Dog-Eared & Bookmarked

Saying Goodbye. For now....

2012-04-02T17:20:00.002-07:00

Hey everyone,

I think it's time for me and Dog-Eared & Bookmarked to part ways. At least for a while.

With everything that has happened in my life, and with my mom, I think it's time for me to take a break. My mom's health is getting better and better, yet I still find myself overwhelmed with not having the time to dedicate myself to this blog.

I love it and it hurts my heart to write this, but I think it's the best thing. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone, but I will be back... that is my promise!

Thank you for your love and support these past seven months. These have been some of the hardest months for me to get through. It's been your support and encouragement that has helped get me through. For that, I am truly thankful.

Dog-Eared & Bookmarked will be back one day, and I'm hoping it will be better than ever.

Thank you,

Cyndi

IMM [44]

2012-04-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

This meme is hosted by The Story Siren. For all the deets click HERE.

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature that allows blogs to share what great book related things they got in the mail. DISCLAIMER: All ARCs are provided to me in exchange for a review, or as a giveaway prize. All tour books & borrowed books are provided out of love and blogging friendship. Finally, I in no way use this feature to brag or to make fellow bloggers feel bad. I acquire books & loot the honest way. This feature is only to share my love of books & to get the word out about them.

:-:-:-:-:

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama - ARC from [Fikt]shun

And there you have it. What do you think? Have you read this one, yet? Yes, no, not interested? Tell me in the comments; and also mention what you got this week!

Waiting On [32]: Velveteen by Daniel Marks

2012-03-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Velveteen
Author: Daniel Marks
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Release Date: October 9, 2012

Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that's not the problem.

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it's not a fiery inferno, it's certainly no heaven. It's gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn't leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what's really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she's figured out just how to do it. She'll haunt him for the rest of his days.
It'll be brutal . . . and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen's obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she's willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker.

Velveteen can't help herself when it comes to breaking rules . . . or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.

via Goodreads

:-:-:

I've been hearing a lot of early buzz on this book. All GOOD buzz! My curiosity has definitely been piqued, and I'm certainly looking forward to getting my hands on this one. What say you. Have you heard anything about Velveteen?

What book are you waiting on this week? Drop it in the comments.

Book Trailer: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

2012-03-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter | Published: March 27, 2012 | HarlequinTeen

Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.Henry's first wife, Persephone.

The Goddess Test | The Goddess Hunt

Watch it. Read it. Love it!

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2012-03-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins | Published: October 31, 2008 | Scholastic Inc.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I’m doing something I promised myself I would never do. I’m going to write a review for The Hunger Games. Why did I say this? Well, only some books catch me so off guard I just can’t express myself. When I first read The Hunger Games, in 2010, I stepped way out of my box to read these. I hadn’t really read YA books; and, I sure as heck hadn’t read anything like this book, at all. However, Mockingjay had just been published and everyone was going crazy. Curiosity got the best of me, and I knew I needed to get my hands on these books.

Thankfully, I did.

Thankfully, I read the entire series in just a few days.

Thankfully, I fell madly in love with this book; and with the boy who bakes bread.

This is the beginning of a whole new book experience for me. This time around, the odds were ever in my favor.

In the beginning, readers are introduced to a girl named Katniss Everdeen. A 16 year-old girl just making it by with whatever food she can hunt; and then trade for other foods. Immediately, the voice that [author] Suzanne Collins created hooked me in. In an ironically droll tone, Katniss narrates the story of her life. Her story begins excitingly; yet ends in mayhem and murder.

Where North America used to be now sits the country of Panem. A land made up of 12 surrounding districts. Ruling with a cruel fist, The Capitol keeps the nation in check by forcing each of the districts to send one boy and one girl (ages 12 to 18) to compete in a game of bloodbath. What makes these Hunger Games even more evil and disgusting is the fact that they’re held on live tv.

In an admirable turn-of-events, Katniss takes the place of her younger sister to compete in the games.

The Hunger Games progresses quickly after this, yet manages to keep a slow and easygoing pace. It’s amazingly penned by Collins. The storytelling is beyond YA expectations. This book can fight, and win, against any of the Adult Fiction heavyweights. The Hunger Games is truly a breath of fresh air on a humid day.

