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My name is Ardis and I am an avid reader and budding writer. I want to share my love of books with others. I work with kids and am interested in finding and creating books that will ignite the reader in everyone. Contact me at: ardis.atkins@gmail.com

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Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Book Review: Prodigy by Marie Lu

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13414446-prodigy

Synopsis (From GoodReads):
Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

Review:
Since starting my involvement in the book blogging universe, I have heard nothing but praise for writer, Marie Lu.  But, for reasons I cannot fathom, I had not picked up any of her novels until recently.  Now I can't seem to stop reading!

Prodigy is the second installment of the Legend series.  While it suffers, at times, from middle child syndrome, it goes further into the dystopian world the author has created.

What I Liked:
World Building:
In the first book, Legend,  we see a pretty detailed picture of The Republic.  It is in what used to be the western part of the United StatesIn this book, we begin to see it in a larger context.

For much of the book, Day and June (our heroes) are on a journey to The Colonies, which is the part of America east of the Rockies.  Without giving too much away, I'll just say that it is a very different country from what they imagine.

They come in to that land with idealized notions that it must be better than the totalitarian society of The Republic.  But as they find out, freedom comes at a price.  There IS choice in The Colonies, but the government still has tight control over the population.  Sadly, I think the society of The Colonies is where the future of America might go, if we let it.

Characters:
Day and June can finally be together in this book, and it is delightful.  I have been rooting for these two since the first book, so it is a nice payoff to finally see them become a couple.  Of course, there will be almost insurmountable obstacles in their way, but at least they can be together for a while.

We also get to learn a lot more about Anden, the new leader of The Republic.  He is young and must prove himself in the wake of the death of his father, the old Elector (leader of the nation).  I enjoyed his character due to how complicated he was.  Part prince, part young man, he is trying to find a way to staunch a revolution, live up to his family's name, but somehow remain true to his own ideals.  He also is infatuated with June, which is lovely, and heartbreaking.

What I Didn't Like:
Slow Moving Story:
Much of the book is spent on the journey to find Day's brother, and then get to The Colonies.  They move, are nearly caught, and then they move a few steps more.  This pattern repeats itself again and again.    I wish there would have been more to the story, but it seems to be saving up material for the final novel.

Overall, I did enjoy this book very much.  This book was more character driven than Legend, which helped give the series more depth.  I just wish there could have perhaps been more about June's family, to balance out the story.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13414446-prodigy?from_search=true

https://www.amazon.com/Prodigy-Legend-Marie-Lu/dp/0142427551/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485733655&sr=8-1&keywords=marie+lu+prodigy

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prodigy-marie-lu/1110380920?ean=9780142427552

https://www.bookdepository.com/Prodigy-Marie-Lu/9780141339573?ref=grid-view


Rating: 




Release Date:  January 29th, 2013

Genre:  YA Dystopian Fiction

Source:  Public Library

Format:  Audio Book

Recommendation:  A solid middle novel in the series.     
 
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Monday, January 30, 2017

Bay Area Book Events #32

Due to the enormous size of this list, I only show events about four weeks in advance.  The master calendar will continue to show all the events I can find that are listed on each bookstore's site.

Bookstores in this list may include:  
Barnes & Noble (various Bay Area Locations)
Book Passage (Corte Madera & San Francisco)
The Booksmith (San Francisco)
Books Inc. (various Bay Area Locations)
Pegasus Books (Berkeley & Oakland)
Hicklebee's Children's Books (San Jose)
A Great Good Place For Books (Oakland)
Kepler's Books (Menlo Park) 

I am attempting to make this a one stop place to find book signings in the San Francisco Bay Area! I will mostly focus on YA books, but I will also include some general fiction if I think it will be of interest.  I do not list non-fiction books (There are simply too many events of those to list).  I think this is an extensive list, but there is always the possibility that I missed an event (Hey, I'm human). If you think there is an event that I should include, please leave me a note in the comments section. Thanks.

All  book graphics have links to GoodReads so you can check them out.

As always, it is a good idea to call the store a day or two before to confirm that the scheduled event is still on.  I have learned that these events change constantly.


January 2017:

Monday, January 30th, at 7:00pm


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30652305-if-you-are-there?from_search=true

Book:  If You Are There
Author:  Susan Sherman
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tel: (415) 927-0960 or (800) 999-7909

 

Tuesday, January 31st, at 7:00pm

YA Launch Party!


