Taste Testing Tuesdays

Good morning (or whatever time it is where you are), everyone!

Welcome to another installment of Taste Testing Tuesdays here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!  Taste Testing Tuesdays was inspired by 'Teaser Tuesdays', a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 

 

 

On the menu this week...one book with on ballet (as well as "other" things) on the brain and another celebrating it's bookish birthday today.  Ready for a taste?  I thought you might be.

 

Here they come....

 

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She seemed wrapped up in her own thoughts, the way you'd expect from a nerd.  She watched the stage, thoughtfully, as though something were happening up there, an invisible ballet that only she could see.

-- pg 57-58, Various Positions by Martha Schabas (ARC)

This is one read I have to sum as unusual for now.  It's not what I expected and shocking in some cases but I'm beginning to see perhaps a bigger picture that the author may have been painting for us....or at least I hope that's what I'm seeing.  Either way, should be finished very soon.  Scheduled release as of this post:  02/14/12 from Farrar Straus Giroux.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday morning at early recess Vince and I stopped by Tony Adrian's locker to check on the traps we'd set earlier that week.  Tony was there waiting for us, looking more nervous and fidgety than usual.

-- pg 114, The Fourth Stall Part II by Chris Rylander (ARC)

 

*cue music*

THEY SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU....^_^...yes, my friends, this is the book celebrating it's publishing debut.  A sequel to the too-funny-at-times-for-words THE FOURTH STALL, this adventure sees Vince and Mac forging ahead with their "business" while the powers that be try to put a stop to it all...and then some.  It's fun, it's funny...it really needs to be read with a Godfather-esque or New York-ish accent (trust me...it works).  While I'm finishing my adventure through this book, you can find out more by checking out the publisher's site or following Walden Pond Press on Twitter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

*Grab your current read

*Open to a random page

*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

*Share the title & author, too, so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Until next time....happy reading!

 

READING is Amazing!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…the blog site all about the books, all of the time.  Today, we venture back to school minus the “cheese wagon” (aka the school bus…gotta love the color of those things), plus a whole lotta fun….couple that with a myriad of facts to amaze and astound and presto change-o, you have yourself a bookish adventure!  Are you ready to embark on this learning expedition?  Grab your safari hat, put on your trusty hiking boots and grab your magnifying glass….we’re going on an exploration.  Today’s book of choice is…

Danny & Ester’s Fortunate Adventures:

Amazing Ants!

By

Renee McCuen

Art by

David Hemenway

Danny and Ester are curious, as most kids are, about anything and everything; from the sky above to the ground below, from leafy green plants to crystallized minerals…but most especially animals.  One day while they were finishing dinner at Lee’s Chinese Palace (which of course means FORTUNE COOKIE TIME!), this friendly duo stumbles upon a mystery...a most fortunate one at that...that seems to be foretelling of a most impossible adventure. “Scientists must take risks.”  “Prepare to get wet.”  “Go.”  With that final “fortune” revealed, that's just what they do….and embark upon an educational adventure beyond their wildest dreams. 

This book totally reminded me of the Magic School Bus series and come to think of it, Danny there on the front cover could totally be related to Ms. Frizzle.  Those were the days.  Saturday/Sunday morning cartoons that were not only entertaining but educational instead of some of the rubbish that airs today.  But let’s get back on the same station here…or rather page…

Author Renee McCuen aims to teach readers young (and old) about the interesting world of ants.  From their social structure to body makeup, the jobs they do and purposes they serve, if you walk away from this one NOT having learned something you’re either not paying attention or a myrmecologist (< - - that’s a scientist who studies ants…yep, just one of the factoids I picked up!).  Seriously!  Now I do admit, I’m not an insect person in any way, shape, or form…and there was a time or two where I was on the verge of saying “gross” or “blech” like any other girly girl (word to the wise…don’t read it while eating) but I curbed my initial reactions knowing that I was learning something about a creature I may not have taken a second glance at before, and as they say knowledge IS power.



Author Renee McCuen



Part of the whimsical aspect of the adventure is how even when the kids turn into ants (apparently the magic phrase is “Ants are so amazing!”) to better explore their world, they still retain parts of themselves both personality wise as well as their physical traits.  That’s right.  You can see their humanity still in the illustrations by looking at their eyes…and their hair.  *giggle*  Sorry, couldn’t help the little laugh, I mean really…Ester’s ant has dark hair with braids and Danny’s has red hair ala Ron Weasley.  It’s cute and funny but it just adds to the overall draw of the story and the ease of making the connection between their human selves and their ant selves.  At books end, we are treated to a mini-quiz (no need for number two pencils) to show you just how much you learned along the way.  Though short and sweet, don’t be surprised if you are tripped up a time or two…there’s a lot of information in this short story! 

Overall, it’s quite the adventure.  It’s length will be appealing to both readers and non, while the story’s content will ignite the scientist in you.  In fact, it might just be the first in a series of science based tales for young (or young at heart) explorers of this great big world….I know I’d like to see more and I think you will to.  To see for yourself, check out the first chapter, available online at the book’s official website.  So the next time you think something is out of this world, remember….it’s not “icky”, it’s “interesting”!  Turn that negative into a positive and you open up a whole new world of learning.

Review copy received courtesy of author Renee McCuen.  (THANKS!)  For more information about the book or to contact the author, check out the official website. 

Until next time…BOOKS are so amazing….and happy reading!

*POOF*

In My Shopping Bag

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Through her guidelines, your post does not actually have to be named the same and thus my post shall be..."In My Shopping Bag".  (just fits with the "foodie" theme a bit better in my humble opinion)

 

Let's take a peek inside my shopping bag this week....

 

 

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Review

 

The Red Book by Deborah Copaken Kogan

(ARC courtesy of Hyperion Books)

A surprise arrival, I have to say...it sounds interesting.  The title though has me instantly thinking of Dash and Lily's Book of Dares.  ^_^  Scheduled release date for this one is set for April 2012.

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Bought

A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel

When I saw this one on an after Christmas sale I said to myself.....self, you HAVE to get this one!  Seriously, look at the mug on that little kitty...all scowls yet cute nonetheless.  I admit it, I've read it already and there are quite a few surprises in store....much more so than meets the eye.  Review to come!

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Won

Last year, I won an Out of Print gift certificate from Kristen at We Be Reading during BBAW and I FINALLY got around to using it.  Isn't it wonderful?  The canvas tote bag is printed on both sides, sorta of wrap around style...and look at the little tag it comes with!  Styled after your classic library card check out system of old...LOVE IT!  Find this and a whole lot more at the Out of Print site (also with every purchase they donate a book to a country in need) and don't forget to check out the blogger that introduced it to me!

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Received

These are the titles that I "rescue" from the ARC bin at work....doesn't happen often, but when it does...woo-hoo!

Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate

The Elemental Series, Book 1:  Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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That's it for this week.

So what do you think?  What did YOU get?

Do tell!

Until next time....happy reading!

The Roving Reader

Is that not one gorgeous cover?  I mean the colors work SO well together...it's breathtaking.

PURE
by
Julianna Baggott

Literally "jumped" off the shelf at me (visually at least)....as well as a fellow customer a few minutes later ironically enough. ^_^  Heard anything about this one or perhaps the author? *curious*

So, what have you discovered this weekend while out and about?
Do tell!

Until next time...happy reading!