Saturday Reviews #5

With a wonderful influx of books, I find that I have to pick which ones I review. I don't like doing that. I want to review more. With the definition and exploration of a review on this post, I present this week's Saturday reviews!

The Medusa Project:  Hunted by Sophie McKenzie

Release Date:  January 2011

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster UK

320 pages, Paperback

Review copy

Children's Fiction

Contents:  Thriller, special powers, friendship and crazy people.

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Summary from Simon & Schuster UK

Dylan, the daughter of the scientist who created the Medusa gene for psychic powers, has never felt she really fits into the crime-fighting Medusa Project. But then she makes a discovery about her father's death which changes everything. As she and the other Medusa teens search for the truth, Dylan meets Harry - a boy who seems to know more about Dylan's past than she does. But can Dylan trust him? While Dylan searches for the mysterious legacy that her father has left her from beyond the grave, her dad's killer closes in. But just how far is the murderer prepared to go to keep Dylan from finding out the truth?

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Nayuleska's Thoughts:

I have read other books by Sophie, but none in this series. I felt up to speed with the summaries. Dylan is so likable because she is moody and wants to isolate herself from the group, which is normal for a teen. Her attitude leads to mistakes, and a chilling revelation at the end has me staring at the empty space on my shelf where the next book will be.

Final Rating:

10/10

A peek on my bookshelves

I wanted this Saturday blog post to be a bit different. I finally entered the 21st century and got a digital camera this week. I did have one...a 2 MegaPixel one (that's really low - most new mobile phones have 5PM cameras). Whose batteries had rusted so it's no longer in operation. I primarily wanted the camera for blogging (It makes it so much easier to capture what I get in the post), and also for putting up fun pictures such as my cat (I'm biased and think she's adorable). 

So here are shots of my TBR piles! 

This is part one of my TBR pile...

..this is part two....

...part three...

...part four...

...part five (on another shelf)...

Right, I had wanted to put the two photos of my personal collection (which don't need reviews), but I'm choosing the wrong time of day to post them! I'll try and put them up for next Saturday :) 


I hope this has given you an insight to what can be on a reviewer's shelf. It is always full, for which I'm extremely thankful to all the publishers and authors who send me books. 

Saturdays Reviews #4

With a wonderful influx of books, I find that I have to pick which ones I review. I don't like doing that. I want to review more. With the definition and exploration of a review on this post, I present this week's Saturday reviews!

Release Date:  August 2010

Publisher:  Allison and Busby

443 pages, Paperback

Review copy

Historical Fiction

Content: Mystery, lots of danger, murder, mild romance, subterfuge

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Summary from Allison and Busby

‘All in readiness. An unmarked carriage will be waiting for you behind the house at midnight’

History student Eloise Kelly is in London looking for more information on the activities of the infamous 19th century spy, the Pink Carnation, while at the same time trying to keep her mind off the fact that her mobile phone is not ringing and her would-be romantic hero Colin Selwick is not calling.


Eloise is finally distracted from checking for messages every five minutes by the discovery of a brief note, sandwiched amongst the papers she’s poring over in the British Library. Signed by Lord Pinchingdale, it is all Eloise needs to delve back in time and unearth the story of Letty Alsworthy and the Pink Carnation’s espionage activities on the Emerald Isle…

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Nayuleska's Thoughts:

I confess it was the pretty dress that drew me to look at this book. I have to say now, that although pretty costumes are in the book (it would have been fantastic to have had a few photos of these), don't make the mistake of thinking Letty only thinks about clothes. It is her thinking about things which lands her married to the man her sister wanted to marry. The misunderstanding which started the whole book off (well, Letty's story) is quite unbelievable. And really funny, given all the further misunderstandings that have Letty leaving the country to chase after her husband, and stumbling into espionage. Letty is strong willed, stubborn, and once she gets on to something she will not let go, even if her life gets put in danger. I thought she had great courage to persevere in getting to know her husband, and proving the truth. The ending - well, I was in tears, as well as smiling.

I liked how Eloise investigated the story. I would perhaps have liked to hear more of Eloise's thoughts as more of the drama unfolded - some of the accounts of Letty's exploits were long. The length is bad, but with Eloise as a character in the story, I had expected more page time with her. I enjoyed the page time she did get - her thoughts made me laugh and the mistakes that she makes are funny, but not as dangerous as those Letty makes.

