Review: Stonewords: A Ghost Story by Pam Conrad

Stonewords: A Ghost Story
by Pam Conrad
First HarperTrophy Edition, 1991
130 pages.
ISBN: 0-06-440354-8

Description on the book:
Zoe's best friend is a ghost.  The first time Zoe met Zoe Louise, Zoe was four years old. Zoe Louise was more than one hundred. From that day on---living in the same house, separated by a staircase and a century---Zoe and Zoe Louise have been an important and permanent part of each other's lives.

Now Zoe is older. And although Zoe Louise never grows up, she is changing in dreadful, frightening ways. Time is running out for Zoe's best friend---and Zoe is the only one who can help her. To do so, she must travel back one hundred years in time and somehow alter the past. But in changing the past, must she also change the present? If she saves her friend's life, will she lose Zoe Louise forever?

My Review:
Best friends, ghosts, time travel and a rickety old staircase---it's the magical ingredients for the adorable plot of Stonewords: A Ghost Story. I must admit, I read this book with a complete bias...I remember loving it as a child.  My copy of Stonewords has a tattered cover, yellowing pages, and a Lisa Frank sticker inside the back cover. The publishing date and sticker are clues that I probably read this book between the ages of 8 and 10, around the main character's age. Would it still hold that same magic for me years later? It definitely does.

Zoe's mom, Jessie, took Zoe to live with her Grandma and PopPop at the age of four. Jessie, who would visit once or twice a year, was eccentric and flighty to say the least: 

"She had some mighty strange ways. Like she has this one cemetery on the island she loved. She didn't know anyone buried there---they'd all been dead for over a hundred years---but my mother would walk through the grass, trailing her silk scarf, with her large straw hat shading her empty eyes, and she'd pause at each stone and read the words out loud." (page 2)

Zoe was named after one of these gravestones. The name was the only word left on a particular crumbling gravestone, no last name or dates.  Yet it took Zoe a long time to the dots between this stoneword and her first childhood friend, Zoe Louise. 

Zoe Louise was a ghost who appeared to Zoe shortly after arriving at her grandparents' house. The girls played, fought, and cherished their unique friendship.  As Zoe ages through the years, Zoe Louise stays the same.  Zoe Louise always wore the same dress and it was always the same day---her birthday spent waiting for her father to come home with her present, a pony. Zoe Louise lived upstairs through the back staircase in the kitchen that Zoe's grandparents no longer used. When Zoe follows Zoe Louise up the dark rear staircase one day, she travels back to Zoe Louise's time.  Confused and scared, Zoe doesn't want to lose her best friend, but she needs to find out what's going on.  She starts investigating what happened to Zoe Louise over a hundred years ago. Can Zoe find out the truth?  Can she change the past? 

I really like Zoe's character.  She is a smart young girl you can't help but cheer on. She's happy with her grandparents and appreciative for their role in her life.  She never quite understands her mother and fears that she will end up like her.  When she first met Zoe Louise, Zoe didn't hide the friendship from her grandparents. But as she got older, Zoe realized it wasn't normal to have an "imaginary friend" so she stopped talking about Zoe Louise.  Zoe doesn't have any other friends in the book and there's no mention of school. I found it odd that her grandparents didn't make her socialize with other children.

Then you've got Zoe Louise, who is a spoiled, sometimes obnoxious 11 year old. She's waiting for her pony and claims Zoe's toys as her own. I had to stop and remind myself during her tantrums that she's just a scared little girl who doesn't understand the circumstances either. Despite their flaws, the Zoes share a deep bond and complex friendship that influences the rest of their lives.

I enjoyed re-reading this book. The story doesn't disappoint. Conrad also wrote a sequel called Zoe Rising, which tells a new story about 14 year old Zoe at summer camp.

Stonewords is a book that I'll keep in my permanent collection in the hopes that I'll pass it on to my own children someday.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

My Favorite Passages:
"Probably the strongest feeling I'd ever had for her was anger. For not being a true mother. And for not remembering what she had once told me about the rosebushes." (pg. 4)

"'Zoe, dear.' It  was Grandma, just as the leg tore off the baby doll's body and Zoe Louise's invisible hand disappeared through the door. Grandma opened the door and she stood there alone. My doll was torn in two. 'Oh, Zoe. What have you done? Why aren't you more careful with your things?'" (pg. 21)

"I touched things. My headboard, the wall, the mattress, my pillow. I made sure I was real, that I didn't pass through things, that I was not a ghost. Was not a ghost. I wasn't a ghost anymore." (pg. 51)

For More Information: Stonewords: A Ghost Story on Amazon, GoodReads.

