Book Trailer Reveal: Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

I've seen an early copy of Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix, and it looks super cool. From what I know, it's a horror story that takes place in a furniture store. The book looks like a furniture store catalog. It's actually quite beautiful, and I applaud Quirk Publishing for continuing to come up with new, creative, and quirky (such a perfect adjective) books. And their book trailers are great quality. Check out the trailer for Horrorstor below, and tell me what you think in the comments :)

Book Signings Are Dangerous

I had a weird dream involving books and a signing, so I thought I'd share it here. I like to write down some of the weird ones since dreams could have meaning beyond the storyline of the dream.

I went to a Ransom Riggs, Tahereh Mafi, and some other person signing alone. It was in Worcester, MA where Im thinking about going to college. I brought a couple of books from home and bought some too. My friend, Danielle, said she couldn't make it, but she surprised me by showing up. I was super excited, and we explored the store, sat in on what  the less prominent authors were saying. Then, we realized we didn't have our purses.  As we turned the corner to see where we last put them, we saw a group of young, African American boys leave with them and escape through a black elevator. We ran over to it, only to discover it didn't operate automatically. Like entering the darkroom at my school, the sides of the cylindrical contraption had to be moved in order for the whole thing to move down.  It was like a spiral motion had to be put in place manually in order for the "elevator" to move. We were terrible at turning the sides because they were heavy! We got to a floor of a gym, and I asked a beautiful guy working there if he saw a group of Arican American men with purses that they were trying to sell. 

The guy was either stupid or playing me, but it was plain annoying. He assumed I was being racist for saying that African Americans stole them, but I explained that that's what happened. He wouldn't believe it and kept calling the situation hypothetical.  He was useless, and I was getting more peeved as the seconds went by.

In the elevator we went again, and we stopped at the floor of a night club. We looked to see if anyone had our purses.  We felt deflated when we found nothing.  We never called our parents because we didn't want them to worry.  What silly kids we are. Danielle had a plan to pretend we knew someone there, have he or she say something about the purses

 and then look to see who looks guilty.  And that's where I woke up. 

The things I most remember about this dream was feeling more upset about losing my books and missing the signing than loosing my wallet.  Always be careful about abandoning your purse for a second.  Book signings can be danegorus.

Happy Book Birthday, Ransom Riggs!

Hollow City (sequel to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children) is out! Congrats, Ransom on the success.  To those that have received their preordered book, you stink.  I'm still waiting on mine just to ship, and I better have it on Jan 27 when I attend Ransom's book signing at the Free Library in Philly!!!

Here's the tour schedule:

Absolutely no breaks.  I know there is one more stop not listed here.  What a tough 2 weeks in his future.

Cover Reveal: Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

And you thought that Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children was creepy?

Entertainment Weekly just released this cover!

I'm pretty excited for this book since Ransom and his new wife Tahereh are pretty awesome people!  I'll admit that I'm a little fuzzy on details, but I have until January 14 to refresh.  

In 1940 after the first book ends, Jacob and his new Welsh island friends flee to London, the Peculiar capital of the world. Caul, a dangerous madman, is Miss Peregrine’s brother, and can steal Peculiar abilities for himself. The Peculiars must fight for survival, again.

Shatter Me #3 by Tahereh Mafi Title and Cover Reveal

It's called IGNITE ME! And here are some words from Tahereh:

" Hi guys!

I'm so so thrilled to be able to share this final cover with you all. The "Shatter Me" series is swiftly coming to a close, and though it's a bittersweet feeling, I'm anxious for everyone to know how the story will end. Also I'm hoping we can still be friends after you finish reading.Ahem.

If you follow me around the internet, you know I've teased you a lot about what may or may not happen in book 3, but the truth is, most of the time I was just messing with you. What actually happens in the third book is probably almost definitely not what you think is going to happen. (Don't let the title fool you! "Ignite" is so much more than it seems.)

Of this final book I can promise you this much, though: Juliette is back. She's pissed. And she's ready to kick some ass. No regrets.

And mom, if you're reading this, I'm sorry I just said ass on the Internet. Twice."

-Tahereh Mafi 

COVER TIME!!!

MY THOUGHTS: AHH the cover is so gorgeous! Tahereh is a great writer and though I've only read Shatter Me, I'm still super excited.  I had the pleasure of meeting Tahereh and Ransom Riggs when Unravel Me and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (paperback) came out, and she sweet and hilarious as was he.  And guess what?  This OTP is engaged.  I didn't think it was real because Tahereh is sarcastic as you can get but they seem really good together.  Only fellow book nerds would be excited over this :)

Actually, we are. We're engaged! 💍😊 RT @algelalaiii: I wish @TaherehMafi and @ransomriggs were more than friends. I really ship them a lot.
— Ransom Riggs (@ransomriggs) August 11, 2013

no sarcasm, i promise! @ransomriggs and i really are engaged. we are my otp.
— Tahereh Mafi (@TaherehMafi) August 11, 2013

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary: A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. 

As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here - one of whom was his own grandfather - were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason.

And somehow - impossible though it seems - they may still be alive.

Characters: So I had the chance to meet Mr. Riggs last month when the paperback of Miss Peregrine was released.  I met him prior to reading the book and I wonder if that contributes to my disappointment.  Jacob is based on Ransom, but Jacob lacks his wit.  Ransom is really funny in a nerdy way like John Green.  Jacob has a few chuckle-worthy lines, but he was disappointing.  However, I do like his transformation, going from that nerdy underdog state to a brave hero.  His relationship with Emma is super cute!  Emma was Abe's girlfriend, so her dating his grandson is kinda weird and violates bro code or whatever, but they're a good pair.  Sweet young, love.  All of the characters are kind to Jacob when he arrives and have sick powers!

Plot: I admit that this book took forever for me to finish because I needed to get into it.  But once I did, it really picked up!  People, including me, think that this is a creepy book from first glance, but this is a mix of historical, adventure, and sci-fi, not scary at all.  Actually, I read that Ransom Riggs was going to write a children's book using some of the photos initially.  Once you read the book, you're going to be amazed at how Ransom  creatively crafted a story around these random photos that he selected to be put together.  

Sequel: Hollow is the name of the sequel.  Thank goodness there exists one because that would have been a crappy ending.

Movie: Tim Burton will be directing the movie.  I can't think of a better person for the job.  I'm anxious to see who gets casted, but I have no idea when casting begins.  But it is going to be a real movie, none of that thinking it will happen because it got "optioned" and then dropped.  Hmm, maybe Ransom Riggs will have a lot of control over the movie since he studied filmmaking before becoming an author.

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, this isn't my favorite book, but Ransom Riggs' talent is undeniable.

Left to right: Carly (moi), Tahereh Mafi, Ransom Riggs, my friend Dani

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