The Chaperone Review and Book Tour

The Chaperone
by Laura Moriarty
Expected Publication: 06.05.2012
From Goodreads:

A captivating novel about the woman who chaperoned an irreverent Louise Brooks to New York City in 1922, and the summer that would change them both. Only a few years before becoming a famous actress and an icon for her generation, a fifteen-year-old Louise Brooks leaves Wichita to make it big in New York. Much to her annoyance, she is accompanied by a thirty-six-year-old chaperone who is neither mother nor friend. Cora Carlisle is a complicated but traditional woman with her own reasons for making the trip. She has no idea what she's in for: Young Louise, already stunningly beautiful and sporting her famous blunt bangs and black bob, is known for her arrogance and her lack of respect for convention. Ultimately, the five weeks they spend together will change their lives forever. For Cora, New York holds the promise of discovery that might prove an answer to the question at the center of her being, and even as she does her best to watch over Louise in a strange and bustling city, she embarks on her own mission. And while what she finds isn't what she anticipated, it liberates her in a way she could not have imagined. Over the course of the summer, Cora's eyes are opened to the promise of the twentieth century and a new understanding of the possibilities for being fully alive.

My Thoughts:  When I got the email inviting me to be on the blog tour for The Chaperone and an invite to meet the author at a cocktail party in New York, I immediately was excited. 

Like many of you, I get a lot requests to review books, although most of mine seem to indicate that the person requesting my review hasn't bothered to even look at my blog.  So even though I was super excited, I was also worried that it wouldn't be a book I'd like.  I read the summary, was sold on the idea of Louise Brooks since I love old movies and yes, I subscribe to the Turner Classic Movie Guide. 

I admit to feeling a bit daunted by the size of the book when it showed up.  If it turned out to be a slow or boring read, then I'd be in a bind.

Thankfully, The Chaperone is easily one of my favorite reads this year. 

I loved Cora!  I especially loved the flashbacks to her time in the orphanage and growing up with the Kaufmans. When we first meet Cora she seems to have the perfect life, and the perfect marriage. As her past unfolds, all the things that lead to later choices by her character are easier to understand.  The courtship between Cora and Alan was at first something out of a fairy tale.  But when Cora learns just why Alan wed her, a reason I suspected, I was still amazed by how she handled it.  I kind of wanted her to throw that in Louise's face to show the modern young lady how worldly Cora really was, but of course, ever the lady, Cora refrains.

Two scenes that had me in tears: Cora discovering the truth behind her marriage and when she reads the letter to the orphanage sent from her adoptive mother.  There is so much love and simple strength in that wonderful woman's words, and you could feel what a labor of love it was from the hands of a farmer's hardworking wife.  Tears, people, tears. I don't really mind crying though, because it makes my normally hazel eye's look super green. 

I wanted to smack Louise Brooks.  Seriously, smack her superior attitude right off her face.  I also wanted to smack her parents.  Basically, early on in the book I was calling for an out and out smackdown on the Brooks family (even though the kids seemed to be taking care of business themselves).  As I read on, Louise kind of grew on me... but like some kind of mold that you really don't want to like but can't help but be fascinated by it. Even though I'm a movie fan, I really didn't know that much about Louise Brooks (and I'm going to be honest and admit I had her confused with other bright and beautiful leading ladies who died at a tragically young age).  Unable to wait to find out her background, I immediately ran off to Wikipedia, because I'm impatient and hate to wait for information. Plus I kind of wanted to see how closely Moriarty followed her life in a fictional account.  And after reading about her life, it was hard not to feel sorry for her.  Both in reality and in The Chaperone it's clear that unconditional love is not something Louise Brooks grew up with.

 And I learned that Louise Brook's mother's maiden name was Rude, which says a lot. Like Cora, I was horrified at some of the things Mama Brooks chose to allow and ignore when it came to her beautiful, head strong daughter.  If her mother was alive today I have no doubt she'd be a pageant mom on Toddlers and Tiaras.

