Showing posts with label Megan Abbott. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Megan Abbott. Show all posts

Thursday, August 18, 2016

You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott

You Will Know Me
by Megan Abbott

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter @meganeabbott

Just released: July 26, 2016
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Hardback: 352 pages
Rating: 4

First sentence(s):
The vinyl banners rippled from the air vent, the restaurant roiling with parents, the bobbing of gymnast heads, music gushing from the weighty speakers keeled on the window ledges.

Zombie sighting:
It was like in a horror movie, when a person you are very close to, like one of your family changes. A vampire, a zombie, voice dropping low, eyes murderous. -chapter 11, page 171

How far will you go to achieve a dream? That's the question a celebrated coach poses to Katie and Eric Knox after he sees their daughter Devon, a gymnastics prodigy and Olympic hopeful, compete. For the Knoxes there are no limits--until a violent death rocks their close-knit gymnastics community and everything they have worked so hard for is suddenly at risk.

As rumors swirl among the other parents, Katie tries frantically to hold her family together while also finding herself irresistibly drawn to the crime itself. What she uncovers--about her daughter's fears, her own marriage, and herself--forces Katie to consider whether there's any price she isn't willing to pay to achieve Devon's dream.

From a writer with "exceptional gifts for making nerves jangle and skin crawl" (Janet Maslin), You Will Know Me is a breathless rollercoaster of a novel about the desperate limits of parental sacrifice, furtive desire, and the staggering force of ambition.


My two-bits:

This is a dark story that incorporates the world of women's gymnastics. We get insight on some of the ins and outs of what it takes to rise to the top in this sport.

Although the focus is on the star gymnast, the story involves the family and how their motivations and sacrifices affect their individual lives.

I found this to be another one of those stories without likable characters, but kept me interested.

Got me thinking of the crazy things parents do for their kids.

~*~

* review copy courtesy of and part of Summer Reading Challenge (here) @booksparks #SRC2016 #BestSummerEver


Saturday, August 13, 2016

Stacking the Shelves - 8.13.16

Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

~*~

Bought:

You Will Know Me
by Megan Abbott
-Mystery, Thriller
Amazon | Goodreads


=====> Books Inc., Opera Plaza, San Francisco, hosted a visit from author, Megan Abbott, to celebrate the release of her 8th book!


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child , Parts I & II
by J.K. Rowling
-Fantasy, YA
Amazon | Goodreads

=====> Because Harry Potter is irresistible.


Borrowed: Thanks Dina!

Please Look After Mother
by Kyung-Sook Shin
-Family, Korea
Amazon | Goodreads

=====> Yay! fits right into my Korean reading challenge.


Audiobook: from library

Siracusa
by Delia Ephron
narrated by Talia Balsam, Katie Finneran, Darren Goldstein, John Slattery
-Mystery, Italy
Amazon | Goodreads


OTHER things book-related:

Korean Book Challenge
hosted by vvb32 reads (details)
=====> Decided to make my Korean book reading official by creating a challenge. If I get other participants I will throw in a giveaway with it. As I am starting it mid-year books read earlier this year are eligible


AND watched: in theatre

Indignation (2016)
Director/Screenplay: James Schamus
Based on book by: Philip Roth
Starring: Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon
-Drama | imdb | my rating: 4

In 1951, Marcus, a working-class Jewish student from New Jersey, attends a small Ohio college, where he struggles with sexual repression and cultural disaffection, amid the ongoing Korean War.

=====> Coming of age story with a sad tinge.

Hell or High Water (2016)
Director: David Mackenzie
Screenplay: Taylor Sheridan
Starring: Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges
-Crime, Drama | imdb | my rating: 4

A divorced dad and his ex-con brother resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family's farm in West Texas.

Oscar nominated for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay, Film Editing.

Loved Jeff Bridges performance in this. This film portrays a depressing vibe of New Mexico just right.

AND binge watching: online

Descendants of the Sun (2016)
Tae-yang-eui hoo-ye (original title)
tv series
Starring: Joong-ki Song, Hye-kyo Song, Goo-seo Jin, Ji-won Kim
-Kdrama, Romance | imdb | my rating: 5

A love story develops between Captain Yoo Shi Jin, from South Korean Special Forces and Doctor Kang Mo Yeon, who works as a Surgeon at Haesung Hospital in Seoul. They will find themselves in the middle of great events and deadly dangers, both in their Motherland and in the fictitious, war-torn country of Urk.

