That Awkward Moment When...

As previously stated City of Bones by Cassandra Clare got pulled out the cauldron for us to read last month, I have to admit I was really excited I love anything remotely supernatural.
So I reserved it at my local library and when the call came in I rushed over to pick it up , full of excitement for that very evening I had the House to myself , a night of relaxing and living an alternate life was ahead of me.
So there I was waiting in the Que , people behind me , members of staff behind the desk busying themselves. When finally it was my turn , yes I explained I have a book reserved I'm really looking forward to reading it! The Liberian indulged me in small talk , whilst checking the system. Confusion spread across her face, oh no! I thought they can't find it , but no, a little louder than necessary she asked "are you sure its the correct book? you do realise its junior fiction???". 
No actually i hadn't. I explained its for my book club yes I do want it and I'm so glad I did !
Who cares what age group it was aimed for???
I really enjoyed it and i loved the world it was set in .
Their is however a down side to reading books aged for the teen market ,as some of you may be aware this has now been made into a film. In my minds eye I picture the characters to be older. So having now seen the casting I don't agree with it , for no other reason then that's not what I imagined. I found this to be the case with The Host also. I still can't wait to watch these films but I'm worried I won't like the actors playing the parts ,not because they will do a bad job ,but because I liked the way it played out in my mind I fell in love with the characters I imagined.
Still so glad to have read it!!!
I will continue with the series and I have already ordered the next one!

 

Due for UK cinema release 23rd August 2013!

 

Happy Reading Missypie!

Can't Wait!

In our continuing spirit of supporting writers and trying to find those hidden gems, I have another book to add to our reading list. I can't wait to read this as I really enjoy reading something I haven't heard of it's like unwrapping an oddly shaped present at Christmas ,the wonder ,the excitement an then the joy if its something you find you love!

So a big thank you to the Author for making us aware of your book!



Geddy's Moon is John Mulhall's debut Novel ,but he is already the author of a collection of poetry, several short stories, and plays.
I'm not going to lie I hope this gets pulled out the cauldron soon!

Happy Reading Missypie.

That's my Lot!

Today, I've had to say a reluctant goodbye to a new friend, who has kept me company for the past 2 1/2 weeks.  My old, tatty copy of Salem's Lot has been returned to the library, with all it's musty odours and dubious stains!
I finished the book last night and I have to say it left me somewhat speechless.  It is beautifully written and its story is very simple in its execution.  I absolutely loved it|
As one who had dabbled in the works of Stephen King and had been left non-plussed by "Gerald's Game" it has been many years since I picked one of his books up.
I had forgotten just how good he was, the chapters were short and choppy which kept up the suspense  and the wealth of characters kept the 480 pages from becoming boring.  It is the first book that has genuinely frightened me, no mean feat as not many books can move me to fear or laughter!!
My only question that i throw out to the cyber world is, just what bearing did his wife's death have on the main story?  (I promise you that this isn't a spoiler !)

Many of my "Coven Sisters" have mentioned the additional chapters on their Kindle version of the book, I can only assume that my battered 1982 version is the nearest to the original as possible.  I've never been one for the "directors cut" version of things and Salem's Lot is no exception.  From what I can gather, the newer version includes events and letters which take part prior to our main story.  I for one do not feel that the book would benefit from any inclusion of add-ons, it is as complete as you would want.
The ending was satisfactory, inevitably perhaps but happy it was not!  But I never expected a  HEA in Salem's Lot, it features imperfect people in extraordinary times.  All loose ends appeared to be tied up as neatly as possible.  It seems an awful shame that peoples overall enjoyment and overall opinion of the book has been somewhat tainted by what they feel to be unnecessary additions.  Salem's Lot is a thing of warped, blood sucking beauty that should be left in the version the author originally had intended.

Enjoy your books, however you read them, FictionKitten
(But you may choose to turn the lights on and close the curtains!!!!!)

FINISHED...........

Well, I did it, i finished Salem's Lot, survived and loved it, Stephen King is definitely an author i would read again.
This book had me addicted from the word go, an although you kind of guess the ending, there are lots of surprises to keep you going.
The last few pages however had me thinking did i miss something??, apart from the obvious history repeating itself.

I would love to hear if anyone else who has read this book feels the same?  Do you think they were needed or could the book of done without them?

Right time for an easy read before The Mortal Instrument, don't forget to post your comments regarding Salem's Lot, can't wait to read them............

Supporting Authors!

A fantastic thing has happened since starting our blog. Thanks to Twitter a number of Authors have made us aware of their new books, and in the spirit of supporting writers who are out there battling to become known , to get their stories read, we have decided to put their books on our reading list. I have not heard of these books before and some I may not of picked out myself. This is an amazing opportunity to get out of our comfort zones, try something new and maybe discover a hidden gem!

After all is this not the spirit of book club?

The first three to go on are...

Sharon Stevenson  - Blood Bound.

Gordon Truslove   - Belleville Life.

Beth Klein            - Seduced By The Candidate.

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        If you are a writer that would like your book on our reading list then please get in touch!

SUPRISED !!!!!

I have stayed away from Stephen King through absolute fear of what i may read, I have only ever heard that he writes 'horrors'.
So when this book was picked out of the cauldron, it send shivers down my spine!!!!
I hated the thought of paying £6 to download this book to my kindle, but did as that's how our book club works, we read the books we wouldn't normally choose ourselves.

HOW WRONG WAS I, yes in parts it gives you the eebie jeebies, but it has to be one of the best written books i have read to date, from the beginning i have been hooked, Stephen King has made me feel like i'm standing amongst the occupiers of Salem's Lot, watching each of their stories unfold, I have cried, laughed and even thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest at parts an i'm only 50% of the way through.
Just goes to show you shouldn't judge a book by its cover!!!!!

