Getting Lost In Words

Give Me, Give Me: Top Ten Anticipated Books for the Second Half of 2017

2017-05-30T22:23:00.003-04:00

This Week's Top Ten Tuesday is all about what we want, but can't have. Created by the Book and the Bookish, the Top Ten, we will be discussing is Most Anticipated Books for the Second Half of 2017. Should be easy enough, considering my TBR pile has doubled in size with books that aren't physically tangible. Luckily, a girl can dream.

Starting the list off is an another known for keeping us bookies waiting in the lurch.

1. Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas.

*Insert mystery cover here* This novella continuation of the Throne of Glass series may have only Chaol's story, but rumor has it the book is nearly 600 pages long. Even if those pages amounted to fifty, I'd still pre-order it with the click of a button. Having read five of the Throne of Glass books and two of the Court of Thorns and Roses novels, I've admitted to myself that I am a SJM fan--making this my ultimate #1 Give Me, Give Me.
Publishing Date: September 5, 2017
Goodreads Page: Tower of Dawn

2. There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

Although it's strange to picture the same woman who brought us Anna and the French Kiss writing teen slasher fiction, I will overcome my scaredy cat syndrome for Stephanie Perkins's upcoming release. Perhaps, I'll create a book circle with the disguise of wanting more friendship time. Perfect idea.
Publishing Date: September 17, 2017
Goodreads Page: There's Someone in Your House

3. Renegades by Marissa Meyers

Meyers is another hot name in the Young Adult world, so I'm excited for her newest series. Superheroes. Vigilantes. A Potential Forbidden Romance. Can you say, yes please? I'm most intrigued by the cover. I've read only the first book of the Lunar Chronicles, hoping to dive into more. If this new series is similar to her writing style for Cinder, I'm all for it.
Publishing Date: November 7, 2017
Goodreads Page: Renegades

4. Lucky in Love by Kasie West

Nearly every YA reader has a guilty pleasure sub-genre. Mine? Fluffy, contemporary romance. Sometimes, you need that easy, uncomplicated love to soothe you through a hard day. My go-to author for teeth-rotting cuteness is Kasie West. Her characters are quirky, her plots unpredictable enough that I'm not guessing every scene before it occurs. I'm excited to add Lucky in Love to that list.
Publishing Date: July 25, 2017
Goodreads Page: Lucky in Love

5. Once for All by Sarah Dessen

Saint Anything. Along for the Ride. Keeping the Moon. What do these phrases have in common? Novels crafted by the contemporary, powerhouse Sarah Dessen. If Kasie West is my go-to fluff, then Dessen writes for my introspective moods. Once and For All, about cynical love and serial wedding planning, will hopefully be added to the list. I'm interested to see how she approaches Adult Contemporary. The good thing, my friend Bram (here at GLIW) received this one as an ARC. I'm hoping she likes me enough to let me take a peak. *Cough Cough*
Publishing Date: June 6, 2017
Goodreads Page: Once And For All

6. Loved by P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

Wow. Moons have passed since I've seen this mother-daughter writing duo. We survived high school on the House of Night books--crouching under low bunk beds to rave about Stark and Zoey's aw-inducing romance. I'm enthused to see they're returning to the series for its tenth-anniversary. This will give me more motivation to finish the last four books.
Publishing Date: July 11, 2017
Goodreads Page: Loved

7. Illegal Contact by Santino Hassell

This man has become my solace. Santino Hassell combines two of my favorite things: complex characters and manly love. To see he's now added a third, sports, to the mix, I'm not sure I will survive the read. If you've never experienced a Hassell book, give his Five Boroughs series a chance. His characters are always, always dynamic and the romance is steamyyy.
Publishing Date: August 15, 2017
Goodreads Page: Illegal Contact

8. Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

This blurb reads as if the author wrote it just for me. Claiming to be a mixture of Fangirl AND Simon vs. the Homo Sapien Nature? Those are some colossal shoes to fill. About two boys who fall in love at a writing class, it's slated to be sad, gritty, but also steamy. All from an author that mastered the New Adult/ Adult Romance genre. I don't want to place too much pressure on it, so I'll go in with fresh eyes and a low expectations. Therefore, if its amazing, I'll be pleasantly surprised and ready to spearhead the fan club.
Publishing Date: September 12, 2017
Goodreads Page: Autoboyography

9. Coming Up For Air by Miranda Kenneally

I haven't read a Kenneally contemporary in several years, but she does the 'boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love despite tribulations' well. Circa 2011, I haven't recovered from the best friend love in her first novel, Catching Jordan. Amping up the hype, this one is also bestie romance, which is a sub-genre that lands on my shelf too often.
Publishing Date: July 4, 2017
Goodreads Page: Coming Up For Air

10. I Hate Everyone But You... by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin

To round off the list, here is an upcoming release from debut authors (and Youtubers). I admire Youtube culture, so I will read this for no other reason than to support entrepreneurs venturing into new outlets. Written as a series of texts and emails, this novel illustrates what happens when two best friends attend colleges across the country from one another. Having split from all my close Boarding School friends once we walked across that stage, I'm excited to see explore the relatability of Ava and Gen's experience.
Publishing Date: September 5, 2017
Goodreads Page: I Hate Everyone But You...

Well, there you have it, the books I'm most anticipating for June through December. My goodness, is it already June. Where has 2017 gone? What are you most excited to read for the rest of this bookish year? What have you read so far? Any recommendations? I've read 33 books of my challenged 75 so I'm always looking for more give me, give me's.

I'll be doing a review of the first books in the Court of Thorns and Roses series soon, so I'm excited about that. As always, hoped I entertained you enough. Thanks for reading!

Survivors: Queen of Shadows Review

2017-04-21T12:35:00.002-04:00

Title: Queen of Shadows

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Goodreads | Amazon | Sarah's Website

Synopsis-
The queen has returned. Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight. She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return. The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

"She could forgive the girl who had needed a captain of the guard to offer stability after a year in hell; forgive the girl who had needed a captain to be her champion. But she was her own champion now."

The SJM (Sarah J. Maas) scorpion has struck me again. Another 'Throne of Glass' book, finished in the span of three days. If you've read anything over 500 pages within a matter of days (not weeks), you know those words, scenes, and characters consume you until the very last page and maybe even afterwards.

Truthfully, I fully expected to be done with these books after what happened to my favorite character in Book 2. Yet. Here I am, two books later and wishing I could wipe Queen of Shadows (QOS) from my brain, as to savor it all over again. Every fast paced brawl, sarcastic joke, and touching little moment slayed me.

This book picks up where 'Heir of Fire' left off, Celaena proclaiming her dramatic transformation into Aelin and heading back to Rifthold to handle business with help, of course.

In spite of the near-complete shift of characters (besides my precious Dorian and Chaol), Sarah J. Maas weaves in new characters without overwhelming you. I also now understand why I wondered if QOS was even part of the same series when I snuck a peek, back during my 'Throne of Glass' days. But this new ensemble—of queens, witches, rebels, fae princes, courtesans, and shapeshifters—this ensemble who fought alongside one another, for each other, and sometimes, with each other, kept me verbally exclaiming their amazingness every other scene.

