Waiting on Wednesday - Ink and Carnegie!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where we show off books that we want to read but have not been published yet. 

Title:  Ink
Author: Amanda Sun
Release Date: 25 June 2013 by Mira
Link to / Summary from Goodreads: On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.
Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.
Why I want it:  Japanese mythology is awesome. This looks really cool. It has a gorgeous cover that fits perfectly with the title.

We have a winner for the Witchlove giveaway! It was Fiery Na! I've emailed Emma, and she should get back to you. Thanks for entering.

We still have two big giveaways running! The international one and the UK one.

Also... The shortlist for Carnegie! 

THE WEIGHT OF WATER by SARAH CROSSAN
A GREYHOUND OF A GIRL by RODDY DOYLE
MAGGOT MOON by SALLY GARDNER
IN DARKNESS by NICK LAKE
WONDER by R.J. PALACIO
MIDWINTERBLOOD by MARCUS SEDGEWICK
A BOY AND A BEAR IN A BOAT by DAVE SHELTON
CODE NAME VERITY by ELIZABETH WEIN

Three out of eight! These all look really good. I've had Code Name Verity and Wonder on my TBR for ages, but I'm looking forwards to reading all of these!

Carnegie Shortlist Announcement Game

I've followed the Carnegie for a few years. We have a competition in our book club-who can guess the shortlist correctly?

Here's my picks...


1. Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner. PERFECT.
2.  Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. Because. I don't know why. It just seems like it'd work.
3. Wonder by R J Palacio. I've heard so much about this, and how lovely it is, and think it should be there.
4. Dying to Know You by Aidan Chambers. This is very much the kind of thing that would get onto the list.
5. To Be a Cat by Matt Haig. Because this seems like the kind of thing that would get on the list.
6. The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean by David Almond. Here is some David Almond. Judges LOVE David Almond.

Also, if we're going for a seven or eight shortlist, here's my extra picks (ignore in score if we get a six long list)

7. All Fall Down by Sally Nichols. Ways to Live Forever was beautiful. This might be just as poweverful.
8. A Waste of Good Paper by Sean Taylor. It's full of the kind of stuff that seems like it'd work on the shortlist.

Yeah. I've read one of my six/eight picks. Lovingly basing this on my predictability of author choice and themes. Good luck to all authors longlisted!

What are your picks for the shortlist? Go to the longlist here and choose 6-8 books. Whoever's the most accurate gets...hugs? Intenet love? A sense of accomplishment. It's just a bit of fun. But a lot of fun.

In Which I Fangirl A Lot.

So...this week has been, in terms of booky really quite awesome.

We have a Longlist for the CILIP Carnegie Medal.

Things I've Read and Enjoyed

• Unrest by Michelle Harrison (Simon & Schuster Children's Books)
• Itch by Simon Mayo  (Corgi Children's Books)
• This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Oppel (Random House David Fickling Books)
• Mister Creecher by Chris Priestley (Bloomsbury)
• Black Heart Blue by Louisa Reid (Puffin Books)
• The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic)

Things I've heard are good and will make a little more effort to read now.

• Dead Time by Anne Cassidy (Bloomsbury)
• VIII by H.M. Castor (Templar Publishing)
• Dying To Know You by Aidan Chambers (Bodley Head)
• After the Snow by S.D. Crockett (Macmillan Children's Books)
• Mortal Chaos by Matt Dickinson (Oxford University Press)
• Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner (Hot Key Books)
• After by Morris Gleitzman (Puffin Books)
• To Be A Cat by Matt Haig (Bodley Head)
• Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (Doubleday Children's Books)
• All Fall Down by Sally Nicholls (Marion Lloyd Books)
• Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Bodley Head)
• Gods and Warriors by Michelle Paver (Puffin Books)
• Burn Mark by Laura Powell (Bloomsbury)
• Black Arts: The Books of Pandemonium by Andrew Prentice and Jonathan Weil (David Fickling Books)
• This is Not Forgiveness by Celia Rees (Bloomsbury)
• Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick (Indigo)
• Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (Electric Monkey)

As well as these, there#s other books that I'm sure are deserving of their place, which I'll read if they get shortlisted. My book club shadows the award, so hopefully we'll all find something to enjoy, and maybe we'll manage to guess what's going to win. Last time, we failed (We said Between Shades of Grey, not A Monster Calls).

