I Like These Books

Standalone Spotlight: Interview with Jess Rothenberg

2012-02-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

As a part of this month Standalone Spotlight, I hope you enjoy this interview with debut author Jess Rothenberg!

* * *

1.) Please describe The Catastrophic History of You and Me with one food item, one animal and one color. (feel free to explain.)

Endless pizza (to go with Brie and Patrick’s “Little Slice of Heaven” Pizza Parlor Afterlife)

Basset Hound (one word: Hamloaf!!)

Rusty orange-red (just like the Golden Gate, Brie’s literal bridge between our world and the Great Beyond…) Gulp. Long way down!

2.) Finish this sentence: While writing TCHoYaM I sometimes... had to get up and dance!

3.) Congratulations on your FANTASTIC debut! Is there something about the whole process (from first draft to publication) that surprised you? Any advice to aspiring authors?

Thank you so much! ☺ There were plenty of surprises along the way, for sure! It was so exciting to watch the characters grow and change as I wrote and revised (even surprising me in places). The cover changed a few times, too, though that actually happens more than you might think. I’m so happy with how it turned out—I think the jacket is absolutely gorgeous and shimmery and I love the way the Golden Gate Bridge also looks a little bit like wings. Advice-wise, I guess the most important thing I’ve learned along the way is to try and keep a sense of humor about the whole process, if you can. And enjoy it!

4.) In you're own little "slice of Heaven" what joint would your holding place be. Would it be a pizza place like Brie's? Or something entirely different?

My slice of Heaven would be a giant water park, with crazy slides, awesome waves pools, and eternal lazy rivers…bliss!

5.) Each of your chapters start out with song lyrics. How did you pick the songs? Were there any songs that you wanted to put in but just didn't fit?

There were a few that couldn’t make it in, yes, but overall the process of picking song lyrics for chapter titles was pretty clean. I’d think about what was happening in a particular moment of the story and where Brie was emotionally, and since I’m a bit of a lyrics encyclopedia myself, a certain song would just pop into my head as being a good fit! : )

* * *

Jess Rothenberg
Author of The Catastrophic History of You and Me Released February 21, 2012
Dial/Penguin

Standalone Spotlight: Feburary Posts
Review
Giveaway
Book Trailer Spotlight

Standalone Spotlight: Catastrophic History of You and Me Trailer

2012-02-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

This month's Standalone Spotlight, The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rotheberg released yesterday and I highly suggest that you all go out and find yourself a copy! To help convince you a bit more, take a look at the book's trailer. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

(Goodreads)

My Review

Enter the Giveaway!

New Girl by Paige Harbison

2012-02-21T00:01:00.001-05:00

New Girl by Paige Harbison

304 Pages (Paperback)

HarlequinTeen

January 31st 2012

Source: Netgalley

They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

(Goodreads)

I found out after reading New Girl that this novel is a retelling of Rebecca, but I have not read the original, so I am in no position to tell how accurately they matched up. My review is solely bases on New Girl (how it should be).

What struck me about this novel was not necessarily the characters or the plot, but the overall feel of the story. It reminded me of Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma in the way that every page coats you with a layer of mystery and that feeling that something is just not quite right...

There were a few things that did not fit to me - not that I didn't like them, just that they didn't really make sense. First off, the main character is sent to boarding school because her parents had been secretly applying since she first asked them years ago (because she was infatuated with Harry Potter) and they think they are doing something extremely nice for their daughter when she is finally accepted. Okay, that's nice. But - she doesn't want to go to boarding school anymore. Why she doesn't tell her parents and not go makes no sense to me. Also, at the school, there is an old boat house where the kids have parties. I get how they tricked the guard into letting them go down there before the MC gets there... but after a student goes missing there, wouldn't it make sense to have more security and/or padlock the place?

I tried to ignore my rational thoughts (this is fiction, I attempted to convince myself) because I really did enjoy the novel. I can't pin point exactly why, but I really wanted to get to the end and see how it all played out! The narration goes between the main character and the missing girl (before she goes missing up unto the point) and that was really unique how it was set up that way. Also, not saying anything, but I really enjoy what the author does with the main character's name (you'll see what I mean if you read it).

Beware though, there is a lot of drugs, sex, violence (rape/self-harm) woven into the plot. It is not extraneous, but if that is going to bother you, I thought I'd give you a heads up. But really, don't let that stop you. The novel is intriguing, suspenseful, mysterious and creepy - a powerful combination.

In My Mailbox (29)

2012-02-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

In My Mailbox is a meme started by Kristi at The Story Siren. This meme is a place where people can learn about great books that they might not have known about, or to freak out over books they can't wait to get! Here's what I got in my mailbox the last week...

For Review

(Goodreads)

~ Love? Maybe by Heather Hepler

Bought

(Goodreads)

~ Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood*

(Goodreads)

~ Legend by Marie Lu*

(Goodreads)

~ Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton

(Goodreads)

~ Vanish (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan

* I bought these books at the Books of Wonder stop on the Breathless Reads tour, so they are both signed. I also got my books signed by Beth Revis and Andrea Cremer (of course) but I already had those. The signing was great and all the lovely ladies were funny and interesting. I also got a cool poster signed by all the authors and a lanyard thing that makes you feel all official.

Intangible by J. Meyers Excerpt

2012-02-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

About the Book:

Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.

(Goodreads)

* * *

And then she knew. No vision had ever terrified him. Never. In seventeen years. It was as if his own life were at stake. But he didn’t See his own future. He only saw other’s. She suddenly had a terrible feeling that she knew exactly whose future he’d Seen.

Her voice was a whisper. “Do I get hurt?”

His face contorted, but he didn’t say anything.

“Oh my god. Do I die?”

He closed his eyes.

“Oh.” The air rushed out of her lungs on that one word. She was going to die.

Luke’s voice was tight, tortured when he said, “We gotta go.” He bent down to pick up Sera’s bag again, then headed out the door. Sera looked down at her feet. Their book bags lay there. She should probably pick those up, she thought. Luke was already on the porch, waiting. She reached down and grasped the bags, then woodenly stepped outside.
Luke stared at her a moment, searching her face, then reached around her and locked the door. He started down the steps, but her voice stopped him.

“Luke?”

He turned to look at her. She was going to die. She knew she was going to die. But she couldn’t stop herself from asking even though she already knew the answer.

“Have you ever had a vision that didn’t come true?” she said. “Ever?”

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis

2012-02-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis

400 pages (Hardcover)

Razorbill

January 11, 2012

Source: Bought

Godspeed was once fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos. It’s been three months. In that time, Amy has learned to hide who she is. Elder is trying to be the leader he’s always wanted to be. But as the ship gets more and more out of control, only one thing is certain: They have to get off the ship.

(Goodreads)

Frexing amazing! I tore through this installment (and it is no short novel) in a day. Twist after twist, false hopes and false leads, mysteries and deaths - A Million Suns is a crazy and terrifying, but addicting ride.

This is one of those novels where trying to summarize it would just be futile and do no justice at all, so I'm going to skip that whole ordeal. But basically, this installment picks up at the close of the last novel give or take a few days. Elder is struggling to accept and come into his position as Eldest, and his decision to rule unlike the previous Eldest causes chaos. The secrets Amy reveals in the meantime change everything. Everything the people of Godspeed have ever known about their home is turned upside down when a terrifying truth is presented to them.

I have found trilogies to have a sort of expected pattern. The first book, amazing, the second is more of a build up (which usually is disappointing in some fashion) and the third is a ground breaking explosion of action. While Across the Universe definitely followed the pattern and I hope the third book will too, the second, A Million Suns is an exception to this observation. It was amazing. Yes there was build up for the third novel, but just in the way that the first lead up to the second. It was not just build up. NO it was not. (That is me subtly saying that a whole lot of amazingly ridiculous, horrifying and suspicious things take place!)

If you've read the first, you'd be depriving yourself (that's me not saying "you'd be dumb") by not continuing on with this installment. Frankly, I'm mad at myself that I didn't read it the second it was released.

Pure (Pure #1) by Julianna Baggott

2012-02-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

Pure (Pure #1) by Julianna Baggott

448 Pages (Hardcover)

February 8th 2012

Grand Central Publishing

Source: Publisher

Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet, she thinks about what is lost--how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies.

(Goodreads)

The dystopian war that Baggott creates is terrifying, brutal and strangely addictive. The imagery was so raw and gruesome as times that I instinctively closed my eyes from the picture, cringing while I forced them back open to read the rest of the words. If dystopian is what you are looking for, Pure is consuming world to explore.

The Earth is struggling to recreate itself after the Detonations, the explosions of radiation that left the planet virtually barren. Those who survived carry their scars on their bodies, fused to items that were touching them at the time. A doll head fist, birds embedding into a back, a brother latched onto a neck, children clutching their mothers' legs... the items, the people, become one. The only people who do not carry such burdens are the Pures, those who were safely in the Dome before the radiation hit. But now a Pure has escaped. Pressia finds herself connected to him and sent on a journey that uncovers the secrets of the past she's forgotten.

A+ to Baggot for the world she's created. My only real criticism lies in one of the characters. Namely, Pressia. She is sixteen but the whole time I imagined her much younger. If anything, the struggles she's been put through should make her seem older, not the other way around. This discrepancy kind of through off my interpretation of some of the events.

If you are shying away from this title because of my initial description, please note that not every page is gruesome or bloody. The world is brutal in itself; it is decimated. However, there were only three or four times that I would consider hard to read.

Overall, if dystopian is your thing, I'd recommend Pure. This novel is a YA - Adult crossover, so the wording and world is created for an older audience. Teens would have no trouble reading it, I just thought it of use to mention that this book was written for adults.

* * *

Standalone Spotlight: Catastrophic Giveaway!

2012-02-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

As a part of February's Standalone Spotlight, I have a great giveaway for you donated by the lovely Jess Rothenberg. It will run until the end on the month! Check back all month for more posts about The Catastrophic History of You and Me!

Find out more about the SARC and our Standalone Spotlights HERE.

The Prizes (ONE WINNER):

~ The Catastrophic History of You and Me poster

~ (Signed) ARC The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Thanks to Jess Rothenberg for the donation!

The Rules:

US Only (Sorry)
Must be 13 years or older to enter
Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen
Comments are appreciated but the rafflecopter must be filled out to count
Giveaway ends February 29th at midnight EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In My Mailbox (28)

2012-02-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

For Review

(Goodreads)

~ Awkward by Marni Bates (ARC)*

(Goodreads)

~ The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

(Goodreads)

~ The Rivals by Daisy Whitney

* Counts towards the Standalone Reading Challenge. See THIS POST for more information

Special thanks to LBBYR and Kensington Publishing Corporation for my books this week!