=====> Loving it - totally living up to the hype.
Coincidentally for this post, I found a Harry Potter reference - one of the soldier's moniker.


Currently flipping through: various Duran Duran scrapbooks


=====> Reliving some high school fangirl moments before going to a Duran Duran concert at the end of the month ;-)


~*~

* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

Friday, August 5, 2016

Olympics Book Tag

Olympic Book Tag
sponsored by It Starts at Midnight (details)

Found this fun tag as a way to indirectly participate in the Summer Olympics.

TAG you are it - feel free to join in or comment with your book picks ;-)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Fantasy, YA | Amazon | Goodreads
=====> Plan to pick up the newly released, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child this weekend!

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Road Trip, YA | Amazon | Goodreads | my review
=====> Loved how the references to the different sites and food references.

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Fantasy | Amazon | Goodreads
=====> You never know who is next on the hit list with this series.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Mystery, Thriller | Amazon | Goodreads | my review
=====> Wha? What? HUH?

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Contemporary Fiction | Amazon | Goodreads | my review
=====> This chunkster had my attention for a good part of a year as I could only take small doses at a time, but worth it.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Chick-lit | Amazon | Goodreads | my review
=====> Still have to see the movie version.

A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn
Romance, Travel, Africa | Amazon | Goodreads | my review
=====> Loved how this one transported me to 1920s Africa.

The Boys in the Boat:
Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
Non-fiction, Sports | Amazon | Goodreads | my review
=====> Loved learning about the world of rowing.

~*~

I am looking forward to watching the Gymnastics. How about you?

FYI: I am going to read this one for the gymnastics theme - it is a dark one...

You Will Know Me
by Megan Abbott
-Mystery, Thriller
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

Friday, November 27, 2015

Black Friday Book Bonanza

Black Friday Book Bonanza
Nov 27-30, 2015
hosted by BookShelfery.com and Caffeinated Book Reviewer
details and complete list (here)

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Pretty Baby
by Mary Kubica
-Mystery, Thriller
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

The Fever
by Megan Abbott
-Horror, Mystery, YA
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

The Good Neighbor
by A.J. Banner
-Thriller
Amazon | Goodreads| my review


WIN my review copies!

Open to US only.

Offer ends: November 30, 2015

TO DO: (2 parts)

1. COMMENT here and tell me what you are currently reading (include your email).

2. READ and comment on another post on my blog.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Contest has ended - (winner is here)

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

~*~

NOW, hop-along to these other sites for more goodies… (here)


THIS would be a riot to see/hear during a shopping expedition...



Saturday, November 21, 2015

Stacking the Shelves - 11.21.15

Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

~*~

Bought:

Winter
(The Lunar Chronicles #4)
by Marissa Meyer
-Fantasy, YA
Amazon | Goodreads -signup for current giveaway

=====> Books Inc. of Opera Plaza, San Francisco presented MARISSA MEYER and her latest book!

Here are a few things that she shared:

- loves fairy tales which started with Disney's The Little Mermaid
- instead of reading from Winter, she recited the Grimm's version of Snow White
- would love to see action figures made for the series and see the creation of Cinder on Ice!
- Thorn character was the most fun to write

AND presenting Megan as Princess Winter...



ALSO, was treated to...

=====> My second time to see and hear DAVID SEDARIS live! The way he presents his observations through his writing and speaking engagements are a riot!

Here are a few things that he shared:

- cute in his culottes
- read two of his recent New Yorker magazine essays
- read clips from a new book he is working on which is a compilation of his diary entries that date back to the 90's


UNBOXING:

From Uppercase package (details & signup):
A hand-selected young adult book & fun bookish item, delivered monthly #UppercaseBox


MONTH Box includes:
- Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin
- Signed bookplate from Ryan Graudin
- Wolf by Wolf pin
- Oscar Wilde print by Risa Rodil (Uppercase-exclusive)
- Certified Book Addict (cat and books) keychain by PeachyApricot (Uppercase-exclusive)

Wolf by Wolf
by Ryan Graudin
Amazon | Goodreads

Her story begins on a train.

The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule. To commemorate their Great Victory, they host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The prize? An audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor's ball in Tokyo.

