Sunday 30 September 2012

Nayu's News #38


I'm relaxing! Work's been busy, my family are on holiday which means a few more household tasks for me to do. That translates into more energy being used up, so less time to spend on other things. 

Today I had lunch with a friend, as well as getting a few groceries together. 
 Alicia & Akira from the anime Aria the Animation having a drink together.

So no writing for me today - I must chill for the evening with anime. Currently getting into Neo Angelique, which centres around Angelique (not an overly original title...) who is the only female purifier to defeat the monsters (the rest are male) 

Hope you've all had some fun this weekend! 


The Snow Bear by Holly Webb (Children's, 5 years +, 10E/10E)

1st October 2012, Stripes
162 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: family life, new baby, relation between grandfather & granddaughter, life in the Arctic, igloos of different sizes, polar bears, wolves, huskies, sadness at being apart from family, strange dreams, the Northern Lights, cuteness alert

Summary from Stripes Publishing

As the snow begins to fall just days before Christmas, Grandad helps Sara build an igloo in the garden with a small snow bear to watch over it. 

And when Sara wakes in the middle of the night, it looks very different outside. She sets out on an enchanted journey through a world of ice, but will she ever find her way home...


Nayuleska's thoughts
Awww! I fell in love with the cute front cover, and as expected adored the book. The illustrations have the aww factor all the time. 

I enjoyed the way Sara's grandfather tried so hard to make her stay happier. His love for her jumps out from the page. Sara tries to be brave and not miss her mother but it gets to the point she can't hide it any more. I was in tears at several points in the book, especially when Sara was crying with the bears watching over her. This sentimental read which introduces Inuit customs - which can seem strange to outsiders - reaches out to my heart making it a solid 10/10.

Check out more from Holly on her website - I've only just twigged who Holly is! I adored one of her books Rose, which I haven't reviewed yet. I think her covers are awesome, with the kind of graphics I like. I'm so going to check out more of her books when I can! 

Suggested read

For more a tale with strange goings on check out Lob by Linda Newbury


Saturday 29 September 2012

Shattered Dreams by Ellie James (Young Adult, predicted grade 8/10)



July 2012, Quercus
342 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: life at a new school, living with an aunt instead of parents (deceased), New Orleans, family secrets, being believed, having emotional support, mystery, disappearances, lots of suspense, teen romance

Summary from Quercus

Trinity has never known who she really is. Strange dreams haunt her nights, and she has always been able to sense things that others can't.

When Jessica, the most popular girl at school, disappears, Trinity realises she will have to draw on her secret abilities to help find her.

Soon, Trinity is subject to visions that terrify her and make the police sceptical. As her dreams grow darker and the visions more frightening, Trinity realises she must risk her reputation and her sanity to save a girl who hates her.

Nayuleska's thoughts

I'm proud that I made it to page 128 before having to stop. I nearly stopped much earlier with a seance mention, but it wasn't followed through. I was on edge a fair part of what I managed to read, because the supernatural is known in New Orleans. I get freaked out quite easily, and kept going past my comfort zone because I like the concept of dreams coming true, and Trinity having to find the missing girl with the clues from her dreams.

I loved her growing relationship with her aunt. Often these kind of tales have the protagonist hiding everything from their family - family closeness is something I like to read about. Unfortunately the plot headed tok deep into the supernatural for my liking so I had to stop reading. I'm pretty sure the rest of the story will be as good as the first 128 pages, which is why it has a predicted grade of 8/10. You can find a review of the full book over on Sammy's blog, I Want To Read That.

 Hop on over to Ellie's website.

Suggested read

For a spooky read I could finish (although it was a bit touch and go at one point!) try The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson


Drina Goes on Tour by Jean Estoril (Children's, 9 years +)

 
 
This edition August 1992, Hodder Wayland
154 pages, Paperback
Personal copy

Themes: life at ballet school, befriending the enemy, people have a reason for being rude/out of sorts, a little kindness goes a long way, dealing with public attention, unexpected career opportunities, life in digs for ballet dancers, the glitz & the grim of being a ballet dancer, friendships reforged, wedding excitement, blooming relationships, lots of laughter, smiles and tears

Book blurb
Drina's long kept secret about her past has been discovered! And she is totally unprepared when she becomes the centre of a blaze of publicity. How will this news, and all the resulting distractions, affect her life at the Dominick Ballet School?
 
