Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Can we say Cover Love?

This is my favorite cover of the year!

Published: April 2011, Egmont USA 
Pages: 390
Part of a Series: Hourglass #1
Read For a Challenge: 2011 Debut Author's Challenge**
Teaser: "Sighing , I stuck my hand through her stomach to turn the knob, meeting no resistance. I rolled my eyes as she gasped, fluttered her eyelashes, and disappeared in a puff of air."
In a sentence or so: Crazy or a time-traveling hero?
*Rating: 9/10
GoodReads Description:
One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?


1. Type of story: YA Paranormal/ Sci-fi (Free 1 point)
2.Consistency: Mostly. Though the reason Michael is introduced seems to be solved by his very presence, which is a little too convenient. (1/2 point)
3. Flesh: Connected through their gifts and destined to be close, Emerson is being driven crazy by Michael's insistence to be professional and her suspension of another woman vying for his attention. (1/2 point)
4. Flow: Hourglass was actually written to be a series! I could get excited about reading the series as opposed to feeling an obligation to finish what I've started. Anyhow, in the first half of Hourglass we learn all about Emerson and, to a lesser degree, Michael. The second half is superhero stuff and building an enemy who is charming an manipulative -- he has the power to gain minions and be a Nemesis that last. (1 point)
5. Character Growth: Emerson must go from thinking she is crazy, to accepting her visions as part of an amazing gift, and then build that gift into a power she can use to help others. (1 point)
6. A Point/ Purpose/ Journey: Getting through the grief of losing her parents, Emerson must decide to live again and accept her gift.  (1 point)
7. Witty Dialogue: In a defensive way. Emerson thinks he's crazy because of the things she sees and it makes her guarded. So to keep herself going she makes sharp quips and enjoys her surprising "ninja" skills by expressing small out bursts of  violence that are more amusing than hurtful. But when she opens up she knocks more people off their feet than martial arts ever could. (1 point)
8. Love: Two gorgeous young adults that literally make sparks when they come into contact (OK, that's kind of corny) star in this story. It is no wonder they can't keep apart. Em and Michael are as inseparable as time -- they flow together, it is the way they were made. (1 point)
9. Evoke Realistic Images: The story-telling is amazing. I feel like a by-stander to the journey. It's like being close enough to give a first hand account but enough in the background not to effect the outcome. (1 point)
10. Writing/Story telling: The writing was simplistic, leaving the focus, appropriately, on the characters. (1 point)

Reread Worthy: Yes. Not soon, but maybe when the series is finished and I want to read something I know is easily enjoyable.

Recommendation: Anyone who wants to believe in time travel.

*Click Rating to see post about my 10 aspects of a great book.

Ten Books I want to give as gifts...

I wish people in my life loved literature as much as I do, but...
1. Connor: my fiance's son will do anything to get out of reading so I picked The Boxcar Children for him. Everyone I talked to, including the guys, loved these as kids.
2. Maddie: my fiance's neice has so many toys she doesn't know what to do with herself. I think the lessons in Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle would be perfect for her.
3. Shane: My Fiance who doesn't like reading anything fictional, I think, would be more open after trying American Gods.
4. Nikki: My cousin (I know I gave her a copy before that she didn't bring to college) should have the ultimate love books book, Fahrenheit 451.
5. Marissa: My cousin (Nikki's little sister) I want her to love words and Ella Minnow Pea ia a sweet story about words.

A new phase in life
6. Deacon: My best friend just had a baby and I think Love You Forever should be that little boy's first book.
7. Randy: The new dad (who I have gotten to read some great books) should have Shit My Dad Says because when I listened to the audio book I wished that guy was my dad.

I wish I could get a message across
8. Verna: I wish my fiance's mom would love learning and read Ella Minnow Pea, and then a lot of other books.
9. Claudia: I want my mother to realize the bad feelings you contribute to dont just go away when you stop talking about them, so I'd give her 13 Reasons Why.

I don't know who I would be without her.
10. For the person who made me love boks I would give Denise Anna Dressed in Blood because it was a favorite read this year and something different than I usually see on her (virtual) shelves.

*TBTB Top Ten Tuesday

Review: Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Published: 2011, Sourcebooks,Inc.
Pages: 358
Part of a Series: #1
Read For a Challenge: 2011 Debut Author's Challenge**
Teaser: "I unbuttoned the top buttons on the shirt of my uniform, adjusted the "girls" to achieve maximum attention, and licked my lips. ... 'I'm going in.'"
In a sentence or so:  After Grace dies in a fire her best friend, Kate, sends emails to remember their connection and keep getting through each new day alone; then one day, about a year later, Kate receives a response.
*Rating: 7.5/10
GoodReads Description:

Kate Lowry didn’t think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, who died mysteriously a year before, she’s not so sure. When the emails continue, Kate is forced to confront her school’s resident druggie, a sketchy administrator, and even her own demons.

As Kate moves closer and closer to the truth, she teams up with a couple...moreKate Lowry didn’t think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, who died mysteriously a year before, she’s not so sure. When the emails continue, Kate is forced to confront her school’s resident druggie, a sketchy administrator, and even her own demons.