This is the first book I've read by Lauren, and I'll definitely be looking out for more from her, which starts with The Secret History of the Pink Carnation.

Final thoughts:

Letty's adventure provides Eloise with a mystery, one which is a pleasure to read about.

Saturday Reviews #3

With a wonderful influx of books, I find that I have to pick which ones I review. I don't like doing that. I want to review more. With the definition and exploration of a review on this post, I present this week's Saturday reviews!

Release Date:  June 2010

Publisher:  Hodder Children's Books

352 pages, Paperback
Review copy part of UK Book Tours

Young Adult
Lots of action, some teen romance, moderate violence in a few places, tissues needed

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Nayuleska's Thoughts:

Sisters Red is one book I've been eager for (and refused to read anything about it). The cover alone caught my eye. When I first read it I thought Little Red Riding Hood! It is LRRH in the modern world. With more than one wolf. Eep! More than one LLRH too.

For me it was the characterisation of the sisters. They are so different. What they each try to hide from the other ends up out in the open. It doesn't mean they drink tea and make up. The secrets are huge and do change their lives forever. There is so much internal and external conflict between the sisters that there was always something on each page to make me gasp. I love this book and yes I'm getting my own copy :) I found a lot of myself in the work driven Scarlett, and also a lot of the inquisitive nature of Rosie. Rosie wants to live a little. She wants to explore the world as she should do.

The relationship between Rosie and Silas is relatively mild content wise, and quite sweet at times. The impact it has on both them, Scarlett, and in some respects the whole world had me going wow at the roles they play in the book. The wolves are really scary - I've never liked dense woods and I like them even less now! The ending is brilliant, and I'd love it if there was a sequel.

Final conclusion:

Modern Little Red Riding Hoods fight well, live a little, learn a lot.

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Release Date:  July 2010
Publisher:  Orion Books

448 pages, Hardback

Young Adult

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Summary from Orion Books:

April Dunne is not impressed.

She's had to move from Edinburgh to Highgate, London, with her parents. She's left her friends - and her entire life - behind. She has to start at a new school and, worst of all, now she's stuck in a creepy old dump of a house which doesn't even have proper mobile phone reception.


Ravenwood, her new school, is a prestigious academy for gifted (financially or academically) students - and the only place her parents could find her a place, in the middle of term, in the middle of London, on incredibly short notice. So she's stuck with the super-rich, and the super-smart . . . and trying to fit in is when the rest of the students seem to be more glamorous, smarter, or more talented than she is, is more than tough. It's intimidating and isolating, even when she finds a friend in the conspiracy-theorist Caro Jackson - and perhaps finds something more than friendship in the gorgeous, mysterious Gabriel Swift.


But there's more going on at Ravenwood than meets the eye. Practical jokes on new students are normal, but when Gabriel saves her from . . . something . . . . in the Highgate Cemetery, and then she discovers that a murder took place, just yards away from where she had been standing, April has to wonder if something more sinister is going on.


. . . and whether or not she's going to live through it . . .


More on the Ravenwood series can be found at www.ravenwoodmysteries.com
Welcome to Ravenwood, the school with bite - the new YA sensation is here!


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Nayuleska's thoughts:

This is a must read series. I know I press books on people a lot, but seriously - read this book! It's amazing. There are vampires, but their impact in April's life is hidden for much of the book. It really is about her life at the school, and the mystery of the events in her new home. The level of mystery and danger is high. I got attached to April early on in the book, and as events unravelled my stomach flip-flopped in horror at some moments, and other moments I was laughing quite a bit. There's so much passion in April's life, her emotions are in a lot of turmoil throughout the book. When certain plot threads were revealed, events in the earlier parts of the book made sense as to why they happened that way.

April made the book for me, but I have to admit so did all the secondary characters. Every single one flew up off the page into my head. Caro is hilarious. She is the most normal person around. Gabriel certainly makes life interesting for April (there is a little bit of teen angst), and adds to the mysteries in her life.