Gritty (and often bloody) The Hunger Games passes from one scene to the next building questions and unease with each new page. It’s a thriller no doubt, but it also pushes the boundaries of right and wrong. When is it right to force children to kill one another. When is it right to rule a nation without providing them with food and comfort. When is it right to force everyone to take part in a heinous act of bullying and hate. Collins does not hold back with her attack against conformity. She dared to use a girl to voice what many people may feel.

Suzanne Collins created a world full of hate and blood, but she also created a world full of love and hope. She stands apart from many authors because she wrote each character with a vulnerability that the readers can connect to. No matter how short their scenes were, I was left with an ache in my heart and a tear on my cheek. These characters are bold and brave and loving and beautiful.

The Hunger Games is a story of rising against wrong, even when death is knocking, to prove that right will eventually prevail…. This story ends with a promise; a promise that justice may just come along in the flames of Catching Fire.

Review: Partials by Dan Wells

2012-03-22T00:00:00.001-07:00

Partials by Dan Wells | Published: February 28, 2012 | Balzer + Bray

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.

Combining the fast-paced action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Battlestar Galactica, Partials is a pulse-pounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question—one where our sense of humanity is both our greatest liability, and our only hope for survival.

:-:-:-:

Not very often do I read a book that’s so darn good I’m left utterly speechless. After having finished Partials, by Dan Wells, I’m left wondering how to voice all of the excitement buzzing around in my head. Amazing, and amazing, and amazing. I think that should cover it. However, maybe I should try to say a little bit more about this ‘amazing’ addition by Wells. Maybe I should try to explain in so many words why this book is a must-read. Maybe I should try to explain how I sat on the edge of my seat the entire time I read this book. Maybe I should try to explain how excited I am to see readers out there pick up and love this book as much as I do. Yes, maybe I will…. But, maybe I’ll start here:

Partials packs a powerful punch? Check!

Amazing concept, interesting plot, and executed flawlessly? Check!

Detailed characterizations? Check!

Kick-butt protagonist? Check!

Loveable, and funny, boyfriend? Check!

Gorgeous non-human, robot Partial, boy? Check!

Action packed goodness? Check!

Edge-of-your-seat thriller? Check!

Gritty hold nothing back writing? Check!

A society ruled by evil control freaks? Check!

Heart-pounding scenes with gunfire? Check!

Things that get blown up? Check!

Scenes that break your heart? Check!

Scenes that leave you grinning, and then giggling? Check!

An ending that leaves you wanting more? CHECK!

Partials, by Dan Wells, is a book that took me by surprise. It seems to have readers either loving it, or on the fence about it. I, however, am a believer. From the very first chapter I was hooked, and then left glued to the book until every last page was read.

Everything about it screams goodness. Another awesome thing it screamed? BIG SCREEN! I want to see this in the theater. On the big screen! Please make this happen. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for the movie.

This book should be read by all.

I. Heart. It. SO. Bad!

Book two, please!

Waiting On [31]: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

2012-03-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 1, 2012

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

via Goodreads

:-:-:

This is very much a DUH post, but it has to be done. I'm dying to get my hands on this book. Divergent was a huge surprise for me last year. I put off reading it for weeks, even after I got the ARC of it. However, I finally picked it up and loved every second of it. Insurgent is sure to be even better!

What book are you waiting on this week? Drop it in the comments.

Teaser Tuesday: Partials by Dan Wells

2012-03-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It's time to tease you guys with this heartbreaking scene in Partials by Dan Wells.

The book details will be posted below, so hang tight, be teased, be inspired to purchase the book, and then blog your own teaser!

Teaser Text:

"You know I love you."
"Then give me this one thing." She sniffed, wiping her face, and looked him squarely in the eyes. "Don't stop us." He started to protest, and she cut him off. "I can't live in the world you're talking about. I'm leaving tomorrow, and if I die, I die, but at least I'll die doing something. And if you love me, you won't tell anyone what we're doing, or where we're going, or how to stop us. Promise me."
Marcus said nothing, and Kira gripped his arms fiercely. "Please, Marcus, promise me."
His voice was slow and lifeless. "I promise you." He stepped back, pulling away from her grip. "Good-bye, Kira."