We've had a trailer for The Host. I've not read it, but apparently it's a bit better than Twilight (I'm not sure that's saying much though.) Still, if anyone does enjoy Meyer's stuff, then maybe they should see it.


We've also had a trailer for City Of Bones, a film which I definitely plan to go and see some time (although probably won't because I have a habit of saying I'll see something, forgetting, and ending up getting it on DVD. Films that don't get this treatment get seen twice...something's wrong with my organisation skills.) Here it is.

On its own, it's awesome. After reading a couple of posts about it, I love it even more. *fangirl mode is on*

Other fangirly thing: Aurelio Voltaire's book, Call of the Jersey Devil, has a cover now! And a back one! I got into Voltaire's music a few years ago, and when he said he was writing a book, I was all *squee* (I go all fangirly very easily, in case you haven't guessed).and from the excerpts on Facebook, I'm probably going to enjoy this.

And finally, please go help a new book blogger! Anne of Grave Fables was part of my book club, until she moved to France. She's really nice and reads practically anything, so go say hello.


How's everyone this week?

Carnegie & Kate Greenaway 2012

So…A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness won the Carnegie Medal! But that's not it's only achievement...

For the first time ever, one author wins twice on the trot. And, also for the first time ever, the same book won the Kate Greenaway along with the Carnegie.

As you know, we’ve been shadowing the Carnegie for a few months. And seeing as we didn’t go to the awards ceremony, we had a party at lunchtime instead.

This being The Noisiest Book Club in the World, the first thing any of us cared about was the food on the table. So we got that out of the way, and then we looked at the emails. Nothing from Carnegie.

We then had a vote on what we thought what SHOULD win, and then on what WOULD win.

Between Shades of Grey came out top in terms of what we thought SHOULD win. I think this is because most of us loved it, it was really hard hitting, and generally beautiful.

My Name is Mina came out top in terms of what we thought WOULD win. Because we know the judges and how they like to pick the books we don’t like to win (Example-The Graveyard Book).

At 12:50, we hadn’t got an official email. So we started watching videos of the judges’ thoughts. Which then turned into a discussion about Sophie Dahl staring into cameras -this is relevant-watch the video and you’ll understand. Or maybe not- and creeping everyone out. And we watched a few more.

Then it was one o clock, we still hadn’t got an email, and so I looked on the internet. Found. “Congratulations to Patrick Ness, Jim Kay and Walker on this historic achievement”. First reaction: Who’s Jim Kay? Then we worked out that A Monster Calls won both awards.

Book club reactions: High pitched yay, “Between Shades of Grey should have won”, “good for him”, “twice in a row”, “I’m happy for him…” and “Who ate all the chocolate shortbread? That was mine and I only got one piece.” I’m not entirely sure that last thing was a reaction to A Monster Calls or just Becca complaining about the fact we ate all her biscuits (which she did bring in to share with us. She shouldn’t complain when we eat it).

After initial celebrations/confusion/biscuit-searching, we got the email. The librarian wants to  complain.

I personally couldn’t get into A Monster Calls. From a literary perspective, yes, from an enjoyment one, no. I can see why it won and I’m really glad that he won.

Congratulations for winning both awards AND twice in a row. 

Carnegie Book Review-Small Change for Stuart by Lissa Evans

Title: Small Change for Stuart

 Author: Lissa Evans

Series:  Stuart #1

Published:  May 2011 by Doubleday

Length: 282 pages

Warnings: None

Source: Library

Other info: This has been shortlisted for the Carnegie Shortlist. It is also published as Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms: Magic, Mystery, & a Very Strange Adventure

Summary : Stuart Horten—ten years old and small for his age—moves to the dreary town of Beeton, far away from all his friends. And then he meets his new next-door neighbours, the unbearable Kingley triplets, and things get even worse. But in Beeton begins the strangest adventure of Stuart’s life as he is swept up in quest to find his great-uncle’s lost workshop—a workshop stuffed with trickery and magic. There are clues to follow and puzzles to solve, but what starts as fun ends up as danger, and Stuart begins to realize that he can’t finish the task by himself. . . .

