Musical Moments: Guest Post: Character Play-list by Ellie Phillips

It is my pleasure to welcome Ellie Phillips to Book Angel Booktopia today with the character play-list for  Dads, Geeks and Blue Haired Freaks

Image from Goodreads

Review HERE

Dads, Geeks and Blue Haired Freaks Blog Tour

I thought I'd start my blog posts on this tour with a Hairstyle of the Day. In Dads, Geeks and Blue-haired Freaks my main character, Sadie, gets given a calendar for her birthday called 'A Hairstyle a Day, One Year of Original Styles'. So I thought I'd do the same on my blog posts. I must add that I haven't actually tried any of them out!

Wednesday 6th June

Hairstyle of the Day:

I think if we're mentioning post-rock then we need to look at boys' hair and so I think today's hairstyle should be something around bald and beardy like these guys here:

Source

PLAY-LISTS

Wow - the iPod play-lists of my characters. I know my characters inside out, but it took me a while to think about what they might be listening to. Obviously Billy has very particular tastes, being an embryonic Post-rock god, but Sadie's playlist I thought would reflect her character which is understated but stealy and determined. Aunt Lilah - well I thought her taste would reflect her youth - as well as the playlist for her hairdressing salon - so nothing too exciting there.....Here we go:

Sadie :

Links to YouTube:

Katy B Katy On a Mission

Yasmin Light Up (The World)

Lewi White Young Guns

M.I.A. Paper Planes

Ciara Love Sex Magic

Amy Winehouse Back to Black and Stronger Than Me

Gyptian Hold You

Soundgirl Don't know why

Billy

YouTube Links:

Mogwai White Noise

Explosions in the Sky Your Hand in Mine

This Will Destroy You Quiet

Red Sparowes In Illusions of Order

Sigur Ros Glosoli

65daysofstatic Radio Protector

Aunt Lilah:

YouTube Links:

Whitney Houston Saving All My Love for You

Phyllis Nelson Move Closer

Dolly Parton 9 to 5, Jolene and Here You Come Again

Diana Ross Do You Know Where You're Going To

Luther Van Dross Never Too Much

Thank you to Ellie for coming up with such fabulous and diverse play-lists. I hope you have enjoyed.

Guest Mini-Review: Dads, Geeks and Blue Haired Freaks by Ellie Phillips

Image from Goodreads

Title: Dads, Geeks and Blue Haired Freaks

Author: Ellie Phillips

Publisher: Electric Monkey

Publication Date: 4 June 2012

Source: Review Copy

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

Sadie Nathanson spends her life trying to survive the excruciating embarrassment of simply existing. It’s hard enough being a bit of a shrinking violet within a loud and outspoken extended family, but the unexpected card from ‘Dad’ on her 15th birthday is the last straw.

As ‘Dad’ was an Internet sperm-donor, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that this is a bad joke, probably set up by her ex-best-friend Shonna. But it starts Sadie wondering – just who was her father? Is he the cause of her worry crinkle and wonky bum? What would happen if she tracked him down?

So she decides to do just that. With help from her nerd cousin Billy, his friend Nodding Tony and a regular dose of ‘Haironomics’ (Sadie’s own hairstyle-related philosophy system), they uncover a lot more than they bargain for...

REVIEW BY MADISON

Although getting a birthday card from your Dad on your birthday should be completely normal, for Sadie it is anything but. You see, Sadie's Mum had artificial insemination via a sperm donor website. Therefore, you can imagine how surprised Sadie is to receive this particular birthday card.

At first Sadie thinks it is some kind of cruel joke, but then she starts wondering what it really would be like to meet her biological father. The things that go through her mind are completely understandable after all we all have certain traits that can be attributed to our parents, Sadie only has one half of the equation in order to figure out who she is.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun, light-hearted read that was refreshing. I especially liked the use of the different hairstyles Sadie's associated with each day, a quirky little trait that she used to show how her day had gone.

I really liked how this book made me giggle out loud at the things that happened and the things Sadie said.

Debut Drool List - May 2012 - Part 2

In my madness over the past few months I forgot 2 books that I am drooling over on my debut list. So I am taking this opportunity to share them with you. 

Title: How to Keep a Boy as a Pet

Author: Diane Messidoro

Publisher: Electric Monkey

Publication Date: 7 May 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

The Official Truth about dating the male human species!

Can taming a gorgeous boy really be as easy as walking a dog?

Circe Shaw is on a mission. She must transform into a fabulously sophisticated journalist and discover the amazing scientific truth about boys. Urgently.

