Bad Ideas - Missy Marston

I love being surprised by a book - not knowing where a story is going to go. Missy Marston's new novel Bad Ideas was just such a book. I was immediately caught up in the first few pages and ended up finishing the book in one sitting.

Bad Ideas is set in a fictional, small, run down town in Eastern Ontario in 1973.  Marston's detailed descriptions of time and place are excellent. Having lived in a few run down towns myself during that time period, I could easily picture the setting. And everyone knowing everyone's business.

It is twenty two year old Trudy that we meet first. She works in a factory, lives with her mother Claire and her young niece Mercy, and has not had sex in five years. I loved her voice and her attitude. And then - a stranger comes to town. A stranger who is planning an automobile stunt jump in Preston Mills. And that arrival sets off a chain of events.....

I initially thought Bad Ideas would be told from Trudy's view only. But each player is given a voice - seven in all. All with intersecting lives. All wanting something more from life than they have. And all have made or are making some choices that are bad ideas. My heart ached for them and that wanting. But it wasn't pity I felt for them. Each character is just getting on with life despite what it throws at them. Their stories are real and honest and told with both humour and pathos. I became invested in each one.

Marston gave me the ending I was hoping for. Or so I thought. She caught me flat footed in the last few pages. I had to go back and reread the last chapter again to let it sink in. Again, I really appreciated the not knowing, the unexpected and the unpredictability of Marston's tale.

Interspersed amongst narratives and paragraphs are 'Becauses' - one liners that mirror what is going on, hint at what's coming and more. They almost read like a short story within the story. "Because you can only do some things for so long."

I really like Marston's writing and will be happily waiting for her next book. Here's an excerpt of Bad Ideas.

The story of Ken "the Crazy Canuck' Carter's attempt to jump the St. Lawrence River in a rocket powered Lincoln Continental was Marston's inspiration for Bad Ideas. Now, I don't know if I saw Carter, but when Marston mentioned the Hell Drivers, it sparked a memory for me. I saw the Hell Drivers Stunt Show many, many years ago at the Western Fair in Ontario.

Giveaway - Parable of the Sower - Octavia E. Butler

Are you a fan of The Handmaid's Tale? Yes? Then you're going to want to enter this giveaway! Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler.

What's it about? From Grand Central Publishing:

"When global climate change and economic crises lead to social chaos in the early 2020s, California becomes full of dangers, from pervasive water shortage to masses of vagabonds who will do anything to live to see another day. Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives inside a gated community with her preacher father, family, and neighbors, sheltered from the surrounding anarchy. In a society where any vulnerability is a risk, she suffers from hyperempathy, a debilitating sensitivity to others’ emotions.

Precocious and clear-eyed, Lauren must make her voice heard in order to protect her loved ones from the imminent disasters her small community stubbornly ignores. But what begins as a fight for survival soon leads to something much more: the birth of a new faith . . . and a startling vision of human destiny." Read an excerpt of Parable of the Sower.

Sound good doesn't it!? Enter for a chance to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US and Canada. Ends May 11/19.

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Forest Life and Woodland Creatures - DK Canada

Earth Day was officially April 22nd - but truly, we should celebrate every day. Little Guy likes to go on walks to find and look at 'interesting things." Now that spring is finally here, there's lots to see!

Recently, we perused Forest Life and Woodland Creatures from DK Canada before starting off on one of those walks.

The cover is inviting for little ones with lots of colours and pictures. Little Guy always likes to guess what's inside a book by looking at the cover.

The first few pages played right into our walk - the two main types of trees, who might live in trees, new seedlings just poking through, what animals might eat, insects, bugs and more.We were able to identify many of these on our stroll. And here's something Gramma didn't know! A squirrel's nest is called a drey.

There are nature crafts interspersed throughout the book. Leafy bugs using modeling clay and found nature pieces. Making a 'nest' with a paper plate and found nature material. An owl using pine cones and a few more. A recipe for berry ice pops is one we'll try closer to summer.

