Wednesday, April 18, 2012

WWW (31) and Waiting On Wednesday (April 18th, 2012): The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?


I've had sick kids the past two weeks, and now I'm sick, so while I haven't gotten much else done, I have done a good amount to reading (silver lining, right?).  Let's see what we have here...

What are you currently reading?

Whisper by Alyson Noel~ I really enjoyed the first three books in the Riley Bloom series, and I am enjoying this one just as much.  If you want to read my reviews of the other three books, click HERE for Radiance and Shimmer, and HERE for Dreamland.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder~ Plugging through this series with my seven year old daughter.  I think I love these books each time I read them, but this is my least favorite of the series.  Pa is such a dumbass...

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins~ I'm still buddy-reading this with my *almost* 11 year old daughter and I'm having a very difficult time keeping my promise to not read ahead.  Last week she went on a three night school trip and forbade me to read ahead.  Brutal!
The Sword Thief (The 39 Clues, Book #3) by Peter Lerangis~ I'm reading this series with my seven year old son.  We took a break to read Liesl & Po, but now we're back to The 39 Clues.  We just started this one last night, so I'm not really sure I have an opinion yet...



What did you recently finish reading?

The Selection by Kiera Cass~ This book was pretty good.  It had gotten such mixed reviews, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I liked it and am looking forward to the 2nd book next year.  Read my full review HERE.

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel~ This book was really awesome, and not at all what I expected.  I was so pleasantly surprised with what I got.  I listened to the audio, and highly recommend it as it is done by an ensemble cast.  My full review will be up later this week.
Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver~ This was a re-read, but this time I read it to my son, Benjamin.  He got so into it, and loved it SO much.  He has spent lots of time on the website, and although it's unrelated, he is VERY eagerly awaiting Lauren's next MG novel, The Spindlers.
The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman~ This is not your typical YA book at all.  It definitely reads more like an adult novel.  It is The Da Vinci Code meets A Great and Terrible Beauty.  I love it when YA authors show respect to their readers by assuming they are intelligent enough to handle a book like this.  Bravo to Robin Wasserman. Full review HERE.


What do you think you'll read next?

Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf~ This is my next book for review.  I've been excited to read it for awhile, and although it's gotten some mixed reviews, I still have pretty high expectations.  Stay tuned!

The Fire (Witch & Wizard, Book #3) by James Patterson~ Yes, I think I'm finally going to get to read this.  It's been on my shelf for FAR too long!  I loved the first two books, so I hope this one measures up! 

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa~ I've heard absolutely BRILLIANT things about this one.  I have a bunch of for-review book for next week, and this one is huge, but I think I need to fit it in, like, right now!  Stay tuned!




"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.

There are almost too many "Waiting On" books to choose from right now, but it must be done.  Since I mentioned this one above, and since my Benjamin is not the only one eagerly awaiting this book, I am going to highlight...





From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes a bewitching story about the reaches of loyalty, the meaning of love, and the enduring power of hope.


Looking across the breakfast table one morning, twelve-year-old Liza feels dread wash over her. Although her younger brother, Patrick, appears the same, Liza knows that he is actually quite different. She is certain that the spindlers-evil, spiderlike beings-came during the night and stole his soul. And Liza is also certain that she is the only one who can rescue him.


Armed with little more than her wits and a huge talking rat for a guide, Liza descends into the dark and ominous underground to save Patrick's soul. Her quest is far from easy, and the road to the spindlers' nests is riddled with danger. She must brave tree snakes, the Court of Stones, and shape-shifting serpents before facing her greatest challenge in the spindlers' lair, where more than just Patrick's soul is at stake.