At the core of it all stood Aelin. While every character has their flaws—and Aelin has many—she also harbors this complex mixture of ferocity and wit that I find refreshing. Even after everything that's happened, she still relies on her inner circle, jokes with them, but understands there's a part of her forever altered from those she's lost. (The Sam grave scene...stop my bleeding heart.)

Further, I like that this book wasn't the Aelin show. We're given more insights about Manon and the Thirteen, Chaol and Dorian's Bromance, Lysandra's journey, Aedion's reunion with his cousin, and even Kaltain, who is another underrated MVP. Maas packs so many amazing supporting characters into these 645 pages that I'd spend paragraphs giving them each the love they deserve.

Of course, there are crusty characters for certain, besides the obvious antagonists who need no mention. Rowan Whitethorn--I'm not sold on his sexy protecting act undercutting the abusive behavior from 'Heir of Fire.' In the same way, I'm saddened to see Chaol's trajectory. I understand the logic behind his disrespect towards Aelin, but his actions seemed...callous for someone ready to jeopardize his life for her no less than several months ago. I'm hoping Maas will revive him in his novella, being released this September.

All in all, nothing sold this book quite like the Women Empowerment! (Go Girls!) I'm all for women leaning on other women, protecting each other, not competing but instead enjoying each other's company, forgiving each other, and not being tokens among a sea of fierce male warriors. We've shifted away from 'Scoff, the King's Champion is a girl child' to 'watch how many seconds it takes them to handle business.' Plus, there are so many, all with backstories and different personalities--Aelin, Lysandra, Manon, Nesryn, Asterin, Sorrel, Ghislane, the other Thirteen, Elide, Kaltain, and even little Evangline. If only Nehemia were present to be a part of it, sigh. (I still haven't recovered.)

If I could offer any criticism, I'd urge for continued diverse representation. I think these epics could be even richer with a more varied mixture of people and cultures. It's one of the reasons why I'm excited for Chaol and Nesyrn's exploration into the Southern Continent.

Nonetheless, I loved Book 4. I fawned over the characters, the 'to the rescue' scenes, and the plot twist at the end. The two songs that reminded me of this book represent the dueling nature of its pages: a constant battle between raucous and lively then somber.

Song Credit: 1- Survivor (Hardwell & Dannic ft. Harris) | 2- Primavera (Ludovico Einaudi)

I'll be bidding my time with other authors until Book #6 lands on the shelf. Having seen other's opinions of Book #5, Empire of Storm, I know my heart will fair better if I wait until May of next year to read it. I still have the prequel, the Assassin's Blade to read, but the simple mention of Sam turns me weepy, so I might hold off on that too. For TV lovers, Hulu has announced a show, interestingly named Queen of Shadows! As long as it gets a better treatment than Delirium, a failed adaptation attempt from FOX, then I'll be a happy, devoted watcher.

Overall, to someone who's never ventured into this series or the third book, I would recommend them while also acknowledging there are problematic aspects.

For the characters alone, this book warrants a solid five stars, or as we like to say around here, a piping Matt Bomer. When you pile on the action scenes, the relationships formed, and the sweet, sweet demise of two vain, conniving antagonists, it shatters the scale. I didn't touch SJM's writing techniques in this review, for sake I might write you to a fast boredom.

If you have read Book 4, what are your thoughts? Favorite characters? Scenes? Did you find anything crusty with it?

Reading on, I plan to soothe my soul with a fluffy book next, one with cuddly romance, little angst, and the cutest happily ever after to ever after if anyone has any suggestions.

Then, and only then, will I tackle the second Red Queen novel, Glass Sword. Let me know your thoughts. Have a good weekend and happy reading!

Carry On, Simon: Carry On Book Review

2017-01-16T12:16:00.002-05:00

Title: Carry On, Simon
Author: Rainbow Rowell

Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

"What you are is a f****** tragedy, Simon Snow. You literally couldn't be a bigger mess."

He tries to kiss me, but I hold back—"And you like that?"

"I love it," he says.

"Why?"

"Because we match."

----

I have spiraled. Spiraled into the fandom, the phenomenon that has become Simon Snow. Although it's the fourth book (first audiobook ever, funny enough) that entered my life this new year, I'll most likely remember it as the first. Carry On is exploratory, whimsical, but filled with teeth--ready to strike when you're still reeling from the highs of Simon and Baz's journey.

In Public or Under the Covers-
Carry On is tame on the scale of hotness. The tensity, however, pushes this novel towards the latter. Too many barks of laughter, stomach clenches, and escaped tears will have you wanting to read away from the public eye. Once you get to Chapter 84, you'll thank me.

The Main Character You Say-
What can I say about Simon Snow? Honestly, for me, he prattled on a bit much in the beginning, telling us about his childhood, every summer he'd spent away from Watford, which of his friends thought of this and that. The inner monologue kept me from truly enjoying it until I sat myself down and powered on. When I did, I'd come to appreciate his witty thoughts. He's hard to describe with words, which is ironic for a character who doesn't "use his words." I can say he's like that annoying little sibling you can't help but to tolerate. Friendly. A Daredevil. The right amount of clingy. Always talking about something over and over (in his case, Baz). He can't be anyone but himself and that's more than enough.

Getting Over "Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch"...
is impossible, even with a name like that. I'm a sucker for sarcasm and it poured from Baz in spades. There's something about antagonistic sweethearts--his gruff snapbacks, but soft whispers. (The audiobook is worth it!) In all, I forgive him for not showing his face until Book Two of Four. Most of all, he surprised me from his first chapter to the epilogue.

Character Fever-
Rainbow surprised me with the multiple point of views, especially for the non-essential characters. There are too many of them to rant about all of them, so here's short reactions to my top five:

Penelope—Yes girl! Represent.
Agatha— You annoy me, but I'm glad you got what you wanted.
Lucy — I haven't recovered. I simply haven't. (Chapter 84)
The Mage — You confuse me.
Ebb +Nico — Sighs. I hate when this happens.

From The Writer's Table-
As a writer myself, I experience flash freak-outs over other writer's dialogue and techniques. (I'm hoping I'm not alone.) For the two novels I've read by Rainbow, it happened more often than I'd like to admit. Again, the swapping POVs within one chapter. I rarely see it done so well, carrying the right amount of tension and perspective of the character who'd deliver the punch the most. More than that, it's the whole concept of Simon Snow itself. My brain hurts thinking about how it came into being. A friend of mine explained it perfectly—a story with a fandom that was in a story that was pulled from that story to become it's own story with real fandom. If I haven't broken your brain yet, let's move on with the notion that Rainbow Rowell is a goddess among writers and I have much to learn from her.

Crust Factor-
So. Much. Is. Left. Unrevealed.

Don't Judge a Book By It's Cover-
All of Rainbow's covers have that colorful eye-catching minimalism. The hardback for Carry On is no difference. I'm even more ecstatic for the paperback edition come out in May (shown right). Check out the Buzzfeed article that gives the big reveal. You can pre-order it for ten dollars on Amazon.