 
Nayuleska's thoughts
I remembered so little of this book it was as though I read it for the first time (except I knew what happened in general). Unsurprisingly Drina keeps a level head in so far as she doesn't get arrogant, seek the limelight & revel in everyone knowing her mother was Elizabeth Ivory, the famous ballerina who died in a plane accident. Queenie thinks all those mean things and more about Drina, but a rough time throws the two of them together and they actually start building up a friendship.

I smiled so much reading this because it's thrilling to see Drina improve in her skills, to be modest & unassuming about her mother. She gets quite upset over it, but that's understandable. The end sees progress in her relationship with Grant. I loved all the details about theatre life, how people get sick and audiences aren't always that large in this 10/10 read.

Suggested read
Make sure you've read all the previous books which start with Ballet For Drina



Friday 28 September 2012

Nina and the Travelling Spice Shed by Madhvi Ramani (Children's, 7 years +, 10/10)



October 1st 2012, Tamarind
74 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: heritage, national pride, travelling machine (non time travel variety), Bollywood film star, helping others, run-in with scary animals, keeping secrets, adventure, some humour, moderate peril


Did you know that Nina's aunt's spice shed is a travel machine?

Well neither did Nina - and now she's head first into a great adventure involving a lost envelope, a charming street thief, glamorous Bollywood star and a fierce tiger . . . 

Nayuleska's thoughts
You know how much I like books with purple covers! This is a sweet tale of a girl who thanks to her aunt actually starts to like her parents' homeland. The concept of how she travels to India is well thought out with limitless possibilities for Nina's next adventures. She shows great bravery in all situations, and her pleasant nature means people help her out more than they realise.

The illustrations are in harmony with the story, my favourite was the spice shed. That's where it all begins, and For some unknown reason I like food storage areas. It's not the contents of the jars, but the feel of the person/company who owns it. By thia I mean I could imagine Nina's Aunt's kitchen from the jars, I could tell her passion for cooking and that she likes organisation - well, some of the time! I look forward to Nina finding out more about her aunt in the rest of this series which has started with a 10/10 read.

Suggested read
For more adventure try Jack Stalwart The  Hunt for the Yeti Skull Nepal by Elizabeth Singer

Thursday 27 September 2012

Drina Dances in Switzerland by Jean Estoril (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10)



This edition 1990, Simon & Schuster
174 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: exile, strict finishing school, being on the wrong side of teachers, having a bad reputation, rebelling, feelings misinterpreted, finding an amicable friend, losing a friend, travelling about Switzerland, finding pleasure in what you love, loved ones surprising you, life turning out better than expected, rumblings of true love, some tears and laughter

Book blurb

Although it's a new term at the Dominick Ballet School, Drina won't be starting lessons again for two whole terms. Her grandparents are moving to Switzerland for the winter, and Drina is being sent to a stuffy Swiss finishing school. Drina is bitterly disappointed: how will she be able to keep up with her ballet when she's so far away from her teachers and the theatre and her dancing friends in London?

Nayuleska's thoughts

I was wrong in a previous assumption that Drina loved being at boarding school. She learned to love Chalk Green in book ?, but the finishing school isn't a ballet school. It doesn't help that wll the girls are older than Drina, and have developped mentall a bit more than her in some ways. She is miserable and everyone knows notices it, even though she is brave and does as well as shebelieves possible. There were several characters I wanted to hurl things at for their stupidity, but equally some were so lovely to Drina I got teary eyed in this 10/10 read.

