Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Cover Reveal: Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid



Cover Reveal: MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE by Taylor Jenkins Reid!

We’re dreaming of summer—feet in the sand, soaking up the sun, taking a dip in the pool—but what we’re most excited about this summer is the release of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s third novel, MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE (on sale July 7, 2015). While we (impatiently!) wait for the book, today we’re giving you a first look at the gorgeous cover! Plenty more information below…

ABOUT MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE:

At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college, but on the heels of a disastrous breakup, she has finally returned to her hometown of Los Angeles. To celebrate her first night back, her best friend, Gabby, takes Hannah out to a bar—where she meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.

It’s just past midnight when Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. Ethan quickly offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay.

Hannah hesitates.

What happens if she leaves with Gabby?
What happens if she leaves with Ethan?

In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into surprisingly different stories with far-reaching consequences for Hannah and the people around her, raising questions like: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?
Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Taylor Jenkins Reid is an author and essayist from Acton, Massachusetts. She is the author of Forever, Interrupted and After I Do. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Alex, and her dog, Rabbit. You can follow her on Twitter @TJenkinsReid.




FIND TAYLOR ONLINE:


MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Atria Books/Washington Square Press Paperback | 352 pages | ISBN:  9781476776880 | July 7, 2015 | $16.00

eBook: Atria Books/Washington Square Press | 352 pages | ISBN: 9781476776897 | July 7, 2015 | $11.99

PRE ORDER:

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Stitches West

Yarn. Have I told you how much I love buying yarn? It's a bit of an addiction, I am afraid. It's not a bad one to have, right?

Sunday I made it to the MarketPlace of the StitchesWest convention in Santa Clara. Wish I could have taken some of the classes, but we didn't get back from our vacation to Banff in time. Shopping for yarn in a gigantic convention space was perfectly okay. And I went with a friend! Always more fun with a friend. 

Anyway. I spent a bit of money but all on some really lovely yarn.

Untitled
A Miss Babs Leftie Set which I have already cast on.
Some Wandering Wool in a beautiful variegated purple destined to be something for the little girl
and three skeins from Yarn on the House in three different shades of gray.

Same day cast on for the Leftie Shawl.

Lefties



Happy Knitting!
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 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

The Winter Boy by Sally Wiener Grotta

The Winter Boy by Sally Wiener Grotta
Paperback, 496 pages
Published October 2014, Pixel Hall Press

Source: received from publisher in exchange for my honest review

About the Book
Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood, Mary Doria Russell and Ursula K. LeGuin, "The Winter Boy" explores important political and social issues within a dynamic, character-driven otherworld, all wrapped up in masterful storytelling. The Valley of the Alleshi is the center of all civilization, the core and foundation of centuries of peace. A cloistered society of widows, the Alleshi, has forged a peace by mentoring young men who will one day become the leaders of the land. Each boy is paired with a single Allesha for a season of intimacy and learning, using time-honored methods that include storytelling, reason and sex. However, unknown to all but a hidden few, the peace is fracturing from pressures within and beyond, hacking at the very essence of their civilization. Amidst this gathering political maelstrom, Rishana, a young new idealistic Allesha, takes her First Boy, Ryl, for a winter season of training. But Ryl is a “problem boy,” who fights Rishana every step of the way. At the same time, Rishana uncovers a web of conspiracies that could not only destroy Ryl, but threatens to tear their entire society apart. And a winter that should have been a gentle, quiet season becomes one of conflict, anger and danger.

My Review

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. It is a bit different than my normal reading but it sounded so interesting that I had to give it a try.

The relationship between Ryl and Rishana is an interesting one. Part teacher, mentor and trainer, part lover. Rishana is a widower and Ryl is a boy, who after a season with an Allesha will then be a man, and peace keeper. 

The world is built through the lessons shared and the stories read about the land before Peace. Secret meetings and whispered conversations hint at a purpose for taking on such a difficult, headstrong and selfish boy. Rishana has her work cut out for her. 

After the Winter Season, will Ryl be ready toe be the Alleman the elders expect him to be? A leader and defender of the Peace?

About the Author

Whether she is writing books or taking photographs, Sally Wiener Grotta is the consummate storyteller. Her words and pictures reflect her deep humanism and appreciation for the poignancy of life. As an award-winning journalist, she has authored many hundreds of articles, columns and reviews for scores of glossy magazines, newspapers and online publications. She has also co-authored numerous non-fiction books with her husband, Daniel Grotta. Her novel "Jo Joe" was published by Pixel Hall Press in spring 2013.

For more info about the book and author visit her WEBSITE


Happy Reading!
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Monday, February 2, 2015

Current Read and Teaser: The Winter Boy by Sally Weiner Grotta

I am currently reading The Winter Boy by Sally Weiner Grotta. (Look for my review on the 19th)

It is a bit different than my usual book, but interesting. I have two weeks to read this long book. Of course, I have just read two long books in a row before this one. 

Here's a synopsis and my teaser:

Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood, Mary Doria Russell and Ursula K. LeGuin, "The Winter Boy" explores important political and social issues within a dynamic, character-driven otherworld, all wrapped up in masterful storytelling. The Valley of the Alleshi is the center of all civilization, the core and foundation of centuries of peace. A cloistered society of widows, the Alleshi, has forged a peace by mentoring young men who will one day become the leaders of the land. Each boy is paired with a single Allesha for a season of intimacy and learning, using time-honored methods that include storytelling, reason and sex. However, unknown to all but a hidden few, the peace is fracturing from pressures within and beyond, hacking at the very essence of their civilization. Amidst this gathering political maelstrom, Rishana, a young new idealistic Allesha, takes her First Boy, Ryl, for a winter season of training. But Ryl is a “problem boy,” who fights Rishana every step of the way. At the same time, Rishana uncovers a web of conspiracies that could not only destroy Ryl, but threatens to tear their entire society apart. And a winter that should have been a gentle, quiet season becomes one of conflict, anger and danger.



"Whatever powers the Alleshi possessed, Ryl was convinced that they'd be able to see right through him. Once that happened, no Allesha would be willing to select him."  ebook, Loc274 of 8160


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be ReadingAnyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Happy Tueaday!
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