I can’t wait to read this!
Maggie’s giving away doodled ARCs on her site also, go check out Words on Words to see how you can grab one!
Book Review: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater @mstiefvater (Yeah, my lip is still quivering.) July 15, 2011
It hurts.
Maggie made me cry. A lot. This book took a lot out of me. A lot! I think I cried four times while reading it and before you ask, no, I’m NOT PMSing!
The way Maggie writes is poetry, not just when she’s quoting poetry from Rilke or when Sam is singing. She writes fluidly.
There are scenes in this book invovling pain, abuse, and death, but it’s poetic. The beauty of poetry is that it can show you angry, painful, hate-feuled words but they roll off your tongue and swirl around you creating an image.
Something can be awful, but beautiful. And beauty isn’t always clean lines and soft colors. Sometimes it’s wolves locked in a struggle for dominance, sometimes it’s parents who love but don’t know how to show that love, sometimes it’s choosing life even if you have to give your own life for that of another’s.
Maggie shows us this in Forever. Life is all about choices, minutes, moments. Sometimes you make the right step, sometimes you screw it all up. Sam, Grace, Isabel, Cole, Beck, Tom Culpepper, The Brisbanes, even Shelby… they’re all integral, whether loved or hated, whether large or small, they all mattered.
Sam Roth will always be one of my favorite book boyfriends. Maggie makes dreamy lovely boys who are filled with love and self doubt and kindness. Imperfectly perfect. You guys know that’s my favorite.The shower scene I think was one of my most favorite scenes in this book because it reminded me so much of how my husband and I react to each other. Something I love about Sam and Grace is how real they are even though they’re in this incredible, ridiculous, fictional clusterfuck. They take a moment when most of us would be curled into the fetal position crying and gave it humor and adorable-ness. She really does a great job of balancing the “WTF?” with the “Aw!” That’s why I love Maggie so much!
Maggie built us a world. It started with Shiver and I promise you it doesn’t end with Forever. Her world makes me happy and sad, wistful and kind of whiney. I hated turning that last page.
I will admit that I did skip ahead a few times trying to get to Grace and Sam. They just mean so much to me and I wish we could know more about them, now if they’re safe, happy, together.
I’m going to refuse to believe anything less than that.
Book Review: Linger by @mstiefvater She made me cry! July 4, 2011
Oh, Maggie. The ending of this just killed me. I knew it was coming, but it didn’t make it hurt any less.
I was so wowed, I immediately started reading Forever as soon as the ARC showed up, but Linger is still stuck in my head!
The constantly changing points of view were difficult, I found myself craving Sam and Grace, but Isabel and Cole are interesting to add to the mix. I just love Sam so much. And Grace is such a fantastic female lead. I guess I’m just attached to them.
As always, Maggie has taken us into a world we could never comprehend and made it simple and ours. You sympathize with Grace’s need to be a part of something and her craving for Sam and his security and love. You can familiarize with Sam’s desires for loving and protecting Grace, but his need to remain loyal to Beck and his pack. Also with Sam’s reticence to be an alpha, to be the boss… when you’re young you might crave adulthood, but when you’re the one every one is turning to for guidance, it would be nice to shirk responsibility rather than be the one to blame when it all falls to pot. I just wanted to hug Sam and tell him everything was going to be okay, even if I knew it wouldn’t be. I wish I could keep Grace and Sam in my pocket and make everything better for them… make them a perfect world where they can have it all.
It’s a modern day Romeo and Juliet only instead of Montagues and Capulets we have naive human and wild wolf shifters. Both, just like in R+J, have their selfish desires and self preservation in their core, but both can be beautiful as well. This is what I love about Maggie’s writing… she shows us the good with the bad, the feral with the humanity, the pleasure wrapped in the pain, the kindness hidden beneath the fear. It’s beautiful.
I wanna be Maggie Stiefvater when I grow up.