Holly Cupala Giveaway!!

2012-02-11T11:25:00.001-05:00

This month I've featured Holly Cupala's work quite a bit. The simple reason is: her books are really well written and cover important topics. Also, Don't Breathe a Word, her newest novel, counts towards the Standalone Reading Challenge. Today I'm offering a swag pack to one reader - good luck!

The Prizes:
~ Don't Breathe a Word magnet made by Holly (she only made a few!)*
~ Mini Moo card
~ Dear Bully bookmark
~ DBAW graphic art page (in protective sheet) signed by Holly Cupala and the artist, Realm Lovejoy (rare!)**

* I received two magnets, I'd be crazy not to keep one :)
** I won this and I rather give it to someone who will appreciate it more. It is really cool, I just don't have anything to do with it.

Rules:

Must be 13 years or older to enter
US ONLY (sorry)
Giveaway ends February 19, 2012 at Midnight EST
Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen
Comments are appreciated, but Rafflecopter must be filled out to be entered to win

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

2012-02-10T00:01:00.021-05:00

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
400 Pages (Hardcover)
Penguin Young Readers Group
February 21, 2012
Source: ARC from Librarything

Brie's life ends at sixteen: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart - "literally." But now that she's in heaven, Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend knows a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost - and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul who's been D&G (dead and gone) much longer than she? and who just might hold the key to her forever after. With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on? but how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

(Goodreads)

I loved this book with a passion. Brie is hilarious, even when filled with grief. The story is extremely well written, and manages to take a rather morbid topic and turn it into something heartwarming, entertaining and joyous.

This is Brie's story, of how she literally died of a broken heart. It takes progression through a series of emotional steps to finally see the whole truth. No matter what she does, how she tries to fix things or get revenge, there is that unyielding fact that she is still dead. Cute 80's boy Patrick is there to help her the whole way... but what if there is something more to their relationship?

Yeah... that description doesn't give it near justice. This book is not just beautifully written, it is beautifully packaged and formatted. That may seem silly to say, but it makes a big difference. The book is split into parts based on the five stages of grief that Brie must evolve through and each chapter starts with a song title or lyrics that hold some truth in that chapter. Plus the cover: perfect. I liked it when I saw it, but it really fits the novel and that I really appreciate.

All that needs to be said is: read it! Especially if you like contemporaries, because The Catastrophic History of You and Me is wonderful and unique - genius really.

Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson

2012-02-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson
Nancy Paulsen Books
182 Pages (Hardcover)
February 2, 2012
Source: ARC from Librarything

Laurel Daneau has moved on to a new life, in a new town, but inside she’s still reeling from the loss of her beloved mother and grandmother after Hurricane Katrina washed away their home. Laurel’s new life is going well, with a new best friend, a place on the cheerleading squad and T-Boom, co-captain of the basketball team, for a boyfriend. Yet Laurel is haunted by voices and memories from her past.

When T-Boom introduces Laurel to meth, she immediately falls under its spell, loving the way it erases, even if only briefly, her past. But as she becomes alienated from her friends and family, she becomes a shell of her former self, and longs to be whole again. With help from an artist named Moses and her friend Kaylee, she’s able to begin to rewrite her story and start to move on from her addiction.

Incorporating Laurel’s bittersweet memories of life before and during the hurricane, this is a stunning novel by one of our finest writers. Jacqueline Woodson’s haunting—but ultimately hopeful—story is beautifully told and one readers will not
want to miss.

(Goodreads)

This book was not what I was hoping for, to say the least. I understood where the writer was coming from in terms of the writing style, but I found it confusing and not as powerful as possible with such a huge subject.

In essence, the novel is the story of Laurel had become addicted to Meth. This is a huge topic and very important, yet the impact of it on Laurel's life is not portrayed in a way that made me care. The story is told from Laurel's point of view; memories are told in fragments (since she doesn't remember it all). I guess that makes sense to the story, but it makes the plot hard for the reader to figure out. Also, I don't know if it is different in the finished copy, but the ARC's have no quotation marks! Everything is in italics so it is hard to differentiate conversations from inner thoughts.

This was a quick read (quick meaning short, not consuming). I read it almost straight through, but I did not get the same feelings that books like Speak, Don't Breathe a Word or Want To Go Private? left me with. I wish I could sit this book next to those I mentioned, I wish that it portrayed the subject powerfully.... it just didn't. Disappointed.

Don't Breathe a Word Trailer Launch Party!

2012-02-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

The book trailer for Holly Cupala's Tell Me a Secret is one of my favorites, and I couldn't wait to see the Don't Breathe a Word trailer live up to the first! To celebrate its release, Holly has created a virtual launch party, complete with swag packs. Read the info at the bottom of this post, but I know you really just want to see the trailer, so here it is....

What do you think? Leave a comment and share your opinion :)

PRIZES:

Five Grand Prizes: Signed copies of Don’t Breathe a Word, Tell Me a Secret, the TMAS special edition audiobook, bookmarks, stickers, and other swag*
Ten Runner-Up Prizes: Don’t Breathe a Word flyers, bookmarks, stickers, and a TMAS button*
Plus the first forty people who buy the book at this link between now and Valentine’s Day get DBAW bookmarks, stickers, and undying book love from me!*

*Must include mailing address with entry. (US + up to 20% international winners)

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Click here to go to the DBAW trailer link, then click the Share button to send to your Facebook, Twitter, Google+, MySpace,blog, or other social network. 5 pts each

2. Buy the book at this link for more chances to win (include in your entry below)!

3. Click here to enter with your links and/or purchase!

Interview with Holly Cupala!

2012-02-06T06:37:00.000-05:00

Holly Cupala is the author of the newly released Don't Breathe a Word and her previous debut, Tell Me a Secret. I read Don't Breathe a Word and it blew my mind. I am currently listening to the audio book of TMAS and it seems to be doing the same thing! If you have not read any of her books, I really suggest that you do. I hope you enjoy this interview!

* * *

1.) Please describe Don't Breathe a Word using one animal, one movie/television character and one food item (feel free to explain!).

A ferret: because Santos in DBAW has one.
Alias? Veronica Mars? (I confess, I don’t watch a lot of TV!)
Ice cream from Molly Moon’s in Seattle: because there’s that ice cream scene…

2.) Street powers are really important in DBAW. What do you think would most likely be your street power? Which one would you want the most?

Teleportation, most definitely! Would be useful for world (and universe) travel, not to mention ducking out of uncomfortable situations, dodging animal attacks, and all kinds of pertinent applications.

3.) What would your street name be?

In DBAW and real life, homeless teens often take on street names for protection, to seem tougher, or for showing the world who they really are or hope to be. I think, if I had a street name, I’d pick something cool like Andromeda or Deja or Ghostgirl. Writermama (which is what I am!) doesn’t quite have that edgy ring.

4.) Do you have a favorite line/scene from DBAW? Can you share?

I really love May, especially when she first comes on scene. I didn’t know I had a funny, scrappy, vulnerable homeless girl lurking inside my writer brain.

5.) What amount of research went into this novel? Is there a certain fact you learned that stuck with you?

Quite a bit. When I first started making notes for Don’t Breathe a Word, I didn’t know if my ideas would fit into the reality of what teens actually experience on the streets…so I did a lot of independent research and took a class at New Horizons on working with homeless teens. Just a few things I learned:

• The three most typical outcomes for homeless teens: they go home, they get off the streets, or they die.
• Rain, cold, and mold are a big problem in Seattle. A lot of kids get sick, and clean, dry socks are a big deal.
• A lot of homeless teens have pets for protection and love.
• Kids are usually running from something (like trauma or abuse), not running to the streets.
• Abuse on the streets is common. One statistic is that within 72 hours, most have been approached or assaulted.
• Wanting to leave bad habits is not a motivation to leave the streets—finding purpose and meaning is. One better choice can make the difference between a hopeful outcome and a grim one. I tried to capture that with the ending of DBAW.

I was also really surprised when the ideas I already had for the story (like street names, ideas of justice, and banding together for family and protection) were confirmed by real life. I guess some things are universal.

6.) If you went on a date with Creed at Molly Moon's, which ice cream flavor would you get? Which would you pick out for Creed?

Salted Caramel, Rosemary Meyer Lemon, Earl Grey, Honey Lavender, Cardamom…they are all so yummy!

7.) This is your second novel. Is there anything that was really different between the whole process (writing through release) of Tell Me a Secret and Don't Breathe a Word?

Short answer…yes! I joke that the first draft of TMAS took four years to write, DBAW took four months, and I’m hoping this next novel (top secret!) will take four weeks…which is probably unrealistic, but a girl can hope. There is so much wonder and excitement releasing a first book, hoping readers will love it and then worrying about disappointing them with the next book. Well, the hope and worry are still the same!

8.) Random question: what word or words do you misspell most often?

Sensitive. (Sensetive?) Committment. Or wait, is that commitment? :)

Thanks so much for inviting me to your blog, Britta, and I hope your readers love Don’t Breathe a Word!

* * *

Check back tomorrow when I will be participating in the release of the book trailer for Don't Breathe a Word! The Tell Me a Secret trailer is one of my favorites, so I'm as eager as anyone to see the DBAW trailer!

* * *

Download a chapter preview of Don't Breathe a Word!

Read my review of Don't Breathe a Word!

In My Mailbox (27)

2012-02-05T14:05:00.000-05:00

For Review

(Goodreads)

Pure (Pure #1) by Julianna Baggot

This is a Young Adult/Adult cross over, so that should be fun! It was sent to me with a silver ribbon and a Pure pin dangling from it. I love special presentations like that, it really makes me eager to read the book!

Standalone Spotlight: February

2012-02-02T00:01:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the second monthly Standalone Spotlight! This feature is a part of the 2012 Standalone Challenge hosted by myself and Hafsah at IceyBooks. If you want to sign up for the challenge and have not already, see the intro post HERE.

So what is a Standalone Spotlight? Well, each month Hafsah and I will each pick a standalone YA novel that comes out in that month to feature. During that month we will hold author interviews, giveaways, reviews and other fun posts like this-or-that lists, character interviews and book trailer features! Sounds like fun, right?

The January winners were: Erin Kate, Farah Majdoub and Vivien! Congratulations : )

For the month of February I am spotlighting... Drum roll please...