Song of The Bookish Soul-
Castle on The Hill, Ed Sheeran's newest release, works well to explore the nostalgic tone of Carry On. We all have a Castle on The Hill--a reminiscence of lost youth with people who have shaped you and events that have changed you. It's a bittersweet journey and this ending carries that weight.

Companion Novels/Suggested Readings-
If you haven't experienced Simon Snow's origins, check out 'Fangirl' by the same author. For another perfectly matched LGBT couple, I recommend 'Simon vs. the Homosapien Agenda' by Becki Albertalli. (Different Simon, but still unique in his own way.) For a hilarious take on the chosen ones, also check out 'The Rest of Us Just Live Here' by Patrick Ness.

Verdict-

Overall, this book gets Five 'Golden and Blue' Stars or as we like to say around here, a Matt Bomer. The apex of all charmers. Despite everything against it--the slow start and that whole "Harry Potter" debacle--the characters and the scenes have you flipping pages at an alarming rate. (In my case, pressing pause only for necessary bathroom breaks and not-so-nutritious refuels.) Chapter 84, curse you! Chapter 48, shivers. Four books and an epilogue and none of them were enough. Sighs.

Let me know how you felt about this one? What worked for you? What didn't work? That chapter 84...did it kill anyone else? I'm tackling the final book of the Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare next, so I'm excited to share my thoughts on that too.

1st Annual GLIW Bookie Awards

2017-01-10T15:25:00.000-05:00

Hello! Welcome to the 1st Annual GLIW Bookie Awards. I am your host, the vivacious Bones McSassyThoughts. Since I didn't reach my goal of reading fifty books last year, I've decided to celebrate the year of 'too many shows' and 'a shocking web history of fanfiction' by honoring the books that did wedge their way into 2016's lifestyle.

Thirty-Eight. All colors. Different insides. One commonality—they slayed my world. These are the nominees.

Class Clown

This book...This book. No words truly explain the hilarity of the kids from homeroom 10B. Their collective POV. Their uncanny ability to make sass whenever someone has the slightest of raunchy thought. Every scene is a gold mine. I happened upon Sarah's book deep in the library shelves, but I'm glad I checked it out. If you need an easy read, heavy on the laughter, snatch this thing up. Don't be fooled. These pages aren't all laughs--their compassionate, genuine, and chalked with new relationships I can't wait to read about in the second book. Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Biggest Latebloomer

Biggest Latebloomer, as in, why was I so late? For months, I neglected Fangirl—figuring it'd hit too close to home. College Student? Avid Fic Writer? At times, Socially Awkward? Hopeless Romantic? Cath's life is the epitome of my personality. Little did I know, I was doing myself a disservice. I loved everything about this novel, though I did catch myself skipping over a few Baz and Simon excerpts. Can you blame me when the main story line is this juicy? Above all, I enjoyed the character progressions. As much as I love romance, I'm a sucker for strong, quirky friendships, which Reagan provided.
Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Most Changed Since the Very Beginning

I'd be surprised if you've heard of this series. Honestly, I'm not sure how I discovered the series, but that doesn't matter. What does is the ingenious spread of well-developed characters, ridiculous scenes, and laugh out loud moments. Several times, I tried to read it and stopped after the first few pages. Mark Cooper was an asshole and not much of anything else. At the end, he was still an asshole, but of the best kind--the kind with a protective streak and witty (rather than brash) comebacks. And his bromance with Brandon...be still my heart. Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Most Likely to be on a Reality TV Show

I'm not actually sure if I enjoyed this one or not. The synopsis is a timeless goldmine, unofficial siblings who've grown up to love each other. Maybe, it's something about the inappropriate debauchery of it all that keeps me interested. At first, Caitlyn and Heath were no different, secret meetings, nonverbal communication, hot banter. But...then, they became THAT couple on reality TV. You know which one I'm referring to. I'm the type of person that burns red, slouched down when a couple starts verbally slashing each other in public places. Thankfully, the cute moments balanced out the dramatic. Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Most Likely to Keep You Wanting More

Too many words and explanations need saying about this book. I'll try to contain myself as there are eleven more awards to go. First, if you haven't, find it now. Zeroes is one of those reads that hits you hard, then leaves you in the wake clawing for more adventures, more dialogue, more relationships. More of everything. The budding MFA side of me is struck by the authenticity of each six different POV. The SyFy/Supernatural part of me found the Zeroes' powers refreshingly unique. The Fangirl in me is still shipping Anonymous x Flicker months later. This is my first Scott Westerfeld book, but if all of them exude such awesomeness, it certainly won't be my last.

Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Best Shoulder to Cry On

Similar to "You Make Me," I'm harboring mixed feelings for this novel, even though I finished it back in April. The authors fooled me. I expected a light-hearted story about a girl falling in love with her best friend, a plot I can always get behind. And, it was cute, for the most part. That shower scene at the beginning...love it. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it, but I can't stand these types of endings. Not because they are overdone (and they are), but because they gut-wrench you, bring you back to reality when your only intent for reading is to escape. Had I known the ending, would I've picked it up? Absolutely not. I'm glad I did. Caught was cathartic, at a time in my life, when I needed such release. Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Best Dressed

This novel has more to offer than its cover, but its the first thing that drew me. Look at it. It's so...so...whimsical and telling of the pages inside. Rarely do I witness covers that embody a story's personality. Turd Tower. The drab colors of the urban city lit behind it. The piano window. The Jeep. Ivy and the guy who steals her heart. Before I finished the book, I was struck by its beauty. However, its more than that. It is the book and I'm sure anyone who has read would agree with me. Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Biggest Flirt

I finished this exactly one day before the New Year, staying up all night until the final page had been turned. Let me tell you--if you haven't picked up this book, what are you waiting for? Everything about it is phenomenal--the dialogue, the character development, the way Lucy and Josh are thrown together even when it's the last thing they want ever. There's something about enemies to friends to lovers stories that always grab me. Perhaps because, animosity always produces the hottest scenes or knowing that these two virtually opposite individuals can find common ground and love in each other. Whether the reason, this debut novels reads as if been on every best-seller list for years. Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Killin' in the Young Adult Department

I've been a fan of Contemporary Romance before I knew the name of the genre. Like other YA'ers approaching mid-twenties, Sarah Dessen welcomed me in. Saint Anything is the first SD novel I've read since high school, but that feeling of wistful angst still filled me the same. Saint Anything is an experience worth more than the romance, but rather an exploration of all connections--both positive and volatile. Surrogate parents. Family of Choice. Ailing family members. Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website*

Favorite Character

With a pool of over a hundred characters, this decision remained the hardest. Every character touches you in a way, some good touches, others not so much. Of my thirty-eight books, there is only one that swirled me through all the emotions, James Carstairs from the Infernal Devices series. Jem is that character you would protect from any harm, though you understand (as the reader) it's their purpose to be the receiver of tragedy. Still, he remains a gentleman—strong, friendly, sarcastic and loyal—making his dark moments that much more petrifying. Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Favorite Author's Style

Incorporating more than two Point of Views (POVs) appears impossible to me. How does one create unique voices for sixteen people and not mix their speech styles and thought processes once, all the while being presented as one? I don't have the answer to this question, which makes Ms. Mlynowski my favorite Author's style of 2016. This book won my Class Clown award, but it's making a reprieve for its clever collective voice.

Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website*

Favorite Series

Santino Hassell is the master of complex characters and gritty environments. The Five Borough series unfolds like a binged ten-episode show--not enough scenes to leave you truly satisfied. Furthermore, his interwoven characters and plots ensures you're always sneaking subtle tidbits about the characters in past novels. I'd highly recommend these books if you like romance, but with a side dish of heavy reality. Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Finally, here's to the books that almost made the list. Whether I put you down halfway or three-fourth finished, when your plot twists were finally twisting me. Or, if I bought you with all the intention of enjoying the twistiness you had to offer. I'm already doing better in 2017 with seven books read, so onward to the next Bookie Awards!

The Musings of a Writer: Senses

2015-12-05T00:51:00.000-05:00

Hello from the Writer's Desk! As finals swiftly approach and stories upon essays are being pumped out, my reading has been regrettably lax. The reading of drama-filled, angst-ridden novels, that is.

Meanwhile, I've welcomed an influx of work from my peers--fiction pieces about chickens in the desert, rowdy childhoods, and fiddling playing western cowboys. In return, I have started preparing some of my own writings, which we all know is a necessary evil in the professional writing world. Interestingly a friend's work evoked this week's topic, the concept of Senses and how we're using them in the literary world.

My friend's story crafts the life of two brothers amidst war. One older, one younger--the boys must rely on each other to safely flee their home, travel across war-stricken lands, and find refuge with a relative. As the Older brother describes their journey, I assumed he was making observations based on his sight. However, it's not until the last paragraph that you realize the boy is seeing-impaired. Of course, I noticed the clever use of descriptions after my 'ah-ha' moment and second read through.

My friend's story challenged me to reconsider my own work. Also of the novels I pack on my shelves. Do they evoke more than sight? Can I smell the trash piled on the side of an urban street? Hear a character's irritating next door neighbors since he or she has forgotten thin walls are indeed a thing? Feel the touch of calloused palms? Indeed, the concept of writing with the five senses seems thoughtless and yet, I can count maybe ten of my personal work that incorporate more than sight. In turn, I challenged myself to write a piece using all five senses at least twice and as I don't post my own work enough, I'd like to share an excerpt here. This piece is called 'To Save A Life, '

Worse senior trip ever!David Taylor sighed, inching up the creaking staircase. This isn’t about you, he reminded himself for the seventh time. The stairwell reeked of dog urine and mold as he climbed higher. His hand slid over the hot rusted metal until a brown unmarked door popped into view. Exhaling, he edged closer, afraid of what lie on the other end. He felt the wind grip his cheek when he pushed open the door. Up here, the stars felt reachable. I didn’t like it! Ignoring the barrage of unwanted memories, David brought his first foot over the threshold and into the darkness.

“Garrett!” He yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth. His voice echoed around the rooftop of the motel they were staying at for the trip. No one responded. “Garrett,” he tried once more, forcing himself to maintain his fake-concerned tone. He couldn’t understand why Dr. Greenberg recruited him of all people to help find this kid. Everyone knew he was probably off somewhere smoking pot. Then, he caught a hazy silhouette at the far right end of the roof. Drowning in black, the silhouette teetered on the ledge.

I've posted the rest on my personal page, which is linked in our About Us. For my writers out there, do you find yourself gravitating toward a particular sense? If so, what's your favorite tip for blasting out of habit? Knowledge is my power, so educate me! As always, my TBR pile is growing by the day. Until that glorious, sacred time we call Christmas Break, I will be sitting here at my desk, typing away.

Introducing Our New Recommendation Site

2015-08-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday!! We wanted to introduce you to the newest (most updated) addition to the Getting Lost in Words family. A few years ago, an awesome subscriber suggested a recommendation site, so we sought out to create the ultimate platform for recommending books. We fashioned our old recommendation site through Google and while pretty, the functionality was somewhat...limited. Today, we're proud to unveil our updated recommendation site, provided through Wix. We're super excited about the product, so we hope you enjoy!

Like the old site, we've created several categories, which can be seen down below. Feel free to explore yourself. We've provided the link on the main navigation bar at the top. If there's another feature you'd like from us, please email us. We love talking and listening! Thank you for all the support you've provided for us so far.

Funny Bone Fridays: Methan Edition

2015-08-01T11:00:00.004-04:00

Let me tell you about a thing. Gather 'round. Gather 'round. If you're ever feeling like your day is circling the drain, I might have a solution for you. YouTube is filled with many wondrous (and not so wondrous) things, but above all those wondrous things reigns Mark Miller and Ethan Hethcote, or Methan, as many people (including myself) like to call them.

I discovered Methan sometime last year. Please don't ask me how; it was probably in a YouTube spiral where I spend three hours clicking random videos on the sidebar. However I found them, you better believe I watch every new video. Detailing their daily lives, these two guys have this uncanny ability to put a smile on your face. They're so upbeat and positive; it's infectious. So, here's a Methan video titled Bad Lip Reading (Part II).

Did you like it? Let us know what you think down below. As always, have a sparkling weekend!

To All The Boys I've Loved Before: Jenny Han Review

2015-07-31T22:01:00.001-04:00

Title: To All The Boys I've Loved Before
Author: Jenny Han
Published: 2014
Summary: Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her, these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved--five in all. When she writes, she can pour her heart and soul and say all the things she would never say in real life, because her letter are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

"I didn't fall for you, you tripped me!"

Ahh, Jenny Han. Hello, old friend. I remember reading The Summer I Turned Pretty years ago in high school, falling in love with the nickname Belly and swooning over Jeremiah because I have a serious problem with loving the underdog. It's been some time, but returning to Ms.Han's writing feels like finding your long-lost favorite hoodie (or cardigan).

If you've read her previous work, then you already know To All The Boys I've Loved Before is stuffed with characters so palpable, they could easily be standing in the room with you. Once I got into them, the Song girls' antics kept the pages turning. Like Laura Jean, herself, their cute, quirky, slightly-vintage.

I will say it started slowly, at least to me. Much of the first fifty pages is background, slowly building to the culminating moment--the mysterious letters disappearance. The second it finally happened, she yanked me in, leaving me cackling at the first boy's reaction.

Five hours later, my favorite part: her characters. Let's dive right in.

Laura Jean: I grew to like her, most definitely. In the beginning, she was barely a voice, relaying her childhood and telling us about her past crushes. It wasn't until her personality revealed itself that I began to really connect with her. But, on many levels, her gradual reveal works, especially in relation to who she is at the beginning and who she becomes at the end. Overall, I'd totally go antique shopping with her, though I'd be the one scanning for old, dusty books.

