I Like These Books

Did Not Finish (1)

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

So yesterday I posted about no longer being afraid of using the "Hated it" rating, which lead's into today's first Did Not Finish post (look at that planning!). My DNF posts will be short and sweet and often times offer the book to anyone who wants it. This is because I firmly believe that what I didn't like about a book might just be what others do like about it. I would love to pass the book onto someone who would appreciate it. What I don't believe in is tearing a book to shreds, so I will be simply stating what I didn't like in a few short sentences.

One more thing before I get into the book: I want to stress that just because this is the first book to get this label, it does not mean it is the worst book I've ever read. I just didn't allow myself to use the rating before now (some of the "Uh..."s in all honesty should have gotten this rating). Now that we covered that...

Bone Dressing by Michelle I Brooks
360 Pages (Paperback)
Savage Enterprises
April 20, 2011
Source: Author
Format: Paperback

Time is running out & the Dark that's been chasing Syd for many lifetimes has finally caught up with her.

Sydney Roberdeau lost her parents as a young girl. Waiting for her life to start and the freedom that will come with her eighteenth birthday, Syd spends much of her time haunting the local cemetery. It is there, stretched out among the dead, that she feels most alive, most at home. Until one rainy night when Beau, Sarah and T.J. crash her ghostly sanctuary, appearing out of nowhere, turning her already inside-out world one degree past upside down.

Syd must now revisit past lives, dressing in the bodies of her previous selves & bone dressing. Her only chance to outrun the evil breathing down her neck is to face her own worst nightmares and her strongest desires. But if she can't stay out of trouble in this life, how can she possibly fix mistakes from past lives? And just how many lives has she lived, loved and lost? What is Syd exactly, and what will she risk for the life of a man she doesn't remember, the man she spent a lifetime with, the man she loves? Everything including her very own life?

I got a little over one hundred pages in before I decided that I would not be finishing this one. I kept reading thinking that the action would pick up and the plot would make sense... but 100 pages later I had no idea what was going on, could not see any semblance of a plot and was annoyed with the main character. The story started with a huge event, but there were no repercussions at all. I kept waiting for it to come up again, but it didn't.

Also, the main character swore a ridiculous amount of times. Every page had at least 10 swear words on it. But then she'd go on to say expressions like "what in the Sam Hill?!" It just didn't make sense, her language did not flow or sound realistic. I wish I could have kept going, because the description sounds really interesting, but Syd really turned me off. If anyone would like to give this novel a try, I am willing to send you my copy (it is signed to me, if you don't mind) totally free. IF you are interested, please email me. The first person to email me will get it.

How to Fail

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

I've found that this year I have developed greatly as a student. I bogged myself down with AP classes, learned how to work well under pressure and preform to a higher level. But most importantly, I have learned how to fail.

Yes, I was that kid in class who got A's on everything, but the truth was, the classes were not challenging enough for me. Prior to this year, getting a B pissed me off, if I ever got a C on something (which happened maybe twice), I would be on the verge of tears. This year, I am proud to say that I failed (literally) miserably on tests , taken it in, and seen that I can work through it and still get great grades. I really feel badly for those who make it all the way through high school without learning how to fail.

So why am I ranting about failing? Because learning how to fail has not just effected my outlook on school, it has branched out into this reading-realm (hey look, alliteration). I used to think that if I hated a book, I had to finish it because I started it. I had a mind set that if I didn't finish it, the book won. I don't know what my obsession with that was, because now I see that if I do finish a book I do not enjoy, and take away time that could be spent on books I do enjoy, that is letting the book win.

I am not advocating quitting or not finishing what you start at all. Setting aside a book that makes you fall asleep, or tear out your hair, or offends you, or has no redeeming qualities, is not the same as quitting. Quitting is ignoring an obligation. I have no obligation to make myself miserable.

What this all means is that from now on, there will be a subtle change on this blog. See that rating scale on the left? The bottom branch "Hated It" is the equivalent of a 1 star rating. I have never used this rating before... that will be changing.

That doesn't mean that every other review will be a book I did not enjoy or did not finish. I would be very surprised if I have more than five a year. Before now, I felt that if I used that rating, I would be letting myself down, and the author or publisher down. Now I realize that by not using that rating, I would be letting everyone down who reads this blog. Some "Uh..." ratings should have probably been a "Hated It" and some "Okay" probably should have been a "Uh..." (the top two ratings are pretty consistent). I won't be changing books I've already rated, but from now on out, I will not be afraid to admit that I did not like a book.

I hope this is a welcomed and appreciated change. Leave a comment telling me what you think about any of this: failing, not finishing books, etc.

The Summer My Life Began Blog Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:10:00 +0000

Today I have a word association with Em from The Summer My Life Began, I hope you enjoy!

1.) Forest Amazon

2.) Dolphin Slippery

3.) Cheeseburger Mustard

4.) Pool Ocean

5.) Earrings Nah

6.) Natural Island

7.) Antique Paintings

8.) Novel A chore

9.) Lamp Low wattage

10.) Tomato Basil

Purity by Jackson Pearce

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Purity by Jackson Pearce

218 Pages (Hardcover)
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
April 24, 2012
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover

A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.

Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.

I love Jackson Pearce. Well... at least I love her writing (since I have never officially met her... but I'm sure we'd get along perfectly awkwardly). I have not read As You Wish, but I have read both of her fairytale retellings, Sisters Red and Sweetly (I cannot wait for Fathomless!), so needless to say, I was ecstatic when this pretty blue book showed up at my doorstep. It was interesting to see how different the author's voice was between her fantasy and contemporary, something that I really appreciated. Purity was a different novel then I was expecting, but in a really great way.

When Shelby's mother was dying, she asked Shelby to keep three promises. Shelby kept those promises, even if it meant finding every loophole possible to stay true to her word, but to also get to do what it is that she wants. When her father asks her to be part of the annual father/daughter Princess Ball, Shelby doesn't really think anything of it... until she reads into it and finds out that she will be required to take a vow to her father to live a pure life. If she takes the vow, she has to keep it. But... if she is able to loose her virginity before the ball, the vow will be void.

