Book Trailer - Fragments by Dan Wells

I am SOOOOOO excited for this book. I loved PARTIALS and cannot wait to dive into this world again... anyway, I can't directly post the book trailer here, but I'm going to give you the link to check it out! I love how they use footage as if it's from the world of the books.  Great trailers!!

The new trailer is here.

The book will be coming out on February 26th!!

If you haven't read PARTIALS yet, check out my review here, and then READ IT! :) Fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent will gobble this one up.

Gold Star Review: The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan

by Katherine Applegate

 



Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better. (description from Amazon.com)

This is a stellar book. Absolutely stellar. The concept is phenomenal. The characters, though animals, are still anthropomorphized (humanized) enough to make them evoke sympathy from readers.  The storyline is perfect. The writing style fits the character and story beautifically.

Yes, I am gushing. This book deserves to be gushed over.  If you have not read it yet, PICK THIS ONE UP. I guarantee that every reader will find something to love.  Animals, art, love, grief, it's all here. The free form verse makes this book a breeze to read (I think it took me an hour or so) and my heart was bursting when I was done. 

I cannot recommend this one enough. If it does not win at least one award this year, I think I will be shocked and somewhat appalled. Definite GOLD STAR.

 

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my Library

Some 2013 Resolutions...

 

Can you believe it's officially 2013 now?? I think it's still sinking in for me, LOL.

 

Anyway, I thought that I would come up with some resolutions for this year...and it's much easier to be accountable if they are shared and you can all harass me about them... so..

 

Jessica's 2013 Resolutions:

 

1. Read at least 15 books that have been sitting on my bookcase at home unread for the last *cringes* two years.

 

2. Do what I need to do to help make reading less stressful this year... this may or may not include cutting back on professional reviewing, cutting myself off from Netgalley...I'm not sure yet. I just know I want my reading (outside of my committee commitment) to be FUN!

 

3. Self-publish my Fae book before the year is out.

 

4. Develop a kick-butt book club for grades 4&5 at my job.

 

5. Lose at least 20 more pounds.

 

6. Continue to lavish affection upon the Hubs and the doggas.

 

So...do you have any resolutions this year? Anyone want to buddy up to help me stick to mine??