Book Crook Liza

Review: From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess by Meg Cabot

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Fri, 22 May 2015 18:51:00 +0000

From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess (Book #1) by Meg Cabot

Published: May 19th 2015
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Page Count: Hardcover, 192 pages
Source: Purchased
Genre: Middle Grade
Find The Author: Website, Twitter, Facebook
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your GoodReads Shelf

Olivia Grace Clarisse Harrison has always known she was different. Brought up by her aunt's family in New Jersey, book-and-music-loving Olivia feels out of place in their life of high fashion and fancy cars. But she never could have imagined how out of place she really was until Mia Thermopolis, Princess of Genovia, pops into her school and announces that Olivia is her long-lost sister. Olivia is a princess. A dream come true, right? But princesses have problems too. In FROM THE NOTEBOOKS OF A MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCESS a new middle grade series, readers will see Genovia, this time through the illustrated diaries of a spunky new heroine, 12 year old Olivia Grace, who happens to be the long lost half-sister of Princess Mia Thermopolis.
The original Princess Diaries series sold over 5 million copies in the US (15 million worldwide), spent 82 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list, and inspired two beloved films.

Omg. Omg. The most adorable, cutest thing EVER! I loved, loved, loved The Princess Diaries when I was younger. Meg Cabot is one of my all-time favorite authors. It’s been a few years since Forever Princess was released. But, now, the Gods have answered and not only do we get a Mia-and-Michael-Wedding (The Royal Wedding coming to book shelves and reading devices soon!) but also a BRAND NEW LONG LOST RINALDI.

It’s official. Mia’s Dad gets around.

And the result is Olivia Grace.

This is something you just HAVE to read with the little girl (or boy!) in your life that loves Princesses. It’s a great way to introduce a whole new generation to the Princess Diaries origins. They can read about Olivia Grace and then when they get older...read her big sister’s stories, and then when they are done (it might take them their entire rest of their childhood because there’s a ton of books in that series) they can catch up to the rest of us and read all about The Greatest Royal Wedding Ever Since Kate and Will. (If not greater).

Also - it’s illustrated by Meg Cabot. Who knew that Meg Cabot could illustrate? I did as I have been obsessively following her blog since I was like Olivia Grace’s age. Maybe a little older, lol. She does a beautiful job bringing Olivia Grace and her world to life. We even get to see Princess Mia sketched!

Top Ten Tuesday: Freebie Week - 10 Books We Want to See on Screen

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Tue, 19 May 2015 18:36:00 +0000

Top 10 Tuesday is an original feature and a regular meme hosted at The Broke and The Bookish!

Top 10 Books We Want to See on Screen

This week is a freebie week, meaning we get to choose what kinds of lists we want. We wanted to list books we'd love to see on a screen! What books would you love to see come to your screen?

1. The Summer Series by Jenny Han

2. Shade Series by Jeri Smith-Ready

3. The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot

4. The Wolves of Mercy Falls by Maggie Stiefvater

5. Soul Screamers Series by Rachel Vincent

1. Daughter of the Moon Series by Lynne Ewing

2. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

3. Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb

4. Heather Wells Series by Meg Cabot

5. The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye

Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Sun, 17 May 2015 20:02:00 +0000

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Published: May 5th 2015
Publisher: Vikings Juvenile
Page Count: Hardcover, 359 pages
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult
Find The Author: Blog, Twitter, Facebook
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your GoodReads Shelf

Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.

Warning!: You’re going to want to eat all the pizzas, french fries, and lollipops. EVER.

There is a good reason Sarah Dessen has a crown in the Queendom in the land of YA authors. She creates awesome characters in real, heart-tugging situations.

Sydney is a girl who is lonely. She is (almost frightening so) over-looked by her parents in lieu of a brother who can’t seem to get his act together and whose actions resulted in a tragedy for someone innocent. For some writers this is a perfect recipe for a girl who gets interrupted, a character who starts to rebel, and to be honest - I wouldn’t have blamed Sydney at all if she started to act out. The thing is...Sydney’s a good kid. She tries her best in school, tries to follow the rules, and has the biggest heart ever.

Enter Chathams and Co. AKA her new best friend, her future boyfriend, and a variety of awesome cast members that make you want to jump into the book and eat a Yum-Yums while hiking in the woods while listening to someone talk an insane amount about the deeper meaning of music. They adopt her into their crazy, tight-knit, loud world. Sydney starts to come to life, starts to have the moments and experiences a girl her age should have, and it kind of completely rocks. Unfortunately, home life isn’t as good. Plus, there’s this family-type of friend of her brother’s that is...CREEPEHHHH! Her parents literally leave alone with him overnight. I wanted to get inside the book and shake things until they realized how shady this guy really was. Thankfully - her friends have a clue. And it’s through them and a angel of a friends-mom that she begins to come to terms with the conflict inside of her and the emotional consequences that her brother’s actions have had on her.

It’s not without it’s drama, it’s not without it’s up and downs, but the ending is good and looks to a brighter, healthier, pizza-filled future for Sydney and the people around her.

Top favorite things about this book :

Imagery. Pizza restaurant, the sound of bluegrass, the Chatham’s awesome house, the cold freezer-type of feeling of her home, Yum-Yums.
Mac Chatham. He’s adorable, kind, gentle, protective, and patient. I want him to clone himself and send said clone into our world so I can set him up with our teenage sister (or me, if that clone was a few years older! lol). Also, that guy has like some serious willpower to withstand the amount of junk-food his sister and friends consume. Seriously. The dude needs a medal.
Layla Chatham. She’s the best friend everyone wants to have come sweeping into their lives. She, from the very, very beginning, is on our girl’s side. Even though there’s some conflict between them - they’re the best friends that are going to be old and gray together. I just feel it.
David Ibarra. He didn’t get a lot of up and close time but he made an impact. A big one.