As always with DK books, the colours are bright, the layout is good with facts concisely presented. Pictures accompany the facts, giving a small one a starting point for what is being discussed. I found the pages to be a little thicker than normal - a good idea for a children's book, especially for one that might be taken outside.

Forest Life is an great introductory STEM book for the 3-5 crowd. Have a look at the excerpt below.  And check out the other titles in DK's 'Earth Love' list.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #260

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true. 

 But you can like one cover version better than another....

US cover

UK cover

A Good Enough Mother is the debut novel from Bev Thomas, releasing next week.  I've got this one added to my ever teetering TBR pile. (And be sure to tune in on Monday, April 29 as I'll be giving away a copy!)The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. Two quite different interpretations this week. Dark and light. Earth and water. The US cover is quite ominous with the black background and the blood read tulips. Tulips to me are a friendly flower, but they come across as threatening in this picture. I think it's the bent stems, looking like they're leaning over something. The UK cover also has a darker tone. The almost overflowing tub, the faucet still running and the skewed font that feels like everything is going down the drain. Paula Hawkins provides a nice blurb that would have me picking the book up to look inside. Both are good covers this week, but I am a little more partial to those tulips. So, US for me this week. What about you? Which cover do you prefer? Any plans to read A Good Enough Mother?

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

Maid - Stephanie Land

Stephanie Land's memoir Maid has been on dozens of book lists, so you may have heard of  or read it already. All the hype? Absolutely deserved - it was a powerful, eye opening read.

But, if you haven't heard of it, the publisher's blurb is a pretty concise descriptor:

"Evicted meets Nickel and Dimed in Stephanie Land’s memoir about working as a maid, a beautiful and gritty exploration of poverty in America."

Having read both of those books, I knew this was one I wanted to read. Star studded tell-alls are of no interest to me. Instead I find myself invariably drawn to memoirs of everyday people. The struggles and the triumphs- real life.

Land finds herself pregnant just as she is about to apply to university to follow her dream of becoming a writer. That dream is sidetracked and Land ends up working as a maid to support her daughter.

Her struggles - financially, medically, mentally and physically - are captured in brutally honest prose. The reader is alongside as she navigates 'the system', her relationships and the anonymity of cleaning houses. But, just as affecting is the love she has for her daughter and her desire to follow her dream of becoming a writer.

Land's work made for addictive reading and is a testament to her tenacity. While she may have made choices that I would not have, I'm not here to judge. There is no way to 'rate' someone's life, but if pressed, I would give Maid is a five star read for Land's honesty is sharing her life story so far. See for yourself - here's an excerpt of Maid. 

Over the Counter #477

What book caught my eye this week as it passed over the library counter and under my scanner? I've heard of Ikea hacks, but how about.....

Beer Hacks by Ben Robinson.

From Workman Publishing:

"A tour de force of 100 tips and tricks, Beer Hacks is the ultimate guide to becoming a better beer drinker.

Discover the very best and most creative ways to serve, share, store, and savor your favorite brews. There’s problem solving: Warm beer? Chill a bottle in about a minute with a can of compressed air. DIY projects: Turn empty bottles into guitar slides. Party tricks: The only thing you need to know to safely tap a keg—and the one foolproof technique for shotgunning a beer. Flavor bombs: A French press is all you need to infuse ale with fresh berries.

Whether you’re replenishing after a workout (that’s right: beer has electrolytes), or relishing the singular tranquility of a shower beer, Beer Hacks is the ultimate guide to taking drinking to the next level, making it more fun and more practical. Includes an emergency bottle opener on the front cover!"

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World - C.A. Fletcher

I was absolutely consumed by C.A. Fletcher's new book, A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World. I literally couldn't put it down, and when I did, it was only because the tension was killing me and I had to walk away before I peeked ahead!