Suggested read

Be sure to check out Drina's other stories, including the one about Chalk Green, Drina in Exile

Ocean of Secrets by Aimee Friedman (Young Adult, 5/10)



July 2012, Scholastic
344 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: selkie myths, island life, life of rich girls, boy & fashion centric girls, finding yourself, mother-daughter friction, occasional moderate peril, strong teen romance

Summary from Scholastic

The truth lies beneath the surface…

Sixteen-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science… but not so great with boys. After a major drama with her boyfriend and ex-best friend, she’s secretly relieved to spend the summer on tiny Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother’s estate. But when she steps off the ferry from New York City, she discovers an island rife with legend and lore, steeped in a past her logical mind can’t make sense of. She doesn’t expect to feel such a connection to this mystical place, so filled with languorous charm and strange history. And when she meets Leo, a mysterious local boy, he challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship, reality… and love.


Nayuleska's thoughts
This book and I didn't gel. I was all excited as I'm into mermaids at the moment. I understand Selkies are a little different as they are more like seals. I felt there was the promise of Selkie action, but it never really happened.

Don't get me wrong, I did like a bit of the mystery, with the sense that it would reveal a great secret. But I was disappointed how everything was revealed at the end, rather than a little here and there. There were some revelations, I think I'd wanted there to be a more obvious mention of who Leo was before the end. It felt like there was a major element missing from the story - I only kept reading to find out what happened. The revelations at the end were important, but they seemed better suited to be mini revelations earlier in the book then have a huge one at the end.

Although I've given this 5/10, I think the style is one I normally avoid as there isn't a lot of major action events. You can find a more positive review by Sophie of the review blog So Many Books, So Little Time.

You can find out more on Aimee's website.

Suggested read
If it's mystery of the sea you're after try the rather awesome Slack Tide by Vanessa Barger.


Wednesday 26 September 2012

A Writer's Nightmare

 "Is it safe to come out?"

I wanted to make the title A Writer's Worst Nightmare but the incident today wasn't the worse that could happen. There are several scenarios which are much worse, but I won't look at those today. 

This morning, as it was my usual day off work I was happy about the prospect of getting some editing done on my fairy wip. 
"Yay! Time to edit!"

I settled down with my laptop. 
"Hurry up and load already." 

The moment I opened up my wip,I felt puzzled by what I saw.

I then felt mildly annoyed 
...after that I went a bit mental (it had to be done) I mean, why did the wretched thing get corrupt? Just why?


That led to my standard reaction of wanting to cry.

What on earth had happened?
 "What did you do to my wip?"
 
It's a bit hard to explain. I opened my wip, and the first few chapters were full of gobbledegoop. The very chapter's I'd just finished. Here's an example of the text 


“Me?e1435) ter 2 hu. e1435) ter 2 hugme remove the security spell?the
Her dad ran his hand through his greyish-blue hair.  “Yes,  you,eshe said. “Yousaidou,ctised enough and ites one of several treats to celebrate your Fledgling Fairy status.st

That's a moderate version of it. Some had repeated text, lots of numbers - it was almost indecipherable.  I was and am still pretty stumped how it happened.

I tried to see if I'd clicked on something to make it go like that. All the settings were normal. I then checked an earlier version as I usually email myself my work every day. Turns out I hadn't done that since Saturday. In truth that's only 3 days worth of revision.I felt a bit gutted at having to re-edit the document, especially after how happy I'd been a few moments before.


After a few moments thinking. 
 (This is one of the characters from the anime & Manga Maria Sama Watches Over Us

I then got into my determined mode, eager for revenge.  
"I'll get you for this!"

There's was nothing I could do (part from grumbling on Twitter) so I started re-editing it. Thankfully the parts I'd changed were mostly legible. This afternoon alternating 15 minutes of editing with anime watching I caught up to where I'd lost my edits, and even managed to get a bit further ahead. Whoohoo! 

What happened today will probably forever be a mystery. I'm putting it behind me, and moving on. 

WWF Wild Friends Snow Leopard Lost (Children's, 5 years +, 10/10)



August 2012, Red Fox
120 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: working for WWF, travelling to exotic places, life for natives in Mongolia, different dangers in a different country, language barrier, trying to convince people to change their way of thinking, friends made, friendship worries, great peril, cuteness abound, puzzles to do, colour photos, goodbyes, some humour

Summary from Random House Children's Publishing

Emily's dad is in Mongolia, helping to set up a new project to help endangered snow leopards in the area. When Emily goes to visit him at half term, she can't believe her luck when she makes friends with adorable snow leopard cub, Leo. But not everyone is as pleased that the leopards are making themselves at home. With the help of local boy Bataar, can Emily show the villagers that there's a way to live peacefully with the leopards?