Teaser Deets:

Pg. 134. This is an ARC copy, so I'm not sure if it's the same in the finished copy.
Conversation between Kira and Marcus. He's her boyfriend, and she's about to leave on a mission that could get herself and a lot of others killed. He doesn't like it.

This scene broke my heart. It may come off like it, but Partials is far from a romance book. This is a small scene that really shows Kira and Marcus interacting like boyfriend/girlfriend. It's so filled with dread and passion, I couldn't NOT post it for a teaser.

For the book deets:

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.

Combining the fast-paced action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Battlestar Galactica, Partials is a pulse-pounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question—one where our sense of humanity is both our greatest liability, and our only hope for survival.

From Goodreads

New Week, as it's Monday, so this is what I'm reading...

2012-03-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Is brought to you, every Monday, by: One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

Heya Bloggers! It's Monday, how many of us are slagging and wishing for an IV coffee hookup? I always dread starting a new week. Who doesn't, right? It's the beginning of a new work week, or school week, or just a suck week altogether. One of the things I have that keeps me going is books. Without books I think I'd die. Maybe that's dramatic... yeah, not so much!

To start off this week, I'm sharing my current read, past read, and my future read!

:-:-:-:

Currently Reading | Just Finished Reading | Planning To Read

Partials is a book I got as an ARC, right after I got approved for it on Net Galley, so I've been reading it in both print and Kindle form. It's one book that has people loving it... and a lot of people not. To me, so far, it's really good. Quite gripping. Kira is proving to be a good Katniss-like character. Since Partials is said to be in the likes of The Hunger Games!

Of Poseidon is really funny, and super cute. I LOL'd quite a bit while reading it. It's one of those books that you give 5 of 5 to just because it makes you feel all squishy and cute inside. I'm dying for book 2, and this one isn't even out yet. YIKES! Believe me, this one I'm am SO excited to see people read.

And, Something Like Normal is a book I've seen NOTHING but amazing reviews for. I can't wait to dive into this one.

What books are you reading, already read, and planning on reading? Make sure to tell me in the comments.

Remember, reading is sexy. At least Rob thinks so. *wink wink*

Disclaimer: the pic used [above] is not made by me [here]. Also, it was taken from the movie Remember Me starring Robert Pattinson.

TGIF [26]: Social Networking

2012-03-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday Bloggers! I'm ending another full book week by joining with other bloggers to share bookish pictures, lists, and excitements. This weekly feature is hosted by Ginger over at GReads! It's a fun way to spend a bookish Friday. For all of the details, and to get involved/participate click [HERE] and join in.

Social Networking:

Do you use Twitter or Facebook to promote your blog? How has it benefited your book blogging experience? If not, how do you promote your blog?
Share your Twitter handle and/or Facebook link!

Tweet, Tweet says the Twit. Which in this case, is me! WEE! I was Tweeting long before I was blogging, so it was pretty easy (more scary) bringing my blog stuff to the Twittersphere. I didn't know the best way to promote this blog, so I hardly ever mentioned my reveiws, etc.

After I started talking with other bloggers, I easily saw that they utilized Twitter, and their blogs were seeing a lot more traffic. Hey, I thought, I need to up the Tweets on this bad boy. It worked! Ever since then, I've created a separate Twitter account just for my blog. I like to keep it separate from the personal one I have. All of my friends who don't want to be bombarded with book stats, well, they've been saved!

Through Twitter, I've met and become friends with a lot of bloggers. This is the best part to me. Being able to be apart of a community that loves book as much as me? I'd be so lonely if not for this website. Also, communicating with authors and publishers is much easier, and a whole lot of fun!

I'm a Twit over here.... @DEBookmarked and over here.... @CynnieLee24

Waiting On [30]: Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

2012-03-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Meant to Be
Author: Lauren Morrill
Publisher: Delacorte
Release Date: November 13, 2012

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for - gasp - the wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's the queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her ... well, pocket. Julia also believes in fate, and that Mark, her childhood crush, is her MTB - her meant-to-be.

