Book Blogger Hop

This meme is hosted by Crazy for Books, so hop on over her way to see what she is up to!

Here's this weeks question:
"If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?"

The short answer is yes. Every once in a blue moon I will pick up a book and read it and not realize it's a sequel, etc. (although that hasn't happened in awhile)- but for the most part I really like to read books in the order in which they were intended, I think you miss something if you don't. The only books that this rule is sketchy with is when the book is a companion book and not a true part of the series (in a chronological sense). Kristin Cashore's Fire and Graceling for instance, or Cassie Clare's Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series. The books deal with the same worlds and some of the same charecters, but you don't have to read one before the other to get the whole picture. I read Fire and Graceling in the correct order, but I read A Clockwork Angel before going to the Mortal Instruments books and I didn't feel like I had missed out.

So again- short answer. Series must be read in the correct order, companion books can go in any order.

Whatcha Thinking Thursday

It's time for Whatcha Thinking Thursday, hosted by me! Here's how it works. Each Thursday I'll simply blog about something book related that's weighing on my mind. Feel free to comment away if you agree or disagree (just keep it clean, okay?), or if you want to post to your site either on the same topic or about whatever it is you're thinking about go right ahead. I just ask that you link back to here. Also, make sure you let me know in the comments if you've participated so we can find you!

This week I'm thinking about Fairy Tales...

I've read quite a few books that deal with, or have faeries in them lately. From the Sookie Stackhouse books to Aprilynne Pike's Wings and Spells, Lesley Livingston's Wonderous Strange and Darklight to Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series and most recently Kiersten White's Paranormalcy. Each book is so different, but they all work within the greater Fey canon. Something you don't see as much with other paranormal mythology. Meaning, there is always a Winter Court and Summer Court, the Seelie and the Unseelie, a Titania, Oberon, Mahb and Puck. Those charecteristics are the same, and each authors story fits into the greater fairy world somehow.

I love this because even though each book has it's own flavor, I sometimes feel like they are all somehow connected. For instance, is Robbie in the Iron Fey series the same Robin from Wonderous Strange- one person bouncing back and forth to protect Meghan and Kelley. Speaking of Meghan and Kelley, both are part fey and children of Oberon, which would make them half sisters. Both enter the fey world for one reason or another. Is it so far out of the realm of possibility that they would somehow, someday cross paths? Could Prince Ash turn up in Laurel's Avalon?

this is not something I think about with other charecters- I never feel like the weres in Sookie's Bon Temps are related to the weres in Paranormalcy, or the Vamps from Twilight being connected to those from Cassie Clare's Mortal Instruments series, because there are no common threads charecter rise. With Fae though, with Oberon and Titania and Puck turning up across the board, I feel that connection and like to imagine how the charecters from each book might cross paths and what would happen if they did!

How about you? Do you read books that deal with Fae? Do you think about how theya ll work within a common world with common charecters?

Best I've Read 2010

I've been pretty much blogfailing lately, life has been so busy that the blog has fallen by the wayside. To make up for this, I have some crazy awesome news. I'm participating in an event called Best I've Read 2010, this will be an annual event featuring the best Young Adult books of the year from some of our favorite authors. This event will be HUGE and i'm really excited that the other blogs are willing to put up with my slacker like ways as they pull together this massive event. Here are some of the details- there will be more to come, including a BIR2010 blog where you can go to get all the info.

When: December 6th - 14th.
Where: 9 participating blogs, plus the BIR2010 blog where you can win a huge prizepack!
Who: participating blogs~

A Reader's Ramblings
Books Complete Me
Between the Covers
Fire and Ice Photo
I'm a Reader, Not a Writer
Late Bloomer Online
Mundie Moms
Once Upon a Twilight
Page Turners Blog

Participating Authors~

I'd love to post all the authors that are on the plate- but then this post would take up my whole blogpage. Seriously. There are 50 authors so far. 50. With more being added every time I check my email. On my site alone I'm featuring at least 26. Across the participating blogs you will find the likes of Becca Fitzpatrick, Julie Kagawa, Simone Elkeles and many, many more. Consider this a mere teaser to the awesomeness that will be headed your way.

What: well you know we are featuring our the best from 2010, but how? Simple, interviews, book reviews, guestposts and the most exciting part for you, Giveaways. Lots of giveaways. 26 pieces of swag, including signed books are on the slate for my site alone.

So- stay tuned for more info, and get ready, it's going to be awesome!