For books that win

Dreams of Joy by Lisa See

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow. This is a wonderfully written tale of a mother and daughter struggling in Communist China. It is a sequel to Shanghai Girls, which I also HIGHLY recommend. Lisa See has a way of making you feel like you are in China, seeing everything firsthand. The BIG twist was that Pearl and May's father is still alive. I thought he might be, but wasn't sure. Reading these two books, along with Snow Flower & The Secret Fan really makes me want to read more of See's works.



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I write book reviews on my blog and I'm looking for suggestions of new young adult books to read and review. I have a leaning towards sci-fi and/or adventure, but I'll take all kinds of recommendations.

When doing internet searches for favourite books or suggested reads, I tend to come across the usual suspects (Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Games, etc.) and I'd like to have some more obscure ones on my list. Any hidden gems that you think deserve more recognition? Any new authors seeking more notice?

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I was a naughty nerd and bought a Kindle with part of my income tax return. I <3 it so, so much. And of course, in digging through the available e-books in search of free/reduced price stuff, I did purchase a couple of the more expensive ones to celebrate.

I have two books I want to sing the praises of right now, and one more that I'm partway through that is definitely a win for me. (That one I'll probably wait to review though.) So. On with the books. Note that both of them are the Kindle edition but as far as I know are available as regular books as well.

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Also, curse this community. I've purchased at least three or four books in the last couple of days because of you guys. :P My poor Kindle, which I've had for less than a week (although I've been using the Kindle software on my phone for about a month) has over 90 books on it already. :P

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I admit, it was the cover that first drew me to this book. Swords and a blimp? How cool is that? Turing it over and it advertised itself as, "STEAMPUNK! Alternate History! Reptilian Royalty! Diabolical Anarchist! Extraordinary Adventure!"

This has all the makings of an awesome read. And it is. If you like steampunk victorian england then this is a must read. Tidhar plays on all the classics from Shakespeare to Jules Verne and Sherlock. There are plot twists run amuck!

The Story is about a street kid named Orphan and his quest to save his lost love. He runs afoul with The Bookman, a very mysterious villain, who agrees to bring back is love IF he stops the Martian probe from being launched. Thus, sends Orphan to the other side of the world and he run in with pirates, reptilian aliens and a strange island.

The sequel, Camera Obscura, comes out April 26th!

In a realm beset by natural disasters, only the bonded Pairs--Source and Shield--make the land habitable and keep the citizenry safe. But can Dunleavy Mallorough and Lord Shintaro Karish put aside their differences to defeat something even more unnatural than their reluctant affections for each other? (via amazon.com)


I love this book. I really do. The reviews are mixed online, this is one of those books where you either love the character, or greatly dislike her. How you can dislike someone who thinks 'ignorant mushroom' is an insult, I don't know...

This book is the first in the series - the fifth book came out this August. I go into a very in-depth, embarassingly gushy review in my blog (click the image).

In general, I adore this book and would recommend it to anyone who's after something different in fantasy. It is a very... stoic... take on the whole fantasy 'soulmates' trope. The hero and heroine are forced to work together because they share a magical link. You'd think you would know how this ends... but the journey to the 'happily ever after' is one that you won't expect.

From the 5th Pocket Books edition, 1981: Back Cover
IT WAS A GAME OF HAPPY FAMILIES. The four children had such perfect lives in such a happy, golden family.
IT WAS A GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK. Their father died suddenly. The children now lived alone, hidden in the ariless attic.
IT WAS A GAME OF TENDER, LOVING MURDER. Their mother promised they would only stay long enough for her to inherit the fortune. But eventually she forgot how much she adored those children.



While Flower in the Attic was set in the 50s, it has dated very well. It is still a fast read today. It was very forward for its time. Quite a lot of attention is given to its controversial premise, but the book really is more than a 'incest book'. It is an incredibly written suspense with a vivid cast of characters. I talk a bit more why I think characterisation sets this book above and beyond all other Virginia Andrews / V.C. Andrew's works (and why it is just a damn good book in general) here.

It's my first post here! I love 'Flowers in the Attic' and think it is pure book win. Sometimes, I feel a bit dirty thinking so, but then I read the book again and fall in love with it a little harder. The writing, the characters, the suspense and spiralling decline into tragedy. I first read this when I was eleven, and even now, when I pick up this book, I know I'm going to be gone into book-loving la-la land for the rest of the day. I highly recommend it!

This was a wonderfully unique story of survival of a young woman named Yelena. Throughout this book, there are many twists and turns that occur. If you want to read a great book with magic, adventures, love and betrayal, I HIGHLY recommend this book!