To honor the author's request..."It'd be a kindness to other readers - not to say this author - if the discoveries made as you follow Griz's journey into the ruins of our world remained a bit of a secret between us....", I'll be circumspect.

A event has taken most of the people from the Earth. But decades later there are still pockets of survivors that have made lives for themselves. Griz and his family are one of those, living on a remote Scottish island. (it really exists) But everything changes when a stranger arrives by water. And steals Griz's dog. And, for Griz, there is no choice - he's going to get his dog back.

"There may be no law left except what you make of it. But if you steal my dog, you can at least expect me to come after you. Because if we aren't loyal to the things we love, what's the point?"

Oh, what's not to love! What is Griz going to find outside of the parameters of his island? Who is still out there? What remnants of our civilization remain? Does he get his dog back? An author's imagining of a world after ours fascinates me every time. And Fletcher's vision of a future world is fantastic.

I love that Fletcher chose a young protagonist. This journey is a coming of age story for Griz. His determination and courage will endear him to readers. His thoughts and observations as he writes in his journal give this character even more depth. And food for thought for the reader.

The dog. Ahh, readers who are dog lovers (me included) are going to appreciate the canines in this tale. It's so easy to understand why Griz is determined to find his.

Fletcher is a dastardly master of foreshadowing and cliff hanger chapter endings. A sentence dropped into a paragraph that telegraphs a clue, an impending happening in Griz's quest. This is where I wanted to peek ahead so badly. (But don't!) Griz's journey is action-packed and will have the reader on the edge of their seat.

As Griz says - "I said I especially like the ones about apocalypses and dystopias because it's always interesting to see what the Before thought the After would be like."

A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World is going to a be a favorite read of mine for 2019. C.A. Fletcher - if you're listening - more please! Read an excerpt of A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World.

Giveaway - Emily Eternal - M.G. Wheaton

M.G. Wheaton's newest novel, Emily Eternal, releases tomorrow and I have a copy to give away to one lucky reader!

What's it about? From Grand Central Publishing:

"Meet Emily, “the best AI character since HAL 9000″ (Blake Crouch). She can solve advanced mathematical problems, unlock the mind’s deepest secrets, but unfortunately, even she can’t restart the sun.

Emily is an artificial consciousness, designed in a lab to help humans process trauma, which is particularly helpful when the sun begins to die 5 billion years before scientists agreed it was supposed to.

Her beloved human race is screwed, and so is Emily. That is, until she finds a potential answer buried deep in the human genome that may save them all. But not everyone is convinced Emily has the best solution–or the best intentions. Before her theory can be tested, the lab is brutally attacked, and Emily’s servers are taken hostage.

Narrowly escaping, Emily is forced to go on the run with two human companions–college student Jason and small-town Sheriff, Mayra. As the sun’s death draws near, Emily and her friends must race against time to save humanity. Soon it becomes clear not just the species is at stake, but also that which makes us most human." Read an excerpt of Emily Eternal.

"M. G. Wheaton is a screenwriter, producer, and journalist, writing for the Hollywood Reporter, Total Film, and more. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and children."You can follow M.G. Wheaton on Twitter and find him on Goodreads.

And if you'd like to read Emily Eternal, enter to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US and Canada, ends May 4/19.

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You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #259

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

 But you can like one cover version better than another....

US cover

UK cover

Elly Griffiths pens one of my favourite series - the Ruth
Galloway Mysteries. The eleventh book, The Stone Circle releases in May/19. The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. The image used on both covers is relevant. The salt marsh figures into this series so the US image is relevant. The UK image literally fits the book's title with a Stonehenge like picture. There is movement in both images with the water and birds. I do like the dark, somewhat foreboding tones of the US cover. The UK cover is fitting as well, but it just doesn't grab me as much. So, US for me this week. What about you? Which cover do you prefer? Any plans to read The Stone Circle?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

The Better Sister - Alafair Burke

If Alafair Burke wrote it - I'm going to read it! Her latest novel The Better Sister has just released.