The Chaperone, and Cora, continued to surprise me.  Louise didn't end up surprising me (mostly because I cheated and wikied her), but instead made me sad with her choices.  While Louise seemed to impact Cora during their time together, she seemed to take Cora and the lessons she had to offer for granted.  It's not until later that she seems to finally understand Cora even a little bit.  But as much as this book is touched by Louise Brooks, the story belongs to Cora.

Seeing New York through Cora and Louise's eyes was wonderful. The trips to the theater, including the eye-opening experience that forces Cora to ponder racial segregation, left me longing for the days when theater was popular everywhere.  Even the little soda shop Cora and Louise go to frequently left me envious. This June will be my first real New York trip, and as excited as I am to see it, I'm a bit disappointed that it won't be the same New York City Cora walked through. 

Hopefully NYC 2012 will smell a bit better though. 

As much as I loved the time Cora spends in New York, and her flashbacks to the orphan train, it's the ending of the book where Cora really comes into her own.  The mind blowing, life changing, decision she makes in New York (which I totally saw ending horrible, possibly because I watch entirely too much Criminal Minds and the ID channel), kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last. 

The Chaperone is just an amazing read, a book I'd really love to discuss at book club.  Hopefully I've done an adequate job of explaining how good it is, although I fear I've fallen short.  To sum up: read The Chaperone.  Then come and find me so we can discuss!

The Chaperone gets a Midnight Book Rating of:

The cover gets a Midnight Book Cover Rating of:

I love the 1920's, and this cover captures the era perfectly.  You know exactly what era you're about to be transported to!  The only thing that would have made it perfection would be to have both Cora and Louise (and her trademark bangs!) on the cover.

Author Laura Moriarty

Doesn't she seem like someone you'd want to have cocktails in New York with?

Find her on Facebook or at her website.












***Disclaimer: I received a copy of The Chaperone in exchange for my honest opinion.  I did RSVP to the cocktail party for Laura Moriarty, but only after reading the book.  I didn't want to say yes if I ended up disliking the book.  No, this isn't your average disclaimer.  That is all.***

Spring Blog Carnival Fun House

Lori of Pure Imagination is hosting this awesome event, so be sure to check out her Kissing Booth and all the other wonder filled tents!

Welcome to the Fun House!

When was the last time you read a book that made you laugh out loud while reading a book?  Maybe it's been awhile, or maybe you just love to laugh, but either way, it's time to enter the Fun House tent for a your chance to win one of the books listed below.  You win, you choose, and you laugh!

Kate's bookshelf: fun-house

I Love You, Beth Cooper

by Larry Doyle

One for the Money

by Janet Evanovich

The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club: True Tales from a Magnificent and Clumsy Life

by Laurie Notaro

The Last Little Blue Envelope

by Maureen Johnson

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs

by Molly Harper

Bossypants

by Tina Fey

So what do you have to do to win?

BOOK SENTENCE CHALLENGE!

Take a look at the books you have, stack them up to make a sentence out of them, take a picture and post it as your challenge.  Leave the link in the comments below.  You can post the picture to your blog, Twitter or Goodreads account. 

You may only use book titles, they must be real, physical books (which is why I require the picture).  

Be creative, have fun!

You don't have to be a follower, but if your email address or twitter name isn't on your blog, then please leave me some way of notifying you if you win. 

This contest is open until May 13th.

Open to everyone that the Book Depository ships to.

Must be 13 or older to enter.

*If by chance the winner has read all these books, then he/she will be able to pick another humorous novel.

Need book sentence examples?

 The Good Fairies of New Your Loop Garden Spells Into the Dark.

When She Was Bad, Scarlett Burned Whitethorn Woods.

Now it's your turn!

Something Strange and Deadly Review

Something Strange and Deadly
by Susan Dennard
Expected Publication: 07.24.12
From Goodreads:

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…
Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—
The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.
And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.
Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.  

  My Thoughts:  This book was unexpected.  It didn't even feel like a YA book, despite the age of the characters, but that's not to say that it's not YA appropriate.  I think it's the period of the story, because a young woman was usually much more mature than the average teen now.  