There were so many aspects of this novel I enjoyed, but I have to say that the part that I most appreciated was how the author took on the "virginity" challenge. What I mean is, for a subject that is found quite frequently in Young Adult literature, almost all of the occurrences end up the same way - either deciding that being true to yourself and waiting is the best option, or that going through with the act was a mistake (and sometimes end up with life-changing consequences). Teenagers are bombarded with that message all the time in school, but the truth of the matter is, it is not always that way, nor should it be. Lets just say, it was nice to see a new side to the subject matter.

Overall, this story was sweet and super awkward (realistically so). The atmosphere is extremely comforting, even with all the drama and angst - it feels familiar and welcoming, although I have never experienced most of what the main character is going through. All of that and more makes Purity a great contemporary.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Clicky-click to get to Goodreads

525 Pages (Hardcover)
HarperTeen
May 1, 2012
Source: Borrowed
Format: ARC

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.

Lets be real here for a moment, if you've read Divergent, you're definitely going to pick up Insurgent (unless you are crazy... in which I suggest you deal with that before reading on with this review). If you haven't read Divergent, don't ruin the series and instead go read the book or check out my review. But moving on... This is going to be one of those "reviews" that are not real reviews but more along the lines of "fan-girling opportunities". I'm sorry if I am not quite coherent, but that is basically how I felt after reading the novel.

Insurgent was one of the best books I've read in a while, if not one of the best book's I've ever read. Yes, there are some inconsistencies, and I will touch on those in a little while, but apart from those, I was completely taken with the story. I was able to deeply connect to the world. I wouldn't say to the characters, because I am so different from them, but I was totally immersed in the world. Without giving anything away, I totally called the twist at the end! That's allz I'm sayin'.

I know in my Divergent review I said I would totally be Amity.... but I lied (which further proves how Candor and I are not a good match). I would be Erudite without a doubt. I was just kind of in denial before.

Although I said I didn't connect deeply to the characters, that is not a fault in the writing. I see a huge part of it being that the characters block themselves off from each other, especially Tris, and they don't want people to get close to them. That did not make them undesirable, it just made them hardened and rough around the edges. Saying that I didn't connect to them did not mean I didn't care about them, because I really did. What I felt is something difficult to describe, but I'll try. With certain characters I am extremely upset when bad things happen to them, but with this series I am initially upset, but then I move on. A huge part of the world in the novel is picking yourself up and moving on, and that is exactly what I did when it came to the characters. But that's not to say I wasn't totally in love with Four...

Okay, moving on to the more controversial part of our program. There has been some drama over some inconsistencies and discrepancies between Divergent and Insurgent. Veronica Roth wrote a post about it HERE but did not reveal the specific instances. Honestly, when I read the novel, I was so engaged (and slightly insane from my rushing emotions) that I did not even notice them. I asked a family member to look for them as she read and she only could find one instance. Yes, they are there. Yes, it is a bit ridiculous that with so many people reading specifically for these types of things that discrepancies slip through the cracks, but they do. My point is, although it is disappointing to some that there are mistakes in Insurgent, it really does not take away from the overall story.

So overall? LOVED IT! Even though I saw the ending coming (so far I've been alone with this - so I wouldn't say it is predictable) I am still falling over excited for the third. Too bad we all have to wait OVER A YEAR for it! That's right, fall 2013. If any of you are wondering how to spend the time between now and then, I propose a challenge: Make me an Erudite t-shirt or necklace. I seriously want one (I am not kidding at all). And if you're not abnegation enough to just give it to me (haha), I would honestly pay you for it through Etsy or something... Think about it.

J. Anderson Coats: Top Ten Lies Children Are Told

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Sat, 19 May 2012 20:47:00 +0000

Top Ten Lies Children Are Told

by J. Anderson Coats

Author of The Wicked and the Just

10) “It’ll only take a minute.”

9) “You’ll thank me someday.”

8) “I’ll be right back.”

7) “It tastes like chicken.”

6) “Big boys/girls don’t cry.”

5) “If you just ignore him, he’ll stop picking on you.”

4) “This won’t hurt a bit.”

3) “Try it. You’ll like it.”

2) “The dog? She went to a farm upstate.”

1) “You’ll understand when you’re older.”

* * *

The Author

J. Anderson Coats

http://www.jandersoncoats.com
The Wicked and the Just
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 17 April 2012

The Book

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.

Wrecked by Anna Davies Review + Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Wrecked by Anna Davies
321 Pages (Hardcover)

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
May 1, 2012
Source: Big Honcho Media
Format: ARC

In the wake of a tragic boating accident that killed her friends, 16-year-old Miranda is consumed by guilt. She has no memory of how she managed to survive the crash, only the murky dreams of a strange boy in the dark water. Her only refuge is in the late-night swims she takes alone— until one night on the beach when she meets Christian, a boy who seems eerily familiar, but keeps many secrets.

The more she fights it the faster love pulls her under. Soon she finds herself in over her head when the dangerous true nature of Christian’s secrets rise to the surface.

Wrecked is a seductive contemporary reimagination of The Little Mermaid, with a paranormal twist, from debut author Anna Davies.

I really don't know where to start with this one, because although there was that something that kept me reading until the end, unfortunately there more a few discrepancies and annoyances that took away from my potential enjoyment of the novel.

First off, this novel is marketed as a retelling of The Little Mermaid. There are definitely aspects of that story that are that can be attached to Wrecked, but apart from the obvious inclusion of merfolk and an evil witch/creature, the stories are very much separate. This is not in anyway a criticism, but rather me pointing out that what I read was not necessarily what I was expecting.

Wrecked follows Miranda, a teenager on Whim island who is trying to recover from a tragic accident that claimed the life of four of her friends and left her boyfriend in a coma. The crucial detail that makes it impossible to move on is the fact that she was the one driving the boat when the tragedy struck. The thought that continues to plague her is how did she survive? She thinks she remembers a boy, but she is not really sure what happened. When she meets Christian, a handsome, rugged boy on the beach, her life gets much more complicated. Life-threatening complicated.

