Soundtrack Saturday is an opportunity to share a song I think would fit on the soundtrack for the book I’m currently reading.

Feel free to join in! Either leave your soundtrack pick or the link to your soundtrack post in the comments.

From the author’s website:
It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.
At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.
Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Soundtrack Song: “Always Gold” by Radical Face
I know! I thought I was done with these posts, too. But, when you come across a song that perfectly fits with what you’re reading, you have to do something about it. And for me these posts are that something.
I have not been quiet about the fact that I’m having trouble with this book, and it’s so frustrating because I want to get swept up by the story and I want to Feel All The Things. And this song? It’s helped me Feel More of the Things.
“Always Gold” is haunting and beautiful, everything that Puck feels for the island of Thisby, with a pulse reminiscent of racing horse hooves. But what gets me even more are the lyrics, which seem to be taken directly from Puck’s relationship with her brother Gabe.

Everything goes away
Yeah, everything goes away
But I’m gonna be here till I’m nothing but bones in the ground

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But I’m fine with where I am now
This home is home and all that I need
But for you this place is shame 

To check out previous Soundtrack Saturday posts, click here

I’ve had two previous experiences with Cecelia Ahern’s books, and neither was a rousing success. So, even though The Book of Tomorrow came out a couple years ago to much fanfare, it has been languishing on my tbr shelf for nearly as long. Guess what? I liked this one! A lot!

Let me reiterate what I said after reading The Gift - Ahern has really grown as a writer since PS I Love You. And that she’s growing still is evident in The Book of Tomorrow, which I found to be much more readable and engaging than the other two. At no point was I so distracted by the writing that I was unable to fall into the story. Which, let me tell you, was quite nice.

The other issues I had with her previous books were that a) the characters seemed younger than they were supposed to be and b) that plot points often seemed forced and unlikely. In The Book of Tomorrow Tamara is 16 and oh boy does she ever seem 16, all prickly and confused and ‘yes I am right all the time.’ All of that, and in the end still likeable. As for plot, yes you’re going to have to suspend a certain amount of belief when you’re reading a story about a diary with entries detailing tomorrow. But the narrator tells you that on the first page, so you’re given fair warning. Even with all the unbelievable things that happen and are revealed, it all felt perfectly believable within the context of the story.

I’m just going to end this with saying it was a really enjoyable read. Far better than I expected. So, if you’ve also had this on your tbr shelves for years, dust it off and give it a go.

Any other Aherns I should try? Or is this considered her best?

My rating: 8/10

1. All At Sea by Richard Walters
2. Carwars by Funeral Party
3. Shuffle by Bombay Bicycle Club
4. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by Blake Stratton
5. It’s Not True by William Fitzsimmons

Starbucks | iTunes Pick of the Week: Hold You by Elliott Brood and Adieu by Cœur de Pirate. I’ve only given each of these a quick listen, so I can’t really say much about them. They’re both very different, but neither are really my style.

Mailbox Monday is a weekly event hosted in January by Alyce @ At Home with Books.

You may remember that last week I had planned my reading around The Fault in our Stars by John Green arriving on Tuesday. However, after I published my weekly round up post I realized that, while the expected delivery date was Tuesday, it was actually Tuesday January 24. I still had to wait more than a full week! Woe :(

But!! (there’s always a but)

On Friday I was just about to leave for my morning latte when the mail came in and I spied a book-shaped box. Could it be?? Yes it could! It was my lovely, signed, pre-ordered copy of TFioS! I’ve already finished it and it was funny and heartbreaking and I’m glad I have a little while to collect my thoughts before Anastasia and I review it together.

“It’s Monday What Are You Reading” is a weekly event hosted by Sheila that lets you share books you’ve read over the past week and books you have coming up.

Finished:
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr (reread)
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Posted:
The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman

Currently Reading:
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (I am having so much trouble with this one. But people have liked it, yes?)
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Up Next: Just want to finish the two that I have going right now.

What are you reading and listening to? Did any new books find their way into your possession?

From the author’s website:

You read that quick summary, and you’d expect that this would be a pretty thrilling book. And at only 200 pages, it’s got to be action packed, right? Sadly, very sadly, no. At least not for me. Or for any of the members of my book club. In fact, the only reason I finished it (and it was a struggle to do so) was so that I’d have it read in time for book club.

