Friday Finds

Another fun book meme care of Should Be Reading.

What great books did you hear about / discover this past week?

These are some I've found on my own through Amazon, Eharlequin etc and others I found blog hopping.

Author: Beth Ciotta
Title: Into The Wild
Book Blurb: When River Kane's fiancé abandons her at the altar for being too conventional, she's heartbroken. But everything changes when her estranged archaeologist father sends her his journal—filled with cryptic maps and a note indicating he's in mortal danger. Worried, River faces her greatest fears and flies to the Amazon to find him. But she needs a guide. Someone completely unlike danger-seeker Spenser McGraw.

A charismatic treasure hunter who thrives on risk, Spenser hosts the popular TV show Into the Wild, dedicated to locating lost treasures and mythical icons. But River's father's life depends on discretion, and too-sexy Spenser is all about publicity. Forced to team up, they embark on a jungle adventure ripe with temptation and danger…ultimately discovering a hidden treasure that could alter history—and a steamy love neither expected.


Author: Gitty Daneshvari
Title: School Of Fear
Book Blurb: "Large glass lanterns [hung] from rusted old chains." Descriptions like this one set the scene for a secret, yet elite school for eradicating children's fears. Four 12-year-olds are sent there with the hope that they'll overcome fears of bugs, confined spaces, water, and death. When they arrive, they discover that they are the only students in a school run by a seemingly crazy ex-beauty queen. Forced to learn waving and proper pageant smiling for hours on end, the students wonder if they'll ever escape. Of course, they must face their fears in order to get away and bring back help for a servant. The school isn't what it seems, and the villains aren't who they appear to be. The story is hilarious for its over-the-top gloominess. Each chapter begins with the definition of a type of fear, e.g., arachibutyrophobia (the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth). Suggest this one to fans of Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events"


Author: Kathryn Lasky
Title: Guardians of Ga'hoole: The Capture
Book Blurb: At the beginning of this new series, a young Barn Owl named Soren lives peacefully with his family, participating in rituals like the First Meat ceremony, and enjoying legends about the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, knightly owls "who would rise each night into the blackness and perform noble deeds." After he falls from his nest, his idyllic world transforms into one of confusion and danger, as he is captured by evil chick-snatching owls and taken to the St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. Soren and his new friend Gylfie work to develop strategies for withstanding "moon blinking" (brainwashing), while secretly striving to learn how to fly. The legends of Ga'Hoole help them to survive, and they are able to escape to find their families and warn the world about the dangers of St. Aegolius. While the owls have human characteristics, such as Soren's determination and Gylfie's creative ideas, their actions and culture reflect Lasky's research into owl behaviors and species. The story's fast pace, menacing bad guys, and flashes of humor make this a good choice for reluctant readers, while the underlying message about the power of legends provides a unifying element and gives strong appeal for fantasy fans.