Rachel was wearing a Princess dress?
Are you going to watch the video here?
Thanks to the following for making the Barnard Birthday Book Bash a Success!
Seattle Specific Saturdays: Tacoma Release Party for FAIREST by MARISSA MEYER
I believe that I’m a Lunartic (am I using that correctly?) I absolutely love Marissa Meyer and have read everything she has read that’s available. She is my newly won favorite YA author and she is brilliant and I met her this past Tuesday…
It was the most fun I’ve ever had at a book-author event and it was a whopping big event! There were around 300 people who came and I made sure I was early (to charge my car and get parking and snag an early book signing ticket).
I was also in costume… as guess who! Of course the Queen.
I won the VIP swag bag and got three books signed and the new copy of Fairest. Thanks Marissa and Macmillan PR team! I love my swag!
I had my face airbrush painted and wore my spooky black colored contacts.
My birthday party and Marissa’s release party made for an epic January for me!
Book Review: Mina Cortez: From Bouquets to Bullets by Jeffrey Cook
Mina Cortez: From Bouquets to Bullets by Jeffrey Cook
A YA Science Fiction Novel published by Fire and Ice (01/29/15)
Summary:
Mina has always been the good influence, but when she strikes out on her own to clear her friend’s name she runs into all sorts of trouble. Mina hoped to get the ballerina chip, but was resigned to follow in her parents’ footsteps running the family business, Emerald City Flowers and Design. Instead she got way more than she could have hoped for: The Inquisitor Chip for the Secret Police. Flower deliveries is the perfect cover for a member of the Secret Police and her first assignment is to lay low and observe. She’s young, she’s confident, and she has not yet learned to follow directions. How could she when she suspects something more sinister is going on and doesn’t know who to trust within the Allied Investigative Agency? Along with her friend Amiko, the reliable antique Chevy Vlad, and her own natural inquisitiveness, Mina will do everything she can to solve the kidnapping of her friend Scott and find out what’s really going on in the AIA.
Keywords:
Strong Females, Diverse Cast, Action, Thriller, Mystery, Seattle, Secret Police, Futuristic, Technology
My Review:
Mina is a character I can relate to because she doesn’t get everything that she wants. She’s confident in what she believes. She stands up for her friends and seeks out action. Not everyone gets to be a ballerina, and Mina is no exception. She is too short and stocky, in her mind, to be chosen for the elusive ballerina chip.
In a world where adolescents can work their hardest trying to paint their own futures and make their own destiny, it is their chipping that ultimately decides their fate. This is a wonderful and very futuristic technology that Jeffrey Cook exploits to the utmost of his imagination. “Implanting someone with everything they needed to know to do their assigned job perfectly had become a mostly exact science in the century-and-some it had been in use, but complications still came up.” (Page 23).
This is every school kid’s fantasy. What if you didn’t have to read and study for years on end, what if you could just download all that information? I bet most kids have salivated over this kind of technology at some point in their lengthy education. Cook fleshes out what it would really be like to be able to download a college’s worth of information in an instant and be able to hop right into the middle of a career. Of course, it’s not without its limitations. To be a ballerina one must have the years of physical training and ideal body type. To be a member of the Secret Police requires similar physical training and a great cover identity. “A chip might give an ambitious buyer perfect knowledge of human anatomy and perfect reactions to deal with every mishap that might arise. If, however, the recipient didn’t already have perfectly steady hands and a curiosity regarding the connections of muscles, nerves and organs, the chances of a surgeon’s chip malfunctioning went up exponentially.” (Page 23).
One of my favorite parts about Mina Cortez: Bouquets to Bullets was the world Jeffrey Cook built and his fascinating tidbits of futuristic technology. The way people communicated was different. The way people traveled was different. Every so often Cook would throw in something specific that was different more than a hundred years in the future.
I loved all the main characters. They each had a unique trait that the reader could hold onto as an identifier. Miko has a lead foot and a penchant for aikido. Scott is addicted to video games and is a picky eater (allergies). Mina never seems to be able to stick to her Inquisitor instructions and she’s constantly getting into and out of a sticky situation. She also can identify both her assailants and her friends through scent alone. How cool is that?
If you want action, you’ll get it with Mina Cortez. If you want a strong, kick-butt female main character and a chirpy optimist sidekick, Bouquets to Bullets is your book.