But life is beyond complicated. Circe has to deal with a poisonous rival, her mum’s annoying ‘just friends’ men and her own Dark Past.

Can Circe’s daring investigation really teach her the facts of love? 

Will it help her finally get a boyfriend? 

Or will it break her heart…? 

This just looks so FUN

Title: Slated

Series: Slated #1

Author: Teri Terry

Publisher: Orchard

Publication Date: 3 May 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Kyla’s memory has been erased,

her personality wiped blank,

her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist, and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

Everyone keeps saying how amazing this one is [ : D ]

Guest Review: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Title: Code Name Verity

Author: Elizabeth Wein

Publisher: Electric Monkey

Publication Date: 6 Feb 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

I have two weeks. You'll shoot me at the end no matter what I do. 

That's what you do to enemy agents. It's what we do to enemy agents. But I look at all the dark and twisted roads ahead and cooperation is the easy way out. Possibly the only way out for a girl caught red-handed doing dirty work like mine - and I will do anything, anything, to avoid SS-Hauptsturmführer von Linden interrogating me again.

He has said that I can have as much paper as I need. All I have to do is cough up everything I can remember about the British War Effort. And I'm going to. But the story of how I came to be here starts with my friend Maddie. She is the pilot who flew me into France - an Allied Invasion of Two.

We are a sensational team.

GUEST REVIEW BY BETH OF THE PIECES OF ME

This novel was a slow starter and quite long in comparison to some of the others I receive from Emma but this did not detract from my enjoyment. Once I realised what was going on the harrowing story began to unfold and I questioned whether this was even children’s or young adult fiction. Code Name Verity deals with the darkest elements of Nazi occupied France; it deals with torture, Gestapo interrogation and an enduring friendship between two young women.

Code Name Verity is heartbreaking, for the main part of the novel it’s told from the point of view of ‘Verity’ (or Queenie or Julie depending where in the novel you’re up to) as she ‘confesses all’ to her Gestapo captors. It’s intriguing as whilst we’re led through Verity’s story, she tells us as much about her best friend Maddie as she does about herself and despite her decrying that she’s a coward, she is far from it.

It’s impossible not to like ‘Verity’ she’s strong willed, powerful and stubborn even in her most difficult times and her strength of character makes seeing her beaten down and tortured all the more horrendous.

The second part of the novel comes from the point of Maddie, ‘Verity’s’ best friend from home and a trained WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force) pilot. The reader then follows Maddie as she tries to find her friend in occupied France and is met with brick wall after brick wall until the heart breaking ending.

This novel is a brilliant example of how women’s role in the world wars should not be underestimated and they were involved in more elements than just the Home Front. This review comes at a timely moment as March is Women’s History Month and this book is definitely one that everyone should read as a reminder of what women are capable of. Similarly, this book should be added to the curriculum to educate everybody on the inner workings of the Gestapo as well as the British forces.

A Must Read. 

Book Break-ups: Guest Review: BZRK by Michael Grant

Title: Bzrk

Series: BZRK

Author: Michael Grant

Publisher: Electric Monkey

Publication Date: 28 Feb 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Set in the near future, a conspiracy is afoot to create a perfect and perfectly controlled world. The Armstrong Fancy Gift Corporation is a front for the conjoined Armstrong twins, Charles and Benjamin, and the plot to create their own version of utopia.

A shadowy guerilla group known as BZRK form a nascent resistance movement. Both sides develop sophisticated nanotechnology to achieve their goals:

-The Armstrong twins develop the nanobot, a stealth device that latches onto the brains of unsuspecting citizens

-BZRK's DNA-derived biots are deployed to search out and destroy the insidious bots. If biots are destroyed, the brain cells of their DNA-donor also die. Hence the name BZRK.

GUEST REVIEW BY ANDREW OF THE PEWTER WOLF

I owe Rhys from Thirst for Fiction for making me aware of this book. Last year, he released a video (HERE) where he chatted about the book and read a teaser from it. He had to get permission to read it as it’s embargoed and after hearing him chat excitedly about this book, I thought “I want to read this. It’s different to my normal reads. And I want to read more “boy” books” (oh, how I hate that term. There’s no such thing as “boy” books and “girl” books. There are books you like and books you dislike). Anyway, so when Emma asked if I wanted to read her copy, I jumped out the chance. So, quick thanks to Rhys and Emma.