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27883214-caraval?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  The Secret Of A Heart Note
Author: Stacey Lee
Book:  Caraval
Author:  Stephanie Garber

Location:  Kepler's Books
Address:  1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA
Tel: (650) 324-4321 


Tuesday, January 31st, at 7:00pm


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29741905-the-fifth-petal?ac=1&from_search=true
Book:  The Fifth Petal
Author:  Brunonia Barry
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tel: (415) 927-0960 or (800) 999-7909



Tuesday, January 31st, at 7:00pm


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27274383-fatal?from_search=true

Book:  Fatal
Author:  John LesCroart
Location:  Burlingame Public Library
Address:  480 Primrose Road, Burlingame, CA


Tuesday, January 31st at 7:30pm



Book:  Perfect Little World
Author:  Kevin Wilson
Location:  The BookSmith
Address:  1644 Haight Street, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 863-8688 


February



Thursday, February 2nd, at 7:00pm


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29331726-magic-flute?ac=1&from_search=true
 
  Book:  Magic Flute
Author:  Patricia Minger
Location:  Books Inc., Alameda
Address:  1344 Park Street, Alameda
Tel: (510) 522-2226 


Friday, February 3rd, at 7:00pm
YA Night at Kepler's


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26836910-the-diabolic?ac=1&from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28114396-ever-the-hunted?from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28498236-boy-robot?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  The Diabolic
Author:  S.J. Kincaid
Book:  Boy Robot
Author:  Simon Curtis
Book:  Ever The Hunted
Author:  Erin Summerill
Location:  Kepler's Books
Address:  1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA
Tel: (650) 324-4321    
Saturday, February 4th, at 4:00pm
Grand Opening of Book Passage By-The-Bay
Location:  Book Passage By-The-Bay
Address:  100 Bay Street, Sausalito

 

Monday, February 6th, at 6:00pm

In Conversation with Veronica Rossi



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27883214-caraval?ac=1&from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23430471-riders?ac=1&from_search=true

 

Book:  Caraval

Author:  Stephanie Garber

Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tel: (415) 927-0960 or (800) 999-7909
 

 
 
Monday, February 6th, at 6:00pm






 

Book:  Bright Midnight

Author:  Chris Formant

Location:  Book Passage San Francisco

Address:  1 Ferry Building, San Francisco

Tel:  (415) 835-1020 

 

Tuesday, February 7th, at 7:00pm

Launch Party



Book:  The Dressmaker's Dowry

Author:  Meredith Jaeger

Location:  Books Inc., Opera Plaza

Address:  601 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco
Tel: (415) 776-1111

 

Wednesday, February 8th, at 7:00pm

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28763240-at-the-edge-of-the-universe?ac=1&from_search=true

 

Book:  At The Edge Of The Universe

Author:  Shaun David Hutchinson

Location:  A Great Good Place For Books
Address:  6120 LaSalle Avenue, Oakland
Tel:  (510) 339-8210  

 

Thursday, February 9th, at 7:00pm


 

Book:  Primrose Courier

Author:  David Lee

Location:  Books Inc. Mountain View

Address:  301 Castro Street, Mountain View

Tel:  (650) 428-1234 

 

Thursday, February 9th, at 7:00pm



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28965131-behind-her-eyes?from_search=true



Book:  Behind Her Eyes

Author:  Sarah Pinborough

Location:  Books Inc. The Marina

Address:  2251 Chestnut Street, San Francisco

Tel:  (415) 931-3633 

 

 Thursday, February 9th, at 7:00pm

 Women Of Color Author Panel

 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33380610-the-meteorologist-in-me?ac=1&from_search=true
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32673261-thou-shalt-kill?ac=1&from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19640455-the-code-switch?from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30004597-in-the-know?from_search=true
 

Book: In The Know: Setting Up Your Child For The Stem World

Author:  CaT Bobino 

 

Book:  The Meteorologist In Me

Author:  Brittney Shipp

 

Book:  The Code Switch

Author:  Yvetta Franklin

 

Book:  Thou Shalt Kill

Author:  Marietta Harris

 

Location:  Books Inc. Alameda

Address:  1344 Park Street, Alameda

Tel:  (510) 522-2226 
 
Thursday, February 9th, at 7:00pm
 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26198878-marlene?from_search=true
Book:  Marlene
Author:  C.W. Gortner
Location:  Hicklebees's Books
Address:  1378 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose

 

Friday, February 10th, at 7:00pm

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405006-all-our-wrong-todays?ac=1&from_search=true

 

Book:  All Our Wrong Todays

Author:  Elan Mastai

Location:  Books Inc. Alameda
Address:  1344 Park Street, Alameda
Tel:  (510) 522-2226



Saturday, February 11th, at 4:00pm



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30758191-the-bellman?ac=1&from_search=true



Book:  The Bellman

Author:  Heidi Barnes

Location:  Book Passage (Sausalito)

Address:  100 Bay Street, Sausalito

Tel:  (800) 999-7909



Monday, February 13th,  at 7:00pm



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30753698-the-impossible-fortress?ac=1&from_search=true



Book:  The Impossible Fortress

Author:  Jason Rekulak

Location:  Books Inc., Palo Alto

Address: 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Tel: (650) 321-0600


Wednesday, February 15th at 7:30pm


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29983711-pachinko?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Pachinko
Author:  Min Jin Lee

Location:  The BookSmith
Address:  1644 Haight Street, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 863-8688 



Thursday, February 16th, at 6:00pm





Book:  Passing Strange
Author:  Ellen Klages

Location:  Book Passage San Francisco

Address:  1 Ferry Building, San Francisco

Tel:  (415) 835-1020 
Thursday, February 16th, at 7:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29983711-pachinko?ac=1&from_search=true
Book:  Pachinko
Author:  Min Jin Lee
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tel: (415) 927-0960 or (800) 999-7909
 
