The Non Reluctant Reader

In my Mailbox (46)

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000

In my Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

For Review:

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

This one looks great, I still haven't read Starcrossed though. Should I start it soon?

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

OMG, I have been pining for this one for so long! It looks really good, and I'm in the need for a werewolf read!

Destined by Aprilynne Pike

I haven't read any books in the Wings series yet, but thankfully an awesome blogger is letting me borrow them. I enjoy a good faerie book, so I hope to start this series soon.

For the Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

A world where most technology is banned? Now that's a different take on dystopian novels!

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Already read this one and all I can say is "UGH".

Intangible by J. Meyers

This one looks good, it's an indie read too!

From Bloggers:

The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy by Nikki Loftin

(Thanks to Jen from I Read Banned Books)

This looks like an awesome MG read, perfect for MG March Madness!

Once by Anna Carey

(Thanks to Anna from Literary Exploration)

It started with Eve (read that review here), which I enjoyed. And plus, I LOVE this cover!

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

(Thanks to Jessirae from Words, Pages, and Books)

I tried starting this one a while ago, but found it too depressing. I wanted to try again though... hopefully I'll like it more this time 'round.

That's what I got this week! What did you get, tell me in the comments!

Hourglass

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Release Date ~ 6/15/2011
Format ~ Hardcover
Series ~ Hourglass Trilogy, Book One
Publisher ~ Egmont USA
Source ~ Gifted
Purchase: The Book Depository

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?
Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

Hourglass had been on my radar for a while. In fact, I think it was one of the fist books I heard of since I started blogging. Then why did I put off reading it for so long? I have NO idea myself!

I'm not too big a fan of time travel stuff, movies like Back to the Future always bored me to tears, the whole sci-fi time machine didn't connect with me. But the thing I liked about Hourglass is it's more paranormal. There's no car, no contraption with buttons with various dates on it. Just one girl's power. That part really intrigued me.

I really loved the main character, Em. She had been labeled a "freak" by her piers since the first time she started having a conversation with a man no one else could see in the school cafeteria at age 13. She then went to a boarding school with a scholarship, but is forced to return to her old school when budgets are cut. Oh, and did I mention? Both her parents are dead. Yeah, she's traveled a tough road. But what was so endearing was that she sucked it up, and didn't act like a whiny brat, like many characters in YA lit.

And this book has a SUPER UNBELIEVABLY EPIC ENDING THAT WILL MAKE YOU GASP!! Seriously. It was something I could not see coming, and I'm pretty good at predicting stuff in books, if I do say so myself.

Hourglass was amazing! Why didn't I read this sooner? I have no clue! But it sure was worth it!

Cover Comments: That cover is freaky! I love the wallpaper and the way her hair is flowing!

This book counts in the following reading challenges:
TBR Reading Challenge: 7
Time Travel Reading Challenge: 1
1st in a Series Reading Challenge: 11

Interview with Jill Hathaway

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Today I'm pleased to welcome Jill Hathaway, debut of the upcoming Slide!

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.
Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.
Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.
Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

What part of SLIDE was most fun for you to write?
I think the dream sequences were kind of a blast. I just let my imagination run wild.

Now the most important question: Team Unicorn or Team Zombie?
Team Zombie, all the way!

What projects are you currently writing?
Right now I'm revising SLIDE's sequel, IMPOSTOR.

Was SLIDE the first novel you wrote?
No, I wrote a novel called DRAWN TO YOU about a girl who could change the future through her drawings. Also many unfinished novels.

What is one fictional character that you would DIE to add to SLIDE?
Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

What do you think SLIDE would be better as: a TV show or a movie?
A TV show.
Describe SLIDE in three words. GO!

freaky, romantic, pink

Jill Hathaway lives in the Des Moines area with her husband and young daughter. Having earned her BA in English Education from the University of Northern Iowa and her MA in Literature from Iowa State University, she teaches high school English and dual credit courses for Des Moines Area Community College.

Lunar Love Giveaway Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Welcome to my stop on the Lunar Love Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Bookworm Lisa

Here's what's up for grabs:

1 pre-order of Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

In this follow-up to Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas begins seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he’s asleep, and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong. These aren’t just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.