Nayuleska's thoughts

Awww! This book is filled with cuteness it mad me cry. My heart melted at Emily's kind nature and the adorable cub. I can understand why the villagers were against snow leopards, I'm relieved Emily helped change their mind. I hope Emily gets to help more cute baby animals in the future, and people get interested in helping save animals. Even if everyone only did one of the suggestions in the back of this 10/10 read the world would be a better place.

You can find out more info at wwf.org/gowild

Suggested read

For more animal caring stories try Battersea Dogs and Cats Home: Coco's Story by Amy Watson



Tuesday 25 September 2012

Drina Dances in Madeira by Jean Estoril (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10)


This edition 1990, Simon & Schuster
176 pages, Paperback
Personal copy

Themes: dealing with change, leaving the familiar, tough times when loved ones are ill, dealing with worry, beung brave, life on a cruise ship, visiting foreign countries, dancing with a different company, not trusting instincts, two troublesome events, making lots of new friends, an uncertain future, some laughter, very minor romance, lots of tears both happy & sad

Book blurb
Drina is bitterly disappointed when she hears that her long-awaited holiday to Germany is cancelled. But her grandmother offers her some wonderful alternatives: a Mediterannean cruise, or a visit to Scandinavia, or a trip to Madeira... When Drina remembers that the Lingeraux Ballet Company are also going to Madeira for the summer, she has no trouble making up her mind!

Nayuleska's thoughts
It is by this time in Drina's life that my recollection is extremely hazy. Drina deals maturely with the disappointments and conflicting emotions that life chucks at her. Now she is older she, like her best (if currently slightly distant) friend Jenny, are more observant & perceptive of people's feelings. Drina is polite enough not to pry until it gets a bit overwhelming and then she has had enough. 

Her grandmother softens due to the hardship they both endure, and it's obvious how proud she is of Drina. I had to laugh how it was her Grandfather who figured out the truth about Grant. Because they know how hard Drina finds the changes they are more lenient in what Drina can do on her own without them. Seeing all three of them grow is exciting in this 10/10 read thst made me cry a bit.

Suggested reading
Be sure to read the previous books which include Drina Dances in Paris

Sapphire Battersea by Jacqueline Wilson (Children's, 9 years +, 9/10)



September 2011, Doubleday
412 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: life in service, cruelty in institutions, wonderful opportunities, stern but caring people, learning valuable skills, apple pie, theives, tragedy, illness in a time without medical advancements, laughter, extreme optimism & daydreaming, a mermaid saving a life, touching sentimental moments, some great peril, lotw of humour, a great many tissues needed


A fascinating, funny and moving Victorian-era novel featuring Hetty Feather.

Hetty Feather is a Foundling Hospital girl and was given her name when she was left there as a baby by her mother. But she always longed to be called Sapphire, after her sapphire-blue eyes. When she is reunited with her mother, she hopes her new name, Sapphire Battersea, will also mean a new life! But life doesn't always go as planned...

Follow the twists and turns of Hetty's adventure as she goes out to work as a maid for a wealthy man. She longs to be reunited with her childhood sweetheart Jem - but also finds a new sweetheart, Bertie the butcher's boy, who whisks her away from her household chores to experience the delights of the funfair!

But Hetty's life may also take a darker path. Can she cope with the trials ahead?

Nayuleska's thoughts

As I finished the book I was really sad to leave Hetty like that. She has such an idealistic view of life I either laughed at her ideas or cried at her naievity. Her exhuberance has to be commended, she is true to her heart and refuses to be done over by anyone. That's what made the book so sad.

What happens to her is tough, but it does make her stronger and resourceful. Occassionally the stoey dragged for me, but that was mostly superceded by the truly unexpected kind heartedness of people she meets. I hope that all people who were/are in Hetty's shoes get the kindness in life they deserve. You won't be disappointed with this 9/10 read.

You can find out more on Jacqueline's website.