My rating? Four out of five. And a official recommendation for any mood, phase, time of life.

Review: Neverland by Shari Arnold

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Sun, 03 May 2015 20:08:00 +0000

Neverland by Shari Arnold

Published: April 7th 2015
Publisher: CreateSpace
Page Count: Paperback, 358 pages
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Young Adult
Find The Author: Blog, Twitter
Buy This Book: Amazon
Add It To Your GoodReads Shelf

It’s been four months since seventeen-year-old Livy Cloud lost her younger sister, but she isn’t quite ready to move on with her life — not even close. She’d rather spend her time at the Seattle Children’s hospital, reading to the patients and holding onto memories of the sister who was everything to her and more.
But when she meets the mysterious and illusive Meyer she is drawn into a world of adventure, a world where questions abound.
Is she ready to live life without her sister? Or more importantly, is she brave enough to love again?
In this modern reimagining of Peter Pan, will Livy lose herself to Neverland or will she find what she’s been searching for?

This book is a total love letter to the fantastical and beloved world created by JM Barrie. With that being said…It is also a thoughtful, caring look into the world of grief, innocence, and the challenges of the whole coming of age process.

It was solidly written, possessed a creative premise, and delivered strongly. The main character isn’t one of those characters that you end up kind of hating - she’s a caring young woman going through a huge experience. A girl who just wants to do the right thing. The world and imagery that Arnold creates to express the world of JM Barrie is beautiful and enticing. At one point (mild spoiler alert!) I seriously wanted to dress up in a costume and go take over an abandoned carnival. The ending was satisfying and bittersweet and happy. A great recipe for a YA novel.

Yet, I struggled a little bit to write this review. I couldn’t quite pinpoint what was going on. Like, it has all the ingredients and I definitely, absolutely recommend it for a future read. However... I didn’t feel an emotional connection the way I normally do with characters like Livy Cloud. I feel the same way about my little sister as she did hers. And I would be crushed beyond belief if I ever even came close to losing my sister the way she did hers. It just...I think that there was so much discussion and actions and not enough time spent on emotions.

She was grieving and lost but the plotline was so focused on Meyer and the outside forces working around her that she never became a real, grieving person for me. She was going through some massive things and her parents..her friends...the little girl she was trying to save...it all should have hit a more deeper emotional punch with the reader than it actually did. It was a good read, a good story, and a good tribute to JM Barrie. It just...wasn’t all that it could have been. Of course, I’m like one of those people that NEEDS to be able to connect with the main character. I wonder if it had been written from Meyer’s view point if there would be a connection problem.

Either way, I give it….four out of five stars. Why? Because as I said before - written solidly, creative premise, solid plotline, and a completely magical twist on a beloved and known fairy tale.

Go read it - Did you like it??? Did you relate to Livy Cloud??? Am I crazy or did you have the same difficulties? Please come back and discuss - I’ll keep an eye out for your comments! :)

Top Ten Tuesday: All Time Favorite Authors

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 18:26:00 +0000

Top 10 Tuesday is an original feature and a regular meme hosted at The Broke and The Bookish!

Top 10 Favourite Authors

It is tough to narrow down to even 10 authors, let alone 5 since I’m sharing my Top 10 with my sister, but I’ll do it...

Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lisa See
Philippa Gregory
JK Rowling
Paulo Coelho

I’m all distressed. Liza started before me and took one of my all time favorites - this is what happens when you’re not the early bird!

Here are favorites (not necessarily in order):

Louisa May Alcott
Meg Cabot
Brian Jacques
Sarah Addison Allen
Sue Monk Kidd

Happy Birthday Liza!

noreply@blogger.com (Give the Girl a Thimble) — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 17:14:00 +0000


(No, she's not harassing me. Lol. It's very sweet - she's supporting me.)

Twenty six years ago (well, over twenty six years. Birthday was in January) I was born into a crazy, messed up life. It was about as close as a soap opera as you'll get in real life. I think the forces-that-be knew it and gave me my sister. Technically speaking, as I am younger, I was given to her. I've never really thought of it that way. She's always been a special gift. We've gone through about as much as sisters can go through. We were separated for some (language warning) dumb as fuck reasons for years growing up. When she was allowed to come back into my life was always stopped by the barrier of distance, crazy grown ups, and the fear that we'd be separated again. But, every conversation and every visit was worth it. She is without a doubt - my person. She always was and always has been.

We still don't live in the same state, lol. And right now we don't even live in the same continent! She has lived a beautiful, crazy international life. Given birth (in freaking SIBERIA) to two clever and lovely children. Married this Russian guy she met on the internet who keeps hanging around strumming on his guitar and knocking her up (lolol, I love him. As far as brother-in-laws go - he's the best). And me? I'm constantly aspiring to be a grown up. I'm entirely unsure if I'll actually get there...but you never know, miracles happen!

Through out it all - the good and the bad, the sad and the happy - Liza has been there as much as she could. Most sisters wouldn't have survived what we went through growing up. But, we were blessed with this...this thing. It feels like a cord - like gravity pulling towards the earth core. She's always encouraging, always smart, always there. She listens to all of me without judgement or expectations or drama. She doles out encouragement and pep talks like no other and makes me feel sane and understood when I share my crazy. Sometimes I think our brains are like synced on some brain wave level thing that scientists have yet to discover. She's full of the rare, precious kind of love : unconditional.