BZRK... I’m not 100% sure how to describe this book as this is a ... well... a hard thing to explain. But here’s my attempt. BZRK, the first in a new series, is about nanos and biots. Not sure what these are? These are nanobots and biots, the biological counterpart of nanos. And here, it seems the world is in danger from these. Or rather, the group known as AFGC, who want to “rewire” the most powerful minds of the world: the President of the United States and the British Prime Minister, to name two. But BZRK has to stop them. Enter Sadie and Noah, the teenagers with their private reasons to join. But with the stakes so high and failure meaning they might lose their sanity, losing isn’t an option...

Now, this is my first Michael Grant book (never read his Gone series, though I have been told I should loads of time in the past), I don’t know what my reaction would be. And, I hate to say, I’m a bit “muh” over it. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it. I’m just in the middle, not sure with myself if I like or not.

Ok, let’s talk about this book’s good point. Once you got your head into this, it was a fast thriller that played out on two levels: in real life and in nano (or “down on the meat”). And with technology at the level it is at the present moment, you sometimes go “This could/might be possible...”

But, there are problems with this book. The first problem I had was when the story or the action scene jumped for human to nano/biot. For the first half of the book, I sometimes had to reread paragraphs to go “OK. Where am I again?” so I didn’t get confused. And near the end of the book, I suddenly started seeing the nanos and the biots like the robot-cookies from Despicable Me.

Another problem I had was the characters. I’m sorry, but I want to be gripped by the characters very quickly. I want to read their story and want to rush back to the book because of them. And with these characters... it took a long time to warm to them or the situation. And the reason I feel for this was that I never felt like I had time to get to know the characters. I would have a chapter (at the most) with one character before it jumped to another character, whether they were the good guy or the bad guy. I never “clicked” with any of the characters.

I’m still unsure on how I feel about BZRK. This wasn’t my cup of tea. But I’m sure all the Gone fans will love this and am sure that some of you guys will enjoy it a lot more than me. So please, don’t let me review put you off. If you want to read this book, READ IT!

Huge thanks to Andrew for his honest review and to Lori of Pure Imagination for the use of the Break-ups Button.

Tantalizing Trailers: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Title: Code Name Verity

Author: Elizabeth Wein

Publisher: Electric Monkey

Publication Date: 6 Feb 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

"Two young women become unlikely best friends during WWII, until one is captured by the Gestapo.

Only in wartime could a stalwart lass from Manchester rub shoulders with a Scottish aristocrat, one a pilot, the other a special operations executive. Yet whenever their paths cross, they complement each other perfectly and before long become devoted to each other.

But then a vital mission goes wrong, and one of the friends has to bail out of a faulty plane over France. She is captured by the Gestapo and becomes a prisoner of war. The story begins in "Verity's" own words, as she writes her account for her captors. Truth or lies? Honour or betrayal? Everything they've ever believed in is put to the test..."


Code Name Verityis the story of two young women from totally different backgrounds who are thrown together during World War II.

Elizabeth Wein is a member of the Ninety-Nines, the International Organization of Women Pilots. She was awarded the Scottish Aero Club's Watson Cup for best student pilot in 2003 and it was her love of flying that partly inspired the idea for Code Name Verity.

I love how this trailer has captured the 'feel' of the era.

My wonderful Guest Reviewer Beth is reviewing this one for me, she loves books about WWII and it's a terrific resource in School Libraries.

Musical Moments: Guest Post: Hallowed Playlist by Cynthia Hand

I cannot tell you how excited I am to be part of the Hallowed Blog Tour and it is my great pleasure to welcome Cynthia Hand to Book Angel Booktopia today to share the playlist for Hallowed: 

Songs from Cynthia Hand’s Hallowed Playlist 

I don’t write to music. I’m too easily influenced; if the mood of the music changes, so does the mood of my writing. Can’t have that. But I do like to listen to music to get me in the mood for the book. If I can I like to write in the Pepperdine University library, which is about a half hour from my house, a lovely drive through a windy canyon road that finally opens up at the ocean. I love this drive. It calms me, helps me to prepare myself to write, let go of all the mundane things that are going on in my life and think about my story. I almost always listen to a CD on this drive.

My Hallowed CD had a lot of songs on it, too many to share hear, but I’ll give you a taste. I’ll try to keep the spoilery bits of what I would say about the songs out. (and the super spoilery songs from my playlist out, too. You can find the Grooveshark version of this playlist over on my blog, www.cynthiahand.blogspot.com, in the sidebar, bright pink.) When you read the words, try to picture me in my little red car winding through the canyon, belting out these lyrics at the top of my lungs. J



This is like my theme song for Hallowed. It’s got it all: the rain, the sense of the world crashing down, the idea of falling which is so evocative of angels, plus the gorgeous cello. Love this song.

