Laura's Review Bookshelf

Scholastic Book Fair Part 3

2012-01-26T07:49:00.000-05:00

So yesterday was our annual trek to the much loved book fair at Lily's school. In fact I was excited because they had so many great books to choose from even on the YA front!

One of my most favorite purchases this year was the middle grade novel by Kim Harrington, Slueth or Dare: Partners in Crime. In fact there were four copies and I purchased two! I got one for my local library because the librarian loves Kim Harrington books and it's a great add to the collection. Can I just tell you the cover of this book is completely darling in person.

Following Lily's trend of buying 'celebrity' books. All written by Riley Brooks, we got a Selena Gomez and Victoria Justice book. I'm curious about Riley Brooks because she doesn't really interview the stars as she culls information from other locations and interviews. I find you don't really learn much from these books, but Lily likes them, so they get purchased.

The last book was a generic Spongebob book. Which we cannot seem to find. You see right after the book fair, we headed to library and think it's possible Lily left it there. We'll check later today.

Book Review: Cinder, Marissa Meyer

2012-01-25T09:21:00.000-05:00

Reading Level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 390 Pages

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends, Jan 3, 2012

Parasols: 5

Cinder was one of those stories that I went into not knowing too much about it. I knew that it was a fractured fairytale and followed the Cinderella template. But it was much more than that. So much more that that.

Cinder is half-cyborg, who lives with a step family who despises her. She works as a mechanic and makes menial money to bring home to her horrid stepmother. She also has two stepsisters, one who is vain, conceited and terrible, and another one who understands her. Everything changes when a strange, handsome young man comes in to her shop to fix his android. He happens to be Prince Kaito of New Bejing.

Throughout the world, a disease is killing people, Letumosis. When the king perishes to the disease, Prince Kai is now in charge of the new world, and many people want to see him get married. However, he has threats coming from another planet who may or may not have the vaccine to save the population. Once the Envoy from the planet Lunar shows up, all hell breaks loose and Cinder will find herself the center of a galactic war.

I read this book back and in November of last year, and really wish I'd written down my thoughts then. I really enjoyed this book a lot and am looking forward to reading more from Marissa. I'm very excited to see how she translates fairytales into this series. I understand this is a quartet so we have a few years to go. I really like how the whole Cinderella theme wasn't shoved down my throat. It wasn't a direct rip-off, she added a lot of elements, but allowed the story to be the focal part. Cinder was a great character. You could tell she just wanted to do her job and not have to deal with the nastiness that she was subjected to by her stepmother, Adri. a completely horrible person. Cinder was brought to the family by Adri's husband and he died leaving her with a half-person, who's history was a mystery. Cinder knew that Adri blamed her for her husband's death and could never think of her as her child.

But that also gave Cinder her tick. The relationship between Prince Kai and Cinder is sweet and slow. Cinder seems a bit oblivious that Kai could show any interest in her, especially when she tries to so hard to keep her cyborg parts secret.

I highly, highly recommend this book and hope that people will enjoy it as much as I did. I'm a big fan and can't wait for the sequel. This is my first 5 parasol review of the year! The thing about reading books early is you have to wait forever for the next one! But I will be first in line to buy the sequel when it's out.

Busy Day in the YA world!!!

2012-01-23T10:39:00.000-05:00

Well today was awards day at ALAMW12 in Dallas, TX.

The big award, The Michael L. Printz award went to:

Where Things Come Back

By John Corey Whaley

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing

Fellow Honors:

Why We Broke Up, written by Daniel Handler, art by Maira Kalman and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

The Returning, written by Christine Hinwood and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group Young Readers Group USA.

Jasper Jones, written by Craig Silvey and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

The Scorpio Races, written by Maggie Stiefvater and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.

Where Things Come Back

By John Corey Whaley

Also won the William C. Morris award for best debut.

Winner of Cinder!!!!