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts ... from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to live a little along the way. And thus begins a wild-good chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

via Goodreads

:-:-:

I'm IN LOVE with this cover!!!! I knew I wanted to read this book as soon as I laid eyes on the cover. Now that I've read the synopsis? I can't wait for November to be here!

What book are you waiting on this week? Drop it in the comments.

Teaser Tuesday: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

2012-03-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

So, I haven't done this feature in FOREVER!!! I usually do Top Ten, or have previously participated in Tune In, but I thought it was time to tease you guys with this awesome scene in Of Poseidon by Anna Banks.

The book details will be posted below, so hang tight, be teased, be inspired to purchase the book, and then blog your own teaser!

Teaser Text:

Emma nods, then shakes her head. "Dating, yes. But she thinks we're, uh, more than dating."
"Oh," he says, thoughtful. Then he grins. "Oh." The reason her lips are turning his favorite color is because Emma's mom thinks they've been dating and mating. The blush extends down her neck and disappears into her T-shirt. He should probably say something to make her feel more comfortable. But teasing her seems so much more fun. "Well then, the least she could do is give us some privacy---"
"Ohmysweetgoodness!"

Teaser Deets:

Pg. 76, or thereabouts.
Conversation between Emma and Galen, the two main characters.

As you can see, I'm reading this on my Kindle Fire, so I've been doing a lot of highlighting. This one made me chuckle so much I went back and re-read it a few times. So cute, and funny!

For the book deets:

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

From Goodreads

New Week, as it's Monday, so this is what I'm reading...

2012-03-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

:-:-:-:

Currently Reading | Just Finished Reading | Planning To Read

Of Poseidon is really funny, and super cute, so far. I'm not too far into the book, but I've already LOL'd quite a bit. Wanderlove is an amazing read. I finished reading it a couple of days ago, and this one is for keeps. I have mad love going on for it. And, Something Like Normal is a book I've seen NOTHING but amazing reviews for. I can't wait to dive into this one.

What books are you reading, already read, and planning on reading? Make sure to tell me in the comments.

Remember, reading is sexy. At least Rob thinks so. *wink wink*

Disclaimer: the pic used [above] is not made by me [here]. Also, it was taken from the movie Remember Me starring Robert Pattinson.

Movie News: Cassandra Clare updates on 'City of Bones'

2012-03-11T23:30:00.000-07:00

If you're like me, you've been dying for word on the City of Bones movie. Will it happen. When will it happen. HOW will it happen. All of these questions keep me up at night. Okay, maybe not every night, but I do wonder what is going on with the movie.

While scanning through my Tumblr dashboard, I came across an update from Cassandra Clare! From time to time she'll put a few words out there on the progress of the movie, but today's post is a pretty sweet update!

[source: HERE]

so I am in LA

I can see the beach from where I am. Ah, my hometown.

I have director, producer and writer meetings tomorrow about ‘City of Bones.’

I honestly don’t know what I’ll find out, or what of what I do find out I’ll be allowed to say.

Hopefully something, since I know everyone is growing cobwebs waiting for news.

Now, I’ve no idea what I will be able to say, if anything. I know there are points in the script we want to go over, and concept art, etc. For all I know I could sit down and be told that they now see the film as a parable reflecting the age-old conflict between Mr. Peanut and his arch-enemy Alejandro, the Spanish almond.

Life is mysterious.

Hopefully they will be good meetings. Hopefully I will have something to tell you about them. I have my fingers crossed, but I won’t make promises ‘cause I don’t want to say I’ll know something and then not know something. And it might be ‘I know something but I can’t tell it’ which is annoying, but quite possible.

However.

I will have news for you about something fun before the end of the week. That I can promise. :)

--- Let's all keep our fingers crossed!

In My Mailbox [44]

2012-03-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

This meme is hosted by The Story Siren. For all the deets click HERE.

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature that allows blogs to share what great book related things they got in the mail. DISCLAIMER: All ARCs are provided to me in exchange for a review, or as a giveaway prize. All tour books & borrowed books are provided out of love and blogging friendship. Finally, I in no way use this feature to brag or to make fellow bloggers feel bad. I acquire books & loot the honest way. This feature is only to share my love of books & to get the word out about them.

