Daughter of Smoke and Bone

The last few days I got sucked into Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. Can I call it? This is the new Hunger Games (which was the new Twilight). I think this one is going to grab a lot of people's attention....

As far as dressing for the book, I knew I had to incorporate animal print somehow to represent the chimaera in the book. Then I thought additionally, Oooh, perfect time to tie together two scarfs and wrap them around (idea from Already Pretty, but I couldn't find the post where she did this first!)

Scarf 1 (Hello Kitty leopard) - Sanrio, Scarf 2 - Missoni for Target (Present from Husband)

Cute look, right? I've been dying to wear this Missoni for Target scarf, and when I realized the colors went so well with the leopard print scarf, I knew I had to go for it.

Silk blouse - J.Crew, Leopard print belt - dEliA*s, Brown corduroy pants - Gap, Bracelets - Uniquities and Nordstrom, Cream and black flats -  Sam Edelman

Thanks to Sister for taking these pictures! Husband and I met up with Sister and Parents to have an early birthday lunch at Mama Dip's.

Purse - Wilson's Leather

Mom made a delicious cake, and I received lovely presents (all to be worn at a later time, can't wait to show them!). Want to see how well Parents know me?

Hello Kitty card. While I'm wearing a Hello Kitty scarf. And Parents' presents were leopard themed. I know.

But maybe you're still wondering about the book! Once you get past the cheesy title and cover (which it took a lot for me to get over it and I actually love young adult novels--I only did because it's a book club choice), you might end up loving it. I gave it 4/5 stars! I avoided it, then made fun of it, then tried to get it from the library so I didn't have to pay for it.

Finally I had to buy it and thank goodness I did because I loved it. Within just a couple of pages, I grumbled to myself that Taylor is actually a good writer. I completely got sucked in by her imagination, especially loving Taylor's demons and the main setting of Prague. And then we have a love story (which is why even though I'm calling this the next Hunger Games, it won't be for everybody--the love story is a bit much).

The pacing of the story was great--for the last 40% I couldn't stop reading until I was done. And by the end, I thought, I must buy the next book RIGHT NOW. Then I found out this was published in September. 2011. I literally threw up my hands and screamed in anguish. Can't wait until the next one.