Cas doesn’t know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn’t deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it’s time for him to return the favor.

I loved Anna Dressed in Blood, and if you've read it, I'm sure you do too. This is one of my most anticipated 2012 releases, so I'm buying one lucky follower a copy of it from The Book Depository!
Enter after the page break!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Start hopping!

Slide

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Slide by Jill Hathaway
Release Date ~ 3/27/12
Format ~ Signed ARC/ARC (I have two copies)
Publisher ~ Balzer + Bray
Source ~ Author/Balzer + Bray

Summary: Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.
Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.
Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.
Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

This book was purely insane. In a good way.
In Slide we meet Vee Bell, a narcoleptic with a special gift: she can slide into another's body and see the world from their perspective. That would be very handy in solving a mystery, right? Well it just so happens that her sister's friends are dying... and she has slid into the murderer.
Slide isn't your typical YA paranormal novel. No, no, no. It's much more then that. Besides the paranormal and mystery aspects of this novel, I took away one thing from it: how to treat the people you care about. Not just your lover, but your family and friends. It shows how the little, tiny things you do in life can have a huge impact later. This book was a whirlwind of emotions, and I fell in love!
There wasn't a single character in Slide that I didn't have a opinion about. Vee was a main character with a terrible past. She was pretty broken. But I loved the way hunting for the killer transformed into a stronger, and better person.
The love interest, Zane seemed like exactly like what Vee needed. The thing I loved about him? He wasn't a jerk! Even though he's had a bad past, he's still very upbeat. Something Jace couldn't manage to do. And that is what makes Zane a better dude!
Slide was SO suspenseful. I wasn't on the edge of my seat, I fell off after chapter one! If you're a fan of mysteries with a dash of paranormal this book has got your name written all over it!
This book was the KING of dramatic endings, it is such a cliffhanger, I should of waited closer to the publication date of the 2nd, just so I wasn't pulling my hair out!
Slide is one of the best books I've read, EVER! I loved it to death, even after it killed me.

Cover Comments: I like the blue on this cover, but I wish it was a teeny bit lighter so you could see the face.

This Book Counts in the Following Reading Challenges:
2012 Debut Author Challenge: 6
2012 Paranormal Reading Challenge: 3
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 8
2012 Horror Reading Challenge: 2
1st in a Series Reading Challenge 2012: 7

If you enjoy this, I recommend:
Frost by Mariana Baer
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Top Ten Tuesday (10)

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Book Covers of 2012

Defiance by C.J. Redwine

This cover is awesome! The model looks so determined, and the black goes great with the trees!

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

It's time to time travel but she's trying to hold on (love that), plus the blue wallpaper goes really great with the room.

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Those flowers compliment the model and the twigs perfectly.

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

This cover compliments the Anna Dressed in Blood cover so nicely. I love how everything is a shade of red.

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

Hemlock's cover is freaking hot. I love the hemlock entwined with the title. The dress brings out the other colors too!

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

The colors are so energetic and fun with everyone hanging from the puppet strings!

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

FINALLY!!! THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS HAVE A DECENT COVER!!! All the other books were too plain, but this one is really hot with the purple and the city with the water below.

Until I Die by Amy Plum

This cover is so AWESOME and I love how almost everything is blue!

Hidden by Sophie Jordan

I love how the red hair is everywhere! And how the girl's eyes are blue just like the title!

The Selection by Kiera Cass

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! I love how she's entrapped in ice, and how the model's dress matches it! Best cover of 2012 so far!

Notice Anything Different?

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:41:00 +0000

That's right! The Non Reluctant Reader has gotten a makeover by the fabulous Lori at Imagination Designs. There are still a few kinks we have to work out, so give us some time. Thanks!

Cover Reveal: Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Hello readers!

Today I am very pleased to present to you the cover of Lisa Burstein's Pretty Amy. FEAST YOUR EYES UPON IT!!!

Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

Releasing May 15, 2012

From Entangled Publishing

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.
Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

Add it on Goodreads
Preorder it: Amazon - Barnes and Noble
In addition to the PRETTY AMY cover reveal Entangled Publishing will be hosting a Worst Prom Photo contest in the weeks leading up to AMY's release on May 15. So make sure to dust off your old prom photos—the more tulle, bows, and big hair the better!—and watch Lisa's site, http://www.lisaburstein.com for details on how to submit/enter to win a beauty package.

What do you think of the cover? I like it!

Blogger Interview: Anna from Literary Exploration

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Hey guys! Today I get the pleasure of interviewing one of my favorite book bloggers, Anna from Literary Exploration!

Hi Anna and welcome to The Non Reluctant Reader! Could you start by introducing yourself?

Hi Benji! Thanks so much for having me!!! Well, my name is Anna, I'm a 21 (22 in April!) year old college student who's studying to be an English teacher (or something English related) at the moment. I work at an ice cream store and I've been there for about 4 1/2 years. In my free time I like to hang out with friends, go to the movies, and read! Duh! :D

Why did you start book blogging?

I actually first started my blog just to follow other bloggers. Then I realized that blogging actually looked like a lot of fun, something I could do to meet other people with the same interests, and eventually it just kind of grew from there. I don't have a lot of friends who love reading as much as I do, so it was a great way to meet people and talk about books with them. I never really thought it would get as big as it has, but in the year that I've had my blog I've loved every minute!

Who are some of your favorite bloggers?

Oh man that's a hard one! Definitely Giselle from Xpresso Reads, she's one of my besties! Jeffrey West from Novel Thoughts is an awesome guy, and their blog is fantastic. Obviously, Sasha from Sash and Em since I actually spend REAL LIFE time with her! Some others whom I love would have to be Haley from Ya-Aholic, Braiden from Book Probe Reviews, Justin from Justin's Book Blog, Jenny and Kaitlin from Books to the Sky.. And you of course! I love your blog :) But honestly, I have about 100 blogs in my "Favorite Bloggers" folder in my reader and I try to visit them every day :)

Are you a night owl or a early riser?

I'm totally an early riser. I'm typically awake at about 7 or 8 every day. I feel like waking up early gives you more time during the day! And since not many of my friends are up that early I get a lot of time to myself so I can catch up on reading or blogging :)

During the vampire apocalypse, would you become a vampire or a vampire hunter?

I would definitely become a vampire!!! I'd probably be a vegetarian vampire though.

Time for FAVORITES!

Favorite All-Time Read: OMG THIS IS TOO HARD!!! Probably The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. That book is just filled with epicness.

Favorite New Release: Hmm I'm going to have to go with Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. That is by far the best book I have read in 2012. It's AMAZING. And Veronica is just an awesome person.

Favorite Drink: Chai Tea :) Iced chai preferably.

Favorite Candy: Red Vines! They're fat free and delicious!

Favorite Movie: The Last Unicorn/Breakfast Club/Dazed and Confused :) I can't pick!

Favorite Place to Read: Anywhere really; as long as I'm reading I'm happy!

Find Anna here:

In my Mailbox (45)

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000

In my Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

For Review:

Wolf Storm by Dee Garretson

This looks like a fantastic MG book! Plus it involves movies, and I'm a sucker for books that involve movies (Hugo, duh)

From Bloggers:

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

(Thanks to Juhina and Farah at Maji Bookshelf)

I've been meaning to read this one for a long time, I loved Lola, but never got the chance to read this one, now I can!

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

(Thanks to Juhina and Farah at Maji Bookshelf)

This book looks like a really cute contemporary, I've been pining for it since it came out!

That's what I got this week! What did you get? Tell me/link me in the comments!

Goddess Interrupted

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Goddess Interrupted by Aimée Carter
Release Date ~ 3/27/12
Format ~ Signed Paperback
Publisher ~ Harlequin Teen
Source ~ Author
Rating ~ 5/5
Purchase: The Book Depository

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

MIND BLOWING. EPIC. EVEN BETTER THEN THE GODDESS TEST! WHY AM I USING ALL CAPS? I DUNNO. YOU TELL ME. PERHAPS I SHOULD STOP. OKAY, FINE. I KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE IT WHEN REVIEWERS SHOUT AT YOU. Happy now? That's good.... let's get back to the book at hand, shall we? Yes, we shall.