:-:-:-:-:

I kind of cheated this week. Although I got 3 books in the mail, 2 of them are actually mine. However, I haven't seen them in a while, so I was really excited to get them back! I love loaning books out to blogging friends, but it's definitely nice to have my little babies home.

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin

Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen

Thank you to Jacinda who sent my books back, and also included Cold Kiss! Mucho thanks to you!!!

And there you have it. What do you think? Have you read any of these, yet? Yes, no, not interested? Tell me in the comments; and also mention what you got this week!

Cover Reveal: Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

2012-03-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for - gasp - the wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's the queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her ... well, pocket. Julia also believes in fate, and that Mark, her childhood crush, is her MTB - her meant-to-be.

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts ... from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to live a little along the way. And thus begins a wild-good chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

Book: Meant to Be
Author: Lauren Morrill
Publisher: Delacorte
Expected Publication: November 13, 2012
Deets: HERE

I'm kind of obsessed with this cover. I LOVE the colors in the background, and the scenes of London peeking through. Gorgeous!

Author Interview: Ally Condie via Entertainment Weekly

2012-03-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

If you caught my blog post earlier, you saw the cover real of Reached. The third and final book in the Matched series. I mentioned Entertainment Weekly revealed the cover last week. They also did an interview with Condie.

Unless you follow EW, or Condie, you probably missed this little gem, so I thought I'd share it with you all. Really sweet of me, I know. *wink*

Entertainment Weekly in bold | Ally Condie in regular font:

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: There was a huge, huge bomb dropped about Xander in Crossed. Any chance at redemption in the final book?

ALLY CONDIE: Absolutely. There is always a chance at redemption until the last page…and sometimes even after that!

Whose point of view will we be getting this time? Are you switching it up again?

I am switching it up again, because it’s time for Xander to get to share his story as well. So there are three points of view — Cassia’s, Ky’s, and Xander’s — telling this final installment of the trilogy.

There are still so many mysteries about the Society and the Rising. Will all our questions be answered?

Many of the biggest questions will be answered in this book — but I don’t dare say that they ALL will. But you will certainly find out more about the state of the Society, and what the Rising really is, and what that means for the main characters.

What did it feel like to put a period on the trilogy?

It was both wonderful and a bit sad. Sad because I’m finished with the story for now, and because I will miss these characters and this world. But it also felt very good to write scenes that I’ve pictured writing for several years now (since I began Matched) and to see Cassia, Ky, and Xander all the way through to the finish.

What are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on the final revisions for this final book. But I also have an idea for another novel to begin after I’m finished with revisions. I’m very excited about the concept and the world and characters. It will be fun to explore something and somewhere new!

Any updates on the movie adaptation?

We are hoping to see a screenplay soon. I can’t wait!

Will you ever return to writing about the Society?

Right now I’m excited about my new idea (and several others), but I would never say never! Cassia, Ky, and Xander’s stories do feel finished to me–not that other things can’t happen to them, but those stories will play out off the page and in the readers’ minds. The books belong to them now.

---Interviewed & posted by Stephan Lee of Entertainment Weekly. For the full article visit here.

Deep breaths. I can't believe this is the beginning of the end... but I did spy something about a screenplay, so that TOTALLY makes up for it!

Cover Reveal: Reached by Ally Condie

2012-03-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Reached, by Ally Condie, is the third and final book in the Matched series. Last week, Entertainment Weekly revealed the cover and name of the final book. Sad as I am to see this series come to an end, I'm totally pumped for the book to be here! This cover is awesome!

Expected publication: November 2012

As of right now, there's not a lot of details on the book itself. Goodreads has no synopsis. Although their date is filled in, I'm under the impression that date has yet to be confirmed.

Without many details, I can say I'm really excited for whatever Condie has in store for the fans. Each book is filled with a unique storytelling that pulls me in. Sure, they're not classically beautiful, but there's a quirk in each one that stands out in my eyes.

I'm a total Ky shipper! What say you guys?

The Matched series. I love the complete look of this!