Happy Birthday, Liza. You're my person. And without you - my life is just too messed up. You have it all, all the love. You are stuck with me forever. FOREVER. *insert manic evil genius laugh here*. I love you. :)

Jess

Top Ten Tuesday: Inspiring Quotes from Books

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 11:45:00 +0000

Top 10 Tuesday is an original feature and a regular meme hosted at The Broke and The Bookish!

TOP TEN INSPIRING QUOTES FROM BOOKS

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you.” Jane Eyre (Bronte). | Why: You’ll find this quote often on my tumblr, twitter, facebook, and so on. It’s one of my hands down favorite quotes of all time. Jane Eyre has been a favorite since I had to read it in High School. The strength of Jane’s moral character, her strength to be free and to be strong in doing so is expressed so clearly in this line. It definitely always resonated with me. I need to be the captain of my own ship, I got my eye on the horizon, and while the rocky waters might slow me down - I’ll get there on my own damn terms, thank you very much! This quote is just one of many things that fuels my journey onward.
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett). | Why: A poetically put twist on ‘Half glass full’ within the context of a classic, children’s book. One of my personal favorites. Miss Mary (not at all contrary!) was always a favorite of mine.
“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” A Fault In Our Stars (John Green) | Why: I am a book lover. And there have been SOOO many times that I’ve experienced that weird evangelical zeal. Hell, I experienced it with The Fault In Our Stars. You can’t sleep. You can’t think of anything else. It becomes the adult version of a blankie that you have to carry with you at all times. This book that has overtaken your heart, soul, and BRAINNNN is the best thing that has ever happened to you and you have to tell it on the mountain! Yea, this quote expresses that emotion.
“She was made up of more, too. She was the books she read in the library. She was the flower in the brown bowl. Part of her life was made from the tree growing rankly in the yard. She was the bitter quarrels she had with her brother whom she loved dearly. She was Katie's secret, despairing weeping. She was the shame of her father stumbling home drunk. She was all of these things and of something more...It was what God or whatever is His equivalent puts into each soul that is given life - the one different thing such as that which makes no two fingerprints on the face of the earth alike.” A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (Betty Smith) | Why: We are all made up of different things. Our parts piece together from the ground and the sky and the stuff in between to make up who we are. Betty Smith eloquently and simply puts that when describing her main character. We are all the good and bad, the heritage in our blood, the future out of our sight. We are unique. And no one is a-like. And if you think different or you’re feeling down - come back, read that quote, and remember you’re you and being you is a good place to be.
“ Loneliness is the human condition. Cultivate it. The way it tunnels into you allows your soul room to grow. Never expect to outgrow loneliness. Never hope to find people who will understand you, someone to fill that space. An intelligent, sensitive person is the exception, the very great exception. If you expect to find people who will understand you, you will grow murderous with disappointment. The best you'll ever do is to understand yourself, know what it is that you want, and not let the cattle stand in your way.” White Oleander (Janet Fitch) | Why: This quote is a bit dark but truthful. What always bring me strength and hope from this quote is the end. “The best you’ll ever do is to understand yourself, know what it is that you want, and not let the cattle stand in your way.”. The fact is, unless it’s the case of a soulmate, you aren’t going to find someone who understands you. The desire to find someone who understands you stems from the need to find someone to complete you. To be your other-half. And that’s a rare thing indeed (hence mostly-only true in the case of soulmates). So what do you do? Understand yourself, figure out what you want, and go for it. Just do yourself and the world around you a favor - be as positive as you can, lol, and don’t go killing your ex-douchebag-lovers!

"Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you've got about a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies—God damn it, you've got to be kind." - Kurt Vonnegut (God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater) This definitely is self-explanatory, I think! :)
“I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked. One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet and another fig was a brilliant professor, and another fig was Ee Gee, the amazing editor, and another fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and another fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of other lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and another fig was an Olympic lady crew champion, and beyond and above these figs were many more figs I couldn't quite make out. I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.” - Sylvia Plath (The Bell Jar) This is a long one, but even though I'll be 30 in a few days, this resonates with me just as much as it did as a teen.
“Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering.” Paulo Coelho (By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept) Right in the feels, right? Paulo Coelho is amazing at that. This is my favourite book of his.
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) Such a true and meaningful quote. I love this series and J.K. Rowling.
“If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” - J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) Another HP quote. I probably could go on and on with these, because the book series was full of wisdom and memorable quotes.

Waiting on Wednesday: A School for Unusual Girls & Daughter of Deep Silence

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 19:10:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesdays is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It puts a spotlight on upcoming releases we're anticipating!

A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS (STRANJE HOUSE #1) BY KATHLEEN BALDWIN
Release Date: May 19th 2015

It’s 1814. Napoleon is exiled on Elba. Europe is in shambles. Britain is at war on four fronts. And Stranje House, a School for Unusual Girls, has become one of Regency England’s dark little secrets. The daughters of the beau monde who don't fit high society’s constrictive mold are banished to Stranje House to be reformed into marriageable young ladies. Or so their parents think. In truth, Headmistress Emma Stranje, the original unusual girl, has plans for the young ladies—plans that entangle the girls in the dangerous world of spies, diplomacy, and war.
After accidentally setting her father’s stables on fire while performing a scientific experiment, Miss Georgiana Fitzwilliam is sent to Stranje House. But Georgie has no intention of being turned into a simpering, pudding-headed, marriageable miss. She plans to escape as soon as possible—until she meets Lord Sebastian Wyatt. Thrust together in a desperate mission to invent a new invisible ink for the English war effort, Georgie and Sebastian must find a way to work together without losing their heads—or their hearts...