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

Brie's life ends at sixteen: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart - "literally." But now that she's in heaven, Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend knows a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost - and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul who's been D&G (dead and gone) much longer than she? and who just might hold the key to her forever after. With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on? but how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

This book comes out from Penguin Young Readers Group February 21!

Standalone Reading Challenge: February

2012-02-01T00:01:00.004-05:00

Welcome back to the second month of the first annual Standalone Reading Challenge!

If you're not familiar with the challenge I am co-hosting with Hafsah from IceyBooks, read the full introductory post here. Once you sign up, be sure to pick up one of ten buttons here. (Sign ups are open all year!)

Our January prize pack was pretty awesome, and the lucky winner was Aanchal. Thanks to all who posted their reviews, I had a fun time reading as many as I could. Hopefully we'll see even more links on the February list. Now the part that everyone is waiting for (pause for dramatic effect), the February prize pack!

The Books:

(1) ARC of The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone

(1) ARC of The Girls of No Return by Erin Saldin

(1) Hardcover of DJ Rising by Love Maia

(1) Hardcover of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

(1) Hardcover of Why We Broke Up by David Handler

(1) Hardcover of Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse by Lucas Klauss

Other Goodies:

~ The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight eye masks

~ Don't Breathe a Word sticker/bookmarks

~ Take a Bow bookmark

~ (Signed) Wonderlove bookmark

Special thanks to the donators:

Scholastic

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Sara Wilson Etienne

Holly Cupala

Elizabeth Eulberg

Kirsten Hubbard

Simon & Schuster

So what are you waiting for? Read, Review, and Link up!

(Just the book title is fine! Please post with the direct link to your review.)

International Kissing Club Blog Tour

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

Please enjoy this guest post by Ivy Adams as apart of the {Teen} Book Scene tour for The International Kissing Club. You can check out my review HERE.

* * *

I had the option today of writing about either my top ten writing snacks or my top ten places to go for inspiration.... Um, are those actually two separate topics?
If you were hoping today’s blog would be about how to find inspiration on long walks along the beach and visits to a sculpture gardens ... yeah, not so much. I’m a professional writer. On deadline. If I’m desperate for inspiration, it’s probably two in the morning. Fear of missing my deadline is the only thing keeping me awake. I need inspiration now. Not in eight hours when the museum opens. I don’t go for a walk. I go to the pantry.

It’s a scientific fact that chewing increases serotonin levels in your blood and therefore increases your ability to concentrate. The smell of mint also increases concentration. Ergo, eating Thin Mints at two in the morning is a totally legitimate tactic.

Now, just so you don’t think I’m totally unhealthy, I fully recognize that getting the blood pumping also helps. So walking downstairs to get the box of Thin Mints and then back upstairs to my office is part of my strategy. (And, yeah, sure, sometimes I take yoga breaks too. ‘Cause downward dog helps, too. But snacking is more fun to talk about.)

Before we dive into my list, a few caveats. Being on deadline is like running a marathon. It’s intense. You’ll have doubts. You’ll want to quit. Your body will ache in ways it doesn’t seem possible. I’m not even joking. Sixteen hours a day at the computer is no laughing matter. You have to give your body the fuel it needs. So you can’t start a book eating Thin Mints. That’s the kind of thing you hit in the home stretch.

So this is a list to get you from the beginning of the book all the way through the last desperate hours. Start slow. Pace yourself and don’t eat an entire months worth of calories at once.

1. Roasted soy nuts – high in protein and lots of crunch. I pretend they’re better for me than peanuts. Maybe they even are.
2. Roasted almonds – somewhere I read that seven almonds were the perfect snack, so that’s how many I let myself have. If I get up to my office, eat them all and am still hungry ... well, the walk back downstairs to the pantry ain’t gonna kill me.
3. Organic baby carrots – if they were good enough for Bugs Bunny, they’re good enough for me.
4. Frozen grapes – for years, I read about people snacking on these and thought folks were just crazy. But they’re actually pretty yummy. I like mine sliced thin so I don’t have a giant choking hazard in my mouth. (We writers are experts at imagining ways we can die in the night and not be found until the rest of our family wakes up in the morning.)
5. Dried vegetable chips – my grocery store sells them in tubs near the bulk food section. They’re crunchy and salty. I pretend they’re better for me than normal chips, but they’re probably not.
6. Cinnamon Altoids – They’re crunchy, they’re minty, and you can’t eat them too fast with making your head explode. That’s a win, right?
7. Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares – Early on in a book, I allow myself one of these a day. I can nibble one for about an hour if I pace myself.
8. Ghirardelli 60% chocolate chips – by the time I’m a month out on deadline, I’ve progressed from one tiny chocolate a day to fistfuls of chocolate chips. Thank God Ghirardelli makes chocolate chips. Being on deadline is no excuse to eat bad chocolate. Of course, in the last couple of weeks of deadline, all bets are off. The bag of chips just sits beside my keyboard up in the office.
9. Chocolate covered soy nuts – crunchy and chocolate, what more do I have to say? Last year for their birthdays, I gave Tracy and Shellee each a pound of these. I have been forbidden to ever do so again.
10. Thin Mints – hey, you knew it was coming, right? But I gotta warn you. Thin Mints are a snack food to pull out only in dire snacking emergencies. The sugar crash can cause a severe napping emergency. Use with extreme caution, or for celebratory purposes only.

So what are your favorite snack foods? Tell me in the comments (leave your email so we can contact you) to be entered to win the Around the World In 80 Kisses daily and weekly prize and also become eligible to win the Grand Prize, a Kindle Fire. For a list of all our Smooch Posts you can visit and earn more entries to win, visit us here.

The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams is the story of four best friends: Piper, Cassidy, Mei, and Izzy--the misfits of Paris, Texas. Their whole lives, they’ve dreamed of escaping small-town life and seeing the world. So when Piper is the victim of an embarrassing prank that goes viral online, she gets the idea that the girls should escape via the school’s international exchange program, in search of fun, love and internet redemption.

Emily McKay, Shellee Roberts and Tracy Deebs write under the pseudonym Ivy Adams. They shop, gossip and watch movies in Austin, Texas.

Standalone Spotlight: Interview with Luke!

2012-01-30T00:01:00.007-05:00

As a part of the Standalone Spotlight for January, The Queen of Kentucky, I am happy to share with you an interview with the one of the main characters, Luke! I hope you enjoy :)

If you do not know what the Standalone Spotlight is, see that post HERE.

If you would like to sign up for the Standalone Reading Challenge, see that post HERE.

* * *

1.) I'm going to ask you the same question I asked Ricki Jo since your freshman year has been very crazy as well, is there a moment you think you will look back on as your "best" that year? As your "worst"?

For me, my best and worst moments happened at the same time: when I finally stood up to my dad.

2.) How do you like living on a farm, or just in a small town in general? What is your favorite thing to do on the farm? If you could chose anywhere to live your life, would you chose someplace else? (I'm sorry that was just three questions in one...)

I'm made for the farm. I love it out there. I like building or making things with my hands and seeing the returns later. It's like, "I did that." I hate big cities. All the noise and the people? No way. My favorite thing to do on the farm is feed the cattle. It's easy and they're always glad to see me.

3.) It is always tough to have a friend feel like he or she is drifting away... How did you feel when Ricki Jo wanted to be Ericka?

It sucked. It was just weird, you know? But that's Ricki Jo. She wants to be so much more than she is. She's always talking about making her mark on this world. It makes me laugh. She doesn't even see how she's already doing that, at school or whatever, just by being herself.

4.) This is a personal question, but I have to ask, how is everything at home? Are things looking better?

I don't know. At first, I was glad that my dad was arrested. But now that he's gone, and I finally went to visit him and he's sober, I guess I miss him. Dumb, I know. And my mom feels like everybody in town thinks bad of her after what happened to me, so I feel sort of guilty about that. I don't know. I don't really wanna talk about it.

5.) Random question: If you could be any book character for a day, who would you be?

Uh... I don't really like to read. Maybe that guy from The Bourne Identity movie. That was a book first, right?

* * *

If you missed the other Standalone Spotlight posts, check them out below:

My Review & Giveaway (open all month!)

Interview with Alecia Whitaker

Book Trailer Spotlight

Interview with Ricki Jo

In My Mailbox (26)

2012-01-29T00:01:00.001-05:00

Won

I won all of these items from Holly Cupala's street team for Don't Breath a Word!

~ Don't Breath a Word (*signed) by Holly Cupala

~ Tell Me a Secret (* signed Audiobook)

~ Tell Me a Secret sticky notes

~ Don't Breath a Word magnet (Made by Holly)

~ Don't Breath a Word bookmarks (They are stickers!)

~ Cool mini cards (from Moo.com)

~ A print out of a page created graphic-novel style for DBAW signed by Holly & the artist

This prize pack was awesome! I am just blown away by how beautiful the packaging is for the audio book, AND it is my first ever. So I'm pretty excited.

Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala & Giveaway!

2012-01-26T00:01:00.002-05:00

Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala
299 Pages (Paperback)
HarperTeen
January 3, 2012
Source: ARC from author

Joy Delamere is suffocating...

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take his words - tender words, cruel words - until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe... if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.

(Goodreads)

This novel is not only wonderfully written and a great story, but it surrounds a serious issue. Amazing and wonderful are not adjectives that fully fit this story. I enjoyed reading it and I could hardly put it down, but the books is too heartbreaking, suffocating, scary and real to be amazing or wonderful. I'm going to say something big here: Don't Breathe a Word deserves to be sitting one your self right next to Thirteen Reasons Why and Speak.

Joy is suffocating, both figuratively and literally, by her current life. While asthma threatens the livability of her life, her overprotective family takes away remaining freedom while her abusive boyfriend takes away all that's left. She needed to escape. She finds herself in the streets of Seattle, learning to survive by making friendships, staying invisible and doing whatever is necessary to do her part and stay safe. But the longer she is on the streets, the more trying situations she faces, the question comes to mind, are the streets and better than home? How far is too far?

One of my favorite things about this novel is that when it opens, Joy is already running away. The reason why she left and everything leading up to it are told through flashbacks as she tries to find her way on the streets. Bits and pieces are given until the whole picture is complete, drawing out interest and explaining why Joy feels the way she does or acts the way she does.