It was definitely interesting to see the boy/girl order reversed, with the boy emerging from the sea and the girl being the naive land dweller. Well... come to think of it, they assume more of the stereotypical boy/girl roles, but whatever, The Little Mermaid aspects are switched. Regardless, the Christian/Miranda thing never really clicked with me. Maybe because I thought Miranda was slightly insane. I mean, sleeping over on the infamously dangerous beach with a shirtless boy who was stalking you in the water would be any logical person's first reaction. The language associated with some of their exchanges seemed forced and painfully cheesy. I enjoyed seeing the relationship from both sides (as it switches third person narrative), but I still think the romance progressed ridiculously fast.

The discrepancies I referred to before are a few instances of someone seeing the same thing or saying the same thing for "the first time" twice. I am trying to ignore that and not really let it effect my review because I read an ARC and am hoping that those things were fixed in the final version. My real problem is with a book of matches. Yup, matches. Tell me, what happens when you get matches wet and then try to strike one? That's right, they don't work. That is all I'm gonna say about that.

As you can see, I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with this book. If you're a mermaid lover, I'd say go for this one. If you have yet to find a mermaid book you really enjoy, I would say that this novel is probably not for you.

* * *

Want to take a look at the book before you commit? Check out the Goodreads page and read an excerpt HERE.

* * *

Giveaway

Prize:

(2) Wrecked by Anna Davies

Prizing courtesy of Simon & Schuster

Rules:

US ONLY (Sorry)
Must be 13 years or older to enter
Comments are appreciated, but the form must be filled out to be eligible to win
Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen
Giveaway ends midnight EST on May 24

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fall From Grace Blog Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:28:00 +0000

This-Or-That with Grace

1.) Soda or Water? Soda, please. And make it a Diet Cream Soda. I know, it’s kindda

disgusting tasting, but it’s my favorite.

2.) E-books or real books? I spend a lot of time in the library, so I’m gonna say real books. But as long as I have something to read, I’m happy.

3.) Makeup or natural? You’d think that with my looks I’d say makeup—a lot of makeup—but I just can’t get into putting it on and taking it off. Don’t get me wrong, I think that girls who wear makeup look really pretty, it’s just that I never really figured out how to do it so I don’t end up looking like some 8-year-old who got into her mother’s purse. Someday, though, I’m going to be so famous I’ll hire someone to do my makeup.

4.) Dogs or cats? Can I have both? I like dogs because they’re straight-up crazy, and I like cats because they are always cool. But I think I’d have to say I’d have a cat since they can take care of themselves and I’m not home all that much. Especially at night.

5.) Clothes shopping or school supplies shopping? What happened to books? Ok, clothes shopping, but are there any vintage stores around?

6.) Monkeys or turtles? Monkeys! (Does anyone ever pick turtles?)

7.) Giant or Ogre? I’ve met enough ogres in my life (especially on dates) so I’ll try Giants

8.) Pool or ocean? I’ve never seen the ocean, but since someday I plan on living in LA, I’ll say ocean. The Venice Beach part of the ocean.

9.) Fruit or Vegetables? Soda, please.

10.) Surf or turf? No one in my whole life has ever asked me this…I’ll say turf, but this better not be some sort of trick question.

The Ash-Born Boy by Victoria Schwab!

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Look at the pretty!

It's May 15th!

Not only does The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab come out in paperback TODAY (read my review), but, to celebrate its release, "The Ash-Born Boy" is finally up over at Disney*Hyperion's website!

So, what IS "The Ash-Born Boy"?

It's a free story Victoria wrote as a thank-you to her fans, and she wrote it to answer ONE question: "Who was Cole before he came to Near?"

Now, if you've already read The Near Witch, "The Ash-Born Boy" is guaranteed to change the way you see Cole.

And if you haven't read The Near Witch yet, don't worry, "The Ash-Born Boy" won't spoil anything! Except make you want to read The Near Witch really badly.

So basically, either way, you should go read Cole's story ;) I've read it and loved it!

And if you want to wait and read The Near Witch first, don't worry! Cole's story will stay up on Disney*Hyperion's website, and if it ever comes down, Victoria will carve out a space for it on her own site. It will always be available somewhere, and it will always be free.

~But wait! There's more! ~

PB cover is slightly different

Cole's story isn't the only goodie to go along with the paperback release. In the back of the paperback itself, you'll find the first chapter of Victoria's new book, The Archived, which doesn't come out until January!

So what are you waiting for?

Help Victoria celebrate today by taking a look at "The Ash-Born Boy," buy or re-read your copy of The Near Witch and share your love on Twitter or on your own blog!

Boy 21 by Matthew Quick

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Boy 21 by Matthew Quick
250 Pages (Hardcover)
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
March 5, 2012
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC

Basketball has always been an escape for Finley. He lives in broken-down Bellmont, a town ruled by the Irish mob, drugs, violence, and racially charged rivalries. At home, his dad works nights and Finley is left alone to take care of his disabled grandfather. He's always dreamed of somehow getting out, but until he can, putting on that number 21 jersey makes everything seem okay.

Russ has just moved to the neighborhood. The life of this teen basketball phenom has been turned upside down by tragedy. Cut off from everyone he knows, he won't pick up a basketball, and yet answers only to the name Boy21—taken from his former jersey number.

As their final year of high school brings these two boys together, "Boy21" may turn out to be the answer they both need. Matthew Quick, the acclaimed author of Sorta Like a Rock Star, brings readers a moving novel about hope, recovery, and redemption.

If you are like me and only ever watch sports to make your father happy, do not turn away from this book. While basketball is central to the plot, the book is not about basketball. Rather, the novel explores how the sport is used as a coping mechanism for three very different people: Finley, his girlfriend, Erin, and the new kid who prefers to be called Boy 21. Do not be fooled into thinking that this book is aimed only at sports lovers. While I'm sure basketball fans will appreciate it, the most basketball I've ever played was knockout, and I still enjoyed this book.