I can't wait to get my little'uns to bed an curl up with my kindle.

Happy Reading.....x

Rekindle your enthusiasm for old books!

It is a universally acknowledged rule in my house that in the event of fire or flood the following order applies; Children, Dog, Husband and Kindle (in that order!) The Kindle has very quickly become an integral part of my everyday life.  However, the physical book still plays an important part in both my personal and working life and I understand that to love the written word is to love the physical book.  In light of my love of the e-book, imagine my surprise when I came to purchase the Covens October Pick ('Salem's lot by Stephen King) from Amazon to find the Kindle edition cost £5.99!  This book is over 30 years old! I find it hard to understand why a book this old and therefore with numerous editions in circulation is so expensive on digital format, a brand new Stephen King paperback perhaps but not one of his originals.

I obtained a copy from my local library, this particular edition dates from 1982 and has been rebound and recovered numerous times.  The pages are brittle, yellowed and have a rather musty smell which indicates the length of time it has languished on the shelf.  It has become the butt of of the Covens jokes as they surmise as to the nature of the mysterious stains (and you thought men were juvenile!)  But here is the thing, I don't care!  I have kind of grown fond of the fragile pages and tiny words.  The greatest joy has been how the physical appearance has somewhat helped add to the atmosphere within the story.  A jaded town  = the yellowed appearance; The Marsten House = the musty smell; the town of 'salem = the brittle pages. To turn the pages is to carefully weave through the the fragile town that, at 200 pages in , I know will soon be decimated by forces not yet seen!

So yes, I adore my Kindle, but I also appreciate that every few books it does no harm to dip back into the physical book, especially if those books belong in a time when the paperback was King.

Enjoy your books, however you read them, FictionKitten.
   

Elves , Fairies and Orcs Oh My ..........

Scanning our blog today I seem to have noticed a theme has occurred as of late. It would appear that alot of our recent posts may have contained vampire related Novels!!! shock horror!!! Yes I admit I have a soft spot for pointy teeth and funny coloured irises. Us covenette's may have a slight ( minute I assure you) obsession with vampire's. Some of you may think this to be a sickness others may be sat reading this with a knowing smile.

Fear no more!!!

We do love other genres one of which is Fantasy. Tad williams is a renowned author in this genre and his 2003 novel War Of The Flowers is one of my favourite books. The world he creates are so spectacular that my imagination reaches new heights with every chapter that I read. The characters feel real you connect with them on an emotional level , leaving you wishing the book would never end.

 



Also a trilogy I really enjoyed was Orcs Bad Blood by Stan Nicholls. These books are more action based ,were as I would describe War Of The Flowers to be more romantic. The battle scenes are a more prominent feature . Nicholls achieves real tension amongst the characters and this trilogy contains my favourite villain since Sauron in The Lord Of The Rings. The variety of mythical creatures keeps you enthralled and makes his realms all the more fascinating.

 

 

 

If Fantasy is a genre you enjoy of even want to try then I recommend you read these books!!!

 

 

Happy Reading Missypie!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kindles Hidden Gems.

One of the unexpected pleasures that owning a kindle has allowed me, has been the discovery of books and their authors, books I would normally never have read for the simple reason that these gems are self published.  My two favourite authors are Tim O'Rourke and Lisa Olsen.  With both of these authors I wait patiently for their latest releases and devour them in only a few sittings!!!!

Tim O'Rourke is, for me, the embodiment of the "urban fantasy" genre.  The Kiera Hudson series is nothing short of brilliant.  Lisa Olsen also writes "urban fantasy" that is lighter in tone but not as gritty.  Reviews of  both these authors and their books will appear over the next few weeks.  

Anyone wanting to see if they agree can find both authors on Amazon, in the case of the first Kiera Hudson book this is now also available in paperback.

Let us know your "hidden gems" whether you have discovered these on Amazon, your library or even the bookshelf of your friend!

Bucket List Book.....

The bucket list books are books that you have to read before you "kick the bucket" , absolute must reads!!! My first one would be The Host by Stephenie Meyer , i put off reading this book for years as i had made up my mind that i wouldn't like it before giving it a chance . I couldn't of been more wrong it did take a while to get into but once your sucked in its an experience that you will never regret. I still can't believe i didn't read this sooner and it's still to this date the only book that has made me cry!!!

Lets just hope the film , due for release 27th March 2013 , does the book justice!

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What We Are Reading This Month.....

So what are we going to be reading once we have finished hiding under our bedcovers with our copy of Salems Lot? , well in the interest of fairness we choose are new reading material off our list randomly, and with us being a coven we of course pick them out of a cauldron, so what came up for the next month. Firstly a classic Bram Stokers Dracula being a huge vampire fan i'm looking forward to this one its also free on kindle!!!

 

and our next pick i'm equally excited about (maybe a little bit more) , The Mortal Instruments 1 : City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare ,this is a five part series so far the sixth book is due for release march 2014 therefore if you enjoy it their is pently to keep you going!

 

 

Happy reading and please share your own thoughs and feeling with us.......

If you miss fifty shades........

 

If your look for something to fill the void that fifty shades has left, we highly recommend "Bared To You" by Sylvia Day and also, "Fire After Dark" by Sadie Matthews.

 

 

"Deeper In To You" the 2nd book in Syliva Day's triolgy is a better read, and draws you in more than the first book, unfortunately we have to wait until May 2013 for Final chapter in this great series, where as the next Fire after dark installment is due 8/11/12.



Todays Thoughts

 

 

 

Currently reading Stephen Kings Salems Lot, Extremley well written to the point where I believe I am a resident of Salem's Lot witnessing these events unfold. 

 

Missypie