I feel bad even saying this, but my only complaint is that I felt the novel ended too well. I'm not on the dark side or anything and wishing doom upon everyone, but to go from such an impossible situation to everything getting better didn't come off as hopeful for me, but rather making the previous parts of the novel seem fake. Yes, it is fiction, but it all seemed so real up until that point.

But that is tiny in the scope of this novel. I definitely recommend it.

* * *

Giveaway!

If you are not already excited for this title, which you should be, I am excited to host a great giveaway! Holly Cupala gave me a few things for you lovely people, but I have also acquired finished copy, so the ARC is going to you! Check out the rules before entering the Rafflecopter below :)

Rules:

Must be 13 years or older to enter
US ONLY (sorry)
Comments are appreciated, but the form must be filled out to be entered
Contest ends 2/3/12 at midnight EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jen E. Smith

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jen E. Smith
236 Pages (Poppy)
January 2, 2012
Source: Publisher

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

(Goodreads)

The statistical probability that you will love this book? Just about 100%. It is quite possibly the cutest book I have ever read. It made me want to squeal with joy like some lust-struck tween. It made we want to strike up conversation with people in airports, even though I would probably alert security.

Hadley Sullivan missed her plane by four minutes. The plane that would take her to London to see her father that she hasn't seen in over a year, and to meet his fiancé... And to be a bride's maid in their wedding. She was dreading every second of it. Timing is everything in this adorable novel about moving on and accepting love for what it is. Inexplicable, unexpected and all consuming.

Oh. My. I don't even know what to say... I loved this book. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Not one complaint coming from me. Well... except maybe one. Back off Hadley, Oliver is mind. (I'm not obsessive or anything).

First Date by Krista McGee

2012-01-24T00:01:00.002-05:00

First Date by Krista McGee
336 Pages (Paperback)
Thomas Nelson
January 10, 2012
Source: NetGalley

Addy Davidson discovers God's unexpected plans for her life when a reality TV show turns her quiet existence on its head.
The orphaned daughter of missionaries, Addy is quite content to stay in the shadows and never draw attention to herself. But when she's selected for a reality TV show to try to become the President son's prom date-a show she didn't audition for-she's suddenly in America's spotlight.
The lights, the make-up, the competitions, and the blogs discussing every move she makes all make Addy incredibly uncomfortable. But through her time at The Mansion, Addy comes to realize that first impressions aren't always right, that hiding out may not be what God had planned for her life, and that her faith should affect everything she does. It may just be that her selection wasn't random at all and that she's on this show "for such a time as this."

(Goodreads)

This book just was not for me, sadly. What seemed to be a cute idea was clouded by the less than likable characters and constant call for sympathy (which I remained unanswered).

Addy was chosen, but she wants absolutely nothing to do with The Book of Love, the new reality show to win a date with the president's son. After some convincing from her friends and family, she decides that maybe God has a plan for her, even if she is clueless to what it might be. She goes on the show, rather reluctantly, and surprises herself with the unexpected experiences and trials. Testing her patience and her faith.

Yes, this is a religious book. It is a clean read and very Christian. If that is your thing, maybe you will like this more than I did. I knew going into it that it would be religious, that is not what turned me off. What turned me off was how whiny Addy was. She was constantly complaining, not seeing any good in the situation for the longest time. She was afraid to admit to her faith, which turned out not to be a big deal to anyone around her. I got that she was struggling with the truth of her late parents, trying to live up to what everyone thought she could be. I wished I liked her better, but she was too into self-pity. I didn't feel bad for her. Because of that, I didn't really care what happened to her.

I wish I could say I loved this book, but I just didn't. If you liked it more than I did, share your thoughts below, I'd love to see what you found in it.

Standalone Spotlight: Interview with Ricki Jo!

2012-01-23T00:01:00.005-05:00

As a part of the Standalone Spotlight for January, The Queen of Kentucky, I am happy to share with you an interview with the main character, Ricki Jo! I hope you enjoy :)

If you do not know what the Standalone Spotlight is, see that post HERE.

If you would like to sign up for the Standalone Reading Challenge, see that post HERE.

* * *

1.) First things first, what should I call you? Ricki Jo or Ericka? What made you want to change your name? (What is your real name?)

My real name is Ericka Jo Winstead, but my family's always called my Ricki Jo and it just stuck through the years. When I started high school, I had this great chance to change – to reinvent myself. I thought Ericka sounded prettier than Ricki Jo and a little more sophisticated. But now, I don't really care. Either name is fine... there are a lot worse things people could call me.

2.) Your Freshman year has been quite eventful, is there a moment you look back on as your "greatest" this year? One as your "worst"?

Oh my gosh, I was so stoked to make the cheerleading squad. After being so embarrassed at tryouts, it was amazing to see my name on the list. But my worst moment was definitely drinking at the slumber party with my friends and the guys. I was a total jerk and felt crazy miserable the next day... literally.

3.) Okay, so I know you hate tobacco farming, is there a type of farming you enjoy? What would your dream job be?

The best part about farming is driving the tractor. It's like you get this awesome view of the entire farm, sort of like being up on a throne and looking over your kingdom. But whether it's tobacco or corn or even just tending the garden, I'd rather be at the movies. My dream job would be writing for a magazine like Seventeen. Imagine all the cool articles I could come up with! "How To Look Good Roller Skating," or "From Best Friend to Boy Friend." Oh, and quizzes!

4.) Boy time! How's that top five list lookin' now? Haha, you don't have to answer that, I am prying. But is there at least one special boy you can tell us about?

Oh, man. Well, I still don't know three of the guys on that list, so my odds aren't great there. And Mark is so nice (and still really adorable), but he's dating that girl he took to Homecoming. And believe it or not, Wolf and I are actually sort of friends now. He'd make an awful boyfriend, but he's not the worst person in the world to friend on Facebook. Plus, he's a lot nicer to me now that I'm dating– uh... somebody. Although I was too scared to put him on my list back then, things with Luke are... really great.

5.) You started off high school with a list of things you wanted to accomplish for Freshman year, is there something similar for next year?

Probably. I'm sort of a goal-oriented person. But my list won't be too hard since I still have a lot to check off from this year. You can guess which ones!

6.) Random question: What is your favorite animal under the sea?

I like seahorses. Now a seahorse – there's a real man. He takes care of the babies and lets his woman go follow her career. I can get with that.

* * *

See the other Standalone Spotlight posts for January:

My Review & Giveaway (open all month!)

Interview with Alecia Whitaker
Book Trailer Spotlight

In My Mailbox (25)

2012-01-22T00:01:00.001-05:00

For Review

(Goodreads)

~ Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

ARC Tour

(Goodreads)

~ Truth (XVI) by Julia Karr

(Goodreads)

~ In Honor by Jessie Kirby

Special thanks to The Teen {Book} Scene and Random House.

P.S:

In Honor & Wanderlove count towards the SARC!

Truth Blog Tour: This-or-That?

2012-01-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

Today I am happy to share with you a This-or-That list with the author of Truth (XVI #2), Julia Carr! This tour is hosted by The Teen {Book} Scene. I hope you enjoy! Be on the look out for my review of Truth coming soon!

* * *

1.) Sweet or savory? - Savory - I am not a sweets person. (I don’t consider 70% dark chocolate a sweet! lol!)
2.) Tea or coffee? - Definitely tea - green, please. (Gunpowder - not flavored)
3.) Under-the-sea or bird's eye view? - Bird’s eye view!
4.) Rainbow or neutrals? - Rainbow (at least in my head!)
5.) Typed or hand-written? - I love anything hand-written - although I type my novels (well, keyboard them!)
6.) Singing or dancing? - Do I have to choose? I sing while I dance - which probably annoys the heck out of my partners! Tee-hee!
7.) Fingers or toes? - Fingers
8.) Books or e-books? - Books - although I am considering getting an e-reader
9.) Restaurant or home-made? - Homemade - if it’s in someone else’s home & they are making it! Just kidding! I love to cook, but I really, really like to treat myself to dinner out sometimes.
10.) Shopping in stores or online? - In stores - I’m a touchy-feely kind of person!

Blackout: Protesting SOPA

2012-01-18T21:53:00.001-05:00

Okay, I'm a little late to the party, but this is important. This new bill is beyond ridiculous and is against everything the United States was created on. I don't have a fancy pop up (another reason Wordpress is tempting), but my intentions are the same, protesting the SOPA bill. Frankly, the bill is so repulsive that it should not even be considered!

Stand Up Against SOPA!

Replication: The Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson

2012-01-17T00:01:00.001-05:00

Replication: The Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson
304 Pages (Kindle)
Zonderkidz
December 20, 2011
Source: Netgalley

A girl discovers her geneticist father is covering up multiple secrets---all of which are named Jason. Jason 3:3---known as Martyr---always believed his life had purpose. As one of the hundreds of clones living in a closed-off underground facility beneath an Alaskan farm, he has been told his genetics hold the key to saving humanity from an airborne pandemic aboveground, and his purpose will be filled on his upcoming eighteenth birthday. The problem is no such pandemic exists. Unaware of the truth, Martyr wishes for one glimpse of the sky before his expiration date arrives. His escape leads him to the home of one of the scientists, and to Abby Goyer. As she helps Martyr, she can't help but notice his uncanny resemblance to the high school quarterback. Abby soon uncovers the dark truth behind Jason Farms and her dad's work, and decides to show Martyr his true value and worth. As Martyr learns the truth behind his existence, he must decide if his God-given purpose is connected to the farm, or if it rests in a life with Abby.

(Goodreads)

This story took me a while to get though, and I don't know why. The premise was interesting and I wanted to know what was next, but there was something about it that didn't grab me as well as I hoped. Overall though, it was an interesting idea.

After Abby's mother passed away, her father decided to move themselves to Alaska, much to Abby's dismay. She tries to make the best of things, but she soon becomes aware of something very suspicious, something she morally cannot let go. Before her mother died, her parents would argue about her father's questionable experiments for his job as a scientist. He has a new job in Alaska, and Abby fears it might just be worse than the first. A series of events puts her face to face with Martyr, a boy who looks exactly like the popular boy at school, and who claims to come from Jason Farms, where her father is currently employed. The journey the two go on leads them to dangerous situations, even facing death straight on.

There were certain aspect of this story that were very interesting. The whole Jason experiment was cool to learn more about. It was funny at times when Martyr, or Marty as Abby calls him, sounds like he's from another planet because he doesn't know of normal things, he was never exposed to certain things, like color and the sky.