Finley has finally achieved his starting position on his varsity basketball team and cannot wait until the basketball season is upon him so that he can show Coach how hard he has worked. However, a few weeks before tryouts, Coach comes to him asking for a favor. One of his good friend's son is moving to the area after a tragedy, and Coach wants Finley to make him feel welcome. The only thing is, Russ prefers to be called Boy 21 and lives in a fantasy land where his dead parents are really in a space ship waiting for the right time to take him away. Finley wants to be nice and appease his coach, but taking on Boy 21 means facing ridicule and possible losing his position.

There are a lot of different emotions that are attached to this book. In one way it is sad because the characters have suffered such loss in different ways. In another way it is both interesting and heartbreaking seeing the way Russ is dealing with his pain; by creating an alternant universe (this aspect of the story very much reminded me of Slaughterhouse Five). But there is also the sweetness of Russ and Erin's relationship, as well as their relationship with Russ. Not to mention the funny times, such as the events that lead up to the formation of a Harry Potter book club. The many emotions made the book seem really realistic. It wasn't straight up funny or sad, it was a mix of many complicated emotions - much like life.

My only real criticism is with Erin and Finley's relationship. Each basketball season they "break up" because when Finley is playing basketball, basketball is his girlfriend. Um, what? You break up with your girlfriend because you either cannot multitask or are too selfish to think about her side of the equation. I mean, one could say that I don't understand because I don't play a sport that way, but to me, Finley just seemed like a tool.

Other than that little tidbit, I really enjoyed the story. I would recommend it to contemporary lovers.

Goodreads/Author Website

In My Mailbox 38

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

In My Mailbox is a meme started by Kristi at The Story Siren. This meme is a place where people can learn about great books that they might not have known about, or to freak out over books they can't wait to get! I haven't done an IMM for a few weeks, so here are all the books I got!

* Book covers are links to Goodreads

For Review

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield (ARC)

Bought

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Other Goodies

~ Signed The Vicious Deep bookmarks & one bookplate/sticker

~ Signed Wanderlove print, Like Mandarin postcard, Signed Wanderlove bookmark, and a bracelet like the ones a character wears in the book!

(I won this a while back and it just came this week - I am in love.)

Thanks to LibraryThing, Zoraida Cordova and Kirsten Hubbard for my goodies this week!

Reading Road-Trip 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Sat, 12 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the first annual Reading Road-Trip! (Extra points for those who read that line in Effie Trinket's voice.)

A few months ago I was trying to think of something that would be fun and reading related to host on my blog. I came up with the Reading Road-Trip and reached out to my good friend, Hafsah from IceyBooks, to co-host. Almost everyone in the blogosphere has heard of a "giveaway hop" where a person can "hop" from blog to blog and enter giveaway galore. The Reading Road-Trip is a giveaway hop with a twist.

This will be the schedule :)

Reading Road-Trip 2012 will take place for the whole month of July and span over the entire North American Continent! That means 3 countries, 50 states and one district! If you're going, "States? Countries? Books? Whaaat?" Let me explain...

The road-trip will be starting on the East coast and snaking around the continent. That means each day up to two blogs will post with their giveaway of either book(s) that are set in that place or with book(s) from authors who live there. I will be hosting Connecticut, so my giveaway will either consist of book(s) that take place in CT or book(s) from authors who live in CT (or both). Get it? Doesn't that sound like fun?!

How do you sign up to host?

Book bloggers can fill out the form below with their top three choices of either a state/Washington D.C or Canada/Mexico. We will assign the final places at a first come, first serve basis. If a person's top three are already taken, they will be contacted and take president over the people who signed up after them (and so on).

*Please note that I will be hosting Connecticut and Hafsah will be hosting Texas so those two states are taken.

Who can sign up to host?

Any book blogger is welcome to participate! Both hosting blogs are YA driven, but the road-trip is open to all levels. YA/Adult/MG will be specified in the final list.

Is it open internationally?

If an international blogger wants to sign up to host, that is perfectly fine, but the giveaway must be open to the US (unless hosting Mexico or Canada). For international giveaways, the host will be able to decide whether just US (only Mexico and Canada can be open to just their perspective places) or international. It will be specified in the final list.

How will I know when the giveaways are?

After the list is finalized, it will be published on both of the hosting blogs and hopefully all the participants' as well. A calendar will also be created with the links to the blogs for that specific day that can be bookmarked and visited all month long.

Please sign up! And spread the word. This is going to be a blast.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Standalone Spotlight: May

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:37:00 +0000

So... you know that thing I do on the second of every month this year? Yeah... well.... It's happening. Now. (Haha! I have to keep you on your toes!)

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

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

For the month of May I am spotlighting....

In Honor by Jessi Kirbi

A devastating loss leads to an unexpected road trip in this novel from the author of Moonglass, whose voice Sarah Dessen says “is fresh and wise, all at once.”

Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

I actually read this book a while back for a blog tour and I seriously fell in love. I was looking forward to it for many reasons, but one of the main ones is that I read Moonglass and was constantly thinking about it. Seriously, every time I see sea glass, that book is what immediately comes to mind. That says something about how powerful her writing is - it sticks with you.

You can check out my review here. Or visit the book's Goodreads page here.

What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:35:00 +0000

What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen
236 Pages (Paperback)
SimonPulse
May 1, 2012
Source: ARC Tour
Format: ARC
{Teen} Book Scene

“Don’t even think of leaving… I will find you,” he whispered. “Guaranteed.”

Sara and her mom have a plan to finally escape Sara’s abusive father. But when her mom doesn’t show up as expected, Sara’s terrified. Her father says that she’s on a business trip, but Sara knows he’s lying. Her mom is missing—and her dad had something to do with it.