 Final thoughts:

April has a mystery in her life every other minute: lots of suspense, secrets and plot twists in the this book. Go buy it! (It ranks alongside (potentially a notch higher) than Fallen by Lauren Kate)

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Release Date:  February 2010
Publisher:  MacMillan Children's Books

368 pages, Paperback
Review copy as part of UK Book Tours

Young Adult

Some mild romance, suspense, high drama, some humour too

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Summary from Macmillan Children's Books:

Ever and Damen have travelled through countless past lives – and fought off the world’s darkest enemies – in search of each other. But just when their destiny seems finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon them. A single touch of their hands, a soft brush of their lips will mean death for Damen – cast into the darkness of the Shadowland. But as she seeks to break the curse, Ever meets Jude – a green-eyed, golden surfer boy who understands magick, and understands Ever better than she realises. And she begins to ask a terrifying question: even if you’re immortal, can true love really last forever?

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Nayuleska's Thoughts:

I think Evermore was the first book i read that I'd heard a lot of hype over. I loved how Ever saw her emotions (my review is here). Book 2, Blue Moon will be reviewed at some point. But now, I present Shadowland. What the title refers to is in the book, but it's not a great a role as I thought. This didn't detract from the book. The book explores how far Ever will go to help save Damen. To be fair, they do find a solution of sorts to their problem. It's a clever one, and it reduced the magnitude of their problem in my eyes.

Jude plays a role (naturally), and that can remain a mystery until you read a book. My favourite characters were the twins. The way they interact with Damen and Ever is funny. I loved watching their characters developed, how slowly they learn about various aspects of life. I'm really eager to see them in action in book four, Dark Flame. The twins possibly rival Riley in my character ranking.

Final thoughts:

 Some issues aren't answered in Shadowland, it is all leading up to Dark Flame, especially the ending. Definitely a series I'm keeping safely on my shelf!

Saturday Reviews #2

Off reading....be back soon!

Saturday Reviews #1

Good morning! (Or afternoon...or evening). Welcome to the first of many Saturday reviews. With a wonderful influx of books, I find that I have to pick which ones I review. I don't like doing that. I want to review more. With the definition and exploration of a review on Tuesday's post, I present this week's Saturday reviews!

Release Date:  July 2010

Publisher:  Random House Children's Books

All around 110-120 pages, Paperback

Review copies

Children's Fiction

Cute, Funny, a few tissues needed

Extras: Includes puzzles and recipes

My thoughts:

This series of six books tells the tale of six special dogs as they become rescued. There is lots of laughter and tears in the books - the dogs love getting into mischief! What I like best is the fact that all the dogs are different: it's important that whichever pet a person gets matches up with their lifestyle and personality. This ensures that both owner and pet get on as well as possible. The books explain how you can adopt a dog, and tips for looking after dogs and cats. (I'm a cat lover. This year I said goodbye to a cat I'd had since a kitten for 19 years. We've now got a rescue cat (from RSPCA but the process is the same). Rescue animals are that bit extra special, especially if they've gone through a rough time before they are rescued.)

Final conclusion:

Sweet tales with important messages. I liked the pictures too!

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Release Date:  February 2010

Publisher:  Bloomsbury

320 pages, Paperback

Review Copy

Young Adult:  Paranormal

Lots of suspense, mild romance, magic, mysteries

Summary by Bloomsbury:

Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect Facebook friends. It’s little wonder, since she’s had a fairly rough life. Her father left when she was a baby, her stepfather just died and her mother’s almost given up – in fact, she’s sent her to live with her grandmother in cold and sleepy Maine to ‘keep Zara safe’. Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother just can’t cope.

Zara’s wrong. The man she sees everywhere – the tall, creepy guy who points at her from the side of the road – is not a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie. But not the cute, sweet kind with little wings. Maine’s got a whole assortment of unbelievable creatures. And they seem to need something – something from Zara .

My thoughts:

Less of the vampire more of the....well, I can't spoil the story with that! Zara's voice is compelling and funny. I love the way she's obsessed with phobias, and how each chapter title is a phobia (with an explanation of what it is). I really didn't guess the ending - that was one major twist! She is a bit of a loner, but slowly she comes out of her shell. She has a lot on her mind, and that makes for great personal conflict. There are more dramatic conflicts with other characters too (including the stalker guy). There is a second book out, Captivate (which I really need to read). I like this book most in some ways because it isn't vampire focused (I enjoy vampires, but changes are good), and focuses on a creature which I haven't read much about. I hope to review Captivate at some point.