Find the Lyrics HERE:

Find the Lyrics HERE

My Clara and Tucker song.

(It fits so perfectly)

Find the Lyrics HERE

If We Kissed by Spain

(I can't find a music video for this one - I tried everywhere [ : ( ] 

Christian’s song

I know

If we kissed

Then love

Would follow

Follow

Through the rain

And the snow

I know

If we touched

We'd lose

Our sorrow

Sorrow

Oh the rain

Could never know

Sorrow

Oh the rain

Could never know

This song KILLS me, can almost bring me to tears every time I hear it.

The High Countries by Sandra McCracken

(no music video for this one either [ : ( ])

She and I get the same sort of inspiration. . . This is the title of the last chapter of Hallowed.

A bus station, in the steam from the rain

In a line of pale strangers, should I go or stay?

The whole field of vision fades beneath me now

And the houses spread for a million miles in this gray town

And the weight of glory, if you held it in your hand

It would pass right through you, so now's your chance

Would you fall to pieces

Would you fall to pieces

Would you fall to pieces

In the high countries?

We are just pilgrims of the great divorce

I am witness to the light and I am captive to my own remorse

The weight of glory, if you held it in your hand

It would pass right through you - but now's your chance

Would you fall to pieces

Would you fall to pieces

Would you fall to pieces

In the high countries?

You drink the cup to the bottom but it burns in your hands

The cup was poured out on the maker instead

Out on the green plains, I am but a ghost

Bound up with all that I call mine, and still the light grows

Would you fall to pieces

Would you fall to pieces

Would you fall to pieces

In the high countries

In the high countries

In the high countries?

Huge thanks to Cynthia for sharing these amazing music choices. Believe me they really go well with the book. 

Title: Hallowed

Series: Unearthly

Author: Cynthia Hand

Publisher: Electric Monkey

Publication Date: 2 Jan 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

If you missed it yesterday, you can find my review HERE

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Title: Hallowed

Series: Unearthly

Author: Cynthia Hand

Publisher: Electric Monkey

Publication Date: 2 Jan 2012

Source: Review Copy
Rating: 5/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

REVIEW

I was truly captivated by Unearthly (review here) I was on a countdown from the minute I finished reading Unearthly for the next installment. Believe me the wait was worth it, I may even goes as far as to say that this book was even better than the first.

The story picks up shortly after the mountain fire and the revelations that brought forth. Clara's first person narrative and inner monologues provided light, refreshing entertainment among the main parts of the plot. The way in which the story unfolded was quite simply a compelling page turner. As a reader you just can't help but become personally invested in the outcome. Each character has their own unique draw, there are no clearly defined sides even with the forces of good and evil, I felt as if there must be reasons behind all of the actions. This is one story where snippets of the history of the characters are woven into the main plot adding depth to the story. While not everything is revealed in one hit, the snippets are are divulged enhance and progress the plot. 

I am not a great fan of love triangles but this one just worked. I found myself unable to choose this time between Tucker and Christian. Christian's character development during this book was outstanding. I could feel the attraction to both of them. My sympathies were with Clara at having to make such tough decisions.     

The mystery surrounding the angels 'purpose' slowly and tantalizingly began to be revealed. There are some surprising twists and turns that were totally unexpected taking the plot to another dimension. The themes of death and bereavement alongside the afterlife were beautifully dealt with no matter what your belief system. The ideal that love survives death although sad brings it's own kind of peace. The philosophy of being able to live without regret added to the dynamics of the story on multi-levels. Ingenious use of the Old Testament re-enforce these themes without being what I would classify as 'religious' . The imagery was stunning and very easy to picture within the imagination. 

I have to tell you that I spent most of the latter half of this book with tears silently rolling down my cheeks. Such powerful and captivating writing to provoke such emotion. On a personal note the way in which death was portrayed was easy to relate to and took me back to when my mother passed away. If you have personally witnessed someone die then you can understand the imagery of the body being an empty shell or simply a vessel for your soul/life essence what ever you want to call it. 

A surprising side effect of this book was that at the end of it I felt emotionally wrung out. Such a beautiful book in so many unexpected ways. Cynthia Hand is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I, for one, am eagerly anticipating the next book. 

Tantalising Trailers: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

I loved Unearthly so Hallowed (Review HERE) has been on my wish-list from the moment I finished it. I am so excited to share the trailer with you.

Title: Hallowed
Series: Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand
Publisher: Electric Monkey
Publication Date: 2 Jan 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

SWOOOOON

I cannot wait to read it