Before I get too far into the disapointing-ness of this book, I will say that it started off well enough. Include this sentence in the first paragraph of your book, and I am going to be intrigued: Her name was Sally Lockhart; and within fifteen minutes, she was going to kill a man. Yes! More of that, please. The Seven Blessings are introduced, abounding in mystery, and I was starting to kick myself for not buying this book when I had the chance. And then, somehow, it all fell apart.

One of the biggest downfalls for me was Sally herself. For the first part of the book I had to keep reminding myself that Sally was 16. She seemed so much younger, at least 12 maybe, even younger. I’m not sure if Pullman had written her simpler/younger because he was writing for a younger audience or if she had been too sheltered to act her own age, or what. And so, while she’s supposed to be all fierce and independent, and yes, she was independent, she seemed more naive than fierce. Although, there were a couple parts where Sally totally showed off her brains, and it was awesome. But then, while in hiding with another young fugitive, she sees nothing wrong with both of them posing in photos – that will be sold to the public, and how was that not the reason they were found?? And it was even her idea! I am having a really hard time letting that part go. I just don’t get it.

Skipping all the way to the end (and the multitude of ‘important’ characters that are randomly introduced and half heartedly developed), the other downfall for me was the *SPOILER* Big Reveal re: Sally’s parentage. *END SPOILER* I generally really like when something like that is revealed and I’m all ‘Woah! Where did that come from?!’ But usually you’re working through everything with the character and there are clues that make sense once the secret is revealed. But with this one? I really have no idea how Sally came to the conclusion that she did. Did I miss something? Had an important page been ripped out of my library copy?

I know lots of people love this series, but it’s just not one for me.

Ending on a positive note – I do still really want to see the made for tv movie adaptation of The Ruby in the Smoke, starring Billie Piper & Matt Smith. I know!

My rating: 5/10

1. Carwars by Funeral Party
2. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by Blake Stratton (have you heard this cover??? It is amazing)
3. Squealing Pigs by Admiral Fallow
4. Colours (Teen Daze Remix) by Young Liars
5. Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) by Gotye

Starbucks | iTunes Pick of the Week: My Starbucks (aka the one by my office) had the same download cards up this past week as they did the week before, so give The Sound of Your Life by Jason Bajada another listen :) (Also, apparently the link I left last week didn’t work. Whoops!)

Mailbox Monday is a weekly event hosted in January by Alyce @ At Home with Books.

I went to check out The Fault in our Stars signatures before book club last week (green j-scribbles only) and I had no intention of buying anything. Honest.

But.

Then I found Lola and the Boy Next Door! Why did I not know this book had already become available to the general public? I loved Anna and the French Kiss (I mean, I read it twice in one year. That never happens.), so I’m super excited about reading this one. But I think I’m going to save it until February as my Valentines read :)

“It’s Monday What Are You Reading” is a weekly event hosted by Sheila that lets you share books you’ve read over the past week and books you have coming up.

Finished:
The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman
The Book of Tomorrow Cecelia Ahern

Posted:
Tune in Tuesday
Cleaning up: Unreviewed books of 2011 Pt.2 (a hodge-podge of books by Julie Buxbaum, Lani Taylor, Edith Wharton, John Green, etc)
Currently Reading:
In between books

Up Next: I think that I’m going to reread Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr until The Fault in our Stars hopefully finally arrives this week. (Pre-orders. You’d think they would arrive the week of release.)

What are you reading and listening to? Did any new books find their way into your possession?

After You by Julie Buxbaum
This was a heartbreaking and wonderful read. If I had done a Soundtrack Saturday post for it, the song would been “All At Sea” by Richard Walters – specifically to go with the ‘morning after’ scene in the hotel room with Ellie & her husband (lyrics: Hold me my love / Telling me don’t be afraid / Wouldn’t you want me swim / Wouldn’t you want me to stay). Now, if only I could find an album version of that song online, because it is far better than this demo one floating around.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
Oh goodness, this was a good book. If I hadn’t had to read it for book club, I probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought (or a first one, for that matter), so I’m glad I was forced given the option to read it. I really liked Karou and I liked that the romance wasn’t the main focus of the book – that it took its time coming up and then was just an added complication to Karou’s mission. Looking forward to book 2 (but where have all the stand alone YA books gone??).