Chloe and Nicky are sisters, but they are estranged - until their husband brings them back together. Yes, their husband. Nicky was married to Adam, but the marriage disintegrated - much of it due to Nicky's substance abuse. That abuse left her unable to look after her young son Ethan. They divorced with Adam getting full custody. And...he reached out to sister Chloe for advice and help. And now? Chloe and Adam have been married for fifteen years, raising Ethan together. Until.....Adam is found murdered.....and the cops think Ethan did it.

I had a hard time connecting with the 'lead' sister Chloe. I found her to be just a little too full of herself. The drive that has made her a successful, businesswoman has also made her somewhat cold and dispassionate. Her need to control everything is off putting, but feeds into the plot. Instead I found myself drawn to the 'bad' sister Nicky. And this dichotomy makes for a charged dynamic. I quite liked Detective Guidry and would be happy to see her in a future book.

Burke's writing is so very easy to get caught up in. She is herself a lawyer and the legal machinations and courtroom scenes benefit greatly from her insider knowledge. I had the whodunit it figured out before the final pages, but appreciated the misdirection and possible outcomes that Burke presents.

Burke inserts a nice little bit of social commentary through online social posts throughout the book.

I didn't love this one as much as I did The Ex and The Wife, but this was still a four star read. The Better Sister is a domestic thriller wrapped in a mystery with a side of legal. Here's an excerpt.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true. 

 But you can like one cover version better than another....

US cover

UK cover

I am a Stephen King fan and pretty much read everything he writes. He has a new book coming out in September called The Institute. "From #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephen King, the most riveting and unforgettable story of kids confronting evil since It—publishing just as the second part of It, the movie, lands in theaters." The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. So...two darker images this week. White font and similar placement for the title. The font and placement of the author's name is also similar. The image of the boy sitting on the edge of his bed in a railway car brings all kinds of questions to mind. That small lamp as a light in the darkness effective. But the UK cover will have you taking a second look. The image is of a person rowing. The water image is overlaid on a spooky looking building. But it is the skeletal face that emerges from the combined images that is creepy. I'm torn this week. The UK image is quite clever, but I find myself more drawn to the railcar image. So, US for me this week. What about you? Which image do you prefer? Any plans to read The Institute?

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

Over the Counter #476

What book caught my eye this week as it passed over the library counter and under my scanner? You've heard of goat yoga so how about....

Literary Chickens by Beth Moon.

From Abbeville Press:

"From the best-selling photographer of Ancient Trees, an arresting collection of black-and-white chicken portraits paired with quotations from classic literature

Fierce, funny, and flamboyant, fifty-two heritage-breed chickens assess the camera with a keen gaze. By focusing on the faces of her avian subjects, Beth Moon reveals them to us not just as beautiful and exotic creatures, but as individuals in their own right.

Moon’s intimate portraits capture a startling range of emotions and personalities, underscored by excerpts from literature. A martial Spanish White Face is flanked by a passage from Beowulf; a fantastical Buff-Laced Polish, by a line from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; and a refined Blue Polish, by a character sketch from Swann’s Way.

An essay by chicken keeper and best-selling author Melissa Caughey and cultural critic Collier Brown sheds additional light on this fresh and remarkable body of work, which will appeal to animal lovers and literature buffs alike."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Giveaway - Redemption - David Baldacci

Today is release day for Redemption - the latest book in David Baldacci's Amos Decker series - and I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader!!

What's it about? From Grand Central Publishing:

"Detective Amos Decker discovers that a mistake he made as a rookie detective may have led to deadly consequences in the latest Memory Man thriller in David Baldacci’s #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Decker is visiting his hometown of Burlington, Ohio, when he’s approached by a man named Meryl Hawkins. Hawkins is a convicted murderer. In fact, he’s the very first killer Decker ever put behind bars. But he’s innocent, he claims. Now suffering from terminal cancer, it’s his dying wish that Decker clear his name.

