Consumed by Books

In My Mailbox (50) and What Are You Reading?

2012-02-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.
Library:
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (Audiobook)
Chime by Franny Billingsley (Audiobook)
(Read both of these as books and I'm listening to the Chime audiobook review now and it's awesome. Will be reviewing the actual book eventually.)
Christmas gifts (Yes, I am just now posting the IMM that was supposed to go up right after Christmas. Whoops.):
Crossed by Ally Condie (From Santa! Meaning I got it for myself and gave it to my mother to wrap. Wound up wrapping it myself. I acted surprised nonetheless.)
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler (From Shanyn of Chick Loves Lit. Thanks, Shanyn!)
Bought:
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (My review)
Dearly Departed by Lia Habel
Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions edited by Kelly Armstrong and Melissa Marr
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Read:
Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Chime by Franny Billingsley
Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, & Lauren Myracle
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country by Allan Richard Shickman (My review)
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
Currently reading:
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
What I plan to read:
Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan
The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Review of Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

2012-02-03T02:54:00.000-06:00

Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around. Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.

Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

I have owned all three of Courtney Summers’ books since April of 2011, and when Misty of Book Rat did a TBR Tuesday on all of her novels, I decided it was time for me to read Some Girls Are. I devoured it. Some Girls Are kept me up into the wee hours of the morning and left me feeling as though the wind had been knocked out of me.

I knew Some Girls Are was going to be good. I knew that it would be fast-paced. What I did not realize was the impact it would have on me.

This book was like a punch in the stomach, I mean that in the best way possible. Regina goes through hell and back in this book. The physical and emotional pain she goes through are gritty and near unimaginable, but they aren’t.

Some Girls Are resonated so well with me because I knew what it was like. I have been in cliques. I have been frozen out of cliques. I have frozen other people out of cliques. I have seen this happen to other people. Summers’ characters reminded of my childhood, and I’m sure this is the case for many other readers. It’s what makes Some Girls Are a read that is tough but mesmerizing.

This is not a light, breezy contemporary novel. I flew through Some Girls Are and was slammed by the emotional impact of it. I won a signed copy of this book from a fellow blogger wherein Summers promised me mean girls, and I got so much more than that.

Review of Inside Out and Back Again

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-06:00

No one would believe me but at times I would choose wartime in Saigon over peacetime in Alabama.

For all the ten years of her life, Hà has only known Saigon - the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by...and the beauty of her very own papaya tree.

But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. Hà and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope. In America, Hà discovers the foreign world of Alabama - the coldness of its strangers, the dullness of its food, the strange shape of its landscape...and the strength of her very own family.

This is the moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next.

Ever since I picked up What My Mother Doesn’t Know in middle school, I’ve had a soft spot for novels in verse. If you tell me about a novel in verse that has gotten rave reviews and has won a major award, such as Inside Out and Back Again, chances are that I am going to pick it up. Although I think that Lai has a talent for creating atmosphere and depicting genuine emotion, this novel did not stick with me.

The book is divided into parts, and I never felt as though I was given too few details to understand the story. In terms of plot and characters, I felt that Lai did an excellent job of creating characters that were distinctive. I think Ha’s mother was one of the most realistic characters in the story for me because I could understand why she felt and acted the way she did. However, there were times when it felt as though Lai was so focused on her other characters that Ha’s development got neglected.

You wouldn’t know it from my blog, but I’m a big fan of reading poetry, so I like novels in verse. It’s a form that lends itself well to contemporary novels (which Inside Out & Back Again is not) because it allows for luscious descriptions of environments and characters but also works well for those moments where tons of emotion is packed into a few short words. And this book is full of all of those things. Objectively, I found Lai’s writing beautiful but subjectively, it didn’t leave a lasting impression and I’m not sure. Not being able to figure out why I didn’t like this book bothers me, because I like to discuss books intelligently and give solid reasoning behind my feelings.

While I can see why some readers will connect with Inside Out and Back Again, that didn’t totally happen for me. Even though I enjoyed my experience reading at the time, I felt unsure of what I had to say or what I really remembered when I sat down to write this review. Regardless, I think Inside Out & Back Again offers a fresh perspective on style on the topic of Vietnam, and is worth taking the time to read.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Giveaway: The Girl Who Was On Fire Movie Edition

2012-01-23T00:00:00.001-06:00

If you are like me, you cannot get enough of The Hunger Games. While I imagine that many of you share my anticipate for the move in March, I have something which I believe could tide you over until then. Smart Pop Books has graciously offered a copy of The Girl Who Was On Fire Move Edition for me to give away to one lucky reader.

Katniss Everdeen’s adventures may have come to an end, but her story continues to blaze in the hearts of millions worldwide.
In The Girl Who Was on Fire, thirteen YA authors take you back to Panem with moving, dark, and funny pieces on Katniss, the Games, Gale and Peeta, reality TV, survival, and more. From the trilogy's darker themes of violence and social control to fashion and weaponry, the collection's exploration of the Hunger Games reveals exactly how rich, and how perilous, protagonist Katniss’ world really is.
• How does the way the Games affect the brain explain Haymitch’s drinking, Annie’s distraction, and Wiress’ speech problems?
• What does the rebellion have in common with the War on Terror?
• Why isn’t the answer to “Peeta or Gale?” as interesting as the question itself?
• What should Panem have learned from the fates of other hedonistic societies throughout history and what can we?
The Girl Who Was On Fire covers all three books in the Hunger Games trilogy.

Still interested? Check out the rules and fill out the form below.

*One reader will win a copy of The Girl Who Was On Fire Movie Edition.

*Open to U.S. readers only. Sorry, international folks.

*The giveaway will end at 11:59 p.m. on February 5th.

Review of Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country by Allan Richard Shickman

2012-01-21T00:07:00.000-06:00

The prehistoric saga continues in Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country, the sequel to the award winning Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure. In this story, Zan’s troubled twin brother, Dael, having suffered greatly during his earlier captivity, receives a ruinous new shock when his wife suddenly dies. Disturbed and traumatized, all of his manic energies explode into acts of hostility and bloodshed. His obsession is the destruction of the wasp men, his first captors, who dwell in the Beautiful Country. When he, Zan-Gah, and a band of adventurers trek to their bountiful home, they find that all of the wasp people have died in war or of disease. The Beautiful Country is empty for the taking, and Zan’s people, the Ba-Coro, decide to migrate and resettle there. But the Noi, Dael’s cruelest enemies and former tormentors, make the same migration from their desert home, and the possibility develops of contention and war over this rich and lovely new land.

Although it’s not the type of thing I would normally pick up on my own, I enjoyed Zan-Gah when I read it in 2011, so I was curious to hear where our characters Zan and Dael would go next. It turns out that the twins’ next adventures not only give us more information about what’s happened to them, but also shows the reader how Shickman has improved as a writer. Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country was a fast-paced read filled with great characterization and juicy historical information.

When I first reviewed Zan-Gah, the author of the books left a comment about how Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country is geared at a slightly older audience. Considering everything that Zan and Dael endure both between the two books and in Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country, I definitely agree with this statement. I also thought that their characters were both much more well-developed and even more engaging for the reader.

Shickman particularly gives Dael a bit more focus and delves further into what has happened to him. Not only was this interesting to me, but I found it necessary to better understand his story. The one thing that became problematic at times was that Shickman became more experimental with his writing and while it was fine for the most part, there were a few times when I’d be reading and say, “That’s not quite working.”

Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country provided everything one could ask for from a sequel. I’m curious to see where Shickman takes his characters and readers next, so I’ll be reading Dael and the Painted People soon.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publicist in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

Review of The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

2012-01-05T00:00:00.001-06:00

The New York Times bestselling novel.

This is the riveting first-person narrative of Kvothe, a young man who grows to be one of the most notorious magicians his world has ever seen. From his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that transports readers into the body and mind of a wizard.

We all have friends such as Allison, Misty, and April who push books on us. When my book-pushing friends manage turn out to be right, I am so thankful for them. Not only is The Name of the Wind a great fantasy story that kicks off what promises to be an amazing trilogy, it is the most beautifully written book I read in 2011.

The Name of the Wind is a book that takes patience and curiosity to start. Rothfuss doesn’t give the reader all of the details right away, but starts off the novel in an anecdotal fashion. As I read, I found myself trying to figuring out how all of stories Kvothe was telling fit together.

Given how brilliant The Name of the Wind was, I know that by the time the Kingkiller Chronicle ends, every plot thread is going to come together in a mind-blowing, heartbreaking, and stunning way.

Rothfuss is a seriously brilliant writer. Yes, every sentence of his prose is beautiful and emotional. However, everything in his world from the magic in the novel to the Chandrian is really original.

As I turned the final pages of The Name of the Wind, I immediately wanted more. Good thing I already have Wise Man’s Fear waiting on my shelf. The Name of the Wind is an amazing fantasy novel, and after getting a little bit of Patrick Rothfuss in my life, I’m eager to read anything he writes.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday: Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton
Release date: January 31, 2012

Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.
Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She’s been warned.
Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.

She’ll be betrayed.
Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay.

Despite being a bit dubious about it, I picked up Angelfire last spring on the recommendation of Allison at The Allure of Books. Plus, I had the opportunity to attend a Dark Days of Winter tour stop where Courtney was signing.

Guys, Angelfire. Was. AWESOME. It included awesome fight scenes and a little bit of romance. Suffice it to say, I am eager to see where Ellie's story goes next.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I'm Excited to Read In 2012

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-06:00

For those of you who have been living under a rock and may not have noticed, 2012 looks like it's going to be an awesome year for book releases. There are a lot of books coming out this year that I'd like to read, and that list is only going to get longer as the year goes on. With that said, I'm going to dedicate this week's Top Ten Tuesday to books that are coming out in 2012. Sure, there are tons of books in my TBR pile that I want to read, but I wanted a chance to feature books that haven't gotten any love on the blog yet. Plus, there are some debut authors in here, and I wanted to make sure they some hype before their release dates.

10.) Cinder by Marissa Meyer (Releases January 3, 2012)

I love this cover. I love fairy tales. I love fairy tale re-tellings. If those three things hadn't been enough to persuade me to pre-order a copy, the all around positive reviews it's been getting would've done it.

9.) The Fault In Our Stars by John Green (Releases January 10, 2012)
Okay, so who isn't looking forward to this one? I've only read one John Green book, Looking for Alaska, but I loved it and put it on my favorites shelf. To be honest, though, I think I had The Fault In Our Stars pre-ordered before that point. I can't wait to get more John Green.

8.) Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton (Releases January 31, 2012)
A lot of great sequels are coming out in 2012, such as this one. I don't know if you've read Angelfire, but if you haven't, I've got news for you: it's awesome. I'm eager to soak up every juicy detail of what happens to Ellie and Will next.

7.) Trafficked by Kim Purcell (Releases February 16, 2012)
Why isn't this book getting more hype in the blogosphere? Trafficked is supposedly about human trafficking, which is not a subject a lot of YA novels deal with. You'd think that everyone who loves heavy contemporary novels would be tripping over themselves for this one. I know I'm intrigued, and plan on getting a copy once it's out.

6.) Fever by Lauren DeStefano (Releases February 21, 2012)
Lauren DeStefano's writing is gorgeous. Her world is disturbing, terrifying, and intriguing. I feel like I've been waiting for Fever forever, but based on what I'm hearing, it'll be worth the wait.

5.) Friends With Boys by Faith Erin Hicks (Releases February 28, 2012)
You guys have heard of Anya's Ghost, right? Well, Friends With Boys comes to us from the same publisher, namely First Second, and is also a graphic novel. As soon as I heard these details it went straight onto my wishlist.

4.) When the Sea Is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen (Releases February 28, 2012)
When I first saw this cover, I actually thought of the movie Bridget Jones's Diary, specifically the scene where Bridget tries to make soup but it turns out blue. Although I actually like the cover and find it super creepy, its color scheme reminds me of Bridget's soup. Once I got past that and read the summary, When the Sea is Rising Red immediately went on my to-read list. I'm eager to get my hands on it.

3.) Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin (Releases April 24, 2012)
I love Edgar Allan Poe and since we have to wait until FREAKING AUGUST for Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh, I'll need this one to help tide me over. I'm a big fan of this eerie cover. Plus, this book comes out on April 24, and my birthday is on April 1. I think this may have to be a late birthday present for myself.

2.) Endlessly by Kiersten White (Releases July 24, 2012)
I know, I know, I still need to read Supernaturally, and I'm excited to do so. However, I think I can get to it by July, when I will be able to have this amazing purple cover in my life.

1.) Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh (Releases August 28, 2012)
Oh, Simon and Schuster! You originally said this was going to be out in February of 2012 and now it's been pushed back to August! Why? Was it something we said? Something we didn't say? Okay, okay, all joking and theatrics aside, I am pumped to read this one. Nevermore was freaking awesome, and I want to know what happens next! I just hope that some cruel twist of fate doesn't cause Enshadowed to wind up with an even later release date.

This list certainly doesn't cover every 2012 release I'm looking forward to, but it names quite a few of them. What books are you guys psyched for this year? Have you read any of the books listed above? Be sure to let me know in the comments.

In My Mailbox (50) and What Are You Reading?

2012-01-02T00:00:00.000-06:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

Won:
Sweet Venom bookmark
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare + notebook
Gifted:
Don't Breathe A Word by Holly Cupala
Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
Swag!
Invisible I by Stella Lennon
Signed:
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Bought:
Sisters In Sanity by Gayle Forman
Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (My review)
The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
My Name Is Not Easy by Debbie Dahl Edwardson
Flesh and Blood So Cheap by Albert Marrin
Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Jessica of Chick Lit Teens
Shanyn of Chick Loves Lit
Misty of Book Rat

Read:
Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Chime by Franny Billingsley
Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Currently reading:
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country by Allan Richard Shickman
Flesh and Blood So Cheap by Albert Marrin
Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
What I plan to read:
The Lost Saint by J.K. Rowling
Possess by Gretchen McNeil

2011 In Summary and 2012 Blogging Resolutions

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone's 2012 is off to a safe and happy start. I never really wrote a post summarizing 2011, so before I talk about my goals for the future.

I started off 2011 with a goal of reading 75 books and a hope that mid-way through the year, I'd be starting a graduate program to earn my master's of library and information science. I also said that I wanted to post more regularly and get lots of posts scheduled ahead of time. Well, I started graduate school in August and I'll be done in August of 2012. I work 20 hours a week and am really happy with how I did this semester. One major plus of graduate school was finding a children's literature book club which meets monthly. Of course, what you guys care about is the blogging--how many books did I read and did I achieve my goals?

91 books and yes, that includes books I read for school. Guys, I am really happy with this total. Even though there were still a lot of books I wanted to read in 2011 that I did not get to it, I'm pretty happy with that figure.

I didn't really post more or schedule posts in advance as much as I'd like. I was really good about it for a little while in the spring, but once school started in August, I fell behind. I kind of figured that would happen, but I wish I'd gotten even more scheduled before starting school. However, I did get to meet some really awesome authors in 2011, like Meg Cabot, Maggie Stiefvater, and Gayle Forman, all of whom were incredibly kind and wonderful in person, and get to know some really awesome bloggers like Amber, Mariya, Brittany, Sarah, and the lovely ladies over at Fictitious Delicious.

You'd think that my biggest goal of 2012 would be to post more frequently but in reality, that's not the case. Instead, I want to focus on quality. Even if I only put up 3 or 4 reviews and an IMM in one month, I want them to be good reviews that accurately express my opinions of the books I read. I've been using Christmas break to catch up on my reviewing, and my goal is to be 100% caught up a week from tomorrow. Plus, I have a couple of other posts that are working their way up my blogging to-do list.