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
I had a really hard time getting into this book – solely because of the writing. After so much YA,it took an awfully long time for my brain to wrap itself around that style of writing. But once I got into it? It was lovely. Heartbreaking (yup, another one) and so very lovely. Actually, I probably would have paired “All At Sea” with this book, too. The lyrics and mood convey everything the main characters from both After You and The Age of Innocence want from the other person, but are unable to articulate, either because of their own pride or or because of social constructions.

Zombies vs Unicorns by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier
Even though I’m Team Unicorn, I liked more of the Zombie stories than I did the Unicorn ones. This was an okay anthology and I thought that the best stories were packed smacked dab in the middle. My favourite? Hands down Maureen Johnson’s “Children of the Revolution” for Team Zombie. Favourite Unicorn story? Probably Meg Cabot’s “Princess Prettypants”. I could have done without the trash talk attempts between stories, though.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
This started out super creepy for me, but I think that might have had something to do with being home alone on a dark & stormy night. It turned out to be a Very Interesting Story with slightly creepy pictures, that I think could turn out to be a Very Interesting Series.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan
What you get from this book is exactly what’s advertised on the front cover (or at least the front cover of the edition I have): Funny, rude and original. And as cliche as it is, it really did make me laugh and it did make me cry – and it did wonders for my reading slump. But then, unfortunately, it ended and my slump returned.

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
My only holiday-themed reading of 2011. All I can really say about this is that it was Nice. After talking to other people who have read it, I had Very High expectations for the Maureen Johnson story and Very Low ones for the Lauren Myracle story, so in the end they all leveled out into one fine, okay, cute way to while away the Christmassy days.

I literally just stumbled across this song last week. I was listening to another song on a coworker’s itunes playlist, and wasn’t paying much attention when it ended. Suddenly I was on to some other band and my head was bobbing and I was like ‘what is this? it is awesome.’

I know nothing else about Funeral Party, but “Carwars” makes me want to dance and I love it.

1. Carwars by Funeral Party
2. Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) by Gotye (have you seen this lovely cover? Or this mind blowing one?)
3. Shuffle by Bombay Bicycle Club
4. Lights Out, Words Gone by Bombay Bicycle Club
5. Beg (Bonus Track) by Bombay Bicycle Club

Starbucks | iTunes Pick of the Week: The Sound of Your Life by Jason Bajada. This song was very quickly added to my Mellow playlist (that I mostly listen to while reading). It’s a lovely little song along the lines of William Fitzsimmons or Iron & Wine.

“It’s Monday What Are You Reading” is a weekly event hosted by Sheila that lets you share books you’ve read over the past week and books you have coming up.

I haven’t done one of these posts since the middle of December (which I’ve just realized was dated as November in the title – whoops), so this is what you might have missed since then.

Finished:
Will Grayson Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan
Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle
The Magician’s Nephew by CS Lewis

Posted:
2011 Favs & 2012 Goals
Christmas Cheer & Bookish Goodies!
Cleaning up: Unreviewed books of 2011 Pt.1
Snippet Reviews: Vacation Reading

Currently Reading:
Harbringer by Sara Wilson Etienne
The Ruby in the Stone by Philip Pullman

Up Next: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

What are you reading and listening to? Did any new books find their way into your possession?

We’re only 4 days into 2012, and already I feel late to the new year party. Oh well, here we go anyway!

2011 was an average reading year for me. I didn’t read as much as I did in 2010 (3 fewer books and about 2,000 fewer pages [actually exactly 2,011 fewer pages,  if you can believe it]), but it was still a great bookish & blogging year. A couple of the biggest highlights were joining a book club & meeting other bloggers in the flesh (finally! bookish people to talk about bookish things with!) and hosting my first blogging event.

But even though I didn’t read as many books, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t learn anything about my reading habits and what works well for me. In the last year I learned that not only can I read more than one book at a time, I often read more when I have a couple books on the go. I didn’t start until the last bit of 2011, so I’m curious to see what this new reading habit will do to my reading stats by the end of 2012.