Final conclusion:

I must read Captivate! I adore this book :)

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Release Date:  April 2010

Publisher:  Simon and Schuster

304 pages, Paperback

Review Copy

Young Adult:  Thriller/Mystery

Bit of violence, fair bit of suspense

Summary from Simon and Schuster:

Otto, Jen and Charlotte have planned the trip of a lifetime to India for their gap year, before going their separate ways to university. For Charlotte, it's an opportunity to get involved in an environmental project and finally feel like she's doing something worthwhile; for Otto, it's the perfect opportunity to take some real photos to help his career as a photojournalistic; for Jen, it's the realisation of a lifelong dream.

But when Otto discovers the body of a girl on the beach, things take a sinister turn as he finds himself a prime suspect in her murder. Together Otto, Charlotte and Jen start to unravel the mystery behind the girl's death. Can they discover the truth and clear Otto's name and even if they do will they be able to handle what they find as their dreams of paradise crumble around them…

My thoughts:

I'm not really sure what I expected this to be about. I prefer it a lot more to The Beach by Alex Garland. Having different points of view heightened the suspense, which was present in bucket loads. Personally Otto did a few stupid things at times (he wasn't the only one to be stupid), but he wasn't dealing with squeaky clean people. His curiosity leads him to places that he shouldn't see. I could feel everything that happened to him - I was so caught up in the telling of his tale I was thirsty when he was thirsty. (I still thought he was an idiot). I preferred hearing things from Charlotte's point of view. There is misunderstanding, miscommunication and some scary points which I couldn't predict. Probably not one to read if you're about to go off to Thailand (you might get worried!), but definitely safe for reading everywhere else.

Final conclusion:

Otto the sometimes idiot learnt a lot about life and his true friends. Will recommend it to friends.

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Next up is a happy, cheery book...before another semi-dark one...

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Release Date:  May 2010

Publisher:  Simon and Schuster

128 pages, Paperback

Personal Copy

Children's Fiction:  5+

Lots of humour, a few tears

Summary from Simon and Schuster:

Meet Harriet Houdini, a young rabbit with lots of attitude, as she settles into life with her new family. Never destined to be a boring bunny, Harriet finds herself scouted by the producer of hit TV show Superpets and starts her career on the showbiz ladder. From daring backflips to thrilling escape attempts Harriet really is a Stunt Bunny extraordinaire!

My thoughts:

I hand on heart admit I only heard of this because I've been in touch with Tamsyn via email regarding My So-Called Afterlife GINA I THINK I'VE REVIEWED IT and also on Twitter. Having loved MSCA, I was eager to grab a copy of this hilarious sounding book. You may want to be in a place where people won't look at you strangely, for I laughed from the first sentence to the last. Most of my tears were from laughter, Harriet is just such an adventurous bunny. No one messes with her and gets away with it! Sure, bad people try to contain her, but she makes her bid for freedom with her paws, teeth and high intellect. The illustrations had me laughing even harder at her adventure. I'm looking forward to the next one!

Final conclusion:

Harriet is one hilarious bunny. I want her! Great book when you need a laugh.

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Release Date:  May 2010

Publisher:  Penguin Books

416 pages, Paperback

Review Copy

Children's (12+)/Young Adult:  Paranormal

A lot of suspense, spine-tingling book.

Summary from Penguin:

The first death: Seventeen-year-old Lin Fox finds a body in an orchard. As she backs away in horror, she steps on broken glass. The second death: Then blood appears on her doorstep - blood, and broken glass.The third death: Something terrible is found in the cemetery. Shards of broken glass lie by a grave.Who will be next? As the attacks become more sinister, Lin doesn't know who to trust. She's getting closer to the truth behind these chilling discoveries, but with each move the danger deepens.

Because someone wants Lin gone - and won't give up until he's got rid of her and her family. Forever.