The Scorpio Races by @mstiefvater A lil’ sneaky peek! June 22, 2011
Maggie was awesome enough to share the prologue to her new book The Scorpio Races. If you’ve not had a chance to peruse, please do so here.
I have to say I was sucked right in! As always Maggie creates a little nook in the world that makes you wanna go see what’s happening… very voyeuristic but not… I mean, we’re invited to look, so it’s not dirty.
Everyone knows I would read a remake of the dictionary if Maggie told me to do so, but honestly, I was a little worried when she told us about the premise of TSR. Flesh eating pony, what?
I’m all ready ready already. Let’s bring on the freaky ass horses and the brave/stupid people who ride them! I’m freaked out and intrigued and I know it’s gonna be awesome 🙂
Bring it, Maggie!
PS- if you haven’t seen this vid of the “Sharpie Guitar” go check it –
I’d like to know 1- can I have this? 2- was the bottom of your hand black when you finished? 😀
Book Cover Reveal: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater! @mstiefvater May 15, 2011
Maggie says there will be “blood, beaches, and kissing.” Sounds like a good time!
Her’s the snippet to wet your whistle straight from Maggie’s people:Â “With her trademark lyricism, Maggie Stiefvater turns to a new world, where a pair are swept up in a daring, dangerous race across a cliff–with more than just their lives at stake should they lose.”
There may be horses… at least that’s what I’m pickin’ up. Riding horses on a beach = good. Riding horses with someone else = good. Riding horses on a beach with someone else in a race to save you life and theirs= gooooood book! 😀
If you’d like more information, check out Maggie’s personal site: http://maggiestiefvater.blogspot.com/2011/05/ta-da-scorpio-races-us-cover.html
What just happened here @maggiestiefvater? February 26, 2011
So I didn’t want to watch the teaser until I knew there were no spoilers because I am STILL reading Linger… I am making it linger because it feels like forever until Forever comes out… see what I did there.
So anyhoo. I was promised if I skipped to 1:20 I’d have no spoilers, so I did that. I watched from there on.
WTF?!
See for yourself. And remember, no spoilers!
So what do you think? If you’ve read Linger, don’t tell me to read. I’m reading. If you’ve not read Linger, skip to 1:20! Then come back and tell me what you think.
I want to finish Linger so badly, but I hate waiting!!!! Ugh!
Top Reads of 2010 January 9, 2011
Several friends asking for my top ten reads of 2010, so even though it is a little late, here goes!
1- Anna and the French Kiss
Why? ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!!!
This story had everything. Really.
There were swoon-worthy moments. Sighing. Beautiful, not-perfect boys. Snarky, smart, sweet girls. Sighs. Stomach drops. Cheering. Yes… I cheered. I even squeed a little. I’m not ashamed.
My husband even mocked me for hugging the book after I wrote my note in it. Yeah, hugged it. That’s how good it is.
This book had so many great moments and I can’t think of anything I would change about it. It had me up and down and that’s how I know it was good. It affected my emotions, for better and worse, it had me stuck to it; sneaking reads at my desk and in between teaching, dreaming of what would happen to Anna next, and it was just simply lovely.
Stephanie Perkins has a wonderful YA voice, but it’s not immature. And thankfully, it’s not contrived or condescending. Anna doesn’t sound like a grown woman trying to sound like a teen girl. It’s just Anna and her friends and her foes and Etienne’.
Ooooooh Etienne. “He has an acute accent and a cute accent.” *le sigh*
2- The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Why? I am one proud beta momma. My friend Michelle Hodkin is official. I always knew she would be 🙂 I have read her story probably 20 times in it’s entirety as her beta reader and I am still not bored of it!
Look out YA world, here comes the enigmatic Mara Dyer and her incredible boy wonder, Noah Shaw. Michelle’s cast of friends and family create a dynamic tapestry that envelopes you in a world of mystery and laughter. Her words grip you by the throat and heart and don’t let you go til the adrenaline-pounding end. I’d like to tell you more, but then I’d have to kill you!