I'll be making a few small changes to the blog in 2012. You'll notice that I have not mentioned any of the challenges I signed up for at the beginning of 2011, and that's because a while ago, I decided that for the time being, I'm not going to participate in challenges. Yes, I love the idea behind challenges. However, I often forget when to link things up, or where, and I'm not a big fan of writing posts about the progress I'm making on said challenges, because I don't think they make particularly entertaining posts for you guys.

I'm also going to start writing mini-reviews. This fall, I decided not to review the books I read for class. Part of my reasoning here was that if I did, I'd never be able to keep up with reviews. Another part of me figured that you guys probably don't want to read reviews of that many adult non-fiction books. However, I have read some books that I figure you guys might like to hear my thoughts on, such as The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick and When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Plus, next semester I am taking a class on young adult literature were we are going to read over 50(!) books, and I'd like to keep you guys updated on my thoughts on those books. Lastly, I think mini-reviews will be a great fit for this blog because I'm trying to listen to more audiobooks. However, I only listen to audiobooks of things I've already read, as my attention wanders. That said, mini-reviews would better fit how much I have to say about most audiobooks.

Of course, let's not forget my reading goals. In 2012, my goal is to read 100 books. I have zero doubt in my ability to do so. It's happening.

In terms of my personal life, I'm not making a ton of resolutions. Graduate school has dramatically increased my screen time, and reminded me that it really is time that I start eating healthier and exercising more. I've also been working a little bit on a novel, and I haven't really touched it much in graduate school because of all the paper writing. So instead of forcing myself to touch this WIP while I'm exhausted, I'm going to try and finish it by the end of 2013. Maybe that will change, but it feels like a reasonable goal right now. I'm also making some deliberately silly resolutions, because one has to have some fun in life. Example? Decrease my animosity towards squirrels in 2012. I won't even try to explain that one.

2011 has been a great year, and I think that 2012 is going to be even better. To end this post, I present you with the complete list of books I've read in 2011 (titles which are italicized were not reviewed in 2011). I hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year, and I would love to hear what you have planned for 2012.

1.) These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf
2.) Entangled by Cat Clarke
3.) The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal
4.) The Woman In White by Wilkie Collins
5.) Ten Little Zombies: A Love Story by Andy Rash
6.) The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald
7.) Vixen by Jillian Larkin
8.) The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski
9.) Falling In Love With English Boys by Melissa Jensen
10.) Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney
11.) Sequins, Secrets, and Silver Linings by Sophia Bennett
12.) Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
13.) The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha
14.) Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
15.) The Romeo and Juliet Code by Phoebe Stone
16.) The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
17.) Angelfire by Courntey Allison Moulton
18.) Possession by A.S. Byatt
19.) If I Stay by Gayle Forman
20.) Heist Society by Ally Carter
21.) Wither by Lauren DeStefano
22.) Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz
23.) Zan-Gah by Allan Richard Shickman
24.) 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
25.) Hex by Ramona Wray
26.) Emma by Jane Austen
27.) Delirium by Lauren Oliver
28.) Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
29.) Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
30.) But I Love Him by Amanda Grace
31.) Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman
32.) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
33.) Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen
34.) What Comes After by Steve Watkins
35.) The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
36.) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
37.) Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
38.) The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt
39.) Back When you Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith
40.) The Vampyre and Other Tales of the Macabre by John William Polidori
41.) Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
42.) The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
43.) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
44.) Insatiable by Meg Cabot
45.) The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
46.) Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey
47.) Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
48.) The Girl Who Was On Fire edited by Leah Wilson
49.) Cut by Patricia McCormick
50.) Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
51.) Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
52.) The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball by Risa Green
53.) Looking for Alaska by John Green
54.) The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
55.) Alone Together by Sherry Turkle
56.) Contagion by Joanne Dahme
57.) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
58.) The Information by James Gleick
59.) Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
60.) Scholarship in the Digital Age by Christine Borgman
61.) Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
62.) The Giver by Lois Lowry
63.) Everything Is Miscellaneous by David Weinberger
64.) The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
65.) The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
66.) Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos
67.) Saving June by Hannah Harrington
68.) The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
69.) A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
70.) Skim by Mariko Tamaki
71.) Double Fold by Nicholson Baker
72.) Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
73.) Remix by Lawrence Lessig
74.) The Access Principle by John Willinsky
75.) Digital Copyright by Jessica Litman
76.) The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
77.) Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
78.) Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
79.) The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
80.) Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
81.) When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
82.) Where She Went by Gayle Forman
83.) Chime by Franny Billingsley
84.) Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly
85.) Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block
86.) The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
87.) Forever by Judy Blume
88.) Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
89.) The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
90.) The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
91.) Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden

Fill-in the Blanks: My Life in Book Titles of 2011

2011-12-31T00:01:00.000-06:00

Last year I found this survey on Misty's blog, Book Rat. I really enjoyed it and you guys seemed to as well, so I decided to share it again. If you decide to do this yourself, be sure to share a link in the comments!

Describe Yourself: The Sugar Queen
How do you feel: What Comes After

Describe where you currently live: Alone Together
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Inside Out & Back Again
Your favorite form of transportation: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making
Your best friend is: The Breadwinner
You and your friends are: Okay for Now
What's the weather like: Let It Snow (Or rather, what I wish the weather would be like.)
Favorite time of day: Chime (I admit, this doesn't make as much sense if you haven't read the book.)
What is life to you: Brightly Woven
Your fear: A Monster Calls
What is the best advice you have to give: The Book of Awesome

Thought for the Day: Shut Out
How I would like to die: Linger
My soul's present condition: If I Stay

Review of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

2011-12-30T00:00:00.002-06:00

This is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss. The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming. . . .
This monster, though, is something different. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.
It wants the truth.
Patrick Ness spins a tale from the final story idea of Siobhan Dowd, whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself. Darkly mischievous and painfully funny, A Monster Calls is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss from two of our finest writers for young adults.

When my book club selected A Monster Calls, I was unsure of what to expect. All I’d really heard about it was that it was good. Now when I look at the summary of this book, it gives me chills up and down my books. A Monster Calls stirred fear and sadness within me, and has made me want to pick up everything else written by Patrick Ness and Siobhan Dowd.

If you haven’t already, go find a finished copy of A Monster Calls. It’s actually an illustrated book, which means that illustrations are embedded throughout the story. The illustrations add to the already dark tone of the novel and for me, also made me feel like the monster really was a creature of nightmares.

I loved the plot of A Monster Calls. Not only was I unsure of what to expect from that plot, at first I wasn’t sure what direction all of the plot threads were going. They coalesced beautifully.

A Monster Calls was probably one of the most emotionally difficult books I read in 2011, and I mean that in the best way possible. So much has been said about this book that I have a hard time figuring out what I can really add. A Monster Calls is a fast but moving read, and is well worth the time and emotional investment of the reader.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Top Ten Books of 2011

2011-12-29T00:30:00.000-06:00

2011 has been a pretty hectic year, and a part of me is glad it's drawing to a close. The year's end has gotten me thinking about what I've read over the past year. Thus far in 2011 I've read 90, when my original goal was 75.

Of those 90, I've picked my ten favorites--the ten that have stuck with me, the ten that you should bump up on your TBR pile. Some people I know have picked favorites from certain genres, but I feel that picking several overall favorites better represents by overall tastes. For example, I don't feel I read enough contemporaries or paranormal romances in one year to pick favorites among those. Listed in no particular order and without further ado, here are my top ten favorites books of 2011. Click on the covers to see my reviews.

10.) The Woman In White by Wilkie Collins

I've always had a soft spot for Victorian literature, and this one has an awesome mystery. Plus, it has this quote, which I found hilarious.

My hour for tea is half-past five, and my buttered toast waits for no one.

9.) Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
In addition to being one of the most emotional reads of 2011, this was also one of the most fast-paced. I didn't think Sepetys's writing was perfect, but I was too attached to the characters and their story to care.

8.) Wither by Lauren DeStefano
I was intrigued when I heard that this was supposed to be a re-telling of The Handmaid's Tale, plus I knew I needed this gorgeous cover on my shelves. As it turns out, DeStefano's writing is absolutely gorgeous. Furthermore, I liked the world-building--I had enough information to get me interested, but enough to leave me wanting more. Does it get much better than this?

7.) Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
You've probably already heard me rave about this one at some point, so I'll just repeat two things about it: it kept me up until 3 .m. and the writing is gorgeous.

6.) Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
A quirky love story featuring with periodic appearances by some of my favorite characters of 2010. Perkins knows how to create atmosphere, amazing characters, and swoon-worthy romances. How was this not going to end up on my best of 2011 list?

5.) The Giver by Lois Lowry
Guys, this book made me cry during my commute. On my over-crowded bus. How did I wait until 2011 to read this book?

4.) Looking for Alaska by John Green
I feel much better about calling myself a Nerdfighter now that I've read one of John Green's books. Although I figured this one would be good, I was not prepared for the awesomeness of Green's debut novel.

3.) Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
I didn't expect Wolfsbane to be nearly as good as it was or to read it as fast as I did. Thank goodness the release of Bloodrose is now less than a week away.

2.) The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
This book utterly charmed and had a fabulous world. I look forward to recommending it to young readers I know. Just go pick it up.

1.) The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Yes, this book has a great story. Yes, the world is good. However, there's one reason this book is making my top ten list: Patrick Rothfuss's prose is stunning. I'm excited to find out how Kvothe's story ends because I know that no matter the plot points, the narration will be beautiful and heart-breaking.

So there we have it. The best of 2011. I hope 2012 is packed with more great characters, beautiful prose, and new favorites!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Stastical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

2011-12-28T00:00:00.004-06:00

The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Release date: January 2, 2012

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.

I'm not sure how I heard of this book, but I was mildly intrigued when I heard the mouthful of a title. When I saw the cover and a full synopsis, my interest piqued. This book sounds utterly adorable. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Review of Skim by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

2011-12-27T00:00:00.001-06:00

"Skim" is Kimberly Keiko Cameron, a not-slim, would-be Wiccan goth who goes to a private girls' school in the early '90s. When her classmate Katie Matthews is dumped by her boyfriend, who then kills himself — possibly because he's (maybe) gay — the entire school goes into mourning overdrive. It's a weird time to fall in love, but that's what happens to Skim when she starts meeting secretly with her neo-hippie English teacher, Ms. Archer. But then Ms. Archer abruptly leaves the school, and Skim has to cope with her confusion and isolation while her best friend, Lisa, tries to pull her into "real" life by setting up a hilarious double-date for the school's semi formal. Suicide, depression, love, homosexuality, crushes, cliques of popular, manipulative peers — the whole gamut of teen life is explored in this poignant glimpse into the heartache of being 16.

Even though the popularity of graphic novels is growing, I think it can be challenging to find really outstanding ones, so when someone in my book club recommended Skim with high praise, I was excited to read it. Skim was one of my fastest reads of 2011 and I enjoyed it while I was reading it. I think the authors handled issues of sexuality and suicide in a way that was well done and relatable, but this wasn’t a particularly memorable read for me.

I think part of my problem with Skim was the artwork. Of course, the drawings were good, and yes, they were infinitely better than anything I could ever create. Seriously, if I created a graphic novel it would be full of awful stick figures. However, none of the artwork really popped at me or struck me as especially creative like, say, the artwork in Anya’s Ghost.

For the most part, I liked the story. The emotions were genuine, and Skim’s character reminded me of real teenagers. The ending, however, felt like a bit wishy washy to me. It was just “meh.”

Overall, Skim is a fast-paced and enjoyable read. As someone who is currently studying to be a children’s and youth services, I will tell you that I would definitely purchase this book for a collection. It’s a graphic novel that deals with LGBT issues, and I don’t know of many other books like that, which is why I imagine that real teens might like this book better than myself. Skim isn’t a bad book, it just didn’t blow my mind the way some graphic novels have.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Second Annual End Of Year Bookish Survey: 2011

2011-12-26T00:01:00.001-06:00

Hey guys! I hope those of you who celebrated had a great holiday. I am trying to squeeze a little bit more relaxation and miscellaneous tasks before 2012 and a new semester begins. Before 2012 begins, though, let's review what 2011 looked like for me and my blog. This Survey was originally started by Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner. If you haven't already visited her blog, get on that. It rocks!

1. Best Book You Read In 2011?

Oh, this is tough, and I can’t pick just one. I LOVED Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez, but other major standouts include The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins, Looking for Alaska by John Green, and The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente.

2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?

I would say the most disappointing is The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald. This book had a really cool premise, but it fell pretty flat by the end. I was also very unhappy with These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf. To me, that book read like a soap opera.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?

Again, I’ve got multiple books for my answer here. Absolutely The Giver by Lois Lowry. This book is regarded as a children’s classic, and although I went in with high expectations, I was unaware of how heart-wrenching it would be.

I was also really surprised by A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. I didn’t know what to expect going into this one because it has a very cryptic summary. The plot of this short novel came together brilliantly by the end.

Lastly, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. I was expecting another mediocre vampire book, but it’s freaking awesome!

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez. If you haven’t read it, go do that. I also pushed Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins on a lot of people. I even went so far as to purchase a copy for Misty of Book Rat because she wouldn't buy herself a copy.

5. Best series you discovered in 2011?

Hands down the Chemical Garden trilogy (first book being Wither by Lauren DeStefano). Not a contest. At all.

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?

Jessica Martinez, but I’d also like to give honorable mention to Patrick Ness, Gayle Forman, and Kiersten White.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Actually A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. There’s an element of horror in this story (note that I say an element of, I’m not sure if I’d categorize this book as horror) and I don’t really read that genre.

I’ve always liked fantasy, but I hadn’t picked up adult fantasy in quite some time, so in a way The Name of the Wind was also out of my comfort zone. It was absolutely fabulous.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer. I read it in about 48 hours, and for a book of that length, that is very fast for me.

9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. And it totally lived up.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?

That would be a tie between the covers for Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez and Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken.

11. Most memorable character in 2011?

Either September from The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship of Her Own Making or Joey Pigza from Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?

Believe it or not, this is actually a three-way tie between Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, and Chime by Franny Billingsley. Honorable mention goes to Wither by Lauren DeStefano.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011?

Probably If I Stay by Gayle Forman. It’s not a perfect book, but it made me cry and it made me think.

14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read?

The Giver by Lois Lowry Seriously, what rock had I been living under? I don’t normally use the phrase amazeballs, but this book is deserving of that label.

Also The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Again--amazeballs!

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2011?

There are several from Virtuosity, but I don’t have it memorized, can’t find it on GoodReads, and don’t have my copy of the book (or my quote book) with me. I also wrote down a lot of quotes from Lauren DeStefano’s Wither.

I wrote tons of quotes from John Green’s Looking for Alaska. Again, all I have with me as I write this post is GoodReads, and I can’t find the exact quote I want, but here’s one I loved.

Imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia. (...) You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking about how you'll escape it one day, and how awesome it will be, and imagining that future keeps you going, but you never do it. You just use the future to escape the present.

And of course, there were some totally awesome quotes in Patrick Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind.

My parents danced together, her head on his chest. Both had their eyes closed. They seemed so perfectly content. If you can find someone like that, someone who you can hold and close your eyes to the world with, then you're lucky. Even if it only lasts for a minute or a day.

16. Book That You Read In 2011 That Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. I wasn’t fanatical about the ARC and just obtained a finished copy, so I want to see how it’s changed from ARC to final copy. Plus, I think it’s worth re-reading before the sequel comes out.

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

I’ll just say the final scene of If I Stay. As soon as I finished, I kept thinking, “You did NOT just go there Gayle Forman! WHAT WAS THAT ENDING ARRGGHH!!!!! I’m confused and I don’t like it!”

Thankfully, I talked it over with Ashley of Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing. We hashed it out in great detail and talked about our world views and beliefs. I felt much better about the ending after our chat. Definitely one of the best bookish discussions I had in 2011!

Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2011 (optional)

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2011?

I’m going to be straightforward--once school started in August, I didn’t discover tons of new blogs. And yes, I know lately I've been awful about commenting on blogs, and I'm sorry. But I discovered Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing when Ashley and Misty of Book Rat hosted Fairy Tale Fortnight together. Ashley’s blog is one of my new favorites!

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2011?

Bahahaha my review of Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. Normally when I need to fangirl in a review, I try to throw in something comprehensible. This is just me spouting ridiculous words about how much I loved this book.

I was pretty proud of my review of Virtuosity as well. I loved this book and felt that my review may have come kind of close to doing it justice.

And, while it’s not the most beautifully written review ever, I did throw a nice Ghostbusters reference into my review of Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol.

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

Most of you may roll your eyes, but I actually think that would be my post “Black Swan Terrified Me Or Really, You Guys, I Swear This Is Relevant.”

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else's blog?

You know, I’ve loved all of the discussion posts that Reading Teen has posted lately. Their posts always get me to think about a certain topic, like Sex In YA, from a different perspective.

5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

The Dark Days of Winter tour stop in Minnesota this past March was awesome. Amber of Me, My Shelf and I, Alea of Pop Culture Junkie and I got drinks and snacks beforehand. Plus there were tons of awesome bloggers there, such as Brittany of Looksie Lovitz and Mariya of Mystifying Paranormal Reviews, not to mention many cool authors to be met.

The Wolfsbane release party was also a great time. Even more awesome bloggers than at the Dark Days of Winter stop, finished copies of Wolfsbane, and a WOLFSBANE CAKE. Seriously, you guys. Bookish. CAKE.

6. Best moment of book blogging in 2011?
In general, I feel like I’ve established more contacts in the publishing world, which is great. Plus, I always love it when I realize an author I admire is following me on Twitter and I have those, “Oh, this person thinks I’m cool enough to follow? Who knew!” moments.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

My IMM posts tend to get a lot of love. Otherwise my Top Ten Books I Resolve to Read In 2011 post got a lot of comments.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

My post entitled “Black Swan Terrified Me Or Really, You Guys, I Swear This Is Relevant.” I swear, it actually is relevant!

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

Hmm, I didn’t really discover any new bookstores. Does the “Hey girl. I like the library too” Tumblr count as a book related site? Because I may or may not have spent a fair chunk of 2011 staring at it.

Otherwise, while I really wouldn’t call it a “discovery,” I met lots of awesome bloggers in person this year for the first time including Mariya of Mystifying Paranormal Reviews, Brittany of Looksie Lovitz

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

At the beginning of 2011, I set a goal to read 75 books this year. The day this post goes up, I have made it to 88 thus far. Heck yes! I’m hoping to hit 90 before the year is up, which I’d say is totally do-able.

I may have signed up for challenges hosted by other blogs, but of late I’ve decided that while I have nothing against them, they aren’t really my thing. More on that when I discuss my reading goals for 2012, though.

Looking Ahead...

1. One Book You Didn't Get To In 2011 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2012?

I was really hoping to get to Across the Universe by Beth Revis in 2011 (as in, as soon as I got the book in the mail) but it kept getting pushed aside. I’d like to try and read it sooner rather than later.

While it wasn't necessarily my number one priority in 2011, I'm bumping The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness up on my TBR pile, which is the first book in the Chaos Walking trilogy. It gets rave reviews on the blogosphere, and now all of my friends in graduate school are telling me how awesome it is. Clearly it's time for me to hurry up and read this series, especially since I met Patrick Ness in 2010 and got the whole series signed!

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2012?

Well, I am pretty excited for a lot of books in 2012 and plan to do a Book Chat video (started by Misty) about some of those titles. But the one title I’ll name here is (drumroll please)...

Fever by Lauren DeStefano. WANT!

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2012?

In 2012, I will read 100 books. This is going to be difficult because I’ll still be in school until August and I’ll need to find a job. But hey, it could happen.

I’ve also been thinking about changing the look of my blog, maybe even switching to Wordpress? I’ll probably make a few small changes before I do anything that serious, though, if I even do it.

Lastly, I’ve been thinking of starting a Tumblr, just for posting random things that may not have a place on this blog. We’ll see if that actually happens or not.

And that, kids, is my bookish 2011 in summation. Now, who's ready for 2012?

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T00:02:00.002-06:00

To those of you who celebrate, Merry Christmas! I hope your day is filled with family, good food, and gifts. If you celebrate a different seasonal holiday, I hope you've enjoyed it as well :)

Review of The Giver by Lois Lowry

2011-12-24T00:02:00.000-06:00

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

Starting graduate school has been a big step towards achieving my goal of becoming a children’s librarian, so I’ve been trying to catch up on my children’s classics. Thankfully at the beginning of 2011 I’d decided that I had to read The Giver by Lois Lowry this year. I picked up my copy during Banned Books Week and immediately lost track of my socks because The Giver knocked them right off. The horror, world, and characters of The Giver blew me away to the point where I was in tears while riding my over-crowded bus to work.

The world in The Giver is all about control. Your family, your career, your entire life are picked out for you. When I started the book I was look, “Hmm. This is decidedly creepy.” Once I got to Jonas’s interactions with The Giver, I couldn’t stop reading. Part of what makes The Giver so exceptional is that the plot and the world-building, not just one or the other, will give you goosebumps and blow your mind.

The Giver was a really difficult book for me to read. Lowry deals with the themes of choice, life, and death head on. The twists and turns that she inserted to do so shocked me, brought tears to my eyes, and kept me glued to the page.

Considering how much I love dystopian novels, I can’t believe I waited so long to read The Giver. Lowry’s novel surpassed all of my expectations. I’m glad I picked it up at last and am eager to push it on young readers.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Review of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

2011-12-23T14:00:00.000-06:00

Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn’t . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday.

With exquisite illustrations by acclaimed artist Ana Juan, Fairyland lives up to the sensation it created when the author first posted it online. For readers of all ages who love the charm of Alice in Wonderland and the soul of The Golden Compass, here is a reading experience unto itself: unforgettable, and so very beautiful.

As soon as I heard the title of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making, I knew right away that it would be going on my to-buy list. Plus, this awesome book trailer came along.

So, I pre-ordered a copy of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland and it hung around my shelves for a few months. I wound up sharing the book trailer with some of my friends at school, and we decided to read Valente’s novel as a selection for our book club. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making charmed and awed me, and is slated to join the canon of children’s literature.

At first, I struggled to get into The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland, because it initially felt too much like Valente was trying to write the next Alice In Wonderland. However, once I got further in, I discovered where Valente’s true strength as an author lies: in world building. I loved reading about all of the places and creatures that Valente created.

September is a great main character. She’s adventurous and confident, but I never felt that either of these traits were so strong that they were unbelievable. Plus, September’s story is enjoyable. It’s well-paced and Valente ties the threads of her plot and world together nicely at the end.

At the end of the day, The Girl Who Circumnavigated In A Ship Of Her Own Making surpassed my expectations. I would happily pass this book onto any reader I know. I highly suggest curling up with this book and a mug of hot tea as soon as you can get your hands on a copy.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Review of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

2011-12-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family . . .

Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, The Graveyard Book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.

I love Stardust and Coraline. I like to read a book before I listen to an audiobook of it. Being assigned the audiobook of The Graveyard Book for a class was a perfect excuse to read my copy of it. My reaction to The Graveyard Book was similar to my reaction towards other titles by Neil Gaiman: I fell in love.

One really awesome thing about The Graveyard Book is that it’s a fantasy novel setting in a realistic, contemporary setting, with some awesome historical elements to it. Nobody Owens is our main character and a regular boy, aside from the fact that he’s been raised by ghosts. Some of these ghosts died centuries ago, making for a quirky cast of characters. Bod is very easy to connect with because he has the type of questions that one would expect a child his age to ask. I also thought that the entire plot of the novel was excellent.

Of course, what drew me in as per usual was Gaiman’s beautiful prose. His writing in this book was a perfect mixture of magic, British, and creepy. It helped me envision a graveyard that was both quaint and scary, and kept the chills running down my spine the entire time.

Gaiman has quickly risen to be one of my favorite authors, and I think everyone should try his work at least once. I loved so many things about The Graveyard Book that I can’t even list them all in one review. Lovers of children’s lit, readers of creepy stories, people who enjoy quality literature, I implore you. If you haven’t read The Graveyard Book, get your hands on a copy and curl up on a dark night with a hot drink. You’ll be glad you did.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Giveaway: The Big Crunch

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000-06:00

I haven't been around this blog as much as I'd like lately. I blame school, but I'll accept responsibility for the lack of posts. Last winter, before the madness of graduate school began, I got the opportunity to meet author Pete Hautman in person and pick up a copy of The Big Crunch. Since it is the season of giving back, I wanted to thank those of you who are still following this blog by giving away one signed copy of The Big Crunch.

A funny, clear-eyed view of the realities of teenage love from National Book Award winner Pete Hautman.
June and Wes do not "meet cute." They do not fall in love at first sight. They do not swoon with scorching desire. They do not believe that they are instant soul mates destined to be together forever.
This is not that kind of love story.
Instead, they just hang around in each other's orbits...until eventually they collide. And even after that happens, they're still not sure where it will go. Especially when June starts to pity-date one of Wes's friends, and Wes makes some choices that he immediately regrets.
From National Book Award winner Pete Hautman, this is a love story for people not particularly biased toward romance. But it is romantic, in the same way that truth can be romantic and uncertainty can be the biggest certainty of all.

Still interested? Check out the rules, and fill out the form below.
*One winner will receive a signed copy of The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman.
*Open internationally.
*The giveaway will end on Friday, December 23rd at 11:59 p.m.

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Winter Break TBR Pile

2011-12-10T11:35:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! I hope you are all having a great December. My semester is about to end, so this month has been insanely hectic, although things are starting to wind down now. I've already started thinking about what I'd like to get read over my winter break, so I thought I'd share with you guys. I hope you enjoy the vlog and, as always, TBR videos were started by Misty of Book Rat.

Review of Contagion by Joanne Dahme

2011-12-01T00:01:00.001-06:00

Rose Dugan is a young and beautiful woman living in Philadelphia in the late 19th century passionate about keeping Philadelphia’s water reservoir clean and healthy. But when Rose starts receiving threatening letters, warning her to convince her husband to shut down his plans for a water filtration system or else, things take a turn for the worse. A conspicuous murder and butting heads cause Rose to search for the culprit, the truth, and a way to keep the people of Philadelphia safe from contagion in more ways than one.

Sometimes it seems as though within the historical fiction genre, the same few stories are repeated over and over again. When I heard about the premise for Contagion, I was immediately intrigued because it sounded so different. Although Contagion was a fast-paced and entertaining read, Dahme’s characterization left something to be desired.

I really enjoyed the plot of Contagion. It’s the only YA book I can immediately think of which deals with the subject of a plague or water contamination. The one issue I had with the plot was that I didn’t know much about the subject going in, which made it harder for me to appreciate this story. I think this novel could have benefited from an author’s note which provided more information on the non-fictitious parts of the story.

What kept me from really enjoying Contagion was the characters, several of which felt flat. I think Dahme managed to create a complete cast of characters. However, Rose, Sean, and Patrick all felt a bit one-dimensional to me.

Contagion falls under the liked-it-but-didn’t-love-it category for me. I’m glad I decided to pick this one up, but it wasn’t the perfect read for me. I’d be willing to try more of Dahme’s work in the future to see if her character development improves, though, so perhaps I’ll keep an eye out.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

Review of Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

2011-11-28T00:01:00.001-06:00

Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part,Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention

Then Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. But what Lissa never sees coming is her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling...

When I got my hands on an ARC of The Duff in fall of 2010, I immediately sped through it. Even though I didn’t think it was perfect, The Duff was an emotional read that stuck with me long after I had finished it. Needless to say, when I heard Kody Keplinger would be publishing a sophomore novel, I knew I had to get my hands on it ASAP. Once I dove into Shut Out, I sped through it. Even though I thought this book had a great message and I loved Lissa as a main character, there were a few things that stopped me from loving it.

Lissa is a character who is after my own heart. Even though I’m not as uptight as she is, I could totally relate to her love of libraries of literature. I also felt like I could really relate to the way Lissa thought, and I remember feeling the same way about Bianca of The Duff. It’s safe to say that Keplinger has a knack for creating relatable characters.

Despite the fact that I liked the message in Shut Out, I didn’t always like how it was conveyed. Keplinger’s prose bordered on preachy, which I don’t care for. There were also times when everything felt a bit too cheesy.

Shut Out is not a perfect sophomore novel, but it made for a fun, fast paced read, which was exactly what I needed when I read it. My complaints were not enough to seriously damage my impression of the book. Keplinger is becoming one of my go to authors for great YA chick lit, and I’m hoping that we get to see more by her soon.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

In My Mailbox (49) and What Are You Reading?

2011-11-27T00:01:00.000-06:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

For review:
Saving June by Hannah Harrington
Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King
Gifted:
Hourglass poster
Borrowed:
Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor
Luminous by Dawn Metcalf
Purchased:
DFTBA Poster
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Skim by Mariko Takami and Jillian Takami
Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez (My review)
The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
Every Thing On It by Shel Silverstein

Read:
Saving June by Hannah Harrington (My review)
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Skim by Mariko Takami and Jillian Takami
Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Currently reading:
Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
Flesh and Blood So Cheap by Albert Marrin
Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
What I plan to read:
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Chime by Franny Billingsley
My Name Is Not Easy by Debby Dahl Edwardson
Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country by Allan Richard Shickman

Giving Thanks

2011-11-24T11:25:00.001-06:00

Hey guys! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. I got a little bit of a break from school and am at my parents’ house relaxing with my dog. Even though this post is going up on Thursday, it’s Wednesday night as I write it, so soon it’s off to the airport to fetch my brother, with more family and friends arriving in the morning.

So what am I thankful for? Even though there haven’t been tons of reviews or IMMs up on the blog lately, I’m still thankful for books. I like to read on my bus ride when I can, and usually have a fiction book for leisure going. I’m currently reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss right now and I’ve only got about 100 pages left. It’s great! I’m looking forward to picking up the sequel, Wise Man’s Fear, once the semester is over. In case you guys are wondering, some other great books I’ve read and hope to review are Shut Out by Kody Keplinger, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairlyand In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente, and A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (the latter two being for my book club).

I’m thankful for bloggers. No, I don’t have as much time to read or blog now that I’m in graduate school. I also haven’t been commenting as much, and I feel really bad about that. Even still, you guys keep me updated on bookish news and laughing via Twitter on your blogs. Thanks to those of you who’ve stuck around even though I haven’t been posting or Tweeting as much!

I’m thankful for family and friends. Even though we’re normally quite far away from each other, my family supports me and gives me great advice. My friends at school give me advice on everything from work to my social life. Plus they make sure I take breaks every once in a while.

Lastly, I’m thankful for good food. As you read this post I’m mere hours away from delicious turkey, stuffing, and pie, just to name some foods I love.

What are you guys thankful for? How are you celebrating Thanksgiving?

Review of Saving June by Hannah Harrington

2011-11-23T00:01:00.000-06:00

‘If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California.

Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanour and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.

As soon as I saw the cover and synopsis for Saving June, I knew right away that I wanted to pick up this book. I found myself just as enamored once I started reading an ARC, courtesy of Teen Book Scene. I couldn’t sleep until I knew what happened. Although Saving June isn’t one of my top ranked contemporaries, it certainly did not disappoint.