My thoughts:

Unlike the previous book I've just reviewed, from start to finish my spine was tingling. Seeing one murder is bad enough. But three? There's definitely a connection there. A connection that Lin will find out - or, in some respects, it finds her out. Lin is a likeable character, she has to put up with a lot from her family. They are deeply involved in the heart of mystery, which Lin tries to keep from them, but she can't. Those against Lin are pretty scary, and will go to great lengths to try and persuade her to stop her investigations. But she can't. I'm glad she doesn't. The way relationships develop between herself and her family (well, break and redevelop), and her nearby (sort of) neighbours played a dominant part in the story.

Nayuleska's final conclusion:

Will definitely read again, but not in the dark. Not on my own. Not near woods. Not on a dark day. It's that spine tingling, even knowing the truth of it all.

Saturday blog post #6

Today's blog post is a look back on August. It was a wonderful month, full of many books (ok I'fm still catching up with a few of them but I'm nearly done).

• I've got 7 kind donators
• I have a new laptop...the old one stopped review writing for a bit.
  
• I love books more than ever.
  

Books reviewed in August

By genre

• Classical literature
• Northanger Abby by Jane Austin

• Children's
• The Stone Menagerie by Anne Fine
• Eating Things on Sticks by Anne Fine
• Cookie by Jacqueline Wilson
• Daniel X: Watch the Skies by James Patterson and Ned Rust
• Escape From Shadow Island by Paul Adam
• The Eyeball Collector by F E Higgins
• Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Frozen Hearts by Emma Kennedy
• Glitterwings Academy 1: Flying High by Titania Woods
• Pongwiffy and the Holiday of Doom by Kaye Umansky
• The Spitting Cobra by Gill Harvey
• Girls FC: Do Goalkeepers Wear Tiaras? by Helena Pilichaty
• The Heart of Glass by Vivian French
• Seekers: Great Bear Lake by Erin Hunter
• Mustang Mountain: Wild Horse by Sharon Siamon
  

• Young Adult
  
• Selina Penaluna by Jan Page
• Secrets at St Judes: Jealous Girl by Carmen Reid
• Don't Look Behind You by Lois Duncan
• Sovay, by Celia Rees
• Tender Morsels by Margot Lanagan
• Gone by Michael Grant
• Changeling by Steve Feasey
• Changeling: Dark Moon by Steve Feasey
• The Glittering Eye by L J Adlington
  

• Manga
• Vermonia: Quest for the Silver Tiger by YoYo
  

Just one or two books :) I've already critted a few this month. Certainly lots for everyone here.

Don't forget the wonderful author interview by Lisa Shearin!

Saturday blog post #5

After the incident with the kittens last time, you'd think I'd give The Preserver and The Handler a break. Well no. Here, a little later than planned, is what happens when The Preserver and The Handler discover a book has been ruined by a child.

For the record, the child is at the scene of the crime.

The Handler, after a hard day at the office, returns home to find her youngest child scribbling over her books beside the sofa. Books which she hasn't read. We're not talking pencil scribbles, or brightly coloured crayons. We're talking dark, permanent felt tips.

The Handler looks at her kidlet, who is happily tearing pages from a road atlas. That doesn't matter, because she has sat-nav. The Handler flips through the pages, smiling at the stick figures which permeate not one page, but five, each getting fainter as the ink run-through stops. Children will be - children. The Handler won't ban kidlet from the room - what's the point? It will only make kidlet more determined to get back in and discover what their mother is hiding.

The Handler calmly picks up kidlet, and opens out the book. 'This is your book now. I'll keep it here, for you to play with. Ok?' All The Handler gets as a response is a giggle.

'There goes my daily coffee at work' thinks the Handler, planning to skip coffee to pay for a new book. Children = expensive, and nothing in the house is safe from the younger kidlet. Words will be had with the eldest kidlet, for not keeping a closer eye on kidlet's playing.

Perhaps Eldest will even pay a contribution to the book fund. Perhaps. The Handler forgives Eldest later upon finding dinner already prepared. Distraction in the name of food is permissible.

The Preserver is not quite as forgiving. The Preserver knows better than to yell, screw up her face or express anger of any kind before her kidlet. It isn't her kidlet's fault. She shouldn't have left the books within reach.

But she kicks herself at the desecration of the book. All those precious words obscured by black ink! She holds the book up to the light, to see if its possible to read the words from the other side of the page. It isn't.