2012-01-21T16:12:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the winner of Cinder.

Jane Lafary

Via Randomizer!!!

I will send the Macmillan representative your address and she will mail you your book.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Bloggers vs. Authors

2012-01-20T09:31:00.000-05:00

There has been some brouhaha lately about authors getting angry with bloggers because they have given a negative review of their book. This is my thought on it.

Authors need to think of their books as children. Once your child is grown up (finishes high school) you have to let them free. You can't keep checking up on them once they've entered the hallowed walls of university or college. A book is the same way. You nurture it, you build it up, it grows and grows until it's ready to fly the coop. Once it's out there, it's no longer yours. Yes, you brought it up, you hope that did you right by it, but you cannot check up on it. If someone doesn't like your child do you e-mail that person and disparage them? No, you tell your child that this is life. Not everyone is going to like you. Same with your book. YOU MUST LET GO.

Debut authors, I think are more likely to take offense, then seasoned authors. They want to be liked and everyone to like their book. But this is not how it works. E-mailing, or getting into a flame war with bloggers, reviewers is not professional. In fact it is disheartening. We don't go into a book thinking we are automatically going to hate it. In fact, we are so excited to receive an early copy or finished copy of book to promote. We have taken out time to read the book and if it is not our cup of tea, it bothers us just as much.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was hugely popular during BEA and at the beginning of 2011. Everyone wanted it It was huge. I managed to get a copy and was so excited to read it. Thrilled! Imagine my surprise when I didn't like. It just wasn't my cup of tea. It had nothing to do with the author, she's been getting a ton of positive reviews, but for me, this book didn't work. I also despised The Lovely Bones. I read that for book club back in 2003 and I just really tore into it. Again, other people loved it. I could name every book I hated and loved and this would be one long post.

Authors, we know that your blood and tears go into your stories and they are close to your heart. But you must let go once it's out in the world. As Bill Belichick says, "We're only looking at the Ravens this week. We can't look past this week." (I paraphrased) when asked if they felt confident winning the Super Bowl 46.

Btw, Go Patriots!

Cinder Blog Tour Stop: The Timeless Allure of Cinderella’s Ball

2012-01-16T07:00:00.011-05:00

Thank you for coming to the thirteenth stop! Have you seen the other twelve stops? Are you ready to learn more about Cinder and the reason for having a Ball? I'm so excited to present Marissa Meyer and her book, Cinder. This is a fantastic read and I urge everyone to run out and buy one or borrow from the library!

Or you can win a copy from the publisher! Just comment and you're entered to win a bound copy of Cinder and a Cinder Mirror! (My 8 yo. snagged mine!) US only. I will pick a winner on Friday, January 20.
Please fill out the form at the end of the post! Thank you.

______________________________________________________________________

There’s just something about getting dressed up and going to a party.

Donning our finest clothes, swanning into a room full of high-society, and enjoying a celebration. Rubbing elbows with those higher-classes we dream of one day joining. Tasting tray-passed delicacies we’ve only ever read about in foodie magazines.

Balls. Dances. Galas. They’re as timeless as star-crossed lovers and happily ever afters.

I submit for the jury’s review the following examples:

- Romeo and Juliet meeting at a huge family bash.

- Elizabeth and Darcy crossing paths at a local dance.

- The traditional Yuleball in Harry Potter’s Goblet of Fire.

- Every high-school prom story ever told.

- The clock striking midnight on dozens of Cinderella tales.

And that’s only the start of countless masquerades that fill up our stories, old and new.

So why has this trope persisted for so long? Why do we still fantasize about ball gowns and champagne fountains, when we can recognize how impractical and nonessential these things are?

I think the reasons are the same now as they’ve been for centuries, and the word fantasize might be the key word in that question. People like to have something bright and whimsical to fill up with daydreams and expectations. Today we might look at Hollywood stars on the red carpet and think What if?, just as Cinderella thought what if as the prince’s ball approached.

