Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo

Goodreads
Published: February 2009
Guideposts Books

English professor Emma Douglas has always done everything just the way her minister father told her she should. Life was good until the day Emma finds her husband in bed with another woman. Suddenly, all her romantic notions, a la Jane Austen, are exposed as foolish dreams. (Source:Goodreads)

I am so glad that I read this book because I was completely unaware that Jane Austen ruined my life too! Every failed relationship, every bad day, even every argument with your parents can be blamed completely on Jane Austen and the romantic ideas that she will fill your head with!

Not really, but it was nice to have somewhere to place the blame for a few hours before I got to the final chapters :)

I l-o-v-e, LOVE, Jane Austen! I was raised to believe that Jane Austen is the sum of all wisdom. Let's face it, my cat is named after Lydia from Pride and Prejudice.. that's some deep love. While I was reading this, at about every other chapter I picked up my phone and called my mother or my sister or anyone that would listen and told them how much I hated Jane Austen in that moment and how if they would just read this then they would understand that she is a life ruiner!

Our main character, Emma, is having a rough time in life, everything is going wrong for her. A suspicious woman approaches her and starts telling her all of these tales about Jane Austen's letters that were supposed to be destroyed after her death... but they weren't!!! So Emma starts her adventures with these letters, finding out all about Jane's heartbreak that inspired one of her first novels. As Emma continues on this quest, she has a change of heart and thankfully she points you back to loving Jane Austen by the end because Jane Austen isn't really a life ruiner!

Review: The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy

Source: Goodreads

Synopsis: The three novels which make up The Forsyte Saga chronicle the ebbing social power of the commercial upper-middle class Forsyte family between 1886 and 1920. Galsworthy's masterly narrative examines not only their fortunes but also the wider developments within society, particularly the changing position of women. This is the only critical edition of the work available, with Notes that explain contemporary artistic and literary allusions and define the slang of the time. (Source: Goodreads)

One of the greatest works of literature, there's a reason why Mr. Galsworthy won the Nobel Prize for Literature for this work. An epic saga of a single extended family which spans several generations, Galsworthy creates characters that are human and fallible, noble, kind and cruel. The story is deeply moving, funny, infuriating and completely compelling. This is a huge work, but, as with all great novels, the better it is, the more you want it to continue on and on. This one does! The Saga comprises of three novels and two "interludes" or short stories between the novels. The first interlude of the saga, "Indian Summer of a Forsyte," is one of the most beautiful and poignant works I have ever read.

In addition to this first work, Galsworthy continued the story of the Forsytes for another two complete epics, creating nine novels in all. He also created a series of short stories to fill in elements of the characters backstories. 

If you intend to embark on this wonderful journey into the heart of middle class Brits at turn of the 20th century, I recommend the Oxford University Press edition, which has an extensive glossary included. Galsworthy includes a large amount of slang of the period, and this edition explains those terms. Its available at the Madison Library District for patron use.