It’s unthinkable. The case was open and shut, with rock solid forensic evidence. But then Hawkins later turns up dead with a bullet in his head, and even Decker begins to have doubts. Is it possible that he really did get it wrong, all those years ago?

Decker’s determined to uncover the truth, no matter the personal cost. But solving a case this cold may be impossible, especially when it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want the old case reopened. Someone who is willing to kill to keep the truth buried, and hide a decades-old secret that may have devastating repercussions…." Read an excerpt of Redemption.

And if you'd like to read Redemption - enter to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US and Canada, Ends Apr 27/19.

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Giveaway - The Big Disruption - Jessica Powell

Looking for a fun read to lighten up your reading list? I've got just the book for you - The Big Disruption by Jessica Powell - and I have a copy to give away.

What's it about?

"A rip-roaring comedy about big plans and bigger egos at the world's largest tech company.

Something is fishy at Anahata—and it’s not just the giant squid that serves as a mascot for the tech company. A prince in exile is working as a product manager. The sales guys are battling with the engineers. The women employees are the unwitting subjects of a wild social experiment. The VPs are plotting against each other. And the yoga-loving, sex-obsessed CEO is rumored to be planning a moon colony, sending his investors into a tizzy. Is it all downhill from here for the world’s largest tech company? Or is this just the beginning of a bold new phase in Anahata’s quest for global domination?" Read an excerpt of The Big Disruption.

"Jessica Powell is the former vice president of communications for Google and served on the company’s management team. She is the author of Literary Paris, and her fiction and nonfiction has been published in The Guardian, The New York Times, Wired, and Medium magazine. She is also the co-founder and CEO of a startup that builds software for musicians." You can connect with Jessica on her website and follow her on Twitter.

And if you'd like to read The Big Disruption, enter to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US only, ends April 27/19.

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You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #258

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true. 

 But you can like one cover version better than another....

US cover

UK cover

Woo hoo! Linwood Barclay is one of my favourite suspense authors. His new book Elevator Pitch releases in Sept. 19 on both sides of the pond. The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. Elevator Pitch: " a succinct and persuasive sales pitch." Hmm, can't wait to see what the pitch might be. So two different views of elevators. The US is of the elevator shaft. I think we're at the bottom looking up at the car descending, but it's hard to say. Still, gives me a bit of vertigo. The UK cover is of an elevator that has an exterior view. Easier on the eyes. And a little more info as there is what appears to be a woman in the car. The same tagline appears on both. For me the US cover promises more action and the UK more suspense. I'm going to go with the UK cover this week, if only because I can't look at the US cover without feeling woozy! What about you? Which cover do you prefer? Any plans to read Elevator Pitch?

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

At the Mountain's Edge - Genevieve Graham

At The Mountain's Edge is the latest historical fiction novel from Canadian author Genevieve Graham. I've enjoyed her last two books and happily turned to the first page....

Graham takes us back to 1897 and the great rush for gold in the Klondike. At the heart of Graham's story are Liza and Ben. Liza and her family are shopkeepers. Liza's father has decided to sell his store in Vancouver and open a new one in Dawson City, Yukon. Ben has led a difficult life, but has found his calling at last as a Constable with the North-West Mounted Police.

I enjoy the varied settings of Graham's books. She has tackled a number of locales and eras, bringing to life pieces of Canadian history. I always learn something with each new novel. The sheer numbers of people who made their way to the gold fields and the difficulty they encountered making that journey makes for fascinating reading. I was also intrigued by the role the NWMP played in the North.

Against that backdrop we have two engaging lead characters. I must admit, my heart was with Liza. She's likable and oh so determined. The tragedies that befall her (how much can happen to one person!?) seem to only make her stronger. Ben has a clear, unerring sense of what is right and wrong. But he also has a temper that he struggles to keep under control. It's inevitable that their paths will cross......and they do. The path to true love is a bumpy one and the romance between the two is slow to burn - and it too suffers a number of tragic turns.