Eleanor, or Miss Fitt (yes, it did take me until she figured it out that her name was misfit), is a great YA heroine.  She's brave, taking care of her delusional mother and searching for her lost brother.  Trying to keep her and her mother afloat financially would be hard enough, but then her brother is kidnapped by a zombie raiser and suddenly she's going all Buffy at with the help of the Spirit-Hunters.


There's a little romance in the form of two men in her life.  First is her friend's rich, ambitious brother.  Clarence is a jerk, but he genuinely seems shocked by Eleanor and her attitude.  He's got secrets, and Eleanor is not the type of girl to just let things go.  Plus her mother is fairly determined that Eleanor should marry Clarence to save the family.


Daniel is one of the Spirit-Hunters, and not even the leader.  He's got his secrets too, but sparks fly between him and Eleanor in a very Hans Solo-Princess Leia way.  Only because the setting is in the 1800's don't expect too much, this is a time period where just a man and woman touching in the most innocent way was considered steamy.  There's a scene between Eleanor and Daniel that reminded me of the Pride and Prejudice (Kiera Knightley and Matther Macfadyen version) movie where Darcy helps Elizabeth into the carriage and their bare hands touch and it shakes both of them up.  And I love that!  I love that a simple touch can mean so much more in a time when unmarried people just didn't touch.  In someways its a lot sexier than any actual sexual act could have achieved in the book.  


The two other Spirit-Hunters, Joseph and Jie, are equally awesome.  Joseph is all Creole and tragic hero, and Jie is just kick ass.  She lives as a Chinese boy in a time period where it's very hard to be Chinese in America, but even worse for Chinese American women.  Or just women in general, because Eleanor is under a lot of pressure from society to fit into their rigid views of how women of a certain background should act.  Joseph, Jie, and Daniel make a great team, and Eleanor worms her way in, and it's a perfect fit despite her friction with Daniel. 


I've seen this book categorized as Steampunk, and while it does kind of have that feel when it comes to the Spirit-Hunters, I don't know that it really fits that genre.  Something Strange and Deadly just isn't like a lot of other books.  I really felt Susan Dennard captured the time period quite well, which I'll admit I wasn't really expecting in a YA book.  I will definitely read the next book in the series, because the ending left so many loose strings, not unanswered questions necessarily- I don't want you to think the author cheats the ending, but there is definitely enough hanging in the air that you want to know what will happen to our Miss Fit and the Spirit-Hunters.


Something Strange and Deadly gets a Midnight Book Rating of:

The cover gets a Midnight Cover Rating of:

It's pretty and eye-catching.  It definitely made me want to read the book, but it doesn't really fit the book all that well.  While Eleanor is pretty, she's not some 17-inch waisted Scarlett O'Hara as she's pictured on the cover. Still, it's a cool cover.


**Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sundays In Bed With... #9

It's Sunday again!  Happy Mother's Day to all!  A lot of you probably have plans for today, but if you had the chance to spend Sunday morning in bed with a book, what book would it be?  If you want to participate, just add your link below, or let me know what book you are spending the morning with, or wish you were!

This morning I wish I was spending Sundays In Bed With...

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

Lucky Fools Review

Lucky Fools
by Coert Voorhees
Expected Publication: 06.10.2012
From Goodreads:

David Ellison dreams of acting at Julliard, but he's expected to attend nearby Stanford University, just like all of his classmates at hard-driving Oak Fields Prep. As if wasting his private school education weren't enough, David is also on track to destroy his relationship with his girlfriend, Ellen, when he finds himself falling for his new co-star, Vanessa.

With David's Julliard audition approaching, and his relationship teetering on the brink of disaster, Oak Fields is thrown into chaos as a mysterious prankster begins attacking the school's highest achievers, determined to sabotage their college aspirations. Anyone who excels is a potential target, and David, the star of every play, could be next.

From the author of the highly praised The Brothers Torres comes a dangerously insightful book about enduring the pressures of high school, surviving the ins and outs of love, and fighting for your dreams, no matter what.