And on those rare occasions when such a fancy event becomes a reality—say, our first black-tie wedding or even something as commonplace as a high-school dance—it allow us to envision a transformation that isn’t possible during our normal day-to-day doldrums. When life offers us something to look forward to, we grasp onto it. Hold it dear. Gossip and plan and agonize over which shoes to wear—at least, those of us without a helpful fairy godmother.

For one night, we are the princess, the celebrity, the hero of our own romance.

And it doesn’t appear that these traditions will leave us any time soon. If today’s science-fiction is anything to go by, even future high-tech societies will continue to enjoy these deep-seeded fantasies.

I submit more examples:

- The triumphant celebration at the end of Star Wars Episode IV.*

- The ill-fated “Shindig” in Firefly.

- The over-the-top Capital parties in The Hunger Games.

Though my debut novel, Cinder, is set hundreds of years in the future, I never once questioned the plausibility of the annual festival and royal ball (a celebration of ongoing world peace). I never wondered if it was realistic that Earth’s future teenagers would dream of dancing with a prince. I never doubted that our future generations would still appreciate the art of fashion and luxury, though tastes and trends no doubt will change.

The beauty of Cinderella’s ball, as iconic and symbolic as it has become, is that it offers a glimpse into a lifestyle that many of us can only fantasize about. It offers us something rare and beautiful to store safely in our dreams.

I don’t envision that bit of human nature going away… whether the tale is set once upon a time, or in a galaxy far, far away.

(* Okay, the Star Wars ceremony isn’t really a “ball,” but it is a big celebration, and Leia does look gorgeous in that dress, so I’m counting it.)

Please visit the other stops on the tour!

Monday 1/2 http://www.intergalactic-academy.net/

Tuesday 1/3 http://basicallyamazing.blogspot.com/

Wednesday 1/4 http://www.thebookrat.com/

Thursday 1/5 http://www.readingvacation.net/

Friday 1/6 http://www.workingforthemandroid.com/

Saturday 1/7 http://apocalypsies.blogspot.com/

Monday 1/9 http://www.mybookishways.com/

Tuesday 1/10 http://bookalicio.us

Wednesday 1/11 http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com/

Thursday 1/12 http://bookmigik.blogspot.com/

Friday 1/13 www.mangamaniaccafe.com

Saturday 1/14 http://abackwardsstory.blogspot.com/

Monday 1/16 http://www.laurasreviewbookshelf.com/

Tuesday 1/17 http://thebookwurrm.wordpress.com/

Wednesday 1/18 http://www.thebookcellarx.com/
Thursday 1/19 http://www.almostgrownup.net
Friday 1/20 http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/
Saturday 1/21 http://www.novelnovice.com

&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;Loading...&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;

Bite Me, Lori Strongin Cover Reveal

2012-01-15T17:26:00.000-05:00

Lori has graciously allowed me to post the cover of her debut novel that will be published January 30 by Mundania Press. Also, you might recognize Lori from commenting on my blog, so I'm even more excited that she's asked me to read her baby! I know how difficult it is to have someone read something that you've kept so close to the heart!

I will be getting a copy of this to review and I'm really excited for it. I totally love the cover, it's quirky and fun!

Isn't this a fun cover?

FRESHMAN YEAR AND OTHER UNNATURAL DISASTERS by Meredith Zeitlin Book Trailer

2012-01-13T09:15:00.000-05:00

From Press Release:

Meet Kelsey Finkelstein. She’s fourteen. She lives in Brooklyn.

She's starting her freshman year of high school.

And this is going to be the year that things finally get AWESOME.

(Then again... maybe not.)

Kelsey Finkelstein doesn’t have a checking account, much less a personal Black American Express Card. No fake ID, either – not that she’d pass for 21 in a million yearseven if she did. The only couture in her closet is a Halloween costume her mom made out of an old laundry bag when she was eleven. She’s never been to a club, or had a drinkserved in a martini glass or, frankly, done anything really NYC-ish at all. She doesn'teven have a single friend who's a vampire.