There is a strong theme of religion in this novel, so if you are not into that kind of thing, this book may not be for you. I'm not extremely religious, but it was interesting to see two polar opposites, religion and science, kind of going against each other, only to find that they must co-exist.

I can't explain what I didn't like about this novel, only I wish that there was something more. I'm sorry I can't be more descriptive than that.

Standalone Spotlight: Queen of Kentucky Book Trailer

2012-01-16T00:01:00.023-05:00

As a part of the 2012 Standalone Reading Challenge (SARC), IceyBooks and I are hosting a Standalone Spotlight each month, to learn more about the challenge, see that post HERE, or to learn more about the spotlight, see that post HERE. For January, I am spotlighting The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker. Today, I am featuring the book trailer for The Queen of Kentucky. But first, here's what Alecia has to say about the trailer process:

Book trailers have become huge in the young adult world. Teens are connected, are online all the time, and are much more willing to watch a clip on YouTube than read a synopsis on a blog. And why not? Moving images paint a vivid scene and can draw you in quickly while leave you wanting more.

I knew I wanted to do a book trailer from the get go. And since the book is already an homage to my home state, I wanted to use young Kentucky talent for the job. I contacted The Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts and they hooked me up with a couple of 17 year old New Media students: Sam Stucky and Julie Willian. I mailed them advanced copies of the book so that they could get a sense of the story. Then I posted a casting on Facebook and used this social network to cast the actors. Everyone, including the actor playing Ricki Jo's dog Bandit, is from Kentucky! The students were so professional and amazing to work with. I organized the major shooting day and wrote a shooting script, we had lots of long phone calls, and I sent emails with character descriptions. But it's amazing to me that I've never personally met these kids, we did it from different states, and the outcome is this rewarding.

* * *

Check out the previous Standalone Spotlight posts:

My Review & Giveaway (open all month!)
Interview with Alecia Whitaker

In My Mailbox (24)

2012-01-15T00:01:00.004-05:00

For Review

(Goodreads)

~ Don't Breath a Word (ARC) by Holly Cupala
(Technically I won this from the street team, it wasn't specifically for review, but whatever ;)

(Goodreads)

~The Blood Lie by Shirley Reva Vernick

Bought

(Goodreads)

~ Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
(I know, I really need to read this already!)

(Goodreads)

~ A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis
(Ahhhh!!!)

Other Goodies

~ A bunch of swag from Holly Cupala, posters, bookmarks, a pack of Tell Me a Secret sticky notes and other cool things (look for giveaways, coming your way soon!)

~ Bookmarks and signed bookplates for Alyson Noel's books

Special thanks to Holly Cupala, Cinco Puntos Press, and Alyson Noel!

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

2012-01-14T00:01:00.001-05:00

Bloodrose (The Witches' War #3) by Andrea Cremer
406 Pages (Hardcover)
Philomel

January 3, 2012
Source: Bought

The Ultimate Sacrifice.

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy.

(Goodreads)

Um... Holy. Crap. That basically sums up all my thoughts on this novel. The most fast paced out of the three, this installment is non-stop action, twists and turns the entire way though. I'm still like, what? Did that really happen?

I am not going to try to summarize the novel, because that would just be unfair to anyone who has yet to read it yet. I'll keep it to these simple words: drama, love, action, death. Simple as in short, not as in meaning.

The ending is not what I was hoping for, definitely not what I was expecting, but I wills say this about it, it sums up the series more completely than any other series I can think of. There is no question that leaves the true ending up to the reader (*I'm looking at you Forever*), the ending is solid, complete, and although it wasn't what I wanted, I really liked that. If you're skeptical to let this series go, don't be, the ending really works.

Also... I just learned about a prequel series coming soon, the first book Rift coming August! Saying goodbye to Calla, Ren and Shay (notice how I put REN before Shay... #TeamRen and that is never going to change) still sucks, but at least we'll still have the world to live in. That sounds really lame, but I'm excited and I have a book blog so I'm allowed to be lame.

* * *

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

2012-01-13T00:01:00.001-05:00

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
368 Pages (Hardcover)
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
December 27, 2011
Source: Publisher

I'm telling you why we broke up, Ed. I'm writing it in this letter, the whole truth of why it happened.

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped.

(Goodreads)

This book is very different, unique in the most possible way. It is a break up story, and while that may not be so special, the way Handler goes about telling the story is really interesting and new.

This book is the letter that Min is writing to her Ex-boyfriend, Ed, along with the box of items from their time as a couple. At the beginning of each chapter there is an illustration of an item, which prompts side-stories illustrating, yet again, why they broke up. I have never read a book like this before, and I really liked it. The drawings were simple, this is not a picture book after all, the drawings were something extra, to make the novel really seems like the box of items Min was dropping off at Ed's house.

My only problem with the whole novel is that I had trouble following the old movie references Min makes. Small in the scheme of things. If you like contemporaries, I'd recommend this one.

* * *

This novel counts towards the SARC!

* * *

Join the Why We Broke Up Project! Share your breakup stories or find solace in the hundreds of entertaining posts already on the site ;)

What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman

2012-01-12T11:41:00.000-05:00

What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman
305 Pages (Hardcover)
Scholastic Press
January 1, 2012
Source: ARC from Publisher

Lita is the writer. Adam is the entrepreneur. They are JUST FRIENDS.
So Adam would never sell copies of a self-help book before he'd even written it. And Lita would never try to break up Adam's relationship with Blair, the skankiest girl at school. They'd never sabotage their friends Emily and Dennis. Lita would never date a guy related to a girl she can't stand. They'd never steal each other's blog posts. And Adam would never end up in a fist fight with Lita's boyfriend. Nope, never.
Adam and Lita might never agree on what happened, but in this hilarious story from Pete Hautman, they manage to give the world a little more insight into what boys and girls are really looking for.

(Goodreads)

No, this is not a nonfiction informational book about what boys really want. Instead, this is a hilarious fiction book about a boy writing said nonfiction book. But Lita, the other half of their best-friend relationship, is mad (or rather jealous) - she is supposed to be the writer in this relationship! When Adam becomes obsessed with writing this book, getting it published as soon as possible, his relationship with Lita seems to be getting jeopardized in the process. Which begs the question, what are they really looking for?

I was very pleasantly surprised with this one! I like the light humor that was woven through the whole novel. I liked Lita's sarcastic, dry humor, which helped greatly when she was being annoying. I enjoyed the fact that Adam had no clue what he was doing, how he tried to publish his novel without looking it over. It made it seem more real, since Adam is not the kind of person to be writing a book in the first place!

This is a very light, funny read. There is not much depth, so don't read this if that is what you're looking for. But, not every book needs to be extremely deep and thought provoking, some books are just plain fun.

* * *

This novel counts toward the SARC!

Tikmia (The Tikmia Trilogy #1) by F. H Faizal

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

Tikmia (The Tikmia Trilogy #1) by F. H Faizal
333 Pages (e-Book)
Self-Published
May 10, 2011
Source: Author

Seventeen year old Alia's life on the seemingly-perfect island is shrouded by lies. Everything she's loved has been taken away from her - even her memory.

Who killed her parents? Who's taking the orphans she's spent the past two years with?
Why does the man she despise resemble her so much? Who is he?
Her only source of happiness is her two sisters - she will do anything to keep them safe.

Until she fails. Until she is forced to choose. One sister will live, the other will die.

Alia and her sister find out everything is not as it seems. No one is who they say they are. Soon, they find out that they are part of something greater - an experiment that results in the creation of a new race. They look like us, but they are faster, stronger, and they feed on the raw flesh of animals.

And worse, the red-eyed Tikmia are intelligent and they have the ability to change shape at whim.

A devastating fire, a mysterious, mesmerizing creature, the colors Alia now sees - everything leads back to the Tikmia.

(Goodreads)

This novel has a lot of potential. I liked getting to know the characters and the strange world they live it, and it must be noted that Faizal knows how to weave in some crazy twists! However... I felt like I spent a good deal of the novel slightly confused. It might have just been me missing something, but while the creatures and ideas that were put into this novel were original and slightly whimsical, I felt like there was that one crucial piece of information that wasn't released, that one piece of information that would have made me love this novel and get it.

I am not even going to try to fumble with a plot summary, not because I'm confused (but I am that) but because there are so many twists that I would either end up making no sense or giving something away.

Overall, I will be looking forward to a sequel. The book ended really well with a great cliffhanger. Also, although I was confused, it makes sense (sort of...) since this is the first in a trilogy. Hopefully, my confusion was just set up for the oncoming story.

* * *

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
Hardcover (384 Pages)

Simon Pulse
January 3, 2012
Source: ARC Tour

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances… a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life…and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last….

(Goodreads)

This book was as beautiful, entertaining and meaningful as I hoped it would be. I have yet to read Twenty Boy Summer (It is on the list!), but I have read Fixing Delilah, and I LOVED it (review). Ockler is one of those writers that you fall in love with their style and no matter what kind of story that person writes, you have a feeling you'll like it, and if Bittersweet is any proof, that theory is true! Ockler definitely does not disappoint, and *bad pun alert* reading this book is anything but bittersweet. (See, I said it would be bad).

Once upon a time the stars were aligned for Hudson, her future mapped out and she was utterly happy. But Hudson soon finds something that changes everything, her family falls apart and her future now looks rather retro and smells like bacon and frosting. When the cute hockey co-captain comes along, he offers her something that could mean refocusing on her forgotten future, this could mean out of her small town and onto bigger and better things. But at what cost to everyone around her?

This is the part where I am at a loss for words. I can't really explain why I loved it, I just like reading Ockler's stories. I really, really do. I enjoyed all the characters, all the descriptions, all of the hopes and dreams that are being held back for one reason or another. There was not one thing that looking back I can pick out as something I didn't like. If you like contemporaries, Bittersweet is a really good one for you to pick up! I can say nothing other than I loved it.

* * *

This novel counts towards the SARC!

Standalone Spotlight: Interview with Alecia Whitaker!

2012-01-09T00:01:00.005-05:00

As a part of the Standalone Spotlight for January, The Queen of Kentucky, I am happy to share with you an interview with the author, Alecia Whitaker! I hope you enjoy :)

If you do not know what the Standalone Spotlight is, see that post HERE.

If you would like to sign up for the Standalone Reading Challenge, see that post HERE.

* * *

For this I'm going to do something a bit different this time, five "normal" questions, and five silly/random. Ready?

1.) The Queen of Kentucky is your debut novel, congratulations! Is there anything about the writing/publishing process that you were completely blindsided by?