My Thoughts:  I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, although the title and cover gave me the impression that it was a comedy.  It even took me a few days to write this review because I wasn't sure how I felt about this book, and I'm still not.  The writing was good, and it held my interest.  My major problem was with David, the main character.  He was kind of self-centered and fairly uninteresting.  The whole love triangle aspect of the story was a bit of a dud, because David really isn't capable of being in love with anything unless it's right in front of him.  He's like a bird that gets easily distracted by bright and shiny things.  He's also a wannabe actor.

While I didn't like David, I really liked all the supporting characters.  Ellen, Vanessa, JJ, Colter, Jake, Iggy, Geoff, all of their stories and issues interested me.  Especially Vanessa and Colter. They had a complex brother/sister relationship, and I'd love to know more about their past.  And Ellen!  What is up with her?  I hope someone reads this book soon, just so I can discuss Ellen.

Okay, so while David is having his Outsiders moment ("Life is rough all over, Ponyboy"), The Artist is attacking students at David's prep school.  Not physically, but through a series of bulletin board posts that expose the true character of the victims.  The school is desperate to find the culprit, and everyone is suspicious of each other because they're all vying for the only spot Stanford University is allocating to a graduating student of their school.  Since Stanford is so close, they've suddenly decided to not award enrollment based on achievement alone, not when they have so many other talented students applying from all other.  Not sure if Ivy League schools do this, but it strikes me as a bit disingenuous, since lots of the kids at David's school have rich and influential parents, and also because it seems like Stanford wants some of the out of town tuition.  But if you want to see overachieving rich kids panic, then this books is for you. Everyone kind of goes into Blair Waldorf mode.

Yes, I just made a Gossip Girl reference. 

So the whole book I am waiting for the big reveal of who the Artist is.  Part of me is praying that it's David just so he'll prove me wrong about the boring part.  But we don't really find out, mostly because this is David's story and he doesn't really care and that whole plot line is dropped.  And yes, that really made me mad. 

And while I get the point of Colter's words to David, about how just because someone else has a broken arm doesn't mean that your broken nose doesn't matter to you, it's a bit hard to really feel sorry for all these extremely privileged kids.  There aren't any real consequences for most of them, not for Iggy, The Artist or even David.  It's difficult to root for a character when you're actually hoping they'll fail... and then they don't!

Lucky Fools might not be my favorite book of all time, but I do want to read The Brothers Torres , also by Coert Voorhees, and a book I've heard good things about.  And I liked the writing in Lucky Fools, no fault there, just didn't like the main character.  It is nice to read a book with a male main character, and I found several quotes to like, so here they are:

Wrinkles seemed terrified of both her skin and her clothes.

There was a deliberate nature to the way she moved, almost like a stop-motion photograph.

"Four minutes to determine my future"
"That sounds like the tagline from a bad action movie."
I made my voice all low. "One man. Four monologues. In the balance hangs... the rest of his life."

"What do you think we talk about in the faculty room? Lesson plans?"

Lucky Fools gets a Midnight Book Rating of:

The cover gets a Midnight Book Cover Rating of:

It's cute, it's different and it caught my eye. 

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Mailbox Monday #2

 It's time for Mailbox Monday!  This month it's being hosted by Martha's Bookshelf, so be sure to stop by if you'd like to participate in the month of May.

For Review:

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

Technically I got this last week, but I'm kind of a dumb ass sometimes, so I forgot.  It's for a blog tour later this month.  I'm a huge fan of old movies and actors, so I'm really excited about this- plus I get to go to a party for this author in NYC when I'm there for BEA.  Does life really get any better than this for a blogger?

Lucky Fools by Coert Voorhees

Got this from Around the World ARC Tours- is it any surprise that I dig that the author's last name is the same as Jason's from the Friday the 13th series?  Really, anyone surprised?  Anyone?  Anyone? Bueller?

 Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Another Around the World ARC book.  Obviously, the title appealed to me. ;)

Bought:

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
For book club.  Because we're cool like that. And because we haven't worked up the nerve to read Fifty Shades of Grey yet... And am I the only one who has trouble spelling grey? I always want to spell it with an "a" like gray.  Just curious.

So what all did you get?

Sundays In Bed With... #8

Good morning, readers!  This meme is for all of you to share what book you're spending your Sunday morning with, or since most of you are probably too busy, which book do you wish you could spend this morning reading?  Feel free to leave a comment, or post on your blog.  Better yet, take a pictured of the book in your bed!

Here's what I hope to spend some time with today:

Divergent by Veronica Roth- okay, I know I said I was going to start this last weekend, but then I got 3 review books for the ARC tour I participate in, so obviously I was got busy.  But I WILL start this today!  I WILL!
I'm actually going to be at work early this morning, as I started work Saturday at 9am and had a 24 hour shift.  So actually I'll be on a couch, but I'll most likely be reading!

Whats your Sundays In Bed With... book?  If you could stop time, curl up and read, what book would be in your bed?

Feature and Follow #95

I must be feeling particularly social this week, maybe because it's only a month until I'll be in NYC for BEA, but I'm doing Alison Can Read and Parajunkee's Feature and Follow.

Q. What is one thing you wish you could tell your favorite author?

A. I'm not really a stalker, Mr. King.

It's true, I'm not a stalker.  I am far too lazy to stalk people.  Although, I have a feeling I'd probably have to explain to several of my favorite authors that I'm not a stalker because I fear I give off that Annie Wilkes vibe (but that's preposterous because I can't stand the sound of breaking bones... or even cracking knuckles).

Sigh, I am really going to have to practice a non-crazy yet still admiring smile for BEA.  A smile that says, yes, I love your books, but no, I'm not going to kidnap you and chain you to my guest bed until you write a novel just for me.  So far, mirror results have shown little progress.  I'll keep working at it, because the only thing worse than giving a creepy smile to authors is not smiling at all and looking scary/intense.

Ugh, why can't the BEA be a masked ball?  I look good in masks.

So, if my answer hasn't scared you away and you've decided to give me a follow, just let me know and I'll return it!  

Blog Hopping Once Again!

It's time once again to hop!  When I saw this on my google reader I got all excited, it's been a long time since I participated, and the question is one I definitely want to blog about!

Are you attending the Book Blogger Convention (aka Bea Bloggers) and/or Book Expo America in New York City in June? If not, will you participate in the online event called Armchair BEA?     

I am attending BEA this year.  It'll be my very first time, and my first real trip to NYC.  I've wanted to go for the last few years, but it just seemed financially impossible.  Luckily I get to share the costs with my friend, Kim, and Canadian bloggers, Cindy and Kellie, who we'll be rooming with in New York.

I'm going up on the Sunday before BEA with Kim and Steph- we're taking Megabus.

It's double decker, so yes, I will be pretending I'm on the Knight Bus.

I'm doing the Book Blogger Convention on Monday, the breakfast with John Green, and maybe Teen Carnival. 

We're planning on hitting the Hard Rock Cafe when we get there, and at some point I will visit Central Park, The Strand, the Met, and Grey's Papayas.  And whatever else my blogger friends want to do.  There will be some subway riding, and some Maureen Johnson stalking. 

I'm still in shock that I'm finally going, but I can't wait.  Mostly I'm excited about meeting some of ya'll, although the authors and books are a strong draw.  Can't wait for June!  Which is weird, since May is my birthday month and now I can't wait to get it over with. ;) 

So who all is going, who's all been and who's doing Armchair BEA?

Arise Review

Arise (Hereafter #2)
by Tara Hudson
Expected Publication: 06.05.12
From Goodreads:

Amelia—still caught between life and death—must fight for every moment of her relationship with the human boy Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia accidentally dematerializing. Looking for answers, they go to visit some of Joshua’s Seer relatives in New Orleans. But even in a city so famously steeped in the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers…and becomes increasingly convinced that she and Joshua can never have a future together.Wandering through the French Quarter, Amelia meets other in-between ghosts, and begins to seriously consider joining them. And then she meets Gabrielle. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life...a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. Torn between two worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits of the netherworld choose for her.