But don’t despair, people—Kelsey’s starting high school in less than a week! This isgoing to be the year she lives up to all of her untapped potential…finally.

Author Meredith Zeitlin is proud to announce the upcoming release of her young adult novel, FRESHMAN YEAR AND OTHER UNNATURAL DISASTERS. Coming March 2012 and published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, FRESHMAN YEAR follows the upsand downs of a witty, sometimes wild heroine as she navigates the uncharted waters ofcrushes, friendships, enemies, mysterious photographers, and horrifying school plays.

E. Lockhart, best-selling author of THE BOYFRIEND LIST,

says “Cute and sassy, open-minded and truthful, Kelsey

Finkelstein will be your new best friend.”

FRESHMAN YEAR Links:

Book Website: http://kelseyfinkelstein.com/

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOTDUDvvO-k

Amazon Listing: http://mzwrit.es/r3YIgZ

Barnes and Noble Listing: http://mzwrit.es/sl9Sap

Tempest Audio Clip AND Giveaway!!!!

2012-01-12T13:58:00.003-05:00

I'M EXTENDING THIS TIL MONDAY, JANUARY 16 UNTIL 2PM

Tempest webclip

Here is an exclusive clip from the soon to be released Tempest by Julie Cross! I am also giving away a copy of the audiobook to my commenters! The contest will run from 2pm today until 2pm tomorrow! So if you want the unabridged audio copy of this book, leave a comment!

I will pick a winner at 2.15pm tomorrow and the audiobook will be mailed by next week.

In order to win, you must comment!

Thank you and good luck!

Tempest Trailer

2012-01-12T13:34:00.001-05:00

ABOUT TEMPEST:

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps– it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future. Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

A success in the making: Pre-empted by Summit Entertainment (producers of Twilight) for feature film, with foreign rights sold in more than a dozen countries, Tempest, on sale January 17, is the first book in the buzzed about Tempest series by Julie Cross.

“Julie Cross's thrilling debut is brimming with excitement, romance, and intrigue. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!” —Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

TRAILER URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sidaeJl0qOE

LINKS:

THE TEMPEST SERIES FACEBOOK FAN PAGE:

Read the first 4 chapters of TEMPEST by Julie Cross now at http://on.fb.me/AoQyaQ

Harbinger Trailer

2012-01-11T19:17:00.000-05:00

This book sounds fantastic and I love the cover!

Sara Wilson Etienne

on sale 2/2/12

About the book:

Set in a world in which a diminishing oil supply has lead to chaos and mass rioting, sixteen year old Faye is plagued by waking visions and nightmares. Her parents think the only solution is to send her to Holbrook Academy, the creepy prison-like school for disturbed teenagers. When she and her friends wake up on the floor with their hands stained red, Faye has no idea what it means, but fears she may be the cause. But despite the strangeness of Holbrook and the island on which it sits, Faye feels oddly connected to the place. The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain he is trying to kill her –and the rest of the world too.

Advance Praise for Harbinger:

· “Heart-wrenching, terrifying, hot, and un-put-down-able!” – Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author

· “Intricate, suspenseful, completely absorbing. Harbinger is masterfully done.” – Lisa McMann, author of the New York Times bestselling Wake trilogy

Tempest, Julie Cross-- Pre-Buzz!!!

2012-01-10T17:08:00.002-05:00

You can find the trailer for Tempest here at Shelf-Life at Entertainment Weekly

PRAISE FOR BUZZED-ABOUT DEBUT NOVEL TEMPEST

“Julie Cross's thrilling debut is brimming with excitement, romance, and intrigue.

I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!”

—Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

“I have seen the future and it is Jackson Meyer! I loved Julie Cross's engrossing and engaging TEMPEST. If I could time-jump, I'd read the sequel yesterday at the very latest.” —Nancy Holder, New York Times bestselling author of the CRUSADE series

“Once I started TEMPEST, I couldn't put it down. Once I finished TEMPEST, I was dying for the next installment. Julie Cross takes readers on an unforgettable trip through time in this inventive, suspenseful and romantic tale. A thrilling debut from a fantastic new voice.”

—Courtney Summers, Award-Winning author of CRACKED UP TO BE

and SOME GIRLS ARE

“A good thriller moves forward at high speed, but only a superlative thriller can take you on a breathtaking journey through the fourth dimension. Julie Cross’s ingenious story is vividly imagined and splendidly rendered, hitting just the right notes with liberal doses of suspense, intrigue, and romance. Throw in a pitch-perfect cast of engaging characters, and you’ve got a blockbuster young adult debut that will keep readers glued to the pages.”

—Sophie Littlefield, Award-Winning author of BANISHED

“For time traveler Jackson Meyer, the past is the key to his increasingly dangerous future. But who can he trust? The CIA? His mysterious father? Or his conspiracy-theory addicted best friend? A maze of ingenious twists and turns, TEMPEST takes you on a magic carpet ride

that will have you flipping pages to the end.”

—Jana Oliver, author of THE DEMON TRAPPER'S DAUGHTE

“It is equal parts adventure, romance, science fiction and touching family drama; readers will turn the last page and find themselves wishing they could ‘jump’ to the future and read the sequel.”

—Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“Cross debuts in a big way… Romance fans may discover a newfound interest in time travel, while time travel fans will find some fresh mind-bending ideas at work.”

—VOYA

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEMPEST

By Julie Cross

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Julie Cross' Debut novel TEMPEST (Hardcover; Thomas Dunne and Griffin Books; January 17, 2012; $17.99) is filled with time-travel adventure, romance, and a twisting plot that will keep readers turning the pages. Foreign rights for Tempest have sold in sixteen countries and Summit Entertainment, the company behind the Twilight movies, pre-empted the film rights. The first in an epic trilogy, Tempest heralds a powerful new voice in young adult literature.

Tempest begins in 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy: he’s in college, has a girlfriend, and… the ability to travel back through time. But it’s not like time-travel in the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there are no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors, like in Back to the Future. Jackson’s best friend Adam is the only one who knows about this ability, and with his brilliant mind, helps Jackson to control it and understand it.

But one day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but it is not like his previous time jumps. He’s now stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities. He pieces together clues about his mysterious father, and what really happened to the mother he barely knew. Jackson also befriends the 2007 Holly, protects her, and falls in love with her all over again. But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler… or kill him.

TEMPEST is The Time Traveler’s Wife meets The Bourne Identity, and is sure to please teen and adult readers alike.

About the author:
Julie Cross lives in central Illinois with her husband and three children where she works as a YMCA Gymnastics Program Director. She never considered writing professionally until May of 2009. Since then, she hasn’t gone a day without writing. Her website is http://juliecross.blogspot.com/.

TODAY: A #Cinderparty on Twitter

2012-01-09T14:04:00.000-05:00

#cinderparty tonight on twitter!!

On Monday, January 9, @Figmentfiction is going to be hosting a daylong Twitter party in honor of Marissa Meyer’s new novel, Cinder, a futuristic tale that sends the Cinderella story “into an entirely new, utterly thrilling dimension,” asPublishers Weekly raved: “it unfolds with the magic of a fairy tale and the breakneck excitement of dystopian fiction.”

The #cinderparty starts with 10 chances to win! From 10 a.m. ET until 7 p.m. ET, @Figmentfiction will be tweeting trivia questions related to Cinderand Marissa. Every correct answer gets entered into a drawing to win a supercoolCinder mirror. (One mirror will be given away per question.)