Yael, a former death camp prisoner, has witnessed too much suffering, and the five wolves tattooed on her arm are a constant reminder of the loved ones she lost. The resistance has given Yael one goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year's only female racer, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele's twin brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael's every move.

But as Yael grows closer to the other competitors, can she be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and stay true to her mission?


Freebies: from library

Crewel
(Crewel World Book 1)
by Gennifer Albin
-Dystopia, YA
Amazon | Goodreads

The Jewel
(Jewel Series Book 1)
by Amy Ewing
-Dystopia, YA
Amazon | Goodreads

Shatter Me
by Tahereh Mafi
-Dystopia, YA
Amazon | Goodreads


Prize winner:

THANKS to BookSparks for this Halloween Book Bag prize!

Blood Orchids (Lei Crime #1)by Toby Neal | Goodreads
The Fever by Megan Abbott | Goodreads
The Good Neighbor by A.J. Banner | Goodreads
Ghosting by Edith Pattou | Goodreads
Hell or High Water (Nola Cespedes Mysteries, #1) by Joy Castro | Goodreads
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter | Goodreads

OTHER things on my shelf: kinda book-related

Magazines:

Little White Lies
Truth & Movies
September/October issue
-for film news | Website
=====> Love the layout and presentation of this film related magazine. This issue has a focus on Guillermo del Toro and his latest movie, Crimson Peak.

AND watched: in theatre

Spectre
Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Daniel Craig
-Action, Adventure, Thriller | imdb | list | My rating: 5

A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

=====> Loved the opening sequence set in Mexico during the Dia de los muertos - Bond doing his Bond thing rocks throughout. And, loved his latest love ;-)

THESE are part of the San Francisco Film Society - Hong Kong film festival (here).

To The Fore (2015)
"Po feng" (original title)
Director: Dante Lam
Starring: Eddie Peng, Si Won Choi, Shawn Dou
-Drama, Sport | imdb
My rating: 4
Dante Lam’s (Unbeatable, Beast Stalker) latest film is an epic sports drama that captures the visceral intensity, speed and tactics of world-class competitive cycling. With twists and turns both literal and figurative, and relying on its stellar cast, the film centers on three cyclists, Ji-won (Choi Si-won), Ming (Eddie Peng) and Tian (Shawn Dou), and spins an exciting story about the rivalries, friendships and moral hazards that accompany pedaling one’s way to the top.
=====> CUTE soap opera sentimental vibe. Got some viewpoints of the cycling scene.

Two Thumbs Up (2015)
"Chung fung che" (original title)
Director: Ho Leung Lau
Starring: Francis Ng, Simon Yam, Leo Ku
-Action, Drama | imdb
My rating: 5
In a throwback nod to the golden years of wonderfully goofy action films that has so often marked Hong Kong filmmaking, Two Thumbs Up follows four lovable losers intent on pulling off the (im)perfect heist. The bumbling gangsters decide to disguise a minibus as a police vehicle, intending to use it to pull over and rob trucks that carry human carcasses stuffed with cash. Everything that could go wrong (and even some things that couldn’t) does, including the introduction of a ruthless rival gang that happened to have the same idea and is competing with our “heroes” for the cash. Writer/director Lau Ho-leung’s directorial debut is crackling with a frenetic pace and hilarious situations, a truly fun film that is a wish fulfilled for lovers of 1980s and '90s Hong Kong pulp.
=====> FUN with plenty of chuckles and fantastical happenings that climax to a fit of laughter!

Monster Hunt (2015)
Director: Raman Hui
Story by: Alan Yuen
Starring: Baihe Bai, Boran Jing, Wu Jiang
-Action, Comedy, Fantasy | imdb
My rating: 5
China's #1 Box Office Hit of All Time
Former Bay Area animator Raman Hui directed this box office–busting tale about a broken truce between the human and monster worlds. Blending brilliant live action with expertly rendered CGI, the action-packed and hilarious fantasy adventure is based on the idea that humans have forgotten the real existence of beasts and ogres. However, when a coup erupts within the monster world, forcing their queen to hide within the human world, the long-separate realms collide with comic fury.

=====> WOW - really enjoyed this blend of martial arts action, live animation with humans and cute monsters.

Wuba could be the next big thing in the US...


~*~

* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers


 
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