In honor of the movie coming out tomorrow, today in Alli's World we are watching the BOOK trailer for Warm Bodies! Did you see my review of the book yesterday? And stay tuned the Mr's and my review of the movie will be up tomorrow!
Where the lines of fiction and reality melt beautifully and creatively.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Book Review: Warm Bodies
Title: Warm Bodies
Author: Isaac Marion
Source: Purchased
Fave Quote(s):
"I want to change my punctuation. I long for exclamation marks, but I'm drowning in ellipses."
Find Warm Bodies on Goodreads.
So. I like zombies. I don't really have a good reason. They are just "walking dead" but I think what I like most about zombies is there is an element of hopefulness. I just always want to find a cure zombie-ism. You know, it's like their gone but not all the way gone so maybe, just maybe, we can fix them. And that's about the point in the movie/tv show/book that my brain would become a snack for zombie.
Some of the things that I find fascinating about the zombie/dystopian/post apocalyptic genre (and this totally held true for Warm Bodies and reading Warm Bodies is what got me thinking about it in the first place) are the questions they pose and force you to think about if you go just a step or two beyond the surface.
Such as:
~The question of humanity, what is it and who actually has it?
~What would you do to protect and to preserve your life and the people you love, are you willing to sacrifice, what and who are you willing to sacrifice?
~The question of morality, what is right and wrong and are you prepared to change your definitions?
Back to specifically Warm Bodies, I liked it's unique approach to the zombie condition. Warm Bodies suggests that zombies do have some thought and are capable of slightly more than stumbling around, moaning, looking for brains to munch. The zombies in Warm Bodies made their own community and families of sort.
The main character, R, is a zombie. Warm Bodies is told from R's zombie prospective, which was awesome. (Cause the only other zombie stories/shows/movies I'm familiar with show the human perspective with no regard to how the zombie might feel.)
Also, I am sucker for an impossible love story. And what's more impossible than a zombie romance? But it WORKED soooo well! And really, isn't redeeming love the best?? (I had a crush on an {obviously} fictional, zombie. *Sigh* I love boys in books, what can I say.)
Warm Bodies is funny, sad, thought provoking and even optimistic. I think that hopefulness is one of the big reasons I enjoyed Warm Bodies as much as I did. There is R's hopefulness that there is something more than being a zombie, there is "the humans" hopefulness for a better life, and the collective hopefulness once they join forces to create a new kind of existence.
I give Warm Bodies 5 out of 5 stars. I totally recommend this book for older teens and up. There is some adult language, themes (but not too bad), and of course zombie violence.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Teaser Tuesday (Jan 29)
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Friday, January 25, 2013
Review: Skid Out
Series: Heavy Influence Trilogy
Author: Ann Marie Frohoff
Source: Received complimentary e-book in exchange for honest review
Find more info on Skid Out on Goodreads.
I give Skid Out 3.5 out 5 stars. I didn't really love or hate it. I thought the story was somewhere between okay and fairly good. Maybe I just need to know more before really forming an opinion on the series. Keep in mind, this is a short (46 pages) novella only covers one day before the actual Heavy Influence series begins.
The writing style was fine and I liked the alternating points of view from Jake to Alyssa. It was nice to hear the story from both characters and the author did a good job marking each chapter so you knew who's voice you were going to hear from. (I note this because I know in the past I have sort of slammed authors for not having a clear voice. Ms. Frohoff provided a good example of mixing point of views in Skid Out.)
I like the music element in the book. Who doesn't like guys in bands? And it certainly seems the main guy character Jake fits the bill. Hello, rocker hottie meets Abercrombie model. Also, there is always something smexy about an older, more worldly "man."
I thought there was a lot of gratuitous cussing in this book. I get that Jake is the lead singer of a band. But his potty mouth almost came across like he was TELLING me he was a bada$ rather than really SHOWING me. I guess most kids these days (geeez, I sound OLD!) do probably talk like that but I still felt like it was a bit much. I mean some I get, I've been known to swear with the best of them but even I was a tad uncomfortable.
I thought the main female character Alyssa was fickle, which maybe a function of her age. She starts the book with a crush on another guy, starts liking Jake and then also gets flutters about her friends brother. She is just a little all over the place but then again it has been ages since I've been a teen so what do I know.