The Other Song Sisters: Ugh, I've always wanted siblings. I know people on the opposite side of the spectrum probably envy me, but something about having ready-made friends sounds epic. Of course, there are challenges; Laura Jean could attest to that. I wouldn't mind having Margot and Kitty as sisters, though I could live without the controlling. Kitty's so cute and badass, especially for a nine-year-old. Margot...well she had her moments, but also a good heart.

Getting Over...A Whole Lot of Boys: I liked all the boys. Hear me out. Usually, I have to pick favorites, typically the one dead set on coming last. I liked even the three that are basically nonexistent, two being gone physically and one...well there, but not in the game. Point is, I could see why Laura Jean loved them, each one different, but equally swoon-worthy. For the main two, I liked that neither of them were textbook "good guys." Josh, being her sister's boyfriend, is definitely problematic and Peter is another conversation on his own. I'm sad we didn't get to explore more about the third boy, John Ambrose McClaren, but I have a feeling we'll be seeing him again.

Chris: We've all had best friendships that no one else understands. To be honest, I didn't totally understand Chris's role in Lara Jean's life, but that's friendship, I guess. It rarely makes sense and she came through for Lara Jean when it mattered most.

If you're looking for a novel that's deeply emotional, set this one aside for now. Even the major conflict seemed light-hearted. A good ratio would be 83% fluff and 17% angst. Nothing too heavy, though you'll be wanting to knock a few heads, including Laura Jean's. The ambiguous ending probably ruined some hearts, but I'm lucky to have read it a year after its release. The second I hit 'publish,' I'll be cracking open the second book.

The cover attracted me most. (That's horrible, I know). But, I love it! Love it! The light cream and pop of pink is so soft, like a fragile beauty. I feel as if I could swipe the title off with my thumb. And, her clothes. Once, we learned Lara Jean's fashion sense, I kept glancing back, thinking "wow, she'd totally wear that."

I've thought long about which song to choose for this novel. Whether I'd go for the romance element or the family element. Of course, because I'm a sucker for platonic relationships, I went full on family mode, meaning both family of blood and family of choice. Landslide by the duo Oh Wonder is all about leaning on those closest to you. From the Song-Covey family's rotated dinner responsibilities to Chris being the most unorthodox best friend ever, Lara Jean surrounded herself with a great support team. Plus, this song is food for my soul, so enjoy it.

Landslide by Oh Wonder

If you're searching for more complicated high school relationships, try these books:

(Covers lead to Goodreads page)

I've decided to give To All The Boys I've Loved a four stars, Chris Evans, because I loved it, but I wanted more. More interaction between Lara Jean and the John Ambrose Kid. More moments between her and her sisters. Simply more. Good thing is, I have no doubt that I'll get those in the second book. So, for now, if you've read this one or any Jenny Han, how do you feel about her? Any more recommendations? As always, thanks for reading and see you next time!

Cracked Up to Be Review

2015-02-11T09:21:00.000-05:00

Name: Cracked Up to Be

Author: Courtney Summers

Summary: This book centers on a high school senior, Parker Fadley. The first three years she was the high strung Type A personality type. She was the head cheerleader dating the captain of the football team on the track of becoming valedictorian.

Then there was a party and some big, huge, bad thing happened. And everything changed. It’s a few months until the end of the senior school year and Parker could not be more alone. She has isolated herself from her friends, broken up with her boyfriend, quit the cheer-leading squad, and began failing all her classes.

Throughout the book are flashbacks to this crazy party. Each one gets you closer and closer to the event that changed Parker’s life. You don’t find out until the end what happened that caused her to shut down and be alone. (But there is a possibility that you could piece it together faster than that.)

Main Character: I don’t really like Parker Fadley because I don’t believe that anybody really wants to be alone. But I am a huge fan of her comebacks and ‘you’re a horrible person’ snotty retorts. Also I love the name Parker for a girl.

Song This Most Reminds Me Of:

Unwrapping Hank Review: A Pleasant Un-surprise

2015-01-26T16:05:00.003-05:00

Title: Unwrapping Hank

Author: Eli Easton

Published: November 14, 2014

Rating: 3 Stars

Sloane loves a good mystery. He grew up as the son of two psychiatrists, so he finds most people tediously easy to figure out. He finds his way to Pennsylvania State University, longing for a rural experience, and ends up being lured into joining a frat by Micah Springfield, the hippest guy on campus.

Nothing in Sloane’s classes is as intriguing as Hank Springfield, Micah’s brother and fellow frat house member. Hank looks like a tough guy—big muscles, tats, and a beard—but his eyes are soft and sweet. He acts dumb, but he’s a philosophy major. He’s presumably straight, but then why does Sloane feel such crazy chemistry whenever Hank is around? And why does Hank hate Sloane so much?

When Sloane ends up stuck on campus over Christmas, Micah invites him to spend the holidays at their family farm in Amish country. It’s a chance to experience a true Americana Christmas--and further investigate the mystery that is Hank Springfield. Can Sloane unlock the secrets of this family and unwrap the heart hidden inside the beefcake?

“You're going to drive me crazy, aren't you," Hank said.
"Crazy is an ambiguous term with no clinical meaning, and it's insulting to mental health patients. Can you be more specific?”

Not so recently, I stumbled upon the realm of MM Romance, a world of glorious, glorious deliciousness. Since then, I've read novel after novel, wondering if I should start reviewing the dozens of books pilling up in my read pile.

Unwrapping Hank is the newest addition to that list. I'm not sure where you guys stand on MM, but man- this novella has some serious merit. Automatically, the frat scene intrigued me because I've always wondered what happens behind those oak doors. Do they sit around marathoning Terminator movies? Or play matchmaker for the token "gay" members in the house? Well, according to Eli Easton, that's exactly what they do and that's perfectly fine with me.

Unwrapping Hank is fun. Even the heavier scenes seemed tamed to me. However, I much rather enjoy reading the sections where Sloane and Hank are compatible wise-asses. Most of the book, 138 pages, is bantering, devious smiles, and heated, yet tasteful, sex scenes. I'll let you decide if that's good or not. Personally, I could read endless pages where the two love interests banter through massive amounts of UST (unresolved sexual tension.)

Ms. Easton writes some amazing, unbelievably unique characters. In our world of formulaic plots and character modes, her characters are refreshing. Take Sloane. This guy gets hot and bothered by murder mysteries, yet he's considered sophisticated by his frat mates. (I really want to call them frat stars. Can I call them frat stars? It's happening.) He's the guy you see across the bar and mutter, 'damn, I could never get with that.' Did I mention the kid wants to be a vet? Come on, how adorable is that?

Don't get me started on Hank. I'm still unwrapping him and I finished the book eighteen hours ago. He is a walking contradiction. Seriously, if he had one arm for every side of him, he could successfully perform a one man orchestra. The down side, I never knew which version of Hank we were dealing with. The Philosophist or the Frat Star? The kid making his own health brew or the beer drinker? The family man or the jerk? Saying he was perplexing is an understatement. In the end, he rounded out some. I will say, his very last line is beyond perfection.

The song that reminds me of Sloane and Hank is 'It was Always You' by Maroon 5. I think it's sweet, but honest. They went through some trouble (per usual) and this song sums up their ending 'happily ever after.'