The description reminded me a little of an episode of one of my favourite shows on television right now, The Musketeers (BBC). The idea of women going behind the scenes and doing great things -- one of the episodes actually played with that idea. Anyway, it sounds like an exciting and interesting book and I can't wait to read it!

DAUGHTER OF DEEP SILENCE BY CARRIE RYAN
Release Date: June 2nd 2015

In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process. Sharp and incisive, Daughter of Deep Silence by bestselling author Carrie Ryan is a deliciously smart revenge thriller that examines perceptions of identity, love, and the lengths to which one girl is willing to go when she thinks she has nothing to lose.

Liza put me in the direction of this book. I'm not going to lie - I don't think I've ever heard of this author. She's definitely caught my eye. 'Daughter of Deep Silence' intrigues me from the title alone. Then there's the whole lover of her enemy and friend to a dead girl thing. Very enticing!

Cover Reveal: Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 16:58:00 +0000

I'm excited to announce a cover reveal for Jennifer L. Armentrout's new book Every Last Breath! Every Last Breath is the third book in the The Dark Elements series!

Some loves will last 'til your dying breath
Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.
Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.
Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…
“Armentrout is a major talent…I just can’t stop reading!”--New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter
“Armentrout works her magic with swoon-worthy guys and a twist you never see coming.”--#1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines on White Hot Kiss

And this is not the only news! I'm also able to reveal that the ENTIRE series is getting a brand new look! Check it out:

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series The Dark Elements, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.
Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining the balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.
And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again…
"With her signature flare for combining humor, romance and action, Armentrout weaves a fast-paced read that will have readers' hearts racing in more ways than one. Like Armentrout's previous heroines, Jasmine is fun and full of attitude, while Dez is as snarky as he is sexy. This is a must read for new and old fans alike!" -RT Book Reviews

One kiss could be the last.
Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.
Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.
Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.
But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Every touch has its price
Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.
But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…
"Constantly entertaining...the narrative sizzles with as much tension as romance."—Kirkus Reviews on White Hot Kiss

EVERY LAST BREATH Pre-Order Links:

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STONE COLD TOUCH Buy Links:

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WHITE HOT KISS Buy Links:

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BITTER SWEET LOVE Buy Links:

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Links:

Website: http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout

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

Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4476934.Jennifer_L_Armentrout

EVERY LAST BREATH Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455817-every-last-breath?ac=1

STONE COLD TOUCH Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455815-stone-cold-touch?ac=1

WHITE HOT KISS Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455585-white-hot-kiss?bf=500&from_search=true

BITTER SWEET LOVE Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455811-bitter-sweet-love?ac=1

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.
She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Review: I Was Here by Gayle Forman

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 01:11:00 +0000

I Was Here by Gayle Forman

Published: January 27th 2015
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Page Count: Hardcover, 288 pages
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult
Find The Author: Website, Twitter
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your GoodReads Shelf

Cody and Meg were inseparable.
Two peas in a pod.
Until . . . they weren’t anymore.

When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything—so how was there no warning? But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, who broke Meg’s heart. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open—until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question.

I Was Here is Gayle Forman at her finest, a taut, emotional, and ultimately redemptive story about redefining the meaning of family and finding a way to move forward even in the face of unspeakable loss.

I have to admit, for this being my first official review for the blog, I think I cheated a little bit. As in - I’ve loved and adored Gayle Foreman’s writing in the past. I wasn’t feeling too adventurous for my first post and this novel was high priority on my ‘I HAVE TO READ THAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!’ list. With that being said…

I was not disappointed and neither will you.

Written in her usual first-person narrative we’re immediately introduced to the best friend of a girl who took meticulous care in killing herself. You learn about their friendship, why and how deep the friendship had impacted Cody’s life, and what brought them apart in the last part of Meg’s life. You’re not treated to the full reality and truth of the suicide until the very end. And yet, throughout the book, there are subtle clues and hints that productively and satisfyingly tie together in the end.

Second to the quality of writing and the subtleness of the world Foreman paints through Cody’s view point I enjoyed the mystery element the most. The encrypted computer file. There are things definitely missing about Meg’s suicide and Cody does not know the full story. She takes it upon herself to find that missing element and when she does - she takes it upon herself to avenge her friend’s death. But is there anything to avenge? The missing element - what was in that encrypted file - was tragic and disturbing. I won’t give it away, it’s for you to discover on your own, but it definitely left some serious questions about Meg’s suicide and who was to blame.

And woven throughout the painful experience of losing a loved one from suicide is Cody’s personal journey. Her life is and was never the easiest. A difficult relationship with her mother, stuck in a small-town cleaning houses, and feeling that she was second-best in comparison to her shining best friend. Its through her journey to resolve her friend’s death, to find peace, that she accesses what she needs to find peace and strength for herself.

The material Foreman’s handles is sensitive and daunting. She’s not afraid to touch on the hard, scary parts but she does it with respect and knowledge. If you don’t normally read after-words or author notes - do it just this once. Her note in the end sheds light on the topic and what brought her to write. Also. She regularly references Buffy. As in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She gets extra kudos to integrating an awesome pop-culture reference.

All in all I rate this four out of five stars with extra sparkles to entice you to put it on your TBR list with the highest priority!

Happy reading,

Waiting on Wednesday: The Thing About Jellyfish & Neverland

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 21:27:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesdays is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It puts a spotlight on upcoming releases we're anticipating!

THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH BY ALI BENJAMIN
Release Date: September 22nd 2015

After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy was a rare jellyfish sting. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory--even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right next door.