In Condie's own words:

I LOVE the cover. It is beautiful, and it’s perfect for what happens in the final installment of the story. I also love the title–REACHED–which was my choice from the beginning, but we wanted to make certain that it was the right one before we committed. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but each of the titles (MATCHED, CROSSED, REACHED) have seven letters. And they all end in -ED, obviously. They feel like they fit together very well. The title of REACHED references the Emily Dickinson poem used in CROSSED. And that’s all I’m going to say about that…for now.

A couple of other tidbits–

* People have asked if we planned to do the three books the colors of the three tablets. YES. That was the designer’s brilliant idea from the very beginning, with the first cover of MATCHED. We’ve always known this cover would be red. The green tablet was important in MATCHED, the blue tablet was the focus in CROSSED, and the red tablet will be center stage in REACHED.

*You’ve also likely noticed that the second letter of each title is slightly skewed (the A in MATCHED is missing the line across the middle, the R in CROSSED is backwards). In this title, the E is missing one of its lines–but the three lines in the middle are there, and they are all equal. This has symbolic meaning for the three main characters/voices in the story–Cassia, Ky, and now Xander.

*People have been asking about the November 13 release date showing up on Amazon. While I know that we plan to release in November sometime, my publisher has not told me the date yet. So as far as I know, that’s not official. But if I do get confirmation on a release date, I will be sure to keep you posted.

Squee! This is going to be an epic conclusion. I can feel it!!!

For an extra special Ally Condie surprise, I'll be posting her interview with Entertainment Weekly! If you haven't read it, you should... or wait for me to post it. She is a doll, and I love her answers about the series.

Getting Personal --- The Music Edition

2012-03-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

After hearing a piano piece of my iTunes last night, I've been rather depressed about having not played in so long. If you've read anything about me, or follow me on Twitter, you'll know that I'm a huge music geek. I've been playing (or played) the piano for a long time. Also, I learned the violin and was an assistant director for a hand-bell choir. Music was and is a huge passion in my life.

I had pretty big dreams of being the next best concert pianist (at least in playing capactity), but my hands got in pretty bad shape. After suffering a terrible case of tendinitis, my hands are not up to the test these days. Let's just say I was in braces for almost two months, and still have to pull them out every so often. I've lost a lot of strength and can't lift anything too heavy. I can't hand-write very well, or very many words without my hand cramping and quitting on me. Being on the computer too much sends pain up my arms, etc. Such fun, eh?

Because of this, I lost a lot of confidence in my playing and unfortunately quit last year. December of 2009 was my last violin and piano recitals. I did what I did, and then it was over. After that, I taught piano for a while, and still do when the opportunity presents itself. I truly love teaching my favorite instrument. It's such a beautiful noise maker!

So, after hearing that piano piece last night, I found some videos of me playing. I did these a few (plus) years ago as practice sessions. I always loved pulling out my old student books and warming up with them. After hearing people complain about not hearing me play, I recorded myself to share with family. TODAY, I share with you. Yay!

YouTube cut off the ending(s) of some of these:

Worrisome Blues by Martha Mier.

Prelude in C minor by Alexander Morovsky

Audio recordings that were on my keyboard. I took a video of the audio in order to save them.

Debussy - Clair de Lune | I was a 2nd year piano student when this was recorded!
btw: this is an easy version of this piece. There's no way I can handle the original *winks*

'From Hello to Goodbye' THIS is the only song I composed. Be impressed, haha!

There you have it. My lovely show-and-tell blog post. I hope you enjoyed a little musical tour into another part of my life.

Waiting On [29]: A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

2012-03-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: A Midsummer's Nightmare
Author: Kody Keplinger
Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: June 5, 2012

Whitley Johnsons dream summer with her divorce dad has turned into a nightmare. She’s just met his new fiancee and her kids. The fiancee’s son? Whitley’s one-night stand from graduation night. Just freakin’ great.

Worse, she totally doesn’t fit in with her dad’s perfect new country-club family. So Whitley acts out. She parties. Hard. So hard she doesn’t even notice the good things right under her nose: a sweet little future stepsister who is just about the only person she’s ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn’t “do” friends), and a smoking-hot guy who isn’t her stepbrother... at least, not yet. It will take all three of them to help Whitley get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together.