Honestly? This part. I had no idea how much went into publicity for the launch! My list of things to do before the release grows longer each day and I feel like I can barely keep up. Who knew writing the book would be the easy part? But it's also one of the most exciting parts.

2.) Which character did you most like writing for? Which did you least like? (And no cheating! As in, no "I really like them all equally....")

I liked writing for Ricki Jo the best. She's such a spunky, fun girl. There were so many times that she made me laugh out loud as I wrote and it was really just a joy telling her story. I liked writing least for Candace, only because she and Ricki Jo didn't run in the same crowd so she wasn't in as many scenes; therefore, when Candace did show up in the book, it needed to feel natural and not like an add-on. I had to put a lot more effort into writing her, but I think she was necessary for balance in the story.

3.) You grew up in a small town in Kentucky just like Ricki Jo in the novel, how much do your own experiences appear in the novel?

I like that when you read this book, it drips of authentic Kentucky details. I'd say that the setting is pretty spot on and yeah, it should be, because I borrowed heavily from my own hometown. But, without spoiling any details for your readers, the slumber party scene at Ricki Jo's house where Kimi invents a game that they play in the dark was straight from my past. My brother swears to this day that he was awake and could hear us running down the hall, but was too worried that if he opened his door, he'd run smack dab into me... and neither of us would've wanted that.

4.) What is your favorite line or scene from your novel? Can you share it?

Gosh, that is so hard. I think I actually like the parts where Ricki Jo ponders puberty because she's so honest with the reader about what's going on in her body... or in her case, what's not going on.
For example, after reading a passage from The Song of Solomon:
I close my Bible and think about what in the world made this woman's breasts so holy that they were written about in sacred text. Are they like Kimi's? I bet they are. I wait for the lightning to strike and feel kind of tingly all over, especially in my own "bunches of grapes," which could actually use a jump start. I pull at the neck of my T-shirt and look down, hoping to see some improvement.
"Ricki Jo?" my dad knocks at my open door and clears his throat. I jump a mile, eyes open wide, and clutch the fabric of my pj's to my neck. He looks confused but has that expression where he'd rather not know.
Oh, and I love the very last scene. *sigh*

5.) If Ricki Jo could give you one piece of advice, what do you think she would say?

I think she would say that if you're going to change, do it for yourself and not for anyone else.

Now, random time!

6.) What was the last thing you drank?
Coca Cola Classic from their polar bear awareness white cans.

7.) Finish this sentence: Yesterday afternoon I...
Went to Barnes & Noble and signed their copies of my book!

8.) Favorite animal at the zoo?
Seals. They're the greatest.

9.) The three items that describe me are...
Uni-ball pen, sparkly diamond ring, and Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar

10.) Last song you listened to?
I Get Carried Away by George Strait

* * *

I hope this encourages you to go buy The Queen of Kentucky, it is awesome!

Standalone Spotlight: January

Review and giveaway open all month!

In My Mailbox (23)

2012-01-08T00:01:00.001-05:00

Bought

(Goodreads)

~ The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker

I've already read and reviewed an ARC of this title, but I had to get myself a finished copy and get it signed by the lovely Alecia Whitaker (seriously, she's amazing).

(Goodreads)

~ Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

For Review

(Goodreads)

~ The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

(Goodreads)

~ Where it Began by Ann Redisch Stampler (ARC)

(Goodreads)

~ Dark Eyes by William Richter (ARC)

(Goodreads)

~ Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

For Review (From NetGalley)

(Goodreads)

~ New Girl by Paige Harbison

(Goodreads)

~Replication by Jill Williamson

(Goodreads)

~ Halflings (Halflings #1) by Heather Burch

(Goodreads)

~ First Date by Krista McGee

Cookbooks (Gifts)

~ Happy in the Kitchen by Michel Richard

~ Make the Bread, Buy the Butter by Jennifer Reese

Love and Leftovers Blog Tour & Giveaway!

2012-01-07T13:03:00.001-05:00

Enjoy this interview with Sarah Tregay, the author of Love & Leftovers. See my review HERE.

* * *

1.) Please describe Love and Leftovers in three adjectives.
Romantic, poetic, emotional

2.) An author is always translated into their books in some way, what aspect of this novel do you think is the most "you"?
There’s a bit of me in the characters—like Aunt Greta buying Marcie practical underwear, mom typing furiously on her novel, and Marcie being a Leftover but also wanting to fit in.

3.) Do you have a favorite line you can share from the novel?

I let my dream eyes/ connect the dots between the freckles/ that spill over his shoulders/ as if he stood in pink lemonade rain.

4.) Please describe the cover process. Did you have a say at all? Is the final cover the only cover you were shown? Do you like it?

The first covers were very quiet, girl-on-a-dock covers that I didn’t think would stand out on the shelf. So my agent and I passed on those and proposed the idea of an embrace—we had a photograph that we loved, but it wasn’t available for purchase.

Meanwhile, my editor was looking for a poem to put on the jacket. It had to be short, and squeaky-clean—one option had a swear word in it—so I suggested “My Wish.”

The designer jumped on the idea of Converse and the cover that we see now was born. But it was put aside because the sales team wanted to see a more iconic option. At the time, I was using an image of a s’more on my website and the designer put together some adorable designs with marshmallows on them. It was love at first sight… okay, I was giggling so hard I fell off my chair. They were super cute.

But the marshmallows got axed at the next sales meeting in favor of the Converse. This cover wasn’t my first choice, but I did like the pages in the background because they represented Marcie’s journal. And I now own a pair of red Converse, which are awesome.

5.) What would be the biggest thing that you would want a reader to get out of Love and Leftovers?

I would love it if my readers get lost in the story, forget where they are, and simply enjoy reading—I know I do.

Anything you'd like to add?

Yes, Love and Leftovers is a novel in verse. If you haven’t read a verse novel, I hope you give one a try—especially if you’re busy and looking for a quick read.

* * *

This novel counts towards the SARC! Click above for more info.
* * *

Giveaway!

I have a sweet swag pack to giveaway to one lucky reader! It includes a bookmark, a guitar pick charm and some post cards! Just enter the rafflecopter below to be entered!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Irises by Francisco X. Stork

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Irises by Francisco X. Stork
304 Pages (Hardcover)
Arthur A Lavine Books
January 1, 2012
Source: ARC from Publisher

Two sisters discover what's truly worth living for in the new novel by the author of MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD.
TWO SISTERS: Kate is bound for Stanford and an M.D. -- if her family will let her go. Mary wants only to stay home and paint. When their loving but repressive father dies, they must figure out how to support themselves and their mother, who is in a permanent vegetative state, and how to get along in all their uneasy sisterhood.
THREE YOUNG MEN: Then three men sway their lives: Kate's boyfriend Simon offers to marry her, providing much-needed stability. Mary is drawn to Marcos, though she fears his violent past. And Andy tempts Kate with more than romance, recognizing her ambition because it matches his own.
ONE AGONIZING CHOICE: Kate and Mary each find new possibilities and darknesses in their sudden freedom. But it's Mama's life that might divide them for good -- the question of *if* she lives, and what's worth living for.
IRISES is Francisco X. Stork's most provocative and courageous novel yet.

(Goodreads)

This review is hard to write because it is not what I hoped it would be. Does that make it a bad book? Not necessarily, but when something is so built up in your mind, it is hard to stop comparing the actual book to the book that was made-up in your head.

The novel takes off with Kate and Mary, two sisters, who find themselves in an extremely difficult situation. Their father passes away and they are left alone with the burden of their mother who is in a vegetative state, not really living at all. The two girls must decide whether to do what is expected of them, for the good of their family, or to do what they feel they should do, for the good of themselves. What makes a person selfish? What kind of life is worth living? Who decides these things?

The premise of the novel interested me and I really enjoyed seeing the confusing and changing dimensions of the sister relationship. However, this novel is very religious. I am Catholic myself, so religion does not usually bother me... But it was like I was reading a Christian novel, that is how prevalent the religion theme is. This book is not really marketed that way, so I was surprised to find this.

The atmosphere, overall, was suffocating. I felt stuck just reading it. This is something that is hard to explain... What I kept thinking of is like a scene in a movie: no background music, drab carpeting, uncomfortable couches, a deep feeling of awkwardness and the overwhelming sense that the characters don't belong but they have no choice but to stay. I was eager to find out how the ending was, but I was also eager to get out of the stifling nature of that world.

* * *

This novel counts towards the Standalone Reading Challenge (SARC). Click above for more info.

The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker

2012-01-03T00:01:00.058-05:00

The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker
384 Pages (Hardcover)
Poppy
January 2, 2012
Source: ARC from author

Fourteen-year-old Kentucky girl Ricki Jo Winstead, who would preferred to be called Ericka, thank you very much, is eager to shed her farmer's daughter roots and become part of the popular crowd at her small town high school. She trades her Bible for Seventeen magazine, buys new "sophisticated" clothes and somehow manages to secure a tenuous spot at the cool kids table. She's on top of the world, even though her best friend and the boy next door Luke says he misses "plain old Ricki Jo."

Caught between being a country girl and wannabe country club girl, Ricki Jo begins to forget who she truly is: someone who doesn't care what people think and who wouldn't let a good-looking guy walk all over her. It takes a serious incident out on Luke's farm for Ricki Jo to realize that being a true friend is more important than being popular.

(Goodreads)

I read the description, looked at the cover and immediately thought that this would be an extremely cute novel, and it is, but there is so much more to the story than just that. I was impressed by Alecia Whitaker's ability to weave in darker, serious issues into a light story, it gave the novel a lot of depth and made it a much more substantial read.

Ricki Jo is about to enter high school, public high school (her first year not in private school), and she had decided that she wants to be known as Ericka; a new school, a new year, a new slate to make herself into whatever she wants. She choses to do whatever it takes to hang out with the popular crowd, but at what cost? It takes a serious incident for Ericka to realize that maybe Ricki Jo isn't so bad after all...

From the first page I was in love with Ricki Jo's voice. She is definitely on the younger side, not so sophisticated as she hopes to be, but that is what makes her so entertaining! She is so not what she is trying to be, and as hard as she tries, as good of a job as she does, she always seems a bit awkward because she was raised completely different. She's a writer with a very persuasive personality- she kind of forces you to like her (haha). The characters really are a huge strength in this novel. Apart from the main character, I loved her best friend Luke, her family, even the "mean" girls and obnoxious boys where lovable (or love-to-hate-able). This novel could have taken place in a plain white room and with the same set of characters the story still would have been great.