As Kate moves closer and closer to the truth, she teams up with a couple of knights-in-(not so)shining armor–the dangerously attractive, bad boy, Liam and her love-struck neighbor, Seth. The three uncover an ancient secret lurking in the halls of their elite private school with the power to destroy them all.

But the truth doesn’t always set you free. Sometimes it’s only the beginning.

1. Type of story: YA mystery (Free 1 point)
2.Consistency: the authors time table's are distracting. They do that past-present switch thing and then lose track of their days in the present... it's distracting. First Kate tells nerd boy I'll see you on the bus tomorrow but then tomorrow turns out to be a Saturday and then the next day in the present is a school day. (0 Points)
3. Flesh: Kate is moving through a grief that keeps kicking her the ribs with the unknown and she just wants someone who can understand and help her through her journey but she no longer knows how to trust. And she's a decent detective, following the clues and staying on her toes, a little ahead of others; at least until the end when the entire character profile falls apart leaving loose ends for a viable sequel. (1/2 point)
4. Flow: The story reads pretty quickly. This is good and bad. Good because the pace kept things light and entertaining, but bad because the relationships could have benefited from more development. (1/2 point)
5. Character Growth: Kate's story is about living with grief and survivor's guilt, and she makes strides to reclaim her life in this story. The growth is believable and well expressed. I felt for her in the beginning and was proud of her as the story went on. (1 point)
6. A Point/ Purpose/ Journey: Working through grief by investigating the truth.In my opinion the truth always helps, so this is  very worthy journey for Kate to take. (1point)
7. Witty Dialogue: Did you read that teaser? Kate's inner monologue is sardonic, dark, intelligent, and all of this is tied together inside a sincere and sweet personality. (1 point)
8. Love: Since her best friend, Grace's, death Kate has been weary to let anyone in. All of a sudden there is a rush of contenders for her attention and she has to work through who is sincere and worth her time (1 point).
9. Evoke Realistic Images: The ladies have done very well with spatial awareness. They describe the details of a scene just enough, most authors who try this go to far and become tedious but the Roecker sisters have got it right. (1 point)
10. Writing/Story telling: Thought it would be more exciting and less predictable. But I have no idea what's coming in the next installment, and I'm still intrigued enough to find out. I guess that's what mystery writer's aim for. I have to say though, I'm not hungry for the next book, only curious so other books may push it down in the TBR. (1/2 point)

Reread Worthy: No, this is only OK. I don't wish I never read this but once was enough.  
Recommendation: Mystery junkies.

*Click Rating to see post about my 10 aspects of a great book.

Eight Childhood Favorites*

1. Black Beauty: I read this over and over in 1st grade.

2. A Light In the Attic: I still own this. I carried it around and read the poems to other children so they could love them too. I still love this work, and I remember crying as a child when I learned of Shel Silverstein's death.

3. Falling Up: See above. (Also, this was given to me by the nicest old lady who ever rode a bus one Christmas holiday that wasn't turning out very merry until that moment.)

4. Where The Sidewalk Ends: See #2. (My first Shel Silverstein book.)

5. Wayside School Stories: enormously amusing.

6. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle: After a stint of not reading a friend shared her favorite childhood set with me. These are whimsical and have great lessons hidden in the fun.

7. Oh, The Thinks You Can Think: I love all Dr. Seuss, but I think this one is fun and inspiring. As an adult the message is still valid.

8. Joan Of Arc: I think this was the last bonding moment I had with my mother growing up. This was the last book she read to me, she read it 3 times in a row. I found Joan's strength inspiring.

Did you read any of these? Know any childhood favorites that are still valid to your life today?
*TBTB Top Ten Tuesday

Mini-Review: Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard*

This is a mini-review: I did not write full review but I still want to warn tell everyone about this book.

The narrators voice often sounds much younger than 17, then there is talk about sex to make him seem older. Sometimes his thoughts remind me of an 8 year old. Also the timeline began to degrade with his flashbacks. That could be the author trying to show the discontinuous thoughts of someone feeling grief and guilt.

 As far as the "journaling/noveling" goes this writer apologizes for her bad writing far too often through the narrator and tries to use her extensive knowledge of the "great books" to brush over it. Over and over it's like, "Hey, I kind of suck, but these guys don't, if you don't like me just read them." I'm paraphrasing, but I want to say to the author if you think you suck that badly, and point it out repeatedly, your story will suck, and all of us will agree with you.

pg.79 "You could write about that, a poem about writer's block." I love the idea of turning your problem into your solution. This is said by the English teacher in the story, Haley Avis Dovecott. She is also the focus of the main characters affection. She is fresh out of college and has intense interaction with the lead character, she is much better written than Is Male.

Also what is this hidden identity thing. While journaling he says just call me Is Male, but he paste in papers from his English class and repeats comments from peers with his actual name. What is the point of making up an identity if you constantly reveal yourself?

The only other line worth remembering in the book: "You have to stop and freeze the moment..." You have to make yourself remember by repeating it in your head over and over. You have to write to preserve your sanity." There you go, now you don't have to read it. Skip this because all that's left is  baseless guilt, a self-effacing and ingenuine narrator, and better secondary characters.

*This is a 2011 Debut Author Challenge book, click here for more information about The Debut Authors in 2011