Review: Stuart Horten is a young boy who finds something unexpected out about his family. Great uncle Tony was an inventor.  Whose workshop is packed with...well...everything. and puzzles. Lots of them. Stuart sets out on an adventure.

This definitely isn’t one of my normal reads. Once again, it’s a Carnegie book, which I’m meant to have read all of them by the first of May (I’m writing this on the 14^th of April. This will not happen.), so should be assured of it’s quality, even if it’s not my type.

­­I  really can’t reveal the plot. I’ll just end up telling you everything that happens, because there isn’t really anywhere you can stop describing it. So much happens for such a short book and it’s really fun seeing the plot develop.

Lissa has managed to work in a lot of puzzles, which were good fun to figure out along with Stuart. A nice thing about Small Change for  Stuart was that each chapter ended on a cliffhanger, something vital just being revealed so that you have to read on and find out how that is important, what will come of it and such.

The characters really made this one for me. Stuart is very well developed, inquisitive and clever. April is one of three identical triplets, who doesn’t get on with Stuart to start with. However, they soon get to be good friends, and work well together. The baddies in this one weren’t as strong as the others, but were still good characters. Stuart’s dad was very funny with his overuse of long words, and Stuart’s blind grand-aunt (or something) was just really really cool. They all were. I also liked the way something we learn about them ties in by the end of it all with what we learnt earlier on, but didn’t think about to start with. Amazing how that happens.

This is definitely a heartwarming book. Seeing Stuart and April overcome puzzles, infiltrate museums and such really can’t fail  to make you smile.

 Overall:  Strength 4 tea to a book that is part magic, part mystery, and full of fun.

Links: Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

The Carnegie Longlist

It doesn't seem like that long since Ness won with Monsters of Men, does it? But anyway, they've released the new long list. View it here.  And here's my thoughts...

• I hated Skellig. So I don't want My Name is Mina to win.
• Boys Don't Cry, I enjoyed but I don't think it's a winner. Same for Matched. 
• There Is No Dog and Revolution I really liked, and I think they'll make the shortlist.
• Ness is on there for the fourth time in the row! And A Monster Calls was thought up by Siobhan Dowd. Two past winners! I think it'll do well.
• I'm currently reading Between Shades of Grey and I think it's amazing. Hopefully it'll make the shortlist.
• Heard of and want to read Flip, Artichoke Hearts, Annexed, The Devil Walks, Moon Pie, A Monster Calls, My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, Dead of Winter, Across the Universe and The Emerald Atlas. 
• The rest you can assume I'm not that interested in or haven't heard of before seeing this list.

What do you guys think? Our book club, once again, will be shadowing....Good luck to all the authors on the list! Please share your comments below...

Carnegie Day- And the winner is...

So, the winner is...Patrick Ness and Monsters of Men. My thoughts-congratlations. And well done for waiting so long-the other books in the Chaos Walking trilogy have also been shortlisted, but both times he's narrowly missed out.
I know that when I read it, I enjoyed it. However, I've forgotten it beyond that, so I can't give you any more opinion.
As part of the book club, Stephanie, Katy and I went to a picnic/party, where we ate too much and shouted a lot. Of about 18 of us, five of us wanted Monsters of Men. The leader in the vote was Theresa Breslin's Prisoner of the Inquisition.
So there you have it. Patrick Ness is finally the winner. Congratulations.
What did you want to win? What book did you think would win? Comment!!
And shameless self promotion- at the time of writing, we have 96 followers. Twitter, facebook, talking, whatever-please help us get to 100!

