Stacking The Shelves #18

This is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer, Lili,

Stephanie, Helen, and Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews!

(I have decided to start participating

every other week, though, because of

time constraints.)

As the title implies, this is all about

sharing the books you're adding

to your shelves, be they physical or virtual.

For the complete rules, and to sign up,

just click on the link above.

This week's haul!!

  

Books Purchased 

I've recently discovered this series,

and came across the special edition of the

very first volume!

Kate Daniels sure sounds like a very intriguing,

strong heroine!  Besides, 

these books are full of magic and action!

This special edition contains some

extra material, too, like a story prequel,

and an FQA section!

  

Magic Bites

Ilona Andrews

Trade Paperback, 384 pages

Amazon US

The Book Depository UK

  

This debut novel caught my eye

the moment I first saw its

gorgeous cover on

Vonnie's Reading Corner!

I love horses passionately, so

this book just had to be mine!!

Of course, the plot is truly awesome,

too, with lots of supernatural mayhem

involved!

Moonlit

Jadie Jones

Trade Paperback, 310 pages

Amazon US

The Book Depository UK

I first came across this one on

Itching For Books!

The cover is absolutely beautiful, although

I was dubious at first, since I thought,

at first sight, that  the girl was holding a

human heart in her left hand...

Ugh.

Thankfully, that's not the case!!

I was also pulled in by the plot, which deals with

"women who can sing magic into the world."

They are known as 'Chantresses'.

Wow.

This is a very original idea, as well as a

highly compelling one!

Chantress

Amy Butler Greenfield

Hardcover, 336 pages

Amazon US

The Book Depository UK

Book Blogger Hop #23 (6/21 - 6/27): Reviews - During Or After?

Welcome to the new

Book Blogger Hop,

hosted by Billy @

Ramblings of a Coffec-Addicted Writer!

He took over this hop from

Jennifer @ Crazy For Books.

I'm so glad he decided to

continue with this weekly feature!

For more information, click HERE.

What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this question:

When you are writing your reviews,

do you write them as you are

reading, or wait until you

are completely done with the book?

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the

Linky list on Bill's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and

comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's

question when you visit Bill's blog!

My Answer

Most reviewers, I think, tend to wait until they finish reading a book before starting to write their reviews. I usually do the same.  However, sometimes I actually begin writing my review toward the end of the book.  That's because, if I really like the book, I can't wait to share it with my readers! 

Now that I think about it, it might not be a bad idea to begin work on a review as one begins a book, then add to it and revise as necessary, as reading progresses.  That way, important details can be retained fresh in the mind.  Of course, it's not good to be including spoilers.  Still, this could be an interesting way to proceed.  I think I'll give it a try when I write my next review!

Waiting On Wednesday #79: Kindred and Wings, by Philippa Ballantine

This is a weekly event hosted by

Jill @ Breaking the Spine!!

It showcases future releases which

we book bloggers are

eagerly anticipating!!

Here's my choice for this week!

 Kindred and Wings

Philippa Ballantine

Trade Paperback, 340 pages

Pyr

August 6, 2013

Fantasy, Romance

Goodreads Synopsis

On the back of the dragon Wahirangi, Finn the Fox flees the world he has known. As he sets out to find the brother he never knew of, he still holds in his heart the memory of the Hunter. He has denied his love for her, but he cannot deny it forever.

In the halls of the Last Believers, Talyn begins to uncover her own mysteries, but her lust for the death of the Caisah is still strong and clouds her vision. She must choose her path, as the Seer of her people or as the assassin of the overlord.

Shelf Candy Saturday #72: Dante: The Poet, the Political Thinker, the Man, by Barbara Reynolds

Welcome to Shelf Candy Saturday!!

This weekly feature

showcases beautiful book covers,

and provides information,

if available, on their very talented creators!

For more information

about Shelf Candy Saturday,

just click HERE.

This is my choice for this week!

Dante: The Poet, the Political Thinker, the Man

Barbara Reynolds

Hardcover, 448 pages

Shoemaker & Hoard

(an imprint of Avalon Publishing Co.)

August 16, 2006

Biography, Classics, Poetry

(Note: I own this book, so I can attest

that the publisher listed on Amazon

is not the right one.)

Why do I love this cover?

This is a truly stunning cover!  The man portrayed here -- the great Italian poet, Dante -- is depicted sitting at a table, apparently comparing two books for accuracy of information, or perhaps to investigate two opposing views. 

Aside from the fact that Dante is a fascinating figure in his own right, I think that this portrait is also a perfect symbol of the quintessential bookworm -- someone who just can't get enough of books, even trying to read two at the same time!  The poet is obviously absorbed in his reading, totally oblivious to the world around him.  He's probably sitting at his desk, in his own private study.

I love the warm, cozy color scheme of this painting; the main color is burnt sienna.  This masterpiece was created by the Italian Renaissance artist, Luca Signorelli (see links below).  It's located at Cappella di San Brizio, Il Duomo, Orvieto, a city located in southwestern Umbria, Italy.  The cover photograph was taken by the author of this biography.

Book Blogger Hop #22 (6/14 - 6/20): My Favorite Genres

Welcome to the new

Book Blogger Hop,

hosted by Billy @

Ramblings of a Coffec-Addicted Writer!

He took over this hop from

Jennifer @ Crazy For Books.

I'm so glad he decided to

continue with this weekly feature!

For more information, click HERE.

What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this question:

What is your favorite genre

(genre that you read the most)?

Recommend a book!

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the

Linky list on Bill's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and

comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's

question when you visit Bill's blog!

My Answer

I'm a very eclectic reader, so I have several favorite genres.  However, for quite some time now, I've been very partial to Young Adult Fiction -- specifically fantasy, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy.  In fact, I've been pretty much obsessed with such books!  This is thanks to two of my favorite authors -- Stephenie Meyer and J.K. Rowling.  Since most of you know which books these writers are famous for, I won't mention them yet again.

Here are some of my top favorites in the above-named genres (of course, in addition to the Meyer and Rowling books).  Although the books below are listed in a certain order, this by no means indicates any descending order of preference.  I love them all equally!!

Winter's Shadow

M.J. Hearle

Nightshade

Andrea Cremer

Tempest Rising

Tracy Deebs

Masquerade

Cambria Hebert

Die For Me

Amy Plum

Abandon

Meg Cabot

What do you think of my list?

What are some of your favorites?