Eldest kidlet will not be saving for dvds any time soon. The book was a first edition. Signed. The Preserver usually keeps the living room out of bounds, but clearly Eldest wasn't doing her job properly in looking after youngest kidlet. The elaborate dinner isn't a good reason to avoid babysitting duties. The Preserver knows the book will be replaced, but with a horror of horrors second edition. Unsigned.

Unable to bear looking at the offending book, The Preserver places it in the bin part of the shredder, and leaves a note for her husband to dispose of it. She can't bear to see its marked pages taunting her forever. This is one book which she won't keep.

Are there any scenarios you'd like to see The Preserver and The Handler encounter? If so, let me know and they might feature here.

Saturday blog post #4

You may think the reaction of The Preserver to when a book gets wet was bad. Wait until you learn of this week's book misfortune.

The scenario: both The Preserver and The Handler return home from a hard day at the office, only to discover that their cute new kitten enjoys using books as a scratching post. The kitten is purring away among the shredded remains.

The Preserver's eyes twitch. Her hands fly up to her mouth which forms an 'o' of surprise. How could such a small, sweet ball of fur do this to a precious book? The Preserver looks at the kitten, who notices his owner is home and mews. The Preserver's eyes go back to the book. Hands trembling, she lifts it up, gasping as more shreds of paper collect on the floor. Thanks to the kitten's arrival, The Preserver's funds are a little low. Buying a new book is out of the question. Devastated over the damage, The Preserver places the book carefully on a high shelf, away from the kitten's claws. She heads to the kitchen, rattles the biscuit bowl and lures the kitten away from the scene of destruction. Distracted, she hurries back to the study, and shuts the door. This will be one room the kitten is forever banned from.

Wiping her tears, so she doesn't wet the paper shreds, The Preserver mournfully picks up all the scraps of paper, and deposits them on her desk. She picks up the book, grabs the sellotape, and begins pieceing the book back together. The Preserver may know the book off by heart, but having a few letters missing off words brings back the tears. The thought of returning the kitten crosses her mind once, but, remembering how nice it was when the little fluffball curls up by her side at night.

Scarred forever, she sets the book back in it's rightful place, where it looks normal from the outside, aside from an almost artful scratch down the spine. The Preserver will never read it again, but she can't bear to throw it away.

The Handler, in her usual casual style, upon seeing the half destroyed book, laughs. She knew life with a kitten would provide unexpected situations. She hadn't quite imagined that would run into her first love, books. Still, it shows the kitten had good taste. Why scratch a plain, wooden post when pages crammed with descriptions of other worlds will do? The kitten might, somehow, have been looking for something to read. (Yes, The Handler can be quite delusional). The Handler scoops up the kitten, not the book, and hugs him tight. "Teaches me to leave books out for you, doesn't it?" The Handler receives wet nose on her wrist as a way of reply. "Well, it'll make me head to the library more often. I guess I can do without coffee for a week, to help pay for this."

The kitten purrs in agreement, oblivious to the fact that without coffee in the afternoon, The Handler won't be eager to dangle the mouse on the string over the edge of the sofa. The Handler brushes up the ruined book, paper fragments and all, pops them in the recyling bin and sets about preparing the kitten's food. Just another blip in another normal day.

How would you react if a pet ruined a book? Would your eyes twitch? Or would you think 'never mind' and just get on with the day? Me? I'd be annoyed for a moment, but would then head to the library more often.

Saturday Blog Post *3

The previous installment about The Preserver and The Handler involved internet shopping. This week involves one of three problems which I'm hurling at the two types of readers: What happens when a book gets dropped in water.

The scenario: As avid readers, both The Preserver and The Handler read whenever they have a spare moment. Inevitably this will usually include while preparing a bath (for themselves, or one of their children if they have one). While reading the book, for whatever reason - be it slipping on the floor, or getting startled by the doorbell or the phone, the book ends up in the water. What will they do?