At the very beginning of the book, Harrington throws several questions straight at Harper and at the reader, which hooked me right away. Even though I was initially unsure about Harper’s idea to go on road trip, I think Harrington executed her ideas nicely, making sure that the parents weren’t invisible and that her characters had to think through practicalities. Plus, she also went on to address all of the questions which she presented later in the novel, and I liked the way the plot tied up.

What I wasn’t so fond of in this book were the characters. I actually really liked Harper. I thought that her character was nicely developed and well fleshed. I didn’t find Jake to be the most original character. I thought that he and Laney were both impulsive, and at times they got on my nerves.

Even if I didn’t find Saving June flawless, it was a readable, emotional, and enjoyable story. Harrington has a knack for character development. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from her in the future.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Teen Book Scene.

Review of The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

2011-11-08T00:00:00.000-06:00

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

I decided to finally pluck The Summer I Turned Pretty from my TBR pile once Misty of Book Rat told me what a fast paced read it was. While this book looked like a forgettable beach read, lots of bloggers had mentioned how good The Summer I Turned Pretty is, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Although I enjoyed being transplanted to the beach for a few short hours, The Summer I Turned Pretty fell short for me.

Jenny Han knows how to write friendships between two girls. As I watched Belly interact with her best friend, I understood a lot of the interactions between them. The dynamic between Belly, Jeremy, and Conrad also felt realistic.

Aside from that praise, I had several issues with this book. I disliked Belly as a character, and I have a few reasons. Her character only seemed to have three elements: her love of summer, her drama with the boys next door, and her desire to fit in with the guys. I felt as though this left me without any real reason to care about Belly.

I’ll be honest and say that as I write this review, I don’t remember every detail of the ending. I will say, however, that I didn’t like it. I remember feeling that it was too abrupt and that it came across as an ending which was meant to make me want to buy the next book in the series. I think books in series should leave you with enough closure to make you satisfied while still leaving you wanting more.

I feel conflicted about The Summer I Turned Pretty. Jenny Han is neither an abysmal writer nor the greatest writer ever, and I’m not sure if this was the story for me. Rumor has it that the series dramatically improves as it goes on, so I’ll give the others a try and see if those sit better with me.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Author Guest Post: This Or That With Hannah Harrington

2011-11-07T00:00:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone! Today I have Hannah Harrington, author of Saving June, here to talk about some of her personal preferences. Take it away, Hannah!

‘If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California.

Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanour and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.

Bicycles or roller skates – My mom knew someone who’d died in a rollerblading accident, so
growing up she never let me learn. I did sneak around and borrow a friend’s pair one summer,
but I have awful balance anyway, so I never really mastered doing more than standing upright.
Bikes are a lot easier for me to handle.

Cake or pie – I’m one of those bizarre people who doesn’t like pie at all, go figure. Team Cake
for the win.

Pen or pencil – Yes, it’s annoying when you make mistakes, but I hate eraser marks!

Cats or dogs – I have three cats and one black lab. I love my cats, but I’ve always been more of
a dog person. I enjoy spending time with my dog more than I do most people.

Winter or summer – I hate cold weather! Summer is much more preferable, as long as I have
air conditioning.

Pants or skirts – I think I own maybe two skirts total. If I’m going out, I’m either in jeans or
leggings.

Black or white – To match my soul. Just kidding. White is not my color. Probably half of my
wardrobe is black, and I almost always wear black nail polish.

Sweet or savory – I have the worst sweet tooth.

Autumn or spring – Spring brings the promise of summer, and autumn in Michigan always feels
like a short prelude to a lengthy, freezing winter.

Zombies or unicorns – I’m a horse girl, and unicorns are almost the same thing.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Hannah! Be sure to keep an eye out for my review of Saving June!

Review of Looking for Alaska by John Green

2011-11-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps." Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.

Looking for Alaska brilliantly chronicles the indelible impact one life can have on another. A stunning debut, it marks John Green's arrival as an important new voice in contemporary fiction.

Until this past August, I always felt left out when people started talking about what a talented writer John Green is. Most bloggers seem to love his books and while I knew he makes great videos, I’d never read any of his books, even though I wanted to do so and own all of his books. I recently felt an incredibly strong pull towards John Green’s Looking for Alaska and followed it. Filled with brilliant prose, quirky characters and a heartbreaking storyline, Looking for Alaska is one of the best and most unforgettable books I’ve read in 2011.

I’ve been a little afraid to post this review, to be honest. I’m worried that some people will read it and think that I’m praising this book because I want to fit in with a certain crowd, or because I think it’s what the blogosphere expects of me. What has me singing John Green’s praises after just one book is the fact that I could not stop thinking about Looking for Alaska for days afterwards.

Looking for Alaska is about a teenager names Miles who goes off to boarding school and quickly becomes infatuated with a girl named Alaska. I liked Miles because even though he could be a jerk sometimes, his character read like many teenage guys that I know. I also have to say that I really enjoyed the sense of humor that Miles and his friends had.

Green’s prose is stunning. He sometimes incorporates quotations, and I thought this was done perfectly. They were there just enough to enhance the story but not so enough that the reader became bogged down.

Although this sounds lame, I’m not sure what else I can say to express how amazing this book is. Despite all of the rave reviews I’ve heard, I had never fathomed what a moving and thought-provoking book this is until I was sucked into Alaska’s world. Looking for Alaska has made my list of all time favorites, and I can’t wait to read everything else John Green has written and will write.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Review of Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

2011-11-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

The intriguing title. The gorgeous cover. The blurb by Andrea Cremer. Each of these factors screams “must read!” I will admit, while I sped through Shattered Souls in less than seventy-two hours, I wasn’t sold on the romance. Love story aside, I found Shattered Souls to be a unique, engrossing and intriguing read.

The first thing we learn about Lenzi is that she is anything but normal. I liked Lenzi, and Zak immediately give me a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I got into the story much more quickly once Alden was introduced. Lenzi’s abilities as the Speaker made it so that there several ministories within the novel, each one very nicely detailed. Her interactions with the lost souls were really fascinating, and made her compassion clear.

For the record, I was also a big fan of Alden. He never seemed to submissive or chivalrous. Yet as the romance developed, there was a lot of “We can never be together!” and “Let’s make out right now!” type of dialogue. I grew tired of all of the back and forth after a while. Seriously, kids--make up your minds. I also periodically lot track of a few of the minor characters. I would have liked to see a tiny bit more development there.

Aside from my few complaints, I really enjoyed Shattered Souls and found it to be a memorable novel. It is the perfect mixture of page turning and emotional. I’d definitely recommend Shattered Souls one for anyone looking for a somewhat deeper paranormal novel, and should Lindsey publish any other novels, I’ll be very excited to pick them up.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book through Teen Book Scene. Thank you!

Review of Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

2011-10-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better?
Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.
Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....

When I marked Virtuosity as to-read on GoodReads some time in May of 2011, I didn’t give it a lot of deep thought. I figured I might enjoy it because I play the violin and hey, the cover is really pretty. Turns out, I was able to read an ARC of this one through Teen Book Scene. Virtuosity is a beautiful, poignant, heart breaking and hopeful novel to add to your must read list.

I read Virtuosity over the course of 48 hours, which is very fast for me. The was only willing to stop to sleep, eat and do chores. I had to know how Carmen’s story ended.

Martinez’s debut automatically earns brownie points in my book for its original premise. While there are a lot of teenage musicians in young adult literature, I haven’t read about many who are classical music professionals. I know some people are tired of reading about wealthy teens and their problems, but I admire Carmen’s desire to reconnect passion and music.

What sent me head over heels in love with this book, however, was the writing. Martinez’s writing is incredibly poetic and enchanted me every step of the way. She has a gift for finding the perfect images to pair with her descriptions of music and rhythm. It seemed like every five pages I was stopping to write down a quote I loved because the imagery was so incredible.

No matter what I write, I’m not sure if I can convey how much I loved this book. There are some reviewers who like to use the phrase “well-crafted” to describe novels they love, and that is absolutely true of Virtuosity. Yet in this case, every plot point and every word is expertly crafted. Virtuosity made me want to pick up my own violin and start playing again. Martinez has written an exceptional debut, and I will be clamoring to read any other books she publishes.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book through Teen Book Scene.

Review of Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

2011-10-20T00:00:00.001-05:00

Anya could really use a friend. But her new BFF isn’t kidding about the “Forever” part . . .
Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who’s been dead for a century.
Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya’s normal life might actually be worse. She’s embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she’s pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend—even a ghost—is just what she needs.
Or so she thinks.
Spooky, sardonic, and secretly sincere, Anya’s Ghost is a wonderfully entertaining debut from author/artist Vera Brosgol.

You know the rule from Ghostbusters where “If someone asks if you’re a god, you say, ‘Yes!’”? Well, when Neil Gaiman claims that something is a masterpiece, I run out and buy a copy right away. I’d pre-ordered Anya’s Ghost this summer and after sticking it in my box of books to go to school, I was pretty excited that my new book club picked it for a group read. Although Anya’s Ghost was beautiful, well-plotted and captivating in so many ways, it left me wanting more in a bad way.

I loved the artwork in Anya’s Ghost. Not only is the book nicely laid out but every single image was filled with emotion and story. Anya is a fantastic main character because she struggles with her desire to fit in versus what makes her Anya, which is something that I think nearly everyone confronts at some point.

Once the plotline of Anya’s Ghost took off, I couldn’t put the book down. I had to know how the story ended. As I turned the final pages of Anya’s Ghost, I found myself saying, “But I wanted more!” Sometimes leaving a reader with this feeling is a sign of an amazing book, and while I think Brosgol has talent, I actually felt like I didn’t get enough. Brosgol tied up the plot nicely, and all of her characters were unique and well developed. However, I almost felt as though she could’ve given a few of her characters a little bit more show time, but didn’t because she wanted to avoid having her ghost story labeled as a paranormal romance. Then again, maybe I'm reading too much into it.

My one complaint was not enough to stop me from enjoying this story. If anyone asked me for a good graphic novel, I’d recommend Anya’s Ghost in a heartbeat. I hope Brosgol continues to publish graphic novels, because I am hungry for more of her artwork and stories.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Guest Post: Jessica Martinez On Music

2011-10-17T00:02:00.000-05:00

Hey guys! Today I have author Jessica Martinez here to post about music and the main character of her debut novel Virtuosity. Take it away, Jessica!

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better?
Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.
Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....

Like Carmen, I’m a violinist. VIRTUOSITY is not an autobiography (I swear!), but some readers have wondered what Carmen and I actually have in common. Here’s a list of things that Carmen experiences and the TRUTH about me as a teenage violinist:

Carmen

Me

Won a Grammy

Nope

Performs as a soloist with symphonies

Yup

Has an intense mother

Not at all

Experiences performance anxiety

Yes

Uses drugs to control it

No

Owns a million-dollar violin

No, but I played one once for five minutes.
It ruled.

Eccentric teacher

Hello! Not all of them, but wow. Some.

Dangles her violin off a balcony

No, but I did accidentally step on mine.
Crushed it.

Falls in love with her competition Weirdly, I only go for non-musicians.
Not sure why.

Feels like violin alienates her from her

peers

Definitely.

Loves/hates the pieces she’s learning

Yes, yes, yes

Lives for music

Yes. Now I live for chocolate. (Kidding, but I am slightly more well-rounded. And not just from the chocolate.)

Finds a British accent irresistible

WHO DOESN’T?

Thanks so much for stopping by, Jessica! Be sure to keep an eye out for my review of Virtuosity, which will be live soon!

In My Mailbox (48) and What Are You Reading?

2011-10-16T01:58:00.002-05:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

For review:
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst
Borrowed:
The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill
Purchased:
Shine by Lauren Myracle
Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Heidi of YA Bibliophile

Read:
The Giver (I read this during Banned Books Week and was in tears on my very crowded bus route. Wow. Review to come.)
Currently reading:
Saving June by Hannah Harrington
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill
Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
What I plan to read:
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Skim by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

Review of Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

2011-09-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Last year the entire blogosphere, myself included, flipped out over the awesomeness that is Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. As soon as ARCs of Lola and the Boy Next Door became available, I was desperate to get my hands on one, and Shanyn of Chick Loves Lit was kind enough to loan me hers. While I knew it would be an enjoyable read, I’m not sure if I expected a story quite as quirky and beautiful as this one. I didn’t get into Lola and the Boy Next Door right away, it ultimately swept me away with its humor, sweetness and honesty.

Lola and the Boy Next Door is very different from Anna and the French Kiss in terms of the characters and setting. I have to admit that I didn’t love Lola as a character right away. She was impulsive, and sometimes her bad decisions frustrated me, but later I realized it made me empathize with her. If you think Perkins’s novels are all fluff, let me reassure you now that this is not the case. While she perfectly captures the anxieties and thrills of falling in love, her characters also experience real pain.

Cricket is yet another fantastic love interest. He’s incredibly quirky and lovable, and made me “awww” at oh so many points. In addition to these quirks, however, Cricket was also imperfect, and that was probably my favorite thing about him.

Of course, one of the things I loved most about Lola and the Boy Next Door was Lola’s fathers. It was nice to see two gay men living together and raising a child treated as entirely normal, because that’s what it is. Every interaction Lola had with them struck a different emotional chord in me.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Anna and Etienne cameos that are peppered into this story. Each of these characters and their relationship with each other was incorporated perfectly into Lola and the Boy Next Door. They were there just enough to add a bit of comic relief or insight to the story, but not so much that their presence felt forced.

Every time I look back on my experience reading Lola and the Boy Next Door, I can’t help but think of how lovely and wonderful it was. Stephanie Perkins has done it again. Lola and the Boy Next Door is a great novel all on its own, and Perkins has created a moving story. I highly suggest moving both of Perkins’s novels to the top of your to be read pile.

Disclosure: I borrowed an ARC of this book from a friend.

Waiting on Wednesday: Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

2011-09-28T00:05:00.000-05:00

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver
Release date: October 4, 2011

Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice—until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.
That same night, an alchemist's apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable
Will's mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey.
From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes a luminous and magnificent novel that glows with rare magic, ghostly wonders, and a true friendship that lights even the darkest of places.

My reactions to Lauren Oliver have been incredibly mixed so far. I fell head over heels for her debut novel, Before I Fall, but wasn't entirely sold on Delirium. Lisel and Po sounds like the perfect mixture of charming and spooky, plus it's Oliver's first foray into middle grade literature. I cannot wait to get my hands on this one.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Review of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

2011-09-27T00:01:00.001-05:00

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.
She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.
She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.
She's wrong.

Even before BEA, buzz about The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was circulating. Several of my fellow book bloggers came home with ARCs and the rave reviews spread like wildfire, so I asked Shanyn of Chick Loves Lit if I could borrow her ARC. Honestly? I’m not sure if I agree with all of the hype it’s getting. While Hodkin’s debut has a lot of interesting ideas, it was somewhat lacking in execution.

Even though it’s nearly 500 pages long, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was an incredibly fast paced read. For the most part, I didn’t mind the plot. A couple of plot points seemed fairly similar, and I had to wonder if some of them could have been cut. It also seemed like there were times in the novel when I was thinking, “Okay, I need to get an answer now” and Hodkin would just throw more questions my way. This is book one of a series, and I wonder if part of the reason Hodkin provided so little answers was not because she thought it was vital to the story, but because she wanted to sell not only The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer but the later books in the series.

The characters in this novel were simply meh for me. I liked Mara just fine, but I need some answers about certain aspects of her character, because otherwise I can’t connect with or understand. Without these answers in the next book I’m not sure if I’ll be able to enjoy this series. I’ve also heard a lot of bloggers rave about how awesome Noah is and honestly? I don’t get it. Sure, Noah could be a gentlemen. However, it also seemed like he became fixated on fixing Mara in so many ways that he sometimes lost sight of the good in her. Hodkin at least left room for her characters to grow, and I think this is an indicator that she has talent when it comes to character development, and that a lot of my issues are just nit picky.

