Reading Reconnaissance: Down Under

As Ellie's dad in the Tomorrow series said: "Time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted." And good thing, too.  We'd hate to think the countless hours spent hard at work, scouring Goodreads, searching blogs and updating our TBR spreadsheets (sad but true) were a waste of time.  Now we want to save you time by breaking down recent and future book releases.

By: Maggie

I am the worst at planning ahead. My friend wanted to arrange a group trip to Vegas and when she told me the weekend she had in mind -- in two months time, I hung up on her.

Meanwhile, I have a spreadsheet for upcoming book releases with certain high priority titles programmed into my phone calendar. With a reminder alert. I, the non-planner, am already worrying about April releases for these Australian titles because that means I have to rely on Fishpond, who I've ordered from generally without problem on more than a few occasions. Except this one time. Not only that, but their prices tend to fluctuate. (See, Hunger Games) However, you can't beat their free shipping. Seriously, I've looked.

Here are the three titles I'm most anticipating from our Antipodean friends, with current prices.

Preloved by Shirley Marr (Black Dog Books/Walker Books - April 1, 2012): Goodreads • Preorder at Fishpond (Current price $18.99)

If Fury is any indication, you best get this book while you can. BONUS: the main character is Asian! And there's a ghost! Needless to say, this is a high priority, set-a-reminder release. I cannot wait to read this.

Note: Fishpond had this listed at $15 a week ago. I'll update you if the price goes back down.

Love-shy by Lili Wilkinson (Allen & Unwin - April 1, 2012): Goodreads • Preorder at Fishpond (Current price $17.10)

Confession: I've never read a Lili Wilkinson book before, but the concept of this one looks so cute. As Diana King once sang, "I don't want no fly guy. I just want a shy guy." And according to Wilkinson's blog, she just got engaged so I'm hoping this is infused with the same inspiration that fuels Adele's genius -- except in reverse.

Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar (Penguin Books Australia - April 26, 2012): Goodreads • Preorder at Fishpond (Current price $17.95)

I love Kirsty Eagar. I will read anything she writes, including a book about Saltwater Vampires. I usually scoff at book trailers, but this one... this one gave me chills. A gothic story about art, the ocean, and a guy. What more do you need?? I know, an American publishing company to come to their senses and get the rights to her books. I mean, seriously. Here is the book trailer. Get your preorders ready.

Review: Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Reviewed by Noelle: March 11, 2012
Published October 20, 2009: Dutton Books
Goodreads • Buy at Amazon • Buy at Fishpond • Kindle

On the one hand it’s kind of fascinating to think about the infinite possibilities of a person’s inner self. To think of all of their thoughts and emotions, not just the ones they share with you.  To imagine all of the puzzle pieces to their personality in one box instead of just the pieces they put on the table.

On the other hand it can be unsettling and even devastating to realize that someone you thought you knew completely has kept an entire side of themselves a secret.  For Caitlin, this discovery comes after her best friend Ingrid commits suicide.  Caitlin is stunned, heartbroken and desperate to understand.

Caitlin’s entire world was Ingrid.  Her hobbies, her idols and her goals were all built through their friendship.  Without Ingrid, all of those things lose their foundation and leave Caitlin distrusting what they even meant to her in the first place.  

Ingrid leaves behind an illustrated journal for Caitlin and through its entries both Caitlin and the reader get a vivid introduction to both the Ingrid Caitlin knew and the Ingrid that kept herself hidden.  Despite only living through Caitlin's memories and the journal entries, Ingrid has a strong book presence. It is very rough to read Ingrid's loss of hope.  The more Caitlin discovers about Ingrid the more she questions what she actually knows about herself as well.  By the end of the journal Caitlin has several new pieces to the puzzle of Ingrid and she must decide how to put them together and what to do with what she learns.

I love when YA protagonists have serious hobbies and specific interests. When I was in high school I was always busy with some kind of wacky side project and I enjoy reading about other people's extracurricular interests. While Caitlin's photography was interesting to explore, I really liked her adventures in tree-house building. In my imagination, her end result looked something like this:

Photo source

My parents would have had to physically drag me inside if we had had one of those in the yard!

What is so great about Nina LaCour is that she allows her characters just to BE and the result is believable, fulfilling character interactions.  Everyone from Caitlin's parents to Ingrid's crush to the new girl in school feel completely natural and it makes the emotional turmoil they all go through that much more poignant.  Hold Still has a quiet and steady delivery that will settle into your heart piece by piece. 

Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: The Life and Times of Gracie Faltrain by Cath Crowley

The Life and Times of Gracie Faltrain by Cath Crowley
(Gracie Faltrain #1)
Reviewed by Maggie: January 31, 2012
Published March 1, 2004 by Pan Macmillan Australia
Goodreads • Buy at Fishpond


I love reading debut novels. They're like the origins story of my superheroes -- authors. Cath Crowley wrote two of my favorite reads last year: A Little Wanting Song and Graffiti Moon. In her debut novel, The Life and Times of Gracie Faltrain, you see the beginning of her style with multiple, alternating points of view of irresistible characters. 