TO WIN: You must be following both @Figmentfiction and @marissa_meyer and use the hashtag #cinderparty in your response.*

Then, from 7:00 to 7:30, you can try and out-Cinder Cinder‘s author in our live trivia quiz. @Figmentfiction will be trying to stump @marissa_meyer on all the things that appear in Cinder. Okay, things that kind of appear in Cinder. Okay, we’re really pushing it, but surely writing about a cyborg mechanic makes one perfectly qualified to field questions about the differences between a lug nut and a wingnut? Maybe not, but this just means you, home-audience tweeters, have a better shot at winning swag for yourselves!

We’ll tweet out a question and you’ll have a few minutes to shout out what you think the answer is with the hashtag #cinderparty. We’ll let you know when you have 30 seconds left. Then, after everyone has submitted their best guesses, Marissa will pick the answer she thinks is correct–or come up with her own if she thinks all of you are wrong. Then we’ll announce if she answered correctly. If YOU manage to get it right, you’ll be entered to win a signed copy of Cinder! (Two copies will be awarded in total.)

TO WIN: You must be following both @Figmentfiction and @marissa_meyer and use the hashtag #cinderparty in your response.*

Then, at 7:30, we’ll sit down (metaphorically) with Marissa for a chat about how to get a debut novel published. Marissa gained a serious online following for her fanfiction and used that fan base to launch a professional writing career. She’ll tell us about that process and offer tips that you, professional writing hopeful, can use to follow in her footsteps. Also joining us will be Marissa’s agent, Jill Grinberg (she also reps Scott Westerfeld!). So if you’re looking tocreate the same kind of splash that Cinder has, be sure to tune in from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. EST!

* Potential winners will be contacted via direct message, and will be required to sign and return an affidavit before receiving a prize. Winners must be 13 or over, and must live in the United States.

Update: Your chance to win is happening here.

Wordpress vs. Blogger

2012-01-09T09:25:00.000-05:00

I'm considering switching my blog over to Wordpress, but I'm not sure if that will be a good idea. Blogger has been okay, but I would like something a bit different with more plugins and perhaps a bit more space? I'm not the most tech savvy blogger and my hubby helps me out a lot when I need it. Lori from Pure Imagination created the template that you see (and I absolutely adore it!). I would definitely migrate everything over and keep this the same.

What are bloggers' thoughts on switching? Should I stay with Blogger or switch to Wordpress. Any information will help me make an informed decision.

Thank for all your help and don't be shy. Tell me your thoughts!

I just really like this!

2012-01-07T19:18:00.001-05:00

Found this on stumbleupon.

Book Breakups - 4

2012-01-06T10:42:00.000-05:00

Book Breakup was created by Lori at Pure Imagination. Address below!

Book Breakup #1

Stephanie Plum Series, Janet Evanovich

I devoured these books about four years ago, until I hit book 12 and then I just got tired of the same formula. As much as I love Stephanie, Grandma Mazur, Ranger, Joe and Lula, I just couldn't take the same story line over and over again. I really hate the dragging out of who Stephanie will pick (Ranger or Joe). Personally, Joe is the one for her. But I think Janet E likes writing the Ranger sex scenes. I'm interested to see the movie and I think there's been enough time for me to pick up Book 13. We'll see.

Book Breakup #2

Anything by V.C Andrews and Ghost Writers

I read these books in 1979 when they first came out and they were scandalous and amazing. My mom is the one who gave me the first book and I was hooked. I read V.C. Andrews voraciously until she died in 1986. Then her books started popping up years later. Continuations of books I'd read while she was still alive. They just did not compare and you could tell that it wasn't the same writer. Twenty-four years after her death her books are still coming out. I find it kind of creepy. Just like I find this cover extremely creepy. If you know the story, this cover is just not right! The true V.C. Andrews books are great, the ghostwritten ones, not so much.

Do you have any book breakups you want to discuss? I'd love to hear what you've read and just can't continue on with!