This novel was published by Fire and Ice January 29th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75
Links for more information:
Book Review: Shift! by Bill C. Castengera
Shift! by Bill C. Castengera
A Literary Science Fiction Novel published through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (08/18/14)
When I first picked up Shift! By Bill Castengera, I thought it was a very different book and that I didn’t quite like it, and yet, I couldn’t seem to put it down. It is different. I didn’t put it down. If you pick up this book, I would suggest not putting it down either, because it’s worth finishing. This book is like a clever science fiction novel masquerading as literary fiction, or is it the opposite?
After finishing Shift! I’m still not sure I know what to think.
Castengera is either a genius who doesn’t play by the rules of the genre or I didn’t understand what the genre was before I started reading. Castengera had me at the premise and the book held me because it was well written and was very good at hinting at an intrigue I just had to know about.
The story starts off a bit haphazardly, jumping from person to person while staying in an impeccably detailed and close view of the conflict so that it is invisible until the circle slowly widens and at the same time closes in on itself so that the imminent conflict is obviously apparent. As a reader, you know more about what’s going on in the minute sense until given the overall context and so feel completely removed from the story, like you are watching from afar. By the time the story and external conflict reveals itself, you won’t be able to put the book down. Castengera has revealed the story and the overall structure very differently than your average book.
Castengera has an odd way of using language that is not so confusing as a Clockwork Orange, but not as clear as any pop YA out there. It’s intriguing. The narration is not full of direct thoughts or feelings but facts that could be thoughts. Sometimes the narration strays to what seems off topic, but usually in humorous narrative asides. Castengera reminds me of Douglas Adams in his overly-wordy writing style, where every extra word is cherished. Here is one example of the odd wandering type of narration:
“The nurses, and I say ‘nurses’ not meaning just women or even just men, but both genders, for I am aware of the fact that people consider nurses as women so I felt I must make the point clear.” (Page 64).
This novel was published through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform August 18th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.
TLDR Star Rating: 4.00
Links for more information:
Seattle Specific Saturdays: Rachel Barnard’s 25th Birthday Book Bash!
Stay tuned for the video of my stand up comedy!
Thanks for coming to my birthday book bash everyone! It was so cool to have 15 people come out to celebrate my 25th with me and to bring customers to a lovely local business (St. James Espresso). Thanks for my wonderful cards and gifts and I have some cool new books to read now! The following photos courtesy of Rosemarie of the Eastside Social Meet up: 
I had a really fun time raffling off those neat mugs and doing my short comedy routine (it was not that bad)! The following photos courtesy of Paul (the one in the suit)
Foodie Fridays: The Food Diary Project Ends
The Aftermath! Emphasis on math…
- Total calories in 21 days: 37,366
- Average calories per day: 1763.33
- Total calories in desserts: 5133
- Total calories per multi-ingredient (prepared foods): 6401
- Average meals (different times eating) per day: 4.09
- Total number of meals eaten: 86
- Highest calorie day: Day 10 (Saturday) with a total of 2757 calories (4 drinks that weren’t 0 calories and only 14 oz. of water)
- Lowest calorie day: Day 11 (Sunday) with a total of 897 calories (no desserts but 3 drinks that weren’t 0 calories)
- Average amount of water per day: 56
- Total amount of water drunken: 1178 oz.
- Number of caloric estimations: 85
- Number of entries (lines) in 21 days: 467
- Most recurring food item: cucumbers (18 times), onions (12 times), apple pieces (12 times), carrots (12 times), Noosa Yoghurt (10 times), mixed greens (9 times), granola (8 times), Veggie Straws (8 times), avocado (8 times)
- Most recurring drink item: Water (18 times), Organic Bramblewine Tazo Tea (15 times)
- Highest calorie drink: Pineapple drink, 450 calories on Day 10 at Lucky Liquor
- Highest calorie singular food item: chicken tikka masala (520 calories on day 17), sweet potato fries (500 calories on day 10) and brioche bun (450 calories on day 10)
- Number of days eating breakfast before 9:30 AM (within 2 hours of waking): 14/21 days
- Total number of non-water/tea drinks: 32
- Total number of desserts: 29
- Number of days over 2500 calories: 1
- Number of days over 2000 calories: 7
- Number of days under 1500 calories: 6
- Number of days under 1000 calories: 1
Book Review: Intrigue in the House of Wong by Amy S. Kwei
Intrigue in the House of Wong by Amy S. Kwei
A Early Reader/Teen/YA Novel published by Tats Publishing (06/01/2008)
Summary:
Wendy Wong and her close-knit Chinese family move from familiar Chinatown to the Upper East Side so that she can attend a posh private school through partial scholarship. The Wongs go into debt purchasing the restaurant under their apartment. A stop work order on the renovation and sketchy thugs hanging out in the alley threaten to shut down the business, but the Wongs, along with their newfound friends and allies, will stop at nothing to save the House of Fortune. Their plans almost fall apart when one of their friends’ lives is threatened and Wendy is torn between obediently following her family and doing what she thinks is best.