That's not to say the plot is any worse, because it definitely is not. Like I mentioned before, this story is about Ricki Jo and her journey of finding her way and coming to terms with herself, but there is a much darker undertone (which I won't elaborate on for fear of spoilers) that really elevates the plot.

Do I even have to say that I'd definitely recommend it? I mean, at this point, if you are a fan of contemporaries, you should be running to the store to get yourself a copy! (OR... you can enter the giveaway below!)

* * *

Giveaway!!!

Prize:

(2) ARCs of Queen of Kentucky
(1) Hardcover copy of The Queen of Kentucky

That means THREE winners! Prizes will go in order of the way they are listed. Thank you to Alecia Whitaker and Poppy for donating!

Rules:

Must be 13 years or older to enter
US ONLY! (sorry)
Giveaway ends 1/31/12 at midnight EST
Must fill out the rafflecopter to be entered

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Standalone Spotlight: January

2012-01-02T00:01:00.003-05:00

Welcome to the first Standalone Spotlight! This feature is a part of the 2012 Standalone Challenge hosted by myself and Hafsah at IceyBooks. If you want to sign up for the challenge and have not already, see the intro post HERE.

So what is a Standalone Spotlight? Well, each month Hafsah and I will each pick a standalone YA novel that comes out in that month to feature. During that month we will hold author interviews, giveaways, reviews and other fun posts like this-or-that lists, character interviews and book trailer features! Sounds like fun, right?

For the month of January, I am spotlighting... Drum roll please...

The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker!

This book is super cute (it comes out today!!!) and I can't wait to spotlight it all month! Check back soon for my review.

Standalone Reading Challenge: January

2012-01-01T00:01:00.020-05:00

Welcome to the first annual Standalone Reading Challenge!

If you're not familiar with the challenge I am co-hosting with Hafsah from IceyBooks, read the full introductory post here. Once you sign up, be sure to pick up one of ten buttons here.

The 2012 Standalone Reading Challenge is basically what its name stands for: during the year 2012 you must challenge yourself to read Standalone novels. 15 to be exact. And they must all be a part of the YA genre.

Now, for the fun stuff. Every month, there will be a post giving you the chance to link to your reviews to be entered for a chance to win a prize pack.

You can print out THIS PDF will a whole bunch of standalones coming out this year. (If you see a mistake or would like to add a book to this list, please email or leave a comment).

(1) ARC of Irises by Francisco X. Stork
(1) ARC of Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne - Signed
(1) ARC of What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman
(1) ARC of The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg - Signed

Some goodies (see graphic above)

Special thanks to the donators:

Sara Wilson Etienne
Jess Rothenberg
Scholastic

But wait, there's more! Throughout the year, Hafsah and I will be each be hosting a Standalone Spotlight, where we will feature a book each month. And of course, there will be chances to win ;)

So what are you waiting for? Read, Review, and Link up!

2011 in Review

2011-12-31T00:01:00.016-05:00

I contemplated writing a long, meaningful post about 2011, but then I decided it would be too cheesy (and I pretty much covered the cheesiness during my blogoversary). I tried to limit the cheesiness, but who knows what's gonna happen now, so if you bear with me and actually read this post, I appreciate it!

* * *

Bye, 2011!

I started blogging in September of 2010, but 2011 was when my sorry excuse for a site actually became something great. This year my followers soared and I still can't believe that so many people actually care what I say (or pretend too...). Not only did strangers find out about this blog, but my family did too in a weird moment at the movies *cringe*.

As much as I appreciate everyone who reads this little ol' blog, I cannot thank enough a few special people. These are the people who listened to me rant, gave me tips, sent me books, and just sort of mentored me through this year.

Hafsah, oh, Hafsah. Haha - you really are awesome! Even though you feed me chocolate to get me fat and cause this half of the old married couple constant stress (inside jokes people, sorry). Thanks for co-hosting the SARC with me, I hope we know what we have coming for us!

Andye and Amy at ReadingTeen deserve mentioning as well! They probably don't even know it, but I consider them (in the least creepy way possible) the book blogging mommies. I've looked up to them (and everyone else at ReadingTeen!) since I created this site and even the little things like tweets have helped me a lot.

Keep in mind, I've never met the lovely people mentioned above! That might sound odd and stalkerish, since even I find it crazy how important a role people have played in my life over the internet (don't worry, I don't need an internet safety lesson).

Then, of course, there are the people I have met, namely Mitali and Elizabeth Eulberg. Mitali is full of awesome and totes me around at book signings (for which I am SO grateful) introducing me to everyone since she seems to know every single person in the book world. So thank you! Even though you were in Europe most of the year... And Elizabeth! As cheesy as this sounds (and I know I wanted to stay away from cheesy...) you have made books come alive for me. (You can laugh, I'm laughing at myself...) You were the first author who I really connected with and you've made me feel so special since I've known you!

Lastly, thank you again to everyone who comments, enters giveaways and reads what I write! I would just seem sort of crazy if I was writing to no one - so thank you for making me look partly sane.

* * *

2011 Reading Challenge Re-Cap

I have read many, many more books this year than I have any other year of my life. I am really proud of how much I've read, even if I did not meet one challenge *boo*.

Challenges Met:

Debut Author Challenge

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

YA Reading Challenge

Goodreads Challenge (self assigned - 100, which I updated to 110)

Challenges Failed:

YA Historical Fiction Challenge

(Which is really annoying because Historical Fiction is my favorite genre... just didn't get my hands on enough of it this year).

Click on the Goodreads link below to see what books I've read this year!

2011 Reading Challenge

Britta has completed her goal of reading 110 books in 2011!

hide

120 of 110 (109%)

view books

So bye, bye 2011! Happy New Year to All! And 2012, bring it on.

* * *

My goodbye to 2010 Post

My cheesy Blogoversary posts: (1) (2) (3) (I realize there is no 4) (5) (6)

Please fill out my 2011 blog survey! You will be entered to win THREE books :)

Bittersweet Blog Tour

2011-12-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Today as a part of the blog tour for Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler, hosted by the Teen {Book} Scene, I am happy to host a guest post by Ms. Ockler herself. Enjoy :)

* * *

Have your characters describe their perfect boy/girl in cupcake form, with the descriptions like your chapter titles

Hudson Avery:
Hudson’s perfect boy is sweet and snuggle-worthy, always ready to take the chill out of those icy Watonka winter nights. Oh, he’s also super hot. ;-)

Hudson’s Curl Up In a Snowstorm Hot Cocoa Cupcakes: Whole milk chocolate cupcakes iced with whipped marshmallow buttercream and topped with a dusting of cocoa powder and a miniature candy cane.

Dani Bozeman
Dani likes to keep things unpredictable. Her ideal mate is strong and masculine on the outside, but just as eager to act like a kid or go see a chick flick.

Dani’s Inner Child Cupcakes: Chocolate butterscotch cupcakes topped with whipped butterscotch icing and a chocolate chip cookie.

Josh Blackthorn
Josh’s perfect girl loves music – that’s a given! She’s energetic, driven, and a little kooky, and every once in awhile she shows him the sweet and vulnerable girl she is inside.

Josh’s Rockstar Cupcakes: Cherry vanilla cupcakes with warm dark chocolate pudding centers iced with rich milk chocolate buttercream and sprinkled with cherry Pop Rocks.

Beth Avery, Hudson’s Mom
It’s been so long since Mom’s been on a date, she’d have to start with the basics before she could figure out this perfect match thing!

Mom’s Classic Vanillas: White cupcakes iced with creamy vanilla buttercream and garnished with a Nilla Wafer.

Shelvis, Dad’s New Girlfriend
Shelvis is a female Elvis impersonator. ‘Nuff said.

Shelvis’ Blue Suede Cupcakes: A spin on the classic red velvet cupcakes, these babies are blue velvet cupcakes topped with smooth vanilla cream cheese icing and gold-and-silver glittered sugar for a hint of that Vegas bling.

* * *

Bittersweet counts towards the SARC! If you have not signed up yet, click on the button above :)

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

2011-12-29T00:23:00.001-05:00

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay
448 Pages (Hardcover)
Harper Collins Children's
January 1, 2012
Source: ARC Tour

My wish
is to fall
cranium over Converse
in dizzy, daydream-worthy
love.

When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.

By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? can you even know it until you've lost it?

Love and Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl’s journey navigating family, friends, and love, and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole.

(Goodreads)

I read my first verse book this summer and I have really learned to appreciate the writing style. If you have never read a book written in verse, don't be afraid for one, and Love & Leftovers is a really great one to start with. I loved, loved, loved this book! I read it straight through in one sitting (okay... I may have gotten up for a snack).

Okay, pretend for a second that this novel wasn't written in verse... The plot would be awesome, the characters really likable and unique and the description hilarious. Okay, now take out all of the "fluff" and get the core of the novel and that is what verse gives you. By being written this way, the reader is able to quickly get to the meat of the novel, to what you are dying to read more of. I fell in love with the cute, whiteness of the language, but also the sarcastic and darker tones as well. The verse was simply beautiful.

I really liked this novel so much that I can't even say what I did like (and there was nothing I didn't like, so...). Really all there's left to do is say, read it!!! Get it from the bookstore, online (legally!), library, ~~steal~~ borrow from your friend - just get your hands on it, because it is definitely worth it.

* * *

This book counts for the 2012 Standalone Challenge! Click above for more info.

The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams

2011-12-28T03:10:00.001-05:00

The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams
400 Pages (Hardcover)
Walker & Company

January 3, 2011

Source: ARC from Publisher

Piper, Cassidy, Mei, and Izzy have been best friends their whole lives. And they've always agreed on one goal: to get out of tiny Paris, Texas, and see the world. The school's foreign exchange program seems like the perfect escape: Piper will go to the original Paris; Mei will go to China; Cassidy will go to Australia; and Izzy, unable to afford the program, will stay at home. To add spice to their semester away, and to stay connected to their best friends, the girls start The International Kissing Club, a Facebook page where they can anonymously update one another and brag about all the amazing guys they're meeting. After all, these girls are traveling abroad: amazing guys abound at every turn! But sometimes fun, flirty vacation flings turn into more serious romances, and sometimes you don't return from abroad the same person you were. Will the girls' relationships-and their friendships-be able to survive?

(Goodreads)

When the novel opened, I was not impressed... but that quickly changed. It took a few chapters for the speed to pick up, but once it did, I was completely hooked.

