Why I Read

Reading is my solace.  I feel the way about reading the way others feel about music.  I lose myself in it.  And I am transported to other worlds, to the past, to far off places, and anywhere that the author wants to take me.  And I go willingly.  It gets me out of myself, my worries, and my everyday life.  It is how I have an adventure.

I mainly read fiction - young adult, historical, mystery, fantasy, supernatural, steampunk.  Anything that catches my imagination.  My favorite kind of books are the ones that I find myself thinking about when I'm not reading them.

I have a five-month-old son, and that has majorly slowed down the amount of 'me' books that I consume.  But I still get to read - to him.  Stories about dragons, dinosaurs, whosits, princesses, wizards, anything you can think of.  And he loves it!  I'm currently reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to him.

My favorite place to find new books to read is Goodreads.com.  It is also a good place to keep track of books that you have read.  I have enjoyed the invention of ebooks.  I got a Kobo ereader a couple of years ago, and I've been in love ever since.  I like to get my ebooks either from the Kobo website or from my local library's online ebook library.  Most libraries use Overdrive to run their ebook libraries.  There's an app for that.  

I like buying my books from Kobo not just because my reader is a Kobo, but because the format they sell their book in is epub.  Epub can be read from almost any reading device.  All you need is Adobe Digital Reader and you can move your books to anywhere.  I have all of mine backed up on a flash drive.  I still enjoy paper-bound books, but I love the convenience of an ebook.  My purse is a lot lighter - I would always have a book in there in the past, but my ereader lives there now.  Actually that's a lie, my new smart phone has replaced my ereader - I have both the Kobo app and Overdrive app.  I am now never without a book!

Reading Recommendations - Fairy Tale Retellings

Fairy Tale Retellings are one of my favorite types of books to read.  The really good ones are when an author can make a familiar story keep you on your toes.  I also love it when they polish and make tiny details about the old story all shiny and new.  Here are some of my favorites.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
This is my all time favorite!  She has created a unique and powerful story that has even sprung into a series where the following books are all based in this world she has created and has nothing to do with any other fairy tales.  Hands down one of my favorite authors!









Entwined by Heather Dixon
Don't be deceived by this book about dancing princesses and the gorgeous dress on the cover --  the main princess in this book kicks serious butt!  Absolutely stunning!

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
A modern fairy tale retelling of Litte Red Riding Hood that is fantastic!  She has two other fairy tale retellings that I haven't read yet but trust me, I will.

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
A folk tale retelling rather than a fairy tale but I had to include it because I think it is brilliant!  A story about Robin Hood told from the perspective of Will Scarlet. 











If you enjoy fantasy, I highly recommend Mercedes Lackeys Elemental Masters series.  Each book is based on a fairy tale and I absolutely adore them!  My favorite is Gates of Sleep because Sleeping Beauty is a favorite of my childhood.

What is your favorite fairy tale?  Have you read an retelling of it that you have liked?

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Expected publication: June 12th 2012 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers Summary from Goodreads
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough — especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistible good looks and charm on unsuspecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily — just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.


I have found that it can be really hit or miss with mermaid books.  They can either be really dark(Lost Voices) or really corny(Forgive My Fins).  This one wasn't at all corny and it wasn't too dark.  It is a familiar story about a supernatural and a human falling in love.  However, it is told from the point of view of the supernatural who is the boy which is a rare treat.  I liked the conflict of feelings because she is the daughter of the man who is responsible for the death of his mother.  Also the conflict within the small group of mermaids, they don't all get along but they have a common goal of avenging their mother's death and that is what keeps them together.
It was refreshing that Lily tries to resist how attracted she is to Calder because she finds it creepy.  I thought this story wrapped up nicely and I didn't feel the need for there to be more story but apparently there is a sequel, Deep Betrayal, that comes out in 2013. 

Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell

Expected publication: May 1st 2012 by Amulet Books
Summary from Goodreads
Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.


This is a stand-out debut novel.  I find that it is harder for me nowadays to get into young adult books that deal with everyday normal high schoolers (I like to avoid reality) but this one really drew me in.  First of all there is the main character Chloe who just forces you to love her and I will admit that I kinda wanted to be her.  She is one of those people who just make things happen for themselves.  Which can be a bit annoying to those who are closest to them - which is explored in this book.  I loved the characters, they all were very well fleshed out.  Secondly, I loved that this book dealt with more than what are considered major teen issues.  It explored everyday people issues and I think that is what made it relatable to me.

Currently Reading - Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

I am about half way through this book and loving it!  I've already downloaded the next 4 in the series onto my kobo.  I am so happy that the whole series is available at my digital library!

This is a wonderfully original supernatural series that is about people who can control the elements and Djinn.  I love it and I want to give a shout out to Felicia Day(who will probably never read this) who recommended this series in one of her Flogs.

Pure Lazyness

Sorry that I've been really lax on here.  I have my March wrap-up just waiting to be edited as well as a shelf tour!  Anywho, if you want to know what I have been reading you can always follow me on Goodreads - I check that thing like everyday! http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3785313-deanna
I hope that you have been reading well and I'll be seeing you on the flip side :D

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Expected publication: April 3rd 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Summary from Goodreads
Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf? 
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others. 

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

I loved the mythology and world of this book!  I loved the concept that with the spread of Christianity the old gods of the region were made into saints.  I didn't much care for Ismae at first but near the end she grew on me.   I'm not sure why, I think I just found her a tad annoying.  I really enjoyed Duval, he was such a well-rounded character.  I liked the story and the cast of characters.  The idea of a convent of nuns who are trained as assassins was fascinating, and I wish that we could have seen more of Ismae's training.  The next book in the series is about Ismae's fellow Sister/Assassin Sybella, and I am very interested in reading more of this world.


This book is out today!  So go get you some.