The kicker in this novel for me was the writing. My pet peeve in writing is frequent (like once a chapter frequent) repetition of certain phrases, and Hodkin was guilty of this. I didn’t even think some of the phrases she used were accurate descriptors. But like I said, I read an ARC of this book, so maybe it’s changed in the final version.

I gave myself a few weeks to process after reading The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer before writing my review, and I’m glad that I did. The plot of this book is so crazy that I can’t decide if it’s over the top or brilliant. However, I think Hodkin’s craft needs a tad bit of honing. I think with a little less repetition and a few more answers, I could really love later books in this series.

Disclosure: I borrowed an ARC of this book from a friend.

Review of The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

2011-09-26T00:00:00.002-05:00

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger.
The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.
Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.
Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

When I hear either the word “faeries” or the word “Victorian London,” my ears perk up. Upon seeing all three of these words in the same summary, I pretty much went “OMGWTFBBQ!” Suffice it to say, I jumped on the chance to help promote Hamilton’s debut. While there were parts of The Faerie Ring that were a bit cheesy, it was filled with original ideas and has left me hoping for more.

For those of you who may are who are trying to imagine how the summary of this book plays out, imagine Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens but with faeries and slightly different orphans. Since I read Oliver Twist for a class my senior year of college and watched several adaptations of it, including Oliver!, I really appreciated the major nod towards Dickens. Hamilton did an exceptional job of incorporating the fey without compromising her historical setting. I loved the actual plot of this story.

Tiki is a pretty awesome main character. She has the bravery to keep pick pocketing in the harsh streets of London but the compassion to care for her family. My only problem with Tiki is that from time to time she seemed earnest in a way that bordered on cheesy. However, I loved reading about Tiki’s family dynamic in this story. There’s also a bit of romance in this story, and although it was sweet, it moved more quickly than what I typically care for.

Hamilton’s debut novel is unlike anything else I’ve read this year. She left a few loose ends, and which I hope means that readers will get to see more books in this world. I think The Faerie Ring is perfect for any YA reader who likes their historical fiction with a a little something extra.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book through Teen Book Scene.

Blog Tour: Review of Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray

2011-09-25T02:18:00.000-05:00

***THIS IS BOOK TWO IN A SERIES AND THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR ITS PREDECESSORS. CLICK HERE TO READ MY REVIEW OF THE FIRST BOOK, LILY OF THE NILE***

Sorceress. Seductress. Schemer. Cleopatra's daughter is the one woman with the power to destroy an empire...

Having survived her perilous childhood as a royal captive of Rome, Selene pledged her loyalty to Augustus and swore she would become his very own Cleopatra. Now the young queen faces an uncertain destiny in a foreign land.

The magic of Isis flowing through her veins is what makes her indispensable to the emperor. Against a backdrop of imperial politics and religious persecution, Cleopatra's daughter beguiles her way to the very precipice of power. She has never forgotten her birthright, but will the price of her mother's throne be more than she's willing to pay?

Last winter, as Minnesota received roughly eighteen inches of snow over the course of twelve hours, I stayed indoors with my Snuggie and devoured Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray. So naturally, as soon as the cover and synopsis were released for Song of the Nile, I knew I’d have to pick up a copy and find out where Cleopatra Selene’s story went. While I didn’t adore every detail of Song of the Nile’s plot, it’s intricacy and quick pace kept me satisfied.

As the novel begins, Selene is starting a whole new chapter of her life. I loved Selene because as a character, she raised quite a few questions. Are her actions based on her love of Egypt, Helious, Isis or pure selfishness? Dray has created a female protagonist that feels real and three dimensional.

Song of the Nile moves along at a nice pace. The story was packed with action, and even as I turned the pages, I found myself wanting more. I loved the intrigue that filled every page. I will admit that the romantic aspects of the novel struck me as particularly odd, and I’m still not sure what to make of them. I’d be happy to see where all of her characters end up in a third book.

Dray has written yet another novel that has satisfied my desire for historical fiction yet left me wanting more of her characters. I’m eager to share these books with my friends who are intrigued by this particular historical period. If you like intrigue, sex and magic mixed in with your historical fiction, I highly recommend picking up Dray’s novels.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publicist in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

In My Mailbox (47) and What Are You Reading?

2011-09-24T19:43:00.000-05:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

For review:

Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor

Bought:

Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales

Ingenue by Jillian Larkin

Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories

Dear Mr. Potter: Letters of Love, Loss, and Magic by Lily Zalon

Read:
Contagion by Joanne Dahme
Alone Together by Sherry Turkle (I won't be reviewing this title.)
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
Currently reading:
Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill
Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Truth & Dare edited by Liz Miles
What I plan to read:
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country by Allan Richard Shickman

Author Guest Post by Kiki Hamilton: Top Ten List About My Favorite Things

2011-09-22T00:09:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Today I have Kiki Hamilton, author of The Faerie Ring, here to talk about her favorite things. Here's what she has to say.

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger.
The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.
Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.
Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

Top Ten List About My Favorite Things

1. Magic

2. Milk Chocolate

3. My daughter

4. Music

5. Mysteries

6. Friends and family

7. My characters and their stories--written and yet to be written

8. Good books

9. London

10. Laughing

Thanks so much for stopping by, Kiki! Be sure to stay tuned, because my review of The Faerie Ring will be up in just a few days.

September TBR Pile (And A General Update)

2011-09-08T17:20:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, here is my September TBR video! I apologize for the tardiness of this video, but as many of you know, I don't have stable internet at home right now. But don't worry too much--I'll be posting an IMM either this week or next week and have been getting some posts scheduled for the end of the month. For now, enjoy the vlog!

Blogs and bloggers mentioned: Sarah of Sarah's Random Musings

Review of The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball by Risa Green

2011-09-01T00:00:00.002-05:00

In a world where nothing is certain, a little magic couldn't hurt...right?

When Erin Channing's favorite aunt dies, Erin is bequeathed a pink crystal ball and a set of weird instructions. Granted, Aunt Kiki (aka Aunt Kooky) always lived "outside the box." But now Erin and her two best friends are convinced that the pink crystal ball holds the key to their future-or at least the key to getting dates...

Consider Your Fate to Be Sealed . . .
Absolute knowledge is not unlimited; let the planets be your guide to the number. There are sixteen ways to die, but four of them you will never see. The future belongs to you alone. Other voices will be disappointed. One rotation is as far as you can see. Only uncertainty lies beyond.

As soon as I saw the cover of The Secret Society of The Pink Crystal Ball, I knew this was a book I had to pick up. Although I am not obsessed with the color pink, it has a tendency to make me happy, and I am almost always up for a girly read. Even though I was excited for The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball, I was worried that I might find flat characters and an unrealistic storyline. Thankfully, it far surpassed my expectations. Much to my surprise, I have a feeling I’ll be talking about The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball for months to come, describing it as one of the fastest chick lit stories I’ve read in quite some time.

If one of your first thoughts when looking at this cover was “light read,” like one of mine was, think a little harder. The book starts out with the death of Erin’s Aunt Kiki. Although the premise of this book is very sad, I liked that there were cuter, happier plot points throughout the story, and I thought Green did a great job both with the amount and timing of lighter material.

Erin is a fantastic protagonist. While I love characters that have interests and passions, I think YA needs some characters that find themselves asking, “What is interesting about me?” because I feel that most people ask themselves this question at some point in their lives. I also really enjoyed the snark in Erin’s voice because it reminded me of things I might think to myself.

For me, what held The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball back from being a truly amazing read was a few plot points. While I enjoyed the story surrounding Aunt Kiki, at times it felt too similar to the plot of Maureen Johnson’s 13 Little Blue Envelopes to be entirely fresh. Also, the ending of the novel felt as though everything tied up a bit too neatly. However, the romance in the story was quite sweet.

Sadly, The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball falls just a few steps short of being an outstanding chick lit novel. However, I became so engrossed in for a few short hours that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this one. Risa Green surprised and charmed me, and I found both of these emotions to be very refreshing. If you’re hesitating to pick this one up, go ahead and try it. Maybe you’ll feel the same way I did.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publicist in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

Waiting on Wednesday: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

2011-08-31T00:50:00.001-05:00

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer
Release date: January 24, 2012

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.

If you've my read my review of Wolfsbane, you know how quickly I devoured that book. I absolutely fell in love with that second installment in Cremer's series, and I am now dying for more. January can't come soon enough.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Ch-ch-changes

2011-08-25T12:30:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone, I made this vlog to explain some changes that are happening in my life right now. I hope you all enjoy it!

I'm in my apartment now, and things are off to a good start. Unfortunately, my internet is not particularly stable at the moment. I am currently dragging my laptop to school when I need to send lenghty e-mails or work on blog posts. I have a smart phone, but I don't think it's quite sufficient for my needs.

With that being said, posting will be particularly infrequent until I figure out my internet issues. I'll also be replying to e-mails more slowly, and Tweeting a bit less. I ask that everyone please be patient with me until I have this whole situation sorted out.

Thanks for bearing with me. I'm looking forward to a new school year, as well as to eventually resuming regular posts on the blog.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

2011-08-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff
Release date: November 15, 2011

Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.

This second novel by rising star Brenna Yovanoff is a story of identity, discovery, and a troubled love between two people struggling to find their place both in our world and theirs.

I loved Brenna's debut novel The Replacement. It's a very beautifully written book with a great story. Here we see that once again, Yovanoff has been blessed with a gorgeous and totally creepy cover. Plus, it sounds like this story is something of a nod towards Milton's Paradise Lost. I'll definitely be getting my hands on this one as soon as I can.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Review of Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

2011-08-22T00:13:00.000-05:00

***THIS IS BOOK TWO IN A SERIES AND THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR NIGHTSHADE. TO CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF NIGHTSHADE, CLICK HERE***

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Given the insane cliffhanger that Andrea Cremer ended Nightshade on, it’s no surprise that I was excited for the release of Wolfsbane. Even though I went in with high expectations, I didn’t expect to devour all near 400 pages of Wolfsbane in 48 hours, my jaw on the floor the entire time. With its perfect balance of action and world building, Cremer’s sophomore novel had me turning pages late into the night and dying for more.

Wolfsbane starts right where Nightshade left off. While Nightshade focused a lot on the Keepers and the Guardians, Wolfsbane focuses more on the Searchers, introducing us to lots of intriguing new characters. I was constantly impressed not only by the amazingly detailed world Cremer has crafted, but also by the twists and turns that I found within the pages of Wolfsbane.

Part of the reason I loved Wolfsbane so much more than Nightshade (and I really enjoyed Nightshade) is because Wolfsbane shows off what a wonderful writer Cremer is. Her prose felt just a little bit more polished than in Nightshade, and she did a nice job of incorporating deeper themes into her story without shoving them in the reader’s face. Plus, Ren and Shay are both very intriguing love interests. After finishing Wolfsbane I remain firmly on Team Shay.

If you haven’t already figured it out, Wolfsbane blew me out out of the water. Between the awesomeness of this book and another cliffhanger ending, I cannot wait to get my hands on Bloodrose. Despite the fact that Bloodrose’s release date has been bumped up, it’s going to be a long wait until January.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

In My Mailbox (46) and What Are You Reading?

2011-08-21T00:02:00.000-05:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

Gifted:
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Past Perfect by Leila Sales
Bought:
Shatterglass by Tamora Pierce
It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
Ripple by Mandy Hubbard
Nightspell by Leah Cypess
I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan
One Night that Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt
Princess Mia by Meg Cabot
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer
One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare
Liar by Justine Larbalestier
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
Forever Princess by Meg Cabot
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Radleys by Matt Haig
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
Vixen by Jillian Larkin
Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John
3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows by Ann Brashares
Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Shanyn of Chick Loves Lit
Misty of Book Rat
Allison of The Allure of Books
Nicole of WORD for Teens
Alea of Pop Culture Junkie
Sarah of YA Librarian Tales
Chelsea of Coffee and Cliffhangers

Currently reading:
Contagion by Joanne Dahme
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Alone Together by Sherry Turkle
Truth & Dare edited by Liz Miles
What I plan to read:
Possess by Gretchen McNeil
The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Review of Cut by Patricia McCormick

2011-08-19T00:46:00.000-05:00

"A tingle arced across my scalp. The floor tipped up at me and my body spiraled away. Then I was on the ceiling looking down, waiting to see what would happen next." Callie cuts herself. Never too deep, never enough to die. But enough to feel the pain. Enough to feel the scream inside. Now she's at Sea Pines, a "residential treatment facility" filled with girls struggling with problems of their own. Callie doesn't want to have anything to do with them. She doesn't want to have anything to do with anyone. She won''t even speak. But Callie can only stay silent for so long...

I remember seeing Cut in the library as a young teen and thinking that it might be a bit too dark for me. Lately I’ve become more open to reading darker contemporary stories, so when a review offer for Cut showed up in my inbox, I figured it was time to finally give it a try. Although the length may not make it look like much, I found Cut to be a moving and relatable story.

When we meet Callie, she is in Sea Pines (or Sick Minds) because she cuts herself. I thought the plot progression in this story worked really well. McCormick gives the reader closure, but doesn’t tie up the story so neatly that it’s unbelievable.

Callie’s narrative voice has just a hint of snark, but I also loved how sympathetic she was. As I turned the pages, I found myself thinking of times when I had felt emotions similar to Callie’s. However, I think McCormick makes Callie realistic without sensationalizing or diminishing her tough subject matter. I love that this book is in part about learning to cope with negative emotions, because that is a major part of growing up.

I admit that I was a little unsure of Cut going in because I wasn’t sure if I’d feel any connection with the character. McCormick expertly blends universal themes into an honest story and a likable main character. I’d definitely recommend this one to those looking for a tough but ultimately uplifting contemporary read.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publicist in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

Waiting on Wednesday: Past Perfect by Leila Sales

2011-08-17T00:13:00.000-05:00

Past Perfect by Leila Sales
Release date: October 4, 2011

All Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra’s working there too. Which makes moving on and forgetting Ezra a lot more complicated…even when Chelsea starts falling for someone new.
Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she’s got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it….

Some of you are probably thinking, "Hmmm, I've seen this book recently...where...where..." You're probably especially thinking this if you are Misty of Book Rat. That's because Misty was the one who kind of brought this book to my attention by recently featuring it on her blog.

This past June, one of my best friends from college, namely Anna, came for a week to visit me. Anna is very into historical sites and we spent a good chunk of our week checking out historic spots in my area. If my interest in period dramas isn't enough of an indicator, I'm also just a little bit of a history nerd, so going through all of these historic places was pretty amazing. I spent two summers working in national parks where I talked a lot about park history.

As if my interest in history and this seriously adorable cover weren't enough to entice me, Past Perfect is already getting some great reviews. This one is going on my to buy list.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Top Ten Books I Can't Believe I've Never Read

2011-08-16T22:10:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! Today's Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) is free form, so I decided to post about the Top Ten Books I've Never Read. Hopefully posting this will encourage me to get caught up on my TBR pile. Meanwhile, you guys can tell what I really need to bump up and bully me. 10.) Anything by P.G. Wodehouse
P.G. Wodehouse wrote the Jeeves and Wooster books, which were then turned into a t.v. show called Jeeves & Wooster. I've been watching Jeeves & Wooster since I was a small child and absolutely love it. Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves has been on my TBR pile for awhile. Anyone out there who's read the books and seen the show? How do the two compare?

9.) The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
As we all know, the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series particularly popular series which is targeted towards readers of children's books, middle grade and young adult. Considering the fact that I hope to be a children's and youth services librarian I think it'd be a good idea to pick these up. I was interested in reading them when they first came out anyways.