My Thoughts:  Two things- first I really love ghost stories.  And thankfully at the moment, ghosts are popular.  Yay for ghosts!  Second- I did not realize when I signed up for the Arise arc tour that it was a second book in the Hereafter series.

Fail.

Luckily for me, despite being unfamiliar with the series, I was able to jump right in and enjoy Arise.  The only thing that confused me in the beginning was Jillian's age, she came across a lot younger until she jumped in her car and drove to school.  But that's okay, Jillian doesn't really matter.

I loved Joshua.  I loved how it was always Joshua and never Josh (it reminded me of Rachel in Friends and how she refused to shorten her boyfriend Joshua's name too). Joshua and Amelia have a really sweet love, a tad bit too co-dependent at times, but honestly, they're young, in love, and she's dead. 

And every time they make out, Amelia disappears.  Literally.  It's like the best teenage birth control method I have ever heard of.

I will totally let my kids date dead people.  Actually, maybe I should specify ghosts and not just dead people.  No one wants to raise a necrophiliac.

So, lots of stuff goes down in Arise, and I'm totally going to have to read the first book now, because of Eli.  We only briefly see him in the second book, but it sounds like he was a much bigger player and the cause of much trouble for our Amelia the friendly ghost in the first book.  Anyways, Eli is past, but the demons are back and they want Amelia to be their new Eli.  But even from this brief glimpse I realize that Eli was probably fairly bad boyish (bad ghostish?) in Hereafter.

And what does one do when confronted with the fact that demons may soon be torturing your loved ones if you don't help them?

That's right, road trip!

To New Orleans!   I love New Orleans, I love ghost stories set in New Orleans, and I love that Amelia ends up meeting new friend Gaby in a Voodoo store.  My only small complaint is that despite it being the most haunted city in America, there's only, like, five ghosts roaming around.  Not going to lie, that bugged me.

However, Amelia is all torn over Joshua and their relationship.  She's dealing with his grandma Ruth again, who totally tried to exorcise her in book one, and to top it off when they get to New Orleans Joshua's family has a Welcome to the House, Dead Girl teen seer gathering.

Seers can... see ghosts.  And other things.  Like we do.  Only it's like the Monster Squad of seers, so only two of them can see Amelia, but the rest can hear her.  Normally seers are all about banishing ghosts, but Joshua's cousins and friends appear to want to help Amelia.

Amelia is not immediately down with this.  She didn't just die yesterday, after all. She's got some good instincts, which is only cool when she actually listens to them. 

Besides all the demon fun, Amelia is also having strange dreams, which is unusual since as a ghost she doesn't really sleep.  And somebody is trying to send her a message about something.  It's still a little unclear as to what that message is, but I think it'll play in the next book.

For me this was a fun, fast read.  It was spooky, there was lots of action and some very pg romance, and even some humor- mostly in the form of Gaby.  And the place where Gaby lives = priceless.  I'm totally thinking about squatting in celeb's homes whilst they're away at rehab too.

So, by all means read Hereafter first.  I can't wait to read about Amelia and Joshua falling in love, so I will backtrack.  But if you for some reason find yourself with Arise like I did, not having read Hereafter will not negatively impact your reading experience of Arise.  Unless you're particularly dumb, but you probably wouldn't be reading at all if you were, so problem solved.

And I can't wait to read the next book!

Arise gets a Midnight Book Rating of:

The cover gets a Midnight Book Cover Rating of:

I love this cover, which is why I wanted to do the tour.  I love that you can see the cemetery through her.  You know immediately that this is a ghost story.  A lot of YA books have girls in pretty dressed on the cover, but they normally don't do a good job of actually advertizing the story between the pages.  But this book does.  Except the plant leaves in her hands.  Don't have a clue what those are supposed to mean, but I don't care.  It's still a great cover!

**Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for my honest review.