Life for the book doesn't look good in The Preserver's household. Trembling at the waterlogged pages, The Preserver will pick the book out the water carefully. The Preserver will use both hands, scooping it up underneath the cover to reduce tearing the wet paper. Sobbing at the wreck of the book, carefully so the tears don't land on the pages, The Preserver will place the damp remains on a towel. The Preserver will set about pat drying the book, getting rid of the excess moisture. Then, with a solemn dignity The Preserver will parade the book to the airing cupboard (unsure of US term for the cupboard where the boiler lives), and leave it there to dry out. The Preserver will frequently check the book, monitoring it's drying progress on an hourly schedule. The Preserver, if they have the funds to do so, will set about buying a replacement. This copy will be for guests and family, who won't care that the pages are crumpled and smell of lavender bubble bath.

The Handler, as usual, will take the incident in their stride. They'll shrug their shoulders at the book floating amidst the mostly white bubbles, pick it up regardless of how it landed. The suds will be blown off (or flicked off). The book will be placed on a radiator (which The Preserver wouldn't do for fear of scorch marks), or just on a windowsill where the sun can shine on it. If there wasn't such a fear of fire, The Handler would put it in the oven. There would be no rush to get another copy - what are a few crumples in the pages when the book gets to that state within a few rounds of reading anyway? The Handler will read the book even when it's damp - why wait to finish the story? The incident doesn't even register as an incident - it's just another normal day in The Handler's household.

How would you react to a book falling in water? Are you like A Preserver, in complete shock at the horror of a wet book? Or do you take it in your stride like The Handler?

Next week, The discovery of a child's scribbles on a book.

Saturday vacation post

Not the expected post about Handlers and Protectors, but then this hasn't been a normal weekend. I've been used as a spring board, a scratch post, a being to streak past and nearly bash into a door. Yes, I am cat sitting. Previous clients have been sedate, older cats. Kittens are another matter. I was beside myself last night when they went missing. I hunted everywhere. They are shut out of most rooms because they're still at that really small stage where they are less likely to figure out how to climb out of a drawer than their older counterparts. I couldn't find them. I thought they'd got out the house sometime. How could I explain to their owners (including two children) that I'd lost their new family members?

Then, out from nowhere, two white furballs hurled towards the food bowl. I cried. Picked them up, hugged them, told them off, then let them down.

What has this to do with books? Well, there are little claw puncture holes in the bag holding my books. The books are unscathed. Last night my nerves weren't. Brain has managed to engage for a book review, but is hitting the sluggish point of the day. Next week I'll spring the three scenarios on the two types of book keepers. In light of this weekend, one of those may change.

Saturday Blog Post *2

(Yes, got the title wrong on the last one!)

Last week's post on how to care for a book part one: purchasing from a store is continued this week with

Buying a book online

The Preserver will probably set aside an allocated time for the book purchase. They may already have a list of favourite booksellers they wish to help out. If not, The Preserver will faithfully perform a search online, comparing P&P costs, estimated delivery times, and price of individual books. Once the online bookshop has been chosen, The Preserver will follow one of two paths.

1) The Preserver (1) will lay down the carefully written list of books beside the keyboard. If they follow up on Health and Safety, they'll have a special note holder attached to the computer. Or, more than likely The Preserver (1) won't have a hardcopy of the list, but will have a database solely invented for listing desirable books. These will be listed in order of priority. This could be alphabetised, listed by publication date (again, in sequence but either most recently published or oldest published at the top), or by genre. Within the genre, there will be a logical method of selection. This type of The Preserver (1) enjoys spreading logic to all aspects of their life.

2) The Preserver (2) won't have any list whatsoever, and will pick which ever books take their fancy. It is at this point that the book cover plays a great role. Some Preservers (2) will gravitate towards purple and pink covers with sparkly bits. Other types of Preservers (2) will run like the plague from anything in this colour scheme. The Preservers, just like The Handlers, all differ on the types of books they like, but not the method of choosing them. In this category, The Preserver (2) won't actually be all that random in their selection, although they'll like to think they are being impulsive. Subconsciously they remember which book takes their fancy. They may deliberate over other books, but will pick the book that hit the top of their unwritten to be purchased list.

At this point I'll point out The Handler can actually be The Handler (1) or The Handler (2). They are possibly more likely to have the trait of choose any site, choose any book (and really be swayed by pretty covers, positive book reviews and newly released books). There is just something about having a book just as it hits the shelves. That will be another week's post.