City of Lost Souls cover

2012-01-05T14:16:00.001-05:00

Honestly, I wasn't sure if this was a real cover

or if it was a very good fan-made one. But I guess

it was revealed yesterday on USA Today (which I

never seem to peruse). I guess I'm just used to

EW getting the cover reveals.

I really like this cover. Clary looks exactly how I pictured her,

but Jace is looking too much like Alex Pettyfer. Not at all

how I pictured Jace. I'm definitely looking forward to the

next book and you can even get a sneak peek of a scene

involving Simon (my favorite character!) right here.

So dear readers, what are you thoughts on the cover. Do you like? Not Like?

Sound off in the comments!

Thankful Thursday

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

I was thinking, so I said, "Self, what have you to be thankful for?" So I thought and thought and thought and thought. So without the obligatory thankful for family, health, home, heat, food, etc... I said, "Self, I'm so thankful that I have a blog and I can read books all the time." Now, I know that might be a selfish thanks, but being able to be transported to different worlds, fall in love with amazing sexy guys (or girls), just forgetting who you are for a brief moment is really something to be thankful for.

I'm also thankful that I have choices in every aspect of my life. I can choose to go on vacation. I can choose to not read a book. I can choose to blog about something that is near and dear to me. I can celebrate that Michelle Bachman dropped out of the GOP race. I can be amazed that Mitt Romney (my fmr Gov.) only one by 8 votes!

I'm also thankful that I have readers and people who enjoy what I do. I know I might have slipped up in the past, blogging is hard work and can be quite expensive! Mailing out a ton of books is exhausting and depletes the wallet. But I'm thankful that I'm still able to do that. Thankful that Hubby helps me out a lot too!

In 2012, I'm going to be more thankful for the people around me and those of you who comment on the blog. I hope to hosting some fantastic contests, so please stay tuned in 2012 and see what I have in store!

Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles - 'Cinder' Book Trailer

2012-01-03T15:55:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to show you this!!! I will also be hosting Marissa Meyer on this blog on January 16!!!! Okay, I'll stop with the exclamation points, but I'm just happy to be a part of this momentous event. This is a kick-ass book and I hope that everyone gets a chance to read it. It really is wonderful.

A few more interesting tidbits: Marissa Meyer has also kicked off an extensive author tour in the US; you can access all her dates on her blog. http://marissameyer.livejournal.com/ If you will be attending any of her events and would like the opportunity to meet and interview her, please let us know and we will put you in contact with the publicist.

Lastly, there will be an author event on January 9th as a Facebook/ Twitter party at 7:00 EST. Feel free to let your readers know as well!

About Cinder:

Cinder: Book One in The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Even in the future, the story begins with Once Upon a Time…. Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

LINKS:

Marissa Meyer's Blog:
http://marissameyer.livejournal.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MarissaMeyerAuthor

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/marissa_meyer

Happy New Year!!!!

2012-01-01T12:29:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe that we made it to another year! I'm so excited for 2012 and all the great books that are coming out! I usually read up a storm at the beginning of the year, review like crazy, then slow down come May/June. I think BEA has something to do with that.

Anyway, lets get back to BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! The ones I'm totally looking forward to is The Golden Lily. I just love the Vampire Academy world! And we've got Dimitri! Cinder. Okay, I read an early copy, but I just loved this book so much! City of Lost Souls. Jace, Clary, SIMON!!!! Izzy, Alec, Magnus. Need I say more? Clockwork Princess. Um, I think that just speaks for itself. Perception. Snark, Gabriel and Justin, Clare and Perry (who is NOT a platypus!). Plus, I just love Kim (although, it's been a while since I've seen her, must remedy that asap!) The Unquiet. Because it's a ghost story and I read this in various stages and I have no clue how the finished product looks. I'm just so excited to read this and my love for Jeannine grows leaps and bounds. Plus she texts me in the middle of the night to wish me a happy new year! A Temptation of Angels. I just love the whole plot of this. And knowing Michelle, she will make me fall in love with her characters and everything will be meticulously plotted. Her attention to detail is phenomenal.