With each day that passes, Sara’s more on edge. Her friends know that something’s wrong, but she won’t endanger anyone else with her secret. And with her dad growing increasingly violent, Sara must figure out what happened to her mom before it’s too late…for them both.

This book was terrifying. What She Left Behind takes place in a family with a very abusive father, which is an important subject matter that is not dealt with often in YA literature. I was physically cringing at some of the scenes and descriptions. This is one of those books like Thirteen Reasons Why or Want to Go Private? where one doesn't want to say "I love this book" but something more along the lines of "it needs to be read".

Sara's family is still trying to recover from the tragedy of when her older brother committed suicide, but her father's reluctance to believe he is truly gone, coupled with his tendency to release his emotions on her mother makes it impossible to move on from sadness and fear they feel. The day that Sara and her mother are supposed to leave for good, her mother disappears. Finding out what actually happened to her puts Sara and her friends in extreme danger. Hopefully it is worth it.

When I hear horror stories such as this one, I always think (as bad as this is) "Why would she marry him in the first place?" It was hard for me to see that people can change drastically for the worst in response to some event. The person Sara's mother married, the person who raised Sara, is not the same one she is seeing now. I appreciated how much the author emphasized this, that he wasn't always that way. It wasn't in a way to make the reader, or Sara, feel bad for him, but almost in a way to explain.

Also, I liked how the novel went into detail with not just the physical abuse, but the mental and emotional abuse as well. Sara is frequently forced to pretend like her dead brother, the brother she loved deeply, is still alive. She can't move on. In addition, her and her mother live in constant fear. There are massive retaliations for the littlest things; starting chores too late, leaving water in the shower, not washing a cup and leaving it to dry in the dishwasher. Even when Sara is not getting physically abused, she is in a constant state of unease.

I only have two real complaints. Firstly, the romance in the story seems out of place and odd overall. Not just because of the subject matter, but because how they are portrayed. The school "hot guy/bad boy" wouldn't chance so much for the "good girl" in like two seconds, no one really "links pinkies" and they confess love for each other after just a few days (and after she treats him like crap). My only other complaint is that the book ends rather abruptly. I wish I could see a little bit of the emotional effects of what came next.

However, those are no reasons to skip over this one. It really did help me understand how someone could find themselves in such a relationship, and hopefully it will help you too.

Goodreads/ Author Website /

Chain Blog Tour: Character Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

As apart of the {Teen} Book Scene tour, I am pleased to share a character interview with Hastin. I hope you enjoy!

* * *

1. What's your favorite thing about Nandita?

She does something every day to make me laugh. Somehow she seems to know she's funny, too. Like when she sprays me with water, I swear it seems like she's laughing. When she does that she reminds me of the happy elephant she was when I first saw her in the wild.

2. What do you miss most about home?

I miss everything about home. I think about my mother and sister all the time and wonder how they're doing. If I had to pick one thing, I'd say what I miss most is dinner time in the courtyard, with my family and all my neighbors around me.

3. How has Ne Min helped you?

I wouldn't be able to take care of Nandita without him. No one else here cares about her like he does. I care about her, but I'd have no idea what to do with an elephant if he were not here. I'm not sure how he knows so much about elephants. It seems like he knows everything about them, but he doesn't like to talk about it.

4. What have you learned in your time away from home?

I've learned that I'm stronger than I thought I was. I don't mean that I always feel strong. Some nights I cry myself to sleep in the stable, and I want more than anything to go home. I think it'll always be that way, no matter how old I am or how long I live here. But I've been through a lot and I'm still standing, and in some ways I'm getting stronger every day.

5. If you could talk to your family back home, what would you tell them?

I'd tell them how much I miss them. I think they'll worry about me if I'm not home when I'm supposed to be, so I'd also tell them that I'm all right and that I'm trying to get out of here so I can get home to them.

Dear Word Verification, Get Out of Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:44:00 +0000

This is just a quick post to put Word Verification in its place, which is no where. Seriously, there is no reason for word verification. I have been WV free since the beginning and I have gotten maybe a total of twenty spam comments. What do I do about it? I delete them. It is really not that hard. Also, blogger at least, has a spam filter. Which means they won't even be published unless you mark them as not spam (only for comments they think are spam). So basically... word verification is only an annoying step, and something that doesn't make me want to come back for a visit.

This post was inspired by my good friend, Hafsah, at IceyBooks. She put up a much more eloquent post today about why word verification is the spawn of the devil (okay, maybe those are my words). She also included some really cool buttons to share the mutual dislike of those stupid letter/number combinations! Below are just a few, click on one of them to visit her post and see the rest!

Interview with Jessi Kirby

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Mon, 07 May 2012 04:02:00 +0000

1.) Your debut novel, Moonglass, came out last year. Is there anything the publication process has taught you?

Patience. Actually, it’s still in the process of teaching me patience.

2.) Was there a moment in In Honor that was more difficult to write than the rest?

Yes. The opening scene, at Finn’s funeral. I knew how important it would be to set the emotional tone for the whole book, so I actually didn’t write it until I was about a third of the way through and had a feel for Honor as a character. Then I read about and watched many, many military funerals to be sure I had the details right. That was really difficult too, because I have an enormous amount of respect for those who’ve lost loved ones to the war and I wanted to be sure to convey that.

3.) Was there a moment that was really easy to write?

Yes! I had the best time writing the scene in the country bar where Honor and Rusty let loose. Maybe because I had such a great time researching that scene when I went to Flagstaff, AZ and stopped in at the Museum Club for dime beer night. J

4.) Do you have a favorite quote you can share from your new novel?

I swept my eyes over the water again, all the way to the horizon before turning to go with him, and a warm kind of peace spread out in me. I kissed it into my fingertips then blew it into the breeze, a silent thank you swirling its way up to Finn.

5.) Is there anything your characters from In Honor have taught you?

Yes! That the best way to get to know someone is to spend hours on end in a car with them!

6.) What are the best and worst parts about road trips?

Best parts: the freedom, the snacks, and unexpected adventures.