On shelves September 2011 🙂 You can preorder through Amazon.com now!
3- Lament
Why? SO GOOOOOOD!
Maggie has done it again! I loved Dee and James and Luke. They were such wonderful and deep characters. I was able to read this in one day. We were camping so I started it on the ride up the mountain then finished it in the hammock by the fire. It was phenomenal! Maggie once again creates a world and you can see it in your head so clearly.
I didn’t find anything in this book that I didn’t like. Her voice was perfect and her imagery was amazing.
I highly recommend this! SO GOOOOOOD!
Maggie has done it again! I loved Dee and James and Luke. They were such wonderful and deep characters. I was able to read this in one day. We were camping so I started it on the ride up the mountain then finished it in the hammock by the fire. It was phenomenal! Maggie once again creates a world and you can see it in your head so clearly.
I didn’t find anything in this book that I didn’t like. Her voice was perfect and her imagery was amazing.
I highly recommend this story.
4- Hunger Games
Why? FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC!!!!!!!!!
Suzanne Collins is my new hero. She wrote a tough, thrilling, compelling story that pushes your heart into your throat repeatedly and makes you yell at your book and sigh and moan and groan and complain to your book friends that made you read it. You beg for spoilers and then yell, “No no no don’t tell me!” over and over again.
I highly recommend for my YA friends as well as those who enjoy a good thrill a minute action story.
Spoilers
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I FREAKIN LOVED THIS!
I’m so inlove with Katniss. She’s exactly the kind of heroine that we need in YA books. She’s tough and kind and full of spirit and spunk and moxy and a whole pile of other adjectives.
There were quite a few parts of this book that shook me. Rue in particular had me worrying my lip and yelling at my friends who made me read this. She was a fantastic addition and loss to the book. It hurt so much while reading.
I adored Peeta straight off, from the moment with the bread, I knew he’d be tugging at my heart the entire time. I did find myself asking “What about Gale?” All throughout the book as well.
I found myself so conflicted and torn throughout the entire story. You are so saddened by the situation of all these children but yet you are rooting for some to die. It really makes you think. I found myself drawing parallels as a HS teacher to my own students and their desire to kill each other and themselves both mentally and physically.
This story is intense. All the way to the last page, last sentence even. I am going out to find Catch Fire tomorrow for sure!
5- Catching Fire
Why? Incredible!
Suzanne Collins had me completely horrified and transfixed with Hunger Games and I thought she had a fifty-fifty shot of doing it again with this book. She did it. I was sucked in completely. I had to stop mid-way through to do NaNo but I would whine to my friends about wanting to finish it. I was happy that it was my last year of 2010 and I am now onto Mockingjay as my first read of 2011. I thought I would need a break from the series since Catching Fire is so incredibly intense and you find yourself panting because of the suspense, but I could not wait to read book three.
Collins has an uncanny ability to end every single chapter on a cliff and you are willing to stay up to all hours and slack off at work just to find out more about Katniss and her world. In Hunger Games I was Team Katniss, in Catching Fire I became Team Peeta, in Mockingjay I think I’m Team Buttercup/ Cinna 🙂
If you’ve not read Hunger Games, I won’t put in spoilers, but you need to read this series. It is such a ride and it grabs your attention from the first chapter and doesn’t let you go through book three. I’m actually wanting to go back to MJ right now!
If you know me, you know I don’t do gore and much violence unless it is necessary to the plot… trust me, everything that happens is there for a reason and you will be stuck to the terror and pain just as much as you are to Katniss’ incredible inner monologue and Peeta’s selflessness and Gale’s passion. You will gasp, sigh, and ignore those around you for this story. I promise! 🙂
6- Linger
Why? (only halfway through but I love it!) I adore Maggie, I’ll read the phone book if she writes it. Her characters, especially Sam Roth make my heart happy. I can’t wait to finish this one, but I’m waiting until we get closer to Forever because waiting for Linger sucked. So I am waiting just so I don’t have to stress later 🙂
7- The Mortal Instrument Series
Why? Holy bejebus this is a great series! I was riveted! I read most of it in one sitting the nit took me two days because of work to get through the last fifty pages! Torture!