The Thing About Jellyfish sounds like it is bound to be a touching story. It's definitely one that I'm looking forward to reading with my daughter later this year!

NEVERLAND BY SHARI ARNOLD
Release Date: April 7th 2015

It’s been four months since seventeen-year-old Livy Cloud lost her younger sister, but she isn’t quite ready to move on with her life — not even close. She’d rather spend her time at the Seattle Children’s hospital, reading to the patients and holding onto memories of the sister who was everything to her and more.
But when she meets the mysterious and illusive Meyer she is drawn into a world of adventure, a world where questions abound.
Is she ready to live life without her sister? Or more importantly, is she brave enough to love again?
In this modern reimagining of Peter Pan, will Livy lose herself to Neverland or will she find what she’s been searching for?

I was instinctively drawn to the synopsis of the book. I have a special, tender place in my heart for fairy tales - especially Peter Pan. The MC - Livy Cloud (love that name!) - lost her sister four months ago. She’s having trouble moving on...and then she meets a mysterious boy called Meyer. I’m guessing Meyer is ‘Peter Pan’. I’m attracted to the potential of a modern fairy tale paralleling a real life emotional journey (in this case - grief and the loss of a loved one). It’s being released April 7th and I look forward to sharing my thoughts on it with you!

Top 10 Tuesday: Ten Books You Recently Added To Your To-Be-Read List

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 23:33:00 +0000

Top 10 Tuesday is an original feature and a regular meme hosted at The Broke and The Bookish!

Ten Books You Recently Added to Your To-Be-Read List

1. First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen: I’m a huge fan of Sarah Addison Allen and it all started with Garden Spells back in….how many years ago was it? I’ve read every novel since, followed Ms. Allen’s journey on social media (she’s a cancer survivor), and was elated when she announced that she was planning a sequel to the novel that started it all for me. A chance to see some of my favorite characters a few years down the road (and all grown up in one case!).

2. The Mermaid’s Sister by Carrie Ann Noble: Part (or entirely!) fairy-tale, sisters, and a mermaid. Also in the description somewhere I read ‘Gypsy Wagon’ and a question about the main character’s true identity. (If her sister is a mermaid, then what does that make her?!). The novel also won Amazon’s 2014 Breakthrough Novel Award. Smash all that up together and you have a book I want to read!

3. Attachments by RainbowRowell: An earlier work of Ms. Rowell’s (predating Fangirl and Eleanor and Park) targeted to a more mature audience. The synopsis reminds me of Meg Cabot’s The ‘Boy’ Series (e-mails in the workplace being a main component). And a guy who doesn’t know he’s fallen in love with our main character until it’s too late and he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place because he’s done something super awkward. Yes, please.

4. Will Grayson, WillGrayson by John Green: It’s the only John Green I haven’t read yet. I think this explains everything.

5. Miss Peregrine’s Homefor Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs: It’s been on my to-read list for a long while. It’s gotten so much attention and sometimes you need a nice, gloomy, peculiar read on a rainy day (or any day!). To be honest, it’s been so sunny and nice out that I’m in need of a creepy, gloom, mysterious read. You know, just to balance things out a little.

6. The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick: I wasn’t aware until recently that Huntley Fitzpatrick had written another book in the ‘My Life Next Door’ world! That made it a must-read and it is definitely a book that I’m very much looking forward to reading. The countdown is on!

7. The Mistake by Lily Maxton: Historical romance is actually my jam despite what you may think looking at my previous reviews on the blog. I read a lot of historical romance, though I never really posted reviews on the blog because I was trying to keep everything strictly YA. After this past hiatus I would really like to change that and vary the books and just read what I like to read. And this book happens to be one that just went into my TBR list from NetGalley!

8. The King’s Curse by Philippa Gregory: I love Philippa Gregory and haven't read this one yet. It must be read. End of story.

9. China Dolls by Lisa See: This is another author that I really love. I basically read anything she puts out. I still need to read this one and was recently reminded of the fact that I haven't read it yet.

10. A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston: This sounds so unusual and interesting that I can't wait to read it.

The Hiatus is OVER!

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 19:01:00 +0000

Hello everyone! As you might have noticed my blog has been quiet for quite some time now. It began when I had my second child, started a new job, moved out the country for a bit, moved back again, started school, etc. I have had a hectic life for the past few years, but I missed blogging so much and I have been wanting to come back to it for a while, but I knew I couldn’t really give as much to it as I did at the highest point of my blogging life. My little sister had expressed interest in book blogging (she loves to read as well), so we recently decided to join forces, revamp the blog, and begin blogging together!

So, I’d like to welcome my little sister Jess (otherwise known as “the artful Dodger”) to Book Crook Liza! You can read more about her in the “About Us” tab at the top!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Was “Forced” to Read

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 07:20:00 +0000

Top 10 Tuesday is an original feature/regular meme hosted at The Broke and The Bookish!

Top Ten Books I Was Forced to Read

Well, I was lucky in a sense because I was homeschooled for a large part of my education. It expanded my freedom of reading material, but sometimes I "had" to read something anyways, just because it's one of those stepping stones you need to do to learn.

1. Candide by Voltaire: This is the most recent book that I was forced to read. I had a History class last semester and this was required reading for a paper. I found it to be not only interesting and thoughtful, but very funny! I regret not having read it sooner.

2. The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead: Yes, I was basically forced to read this. I checked the first book out numerous times and kept thinking I grabbed the wrong book and would put it down. I was assured that it was the right book and that I would catch on. I did and I'm very glad I took the time to get past the first few chapters.