Graham excels at combining fact with fiction. Her books are informing and entertaining.

I turned the last page and sat and thought about those that did make the trip up through that unforgiving passage to what they hoped would be their fortune. History is fascinating and Graham easily combines fiction with fact. Her books are informing and entertaining. I look forward to her next book and piece of Canadian history. Here's an excerpt of At the Mountain's Edge.

"There are so many important stories in our past, and I plan to get to the core of as many as I can. I love to travel back in time and breathe life back into Canadian history, and I want to bring you with me."

You can connect with Genevieve Graham on her website, like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. 

Over the Counter #475

What book caught my eye this week as it passed over the library counter and under my scanner? My Gran was a proud member of the Women's Institute for over 60 years.

Home Fires: The Story of the Women's Institute in the Second World War by Julie Summers.

From Penguin Books:

"Soon to be a PBS Masterpiece series starring Samantha Bond ("Downton Abbey") and Francesca Annis ("Cranford")

Away from the frontlines of World War II, in towns and villages across Great Britain, ordinary women were playing a vital role in their country s war effort. As members of the Women s Institute, an organization with a presence in a third of Britain's villages, they ran canteens and knitted garments for troops, collected tons of rosehips and other herbs to replace medicines that couldn't be imported, and advised the government on issues ranging from evacuee housing to children s health to postwar reconstruction. But they are best known for making jam: from produce they grew on every available scrap of land, they produced twelve million pounds of jam and preserves to feed a hungry nation.

"Home Fires," Julie Summers' fascinating social history of the Women's Institute during the war (when its members included the future Queen Elizabeth II along with her mother and grandmother), provides the remarkable and inspiring true story behind the upcoming PBS Masterpiece series that will be sure to delight fans of "Call the Midwife "and "Foyle's War." Through archival material and interviews with current and former Women's Institute members, "Home Fires "gives us an intimate look at life on the home front during World War II."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

The Last Act - Brad Parks

I've really enjoyed Brad Parks' last two stand alone suspense novels and was looking forward to reading his latest - The Last Act.

The premise is one I always enjoy - 'everyday guy in a bad situation'. In The Last Act it is an actor named Tommy Jump. The work has dried up, he has a child on the way and he needs monehy. Then he receives an offer from an FBI agent he knew when they were kids. Go undercover in a prison and cosy up to a banker convicted of working for a drug cartel. The FBI needs documents the banker he has hidden in order to bring the cartel down. The pay they're offering would set up Tommy nicely - and it's only for six months. Tommy takes the job......And you just know something's going to go wrong......

Oh boy! Parks has written an absolutely addicting read! Tommy is a great lead character and you can't help but cheer him on. There are some chapters from his girlfriend Amanda as well and I liked her just as much. The drug cartel is also given a voice. As we hear from them, it just ramps up the danger factor as we realize what Tommy has gotten himself into.

Parks put lots of stumbling blocks in front of Tommy as he tries to elicit the information the FBI needs. Often I find I can guess where a plot is going to go - but Parks truly surprised me with the first big twist in the book. I did not see it coming. And he follows up with several more twisty turns I had not anticipated. There are many red herrings along the way to keep the reader guessing as well.

And yes, some of the plotting requires a few grains of salt, but just go with it. The Last Act reads like a movie and I can absolutely see it on the big screen. Here's an excerpt of The Last Act. Brad Parks is firmly on my 'must read' list of authors - I can't wait for his next book!

Giveaway - Tiny Hot Dogs - Mary Giuliani

Do you like memoirs? Yes? Then I have a giveaway you're going to want to enter! Tiny Hot Dogs: A Memoir in Small Bites by Mary Giuliani. Who doesn't love a pig in a blanket?

From Running Press:

"From awkward schoolgirl to Caterer to the Stars, Mary Giuliani weaves together a collection of hilarious memories, from professional growing pains to her long journey to motherhood, never losing her sense of humor and her love for everyone’s favorite party food, pigs in a blanket.