Keywords:
Chinese-American, Chinatown, culture, understanding, being uprooted, teen issues
My Review:
Wendy is not a complex character, she is just going through that period of time when she is confused about who she is and how she relates tot the world. Her Chinese culture butts heads with her new American attitude and she is forced to choose between the two in some circumstances. “Wendy never dreamed of doing anything shocking or scandalous.” (Location 90).
This book highlights the lives and feelings of Chinese living in present day America, their trials and tribulations and the way they are perceived by others. “…the Chinese were unwelcome guests, and the American Chinese would be foolish to act as if they were equal citizens.” (Location 575). Wendy herself feels like she is straddling two worlds and ultimately she feels alienated from both.
This book starts out slow, but soon progresses into a thought-provoking stance on cultural integration and how some people are not willing to change, not ready to change, or can’t change to fit in. Wendy learns that it is hard to be in a new place with new people who don’t know or understand where she is coming from. Not everyone is born equal, therefore there cannot truly be equality in this world, but you can try to treat everyone equally. Wendy comments that “Yeah, when you’re not on your guard, everyone seems to slip into group think.” (Locations 1572-1573) and that “In times of mass hysteria, people can forget to be human.” (Locations 1413-1414).
Kwei gives the teens slang that seems out of place, just like how Wendy and her friend Debbie sometimes feel out of place. The two teens want to fit in, but even their speech is not normal. The style of narration in the book is even subject to the semi-halting lilt of a young teenager’s emerging style and of one experiencing sudden change.
This is a book for teens and so the villains are softer and more subdued than the average bad guy you read about. These villains reveal their plans directly to the kids and act in stereotypical villanous fashion straight out of a Disney movie.
This novel was published by Tats Publishing 06/01/2008 and is available on Amazon here.
TLDR Star Rating: 3.50
Links for more information:
Barnard Birthday Book Bash and FREE kindle download 1/22/15
For anyone in the Seattle area, you’re invited to my birthday book bash tomorrow at St. James Espresso. There’s going to be CAKE!!
At One’s Beast audiobook now available!!
Tomorrow 1/22/15
and
ebooks will be free from Amazon.
Book Review: A Concubine for the Family: A Family Saga in China by Amy Kwei
A Concubine for the Family: A Family Saga in China by Amy Kwei
A Historical Fiction Novel published by Tats Publishing (August 2, 2012)
Summary:
The Huang family is without an heir… In early to mid 19th century China, this has grave consequences for the old traditions. Purple Jade has the humility, dignity, and pragmatism to bring an heir to the Huangs in any culturally justified means available: a Concubine for the Family.
Keywords:
Family, Tradition, Honor, Respect, Dignity, China 1937-1941, cultural shock, East Ocean Devils, West Ocean Devils, Western philosophies
My Review:
The violence in this book was softened. The cultural shock was softened. The bad guy was ambiguous. Amy Kwei chose to soften the blow of the violence in this book by using a mellowing narrative voice. I thought it was fitting for the author to soften her words and perspective (softening the truth perhaps), because the characters and persons in the book showed considerable restraint. Where you or I would lash out in voice or action, Purple Jade held her peace and showed that she was considering both sides to a situation (in her thoughts). The author describes this as a concept of fixing yourself before fixing the world: “By cultivating oneself, we can regulate the family; by regulating the family, we can govern the state; by governing the state, we can bring peace on earth. When order and kindness direct the world, heaven will be pleased.” (Page 326). What a wonderful concept that everyone should adopt, at least in part, and the world would be a better place.
Perhaps the bad guy was not a single person, but actions of people or actions of a country. Perhaps it is fate or old traditions. Perhaps it is the concept of war. Kwei gives the reader much to ponder by not handing us a simple and easy character to despise and blame. The characters are just as much prone to their fate as we are in real life.
