280. The Raven Cycle Book #1: Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Cycle Book #1: Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Published October 2012 Scholastic

From the publisher:

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive. Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them-not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble. But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can't entirely explain. He has it all-family money, good looks, devoted friends-but he's looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys.

The first Maggie Stiefvater book I read was Shiver.  I remember thinking to myself…just what we need another book about werewolves!  I can honestly say that I loved that book.  I think because even though there had been a rash of vampire/werewolf/fairy/angel books, this one seemed to have a fresh voice.  I was sucked in, and I couldn’t stop reading.  I felt exactly the same about this one.

279. Found: The Art of Recycling by Lisa Hölzl

Found: The Art of Recycling by Lisa Hölzl

Published October 2012 Walker

From the publisher:

In the early 1900s the way art was created changed. Pablo Picasso used cardboard instead of paint. Marcel Duchamp called a bicycle wheel art and Raoul Hausemann made a sculpture out of an old shopkeepers dummy. Instead of using traditional materials such as paint, more and more artists started using found materials like newspapers, old photographs and bits of furniture. And they are still doing it today. Find out how these artists, using found materials, changed the art world. Be inspired to create your own masterpieces!

I thought that this book fits in really well with the book from Wednesday, The World According to Alice B Lovely.  In that book there was a lot of alternative art, art made with recycled objects and very unusual items, and that's what this book is all about.

278. Matilda’s Cat by Emily Gravett

Matilda’s Cat by Emily Gravett

Published October 2012 Macmillan

Climbing trees, playing with wool... Matilda is sure her cat will love these things, but he doesn't seem very enthusiastic. Undaunted, she thinks up new ways to amuse her reluctant playmate. Tea parties? Dressing up? Or what about a nice bike ride? As the beleaguered cat goes from nonplussed to terrified, Matilda gets more and more frustrated. After all, what use is a pet if it doesn't want to play?

What can I say…I am a huge Emily Gravett fan, she would be in my Top 3 picture book writers and illustrators!   So when a new Emily Gravett comes in, I am a happy girl.  To me a book that is so simple, and can still tell a good story is something to jump up and down about.  So many picture books are being released that are so deep and meaningful, that they aren’t written for children at all, but this one will be perfect for any young readers, even more so if that younger reader is a cat lover.

277. Life According to Alice B Lovely by Karen McCombie

Life According to Alice B Lovely by Karen McCombie

Published October 2012 Scholastic

From the publisher:

Edie Evans is sick of being treated like a kid. And she doesn't-repeat doesn't-need a babysitter! And then along comes the strange, the shy, the captivating Alice B. Lovely. Suddenly Edie shakes off her cynicism, monosyllabic Stan gets giddy and giggly, and even Mum and Dad seem to relax once Alice is around, spinning her fabulous tales and coming up with left-field babysitting entertainment. But is Alice B. Lovely too good to be true?

Karen McCombie is the author of many series that may be familiar to you, including the very popular Ally's World.  This is a great book that will really suit 10+ girls who want a good pre-teen read, no boys, no drugs, no drinking, but there's still enough family drama and angst to keep them interested.

276. Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce photographs by Carl Hunter and Clare Heney

Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce photographs by Carl Hunter and Clare Heney

Published October 2012 Walker

From the publisher:

Two refugee brothers from Mongolia are determined to fit in with their Liverpool schoolmates, but bring so much of Mongolia to Bootle that their new friend and guide, Julie, is hard-pressed to know truth from fantasy as she recollects a wonderful friendship that was abruptly ended when Chingis and his family were forced to return to Mongolia. Told with the humour, warmth and brilliance of detail which characterizes Frank Cottrell Boyce's writing, this magical and compelling story is enriched by stunning and atmospheric Polaroid photos.

I just LOVED this book.  It did come out last year in hardback, but it’s brand new in paperback.  I am a Frank Cottrell Boyce fan, I loved Millions and I loved Framed, so I was excited to get my hands on this one.  From a purely aesthetic book loving point of view this book has a textured feel to the cover, and has great Polaroid photos throughout, that are basically the reason this story is being told.

275. Birthright Trilogy Book 2: Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin

Birthright Trilogy Book 2: Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin
Published October 2012 Macmillan

From the publisher:

Reluctant heir of a Mafia boss.

Star-crossed lover.

Paparazzi darling.

Hitman's target.

Anya Balanchine's amazing story continues in the second part of the Birthright trilogy.

Gabrielle Zevin is one of my favourite authors, and Elsewhere is one of my favourite books.  This book is the second in what has now been called the Birthright Trilogy.  The first book came out in 2011 called All These Things I’ve Done.

3 months to go

October already, the sun is shining, the days are getting longer and I have less than 100 books left to read.  October seems to be a big month in publishing and my pile of books looks very exciting to me.  This being said, I had a horrible thought a few days ago, a thought that I am sure has crossed the mind of all avid readers. The thought is this:

I will never have the time to read all of the books I want to read.

Everyone thinks that reading a book a day is a lot of books, and it is there is no doubt about that, but I am not even close to reading everything I want.  I only let this thought fleetingly cross my mind, because if I think about it too much it just becomes depressing.

So, I won't think of the things I won't be able to read this month, but here's a peek at what I will be reading.