Filled with authenticity and raw emotion, Whitley is Kody Keplinger’s most compelling character to date: a cynical Holden Caulfield-esque girl you will wholly care about.

via Goodreads

:-:-:

I've enjoyed Kody's other books, and she's deemed this one her favorite; so, I HAVE to read this one! It sounds freaking awesome, right?!

What book are you waiting on this week? Drop it in the comments.

Top Ten Tuesday [30]: My Favorite Book Covers of 2012

2012-03-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Created by: The Broke and the Bookish

If you are fond of lists, especially Top 10 lists, this feature is the one to go with! Every week, the lovely ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish post a topic of their choice. Participating bloggers are asked to list their top 10's. I like to participate whenever I can. I love this idea, and often go a little crazy with adding 15, even 20 in my posts. Hehe!

Top Ten Books: Covers of 2012 {so far}

The gist of this was to make a Top Ten list of my favorite book covers. I decided to use the "Top book covers of 2012" and shorten it down to just January through March. So, my post has my Top 12 book covers of 2012, so far!

Listed in pictures {no links} & not listed in order...

Yay! These are my favorite book covers of 2012, so far. Any of them make it on your list? Too early to say. Opinions? Comments? Drop them below.

Getting Personal [UPDATE]

2012-03-04T12:30:00.000-08:00

First, thank you all for the amazing, and sweet, comments you left on my post. It's so nice to see that you guys are willing to take a little time out of your day to send some love to me!

My mom (Louise) & nephew (Josh) up in the wheelchair: 3/4/12

Over the course of the two weeks since that post, my mom has been doing really well. We've been working with in-house PT (physical therapy) learning to transfer from couch (bed) to the wheelchair. At first, it was a nightmare. She gets really scared and then becomes dead weight, so it was rather hard trying to safely move her into the chair. Now? She's been gaining confidence and strength, so the transfers are happening once a day.

I've learned a GREAT deal about being a nurse. I may not have my license, but I can take care of any patient. Ha! I can check blood sugar, blood pressure (with the pump and stetacope), change wound dressings, give spongbaths, work a bed-pan, wash hair with a soup pot and pitcher, disperse medications, etc. It's pretty amazing all of the work I've done.... and all the knowledge I've gained from this. 1) I had to remove my mom's catheter. It was causing problems with her bladder, so the nurse (via phone conversation) walked me through removing the catheter. That was such a trip!!!! 2) learning to be an encouragement. I always take the high road when it comes to emotions, but lately I've had to be the one to step in and say all of the right things... at the right time. I've definitely learned how to be a better person throughout all of this.

We took her out of the house to the doctor last week. The car transfer was scary, but we managed; and the report from the wound specialist was encouraging. She's definitely on the right path! We're hoping within the next month she'll be able to get her prothesis fittings started. What a day it will be to see her up and walking again. I cannot wait!

I'm still trying to read and blog. It's hard for me to find the time, however, I do get a little reading in here-and-there.

Again, I thank you all for you encouragement and kindness. This time has been tough, but you guys always manage to put a smile on my face. Thank you!

Waiting On [28]: The Wicked and the Just - J. Anderson Coats

2012-02-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: The Wicked and the Just
Author: J. Anderson Coats
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: April 17, 2012

Cecily’s father has ruined her life. He’s moving them to occupied Wales, where the king needs good strong Englishmen to keep down the vicious Welshmen. At least Cecily will finally be the lady of the house.

Gwenhwyfar knows all about that house. Once she dreamed of being the lady there herself, until the English destroyed the lives of everyone she knows. Now she must wait hand and foot on this bratty English girl.

While Cecily struggles to find her place amongst the snobby English landowners, Gwenhwyfar struggles just to survive. And outside the city walls, tensions are rising ever higher—until finally they must reach the breaking point.

via Goodreads

:-:-:

I'd say it's time to read something out-of-the-box. I've been spending so much time reading YA and Contemporary, I've completely checked out of other genres. I hope to make up for it by reading this one. I've heard some great things about it. Plus, a lot of YA readers are excited for The Wicked and the Just!

What book are you waiting on this week? Drop it in the comments.

