- Tempest by Julie Cross
- The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Friday, November 11, 2011
2012 Debut Author Challenge
Thursday, November 10, 2011
News: Summer of Supernatural
I just recently discovered 'The Summer of Supernatural' being hosted by HarperCollins on Facebook. Its got news about the newest supernatural books being released, and exclusive first chapters to read, such as in the books below. Happy Reading!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
News: Root - Interactive Thriller From Random House and Guardian Teen Books
Jo over at Once Upon a Bookcase has just released news of an interactive story by Random House and Guardian Teen Books called Root, where the readers help to create the story. Currently up to chapter 12, a new chapter will be released on the website every weekday for the next 4 weeks or so. Head on over to Once Upon a Bookcase to find out more
Extract:
The mistake that gets Danny Solomon killed is a simple one. Anyone could have made it. He's tired, it's past midnight, and he misses a keystroke - forgets to close a bracket, dot an i, cross a t. When it comes down to it, he is done in by punctuation.
Extract:
The mistake that gets Danny Solomon killed is a simple one. Anyone could have made it. He's tired, it's past midnight, and he misses a keystroke - forgets to close a bracket, dot an i, cross a t. When it comes down to it, he is done in by punctuation.
Danny is fifteen, and IRL - In Real Life, a place he visits as little as possible - he's all lanky awkwardness. He blushes easily. His jeans don't quite meet the tops of his off-brand trainers. Girls at school, if they don't actually laugh in his face, feel sorry for him, and though Danny marginally prefers that to the laughter, he's smart enough to realise that girls don't go out with people they feel sorry for.
Actually, he isn't just smart. He's extraordinarily, ruinously smart.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Book Review: Beautiful Days (Bright Young Things #2) by Anna Godbersen
Release Date: 1st September 2011Publisher: Penguin Books, Limited
Format: Paperback
Pages: 358
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Summary from Amazon:
“For the bright young things of 1929, the beautiful days seem endless, filled with romance and heartbreak, adventure and intrigue, friendship and rivalry.
After a month in New York, Cordelia Grey and Letty Larkspur are small-town girls no longer. They spend their afternoons with Astrid Donal at the Greys’ lush Long Island estate and their nights in Manhattan’s bustling metropolis. But Letty’s not content to be a mere socialite. She is ready at last to chase her Broadway dreams—no matter the cost.Cordelia is still reeling from the death of her father at the hands of Thom Hale, the man she thought she loved. Now she is set to honor Darius Grey’s legacy . . . and take her revenge.
Promised to Cordelia’s half brother, Astrid is caught up in a world of dazzling jewels and glittering nights—and the sparkle is blinding. Charlie Grey is a gangster playing a dangerous game; and for Astrid, Cordelia, and Letty, the stakes could be deadly.”
Review:
Anna Godbersen is shaping up to be one of my favourite authors. Beautiful Days is the second novel in the Bright Young Things series, and I am eagerly awaiting the third instalment in this series [hopefully to be released sometime next year]. What I love about this series is that is mixes both what modern girls want in a good novel with the glitz and glamour of New York in the 1920s. It’s a perfect combination that has resulted in a great novel, one that lives up to the expectations I had after reading Bright Young Things last year.
At first I found myself wondering exactly what had happened in the first novel, but Anna cleverly [but not subtlety] interwove details of the first book into the opening chapters, and within the first 30 pages or so I knew all the key elements in the plot to fill in the back-story. I then could continue on reading about the interesting lives of Cordelia, Astrid and Letty, the three best friends on whom the story is centred. And whilst the novel is told from each of the girl’s perspectives, revolving around each of their lives and differing stories, I have always felt that the Bright Young Things series is centred around Cordelia. Maybe she is just my favourite character, but it seemed to me that most of the novel was dedicated to her.
The story has something for almost any reader out there. Romance, history, crime, scandal, even a touch of feminism in how Astrid disobeys her fiance Charlie. At the heart of it, each girl strives to become their own woman, whether it be Cordelia, who strives to become a part of the family business and prove herself; Letty, who works diligently to become a star on Broadway; or Astrid, who just wants to do whatever she wants without being ordered around by a man. This was an amazing and delightful read, but not quite a full 5.0; it seemed that there was something missing from the mixture. I wasn't completely enthralled in the story, but nonetheless, it was an incredible book and I would recommend it in a heartbeat.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
And so my life as a blogger begins....
Welcome to the newly established blog ‘Danielle Hearts Books’, a blog created by me, Danielle. I’m an avid reader, but it’s been almost a year since I last read a novel. So, as I re-immerse myself into the world of fiction, every now and then I’ll update you with a review of what I’ve read, and let you know what’s next on my to-read list, as well as any related book news that might be of interest. I’m starting with Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen, the second novel in the Bright Young Things series. If you feel like reading along with me (maybe we can discuss thoughts on the book?), or you might what to check out the first book in the series, take a look at the links below. I know this is a pretty short post but hopefully I’ll have a lot more to write about soon!
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