If you're interested in others like Unwrapping Hank, here are three personal recommendations, all in the 'New Adult-College' setting. Understatement of the Year, about two college hockey athletes, is brilliant and plot-heavy. Blame it On the Mistletoe, is my first Easton novel and her characters are seriously one-of-a-kind. Love Lessons is a story about those pesky college roommate situations. Believe me, you won't be disappointed by these three. Click on the covers for more information.

Also, on my Google-spree, I came across the coolest link. Ms. Easton has an entire blog post about her inspirations for the characters and setting for this book. I love when authors do this because I shamelessly do it for any story I write, also. Check it out!!!

Overall, I enjoyed Unwrapping Hank, given that I read in a few hours. I'm giving it three Stars, or as we say here at GLIW, a massive Chris Evans. It was an entertaining read, but moved a touch too fast. I wanted more banter, more flirting, more cute, exploratory Sloane-Hank moments in general. As always thanks for reading and have an amazing week!

Impossible Review: Nancy Werlin

2015-01-16T18:47:00.000-05:00

“I knew immediately that he was important. I can’t explain it. He didn't feel like just anybody. I could feel him next to me, and I knew he was looking at me, and that he liked what he saw. And my heart just raced.”

Name Impossible

Author Nancy Werlin

No Spoilers Seventeen year old, Lucy Scarborough discovers that her family is under a curse placed by an evil Elfin Knight. She realizes that she will have to perform the impossible in order to save herself and her unborn daughter. During these incredible feats, Lucy learns about the people that deserve to be in her life and who she really is at the core (don’t mean to sound like a cliché).

In public or under the covers? I think it’s safe to say that this book is okay to read in public.

Mood This book was sad in the beginning, but that is probably because I feel bad for kids with no parents. Also, Lucy was raped, but the book just kind of glosses over that, so it’s not too uncomfortable. Obviously, like most books, it gets all happy and feel good at the end.

Main Character Lucy is an emotionally strong, but pretty chill person. She’s the kind of girl that wears red high tops to prom and dances all night long. I don’t know if we’d be besties, but I would definitely party with her.

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover I love the cover of this book. It is incredibly simple, beautiful, and speaks volumes about this book.

Companion Novel Check out the second book: Unthinkable by Nancy Werlin

Funny Bone Friday: Simon's Cat

2015-01-09T06:05:00.000-05:00

Funny Bone Friday is a meme that we created here at GLIW. We'll share a video very week that tickles our funny bone. This week, we've been obsessed with cat videos (and there are many in our world wide web.) Simon's Cat is hilarious. This one is called Let Me Out. Enjoy.

Waiting on Wednesday: Last Year's Mistake

2015-01-07T13:23:00.001-05:00

Happy Wednesday!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme we participate in hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week I'm going to talk about a book I found through NetGalley. This book is called Glitch.

- See more at: http://www.gettinglostinwordsreviews.com/search/label/waiting%20on%20wednesday#sthash.4LRQxg0Z.dpuf

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme started by Jill at Breaking the Spine that details our top anticipations in this bookish world. This year, the book we're obsessing over is Last Year's Mistake by Gina Ciocca. Have you seen this cover though? Beautiful.

Summary-

Before:
Kelsey and David became best friends the summer before freshman year and were inseparable ever after. Until the night a misunderstanding turned Kelsey into the school joke, and everything around her crumbled—including her friendship with David. So when Kelsey's parents decided to move away, she couldn't wait to start over and leave the past behind. Except, David wasn't ready to let her go...

After:
Now it's senior year and Kelsey has a new group of friends, genuine popularity, and a hot boyfriend. Her life is perfect. That is, until David's family moves to town and he shakes up everything. Soon old feelings bubble to the surface and threaten to destroy Kelsey's second chance at happiness. The more time she spends with David, the more she realizes she never truly let him go. And maybe she never wants to.

Told in alternating sections, LAST YEAR'S MISTAKE is a charming and romantic debut about loving, leaving, and letting go.

Happy Wednesday!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme we participate in hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week I'm going to talk about a book I found through NetGalley. This book is called Glitch.

- See more at: http://www.gettinglostinwordsreviews.com/search/label/waiting%20on%20wednesday#sthash.4LRQxg0Z.dpuf

Happy Wednesday!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme we participate in hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week I'm going to talk about a book I found through NetGalley. This book is called Glitch.

- See more at: http://www.gettinglostinwordsreviews.com/search/label/waiting%20on%20wednesday#sthash.4LRQxg0Z.dpuf

Return of the O: Wallbanger Review

2013-12-16T13:41:00.004-05:00

Title: Wallbanger

Author: Alice Clayton

Summary-

The first night after Caroline moves into her fantastic new San Francisco apartment, she realizes she's gaining an intimate knowledge of her new neighbor's nocturnal adventures. Thanks to paper-thin walls and the guy's athletic prowess, she can hear not just his bed banging against the wall but the ecstatic response of what seems (as loud night after loud night goes by) like an endless parade of women. And since Caroline is currently on a self-imposed dating hiatus, and her neighbor is clearly lethally attractive to women, she finds her fantasies keep her awake even longer than the noise. So when the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts Simon Parker, her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. The tension between them is as thick as the walls are thin, and the results just as mixed. Suddenly, Caroline is finding she may have discovered a whole new definition of neighborly...

“The girl next door was meowing. What in the world was my neighbor packing to make that happen?” - Caroline

Before I even touch the amazing-ness that is Wallbanger, let's address the massive elephant in the room. It's true. Wallbanger's not quite a YA novel but, we're experimenting with new genres. And Wallbanger? It's an entirely unique genre, all on its own. Wallbanger incorporates the character innocence of a YA novel, the character discovery of a New Adult novel, and the giggle-worthy sex of a Adult romance novel. If you plan on reading Wallbanger, expect a novel that equal parts hilarious, adorable, and hot. Please don't ask me how Alice Clayton accomplishes it. Wizardry maybe?

I could drone on and on about the quality of the writing and the immense layering of Clayton's characters. You might even enjoy reading all that I have to say about this masterpiece. However, I think I might just let the novel do all the talking. More like, let Simon, Wallbanger, and Caroline, also known as Pink Nightie Girl, do the talking. So, here is ten reasons why you should read Wallbanger.

Quote 1:

“And Caroline? Speaking fo thin walls?" he said, as he opened his door and looked back at me. He leaned in his own doorway, thumping his fist on the wall.

"Yes?" I asked a little too dreamily for my own good.

His smirk reappeared and he said, "Sweet dreams".

He thumped the wall one more time, winked, and went inside. Huh.

Sweet dreams and thin walls.

Sweet dreams and thin walls...Mother of pearl.

He'd heard me...”

Quote 2:

“I wouldn’t say I know him, but I’m familiar with his work.”

Quote 3:

“Meow! Oh, God. Me -Yow!”

The girl next door was meowing.

What in the world was my neighbor packing to make that happen?
Clive, at this point, went utterly bonkers and launched himself at the wall.