In Goddess Interrupted, Kate has been vacationing in Greece all summer and is returning to the underworld for fall and winter, to serve as Henry's wife and queen of the underworld. But even before she can unpack, the titans are here, and they've abducted Henry. Needless to say, it seems like Summer was a bit more fun the how fall is beginning for Kate.

The one thing I disliked about this book is how Kate went from a selfless being, to someone who cared more about if Henry loved her the way he loved Persephone, more so then stopping a titan who could end the world as we know it. Thankfully she got better halfway through, so if you start to get mad at her, just keep going.

The drama in this book was really rich, with unexpected plot twists and a one heck of a cliffhanger ending. You never who who was good and who was bad. It was something that few authors could pull off without reader fatigue, but Aimée Carter is one of those authors.

I already mentioned the ending, so I'm going to elaborate. The ending is something NO ONE will be able to see coming, that makes the wait for The Goddess Inheritance even more painful then it was without a doubt going to be. Though most of you won't have the will power, read this one after you have the 3rd, so unlike me you won't have to suffer.

One of the best sequels, EVER. My favorite read of 2012 so far!

5/5
Cover Comments: I love the trees, and the expression on the model's face. The font is a really nice touch too.

This book counts in the following reading challenges:

Sensational Seconds Reading Challenge: 4

Sophomore Reading Challenge: 3

Mythology Reading Challenge: 2

Middle Grade March Madness - Track Your Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:12:00 +0000

Hi guys, and welcome to Middle Grade March Madness! I'll be using this post to track my progress in the challenge. I'll be using this page to track the books I read!

My Goal: 3 Books

Books Read: 0

List of Books:

Make sure to come back March 7th for the first week of review link-ups!

Mockingjay March - Opening + Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:30:00 +0000

Hello! Ladies and gentlemen, let the 74th Hunger Games BEGIN!

Just kidding, we don't get to fight to March 23rd, but Mockingjay March does start today! Throughout this month, I will feature tri-weekly posts that range from Hunger Games playlists, discussions on the arena, what Hunger Games lovers should read after Katniss has shot her last arrow, and much, much more.

To start things off I'm going to do a giveaway for one item ($20 or less) from the official Cafe Press Hunger Games store. Below are some of my favorite Hunger Games items they feature:

They have thousands of other great products too! Check them out here

This giveaway is International. Pleas note that the shipping is part of the gift card, so if you had a 20 dollar item and $5.00 on shipping, you would have to pay $5.00 dollars extra. This giveaway will stay open to the end of the month.

Enter after the page break and may the odds be ever in your favor!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

After the Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000

After the Snow by S.D. Crockett
Release Date ~ 3/1/12
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ Feiwel and Friends
Source ~ Around the World ARC Tours
Purchase: The Book Depository

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Willo was out hunting when the trucks came and took his family away. Left alone in the snow, Willo becomes determined to find and rescue his family, and he knows just who to talk with to learn where they are. He plans to head across the mountains and make Farmer Geraint tell him where his family has gone.
But on the way across the mountain, he finds Mary, a refugee from the city, whose father is lost and who is starving to death. The smart thing to do would be to leave her alone -- he doesn't have enough supplies for two or the time to take care of a girl -- but Willo just can't do it. However, with the world trapped in an ice age, the odds of them surviving on their own are not good. And even if he does manage to keep Mary safe, what about finding his family?

This book looked like a very original dystopian. I don't think the "new ice age" dystopian story had been written before. Instead I found it to be world's biggest disappointment. The plot-line didn't engage me, it was predicable, the characters had no depth. All of those were things I disliked about this book, but the biggest thing I disliked: there was SO much slang. Here's a quote from the beginning:

" The dog gonna tell me what to do. The dog gonna help me. The house look proper empty, don't it, dog?"

It was that way for the whole. Entire. Book. I'm sorry, but that's too much slang to fit in one 12 year old! I didn't feel like that the slang enhanced the book in anyway, I probably would of liked this book a whole lot better if there was no slang. I know I shouldn't let that bother me that much, but it REALLY put me off.