Suggested read

A book with a similar feel is Philip Pullman's The Adventures of the New Cut Gang


Monday 24 September 2012

Competition Winner for Rowena Cory Daniells Competition

Hope everyone's had a good start to the week. I'm pleased to announce that I can reveal the winner for the competition to win the first book of Rowena Cory Daniells new series, The Outcast Chronicles!



The person getting a copy of book one, Besieged is....

Valerie! 

Her answer to the question 'If you could go back in time, what would you call your 10 year old self?' was "Don't worry. Life will become easier...eventually." That's some good advice for all of us.

Many congratulations, I'll be in touch soon to sort out the all essential details to send the book on. 

Thank you everyone for entering!  There's still another competition to win a book here.

What are YOU reading? #134

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Home Girl's Book Blog where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.






Books I've read





Suzunari! Vol 1 by Shoko Iwami
Manga, Young Adult
(An extremely funny read with an enthusiastic new sister...for more, check out my review!)
9/10




Envy by Elizabeth Miles
Young Adult
(I suspected part of the end and its so awesome!!  My review...)
10/10





Sapphire Battersea by Jacqueline Wilson
Children's, 9 years +
(A dreamer discovers the harsh reality of life, making good friends along the way...)
9/10





WWF Wild Friends Snow Leopard Lost
Children's, 5 years +
(Teaching natives about how precious endangered species are is hard work!)
10/10





Ocean of Secrets by Aimee Friedman
Young Adult
(Extremely low mermaid action...) 
5/10





Nina and the Travelling Spice Shed by Madhvi Ramani
Release Date:  October 1st 2012
Children's, 7 years +
(Charming story about embracing your heritage...)
10/10






Worth a mention






The City's Son by Tom Pollock
Young Adult
(I read 5 chapters, but had to stop as one of the two point of views was too dark and gruesome for me. The female protagonist is awesome and has a Muslim girl as her best friend. Of what I've read so far I'd say it's an 8/10 read. I wish I could read more, but it's not for me at this moment in time...) 








What I've watched




H2O: Just Add Water 
...Australian mermaid series, which rules. I finished season 3, which is the final season. The end was brilliant! I'd cheated and read summaries of what lay ahead, but I still enjoyed it loads. I've already started watching it from the beginning - episode 1 of season 1. What's even cooler is that while I was looking it up online, I discovered there's a spin off series, Mako Mermaids which will be out next year!!! How cool is that? Slightly different concept, a boy becomes a mermaid and the 3 girl mermaids have to help him out. Can't wait! Hope it makes it to Netflix...or DVD...






Beyond the Break
...another Australian series (Apologies, it's American, not Australian. Not sure why I thought Hawaii was in Australia...), this time about surfing. Minus the obvious beach wear attire, this is really time relationship wise, no swearing, some drinking, a little substance abuse but only as part of the story line - the characters did it for the wrong reasons and are now off them. It shows how complex surfing is - and how competitive. I like it :) 






Waterloo Road 
...this week's was fairly dramatic, I'm loving the new series. 






The Great British Bakeoff
...each week this competition gets harder. I was a bit stunned by the end result, but it'll make for a fun watch next week. It always makes me hungry (no surprise there). I'm looking forward to next week which includes making donuts/doughnuts/duffnuts






Shugo Chara
...this really doesn't need an introduction! It's awesome. Need to watch some more soon. 




Barbie: Le Secret des Sirenes #1
...I know, I know. It's Barbie. (The French version - I have to watch it in other languages, ditto most anime as English voices have a tendency to annoy me) Which I'm against in principle. And yet I thought I'd enjoy the cuteness. I'd watched one of the movies ( a fairy one) which was entertaining (nothing like Winx). Don't get me started on the whole Ken thing! But in this mermaid film, there was no Ken (thankfully) as Barbie wasn't herself, she was a totally different character. Having a mermaid phase means I thoroughly enjoyed all Barbie's antics - it was a clever storyline two. There is a sequel, but I don't have that (yet!). 





Winx Season 1
...getting close to the slightly gruesome final battle spanning over several episodes which as way too many wiggly things. Been listening to the sound track of season 4 in my car - yes I know the words to all the songs :) And the order they are played in.