She also seems to think just because her dad is so strict that gives her a free pass to lie and sneak around. And she thinks he so hard on her but yet both her mom and dad both let her sips of alcohol with them. (That was NOT something that happened in my house growing up.)
The age difference is kind of odd to, it's not doesn't sound too bad, she's 14 and he's 17 but he's going to be a senior, in a rock band that goes on tour, who "hooks up" with girls he doesn't even like "like that" and she hasn't even started high school yet. It just seems the maturity level between the two might be on the same level.
Like I said, I didn't hate it but I think I'll reserve my full judgement until I've read more and decide what if any ramifications this has. I sort of feel bad, I looked at other people's reviews of Skid Out they all seem to really LOVE this book. So I don't know if I'm weird or if I was just in a weird place when I read or what. But I have to be honest, it just didn't blow my socks off.
If the story sounds like something you might be interested in you should totally try it out. I haven't given up on the Heavy Influence series yet, I'm hoping to enjoy the next installment, First Kiss.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Book Trailer Thursday
I seem to have a theme going this week, featuring Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. So I thought I'd go ahead and post the book trailer today. I have to say after watching this I'm glad I'm already reading Beautiful Creatures because I want to read it even more now! I gotta know what's going on!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Audiobook Review: Ten Big Ones
Title: Ten Big Ones
Author: Janet Evanovich
Series: Stephanie Plum
Genre: Adult Mystery
Source: My local library.
Goodreads info on Ten Big Ones.
Actually I listened to this a while back and toyed with just not posting a review at all for Ten Big Ones. But I had this typed up already so I thought I'd go head and share it with you guys.
This was an enjoyable installment. Stephanie has gotten herself in over her head again. This time with gang bangers. Actually, I kind of thought this was one of he more scary storylines our heroine has faced.
This was an enjoyable installment. Stephanie has gotten herself in over her head again. This time with gang bangers. Actually, I kind of thought this was one of he more scary storylines our heroine has faced.
Morelli tries to get her to quit her bounty hunting job that always gets her into this deep trouble. Their whole relationship is weird. I understand why Morelli is worried about her shenanigans but it's also like he doesn't respect her as a independent person. And Ranger flat out tells her he keeps her around for comic relief. Steph always gets her man so I don't understand why they keep doubting her skills. (Or at least her ability to make valuable friend/relationships with people that can help her. This is book 10, she's still alive, clearly she has SOME skills, right?
I gave Ten Big Ones 4 out of 5 stars. I always enjoy Stephanie Plum book and they are certainly good for a laugh! I think I'm just ready for a break from the series for a little bit. But I still like Steph and will come back to her sooner than later.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Teaser Tuesday (Jan 22)
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
More Beautiful Creatures info on Goodreads.
"The Book looked exactly as it had the vision, cracked black leather, embossed with a tiny crescent moon. It smelled like desperation and it felt heavy, not just physically, but psychically."
Beautiful Creatures
by:
Kami Garcia &
Margaret Stohl
Monday, January 21, 2013
A Quotation: Martin Luther King Jr
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.~
*****
Yesterday I started reading Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl. I've been excited to get to this book for a while and the movie based off the book comes out February 14 so I knew I had to get to reading. Ironically though, the quote they choose to include at the beginning of the book is by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I thought the timing made this too ironic not to share as we celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. King today.
Book Image and more info on Beautiful Creatures on Goodreads.
Cover Reveal: Blurred
Cash is haunted by things. Hungry, hollow things. They only leave him alone when Anaya, Heaven’s beautiful reaper, is around. Cash has always been good with girls, but Anaya isn’t like the others. She’s dead. And with his deteriorating health, Cash might soon be as well.
Anaya never breaks the rules, but the night of the fire she recognized part of Cash’s soul—and doomed him to something worse than death. Cash’s soul now resides in an expired body, making him a shadow walker—a rare, coveted being that can walk between worlds. A being creatures of the underworld would do anything to get their hands on.
The lines between life and death are blurring, and Anaya and Cash find themselves falling helplessly over the edge. Trapped in a world where the living don’t belong, can Cash make it out alive?
Coming July 2013!!! Pre-Order your copy now!