Worst parts: stretches of nothing and having to pee when there’s no bathroom for miles

7.) Quick! Something random!

I want to learn to country dance with cowboys! Know any who could teach me???

Haha, no, I don't know of anyone... BUT, if you find one, I'd love to come along for the lesson!

* * *

Check out my review of In Honor

Spring Blog Carnival: Clown Car Booth

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Mon, 07 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Welcome, welcome, welcome! Boys and girls, young and old! Watch with wonder as all of your favorite superheroes emerge from one car! (We're sadden to announce that the Hulk called in sick today).

Now, come along with us! Follow this car from coast to coast as we amaze and entertain all who cross our path on our whimsical Clown Car Road Trip!

The Prize

The choice of (1) of the following road trip books:

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern

How to Win

Leave a comment telling me which six people (real or fictional, alive or dead) that you wouldn't mind sharing a clown car with for a road trip. Then fill out the rafflecopter below and you are eligible to win!

Rules:

Must be thirteen years or older to enter
Books will be coming from the Book Depository, so this giveaway is OPEN INTERNATIONALLY! (If the BD ships to your country, you can enter :)
Giveaway ends Sunday May 13, 2012 at Midnight EST
Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen

Good luck to all! And hey, when you're all done here, we'll even give you a ride over to the next booth

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Standalone Scoop: May

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Sun, 06 May 2012 17:37:00 +0000

Welcome back to the Standalone Scoop! Learn more about the Standalone Reading Challenge, sign up (open all year long!) or grab a button HERE. The scoop is a way to list the wonderful standalones coming out this month in a less intimidating way then the large document we published. This will be the only post for May. So here we go!

* * *

May 1st:

Being Friends With Boys by Terra Elan McVoy

SimonPulse

Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and she likes it that way. She likes being the friend who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl's perspective on their love lives. Likes being the behind-the-scenes wordsmith who writes all the lyrics for the boys' band. Char has a house full of stepsisters and a past full of backstabbing (female) ex-best friends, so for her, being friends with boys is refreshingly drama-free...until it isn't any more.

When a new boy enters the scene and makes Char feel like, well, a total girl...and two of her other friends have a falling out that may or may not be related to one of them deciding he possibly wants to be more than friends with Char...being friends with all these boys suddenly becomes a lot more complicated.

Wanted by Heidi Ayarbe

Balzer + Bray

A one-word text message: That's all Michal "Mike" Garcia needs to gather a crowd. Mike is a seventeen-year-old bookie, and Sanctuary is where she takes bets for anyone at Carson High with enough cash. Her only rule: Never participate, never place a bet for herself.

Then Josh Ellison moves to town. He pushes Mike to live her life, to feel a rush of something -- play the game, he urgest, stop being a spectator.

So Mike breaks her one rule. She places a bet, feels the rush.
And loses.

In an act of desperation, she and Josh -- who has a sordid past of his own -- concoct a plan: The pair will steal from Carson City's elite to pay back Mike's debt. Then they'll give the rest of their haul to those who need it most. How can burglary be wrong if they are making things right?

The Breakaway by Michelle Davidson Argyle

Rhemalda Publishing

When Naomi Jensen is kidnapped, it takes her parents two days to realize she’s missing. Escape isn’t high on her list of priorities when all she has to return to is an abusive boyfriend and parents who never paid much attention to her. For the first time in her life she’s part of a family—even if it is a family of criminals. But she’s still a captive. In a desperate attempt to regain some control in her life, Naomi embarks on a dangerous plan to make one of her kidnappers think she’s falling in love with him. The plan works too well, and when faced with the chance to escape, Naomi isn’t sure she wants to take it.

Wrecked by Anna Davies

Simon & Schuster

Secrets of the sea have never been sexier than this.

Ever since the death of her parents, Miranda has lived on Whym Island, taking comfort in the local folklore, which claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and in its surrounding waters. Sometimes it’s just easier to believe things are out of your control.

But then a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, and Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy who haunts her dreams. Consumed by guilt from the accident, she finds refuge in late-night swims—and meets Christian, a boy who seems eerily familiar, but who is full of mystery: He won’t tell her where he is from, or why they can only meet at the beach. But Miranda falls for him anyway…and discovers that Christian’s secrets, though meant to protect her, may bring her nothing but harm.

Seductive and compelling, Wrecked brings a contemporary, paranormal twist to a classic enchanting tale.

May 8th:

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

Harcourt Children's Books

It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.

The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past - and hers?

Fall From Grace by Charles Benoit

HarperTeen

Grace always has a plan. There’s her plan to get famous, her plan to get rich, and—above all—her plan to have fun.

Sawyer has plenty of plans too. Plans made for him by his mother, his father, his girlfriend. Maybe they aren’t his plans, but they are plans.

When Sawyer meets Grace, he wonders if he should come up with a few plans himself. Plans about what he actually wants to be, plans to speak his own mind for a change, plans to maybe help Grace with a little art theft.

Wait a minute—plans to what?

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Farrar, Straus, & Giroux

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She's survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn't who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Simon & Schuster

Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Simon & Schuster

Taylor’s family might not be the closest-knit – everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled – but for the most part, they get along fine. Then they get news that changes everything: Her father has pancreatic cancer, and it’s stage four – meaning that there is basically nothing to be done. Her parents decide that the family will spend his last months together at their old summerhouse in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is suddenly around, as is her first boyfriend. . . and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses, the Edwards become more of a family, and closer than they’ve ever been before. But all of them very aware that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance – with family, with friends, and with love.

May 10th:

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Penguin

A moving debut novel about a foster child learning to open her heart to a family's love

Carley uses humor and street smarts to keep her emotional walls high and thick. But the day she becomes a foster child, and moves in with the Murphys, she's blindsided. This loving, bustling family shows Carley the stable family life she never thought existed, and she feels like an alien in their cookie-cutter-perfect household. Despite her resistance, the Murphys eventually show her what it feels like to belong--until her mother wants her back and Carley has to decide where and how to live. She's not really a Murphy, but the gifts they've given her have opened up a new future.