3. The Shade Series by Jeri Smith-Ready: Yet another series I was encouraged strongly to read. Hands down the best decision ever, because it became an instant favourite.

4. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell: This is one my Mother bought me when I was young and made me read. I didn't live with her at the time and I was about 7 and had just spent the summer with her, but was getting ready to road trip back to Iowa from Colorado. I hated leaving my Mom. So, naturally I cried the entire drive back, but it was double the tears because this was a very sad story!

5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: Required to read it in school and I am very happy it was required reading material, because I absolutely fell in love with all of the characters!

6. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë: Forced reading and I absolutely despised it. I have heard that the outlook on the story can change with age, so maybe in the next few years I'll re-visit it and see if my perception changes... For now, the "wtf these characters are all horrible and nasty" is still clear enough in my mind.

7. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: The first time I read this was in 2005 when I was pregnant with my daughter. I had went to Russia for the summer and ended up staying for the rest of the year and my mother in-law bought it for me and told me I had to read it. I wasn't actually very keen on reading it at the time, even though it's basically a classic and I like to read a classic at least once. I eventually read it out of pure boredom because it was the only English book I had lying around and I ended up liking it alright.

8. The Onion Girl by Charles de Lint: My best friend begged me to read this book for a while and I finally did. It was quite a few years ago, but I really remember loving it. I remember the general story, but a lot of the details are rusty. I'd like to pick it up again sometime and read it.

9. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden: This was definitely a "it's so popular, everyone is reading it, I need to read it before the movie comes out" type of deal. I absolutely freaking loved it. In fact, I ran across a copy of it yesterday at my local library's used book section and snagged a hardcover of it for $1 and I read the ending this evening. Sayuri + Chairman = heart melting.

10. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: A required read which became a favourite story of mine. I know I am at 10, but Jane Eyre needs an honourable mention, because it was another required school read and I ended up loving it as well.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Would Love To See As a Movie/TV Show

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 04:40:00 +0000

Top 10 Tuesday is an original feature/regular meme hosted at The Broke and The Bookish!

Top Ten Books I Would Love to See As a Movie/Tv Show

Well, I have been lucky, both Vampire Academy and Divergent are coming out next year! I've heard Hush, Hush might be seriously becoming a film as well, and there are a handful of others soon: The Book Thief and The Fault in Our Stars are two that I'm eager to see as well. As you will be able to tell by this post I am quite the fan of television. And I am. When I'm not re-watching episodes of Buffy, Roswell or any of the other shows from my teen years I'm watching Pretty Little Liars (Me+Wren=Love), Once Upon a Time (Me+Hook+PrincePhillip=I'minheavenomg), Revenge, Parenthood, Scandal and pretty much any show that looks good.

1. The Summer Series by Jenny Han: This would be the perfect teen summer flick. This needs to happen. It could even make a good television series! It'd be better than Dawson's Creek!

2. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I love this book. This would be like Passport to Paris, but way better. (I just watched Passport to Paris not too long ago with my daughter and it was a ride down memory lane!)

3. The Shade Series by Jeri Smith-Ready: My favourite series pretty much ever and needs no further comment.

4. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick: I really love this book and I definitely feel it could translate to the big screen well.

5. School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins: A stand-alone that was meant to be a series (but isn't happening *insert my saaaalty crocodile tears* at least not anytime soon) could be the start of a good show for ABC Family. Hint, ABC Family. Make it happen.

6. The Mythos Academy Series by Jennifer Estep: This would make a really good paranormal television show! I really love this series!

7. The Covenant Series by Jennifer L Armentrout: This could make a great television series as well. I just really need a mythological show to watch. Her Lux series could also be a hot show. I would watch it with loving obsession.

8. The Wolves of Mercy Falls Series by Maggie Stiefvater: Anything by Maggie Steifvater in a film version would be amazing!

9. The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E Smith: I really loved this book and I think this could definitely make a beautiful transition to the big screen!

10. The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot: I seriously love this series. So hard! I really wished I owned the whole set of them. Actually, I do, but they're at my mother in-laws in another country. Very sad! I think this series could make a really good television show as well!

Cover Reveal: ALLURE by Lea Nolan

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 13:36:00 +0000

Today, we're celebrating the cover reveal of Allure, the sequel to Lea Nolan's Conjure, coming October 1^st from Entangled Teen!

Worst. Summer. Ever.

Emma Guthrie races to learn the hoodoo magic needed to break The Beaumont Curse before her marked boyfriend Cooper's sixteenth birthday. But deep in the South Carolina Lowcountry, dark, mysterious forces encroach, conspiring to separate Emma and Cooper forever. When Cooper starts to change, turning cold and indifferent, Emma discovers that both his heart and body are marked for possession by competing but equally powerful adversaries.

Desperate to save him, Emma and her twin brother, Jack, risk their lives to uncover the source of the black magic that has allured Cooper and holds him in its grip. Face with the horror of a soul-eating boohag, Emma and Jack must fight to resist its fiendish power to free Cooper long enough to join their strengths and face it together, before it destroys them all.

Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Goodreads | Facebook

Praise for Conjure

"Richly filled with exquisite imagery, a compelling story, and a strong, smart heroine, Conjure will keep you up way past your bedtime." ~ Trinity Faegen, author of The Mephisto Covenant series

"A true adventure, complete with pirates, romance, a flesh-eating curse, and ancient magic. I couldn't put it down!" ~ Inara Scott, author of The Talents (Delcroix Academy) series

"Ifthere is one book teens and adults should have on their must read list, Conjure is it! Fans of young love and adventure will hurry to the end of each chapter, in anticipation of what will happen next. Unfolding at an easy pace, this tale is magical and spellbinding. Nolan is one to watch!" ~ RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars Top Pick

"Conjure is a sweet, adventure-packed romp for young teen readers... There are pirates, lost treasure, curses, and ancient curses, chases, narrow escapes, and secret letters galore." ~ New York Journal of Books

"This is an unexpected read: exciting, dangerous, adventurous - everything we want from a good book. Yet Nolan puts that creative twist on all the elements, making Conjure something special. Conjure is recommended, 4 out of 5 stars." ~ Teen Librarian's Toolbox

About the Author

Lea Nolan couldn’t read until the third grade. After a lot of hard work she finally got the hang of it and quickly learned the best way to get out of doing chores was to tell her parents she was reading. Soon she was hooked, devouring books by Roald Dahl, E.B. White, Judy Blume, C.S. Lewis, and anything with a shiny Newberry Award sticker on the cover. Books provided a portal to enchanted lands where anything was possible and characters relied on their wits to wiggle out of sticky situations. Today, even though she’s all grown up, Lea writes the kinds of stories she sought as a teen--smart paranormals with bright heroines, crazy-hot heroes, diabolical plot twists, plus a dose of magic, a draft of romance, and a sprinkle of history. She holds degrees in history and women’s studies concentrating in public policy and spent fifteen years as a health policy analyst and researcher. She lives in Maryland with her heroically supportive husband and three clever children, who’ve figured out how to get out of doing their chores.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below to win one of the first five electronic ARCs of Allure from Entangled Teen!

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Rafflecopter Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554136/

Waiting on Wednesday: This Side of Salvation by Jeri Smith-Ready

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 08:49:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesdays is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It puts a spotlight on upcoming releases we're anticipating!

THIS SIDE OF SALVATION BY JERI SMITH-READY
Release Date: April 1st 2014

Everyone mourns differently. When his older brother was killed, David got angry. As in, fist-meets-someone-else’s-face furious. But his parents? They got religious. David’s still figuring out his relationship with a higher power, but there’s one thing he does know for sure: The closer he gets to new-girl Bailey, the better, brighter, happier, more he feels.

Then his parents start cutting all their worldly ties in to prepare for the Rush, the divine moment when the faithful will be whisked off to Heaven…and they want David to do the same. David’s torn. There’s a big difference between living in the moment and giving up his best friend, varsity baseball, and Bailey—especially Bailey—in hope of salvation.

But when he comes home late from prom, and late for the Rush, to find that his parents have vanished, David is in more trouble than he ever could have imagined... - Good Reads

I need this now because this is what comes out of Jeri Smith-Ready's fingers / mind:

Movie Thoughts: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 23:27:00 +0000

I'll admit, I haven't read the book series. Please don't hate me! I have picked up City of Bones on numerous occasions, but never could get past the first two chapters. I always put it right back down to start something else. I think partially because I find it difficult to get into third person narrative. I’m so used to first person, that third person often ends up feeling too formal and impersonal. I am happy to report though, that as soon as I got out of the cinema after seeing it the first time, I came straight out and walked down the street to Barnes & Nobles to buy the book...then I saw the price, walked back out, and went home to buy it on Amazon!

Overall, this movie was spectacular! I really, really, really don't get why critics are giving it such a hard time. I hate to contrast and compare, but honestly, this totally isn't even comparable to the film that it seems everyone wants to compare it to. I won't say the name, but I think we all know what I'm talking about. My husband, who went with me today to see it (my second time, his first), agreed. One of the first questions he asked when we got outside was, "Why do they compare it to _____????" I'm in agreement here. No clue over here whatsoever. And my husband really liked it. Yeah, I pretty much have good taste in men. He found the storyline much like Diablo, which is one of his favourite games.

The visual effects were amazing. A few scenes in particular gave me a start because it was so realistic! The action scenes were also very brilliantly done. In most action films, fight scenes often feel very fake, but City of Bones seemed to handle fighting scenes very well. There was a moment when Clary was thrown across the room into something and it looked to me as if she really was and it wasn't just an act and I was on the verge of feeling sympathy pains!

There were only a few things I could nitpick: Clary sets the kitchen on fire. Um, that was just a little too unrealistic in that sort of situation, in my opinion, but I'll overlook it. The garden scene on my first viewing seemed cheesy, but the second time around, it didn't seem as bad and the kiss scene was lovely!

If you're on the fence about seeing this, give it a try! I really enjoyed it. Perhaps I can look at it a little differently because of the order I've experienced it, but I still really think this is the best film I've seen in a while that has a fantasy/paranormal/youknowwhatImean setting.

If you've seen City of Bones, what did you think? I'd love to hear about it!

P.S. How did I not know Lily Collins is Phil Collins daughter?! Whoa! I was answering a question for my husband, googled her and read that. I was having a conversation just a little while ago with my Mother about Phil Collins and Genesis, so that was coincidental!

Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 09:49:00 +0000

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Published: January 10th 2012
Publisher: Dutton Books
Page Count: Hardcover, 316
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Find the Author: Twitter, Website
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten. - Good Reads

I read this while I was on a blog break last year and wanted to post a review on it, mostly to share the love. This book was absolutely heart breaking. Thinking about it still gets me teary. Mostly because I actually lost a friend to cancer a few months before I read it and she actually was the only real life friend that I had that really loved to read, and she read a lot of YA. It hurts my heart that she'll never get a chance to read it, or any other book for that matter. And the character of Hazel reminded me a lot of my friend as well. Sarcastic and intelligent. The love story in this book is very beautiful and it's just...