About Tara:
Website
Blog
Kissed by Death Facebook page
Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Note: ARC's aren't ready yet but when they are that winner will get the first one!!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Book Trailer Thursday: Born Wicked
Today, I'm sharing the book trailer for Jessica Spotswood's Born Wicked. I'm already so ready to read this book but this trailer makes me want to put aside all other books to get to Born Wicked quicker!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Hey Blogger Buddies!!
Bloggers! Wanna be on "The List"??
Here's what you need to know:
One of the publicists at Entangled is compiling a list of bloggers.
Here are the requirements:
Do you have a blog?
Do you love to review books?
Do you want access to books before they release?
If your answers to these questions is a resounding "YES" then you're the right blogger for the job.
We want you! Now's a great time to join The List.
If you want to be a part of The List, here's what you have to do:
1. Add Til Death to your Goodreads TBR pile:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16129271-til-death
and
2. Leave the following in the comments section of this post http://kateevangelistarandr.blogspot.com/2013/01/we-want-youto-be-part-of-list.html:
a. Your Name
b. Your Blog URL
c. Your Goodreads Name
d. Your Email Address
Additional Option: URL to your blog post about this call for bloggers.
Priority will be given to those who help spread the word by creating a post on this call for bloggers on their blog. :)
****
This is a great opportunity! Entangled puts out some great books so I hope I make "The List."
Winter Got you Down?
Winter have you down? Need a 'pick-me-up'? Perk up with a $50 Amazon gift card from Terri Morgan, author of Playing the Genetic Lottery. Enter to win below!
Will Caitlin succumb to the disease that has claimed her parents and brother? Will her daughters be the next victims of the family curse? Find out in Terri Morgan's fictional memoir Playing the Genetic Lottery.
Available at Amazon and in paperback directly from TerriMorgan.net *
*$1 of every paperback purchased from Terri's site goes to support mental health research.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Beat the Winter Time Blues Giveaway is sponsored by Terri Morgan and organized by GWR Publicity. No monetary compensation was received nor should this post be considered an endorsement under FTC's advertising and endorsement policy.
Does winter have you down? Perk up with a $50 Amazon gift card from Terri Morgan, author of Playing the Genetic Lottery. Enter to win below.
"Caitlin’s story touched me deep in my soul" ~ Marina, Chick Library Cat
"Terri Morgan's depictions of [schizophrenia] are realistic as well as haunting." ~ Allizabeth Collins, The Paperback Pursuer
Will Caitlin succumb to the disease that has claimed her parents and brother? Will her daughters be the next victims of the family curse? Find out in Terri Morgan's fictional memoir Playing the Genetic Lottery.
Available at Amazon and in paperback directly from TerriMorgan.net *
*$1 of every paperback purchased from Terri's site goes to support mental health research.
Beat the Winter Time Blues Giveaway is sponsored by Terri Morgan and organized by GWR Publicity. No monetary compensation was received nor should this post be considered an endorsement under FTC's advertising and endorsement policy.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
ARC Review: Touch of Death
Title: Touch of Death
Author: Kelly Hashway
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: ARC from publisher in exchange for honest review.
Fave Quote(s): "Emotions were what caused people to fly off the handle, not control themselves. But we weren't ordinary people. We were Ophi."
After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.
Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.
My thoughts on Touch of Death:
I have been excited about reading Touch of Death for sometime now. When I first saw the cover months ago I just had a feeling this would be a book I'd enjoy. In this one instance I'm so glad I judged a book by it's cover. Touch of Death was pretty as well as awesome!
It is safely a Young Adult Paranormal but Touch of Death is interesting because of the paranormal elements combined with good story telling are different from other books I've read lately. I think author, Kelly Hashway, hit a winning combination with Greek mythology, necromancers and zombies with just enough romantic tension to keep things warm if not all out hot!
It is safely a Young Adult Paranormal but Touch of Death is interesting because of the paranormal elements combined with good story telling are different from other books I've read lately. I think author, Kelly Hashway, hit a winning combination with Greek mythology, necromancers and zombies with just enough romantic tension to keep things warm if not all out hot!
***The next paragraph is borderline spoilery***
Speaking of hot, can we talk about Alex for a moment. That macaroni eating stalker really won me over by the end! Please stalk me and teach me a thing or two about being Ophi! Hot as, well, Hades and lets don't even go down that path!