Mary’s utterly unremarkable childhood was everything she didn’t want: hailing from a deeply loving yet overprotective Italian family in an all-Jewish enclave on Long Island. All she wanted was to fit in (be Jewish) and become famous (specifically a cast member on Saturday Night Live). With an easy, natural storytelling sensibility, Mary shares her journey from a cosseted childhood home to the stage and finally to the party, accidentally landing what she now refers to as “the breakthrough role of a lifetime” catering to a glittery list of stars she once hoped to be part of herself.

Fresh, personal, and full of Mary’s humorous, self-deprecating, and can-do attitude against all odds, you’ll want to see where each shiny silver tray of hors d’oeuvres takes her next. You never know when the humble hot dog will be a crucial ingredient in the recipe for success, in building a business or simply making life more delicious."

"Mary Giuliani is an author, party and lifestyle expert, and founder and CEO of Mary Giuliani Catering and Events. Mary has appeared on The Barefoot Contessa, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and is a regularly featured guest on The Rachael Ray Show. Her first book, The Cocktail Party (Eat, Drink, Play, Recover) came out in 2015. A graduate of Georgetown University, Mary resides in New York City and Woodstock, NY. Connect with Mary on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram."

If you'd like to read Tiny Hot Dogs, enter to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US only, ends, April 20/19.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #257

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

 But you can like one cover version better than another....

US cover

UK cover

I've enjoyed Brad Park's last two suspense novels - they're entertaining, escapist reads. His newest, The Last Act, has jsut released. The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. Similarities? Right off the bat, the thugish looking figure appears on both covers - two on the UK. The colour scheme is dark and rusty orange is used on both. This week I think I like the US cover better. The single figure appeals more, I like the mist - who knows what's on the other side. The UK cover just seems too, well too much. What about you? Which cover do you prefer this week? Any plans to read The Last Act?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

Girls With Sharp Sticks - Suzanne Young

I thought I would get my latest YA fix with the newly released Girls with Sharp Sticks, the first in a planned series from Suzanne Young. (And I did!)

I love the cover - take a second look at each side of the girl's face - it's in the eyes....

Welcome to Innovations Academy, where the girls are absolutely perfect. Literally. Beautiful, demure and obedient. Uh huh, here it comes......and being molded to be flawless in everything for the 'Investor' who will become their 'owner'. Until Mena begins to realize that the life they are leading is not normal and there is a world out there that they know little about. They've been manipulated and lied to......and....

I liked the premise. The publisher has described Girls With Sticks as "Westworld meets The Handmaid’s Tale" and I think that's a great comparison.

I chose to listen to Girls With Sharp Sticks. Caitlin Davies was the reader. I've enjoyed previous narrations from Davies and this was another excellent performance. She had just the right voice for Mena. Perfect you might say. It's young in tenor with an innocent feel. It's somewhat robotic in the beginning and then grows in strength and tone as the girls' "awakening" progresses. She provides perfectly despicable voices for the male leaders of the Academy.

Young's plot will initially provoke a visceral reaction in the listener. And I found myself railing out loud at the arrogance and actions of the men. But even louder for Mena and her friends, urging them on as they begin to imagine escaping this life.

This first book was a fun listen. Young has prepared the way for the second book - and I'll be listening to see what's in store for Mena and her friends. Here's an audio clip excerpt of Girls With Sharp Sticks.

Over the Counter #474

What book caught my eye this week as it passed over the library counter and under my scanner?

Underground: A Human History of the Worlds Beneath Our Feet Hardcover by Will Hunt:

From Spiegel & Grau:

"When Will Hunt was sixteen years old, he discovered an abandoned tunnel that ran beneath his house in Providence, Rhode Island. His first tunnel trips inspired a lifelong fascination with exploring underground worlds, from the derelict subway stations and sewers of New York City to sacred caves, catacombs, tombs, bunkers, and ancient underground cities in more than twenty countries around the world. Underground is both a personal exploration of Hunt’s obsession and a panoramic study of how we are all connected to the underground, how caves and other dark hollows have frightened and enchanted us through the ages.