Reading Challenges Update and HP Deathly Hallows Pt.2

My summer semester is over!  WooHoo!  When I got home from work each day, grad school stuff enveloped all my time.  The summer semester was condensed and intensive.  The last six weeks was full of writing discussion board posts, researching legislative histories, reading scholarly articles and learning all about library reference.  I learned a lot this semester, but I'm so glad it's over.  Now I can get back to reading and BookCrossing...until the madness starts up again at the end of August.

I'm way behind on my reading challenges. Unbelievably, I didn't finish a book in June.  That's a first since I started to track of my books read in January 2010.  I began two books, but never got around to finishing them. I'll look out for any read-a-thons in the end of July or August to help get my reading goals back on track.

2011 Pages Read Challenge:
I really want to hit that 15,000 pages read goal, especially since I didn't make it last year. However, I'm further behind now that I was this time last year.  As of my last count (in the end of May), I'm at 4,645 pages read. That's only 30% of my goal.  Eek!  I have to step up my pace.

Read Ten 1001 Books Challenge:
I only read 1 book so far, Erewhon by Samual Butler (and I hated every moment of it). I'd like to read some Jane Austen, George Orwell, H.G. Wells, Margaret Atwood, and maybe even Franz Kafka if I'm feeling adventurous. I never like to list the next book I'll read because I always end up changing my mind.  I read whatever I crave in that moment.

A-Z New Author Read & Release Challenge:
It's been a while since I updated my list. This challenge takes so long because it only counts registered BookCrossing books that you read and release. So my library books and non-registered BC books don't count.  I completed 10 out of 26 letters so far. Here's the list.

Check out my Reading Challenges page for the lists of books I've read so far. 

On a completely different topic....

I'm going to the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 midnight showing tonight!!!  I'm so excited to see it and I know I'll cry in the end.  With the last film, it feels like an era is ending.

I'm going with a group of people which is a first for me.  I usually go to midnight showings by myself because I can't find anyone to drag along with me.  Except of course for last year, when my husband and brother actually came with me for Part 1 of the Deathly Hallows.  When we got to the theater, there were firetrucks and hundreds of people outside all over the parking lot. Some idiot pulled the fire alarm before we got there and it was mayhem.  The theater had no idea how to handle the crowd and by the time they started to let people in, it was past midnight with huge unruly crowd of teenagers pushing and yelling.  What a nightmare!  We didn't stay that night, but were able to exchange our tickets that weekend.  In short, I'm not going back to that movie theater for a midnight showing ever again.

Here are some links to get you in the HP spirit:

Harry Potter Maize Maze (Technabob)
Harry Potter fans unite to end worldly evils (CBSnews)
Harry Potter Stars Felt "Weird" During Epilouge Scene (MTV) 
Harry Potter The Exhibition 
10 Things You Need to Know About "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" (Moviefone)
9 Classic Album Covers Re-Imagined With "Harry Potter" Characters (nextmovie)

Burn The Night by Jocelynn Drake Released!

Burn The Night by Jocelynn Drake was released today!!!  

I'm so excited to read the final book in the Dark Days series.  I bought my copy right after work and I plan on starting it tonight.  I love this series!  Here's a pic of all six volumes on my bookshelf.  Isn't the cover of Burn The Night amazing!?!  It's my favorite cover of the entire series.

Basic story premise (some spoilers):  Mira is a nightwalker (i.e. vampire) who is also known as the Fire Starter since she has the unique ability to create and control fire. In the first book Nightwalker, we meet sexy Danaus who is a nightwalker hunter (i.e. vampire slayer). Danaus and Mira postpone their fight to the death in order to face a common enemy, the naturi.  Lots of drama, fighting, death and several books later, Mira and Danaus survived many foes and are now FINALLY together. But they're up against their greatest challenges yet: kill the naturi roaming the Earth, save their supernatural society that the naturi will destroy, and maybe prevent or at least push back the Great Awakening (i.e. humans realizing all these supernatural beings exist).

Ok, that's a little oversimplified...or maybe I've lost you in my gushing ramblings anyway. If you like urban fantasy or just need a change in pace, give book one Nightwalker a shot.