8.) The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Misty of Book Rat and Allison of The Allure of Books are both going to kill me for this one. The Name of the Wind came out a few years ago and it seemed like the rave reviews started pouring in right away on GoodReads. I'm definitely interested, and the funny thing is I've definitely been in the mood for some epic adult fantasy lately. However, I'm a little intimidated by the length of this one. School is about to start, and I'm not positive if I'd really have the time to get into it.

7.) Lord of the Flies by William Golding
You guys had summer reading in high school, right? At my school, we'd usually be given a few lists and then pick a book or two off of each list. Lord of the Flies was an option one year, but I remember that there was something else I wanted to read instead.

6.) The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
I love Victorian fiction and have heard great things about The Picture of Dorian Gray. So why haven't I gotten to this one?

5.) The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
I'd always eye The Time Traveler's Wife in bookstores as a teenager and finally acquired a copy in fall of 2009. All of my highly trusted sources have said that this book is amazing. I need to hurry up and read it already.

4.) Forever by Judy Blume
I think of Forever as something of a classic in the world of YA literature. See the above note about my career. Plus, I was a big fan of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret as a fifth grader.

3.) Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Another classic, but what intrigues me about Wuthering Heights is the fact that there seems to be such a mix of opinions surrounding it. Even though a contemporary YA novel spoiled this one for me (I'd say which one but it feels too much like tattling), I want to try this one out for myself.

2.) The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Another one that was on summer reading lists that I never wound up picking. It seems as though everyone who reads, writes and works with YA literature as read The Catcher in the Rye, yet I haven't, despite the fact that I am intrigued. Time to fix that!

1.) The Giver by Lois Lowry
Children's classic. Dystopian. I've loved the author's other books. Normally, these three signs all indicate a book that I'd want to read. I'm looking forward to finally picking up The Giver, and I hope that's soon.

So that's all for now. Any books you can't believe I haven't read? Any that I really need to bump up? Let me know what you think!

In My Mailbox (45) and What Are You Reading?

2011-08-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

For review:
Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
Bought:
A Wrinkle In Time boxed set by Madeline L'Engle
Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket
The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket
The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket
The Luckiest Girl by Beverly Clearly
Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
The Wanderer by Sharon Creech
The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd
Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Misty of Book Rat
Kristi of The Story Siren
Brent of The Naughty Book Kitties

Read:
The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball by Risa Green
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Currently reading:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Alone Together by Sherry Turkle
Truth & Dare edited by Liz Miles
What I plan to read:
This Vacant Paradise by Victoria Patterson
Contagion by Joanne Dahme
The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Review of The Girl Who Was On Fire

2011-08-12T01:40:00.000-05:00

Katniss Everdeen’s adventures may have come to an end, but her story continues to blaze in the hearts of millions worldwide.
In The Girl Who Was on Fire, thirteen YA authors take you back to Panem with moving, dark, and funny pieces on Katniss, the Games, Gale and Peeta, reality TV, survival, and more. From the trilogy's darker themes of violence and social control to fashion and weaponry, the collection's exploration of the Hunger Games reveals exactly how rich, and how perilous, protagonist Katniss’ world really is.
• How does the way the Games affect the brain explain Haymitch’s drinking, Annie’s distraction, and Wiress’ speech problems?
• What does the rebellion have in common with the War on Terror?
• Why isn’t the answer to “Peeta or Gale?” as interesting as the question itself?
• What should Panem have learned from the fates of other hedonistic societies throughout history&mdashand what can we?
The Girl Who Was On Fire covers all three books in the Hunger Games trilogy.

As many of you know, I love The Hunger Games series and was an English major in college. This means that while I’m passionate about YA literature, I’m also used to reading academic essays. So when I heard a book of essays about one of my all time favorite YA series was coming out, I had a feeling it’d be my cup of tea. When the e-mail arrived asking if I‘d like to review said book, namely The Girl Who Was On Fire, I jumped at the chance. While a few of the essays fell flat for me, most of them had me muttering, “Wow, amazing” or shouting, “HOW did I not see that?!?!?! Brilliant!”

I could review The Girl Who Was On Fire in a variety of ways, so what I’m going to do is a highlight a few essays that I had extreme feelings about. Overall, this book is filled with essays by very gifted writers. There were times when I walked away from an essay saying, “I haven’t learned all that much that’s new to me” but I never found myself disagreeing or thinking that what an author had written was ignorant or stupid.

Before I get into individual essays, let me give you the fastest break down possible. If you are sitting on front of your computer going, “I’m a fan of The Hunger Games, is The Girl Who Was On Fire a must read for me?” Yes. Absolutely.

“The Politics of Mockingjay” by Sarah Darer Littman

Firstly, Sarah Darer Littman knows what she is talking about. Her essay is carefully researched. Secondly, it is very intelligently written. Thirdly, in making her analogies, Littman strikes the perfect balance between talking about our world and The Hunger Games. After reading this and Want To Go Private? I have a strong urge to run out and buy all of Littman’s books, because she is brilliant.

“Community in the Face of Tyranny” by Bree Despain

In her essay, Despain talks about how Katniss forms community throughout The Hunger Games series. It’s well written, and Despain has clearly read the books. However, I think she made two crucial errors in this essay. I think she needed to start off by saying, “This is the definition of community as it used in this essay and this is why any given society functions better with community.” Unfortunately, I never truly felt like she did that.

“Smoke and Mirrors” by Elizabeth M. Rees

We’ve certainly got an intriguing title and concept on our hands here. I think "Smoke and Mirrors" helped explain Katniss and Coin’s characters a little bit better. Overall, though, I left it feeling as though I hadn’t been presented with enough new information to be drawn in or left thinking afterwards.

“Panem et Circenses” by Carrie Ryan

Is it just me, or does anyone else love it when an author does something that may at first sound crazy, like compare reality t.v. to propaganda in a dystopian novel, but then totally pulls it off and blows your mind? Because that is precisely what Ryan does in her essay. She talks about how t.v. producers and editors can use certain footage to create narratives. Ryan’s essay was interesting and insightful in its discussion of Collins’s world and our own. Ryan’s brilliance is just one reason why even though I’ve never read anything by her, I have The Forest of Hands and Teeth trilogy on hardback sitting on my shelf, awaiting my attention.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publicist in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

Review of Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

2011-08-11T00:40:00.000-05:00

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS BOOK TWO IN A SERIES AND MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR ITS PREDECESSOR. TO SEE MY REVIEWS OF EARLIER BOOKS IN THE SERIES, CONSULT THE LINK BELOW***
Shiver, Book #1

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.
At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

I decided to do another video review, and used some iMovie editing in this one. Let me know what you think!

Waiting on Wednesday: Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

2011-08-10T09:47:00.000-05:00

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
Release date: September 27, 2011

A stunning modern-day fairy tale from acclaimed author Anne Ursu
Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

I need to be honest and just put this out there: I am not familiar with the fairy tale "The Snow Queen." However, I have a book of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales and have been meaning to read it, so it's time to get on that. I love fairy tales and retellings, and Breadcrumbs one has an especially gorgeous cover. Definitely one I plan to pick up.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Underrated Books

2011-08-09T19:35:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I'm a little late with this Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) because I am trying to get my life in order to move in two weeks. Nonetheless, here it is, because I can never resist the urge to pimp out books I think could use more love.

10.) Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
Right now, a lot of you guys are probably thinking that I am crazy. Brightly Woven has gotten tons of positive reviews among bloggers, is pretty popular in our world. However, I feel like it's presence in the real world isn't as strong. My library doesn't have a copy, I never see it on hold from another library at ours, and I don't really see it at chain bookstores (though I do know of some indies that stock this one). Why isn't this awesome book getting more love?

9.) Crossing Lines by Paul Volponi
I read an ARC of Crossing Lines in November of 2010 and posted my review in June of 2011, when the book was released. I've hardly seen any reviews of this one. It's a pretty powerful book that focuses on transgender issues. Again, why aren't more people reading this one? I thought more bloggers would be drawn to the story.

8.) Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
Yes, Sarah Addison Allen is a pretty popular author, and yes, her books tend to have some cross over appeal. I've only read Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen, but Garden Spells is magical and definitely my favorite of the two. Why aren't more Allen fans picking this one up?

7.) The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski
In addition to being a story about family, The Sweetest Thing is the story of a girl who's passion in life is decorating cakes. COME ON, YOU GUYS. HOW CAN YOU NOT READ A BOOK FILLED WITH MOUTHWATERING DESCRIPTIONS OF CAKE???

6.) The Circle of Magic Quartet by Tamora Pierce
Again, Tamora Pierce is a pretty big author. However, it seems like this particular series doesn't get much love. Seriously, it's about magic! I seem to remember Daja's Book in particular having a fantastic ending.

5.) What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
Sonya Sones was publishing books in verse during my teenage years. I picked this one up at my library, intrigued by the title. I remember her books as always being the perfect combination of laugh out loud funny and emotional. Did no one else read these as a teen?

4.) The Wanderer by Sharon Creech
I think that in general, Sharon Creech is an underrated author. I remember reading The Wanderer book for the mother daughter book club my mother and I belonged to for quite some time. This seems to be one of Creech's less read books, and I'm not sure why. It's beautiful.

3.) Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams
Okay, so it's not really fair of me to expect this book to be popular among the bloggers I know, as this is an adult non-fiction book. Most YA/MG bloggers that I know of read little to zero adult non-fiction. However, Williams's story is beautiful on all counts.

2.) Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
This is a mash-up of Sleeping Beauty and a Holocaust tale. Sounds almost too weird to work, right? But it's beautiful, and works so well. My cousin lent me her copy of Briar Rose some time in middle school. The day after I finished it, I mailed her copy back to her, and went out and bought my own. I'm due for a reread soon, come to think of it.

1.) North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
*sigh* I adore this story. It's somewhat similar to Pride and Prejudice, but touches even more on issues of social class. This is a brilliant novel. And one musn't forget that it has been made into a miniseries starring the swoon-worthy Richard Armitage. Excuse me while I drop everything and go re-watch my favorite scenes.

So there you have it! My favorite underrated books (although after writing this post, I'm wondering if my perception of underrated is skewed). If you decide to pick up any of the books I've mentioned and fall head over heels, go forth and spread the love! I'd say these books could not only use it, but deserve it.

Wolfsbane Release Party Recap and a Giveaway!

2011-08-08T00:00:00.001-05:00

In fall of 2010, Nightshade by Andrea Cremer was one of the most popular books in the blogosphere. After the huge cliffhanger that Nightshade ended on, I was ready to get more of Andrea’s fabulous books. Thankfully on Friday July 29th I had the chance to attend the release party for Wolfsbane, where I was able to get a few books signed, talk to lots of awesome bloggers and gush to Andrea about her books.

Before the event, I met up with lots of bloggers such as Alison of Alison Can Read, Brittany from Looksie Lovitz, Mariya from Mystifying Paranormal Reviews and Jill from The O.W.L. Pretty soon it was time to head over to Red Balloon Bookshop where the event was being held! Once there, we also ran into some girls from Fictitious Delicious. We passed the time before the event chatting and talking books.

Eventually, it was time for Andrea to get up and speak. She told us about how Shay’s birthday was coming up, and read a very brief passage aloud from Wolfsbane. I was only about a hundred pages into my ARC at the time and hadn’t gotten to the part she was reading from yet, so it was a great incentive for me to keep reading. After that, Andrea took questions from the audience. She told us about her drafting process, such as the fact that once she gets a story idea into her head, it consumes her and she’s able to draft very quickly. After that she spends quite a bit of time revising. Andrea also mentioned that she will probably be going on a European tour this fall to France and Italy (I want to go to France and Italy!) and that she’ll likely go on a full tour once Bloodrose releases in February. How awesome is that? After that, it was time to get our books signed! Plus, there was an awesome cake that I couldn’t resist.

In addition to getting my ARC of Wolfsbane signed, I picked up a hardcover and a Nightshade paperback. If you haven’t already read Wolfsbane, be warned--it’s even better than Nightshade (my review of Wolfsbane is not up yet, but it will be soon). Since I want you all to be able to read this series if you haven’t already, I’m offering up signed copies of a Nightshade paperback and Wolfsbane in hardcover for giveaway! Interested? Just check out the rules and fill out the form below.

*One winner will receive a signed paperback of Nightshade and a signed hardcover of Wolfsbane, both by Andrea Cremer.
*Open to U.S. readers only.
*The giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. CST on Sunday August 14th.
*There are no extra entries for tweeting or blogging about this giveaway, but I'd be very appreciative if you did so.

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In My Mailbox (44) and What Are You Reading?

2011-08-07T00:36:00.000-05:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

Gifted:
A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young swag
Borrowed:
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Bought:
Fancy Nancy Ooh La La! It's Beauty Day by Jane O'Connor
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (audiobook)
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs by Jack Gantos
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Wildefire by Karsten Knight
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Eustace the narwhal from Ostrich Farm
Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Shanyn of Chick Loves Lit

Read:
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Currently reading:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Alone Together by Shirley Turkle
Truth & Dare edited by Liz Miles
What I plan to read:
The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball by Risa Green
This Vacant Paradise by Victoria Patterson
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Review of Insatiable by Meg Cabot

2011-08-05T00:41:00.000-05:00

Sick of vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her boss is making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn’t believe in them.

Not that Meena isn’t familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you’re going to die (not that you’re going to believe her; no one ever does).

But not even Meena’s precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side . . . a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire-hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, he already is dead. Maybe that’s why he’s the first guy Meena’s ever met that she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena’s always been able to see everyone else’s future, she’s never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future . . .

If she even has one.

The summary of Insatiable is somewhat true to real life when it implies that vampires are everywhere these days. In Insatiable, Meg Cabot finally covers vampires (and no, she didn’t just write the book because vamps are trendy, but that’s a story for another day) with a little bit of sexytimes and a strong female character. Despite these two awesome elements, Insatiable didn’t quite quench my thirst for a fantastic adult paranormal novel. (Get it? Quenching my thirst? Vampires? Hardy har har. I’m done now.)

The one thing I can’t complain about in Insatiable is the plot. Cabot tells an unpredictable story that was wrought with suspense until the final page. I read this book while traveling and it made my four hour delay (three of those spent on the plane) s and time sitting in airports pass much more quickly.

I loved Meena right off the bat. She is an intelligent, adult woman who can take care of herself. I appreciated the way Meena handled herself at the conclusion of this story, but I think Cabot wound up making her sound preachy. Even if you believe in the message you’re sending through a character, preachy just doesn’t work for me.

One of my biggest problems with Insatiable was the insta-love, and I’m not talking about the physical intimacy that Lucien and Meena quickly shared. What I mean is that I didn’t like how after having just met Lucien, Meena couldn’t stop talking about how in love she was with him and vice versa. However, I loved reading about Alaric. Even though I wasn’t sure about him at first, he grew on me by the end of the novel. Let’s just say that while I started of who I was rooting for, I finished on Team Alaric.

As far as vampire books go, Insatiable isn’t a total dud. However, there were some things in here that seriously clashed with my tastes. I’ll be curious to see where the story, especially the romance, goes in Overbite.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

On Werewolves, Hilarious Authors and Vintage Cars

2011-08-04T00:20:00.000-05:00

Maggie Stiefvater is a fairly major name in the YA world and The Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy is pretty popular series, so it’s no surprise that she went on tour for Forever, the final book in her trilogy. When Maggie announced on Twitter that her schedule was up, I clicked on the link and was tense with anticipation as the page loaded, praying for a stop in my area. Turns out I was in luck. On Monday, July 25th I hopped into my car and drove off to The Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis to see Maggie and one of her best friends and fellow Merry Sisters of Fate, Tessa Gratton, author of Blood Magic.