He was literally climbing it, trying to get where the noise was coming from, and adding his own meows to the chorus.
“Oooh yes, just like that, Simon…Mmmm….Meow, meow, Meow!”
Sweet Lord, there were out-of-control pussies on both sides of this wall tonight.”

Quote 4:

“Simon does commando. God bless America.”

Quote 5:

“Hi, pot. It’s me, kettle,” Sophia snapped back.

“Hi kettle, you have about thirty seconds before this pot kicks your ass.”

Quote 6:

“Have you seen this guy yet?"

"Nope. My peephole is getting a workout, though."

"Glad to hear at least one hole is getting some action around here.”

Quote 7:

“No way, buddy. I'm not machuuing your pichu now. Huh-uh”

Quote 8:

“Was I seriously awake at, let’s see, one sixteen a.m. and attempting to discern the national origin of the woman getting plowed next door?”

Quote 9:

“Prepare yourself, I’m taking bread out of the oven."
"Don’t tease me, woman… zucchini?"
"Cranberry orange. Mmmm…"

"No woman has ever done breakfast bread foreplay the way you do.”

Quote 10:

“You gonna bang my walls, Simon?” I laughed.
“You have no idea,” he promised.”

Did you enjoy those? I certainly had a good time picking them out. Before I turn you lose to read your heart's desire, a few important things. Don't let the hilarity fool you. Wallbanger is beautifully layered to provide you with the best reading experience. Even the most minor characters, such as Wallbanger's Harem of women, are well-rounded girls with back stories. You'll also find the writing form to be entertaining. There's mostly first person but also, text message logs, inside thoughts of minor characters, and even a hearty little chapter by Caroline's cat, Clive.

The song to me that represents this novel is Live It Up by, Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull. It's fun, has a slight Spanish flare (which you'll understand when you read the book), and portrays the flirty, friendly nature between Wallbanger and Pink Nightie Girl.

This novel obviously deserves nothing less than our five stars, Matt Bomer. First, for being so hilarious, I had to put my Nook down to compose myself. Second, for playing my heart strings in the process. Lastly, for pulling me from my non-reading slump. Hat's off to you, Alice Clayton.

See you guys for the next review! Now that my slum is officially over!

Wild Cards!?! Let's talk about it.

2013-10-16T13:26:00.002-04:00

“Julian, sometimes girls are like junk food. They look good, and they sure taste good… but you know they're not healthy for you and cause cavities so it's better to just leave 'em alone. Got me?” Derek

It's been awhile, guys. A long while. But, we have plenty of good news. I won't spoil for the fun by blabbing too early. For now, lets focus on the one thing we all love. That of course, would be Simone Elkeles. I couldn't have been the only one to fall in love with the Perfect Chemistry series. Well, she has a new book out. Finally! I'll be posting a review about it within the week. Just let me get my thoughts and wit together. For now, lets talk briefly about it. I really want to hear your opinions about Derek and Ashtyn's epic love story. Go ahead, leave a comment. The questions:

Have you had a chance to read it?
What did you think?
Who was your favorite character?
Did it live up to your expectations?

Here's the summary-

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

Waiting on Wednesday: Obession

2013-05-10T12:47:00.001-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, created by Breaking The Spine. This week, I am freaking out. Freaking out!Inhale. Exhale. Phew! Alright,

For those of us who are obsessed with Jennifer Armentrout's Lux series, you are in for a sinful surprise. To the left of you, there is a rather enticing picture of an extremely hot young man. To answer the question you're probably thinking, say hello to Hunter. Hunter?!?! Do I mean the psycho that tried to kidnap Katie? Oh yes. Miss Armentrout has decided to dedicate and entire book to his story. The novel releases on May 31, 2013. As soon as I get my hands on a copy, I'll let you know my thoughts. Believe me!

Summary-

He’s arrogant, domineering, and... To. Die. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something... unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life…or is it Hunter?

Until the long awaited day, catch up on the Lux series. You know you want to!?!?! Click on a title at the bottom to be submerged. Good luck on your journey. ;)

Obsidian* Onyx* Opal * Obsession

Day 4: Amp'd up!

2013-05-04T01:00:00.000-04:00

You may have read this book when it first released. If not, here's your chance!!!

Amplified is a hilariously romantic story about a girl, her guitar, her new band willing to give her a room in their house, a sexy bassist, and daddy issues? Yes, daddy issues. Sounds heavy for a light summer read but, nope! I'm a sucker for band YAs. I expect the best. Tara Kelly definitely didn't disappoint.

If you're ready to dive into the lives of popular rock stars, then Amplified is definitely for you.

At the very least, the cover is sexy. AND, Jasmine and I have the exact same boots. Not, that its really important ;)

Pre-Summer Countdown: Day 3

2013-05-03T14:36:00.000-04:00

My next summer recommended book is Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot. I know you guys had to be expecting at least one Meg Cabot book. She is, afterall, my queen. As you can guess, the book is about a girl named Katie who lies: lies about having multiple boyfriends, lies about having school spirit, lies about liking the town's signature food, and lies, most of all, about Tommy Sullivan, the most hated guy in town. Now let me just tell you right now, Tommy is a babe, so if you are only in it for some man-candy, look no further. As you read this book, you go along Katie's guilt-infested summer as she tries to stop lying to everyone and even though half the time you're going to be like, 'What the heck Katie? JUST TELL THE TRUTH!', it's still a really enjoyable read. I highly recommend it.

Summer Countdown Day 2: Love Triangle!!

2013-05-01T19:14:00.002-04:00

Lori lives for summertime on the lake. She spends all season wakeboarding, swimming, and hanging with her friends—including the two hotties in the house next door. With the Vader brothers, Lori's always been one of the guys. But while Lori and the "baby" brother, Adam, are inseparable friends, she can't deny a secret crush on Sean, the older Vader boy. This year Sean's been paying Lori a lot of attention, and not in a brotherly way.But just as Lori decides to prove to Sean she's girlfriend material, she realizes that her role as girlfriend to Adam may be even more important. And by trying so hard for the perfect summer romance, she could be going way overboard...

One of Jennifer Echols first book is the lightest, most fun piece of literature that will ever cross your paths. It's quick, entertaining, and surpy sweet.

Little known fact: This is the first YA novel I ever feel in love with. That was in middle school. Better believe I'll be yanking it from the shelves again this summer. Have to be gentle though... my version is barely holding itself together from all the wear and tear!

That Is My Ocean: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

2013-05-01T15:41:00.001-04:00

Name: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Author: Carrie Ryan (She lives where I live yee!)

Summary:In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

Sorry I've been gone for a long time. I decided to focus on school and then had a shocking family illness. But I'm back!!! And I have all new books to review. You are not even ready. :)

In public or under the covers?

Nothing besides kissing, but try telling the main character that. Every touch, every feeling is magnified.

What mood?

It goes back and forth between being sad and hopeful. The ending is optimistic though so that was nice.

Main Character- nay or yay?