After an extremely embarrassing incident leaves Piper in constant torment, she, with the help of her three best friends; Izzy, Mei and Cassidy, come up with the International Kissing Club (or IKC for short). They plan to each take part in their school's international exchange program; Piper to Paris (the real one), Mei to China, Izzy to Costa Rica and Cassidy to Australia. Their plan? To rack up as many kisses as possible - one point for each boy, three points if the kiss is epic. They create a Facebook page to keep track of it all and to stay in touch... Little did they know how different of an experience it would be then they'd thought, and little did they know how much their adventures would change their friendship.

This book is definitely more towards the "cute" label, but I was surprised by how much depth the authors (Ivy Adams is a pseudonym for three co-authors) were able to weave into a seemingly light plot. The characters each come from their own versions of dysfunction, and they each are met with unexpected challenges. I was happy to see that this novel was much more than a fun plot, this book really surprised me in that way.

My only real criticism kind of goes two ways... The novel switches POV (if that is even the correct term... it is a third person narrator) from all four characters each chapter. I was split between loving getting to know and experience each character's story and being confused and frustrated with the changes. In the chapters you get really caught up in one's story, then you are shoved into someone else's and forced to wait three more chapters to see what happens next. But maybe I only felt this way because I favored Cassidy...

So overall, I'd say definitely read it, I really enjoyed it.

* 12/28/11 I failed to mention this when I first posted, but I really enjoyed the language in this novel. it is, for the most part, very true to the way Juniors actually speak. I was surprised by how normal it sounded since a lot of novels I read make teenagers sound either too whiny or too adulty (also known as the stereotypical teenager, or the teenager adults wished were how teenagers acted/sounded).

* * *

This novel counts as a part of the Standalone Reading Challenge (SARC)! See the challenge post HERE

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T10:45:00.001-05:00

With Christmas on Sunday, things are going to be very crazy around my house starting today. So I'm saying Merry Christmas now and signing off until Wednesday. For whoever celebrates Christmas, hope you have a good one!

My Christmas "To-Do" List

WinterTown by Stephen Emond

2011-12-22T00:01:00.031-05:00

WinterTown by Stephen Emond
336 Pages (Hardcover)
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
December 5, 2011
Source: Publisher

Every winter, straight-laced, Ivy League bound Evan looks forward to a visit from Lucy, a childhood pal who moved away after her parent's divorce. But when Lucy arrives this year, she's changed. The former "girl next door" now has chopped dyed black hair, a nose stud, and a scowl. But Evan knows that somewhere beneath the Goth, "Old Lucy" still exists, and he's determined to find her... even if it means pissing her off.
Garden State meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist in this funny and poignant illustrated novel about opposites who fall in love.
(Goodreads)

The newest trend to hit YA seems to me illustrated novels and I've had some reservations about it; on one side it adds a new dimension, on the other it can seem too childish. It took me a little getting used to, but the illustrations in this novel proved to have a even mix of both.

I went through mood swings with this novel. When the novel opened, I was so glad to be in a male character's head. Maybe it is because I am a female and am sometimes fed up with all of our drama, either way, I love reading from a male's point of view. However, as I got introduced to Lucy, I got mad at Evan for being so weak and liked Lucy's point of view much better...Then I got fed up with both of them. BUT this is not because I didn't like the novel, it was actually just one of those things that enhance the experience of the novel (I know I sound like an informercial, but it is true). I might not have been feeling pure love and excitement, but the novel made me feel something and that is always good.

Now, to finish what I was saying about the illustrations... at first, I was not a fan, not going to lie. I am more of a realistic drawing person (as in I like realistic drawings... not that I can draw), so the extremely cartoonish characters didn't appeal to me. However, as I got to learn more about Evan and Lucy and how much the comics are integrated into their lives and what they mean to them, I started to appreciate them more and more. I ended up really liking how the story was told but then in a short comic strip at the end of almost every chapter the story was told again in a fictional world (twice fictional? Fictional for the fictional setting of the story...). It allowed the reader to see the story through a more satirized lens and I found it very successful.

So it took some getting used to, or getting "in to", but I really enjoyed the story once I got to that point. This is definitely a more character based novel, rather than a plot based, so just beware of that if that type of story is not your "thing".

2011 Blog Survey - Help Me Out!

2011-12-20T20:31:00.003-05:00

As the new year approaches, I thought it would be a good idea to put out a little end of the year survey about this here ol' blog to see what I could do better in the new year. I know no one really enjoys filling out surveys (well... not that I know of...), so as an incentive, there is a giveaway open only to people to fill out the survey! Once you send in the form, a little screen will pop up with a link to the giveaway form. Thank you so much to everyone who participates and good luck in the giveaway :)

[Giveaway ends 1/14/12]

Enter in the form embedded below, or click on the link HERE

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In My Mailbox (22)

2011-12-18T00:01:00.001-05:00

Bought

I bought this book a while back over the phone planning on going to pick it up, but finally I gave up (because I was not getting there any time soon) and had them ship it to me. It is signed by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl!

(Goodreads)

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl *signed*

- see my review HERE

Gift

I got a lovely package in the mail from Hafsah at Icey Books . She gave me a pack of red Lindor truffles (my favorite) and a cool bottle cap necklace she made!

This is the image on my necklace. If you want to get your own, you can buy one HERE (there are many different designs!)

Phantom Universe by by Laura Kreitzer

2011-12-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

Phantom Universe by by Laura Kreitzer
228 Pages (paperback)
Obsidian Mountain Publishing
February 3, 2011
Source: Publisher

Sold into slavery to pirates at the young age of four, Summer learns to survive the rough seas of subterfuge and thieves through silence. When the boat she's lived on most of her life is destroyed, Summer finds herself washed up on the shore of a new world, a phantom universe full of the bizarre and extraordinary. She meets Gage, the one boy who understands the girl with no speech. But when their lives are put on the line, will Summer finally call out? Or will all be lost in the fathomless depth of silence?

(Goodreads)

It is impossible not to start off this review with my first impression of the book, so I'm just going to give in and do so.... The packaging of this book was just not good. I don't like the cover (it might have changed... mine looks like the above) for starters, and once you open the book the font is so incredibly small that it hurts your eyes to read. It is not even like I am just used to the larger font of YA books, I compared to my school books and Phantom Universe's font is still much smaller. It just made it difficult to read. Also, at the beginning the chapter pages would include "Age Sixteen" or "Age Four" this was helpful at first when time was switching, but after a couple chapters it was all "Age Sixteen", I didn't get why not just note it when it was not sixteen?

Other than the physical technicalities of the book, the actual story was interesting. I found myself sympathizing with Summer, which it is kind of hard not to, since she is so abused and neglected. The reason I thought I would have trouble with this is because she does not speak. Like not at all. But she is not dumb, she is actually very bright (although she hasn't been exposed to many things, so she is ignorant of them) and has normal internal dialogue that helps with the absence of her spoken word.

Speaking about the spoken word... my only other criticism is that some of the dialogue that the other characters says just seems oddly out of place. I get that it takes place in the future and the author was most likely trying to portray the change in lingo, but it just seemed, I don't know... weak? Like the characters would try to be all intimidating and mean but they say something the equivalent of a four year-old thinking "butt head" is the worst thing ever.

Okay, so I know it seems like I have a lot of negative things to say about this book, but I really did enjoy it. I appreciated Summer's development; she is seriously messed up in the beginning, but it makes sense, and I like how she relapses into her original state a few times. It seemed like that would actually happen, she doesn't just go from messed up to perfect.

The actual storyline kept me interested as well, even though at times it seemed a bit ridiculous. I mean seriously, Canadians basically running the world? But it seemed ridiculous to the characters from 2011 too, so it was funny. I liked how there was confusion for the reader and many questions for most of the book, I mean this is the first in a series. The biggest question regarding Summer and her situation is answered towards the end, which was enough to satisfy the reader, but enough to make the reader eager for the second novel.

2012 Reading Challenges!

2011-12-15T00:01:00.003-05:00

I am taking on five (the 5th will be on Goodreads) challenges for 2012... yikes! Luckily (or rather, strategically) many books I plan on reading overlap in these challenges. This is the page I will be updating with the books I've read and my reviews on the year goes on.

This is a new challenge hosted by myself and Hafsah at Iceybooks. The challenge is to read 15 standalone novels (novels that are not part of a series) in 2012. These must be released from December 27, 2011 to December 31, 2012 and read in 2012 to count. To learn more about the challenge and to sign up, click the button above!

I will be adding to this list as the year goes on, I'm sure I'll end up reading at least 50.

* In no particular order*

1.) The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker

2.) Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

3.) The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

4.) The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

5.) This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

6.) Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

7.) The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

8.) In Honor by Jessi Kirbi

9.) The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

10.) Try Not To Breath by Jennifer R. Hubbard

11.) Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson

12.) Irises by Francisco X Stork

13.) Bittersweet by Sara Ockler

14.) The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Pheobe Stone

15.) Purity by Jackson Pearce

This is probably the most popular challenge I know of, and for good reason! The challenge is to read 12 YA novels by debut authors. This challenge is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

1.) The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker

2.) The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

3.) Everneath by Brodi Ashton

4.) Cinder by Marissa Meyer

5.) Above by Leah Bobet

6.) Fracture by Megan Miranda

7.) Slide by Jill Hathaway

8.) Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

9.) Where it Began by Ann Redisch Stampler

10.) When the Red Sea is Rising by Cat Hellison

11.) The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

12.) Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig

The Sophomore Reading Challenge is hosted by Shanyn at Chick Loves Lit. The goal is to read 10 "Sophomore" novels, or the second novel written by an YA/MG author in 2012.

1.) Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

2.) In Honor by Jessi Kirbi

3.) Try Not To Breath by Jennifer R. Hubbard

4.) A Million Suns by Beth Revis

5.) Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

6.) Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

7.) Truth by Juila Carr

8.) Fever by Lauren DeStefano

9.) The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

10.) The Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

11.) Don't Breath a Word by Holly Cupala

12.) The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

The YA Contemporary Challenge is hosted by Katie at Katie's Book Blog and Angela at Reading Angel, there are different levels, I am choosing level 2: 10 + books. Books must be contemporary YA, published in 2012 and read in 2012.

1.) The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker

2.) Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

3.) The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

4.) The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

5.) Bittersweet by Sara Ockler

6.) Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

7.) The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

8.) In Honor by Jessi Kirbi

9.) Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson

10.) The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Pheobe Stone