Like all final books of a good series, I'm excited yet hesitant for it to come to an end.  Jocelynn Drake says it won't let fans down.  If Burn The Night is like the previous books, it will have action, betrayal, and steamy bedroom scenes (maybe a certain couple confessing undying love? Please?).  Jocelynn Drake, my high hopes are in your hands.  I could really use a great lose-yourself-completely-in-a-book reading experience with all my grad school stress.

Also, a Dark Days prequel novella is in the works for this fall, but will only be released as an ebook.  Drake is working on a new series called the Tattoo Artist. She explains the plot on this blog post. Can't wait! 

For more info, check out Jocelynn Drake's blog and website.

Waiting On Wednesday: Darke

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is...

Septimus Heap, Book Six: Darke

by Angie Sage

Releases on June 7, 2011

We're just a week away from the return of Septimus Heap.  Darke is the 6th book of Angie Sage's Magykal series. 

Septimus has a special place in my heart.  Check out my thoughts of the series on my About Me page.

Description from Amazon:

In the sixth book of the Magykal series, Alther Mella has been Banished, a Darke Domaine engulfs the Castle, and a Darke dragon is on the loose. Septimus Heap must use all of his skills to save the Castle and the Wizard Tower from destruction: He must enter the Darke. But he cannot do this alone. With the help of Jenna, Alther Mella, Marcellus Pye, and Septimus's estranged brother, Simon Heap, Septimus and Marcia Overstrand battle the spreading Darkenesse. Will Septimus succeed in protecting his Magykal world?

Written with Angie Sage's characteristic humor, Septimus Heap, Book Six: Darke is a compelling fantasy adventure filled with surprises, thrills, and laugh-out-loud moments. Readers will revel in the action-packed story as they realize the wisdom of Magyk—that all things are meant to be part of a living whole.

Check out the Official Septimus Heap Blog for updates and some awesome illustrations from Darke.

HG: Our First Look At Katniss And More!

In March, I ranted a little bit when Jennifer Lawrence was casted as Katniss in The Hunger Games movie. Too blonde, too old, yada yada yada.

Now I'm breathing a big sigh of relief.  Jennifer Lawrence is on this week's Entertainment Weekly cover...and she looks pretty awesome!  The hair and makeup does wonders.  She almost looks like the Katniss image in my head.  I can't wait to see more pictures. Hopefully we'll get a glimpse of Gale and Peeta soon.

Other reasons to anxiously await and celebrate the movie's release in March 2012:
- Woody Harrelson as Haymitch: I'm doing back flips! Absolutely loved Harrelson as Tallahassee in Zombieland. Perfect casting job there.
- Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman: Incredible actor!
-  We can splurge and buy some amazing HG merchandise from Cafe Press, Etsy, Amazon, NECA, and more other sites.
- The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy: This collection of essays released last month (I haven't read it yet...I know, it's blasphemous) is a must read to add on your TBR list before the movie. Hmm, perhaps there will be books in the future on HG film criticism and interpretation.

So excited to see the movie. Gary Ross, please do it justice!

Check out these HG links:
EW's Hunger Games Central for news and updates.
My Hunger Games
Mockingjay.net
JabberJays

Waiting On Wednesday: Silence

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Silence (Hush, Hush bk.3)
by Becca Fitzpatrick
Releases on October 4, 2011.

Last month, I power-read the first two books (Hush, Hush and Crescendo) of this series.  By power-reading I mean: two days, stay-up-as-late-as-possible, all plot events run into each other, don't-bother-me-I'm-reading!!! power-reading sessions.

I didn't write reviews for these books yet. Maybe I will when I re-read them before Silence comes out. 

I must admit this series had a sort of "Twilight" effect on me.  I fell in love with the storyline (despite it's flaws).  I was completely and utterly enveloped in it
...to the point where I can't really remember what minor stuff happened in which book,
...to the point when you're willing to skip a meal or cancel plans because you don't want to stop reading. 

Still, the more I considered the characters and plot, the more flaws I saw. Some characters can be overly whiny and completely unbelieveable.  Some of the situations Nora puts herself in are absolutely ridiculous. I understand the poor book reviews. I get it.  But despite it all, I'm completely in love with this story (and Patch).  Hopefully, the final phase of my Twilight effect* doesn't break the Silence for me (sorry for the terrible pun...couldn't help myself). 

Love the cover!  Finally one with both characters on it. Can't wait until October!


*I hated Breaking Dawn with a passion and it ruined the entire series for me.  But that's a rant for another day.