I arrived at the Wild Rumpus about two hours before the singing, picked up my copy of Forever and meandered to a nearby coffee shop to get caffeinated. I wandered back to the store around 45 minutes before the signing and found Alison of Alison Can Read, also waiting for the signing to start. The Wild Rumpus is a very unique store in that it has pets such as cats and chickens wandering around, so that kept us entertained while we held on to our seats.

Eventually, Maggie and Tessa came out. If you ever have the chance to meet Maggie in person, you should go, because she is hilarious. Not only was the content of Maggie’s talk amusing, she was constantly gesticulating and using funny voices. Maggie told the story of when she found out that Linger debuted at number one on the New York Times best seller list and talked about her writing process for Forever. After cracking us up, Maggie took questions from the audience. My question happened to be the last she answered, and I asked Maggie if when she writes tear-jerking scenes, she throws her head back and cackles or feels any remorse for the reader. Maggie answered by talking about how The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenger made her sob hysterically and how she wanted to have that same effect on readers. Ultimately, she answered my question by saying that yes, she does cackle a little bit when she knows she’s about to make a reader cry.

After that, it was time to get our books signed! Alison and I got in line towards the back and met Maggie from Maggie’s Bookshelf while in line. I had been talking to her on Twitter the day before the signing, and she approached me. The time passed much more quickly with all three of us chatting! As Alison and I got to the front of the line I tried to help Alison out by taking a picture of her and Maggie with her camera, but it wasn’t cooperating and I was having issues balancing the total of six books I had with me to get signed. When my turn to meet Maggie came, I told her about how I nearly died while reading the last eighty pages of Shiver and how I was waiting for the moment in Linger when she would make me cry (I was reading Linger at the time). Maggie graciously signed all of my books as she, Tessa and I chatted. While Tessa signed my book I told her I was psyched to read Blood Magic because I had loved Maggie and Brenna’s work. I figure if Maggie, Brenna and Tessa were all friends, it was probably a sign I’d enjoy Blood Magic. Tessa gave me contact information in case I didn't like Blood Magic--specifically, Carrie Ryan's (author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth) contact info. That made me laugh. Maggie and Tessa both preceded to torture me by telling me that Brenna’s upcoming release, The Space Between, is even better. Once everyone had gone through the signing line Alison and I were both able to get pictures with her camera, and chat a little more with the authors. Maggie doodled a wolf in my copy of forever and we talked about the genre of literary fiction and what that even means (I believe what Maggie implied was that it’s adult novels that are character driven, but I could be wrong).

If you follow Maggie’s blog, you know that she’s been driving Loki, her 1960s Camaro around on this tour. When Alison, Maggie and I expressed an interest in seeing Loki, Maggie’s husband was kind enough to pull it around so we could admire it and get a picture. Loki is a very pretty car, but strikes me as difficult to drive and maintain.

Loki, myself, Alison and Maggie, crouching in front.

Between the fact that I got to meet Maggie Stiefvater and tons of other awesome bloggers, this was a spectacular event. Of all the signings I’ve been too, I’d say this will stick out as one of the more memorable ones. So if you are at all considering attending a Maggie Stiefvater event, let me give you a piece of advice: GO!

Waiting on Wednesday: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor

2011-08-03T00:11:00.000-05:00

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor
Release date: September 27, 2011

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

When I first heard about this one, I wasn't immediately interested. I just kind of thought "meh" and moved on. Yet as the release date draws closer, I've been hearing more and more good things. Plus, that cover is gorgeous and mind bending. Want!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

August TBR Pile

2011-08-02T00:05:00.001-05:00

Misty over at Book Rat started the trend of vlogging one's TBR pile, and she was inspired by BunnyCates and The Readables.

Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Shanyn of Chick Loves Lit
Jessica of Chick Lit Teens

Review of The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

2011-08-01T00:20:00.000-05:00

In this irresistible follow-up to her New York Times bestselling debut, Garden Spells, author Sarah Addison Allen tells the tale of a young woman whose family secrets—and secret passions—are about to change her life forever.
Twenty-seven-year-old Josey Cirrini is sure of three things: winter in her North Carolina hometown is her favorite season, she’s a sorry excuse for a Southern belle, and sweets are best eaten in the privacy of her hidden closet. For while Josey has settled into an uneventful life in her mother’s house, her one consolation is the stockpile of sugary treats and paperback romances she escapes to each night…. Until she finds it harboring none other than local waitress Della Lee Baker, a tough-talking, tenderhearted woman who is one part nemesis—and two parts fairy godmother…
Fleeing a life of bad luck and big mistakes, Della Lee has decided Josey’s clandestine closet is the safest place to crash. In return she’s going to change Josey’s life—because, clearly, it is not the closet of a happy woman. With Della Lee’s tough love, Josey is soon forgoing pecan rolls and caramels, tapping into her startlingly keen feminine instincts, and finding her narrow existence quickly expanding.
Before long, Josey bonds with Chloe Finley, a young woman who makes the best sandwiches in town, is hounded by books that inexplicably appear whenever she needs them, and—most amazing of all—has a close connection to Josey’s longtime crush.
As little by little Josey dares to step outside herself, she discovers a world where the color red has astonishing power, passion can make eggs fry in their cartons, and romance can blossom at any time—even for her. It seems that Della Lee’s work is done, and it’s time for her to move on. But the truth about where she’s going, why she showed up in the first place—and what Chloe has to do with it all—is about to add one more unexpected chapter to Josey’s fast-changing life.
Brimming with warmth, wit, and a sprinkling of magic, here is a spellbinding tale of friendship, love—and the enchanting possibilities of every new day.

Anyone who is looking for a story with a hint of romance and decadent descriptions of food ought to pick up one of Sarah Addison Allen’s novels. After falling in love with Garden Spells last summer, I had fairly high expectations for The Sugar Queen. While Allen’s imagery and characters were incredibly charming, the plot didn’t leave me quite as entranced.

Reading Allen’s books is always such a sensory experience. As I flipped the pages I could smell the peppermint in the Cirrini house and taste the sweets Josey hid in her closet. Many of the descriptions are reminiscent of Christmas, making this the perfect book to read on a snowy winter night.

If you asked me to name some of the overarching themes in The Sugar Queen, I’d say that starting over is definitely one of them. Josey, Chloe, and Della Lee are all characters who either need to get away from their past or have just had a major change in their lives. While I didn’t mind reading about any of them, Josey was the only one with whom I shared a connection. I couldn’t particularly relate to Chloe’s problems, and I didn’t care for the conclusion of Della Lee’s story.

The Sugar Queen is a sweet and lovely read, but for me, not a memorable one. However, if you’re looking for a wintery read packed with small town drama, I’d say this is precisely the book for you.

In My Mailbox (43) and What Are You Reading?

2011-07-31T03:00:00.001-05:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

For review:
Dael and the Painted People by Allan Richard Shickman
Bought:
A Game of Thrones boxed set by George R.R. Martin
A Little Friendly Advice by Siobhan Vivian
What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones
Scars by Cheryl Rainfield
Eon Allison Goodman
Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman (My review)
Ice by Sarah Beth Durst (My review)
Delirium by Lauren Oliver (My review)
Supernaturally by Kiersten White
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook by Dina Bucholz
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Mitali of Alley of Books
Ashley of Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing
Jordyn of Ten Cent Notes
Misty of Book Rat

Read:
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
The Girl Who Was On Fire edited by Leah Wilson
Cut by Patricia McCormick
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Currently reading:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Alone Together by Sherry Turkle
Truth & Dare edited by Liz Miles
What I plan to read:
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Contagion by Joanne Dahme
The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball by Risa Green

Meg Cabot Signing

2011-07-28T00:55:00.001-05:00

Those of you who follow this blog regularly likely know that I am a huge Meg Cabot fan. I’ve her books since my pre-teen years. When I heard that she would be visiting Edina, Minnesota I immediately flipped out. Even though it had been a few years since I’d picked up one of Meg’s novels, I knew there was no way I could miss this chance.

The signing was held in Barnes and Noble in Edina. Since it’s about a forty minute drive from my house to Edina, so I spent my day running errands and seeing friends in the cities. I arrived at the store a few hours early and passed my time enjoy a delicious panini and starting Insatiable. An hour before the signing I got a front row seat, and was soon after joined by Alison of Alison Can Read. I had never met Alison before, and we hadn’t formally agreed to meet up, but I recognized her because I had just friended her on GoodReads. We quickly got to chatting and the hour before the signing passed by very quickly.

By the time Meg Cabot came out, there was a pretty good crowd gathered. If you ever get the chance to meet Meg Cabot, you need to go! Not only was she very cute and sweet, Meg was also insanely hilarious. She told the story of how she got started writing about vampires, talked about meeting Anne Hathaway at the premiere of The Princess Diaries, and took questions from the audience. After that, it was time to get our books signed!

Meg was incredibly nice. I told her I’d been reading her books for ten years, and she said it was always nice to see readers who’d been reading for so long. Because Meg is so popular, attendees were only allowed to bring three books through the line at once. So once I had three of my books signed and everyone had a turn, brought up a few more I had with me. Meg was very gracious about signing so many books. I had brought my copies of The Princess Diaries, All American Girl and Insatiable to be signed, but also walked away with new copies of Overbite, Airhead, Size 12 is Not Fat and Abandon.

I capped my evening off by listening to The Princess Diaries soundtrack on the drive home. It seemed fitting. Meeting Meg in person was such an amazing experience! If you have the chance to meet her, don’t let it pass you by!

Best of 2011 Thus Far

2011-07-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody! Misty over at Book Rat started this tag. I would've made a vlog, but my books are spread out amongst two houses. If you click on the photos of the covers, you'll be taken to my reviews of the books (unless I have not reviewed said book, then you'll be taken to the GoodReads page). I hope you enjoy, and let me know if you make your own 2011 Thus Far post!

1.) Book you're an evangelist for

I had the opportunity to read a copy of this book through Teen Book Scene. Now, I know I don't have a review up yet, but you should have heard me ranting and raving on Twitter as soon as I finished this one. I fell head over heels in love. Virtuosity is beautiful, tragic, hopeful and poetic. Just an absolutely brilliant book. I implore you--pre-order this book today. Don't even finish reading this post. Seriously, you'll have time to finish it after you pre-order Virtuosity.

2.) Most surprisingly good book

I know. What rock have I been living under that I waited until 2011 to read Vampire Academy? Until I'd read this book, the cover and title screamed, "Cheesy!" to me. Oh, how I've been proven wrong. Not only did this book have kickass heroine and just a little bit of sexytimes, I could not put it down during the second half.

3.)Biggest disappointment so far

The Anti-Prom was just too cheesy and infeasible for me. I wanted to like it, but found myself cringing a bit while I was reading it.

4.) Funniest

Bleeping hilarious! Evie is an incredibly fun and lovable. There was one exchange between Evie and Lend in this book where Lend was telling Evie about being a normal teenager. I won't ruin it for you, but I will say that I promptly burst into hysterical laughter and could not stop for at least ten minutes.

5.) Favorite cover

Yes, I love this cover because it has excellent symbolism. However, I'm also a sucker for the purple backdrop, the pretty pink lines and Rhine's dress. It's so beautifully done overall. Plus, let's not forget that this book is fantastic.

6.) Favorite character

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a three way tie on our hands. I've already said what I love about Evie. Kat is a strong female character, but her insecurities are realistic. I also loved Hale because he acts a little but cocky, but also has an incredibly sweet side. And can we talk about the tension between Kat and Hale? I can't wait to see where things between them go in Uncommon Criminals.

7.) New-to-you series

Yeah, I really liked Heist Society. Not only did it have awesome characters, it made me want to trael around Europe.

8.) Most beautifully written

Beautiful. Poetic. Heart breaking. Please, pre-order this book.

9.) Most thought-provoking OR book that grew on you

Right after I finished If I Stay, I was unsatisfied. I was confused about how Forman ended the book, and I hate having that feeling at the end of a book. Ashley of Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing had been pushing this book on me, so she and I chatted about it on google chat. While I still don't love the ending, getting another person's perspective on it and really talking it out made me feel much more at peace with this story's conclusion.

10.) Book you want to see made into a movie

Spies. Marketed toward teenage girls. On the big screen. How does that not sound enticing?

11.) Wishlist for the second 1/2 of 2011

I know The Near Witch comes out in a week, but I want it now! Yes, I sound like an impatient child, but I've been waiting since December for it! I have a feeling that I am going to love this book. A lot. As for Lola and the Boy Next Door...well....we know how I felt about Anna and the French Kiss. That said, do we need to expound on why I'm hankering for Lola?

There you have it! I'm hoping to read a lot more great books in 2011, but also realize there may be some disappointments too. Let me know what books you've love, laughed at or what covers you've loved so far in 2011. I'd like to know!

Review of Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

2011-07-25T00:15:00.000-05:00

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

You’ve probably heard a lot of people say that Paranormalcy is bleeping fantastic. With its gorgeous cover and rave reviews, I knew that this was a book I couldn’t miss. While each of these factors played a role in my decision to read Paranormalcy, neither of them prepared me for the awesomeness of this book.

Evie is one of the best female protagonists in young adult, paranormal fiction right now. She was an incredibly fun character to read about and had me laughing out loud without being shallow or one-dimensional. Sure, she loves the color pink and enjoys shopping, and she can be a little bit naive at first, but she’s also very compassionate and unafraid of questioning those around her.

Between Kiersten White’s hilarious characters, the epic chapter titles and the fast-paced plot, I sped through Paranormalcy. The plot is full of twists and turns that had me speculating until the very end. Speaking of the end, it was where my one problem with the book lies. I wanted more answers. Hopefully I get them when I pick up Supernaturally, Paranormalcy’s sequel.

Paranormalcy is exactly the refresher that its genre needs. This is the perfect read for anyone searching for a paranormal store that errs on the light-hearted side. I can’t wait to get more Evie and find out where her story goes.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

In My Mailbox (42) and What Are You Reading?

2011-07-24T00:30:00.000-05:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

For review:
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey
Broetry by Brian McGackin
Won:
Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey + swag!
Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen Wasylowski
Gifted:
Supernaturally by Kiersten White
Bought:
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Patillo
None But You by Susan Kaye
Sass and Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler (The interview was over at Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf. Click here to see it!)
Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Misty of Book Rat

Read:
Insatiable by Meg Cabot
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey
Currently reading:
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
The Girl Who Was On Fire edited by Leah Wilson
What I plan to read:
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
Contagion by Joanne Dahme
This Vacant Paradise by Victoria Patterson

Review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

2011-07-22T00:01:00.001-05:00

Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility.

All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley—a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry—and anyone who reads about him—will find unforgettable. For it's there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter.

Reviewing one’s all time favorite books sounds like a daunting and near impossible task, but I am going to try it anyways. However, with all of the movies coming out, I’ve been re-reading the books, and every time I read them they get better and better. If you have not read the Harry Potter series, run, don’t walk, to your nearest library or bookstore, pick up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and get ready to have your mind blown.

Rowling is a genius when it comes to world-building. I would say it’s what I love most about these novels, but they are so brilliant that’s impossible to say. Rowling has created an elaborate wizard school, but also a huge world outside where goblins work at banks and there is a ministry of magic. I mean, Hogwarts is a character in and of itself. Things like her talking about what kind of snacks her characters eat, how the mail is delivered and the poem inside of Gringotts makes it obvious how much attention she’s paid to minute details. Not only Rowling’s world incredibly well built, it’s also a world I would love to live in. The ability to do magic? Quirky snacks? Magical creatures? Um, yes please!