The key point about internet shopping for books, is that The Preserver (1 or 2) will veer towards reliable booksellers, always picking new, pristine copies. The Handler, if they have the means and the conscience to do so, will pick the cheapest shop online. If they have less funds, and less of a conscience for the not so rich authors who need people buying their books brand new, they'll pick a book off that famous internet auction site, or from another large, multi-product site which shares the name of a famous river in Brazil. Because on those sites, books can be bought at a fraction of the cost of full price. Sometimes just a penny - although postage charges soon mount up.

Once both The Preserver (1 & 2) and The Handler (1 & 2) have made their selection, the waiting game begins.

The Preserver is more likely to calculate the days the book will arrive. The Handler is more likely to give a rough estimate, but not mark it on the calendar. The Preserver might have paid that extra few pounds/dollars for a courier delivery - no thumping down on the doormat for their book! That can cause dents/creases. The Handler may choose the cheapest shipping option, for what's a few dents? Books are for reading, not for preserving in a museum!

The Handler's antics would horrify The Preserver. They may accidentally trample on the book, not realising they have a package. The Preserver, would take the book from the courier, place it gently on the floor as they sign, then proceed to the unpacking stage. If The Handler did receive the book by courier, they'd sling it on the floor, then sign for it.

The unpacking stage is rather different. The Preserver would check the package for 'tear here' signs. They'd approach it with a methodical approach, for fear of hurting the book. Scissors would be used with utmost care. The whole procedure could last more than 10 minutes. This is in direct contrast to The Handler, who would attempt to rip open the package without following instructions, not needing an emergency bar of chocolate if the scissors scored a little line on the front cover. Naturally The Preserver would eat the chocolate several metres away from the book, so as not to mar the pages with the odd brown smear. The Handler probably wouldn't be as careful.

Hopefully I've given further insight into the life of The Preservers and The Handlers. Next week I'll discuss what happens when The Preserver and The Handler is faced with 3 scenarios: A book dropped in water (bath/sink...or worse). A book with pages doodled on by a child. A book with ripped pages.

Saturday book post #1

*holds ice to forehead* I still have the bruise from Thursday's incident with BWM. It doesn't stop me from creating the promised random post on books. Today's subject: how to care for a book part one: purchasing from a store.

People, fall into two distinct categories when it comes to looking after books. There can be overlaps, but usually you're either a Preserver or a Handler. What follows in this series of short posts is how the types treasure their books. There is nothing wrong in either way. Preservers and Handlers share a common love of books. It's only the treatment which differs.

Buying a book in a store
The Preserver will, once the perfect book has been selected, pick the most pristine copy on the shelf. If it has a spine crease, or a bent corner, the book will be returned and another will be chosen. Once an ideal specimen is found, the Preserver will place the book carefully in the shopping basket, on top of any other items. Upon reaching the cashier the Preserver will follow the cashier's every move, like a hawk eyeing up its prey. Should the Preserver notice the cashier mishandle the book (horror of horrors the cashier could simply not care for books, or be the enemy Handler), frosty smiles will be given, and a memo to select a different cashier. Or shop online which virtually guarantees a near-perfect book through the post. At this point in time, the Preserver won't be thinking of the pitfalls of internet/mail order shopping. The Preserver will take the bag, hold it tight to their chest if returning by public transport, or put it tenderly on the passenger seat if using a car.

This careful approach can actually be followed by the Handler. Not all types revert to Handler mode until the book reaches home. For those who are 100% Handler, once they see a book, they'll take the first copy they see, regardless of those bent corners. So as not to appear aggressive, the Handler's book won't be slammed onto the checkout counter, but the Handler won't scrutinise the cashier's movements. They are more likely to be rummaging around in their unorganised handbag/wallet for payment. Once paid, the Handler will swing the bag by its handles until they reach home. The bag will be chucked onto the Handler's passenger seat, thrown casually on the back seat or shoved in the crowded boot/trunk. If the Handler uses public transport, they'll treat it as just another bag. Unlike the Preserver, they won't be sending out 'stay away' vibes, or contemplating the hiring of bodyguards for the next trip out.

Next Saturday I'll report on how Preservers and Handlers deal with purchasing a book by post. Look forward to seeing you in 7 days!