IMM [43]

2012-02-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

This meme is hosted by The Story Siren. For all the deets click HERE.

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature that allows blogs to share what great book related things they got in the mail. DISCLAIMER: All ARCs are provided to me in exchange for a review, or as a giveaway prize. All tour books & borrowed books are provided out of love and blogging friendship. Finally, I in no way use this feature to brag or to make fellow bloggers feel bad. I acquire books & loot the honest way. This feature is only to share my love of books & to get the word out about them.

:-:-:-:-:

LOT'S of good stuff for me. Not all of them came this week, but I've had them sitting in a stack and have forgotten to mention them. So, here we go!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins {HB to go with Catching Fire and Mockingjay on my shelf}
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Fine Art of Truth Or Dare by Melissa Jensen
The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle {HB RAK gift from Ann. THANK YOU SO MUCH!}

And there you have it. What do you think? Have you read any of these, yet? Yes, no, not interested? Tell me in the comments; and also mention what you got this week!

TGIF [25]

2012-02-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday Bloggers! I'm ending another full book week by joining with other bloggers to share bookish pictures, lists, and excitements. This weekly feature is hosted by Ginger over at GReads! It's a fun way to spend a bookish Friday. For all of the details, and to get involved/participate click [HERE] and join in.

Required Reading:

Which book from your school days do you remember reading & enjoying?
Is there a book published now that you'd like to see in today's curriculum for kids?

Unfortunately, all during my school years I took reading for granted. Most of the required reading I hated. I felt forced to read them, so I just did what I had to to pass the class. However, one book (or play) in High School I found myself loving. Also, I picked one that I read in High School, but didn't love until I did an in-depth study of it in college.

Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw {High School}

A full cast performance featuring Michael Redgrave, Lynn Redgrave, Michael Hordern, and Donald Pleasence in Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. Available on compact disc.

Written in 1912, Pygmalion quickly became a legend in its own time. The characters, situations, and dialogue Bernard Shaw supplies are rich, ebullient, and unmatched in wit as the infamous Henry Higgins prepares to "make a duchess of this draggletailed guttersnipe."

Thus begins this classic tale as Shaw pokes fun at smugness and priggish conventionality. Who can forget professor Henry Higgins with his passionate interest in the science of phonetics and the improvement of British speech, or of course, poor Eliza Doolittle, who is one of the great heroines of the 20th century?

Get ready to enjoy the greatest Shaw romp of them all as Higgins prepares to transform a common flower girl into a creature "the king of England would accept as royalty."

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley {College}

Mary Shelley began writing Frankenstein when she was only eighteen. At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, Frankenstein tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering the cause of generation and life? and bestowing animation upon lifeless matter, Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but; upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein.

Frankenstein, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises rofound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever.

Is there a book published now that you'd like to see in today's curriculum for kids?

The one book I've read recently that I think should be read by kids is: Bad Apple by Laura Ruby. I've tried pushing this book on friends because I think it's a book that means something. A topic that's frequently in the news is bullying.

Maybe Tola's story isn't to the extreme that most kid's deal with, but her story is about a rumor that has traumatic consequences.

Junior Tola Riley doesn’t care what people say about her. She knows her ever-changing hair color and goth clothes make her an easy target. Whatever. But the latest rumor is different.... The entire school believes she had an affair with her art teacher. The rumors may be a lie, but the fallout is all too real. Will Tola finally stand up for the truth?

With a heroine you'll root for and a truly relevant story, Laura Ruby has once again brought the authentic teen experience to life for readers who relish dark humor and razor-sharp wit.

---- Bad Apple isn't everyone's cup of tea. I've actually seen some pretty bad reviews of it, however, I connected with it and fell for it. Ruby's writing captured the mind and spirit of this girl. I never once thought this was an adult writing about a teenager. I ALWAYS thought I was reading Tola's personal diary. THAT is how good Ruby is.

She's not afraid to be different; to be daring; to GO THERE with her writing. She told Tola's story with passion and dry humor... and a lot of art. So, this is why I think kids (mostly teens) should be required to read this one. I think they'd walk away from this read with a new look on rumors and the consequences their words hold.