Daisy Chain Book Reviews

Title: Uncommon Criminals Author: Ally Carter Publisher: Disney Hyperion Publication Date: June 21, 2011 Series: Heist Society #2 Links: Amazon | Goodreads Source: Purchased Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners. There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed. Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. Af...

I am often asked for suggestions or recommendations of books containing particular themes, styles, settings, etc. So rather than looking through books and making lists for one person at a time, I decided to start featuring these suggestions in blog posts. Much more efficient, right? And perhaps it will encourage some people to try new things or to further explore some of the areas of literature that they've enjoyed in the past. This time I'm featuring books that have been banned or challenged, in honor of Banned Books Week 2011. You can find more information on Banned Books Week at the following websites: www.bannedbooksweek.org American Library Association Some of these I've read and liked, and some are in my bookshelf or on my to-read list. I've provided links to Amazon and Goodreads for easy wish listing. There are also links to my reviews for the ones that I've reviewed on the blog. Pay attention to how many of these have won awards or been made into movies or r...

In honor of Banned Books Week, and in an effort to put more of these important books into the hands of readers, I am giving away a banned or challenged book to one lucky winner. The prize is one banned or challenged book of the winner's choice (up to $15 US value), shipped from The Book Depository. This contest is open internationally, as long as The Book Depository ships to your country . If you're looking for ideas, here are some of my favorites: Looking for Alaska by John Green Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie You can find other lists of banned books here . A map of bannings and challenges that have taken place in the US since 2007: View Book Bans and Challenges, 2007-2011 in a larger map For more information about Ba...

Title: The Girl of Fire and Thorns Author: Rae Carson Publisher: Greenwillow Publication Date: September 20, 2011 Series: Fire and Thorns #1 Links: Amazon | Goodreads Source: NetGalley Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness. Elisa is the chosen one. But she is also the younger of two princesses. The one who has never done anything remarkable, and can’t see how she ever will. Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess. And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies, seething with dark magic, are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior, and he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake. Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. I...

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish . This week's top ten list features books that I feel like everyone has read but me. Divergent by Veronica Roth Amazon | Goodreads Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead Amazon | Goodreads Delirium by Lauren Oliver Amazon | Goodreads The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Amazon | Goodreads The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan Amazon | Goodreads Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta Amazon | Goodreads The Help by Kathryn Stockett Amazon | Goodreads The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart Amazon | Goodreads Crank by Ellen Hopkins Amazon | Goodreads If I Stay by Gayle Forman Amazon | Goodreads The sad thing is that I have a lot of these, I just haven't had made the time to read them. So tell me, which ones should I read first? What are some books that you feel like everyone has read except for you? Update:  Since this post, I have finally read Divergent , Vampire Academy , The Book Thief , and If I ...

In My Mailbox  is hosted by Kristi at  The Story Siren . What's up bookish people?! It's that time of week for the sharing of the spoils! Here are the books that I've gotten since last time: For Review : The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson Death Sentence by Alexander Gordon Smith Won : As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott (from Elizabeth Scott and the lovely Ginger at GReads! ) Bought : Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson Splendor by Anna Godberson What books did you get this week? Let me know or link to your IMM in the comments!