Review: Charmed Vengeance by Suzanne Lazear

Goodreads
Source: eARC via NetGalley
Published: August 8, 2013
Flux

Synopsis: In the Faerie realm, Noli Braddock's relationship with her best friend V has grown into something more. But V's mother, Faerie Queen Tiana, has ruled that they are forbidden to see each other. Returning to the mortal realm, Noli joins the crew of her brother's air-pirate ship, the Vixen's Revenge. There she discovers that her brother has hired the scallywag Faerie huntsman, Kevighn Silver. While serving as shipmates, Kevighn and Noli learn that the Earth Court King plans to find a forbidden artifact--one that will bring destruction to everyone Noli loves. (Source: Goodreads)
*Many thanks to Flux and NetGalley for providing early access to this title*
Quick Review...for when I don't have a lot to say...
If you remember, I really quite enjoyed the first book in this series, Innocent Darkness. The interaction between V and Noli was fabulous and I was so looking forward to more of that in this book.
Alas, they're apart for most of it.
What?! 
No fair!
I wanted more, and got waaaaaaaaaay less. There's a reason though, so I can't be terribly mad about anything. I just hope that the third book (unannounced, untitled, no cover, etc...) gives me a fantastic V and Noli payout.
One of my favorite things about this series is the family relationship. They're quirky, but not horrible to each other and they genuinely care for each other. I loved that Noli is reunited with her brother in this one. I'd hoped to meet him the last time around, so I was glad for it in this book. I love that they love their mom and dad and do their best to have a healthy relationship with them. (Noli more than Jeff)
Plot-wise, I felt like this one kind of dragged a little bit. It wasn't as interesting to me as the last one was. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope there's more Kevighn in the next book. I don't like him, don't get me wrong, but he does make things interesting. V's quest is boring, and only made more interesting by the addition of James. I was glad he was along for the ride, or I may have set this one down.
I'm enjoying this series (for the most part) and can't wait to see where it's going. There are some new characters introduced this time, and I hope they play a bigger role in the next book.

Review: The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

Goodreads
Source: eARC via NetGalley
Published: May 28, 2013
Harlequin Teen

Synopsis: "In 1897 London, something not quite human is about to awaken 
When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What's left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons—or forfeit her friends' lives. 

With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke's sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him...and for Griffin. 

Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel's desolate alleyways to Mayfair's elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine. 

To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist's ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she's to have any chance at triumphing, she must summon a strength even she doesn't know she has..."(Source: Goodreads)


*Many thanks to Harlequin Teen and NetGalley for allowing early access to this title.*
Quick Review...for when I don't have a lot to say...
It's no secret that I adore steampunk and this series in particular. I completely fell for the alternate London that Kady Cross introduced me to in The Girl in the Steel Corset. I loved picturing the cool contraptions that she came up with, and I especially loved the characters she introduced me to. Finley is one of my favorite characters of all time...so much that I'd totally consider naming a daughter Finley.
In this installment, we get to know more about Emily, while still continuing the story started in The Girl in the Steel Corset. I've liked Emily from the beginning, not least because we share a name. She's spunky and fun and totally loyal. I loved her relationship with Sam. I loved how she could be totally serious and then playful in the next moment. She was a lot of fun to read about.
I liked the story this time around, quite as much as the other two books. I have a feeling that it's definitely not over and I'm looking forward to where we could go next. I remain a loyal fan to this series!

Teen Choice Award Nominees

Here at the Madison Library, we're working on our Teen Choice Awards for 2013. We base the nominations off of popular books published in 2012. It's kind of like the YALSA Teen Top Ten, but specifically for our patrons.

Voting will be held in August, so be sure to check in at the library for a ballot.

Without further ado, here are the nominees for the Madison Library District Teen Choice Awards. Click the title to visit the Goodreads page for each book.

In no particular order:

1. Of Poseidon, Anna Banks
2. The Selection, Keira Cass
3. The Last Guardian, Eoin Colfer
4. Reached, Ally Condie
5. The Kill Order, James Dashner
6. Michael Vey #2: Rise of the Elgen, Richard Paul Evans
7. Beautiful Redemption, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
8. Palace of Stone, Shannon Hale
9. Sapphire Blue, Kerstin Gier
10. Princess of the Silver Woods, Jessica Day George
11. Hallowed, Cynthia Hand
12. Seraphina, Rachel Hartman
13. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel, Jeff Kinney
14. Enchanted, Alethea Kontis
15. Grave Mercy, Robin LaFevers
16. Son, Lois Lowry
17. The Arcade Catastrophe, Brandon Mull
18. The False Prince, Jennifer Nielsen,
19. For Darkness Shows the Stars, Diana Peterfreund
20. The Mark of Athena, Rick Riordan
21. The Serpent's Shadow, Rick Riordan
22. Insurgent, Veronica Roth
23. Code Name Verity, Elizabeth Wein
24. Endlessly, Kiersten White

The library has copies of all of these books. If you haven't had a chance to read them, put them on hold now, and be sure to check back in August for voting.