins it is! Etienne and Anna? So flawed as individuals, but perfect together.

7. Adrenalin-fuelled, unputdownable award: Anything by Leonard D. Hilley II! Seriously, if you are itching for a fast paced book try out his apocalyptic "Predators of Darkness" series.

8. The beautiful prose award: "Camille" by Tess Oliver. Tess's writing style makes the world that she has written so easy to fall into and so easy to believe.

9. Most atmospheric and vivid setting: "Farro" by Arreana. This is hands down the best indie I have read to date. The world that Arreana has created? Breathtaking! 

10. I-so-want-to-go-there award: Every time I read a book that takes place in Paris I am instantly transported back to last summer when I traveled there with my family. I loved reading of the streets that I have ventured down and the places I have been in Amy Plum's "Die For Me" and Stephanie Perkins "Anna and the French Kiss".

11. Most original and imaginative: "A Touch Mortal" by Leah Clifford. This is potentially the most unique book I have ever read of before (not just the most original of 2011).

12. Best under-appreciated, hidden gem book: "44" by Jools Sinclair. Though this book is quite short, it really packs a bunch. Fans of Meg Cabot's "Mediator" series will love this book!

13. I-had-no-idea-I-would-love-this-so-much award: "If I Die" has also got to get this designation! I was only "meh" towards the first two book in Rachel Vincent's "Soul Screamers" series, the next two were marginally better, but the fifth book in the series?!? AMAZING!

14. Most haunting story: "Delirium" gets yet another title! When I first read the book I thought that it was good, but not great. But months after reading it I kept thinking about it and processing what went down in it and came to love it.

15. Outside my comfort zone but gosh how I loved it: I wouldn't say that I have yet to read a book that is out of my comfort zone. I am typically pretty consistent in what I read.

16. Series that I’m loving: Aprilynne Pike's "Wings" series. While I thought that "Wings" and "Spells" were amazing, but "Illusions" was even better! I am just so gosh darn happy that Laurel ended up making a decision boy-wise and the last book of the sentence? Totally series changing, I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us!

17. Most memorable voice award: Izzie from "Tris & Izzie" by Mette Ivie Harrison. But memorable for all of the wrong reasons unfortunately. I think that the ridiculousness that comes out of her mouth will stick with me for quite a long time. Ugh.

18. Completely awesome premise award: "Angelfire"by Courtney Allison Moulton. 

19. Would make the best movie: "Some Girls Bite" by Chloe Neill. Seriously... Seeing Ethan on the big screen? Yes please!

20. Want to re-read already: There are so many books that I want to reread but I unfortunately can't find the time to do so. Here are a few I can't wait to get my hands on again: "Anna and the French Kiss" by Stephanie Perkins, "Across the Universe" by Beth Revis, "Matched" by Aly Condie, and "White Cat" by Holly Black.

Want to join in by listing your Best of 2011 so far? Visit inkcrush and jump right in! Special thanks to Nomes for hosting. :)

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly post hosted by Kirsti at The Story Siren as a chance to share the books we've bought or received over the past week.
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Bought

"Divergent" by Veronica Roth

For Review (Thanks NetGalley and the Publishers!)

"Beyond the Grave" by Mara Purnhagen 

"The Sleepwalkers" by J. Gabriel Gates 

"Blood" by K.J. Wignall

What did you get in your mailbox?

On My Wishlist...

 

On My Wishlist is a great event that Book Chick City runs every Saturday. It's where you list all of the books that you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. I thought that this was a fantabulous idea so I thought I would join in!
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"Eve"  by Anna Carey 

From Goodreads: "The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life"