Harry is on the cusp of adolescence as the book begins, and I have to say that I love Harry. He has a true sense of right and wrong, even though he was brought up amongst some of the most deplorable fictional characters ever. He’s far from perfect, though, often getting himself and his friends in trouble, and that’s what I loved about him when I was young. It was great to see a teenager who was so realistic.

A lot of characters in the Harry Potter series are like onions. They are well-developed in the first book, but we see more and more layers of each of them as the series progresses. I love Hermione because she’s a bookworm. I love Ron because he can be kind of awkward, but definitely has some great witty remarks. And Fred and George crack me up every. Single. Time. What an awesome duo. If I told you about all of the characters I loved and why, we’d be here all day.

Rowling’s prose isn’t particularly literary, yet it always kept me invested in the story. She peppered in just the right amount of humor, knows how to keep the suspense running high and makes the Gryffindor common room sound incredibly cozy. I can’t pinpoint what it is I love about her writing, I just know that I love it.

I’m not sure if I’d call this a review so much as a gushfest. I could spend hours and hours honing this review and still not touch on everything I love about Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The best part is that the series only gets better from here.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book. No, wait, I purchased three copies, because I am addicted.

Growing Up with Harry Potter Or This Post Has Some Questionable Segues

2011-07-21T12:05:00.000-05:00

Even though I don’t talk about much here, I’ve been toying a little bit with writing fiction lately. I’m just having fun with at this point, moreso than sitting down and saying, “I need to write a novel to feel successful or complete.” At any rate, it occurred to me the other day that a lot of my ideas for stories use transition as a major theme. Given recent movie releases and the fact that I feel as though my childhood is about to end, it wasn’t long before I got to thinking about Harry Potter.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two hit theaters on July 15th. In August I’ll be moving from Minnesota to Pennsylvania to attend graduate school. These things happening in the same summer make me feel as though I’m taking a final and irreversible step into adulthood.

I’ve done tons of blog posts and why I love Harry Potter and there are only more coming. One of the reasons these books are so special to me is because they were released as I was growing up. I went to midnight release parties for the 4th and 5th books, and got the seventh book the day it came out. When I step back and look at my life in retrospect, this series has been with me through a lot of major changes.

The summer before I started middle school, my family moved from Iowa to Ohio. I was pretty happy about this since I had lived in Iowa for two years, but never really dropped the “new kid” label. I didn’t know how to deal with feeling like an outsider except pushing people away (it was my angsty phase, in case you can’t tell), so middle school a chance for me to start over and be nice to my classmates. Just to see where it got me. One day in math class the girl next to me commented on how much she liked the book I had with me. No, it wasn’t Harry Potter. It was Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce. I dragged this friend to a book club that an eighth grader I knew had told me about. A few short weeks later, this was the friend who convinced me to try Harry Potter, at which point I convinced my parents to buy me the first three books in hardcover. Needless to say, I fell in love with the series right away. By the time Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out, I had my first serious summer internship and was a rising college sophomore.

I went to a midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 2. I wasn’t originally planning on it because I had to be at the airport early the next day, but I was invited to join a friend’s group. After much deliberation, I decided to go because it was my last ever chance to see the premiere of a Harry Potter movie in midnight. The atmosphere in the theater was freaking amazing. Everyone was buzzing with excitement and tons of people were in costume, including someone dressed as Harry’s patronus. I didn’t know the people I was with particularly well, so I made conversation and when midnight finally came, sat back to enjoy the movie. When the movie finally ended there was a considerable amount of hugging and plenty of talking about it on the car ride home. It never ceases to amaze me how J.K. Rowling’s stories have brought my generation together.

Even though I meant to finish re-reading the whole series before the movie, I’m only just about to start my re-read of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I have to say, re-reading the books while preparing for a massive change has been incredibly relaxing and comforting. I doubt I’m the only person out there who is experiencing some other huge change alongside the ending of Harry Potter.

I wish I could thank J.K. Rowling in person. I fell in love with her books and her world. I understood what her characters went through as they experienced puberty. It’s been something I can share with my peers, something that brings us together. Jo, thank you for being a huge part of my childhood. Thank you for everything.

Waiting on Wednesday: Mercy Lily by Lisa Albert

2011-07-20T00:01:00.002-05:00

Mercy Lily by Lisa Albert
Release date: October 8, 2011

A poetic, moving story about a teen who must make an unimaginable choice
I take the bees outside, unscrew the lid of the bee jar, and listen to their angry buzzing.
“I hate you,” I whisper.

Lily’s mother has slowly been losing herself to multiple sclerosis. After traditional treatment fails, she uses bee sting therapy, administered by Lily, to alleviate her pain. Lily is trained as a veterinary assistant, so she can easily handle the treatments. What she can’t handle is what happens when the bee sting therapy fails and it becomes clear that her mom wants to die.

One beautiful spring day, Lily’s mother asks her for the most impossible thing of all—mercy. While navigating first love, friendship, and other normal worries faced by high school sophomores, Lily also has to choose: help her mom go, or cling to her fading life for all it’s worth.

It's been forever since I did a Waiting on Wednesday. Schedules have conflicted some weeks and, to be honest, I've been slacking a little bit on the blog lately. At any rate, there are lots of books I can't wait for, and I'm ready to get back to talking about them.

I first heard about this book one day when I was browsing The Story Siren. I looked up the summary on GoodReads and it sounds absolutely heart-wrenching. I've also never heard of a book where a teenager faces the choice of letting her mother live or die. I can't be certain that this book will live up to the early buzz, but I imagine I'll be needing a lot of tissues.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Review of Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith

2011-07-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

What's worse than getting dumped? Not even knowing if you've been dumped. Joy got no goodbye, and certainly no explanation when Zan - the love of her life and the only good thing about stifling, backward Haven, Utah - unceremoniously and unexpectedly left for college a year early. Joy needs closure almost as much as she needs Zan, so she heads for California, and Zan, riding shotgun beside Zan's former-best-friend Noah.

Original and insightful, quirky and crushing, Joy's story is told in surprising and artfully shifting flashbacks between her life then and now. Exquisite craft and wry, relatable humor signal the arrival of Emily Wing Smith as a breakout talent.

With its mouthful of a title and intensely Mormon setting, I knew that Back When You Were Easier to Love promised to be a quirky read. As soon as I opened the book, I immediately understood Joy’s desire for answers and whizzed through it. While Smith’s characters sometimes got on my nerves, Back When You Were Easier to Love is the perfect novel for anyone looking for a clean story of self-discovery and romance.

When we first meet Joy, she is obsessive about Zan and unhappy in the place where she lives. She lives in a town with a large Mormon population, and views a lot of her peers as conformists. I love reading about characters who are quick to judge and then have to reconsider their opinions, because I have been there.

Joy’s obsessions and fantasies made her incredibly relatable. My one complaint is that at times she almost seemed a lit bit too naive to be realistic. I also never really understood the appeal of either of the male characters. Zan struck me as incredibly pretentious, which isn’t a trait I admire. I found Noah a little boring, but I ultimately couldn’t help but “awww” as I turned the final pages of this book.

Even though I’ve voiced a few misgivings in this review, they’re all personal pet peeves. I may not have loved all of Smith’s characters, but found Back When You Were Easier to Love well-crafted and humorous. I think lots of young readers will adore Joy’s character and the sweet storyline in this book.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Teen Book Scene in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

Character Top Ten List: Drew of The Summer I Learned to Fly

2011-07-18T00:01:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! Today I have Drew, the main character of The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt, here to share her Top Ten List of Things I've Never Done But Will Someday. You can check out my review of the book here. Sit back and enjoy what Drew has to say!

Drew's a bit of a loner. She has a pet rat, her dead dad's Book of Lists, an encyclopedic knowledge of cheese from working at her mom's cheese shop, and a crush on Nick, the surf bum who works behind the counter. It's the summer before eighth grade and Drew's days seem like business as usual, until one night after closing time, when she meets a strange boy in the alley named Emmett Crane. Who he is, why he's there, where the cut on his cheek came from, and his bottomless knowledge of rats are all mysteries Drew will untangle as they are drawn closer together, and Drew enters into the first true friendship, and adventure, of her life.

Drew’s Top Ten List of Things I’ve Never Done But Will Some Day:

Go to Hawaii
Go anywhere, somewhere far away, where they speak a different language and eat exotic food
Learn to surf
Cut my hair short
Get a dog
Get a tattoo that Mom can’t see
Write a book, or a song, or a poem or anything that moves someone else
Open a restaurant
Kiss a boy, on the lips, not on the forehead
Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, in honor of my father

Thanks so much for stopping by, Drew! The Summer I Learned to Fly is out now.

In My Mailbox (41) and What Are You Reading?

2011-07-17T00:31:00.000-05:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

Gifted:
Card!
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
Bought:
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder
Clarity by Kim Harrington
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
Abandon by Meg Cabot
Overbite by Meg Cabot
Airhead by Meg Cabot
Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot
Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Misty of Book Rat
Heidi of YA Bibliophile
Cialina of Muggle-Born.net

Read:
Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
Currently reading:
Insatiable by Meg Cabot
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
The Girl Who Was On Fire edited by Leah Wilson
What I plan to read:
The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball by Risa Green
The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
Contagion by Joanne Dahme
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Character Interview: Zan of Back When You Were Easier to Love

2011-07-13T01:30:00.000-05:00

What's worse than getting dumped? Not even knowing if you've been dumped. Joy got no goodbye, and certainly no explanation when Zan - the love of her life and the only good thing about stifling, backward Haven, Utah - unceremoniously and unexpectedly left for college a year early. Joy needs closure almost as much as she needs Zan, so she heads for California, and Zan, riding shotgun beside Zan's former-best-friend Noah.

Original and insightful, quirky and crushing, Joy's story is told in surprising and artfully shifting flashbacks between her life then and now. Exquisite craft and wry, relatable humor signal the arrival of Emily Wing Smith as a breakout talent.

You are used to living in a town where many of your peers identify as Mormon. How would you describe your religious beliefs?

I consider myself deeply spiritual, but I believe organized religion is merely an opiate for the masses. 

What is your least favorite thing about living in Haven?

Residents tend to believe things are black or white, and because of this their dreams turn to black-and-white.

You clearly have a quirky fashion sense. How would you characterize it?

Two words: leisure wear. So many people dress to a certain trend dismissing what’s comfortable.

 How do you think you’ve changed since starting college?

I don’t think I’ve changed so much as finally become who I’ve always been, with no societal norms to hold me back.

  Describe your perfect day.

Discussing philosophy with close friends over truly exceptional coffee, followed by a jazz concert in the park and Vietnamese food.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Zan! Back When You Were Easier to Love is in stores now. Be sure to stop by next Wednesday, which is when I'll have my own review posted.

In My Mailbox (40) and What Are You Reading?

2011-07-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

For review:
Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith
Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
Triangles by Ellen Hopkins
The Map of Time by Felix J. Palma
Borrowed:
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Gifted:
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
Swag from Stefne Miller!
Bought:
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury
The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret Sullivan
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares
Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Shanyn of Chick Loves Lit
Kate of Literary Explorations
Julie of [Bloggers [[heart]] Books]

Read:
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith (My review)
What Comes After by Steve Watkins (My review)
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (Review to come closer to the September release date.)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Click here to my thoughts on the final sections for the read along.)
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt (My review)
Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith
The Vampyre and Other Tales by John William Polidori (I don't intend to review this one as I don't have tons to say about it.)
Currently reading:
Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
The Girl Who Was On Fire edited by Leah Wilson
What I plan to read:
Insatiable by Meg Cabot
The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
Contagion by Joanne Dahme

Review of But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

2011-07-09T01:25:00.001-05:00

Tonight was so much worse than anything before it. Tonight he didn't stop after the first slap.
At the beginning of senior year, Ann was a smiling, straight-A student and track star with friends and a future. Then she met a haunted young man named Connor. Only she can heal his emotional scars; only he could make her feel so loved — and needed. Ann can't recall the pivotal moment it all changed, when she surrendered everything to be with him, but by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high wire act. Just one mistake could trigger Connor's rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything — and everyone — in its path.
This evocative slideshow of flashbacks reveals a heartbreaking story of love gone terribly wrong.

Abusive relationships are a hot topic in the YA contemporary genre right now. When I heard that Amanda Grace is a pseudonym for Mandy Hubbard, I was a little surprised because while I have not read Prada and Prejudice or You Wish, But I Love Him sounds very different from either of those novels. But I Love Him is one of the hardest books I’ve read all year, and it is packed with emotion and expertly told. I devoured this novel over the course of two short evenings.

But I Love Him is a story which is told in reverse. We meet Ann when she has hit an ultimate low and isn’t sure where she can go next. This narrative style worked perfectly because it helped me see how the relationship got worse and why Ann believed things might eventually work out.

If the prospect of abuse isn’t enough to tug at your heartstrings, Grace’s writing and characterization will do that to you. She clearly put a lot of thought into every word that went into this novel, because the descriptions and imagery were never lengthy and flowery, but always evoked a reaction in me. I think what made this novel so emotional for me was Connor. Even though I never thought his treatment of Ann was okay, Grace explained why he was that way so well that I couldn’t help but feel some sympathy towards him.

From its beautiful cover to the final page, But I Love Him is a captivating and tough story. But I Love Him may taken me mere hours to read, but has left me thinking for days afterwards. While I’m now even more excited to read Mandy Hubbard’s other novels, I’m really hoping she publishes more serious contemporary YA.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Review of The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt

2011-07-08T01:00:00.001-05:00

Drew's a bit of a loner. She has a pet rat, her dead dad's Book of Lists, an encyclopedic knowledge of cheese from working at her mom's cheese shop, and a crush on Nick, the surf bum who works behind the counter. It's the summer before eighth grade and Drew's days seem like business as usual, until one night after closing time, when she meets a strange boy in the alley named Emmett Crane. Who he is, why he's there, where the cut on his cheek came from, and his bottomless knowledge of rats are all mysteries Drew will untangle as they are drawn closer together, and Drew enters into the first true friendship, and adventure, of her life.

One thing that almost guarantees that I will automatically enjoy a book is a quirky but cute small town setting. I was pretty happy when I opened up The Summer I Learned To Fly and discovered that it has this small town setting that I adore. Thankfully, Reinhardt’s coming of age novel also had great characters and a compelling plot that made for a quick yet satisfying read.

If you’re thinking that The Summer I Learned to Fly is going to be light-hearted becaue it’s short, think again. Reinhardt shows her expertise in her plotting. She doesn’t go into extreme detail about every event in the book, but every page is filled with emotion. Reinhardt gives the reader just enough and I finished this book feeling that the story was resolved without being contrived.

As individuals, I loved all of Reinhardt’s characters, especially Drew. She always did her own thing and was compassionate, but also experienced a lot of emotions that are familiar to me. While I thought Nick and Emmett were both charming characters on their own, my one complaint about the novel is that I never felt Drew spark with either of them.

Of course I can’t let this review go by without mentioning how hungry Reinhardt made me. When I read that there was a cheese shop featured in this book, I didn’t realize that this would mean that there would be pages on pages of description about gourmet cheeses. As a cheese lover, I spent these portions of the book salivating and craving a delicious wedge of brie.

This book charmed me, kept me turning the pages and had my mouth watering. If you’re looking for a fast read about growing up and the importance of friendship, I highly recommend picking this one up.

Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

July TBR Pile Vlog

2011-07-07T11:45:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I was inspired by Misty over at Book Rat to make a vlog about what I plan to read in the month of July. Misty was inspired by The Readables and BunnyCates. I hope you guys enjoy, and let me know if you want to see more TBR vlogs.

Harry Potter and My Expecations: A Vlog

2011-07-06T00:01:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! As part of the Harry Potter Celebration over at Patricia's Particularity, I made a vlog about my expectations for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 2. I hope that you guys like it!