Clary is a fun, snarky character, she’s believable in an unbelievable situation. I was rooting for her to toughen up. You find yourself on the edge of your seat while reading. It’s truly beautifully written and fun to read. I highly recommend if you are into Paranormal YA. Jace is awesome, he’s now on my list of great male protags 🙂 He’s cocky, smart, strong, but needs a little ass kickin 🙂 I love it!
8- Hex Hall
Why? This was such a fun quick read! Thank you Angel for sending it to me!
Hawkins does a great job with creating a little world within the pages. Her voice as Sophie Mercer is hysterical and so enjoyable. It’s nice to see YA female protags that aren’t whiny and apathetic! Sophie has weakness, but she’s feisty and snarky and not afraid to fight. We need more FMC like that! I really enjoyed this story! The other characters were awesome I loved Archer and Jenna. Both characters added so much! This was such a fun quick read! Thank you Angel for sending it to me!
Hawkins does a great job with creating a little world within the pages. Her voice as Sophie Mercer is hysterical and so enjoyable. It’s nice to see YA female protags that aren’t whiny and apathetic! Sophie has weakness, but she’s feisty and snarky and not afraid to fight. We need more FMC like that! I really enjoyed this story! The other characters were awesome I loved Archer and Jenna. Both characters added so much to the story.
It was truly a great tale and it helped keep my mind off of a horrible flight. We spent an hour on the tarmac because of a storm, then three hours in flight during the storm. I was terrified. But, amazingly enough, Hex Hall kept my attention for almost all of it! That’s saying a lot since flying terrifies me, especially turbulence!
I highly recommend Hex Hall and I can’t wait to read the next one and find out more about both Sophie and Archer!
9- Hush, Hush
Why? I really, very much enjoyed this story. Becca (has a great name) has a fantastic voice within this story and it’s a fun read as well as being intriguing. I thought I had figured it out, but then it twisted a bit and I didn’t know half of what I thought I knew. I must say though, Vee annoyed me to no end and I kinda wanted someone to drop her off a building, but other than her, it was a great story. You have a fairly strong, non-whiney protag, in Nora- and Patch is well, just yummy 🙂 I recommend this story to anyone in the market for a quick romp with some dark subject matter, but with fun characters and a fun climax that keeps you interested. I wish the ending had been more detailed because I just didn’t want this story to end!
10- Crazy School
Why? I was totally enthralled by this story! I found so many parallels between Madeline and myself. Cornelia Read gave Madeline such a fantastic voice and I found myself giggling at every chapter until the end when I was just awestruck by the story. Even then I was cracking a smile while on the edge of my seat.
Although I’m not of Madeline’s generation, I felt a kinship with her as I read along. I loved her husband Dean and her good friend Lulu. I also adored the students, especially Weisner and I was totally enthralled by this story! I found so many parallels between Madeline and myself. Cornelia Read gave Madeline such a fantastic voice and I found myself giggling at every chapter until the end when I was just awestruck by the story. Even then I was cracking a smile while on the edge of my seat.
Although I’m not of Madeline’s generation, I felt a kinship with her as I read along. I loved her husband Dean and her good friend Lulu. I also adored the students, especially Weisner and Sitzman. I’ve always been partial to the troubled smartasses though! The characters are compelling, the plot is driving, and the climax has you clenched and eager for resolution, but sad when you know the story’s done. I hated turning that last page because I didn’t want it to end.
It’s almost 1am and I just couldn’t put it down. I had to know how it finished. The story is incredible. I would highly recommend to anyone. Especially teachers.
DO READ!
booknerdbecca 