Thursday, February 16th, at 7:30pm
 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939242-the-weight-of-him?ac=1&from_search=true
 
Book:  The Weight Of Him
Author:  Ethel Rohan
Location:  The BookSmith
Address:  1644 Haight Street, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 863-8688 

Friday, February 17th, at 6:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29527405-a-divided-spy?from_search=true

Book:  A Divided Spy
Author:  Charles Cumming
Location:  Book Passage San Francisco
Address:  1 Ferry Building, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 835-1020 
 
Saturday, February 18th, at 4:00pm
 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30364360-the-freedom-brokerhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27274383-fatal
 
Book:  Fatal
Author:  John T. Lescroart
Book:  The Freedom Broker
Author:  K.J. Howe

Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tel: (415) 927-0960 or (800) 999-7909


Saturday, February 18th, at 7:00pm




Book:  The Remnant Author:  William Michael Davidson
Location:  Books Inc. (The Marina)
Address:  2251 Chestnut Street, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 931-3633



Sunday, February 19th, at 4:00pm


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30142011-rather-be-the-devil

Book:  Rather Be The Devil Author:  Ian Rankin Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tel: (415) 927-0960 or (800) 999-7909
Monday, February 20th, at 7:30pm
 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30142011-rather-be-the-devil

Book:  Rather Be The Devil Author:  Ian Rankin
Location:  The BookSmith
Address:  1644 Haight Street, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 863-8688 
Monday, February 20th, at 7:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30183198-history-of-wolves?from_search=true
Book:  History Of Wolves
Author:  Emily Fridlund
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tel: (415) 927-0960 or (800) 999-7909
Tuesday, February 21st, at 7:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31015379-music-for-love-or-war
Book:  Music For Love Or War
Author:  Martyn Burke
Location:  Books Inc., Palo Alto

Address 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Tel: (650) 321-0600
Tuesday, February 21st, at 7:30pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30838556-journeyman
Book:  Journeymen
Author:  Marc Bojanowski
Location:  The BookSmith
Address:  1644 Haight Street, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 863-8688 
Wednesday, February 22nd at 7:00pm
 Thriller Night
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29938372-this-is-not-over?from_search=true
Book:  The Garden Of Lamentations
Author:  Deborah Crombie
Book:  This Is Not Over
Author:  Holly Brown
Location:  A Great Good Place For Books
Address:  6120 LaSalle Avenue, Oakland
Tel:  (510) 339-8210 
Wednesday, February 22nd, at 7:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939268-universal-harvester?from_search=true
Book:  Universal Harvester
Author:  John Darnielle
Location:  The BookSmith
Address:  1644 Haight Street, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 863-8688 
Wednesday, February 22nd, at 7:00pm
Book:  A Short Time To Die
Author:  Susan Alice Bickford
Location:  Books Inc., Mountain View
Address:  301 Castro Street, Mountain View
Tel:  (650) 428-1234


Wednesday, February 22nd, at 6:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28114543-on-turpentine-lane?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  On Turpentine Lane
Author:  Elinor Lipman
Location:  Book Passage San Francisco
Address:  1 Ferry Building, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 835-1020 

Wednesday, February 22nd, at 7:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939242-the-weight-of-him?ac=1&from_search=true
 
Book:  The Weight Of Him
Author:  Ethel Rohan
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tel: (415) 927-0960 or (800) 999-7909
Thursday, February 23rd, at 7:00pm

Book:  Garden Of Lamentations
Author:  Deborah Crombie
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tel: (415) 927-0960 or (800) 999-7909
Thursday, February 23rd, at 7:30pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33787901-one-way-down?ac=1&from_search=true
Book:  One Way Down (Or Another)
Author:  Calder G. Lorenz
Location:  The BookSmith
Address:  1644 Haight Street, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 863-8688
Friday, February 24th, at 7:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30107381-clownfish-blues?ac=1&from_search=true
Book:  Clownfish Blues
Author:  Tim Dorsey
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tel: (415) 927-0960 or (800) 999-7909
Friday, February 24th at 7:30pm
 In Conversation With Tara Sim

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939230-a-conjuring-of-light?ac=1&from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25760792-timekeeper?ac=1&from_search=true
Book:  A Conjuring Of Light
Author:  V.E. Schwab
Book:  Timekeeper
Author:  Tara Sim
Location:  Kepler's Books
Address:  1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA
Tel: (650) 324-4321
Saturday, February 25th, at 4:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30763898-setting-free-the-kites?from_search=true
Book:  Setting Free The Kites
Author:  Alex George
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tel: (415) 927-0960 or (800) 999-7909
Sunday, February 26th, at 5:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30763898-setting-free-the-kites?from_search=true
Book:  Setting Free The Kites
Author:  Alex George
Location:  A Great Good Place For Books
Address:  6120 LaSalle Avenue, Oakland
Tel:  (510) 339-8210
 



 


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