I get a little lost in the politics of a country’s history I know nothing about and a country’s culture I am quite unfamiliar with, but that’s what makes this book so fascinating. Kwei describes the proper way to eat and what is proper to eat. She describes when and who speaks, political gains and favors, and the halting way of speaking (as if it’s been translated just for our eyes). I am peeking into a world I would normally not have insight into and it is described in enough detail to give me a taste without having overwhelming flavor.
I very much enjoyed Kwei’s descriptions of cultural traditions and the differences between modern living and traditions of the past. The concept of “saving face” was intriguing, as was the struggle between culture and shame.
“If we can agree with their concept that each person is endowed with thoughts and feelings worthy of singular attention, more opportunities and developments would surely follow.” (Page 298).
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a political element, culturally rich stories, novels featuring Chinese in China, or a novel with a strong female lead.
This novel was published by Tats Publishing August 2, 2012 and is available on Amazon here.
TLDR Star Rating: 4.50
Links for more information:
2015 Reading Challenge
| The Challenge | 2014 | |
| 1 | A book with more than 500 pages | Shift (Silo #2) by Hugh Howey (608) |
| 2 | A classic romance | Wildest Dreams by Stefany Rattles |
| 3 | A book that became a movie | The Fault in Our Stars by John Green |
| 4 | A book published this year | Unseen by Stephanie Erickson |
| 5 | A book with a number in the title | 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher |
| 6 | A book written by someone under 30 | Deny the Moon by Melissa Graham |
| 7 | A book with nonhuman characters | Pickled Apocalypse of Pancake Island by Cameron Pierce |
| 8 | A funny book | This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper |
| 9 | A book by a female author | The Enchanted Forest Chronicles (The Enchanted Forest by Patricia Wrede |
| 10 | A mystery or thriller | Cache a Predator by M. Weidenbenner |
| 11 | A book with a one-word title | Room by Emma Donoghue |
| 12 | A book of short stories | Free-Flowing Stories by FVP authors |
| 13 | A book set in a different country | The 100-Foot Journey by Richard Morais |
| 14 | A nonfiction book | Rock Your Plot: A Simple System for Plotting Your Novel by Cathy Yardley |
| 15 | A popular author’s first book | Looking for Alaska by John Green |
| 16 | A book from an author you love that you hadn’t read yet | Silo by Hugh Howy |
| 17 | A book a friend recommended | Heart of Africa by Loren Lockner |
| 18 | A Pulitzer Prize-winning book | X |
| 19 | A book based on a true story | Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean |
| 20 | A book at the bottom of your to-read list | I, Robot by Isaac Asimov |
| 21 | A book your mom loves | Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn |
| 22 | A book that scares you | Brave New World by Aldous Huxley |
| 23 | A book more than 100 years old | X |
| 24 | A book based entirely on its cover | The Pickled Apocalypse of Pancake Island by Cameron Pierce |
| 25 | A book you were supposed to read in school but didn’t | NA |
| 26 | A memoir | X |
| 27 | A book you can finish in a day | If I stay by Gayle Foreman |
| 28 | A book with antonyms in the title | Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter |
| 29 | A book set somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit | X |
| 30 | A book that came out the year you were born | X |
| 31 | A book with bad reviews | Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James |
| 32 | A trilogy | Maze Runner by James Dashner |
| 33 | A book from your childhood | The Enchanted Forest Chronicles (The Enchanted Forest by Patricia Wrede |
| 34 | A book with a love triangle | The Thousand Year Curse (Curse Books, #1) by Taylor Lavati |
| 35 | A book set in the future | The Maze Runner by James Dashner |
| 36 | A book set in high school | The Moment Before by Suzy Vitello |
| 37 | A book with a color in the title | Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James |
| 38 | A book that made you cry | Ghostwriter by Tyan Wyss |
| 39 | A book with magic | Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs |
| 40 | A graphic novel | X |
| 41 | A book by an author you’ve never read before | Unseen by Stephanie Erickson |
| 42 | A book you own but hadn’t read before | X |
| 43 | A book that takes place in your hometown | The Siren Suicides by Ksenia Anske |
| 44 | A book that was originally written in a different language | X |
| 45 | A book set during Christmas | The French for Christmas by Fiona Valpy |
| 46 | A book written by an author with your same initials | The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury |
| 47 | A play | X |
| 48 | A banned book | Brave New World by Aldous Huxley |
| 49 | A book based on or turned into a TV show | X |
| 50 | A book you started but never finished | A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess |
Rachel Author Barnard 