I think fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout's Covenant series will appreciate and really enjoy Hashway's Touch of Death. It kind of has the same feel as the Covenant books without being a carbon copy.
I give Touch of Death 4 out of 5 stars and I'm totally looking forward to the next book in the series, which I believe will be called Stalked by Death due out July 2013! (YAY!! Not long at all to wait!)
Monday, January 14, 2013
Guest Post: J.B. Lynn
I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends
Hi! I’m Maggie Lee and my life is “challenging” to say the least. I have to contend with my crazy family. I’m the legal guardian of my little niece Katie who’s been in the hospital since the terrible car accident that killed her parents. I hate my day job. And on the side, I kill people for money.
I’m not terribly good at any of it, but I get by with a little (or a lot) of help from my friends. Let me tell you about them:
Alice: We’ve been friends since we were little kids. She’s the light to my darkness. She’s also pregnant and newly married.
Armani: Everyone needs a Work Buddy and Armani is the one who helps me get through the trying days spent taking insurance claims at Insuring the Future. Besides always trying to get me to free my “inner-Chiquita”, Armani is a bit psychic. I’m not sure about the accuracy of her “reading” Scrabble tiles, but I know for sure her dreams tend to come true…in the most warped ways imaginable.
Doomsday/DeeDee: They say that a dog is a man’s best friend and in my case, the eighty pound Doberman who sounds like a blonde bimbo has proven herself to be a friend to me (despite her horrible grammar!).
Godzilla/God: He’s a snarky, know-it-all lizard who sounds like Professor Snape in the Harry Potter movies and has a weird obsession with Wheel of Fortune, but God is a decent sounding board and loyal friend. He’s also the World’s Smallest Henchman.
Patrick Mulligan: I’m not sure whether my murder mentor (who’s also a cop….he’s VERY complicated) really belongs on my Friends list, especially considering I’d like us to be more than friends….
Book 1: Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman
Maggie Lee is not your average hitwoman. For one thing, she's never killed anyone. For another, after hitting her head in the car accident that killed her sister, her new best friend is a talking lizard--a picky eater, obsessed with "Wheel of Fortune," that only Maggie can hear.
Maggie, who can barely take care of herself, is desperate to help her injured and orphaned niece get the best medical care possible, so she reluctantly accepts a mobster's lucrative job offer: major cash to kill his monstrous son-in-law.
Paired with Patrick Mulligan, a charming murder mentor (who happens to moonlight as a police detective), Maggie stumbles down her new career path, contending with self-doubt, three meddling aunts, a semi-psychic friend predicting her doom, and a day job she hates. Oh, and let's not forget about Paul Kowalski, the sexy beat cop who could throw her ass in jail if he finds out what she's up to.
Training has never been so complicated And, this time, Maggie has to get the job done. Because if she doesn't . . . she's the mob's next target.
Book 2: Further Confessions of Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman
Take three wacky aunts, two talking animals, one nervous bride, and an upcoming hit, and you've got the follow-up to JB Lynn's wickedly funny Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman
Knocking off a drug kingpin was the last thing on Maggie Lee's to-do list, but when a tragic accident leaves her beloved niece orphaned and in the hospital, Maggie will go to desperate lengths to land the money needed for her care.
But the drug kingpin is the least of her worries. Maggie's aunts are driving her crazy, her best friend's turned into a bridezilla…and a knock on the head has given Maggie Dr. Dolittle abilities—she can talk to animals. Unfortunately, they talk back.
Here are some upcoming events!!!!
Ali Talks Live - Jan. 7 at 8 pm
Chat at Goodreads Jan. 10
About the Author:
Besides being a writer, JB Lynn is a compulsive reader, a runner (of sorts), an enthusiastic cook (who doesn't get the appeal of the Food Network), and someone who has an irresistible urge to eavesdrop at all times.
JB has a great love of her husband, dogs, coffee, purple ink, spiral notebooks, running gear, hot showers, and '80s music. Given enough time, all of these things will eventually show up in her books.
You can find J.B. Lynn online:
And of course, here is where you can get your very own copy!!
Book 1
Book 2
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