And, reading fewer books doesn’t mean I didn’t read some fantastic ones.

Favourite Books of 2011 (not necessarily highest rated, in no particular order [okay, in the order in which I read them])
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Anna & The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski
Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy
Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

At the beginning of the year I had set 3 goals for my 2011 reading:

1) Read down the TBR shelves
2) Read more titles from the Characters with Disabilities list
3) Don’t join any reading challenges

How did I do with those goals? Well, let’s start with number 1. At the end of 2010, my TBR shelves were sitting at 55 books. According to Last Year Alita, ”on the 31st of December I would like that number to either be significantly smaller or to have been replaced with all new unread books.” Well, I read 21 of them in 2011, so that’s good right? But, there are currently 20 new titles on that list. I’m going to count this as a WIN, because my TBR shelves are at 54 books (SMALLER THAN LAST YEAR YAY!) and nearly all the books I read from them have been replaced with shiny new ones.

As for goal number 2, that was a bit fat fail. I don’t think I read a single title from that list all year. I need to rethink what I want to do with the list and whether it’s something I should continue working on. Thankfully goal number 3 was a rousing success. I didn’t join a single reading challenge all year, and it was wonderful to just read what I want, when I want. That’s not to say that I didn’t place any limitations on what I read (see: goal 1), but I didn’t feel the pressure that challenges usually put on me. Don’t get me wrong, reading challenges can be great and I’ve read a lot of books I wouldn’t have otherwise considered because of them. But they added some unnecessary stress to my bookish life – and it’s impossible to just join one! Once I start joining challenges, I seem to have to join them all.

So, my goals for 2012?

1) Read down the TBR shelves. More specifically, reduce the number of books on my shelves by more than one. Ideally, I would like to have the list whittled down to the point that all my TBR books fit on one shelf.
2) Don’t join any reading challenges. I think another year without specific challenges would do some good.
3) Read more classics. I have Sense & Sensibility, Mansfield Park, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Treasure Island all sitting on my shelves – I could easily read all of those this year, right?

Have you set any 2012 reading goals for yourself?

I came home from vacation at the beginning of the month to find this lovely pink box waiting for me:

All The Things!

What oh what could be in there?

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I couldn’t believe how much Cindy packed into that little box! (I’m drinking the Coffee Crisp hot chocolate right now and it is amazing.) I had so much fun looking through everything that I almost forgot there was a book & card still to be opened.

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Not only a Sara Zarr, but also a Chapters gift card? Cindy, you are too kind :) Thank you so much!

Last year I had Cindy’s name for the Holiday Swap and she had mine for the Holiday Card Exchange, so I laughed a lot when I saw that one of us had the other again for a swap this year.

The Book Monster Secret Santa
From: Cait @ Escape Through The Pages

But there was still more bookish goodness to come! This cute package & card arrived from Cait, containing Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. The timing was perfect. I had just finished reading the book and was sad I had to return it because it seemed like a good start to a really good series. And voilà! My very own copy arrived in the mail :)

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A week or so later an identically wrapped package arrived, containing the book that hadn’t arrived in time to be included in the first package. Another Zarr! ‘Tis the Christmas of Sara Zarr!

Thank you so much, Cait!

Book Blogger Holiday Card Exchange

Clockwise from left:
Amy @ My Friend Amy
Angela Renee @ Royal Reviews & Renee’s Reads
Maltaise @ Chocolate & Croissants
Jessica @ The Guardian of the Crossroads

Thank you ladies!

Christmas Gifts

Last, but not least, no bookworm Christmas would be complete without a couple books waiting under the tree.

Jane Austen Made Me Do It edited by Laurel Ann Nattress
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

And a Chapters gift card which quickly became…

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (Chosen over Northanger Abbey purely because of the cover.)
Sleight of Hand by Peter S. Beagle (You may know that I love The Last Unicorn, so it’s about time I read more of his stuff.)
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (After the success of A Little Princess, I will finally read this.)
Wishful Thinking by Melissa Hill (Chick lit at its best.)
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (Finally! I am fully prepared to bawl my eyes out.)
The Dead & The Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer (I read Life As We Knew It forever ago, so this purchase is long overdue.)
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Pirates!)

Now I have to go – I have some serious reading to do!