Evocative of Alice in Wonderland as well as Neil Gaiman's modern classic, Coraline, this new middle-grade novel follows Liza as she embarks on a daring quest through the dark and fascinating world that exists beneath our own.
(Courtesy of HarperCollins)



I don't usually review Middle Grade fiction on this blog, but occasionally a book will come along that is so brilliantly done, that I have to mention it. I am a Lauren Oliver fangirl, and I loved her first foray into MG, Liesl & Po. Nothing brought me more joy than to share it with my son. Lauren gained a fan in him, and now we are on pins and needles together for her next book! :-)


Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Publication Date: October 2nd, 2012
My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

What are YOU Waiting On this week?

21 comments:

  1. You've got a lot on your list this week that I want to read. I had to laugh at your 'buddy read' story with your daughter! Sounds ilke you have a lot of will power!
    My WoW!

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  2. Great WoW pick! I can't wait to read this one! I love Lauren Oliver! I've got Liesl & Po on my shelf but I've been meaning to read it forever now. :)

    Here's my WoW post. Happy Wednesday!

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  3. New follower, I love the sound of this and although I own most of Lauren Oliver's books I still haven't one of them, great pick, my wow

    http://headstuckinabook.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/waiting-on-wednesday_17.html

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  4. All of your books look so interesting! I remember absolutely LOVING the Laura Ingalls Wilder books!

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  5. Great review of book of blood and shadow - I love more complex YAs so will look this up

    Here's my WWW

    https://melcj.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/www-wednesday-4/

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  6. Oh, you're actually reading books with your daughter? That is so cool! :O

    Patricia // My WOW

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  7. This sounds good. I don't really read middle grade myself but I will keep an eye out for it for my 12 year old son. He might like it

    My WoW

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  8. I had no idea Lauren Oliver had a MG novel coming out. It looks awesome though. The cover is gorgeous, and very suitable for MG. The story reminds me a lot of Alice in Wonderland. Looking forward to reading this one!

    Check out my WoW

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  9. LOL! I picked the same book for my WOW (even though I didn't find this long book description)!!!
    I can't wait for this one too!!! I'll read anything that Lauren Oliver sends our way :D

    Drop by my WOW?

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  10. I haven't read anything by Lauren Oliver, but I really want to! I've been hearing great stuff about her books. :)The Spindlers sounds really good. Great pick. :)


    Pam | jellylovesbooks

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  11. I love Lauren Oliver from the bottom of my heart, actually so much that I might even pick up a Middle Grade book because of her. :3 Her writing style is simple perfection.

    Aleksandra and her WoW

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    1. I hope you enjoy! your pick.

      http://tributebooksreviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/waiting-on-wednesday.html

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  12. I love that you are reading books with each of your children. That must keep you pretty busy :) You've got quite a selection of books this week for me to checkout. Thanks!

    Here's my WWW Wed:

    http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2012/04/www-wednesdays-41812.html

    Colletta

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  13. I haven't seen this yet, but I love Lauren Oliver. Thanks!

    Ellen @ Always YA at Heart – My WoW

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  14. I need to read so many of the books on your list, some are on waiting lists for me right now though at the library! Dearly, Departed is on my shelf, just need to get to it someday. Happy reading :)

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  15. Wow! What a lot of books on your plate! Happy reading.

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  16. Great WoW pick! I adore Lauren Oliver's books too! And I'm in love with the whole Hex Hall series! Hope you like Spell Bound :)

    here's my WoW
    http://joie-joiedelire.blogspot.com/2012/04/waiting-on-wednesday_18.html

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  17. I just won the arc for the book of blood and shadow, I am so excited to get it and am glad to see that you enjoyed it. Happy Wednesday!

    My Wow: youngadultbookhaven.blogspot.com
    your newest follower,
    Kristin

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  18. The Splinders is new to me, so I've added it to my Goodreads right away! Sounds really good :D

    And I like Riley Bloom. I'm reading the second one now and she is so funny.

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  19. I really like Riley Bloom! I just started the second one and she is so funny ^^

    And you have some great books there! I like your taste :)

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  20. I'm always looking forward to anything by Lauren Oliver.

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