In a narrative spanning continents and epochs, Hunt follows a cast of subterraneaphiles who have dedicated themselves to investigating underground worlds. He tracks the origins of life with a team of NASA microbiologists a mile beneath the Black Hills, camps out for three days with urban explorers in the catacombs and sewers of Paris, descends with an Aboriginal family into a 35,000-year-old mine in the Australian outback, and glimpses a sacred sculpture molded by Paleolithic artists in the depths of a cave in the Pyrenees.

Each adventure is woven with findings in mythology and anthropology, natural history and neuroscience, literature and philosophy. In elegant and graceful prose, Hunt cures us of our “surface chauvinism,” opening our eyes to the planet’s hidden dimension. He reveals how the subterranean landscape gave shape to our most basic beliefs and guided how we think about ourselves as humans. At bottom, Underground is a meditation on the allure of darkness, the power of mystery, and our eternal desire to connect with what we cannot see."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

The Stranger Diaries - Elly Griffiths

I absolutely adore Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway series. The eleventh book is due out next month. But! Griffiths has penned a stand alone that is an absolutely wonderful read! The Stranger Diaries.....think modern Gothic......

Clare teaches English at Talgarth High. Talgarth is also where Gothic author R.M. Holland wrote his most famous story - The Stranger. Past and present collide when a school colleague is found dead - with a line from The Stranger by the body.

Griffiths opens the book with an excerpt from The Stranger - and I was hooked. Initially Clare is the lead character, but the narrative switches to DS Harbinder Kaur who is in charge of the case. And I was surprised when the narrative switched again to a character I hadn't considered playing a larger part. These switches happen numerous times, giving the reader numerous viewpoints to draw on. We are also given many suspects to choose from. (I must admit, I was surprised by the final whodunit) And then there's the option of there being something more, shall we say, otherworldly, involved.

Excerpts of The Stranger continue throughout the book in addition to excerpts from Clare's diary, giving the reader more fuel for speculation.

Every character is well drawn and fleshed out. DS Kaur was my favourite - I hope she might make an appearance in a future novel.

"It can be a dangerous thing, reading too much." Griffiths' writing makes for addictive reading. The only danger is staying up too late reading 'just one more chapter'. Absolutely a five star read - here's an excerpt.

"Goose-bump spooky, smart, and haunting…I loved this book - Louise Penny"

Giveaway - On the Bright Side: The New Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen

I thoroughly enjoyed the first Hendrik Groen book and I'm looking forward to reading his continuing story in On the Bright Side: The New Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 85 Years Old. And I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader!

From Grand Central Publishing:

"In the acclaimed follow-up to the #1 international bestseller The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, everyone’s favorite curmudgeon is back and as funny and charming as ever with the newest adventures of the Old-But-Not-Dead Club — for fans of Frederik Backman and Graeme Simsion.

Everyone’s favorite octogenarian is back and, together with his pals in the Old-But-Not-Dead Club, he is more determined than ever to wreak havoc and turn a twinkly eye on the brighter side of life.

After a year spent mourning the death of his beloved friend Eefje, Hendrik may be older and a little more wobbly, but his youthful appetite for mischief hasn’t diminished. When fears arise that the home is set for demolition, it’s up to Hendrik and the Old-But-Not-Dead Club to intervene." Read an excerpt of On the Bright Side.

"Hendrik Groen started his pseudonymous diary on the literary website of Torpedo Magazine. He says about his first novel: “There’s not one sentence that’s a lie, but not every word is true.” The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen has been translated into over twenty languages."

And if you'd like to read On the Bright Side, enter to win a copy using the Rafflectopter form below. Open to US and Canada, ends April 13/19.

a Rafflecopter giveaway