May 15th:

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Disney*Hyperion

I have two weeks. You'll shoot me at the end no matter what I do.

That's what you do to enemy agents. It's what we do to enemy agents. But I look at all the dark and twisted roads ahead and cooperation is the easy way out. Possibly the only way out for a girl caught red-handed doing dirty work like mine — and I will do anything, anything, to avoid SS-Hauptsturmführer von Linden interrogating me again.

He has said that I can have as much paper as I need. All I have to do is cough up everything I can remember about the British War Effort. And I'm going to. But the story of how I came to be here starts with my friend Maddie. She is the pilot who flew me into France — an Allied Invasion of Two.

We are a sensational team.

From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas

Disney*Hyperion

KYLIE: Tijuana WHAT? I should be putting the finishing touches on my valedictorian speech. Graduation is TODAY, and is this a wedding band on my finger.

MAX: It all started with Kylie's laptop and a truck full of stolen electronics Okay, it was kind of hot, the way she broke us out like some chick in an action movie. But now we're stranded in TIjuana. WIth less than twenty-four hours before graduation. Awesome.

WILL: Saving Kylie Flores from herself is kind of a full-time occupation. Luckily, I, Will Bixby, was born for the job. And when I found out she was stuck in Mexico with dreamy Max Langston, sure, I agreed to bring thier passports across the border--but there's no reason to rush back home right away. This party is just getting started.

LILY: I just walked in on my boyfriend, Max Langston, canoodling with Kylie Flores, freak of the century. Still, I can't completely hold it against him. He NEEDS me. It's even clearer now. And I'm not giving him up without a fight.

May 22nd:

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Feiwel & Friends

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.

Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker

Bloomsbury

Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’ heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life. Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now. Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart? Told in alternating chapters that chronicle the year that broke Clem’s heart and the summer that healed it, Unbreak My Heart is a wonderful dual love story that fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Susane Colasanti will flock to.

In My Mailbox (37)

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Sun, 06 May 2012 16:53:00 +0000

* Book covers are links to Goodreads

For Review

Revived by Cat Patrick

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

Won

The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna (ARC)

{She even signed it for me :)

ARC Tour

What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen

Bought

Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

I went to Veronica's signing at Barnes & Nobel Tuesday, it was awesome. Her Q & A was really interesting and I was practically stunned silent just being in her presence. Haha. I was clearly stunned enough to forget my copy of Divergent! I'm still mad about that... but hopefully I'll see her again and be able to get that signed.

My Favorite Picture from the Night (Not Perfect, but Cute)

Thanks so much to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, The {Teen} Books Scene, and Sangu Mandanna for my books this week!

Nothing Special: Interview with Geoff Herbach

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

1.) Firstly, please describe Nothing Special using only nouns!
Hamstring. Bus. Orchestra camp. Grandpa. Ocean. Stingrays. Tennis. Sand. Brother. Cousin. Airplane. Frisbee. Letter. Girlfriend.

2.) Once upon a time you were an aspiring author with a draft of Stupid Fast. Now that a few of your books are out in the wild, is there anything about the process (from start to finish) that surprised you?

I think the big thing as that nothing has really changed. Writers get this idea that the world will suddenly be overturned if they get published. I’m so happy the books are out there, but I still have bills and my car breaks down and I overeat at Pagliais Pizza just like before. The breadsticks are still delicious. Life goes on!

3.) Have you had any notable "author" experiences? A cool event, a adorable fan, etc.

I get wickedly excellent emails from dudes who don’t like books, but like Stupid Fast (nothing pleases me more). I love conferences and meeting with bloggers, librarians and teachers. The Austin Teen Book Fest was a highlight. I was on a panel with David Levithan, Corey Whaley, Coe Booth, Melissa Walker and Varian Johnson and that’s a funny, excellent crew. Just a joy-filled experience.

4.) What is the biggest lie you were told as a child?

That French fries are healthy. We thought they were a vegetable. I ate French fries for health reasons! Can you believe that? I think it Ronald McDonald was the guy lying to me.

5.) Who would win the fight: You versus Felton?

Oh, no doubt. Felton could totally kill me.

Thanks so much! Anything you'd like to add?

Hey, thanks for doing this!

Geoff

* * *

Check out my review of Nothing Special

Fall From Grace by Charles Benoit

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:52:00 +0000

Fall From Grace by Charles Benoit
304 Pages (Hardcover)
HarperTeen
May 8, 2012
Source: ARC Tour
Format: ARC
{Teen} Book Scene Tour

Grace always has a plan. There’s her plan to get famous, her plan to get rich, and—above all—her plan to have fun.

Sawyer has plenty of plans too. Plans made for him by his mother, his father, his girlfriend. Maybe they aren’t his plans, but they are plans.

When Sawyer meets Grace, he wonders if he should come up with a few plans himself. Plans about what he actually wants to be, plans to speak his own mind for a change, plans to maybe help Grace with a little art theft.

Wait a minute—plans to what?

Although this novel was not what I was expecting and I found the summery to be a little bit misleading, I was swept up in the story and felt totally involved in their world. Yes, there is art theft, but Fall from Grace is nothing like Heist Society or another book of that nature. This beautiful contemporary is very character driven and relatable.

What I really enjoyed was how Grace and Sawyer were used as contrasts; Grace being wild and the sole decider of what she does, while Sawyer is more reserved and resentful that his parents make all his decisions for him (yet he makes little action to change that). This concept was key to the character development of both of them. They start off as opposites, but they begin to see how much each person needs the qualities in the other that he/she lacks. They both start to realize that they are on their own little paths to unhappiness and ultimate destruction if they don't change, but is that enough to make them change? Interestingly enough, the reader, and the characters, begin to see how similar they really are.

I really appreciated how much I was able to feel for these characters. They both drove me crazy in their own way. The fact that they frustrated me shows how dynamic they were; I cared about them. One of the biggest things I look for when I'm reading book is if I care about the characters. That aspect was definitely there with Fall From Grace. I would recommend this one to contemporary lovers, because there are not many novels quite like this one.