There are just so many books coming out this year. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone else, but I know I have.

Thank you to all these wonderful authors out there who keep me busy in my imagination and make me fall in love with their characters. You are wonderful people with incredible talent.

Books I quitted in 2011

2011-12-29T09:27:00.000-05:00

So I did the whole best of and my list was enormously long and required a mea culpa! I don't think this one will be as long.

Chime, Franny Billingsley

I just could not, for the life of me, get into this book. The main character annoyed me to no end.

I just didn't get the story. I think I read about 140 pages before I just gave up.

Graveminder, Melissa Marr

I just thought this was a hot mess and it was boring. I also gave this one about 140/150 pages before I said enough. I love Melissa's writing and this one just was not for me.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Michelle Hodkin

Not a very original story. I wasn't a fan of Mara, her back story was weak. I found the writing choppy and clunky and went all over the place. I did finish this book, but probably won't read the sequel.

So three books that didn't work for me. Not bad for someone who read 80+ books this year (short of my 100 goal). I had that rough patch of reading drought. Thankfully that seems to be over! So tell me what was your favorite or least favorite book this year.

Mea Culpa

2011-12-27T09:28:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I did my favorite reads of 2011 and I completely forgot some books. My excuse is that I was exhausted from Christmas festivities with friends and family and I was rushing. So please forgive me authors for leaving you off my list.

Beauty Queens, Libba Bray

City of Fallen Angels, Cassie Clare

The Clockwork Prince, Cassie Clare

Starcrossed, Josephine Angelini

The Flappers Series, Jillian Larkin

These books were absolutely fantastic. Cassie Clare really hit a home run with her two books this year. That in itself is amazing. Libba Bray's newest was hysterically funny and I could not put it down. I know that I always look forward to a Libba book. Plus she andher hubby are both fantastically talented and hysterically funny!

My Favorite Reads of 2011

2011-12-26T08:48:00.000-05:00

I'm going to do this in no particular order:

Nevermore, Kelly Creagh

Love Story, Jennifer Echolls

The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Rae Carson

All These Things That I've done, Gabrielle Zevin

Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi

Queen of the Dead, Stacey Kade

The Girl in the Steel Corset, Kady Cross

The Chaos Walking Trilogy, Patrick Ness

The Iron Duke, Meljean Brook

Divergent, Veronica Roth

Blood Red Road, Moira Young

Bumped, Megan McCafferty

Wither, Lauren DeStefano

Demonglass, Rachel Hawkins

The Iron Queen, Julie Kagawa

Hex Hall, Rachel Hawkins

Unearthly, Cynthia Hand

Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale, Ramona Wray

Shipbreaker, Paolo Bacigalupi

Jane, April Linder

Clarity, Kim Harrington

Plague, Michael Grant

I'd like to give a shout out to another book that I read in 2011 but it doesn't come out until 2012. This is a definitely a book to watch for.

Cinder, Marissa Meyer

Amanda Hocking's Trylle Series - Book Trailer & Photos!

2011-12-22T18:58:00.001-05:00

About the "Trylle" Series and "Switched":

From Amanda Hocking, million-copy bestselling author and internet sensation comes the Trylle series… it all begins with Switched, available everywhere 1.3.12. As a special gift to readers, Switched contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, “The Vittra Attacks,” set in the magical world of the Trylle.

The Trylle series continues with Torn, on-sale 2.28.12, and concludes on 4.24.12 with Ascend.

SWITCHED… at birth:

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

TRAILER URL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO8LsDmw2_I

http://s1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/ZeitghostMediaProd/

Links
https://www.facebook.com/amandahockingtrylle

2011-12-22T08:20:00.001-05:00

I want to wish my faithful readers a very

Happy Hanukkah!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

And a very Happy 2012!!!!