Mary is ehh. I don't hate her but there are definitely things she does that upset me. She is the type of person who seems to never be satisfied with what she has, always searching for more. But this might just be me being picky. That is, after all, kind of the whole point behind the story.

Getting Over Harry and Travis:

These two brothers both have feelings for Mary and it gets complicated. Harry has always been her friend and she has always admired Travis from afar. Gonna be honest though, she does not really care about sparing Harry's feelings.

Character Fever:

Gabrielle: I can't reveal much about her but I like the plot twist she brings and the new ideas she makes Mary think about.

Crust factor:

Everyone is a little crusty in this book. Mary's brother refuses to let her live with him. Mary's best friend kind of spirals down throughout the book into a kind of unlikable character. Mary herself I've already talked about.
The crustiest characters of all are the Sisters. They hide things from the villagers and don't let them make decisions for themselves. Let freedom ring you old biddies. Let freedom ring.

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover:

The cover is very simple and the girl's eyes are very pretty, I'll give it that. But this cover tells me nothing about the book. I wish you could see some of the fence in the background with the Unconsecrated trying to get through. That would have been a more enticing cover imo.

Song this reminds me of:

"Are you satisfied with an average life" Mary sure isn't (also I've become a big Marina & The Diamonds fan lately. Check her stuff out!).

Future Companion Novels:

This book is the first part of a trilogy with other side books added in. The second book is called The Dead-Tossed Waves and the third book is called The Dark and Hollow Places.

Overall Rating:

This book gets 2 stars from me. I liked the dystopian part of it (you know I love dystopia) but I just didn't empathise or sympathise with the characters, especially with the main character. It might just be me and others could enjoy Mary as a character. I just felt like I was dry swallowing a big pill reading this book and going through Mary's many emotional mood swings.

Pre-Summer Countdown: Day 1

2013-04-30T17:27:00.003-04:00

Hey guys! Dexter here with the first reccomendation to get you in the mood for summer.

First up is Weekend in Paris by Robyn Sisman. It's the story of a girl working in London who decides to do something daring and go on a weekend vacation in Paris (but you probably could have figured that out from the title :P). She meets new friends, goes to a club without underwear, and meets a cute French boy ooh la la! This book is for those of us who want to be daring but don't quite live within a train ride's distance of Paris. Perfect vacation read or dreaming-of-a-vacation read.

Have fun!

Pre-Summer Countdown: Get ready!

2013-04-29T13:04:00.000-04:00

When the New Year comes, summer seems so far away. We continue to autopilot our way through the semester. Suddenly, you have few more finals here and a dreaded paper there. Then, school’s out for the long awaited summer. Now that we’re (basically) adults, summer really means work, work, and attempting to have fun. But, ultimately having to get up early in the morning so…more work.

We may have to work like adults but, we definitely don’t have to read like 'em. So, we present to you a countdown full of light-weight, carefree summer reads. Can’t make it to the beach? Travel to exotic places without leaving your backyard. Don’t have time to score a summer romance? We have a quick solution to that too. It’s called book boyfriends. For the next two weeks, GLIW will post mini- reviews for our favorite summer reads each day. If you have sunny day favorites, let us know. Let’s make this summer a sit by the pool extravaganza.

Oh for the love of... teachers? Dual Review

2013-04-05T11:29:00.003-04:00

Life often throws witty surprises our way. Attractive teachers is one of them. So, it's not surprising that student-teacher romance novels are some of the juiciest forbidden fruits around. I read two of them this week. Overall, I regret nothing. Let me introduce them. Guys, meet Stealing Parker and A Longtime (and at one point illegal) Crush.

Stealing Parker is a hilarious story about a sporty girl who gets involved with their high school's baseball coach. Much like the "parent novel" of this book, Catching Jordan, other main characters and factors alter the outcome of Parker's life. Side note, if you are Catching Jordan fans, you'll get to see little appearances of Jordan and Henry. Coach Hoffman and Parker, or the Hoff and Trouble, as they like to call each other, have crazy chemistry. In fact, I envied their friendship more than their relationship. However, the reality of this book isn't happy go lucky. It's a realistic tale of pressured relationships, friendships, familial problems, and LGBT awareness. Also, it has a religious aspect. Miranda Kenneally has a special gift. You go in craving a simple romance story. Leave with a thought clouded brain and a warm heart.

What to say about A Longtime (and at one point illegal) Crush... it's amazing. Despite the length, -54 pages on my Nook- I was more than satisfied. Usually with shorter books, I crave for more everything. Not this time. Basically, Elsie has idolized her brother's best friend, Kye, since she was eight. Too bad, he turns out to be her calculus teacher senior year. Doesn't that just sound epic? I know for a fact the hook for me was brother's best friend. Books that have brother's best friends are my guilty pleasure. Add a teacher aspect to that and it's heaven on earth. Even more, I love western scenery (or maybe just cowboys). Tack on, Kye on a horse and it's heaven on ice.The story of Kye and Elsie is anything but typical. Without telling you much, I will say I respect Kye's every action. Plus, I empathize with Elsie. Girl just can't catch a break.

If you're deciding which one of these to read, I'd say both. For me, I loved certain aspects of the each book. The character Corndog, in Stealing Parker, was funny and sweet. The situations Elsie found herself in were beyond entertaining. Each book has something to give. Plus, who can resist a hot older guy? Definitely not Parker or Elsie. Overall, I give both books a Alexander Skarsgard. Four stars for making me laugh.

Funny Bone Fridays: Spit Fire

2013-02-08T17:32:00.000-05:00

I've been into Saturday Night Live lately. I wanted to share one of my favorite skits for Funny Bone Fridays. The host that night was Anne Hathaway. Hope you get a good laugh. It's a McDonald's skit where they have to let someone go. The shenanigans that ensue are hilarious. Need a good laugh. Always go for Saturday Night Live. Did you hear that in the man's voice for the show? I sure hope so. -Bones

Epic Covers: Freak of Nature

2013-02-08T12:02:00.000-05:00

Every so often, I explore through the world wide web for new and interesting books. I want to say that I'm a fair book reader. Truth is... the cover matters to me. When I see something so amazing, I just have to share it. This book is called Freaks of Nature.

Look how awesome this looks. It immediately captured my attention. Am I the only one that looks deep into her open areas? I probably am. Anyway, here's the novel lowdown.

Name: Freak of Nature

Author: Julia Crane

Summary: Donate Body to Science. Check.

When seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn checked the box, she never suspected she’d have her life–and her body–stolen from her. She awakens one day in a secret laboratory to discover that her body is now half-robot and is forced to hide her own secret: that she still has human emotions and a human mind. If the scientists who made her find out, they’ll erase what remains of who she was.

Kaitlyn finds an unlikely ally in Lucas, a handsome, brilliant scientist who can’t get over the guilt he feels knowing she was once a vibrant, beautiful young woman. He never expected a science project to affect him the way she does. As he tries to help her rediscover her past, he finds himself falling for the brave girl struggling to find her place and acceptance between the human and computer worlds.

It came out yesterday. So, if it interest you go forth and find! I'll just be here filling up my amazon wish list.