Carnegie Day Before Announcement

So, today's the day when they announce the winner of the Carnegie Award.  You probably don't remember but I did a post on this earlier, when the shortlist was announced. [Link]

If you have forgotten, here's the shortlist (linked to Amazon)

• Prisoner of the Inquisition by Theresa Breslin.
• The Death Defying Pepper Roux by Geraldine McCaughrean
• Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness
• The Brides Farewell by Meg Rosoff
• White Crow by Marcus Sedgewick
• Out of Shadows by Jason Wallace

After reading all but one of them, I don't know what the winner will be. I enjoyed Prisoner of the Inquisiton most-it had a  great plot and kept you hooked in. For this reason, it probably won't win. (example. The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman. Sorry Gaiman! We tried!) 

It would be nice to see Monsters of Men win, just for Patrick Ness. He's been shortlisted twice before with the other books in the trilogy, and it would just be nice for him if he won it this year.

However the judges seem to pick the books that none of us really like...oh well! 

What do you think will win?

We'll see later! 

Carnegie Shortlist 2011

So..they released the CILIP Carnegie Award shortlist yesterday. It's kind of disappointing.

• Prisoner of the Inquisition by Theresa Breslin.
• The Death Defying Pepper Roux by Geraldine McCaughrean
• Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness
• The Brides Farewell by Meg Rosoff
• White Crow by Marcus Sedgewick
• Out of Shadows by Jason Wallace.

All links lead to Amazon!
As a book club, everyone was disappointed.We all expected Monsters of Men to be shortlisted (the other two in the series were in previous years), but no-one thought any of the others would make it(apart from a friend, who thought White Crow might).
So- my thoughts
 Prisoner of the Inquisition- I tried reading it, but I didnt really like it.
The Death Defying Pepper Roux looks odd...
Monsters of Men. Read it, enjoyed it a bit, forgotten about it. Will have to re-read.
The Brides Farewell looks good.
White Crow. Read it, enjoyed it, don't see how it all fits together. Will re-read.
Out of shadows. Looks good, looks different.

Last year we shadowed the Carnegie as a book club, and won a trip to the awards ceremony. We know personally one third of the authors on that list. Yes, that is only two. And?
Also, we are going to be having a visit from Marcus Sedgewick at some point. Sounds like fun? Hope so.
 As a book club, we might make our own shortlist, thats better.  And we probably will follow the Kate Greenaway award too. Not sure on that.

What does every one else think of this shortlist? Are you disappointed, or are some of these your favourites?
Comment please!

Book Review- The Radleys by Matt Haig

Title: The Radleys
Author: Matt Haig
Series: n/a
Published by: Walker (YA), Canongate (Adult), July 2010
Length:352 pages
Warnings: Non graphic sex scenes, references to adultery. 14 upwards.
Other facts: Matt Haig has also written things like the Dead Father's Club and The Last Family in Englan. This has been longlisted for the Carnegie Award 2011
Summary(from Amazon): Meet the Radleys - Peter, Helen and their teenage children, Clara and Rowan, live in a typical suburban English town. They are an everyday family, averagely dysfunctional, averagely content. But, as their children have yet to find out, the Radleys have a devastating secret. In this moving, thrilling and extraordinary portrait of one unusual family, The Radleys asks what we grow into when we grow up, and explores what we gain - and lose - when we deny our appetites.

Review:On a completely unrelated note, this is book 1 of my Parajunkee Challenge. On with the review...
For some reason, the first time I saw this, it was shelved alongside YA paranormal romance. The subtle cover caught my eye, as it was completely different. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were easy to connect with, mostly likeable and believable. I like the originality, as Haig portrays the vampire in a completely different light to what we are used to. The writing was descriptive and well written, interspersed with black humour, my absolute favourite being when discussing what to do about Clara's killing, Helen says "I've brought the spade". The clever subplots underneath the main story all intertwine neatly with eachother and the general plot,which I really like. What the Radleys does fal down on is not being aimed at a certain audience. I know it was published in two seperate editions, but the opening read as a YA novel, whilst some content was, at some points, unsuitable for younger readers. And while I enjoy all the subplots, they slightly detract from the stories of Rowan and Clara, which I think were intended to be the main characters.

Overall: I give this strength 4 tea, as i like all the twists and turns, the ironic look at vampires and the blood by the bottleful.

Nina xxx