Honestly, I don't want to ruin this book for anyone, but the ending surprised me, and I absolutely and completely recommend The Fault In Our Stars. Read it at least once. It's worth it!

And they just started filming for a film adaption! So we can all look forward to shedding tears with complete strangers in a crowded cinema!

“Oh, I wouldn't mind, Hazel Grace. It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.”

Waiting on Wednesday: The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesdays is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It puts a spotlight on upcoming releases we're anticipating!

THE GEOGRAPHY OF YOU AND ME BY JENNIFER E. SMITH
Release Date: April 15th 2014

Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.
Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.
A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too. - Good Reads

I absolutely loved This Is What Happy Looks Like and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. I need to read this NOW! I don't want to wait until April 15th!

Books to Movies Giveaway Hop: Win a book or dvd!

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 07:42:00 +0000

This giveaway hop is sponsored by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and BookHounds!

Here is what you can win:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Mortal Instruments (City of Bones) by Cassandra Clare
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

or....

The Host by Stephanie Meyer
Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

US based giveaway. This is open internationally. International winners can only win a book copy. International winners must be located in a country that The Book Depository ships to!

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Review: How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 19:05:00 +0000

How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer

Published: April 23rd 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Page Count: Paperback, 320
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Find the Author: Twitter, Website
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

From Sarah Strohmeyer, author of Smart Girls Get What They Want, comes this romantic comedy about one girl's summer job from hell. Think The Devil Wears Prada set in Disney World.
When cousins Zoe and Jess land summer internships at the Fairyland Kingdom theme park, they are sure they've hit the jackpot. With perks like hot Abercrombie-like Prince Charmings and a chance to win the coveted $25,000 Dream & Do grant, what more could a girl want?
Once Zoe arrives, however, she's assigned to serve "The Queen"-Fairyland's boss from hell. From spoon-feeding her evil lapdog caviar, to fetching midnight sleeping tonics, Zoe fears she might not have what it takes to survive the summer, much less win the money.
Soon backstabbing interns, a runaway Cinderella, and cutthroat competition make Zoe's job more like a nightmare than a fairy tale. What will happen when Zoe is forced to choose between serving The Queen and saving the prince of her dreams? - Good Reads

I have one word for this book: fun. I'm almost bummed I didn't save it for after I finish reading The Book Thief, because I know I'm going to need a pick-me-up! I couldn't resist though.

How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True is the perfect fluff read. It had a really unique story that refreshingly centered a lot around the main character and her beautiful appreciation of her best friend and cousin Jess. She's a very selfless character and I found her admirable! The romance was secondary in this book, but very sweet as well. I think what I loved most about this book though was how when I arrived at the "dark moment" I seriously could not see a happy ending anywhere in the horizon, even though I knew it had to be there. Of course the ending was happy, but totally not in the way I expected! There was a big surprise!

I'd definitely recommend this to those that love the light and fluffy contemporary reads! This fits the bill!

Check This Out: A Giveaway for Flight and Chimes and Mysterious Times

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 03:30:00 +0000

Look at this beautiful cover! This is a Middle Grade novel about a boy named Jack Foster that is coming out in May 2014. MAY 2014! And you have the chance to win it! Go enter over here at The Midnight Garden.

Review: Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Published: January 3rd 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page Count: Hardcover, 378
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Find the Author: Website, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.
So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.
It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last... - Good Reads

Useless fact: Back in my younger years I was a hardcore fan of figure skating. Irina Slutskaya, Alexei Yagudin, Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze were a few of my faves. I still have almost any competition that ever came on television recorded on VHS and in a box packed away somewhere at my Moms. I totally should have been a figure skater. Unfortunately that didn't work out, so now I just read about them.

Important facts: Bittersweet is about a girl named Hudson who is a figure skater with a bright future, but when family problems arise, she walks out on it leaving not only her figure skating aspirations behind, but also her best friend. Hudson takes her sorrows out with cupcake making in the family diner. Each chapter has a lovely little cupcake description that will really make you want to experiment in the kitchen or hunt down a cupcake place and eat at least five different kinds. I found myself pausing at the beginning of each chapter and trying to imagine how I could re-create these cupcakes. Mmmm...

Anyway! Enough about cupcakes!

So, this book is a very typical Young Adult contemporary. A girl who has fears, a girl who has a dream, young love, etc. I loved the setting and Sarah Ockler is a talent at descriptions and the dialogue was very good. The characters were also snappy, which I like! I think one of my favourite parts about this book was that the main character Hudson is flawed. I don't need a heroine to be the epitome of perfection or to make all of the best moral choices and Hudson makes many choices that are definitely not best-worthy, but the important part is that she learns from them.

Waiting on Wednesday: Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

noreply@blogger.com (Book Crook Liza) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 16:45:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesdays is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It puts a spotlight on upcoming releases we're anticipating!

LOVE LETTERS TO THE DEAD BY AVA DELLAIRA
Release Date: April 1st 2014

It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because she thought he’d understand since he died young just like her sister, May, did. Soon Laurel is writing letters to lots of dead people—Janis Joplin, Amy Winhouse, Ameilia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more—although she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about what it’s like going to a new school, meeting new friends, falling in love for the first time, how her family splinters apart after May dies. She even writes about the abuse she suffered—while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May, and to see her as the person she was: lovely and amazing and deeply flawed. - Good Reads

I love pretty covers and of course that was my original draw to this book, plus the title! And reading the description, it sounds like it's very much up my alley! I can't wait to read it.