Goodreads/ Author Website /

The Summer of No Regrets by Katherine Grace Bond

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:47:00 +0000

The Summer of No Regrets by Katherine Grace Bond
290 Pages (Paperback)
Sourcebooks Fire
May 1, 2012
Source: ARC Tour
Format: ARC
{Teen} Book Scene Tour

The day Brigitta accidentally flings herself into the lap of a guy she's never met, her friend Natalie is convinced he's Trent Yves, egotistical heartthrob-in-hiding. When the boy, who calls himself Luke, is nearly eaten by a cougar, Brigitta finds herself saving his life, being swept into his spectacular embrace and wondering if she wants Natalie's fantasy to be true.

As the two spend the summer together raising orphaned cougar cubs, Brigitta still can't be sure of his true identity. But then again, since her grandparents' death, her father's sudden urge to give away all their possessions and become a shaman, and her own awkward transition from girlhood into a young woman, she isn't sure of anything. What is the truth? More importantly, can she accept it?

Baby cougars! That is really all I have to say about this book... Okay, not really, but those cubs melted my heart and were way more prominent than I expected. Which was a good thing.

Brigitta lives in an... unconventional family. Her parents drink weird tea and talk to fairies and while she accepted it at first, she's really starting to resent it. Then the boy comes into the picture. But where does he keep running off too? Does she even want to know?

More than anything, I would say The Summer of No Regrets is a story of identity. Brigitta figuring out who she is, who her family really is, who Luke is and what all of that ultimately means. It was a cute story with an important message. I enjoyed it, I did, but my favorite part would have to be the cougar cubs Brigitta and Luke find. Yes, partly because they sounded adorable, but for another reason too. There are few things in this world that has the ability to dissolve any selfish feelings and make you face what is really going on. It happens sometimes with friends, or siblings, a child (I would imagine), but for Brigitta it is those cubs. They really push along her transformation and lead her on her path to discovery. That sounds so much like an english class, but it is true. The cubs play a huge (and adorable) role in both the plot and chrachter development.

Overall, I would recommend it. It is a story that has been told many times, but in a different way. Laced with celebrities, friends, wacky family, romance and cougar cubs, The Summer of No Regrets is a thoughtful and adorable read.

Goodreads / Author Website / This-or-That with Brigitta

Love and Haight by Susan Carlton

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:31:00 +0000

Love and Haight by Susan Carlton
192 Pages (Hardcover)
Henry Holt and Co.
March 13, 2012
Source: Pub
Format: ARC
{Teen} Book Scene Tour

It’s 1971, and seventeen-year-old Chloe and her best friend MJ head to San Francisco to ring in the New Year. But Chloe has an ulterior motive—and a secret. She’s pregnant and has devised a plan not to be. In San Francisco’s flower-power heyday, it was (just about) legal to end her pregnancy.

But as soon as the girls cross the Golden Gate, the scheme starts to unravel amid the bellbottoms, love-beads, and bongs. Chloe’s secrets escalate until she betrays everyone she cares about. MJ, who has grave doubts about Chloe’s plan. Her groovy aunt Kiki, who’s offered the girls a place to crash. Her self-absorbed mother meditating back in Phoenix. And maybe, especially, the boy she wishes she’d waited for.

I love historical fiction! Okay, the seventies was not that long ago, but that decade is completely different from now (or any other time really). While the story didn't completely grab me, the setting sure did.

Chloe is seventeen and pregnant. More specifically, Chloe is seventeen and pregnant and does not plan to be for much longer. She travels to San Francisco with her best friend to get an abortion where it is legal (although there are a few hoops to jump through). While there though, things are not as quick and snappy as she had hoped. She gets wrapped up in a summer romance that wasn't quite as over as she thought, a best friend who is trying to be supportive but does not approve, and a wacky free-love type hippy aunt.

This was one of those books where I felt like a was reading a story. I know, that sounds like "well.... duh." But what I mean is, it was so short that I didn't have time to really connect to the characters, whiteness development or care about what was going to happen. I was reading a story rather than being in the story, or completely immersed. I wanted to see what was going to happen next, I just wasn't effected either way. With a book so short, it is hard to not turn out like that. That being said, that is not really a criticism, that is just a statement.

I really liked "witnessing" the seventies. Spoiler Alert (not really) I was not alive during the seventies. It is interesting to read about a time that was not that long ago, but still completely different from anything I've witnessed. Like I said, I love historical fiction, however; a lot of times it seems rather fake. The flower-power setting of Love and Haight seemed highly realistic and was definitely entertaining.

Standalone Reading Challenge: May

noreply@blogger.com (Britta) — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:02:00 +0000

Welcome back to the fifth month of the first annual Standalone Reading Challenge!
If you're not familiar with the challenge I am co-hosting with Hafsah from IceyBooks. Learn about the challenge, sign up (sign ups open all year!) or grab a button HERE.

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

Today, we're back again with a great prize pack! The winner of the April pack will be announced and contacted soon. Thanks to all who linked to their reviews. We enjoy seeing what you think and how far along in the challenge you are! If you didn't link up (or win) last month, here's another chance!

(1) Hardcover of WANTED by Heidi Ayarbe
(1) copy of LOVE, MAYBE? by Heather Hepler
(1) SIGNED copy of STRUCK by Jennifer Bosworth
(1) copy of FALL FROM GRACE by Charles Benoit

Other Goodies:
~ Don't Breathe a Word swag
~ Take a Bow bookmark
~ (Signed) Wonderlove bookmark
~ Struck swag

Special thanks to the donators:
Holly Cupala
Elizabeth Eulberg
Kirsten Hubbard
HarperTeen
Jennifer Bosworth

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

{Book title & name please! Example: Wanderlove (Britta) or Harbinger (Icey Books)}

PS: If you still haven't signed up, do so HERE.