First, you have Gracie. Kickass soccer superstar on an all boys team. The problem isn't that she knows this, the problem is she knows it and lords her supremacy on the field over her teammates. This is usually where the standard "No I in team" speech comes, but Cath Crowley gives us something better: Martin Knight. 

Martin Knight is the captain and Gracie's sole supporter on the team. The first time a timid, young Gracie approaches the team, he tells her, "Stick with me, Faltrain." This is where I turned into a puddle of goo. Every time Martin says something I turn into goo, but Gracie, of course, just rolls her eyes and then averts them to another guy who may be a jerk. 

Nick. As if. 

It wouldn't be a Crowley book without kooky, slight-to-moderately dysfunctional parents. Gracie's parents have the most awesome meet-cute ever, but Gracie's dad has been away on business for awhile, longer than necessary now that she thinks about it, and things don't seem so cute anymore. 

Then, in addition to team and family tension, Gracie's BFF is moving to London. She's without her support system as she has the most hilariously horrible date ever.

It involves a tongue in the ear.

I loved Gracie & co. and I really liked this book. I wouldn't say it's on the same level as Graffiti Moon, but overall, it was a solid, enjoyable, funny read, let alone a debut! I just adore the way Cath Crowley writes. Some of my favorite quotes:

He looks like he wants to stuff what he's just said back in his mouth and swallow. I catch a tiny glimpse of his home life, scattered around us like little crumbs of sadness.

I've got a fist in my stomach; whenever I open my mouth it punches out at anyone who gets in my way.

The two best quotes are at the end, but they're a little spoilery so I didn't include them. It may involve a tongue in the ear. 

Verdict: 4/5 stars and a hundred SQUEES!

Adventures in the Amazon Bargain Book Bin: March 8, 2012

By: Noelle

I admit it: I spend at least a couple hours a month in the Amazon Bargain Book section. I just can't resist the feeling of stumbling across $2 hardcovers of my favorite books. The section also lures me into giving books I hadn't planned to read a chance (totally eclipsing my book budget: resistance is futile). There is also the fun of discovering completely insane book covers. Screen-printed flapper dress The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite "what the..." discoveries.  I generally look for hardcovers under $10,  paperbacks under $7 and e-books under $5.

Just in case clicking through 100 pages of book links isn't your thing, here is what caught my eye this month.

Kindle Editions:

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta • Goodreads
Kindle Edition - $3.49

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater • Maggie's Review • Goodreads
Kindle Edition - $3.99

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams • Goodreads
Kindle Edition - $2.99

Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines • Goodreads
Kindle Edition - $2.99













Bargain priced Ship Breaker, Split, Graceling and more (including my insane book cover pick of the month) after the jump...

The Psychology of Goodreads Polls

What the February goodreads poll was REALLY trying to say: A YAA investigation.

Quizzes by Quibblo.com | SnapApp Quiz Apps

For the record, Noelle uses ebooks and the “due date” receipt from the library, and no, she doesn’t wear socks. Why do you ask? Maggie uses ebooks and fancy bookmarks, and yes, she is a fancy robot. The secret is out.

DJ Duel Results: Sorta Like a Rock Star

We know you all have been waiting on pins and needles to hear the results of our first ever DJ Duel and Dance Party.  Did you all bust a move in your living rooms? Did you vote? Do you love us now that we can dance? Did you vote?? DID YOU???


Ahem.  Let's review:  
Last week we both chose songs for Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick:

DJ Noelle chose "Everlasting Light" the Black Keys cover by Alex Winston because "[Amber Appleton] could probably solar power your house."


DJ Maggie chose "Oh My Friend" by Big Bang as a nod to both the Korean Divas for Christ and "Amber's ridonkulous energy."

And the winner with 71% of the vote is....after the jump!

Reading Reconnaissance: The Hunger Games

As Ellie's dad in the Tomorrow series said: "Time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted." And good thing, too. We'd hate to think the countless hours spent hard at work, scouring Goodreads, searching blogs and updating our TBR spreadsheets (sad but true) were a waste of time. Now we want to save you time by breaking down recent and future book releases.

By: Maggie

I love looking at different editions of books. Janina has a great post on her blog about German editions of books. The Hunger Games is my favorite series and I own the hardcover editions of the books, which are gorgeous.

But then, while perusing Fishpond for some Australian books, I saw these covers:

So simple, so perfect. They're the paperback editions released in the UK. I'm justifying this purchase because there doesn't seem to be a paperback release date in the US and it falls under the $10 threshold, which is my limit for repeat purchases. Plus, just look at them! Yes, I'm now officially qualified for the next season of Hoarders, but these books are totally worth it.

I was going to get them a few weeks ago when they were $8.95 each, but I hemmed and hawed and when I was finally ready to purchase, the price had gone up to $11-12. They're now back down to $9.80, so... MINE!

If you'd like to join me on Hoarders (and you already have your requisite 50 cats), you can purchase these beautiful paperbacks at Fishpond. Here are the links:

 The Hunger Games Classic • Catching Fire Classic • Mockingjay Classic