Besides the slang, the writing style didn't draw me in. It was boring. Crockett had terrible word choice. I love learning new words from the books I read! Too bad my 7 year old brother has a bigger vocabulary then After the Snow.

I don't enjoy bashing a book. I really don't. But After the Snow was just not my book. I hope that maybe some of you will pick this book up and enjoy it. But it was certainly not my cup of tea.

After the Snow was just not the book for me.

2/5

Cover Comments: This cover is the best part of the book. I love the way the trees are shooting towards to sky and the white.

This book counts in the following reading challenges:

2012 Dystopian Reading Challenge: 6

2012 Debut Author Challenge: 5

2012 Standalone Reading Challenge: 3

2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 7

Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to my stop on the Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Jinky is Reading

Here's what's up for grabs:

An ARC of Invasion of the Dognappers by Patrick Jennings

Nothing gets past Logan. He's every observant. And he observes that the neighborhood's canines are mysteriously vanishing. But the adults refuse to believe a word he says. So he gathers his friends and forms the Intergalactic Canine Rescue Unite (ICRU), and they make a shocking discovery. Creatures from outer space are stealing all of the dogs. But why?
A hilarious, heartwarming tale of hound-saving heroics, Invasion of the Dognappers will be gobbled up by middle-grade readers.

Sweet giveaway eh? Ends 11:59 PM, March 5th!
Enter after the page break!

a Rafflecopter giveawayStart hopping. Or leaping. Whatever you wanna do, it's all fine by me.

Top Ten Tuesday (9)

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books I'd Give a Theme Song To

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Song: 'There's A Place For Us'

This song is great for Juliette's transformation!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Song: 'Run For the Roses'

I discovered this song on the night of the release of HP7 Part Two, and it was perfect for the series. Listen and you'll see why.

Matched by Ally Condie

Song: 'Only the Young'

This song was actually introduced to me by the author, and it's the perfect song for a story about a girl who rethinks everything about her society.

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Song: 'My Heart Will Go On'

Kill me, but I can't help but think about this song when I think about Titanic.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Song: 'Walk Me Down the Middle'

The song is perfect for Cricket and Lola's relationship.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Song: 'Viva La Vida'

During Tris's Dauntless training I picture this song playing in the background.

There is No Dog by Meg Rosoff

Song: 'One of Us'

"Just a slob like one of us" that pretty much sums up god in this book.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Song: 'Candle in the Wind'

This song makes me think of Harry learning about Dumblebore's life. Plus, if you knew me you would know I couldn't do this list without at least ONE Elton John song.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Song: 'Alice'

This song is perfect for any book about being thrown into a brand new world.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Song: 'The Cave'

This song is the ultimate Hunger Games song!!! It freakin' rocks!

Listen to them!

Not Too Distant - Guest Review by my Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The Non-Reluctant Reader is making a brief departure from its usual fare to tell you about a new book of poetry by Peter Cooney, a friend and colleague of my mom. Peter's book is called "Not Too Distant" and can be purchased here. This is a guest review by my mom. Enjoy!

Not to Distant

poems by Peter Cooney

Sometimes people are scared of poetry because it can be abstract and hard to follow. But Peter's poems are short and energetic and full of powerful imagery. For example, the title poem, "Not Too Distant": "Defined/by absence. Still/more shadow than shade. But/just as lean and wirey, quick and/fleeting.: Some of the poems reflect the author's roots as a Canadian transplanted to the United States, like "I Was" and "And So" and profession as a journalist ("This Just In"). Others explore more universal themes like love, family, history and changing seasons. The poems are enjoyable to read and it's a good book for a YA reader interested in exploring poetry.

Cover Comments: I really like the cover which is a photo taken by one of Peter's daughters. It's artful yet mysterious.

In my Mailbox (44)

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

For Review:

Hand Puppet Horror by Benny Alano

Hand Puppets- they will horrify you, they will destroy you, and they may possibly kill you.

Attack of the Vampire Snowmen by Benny Alano

Blood thirsty snowmen! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!

From Authors:

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

I freaking love this series! Plus it's signed, YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!

Gifted:

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

This has been on my TBR pile FOREVER! Looks great!

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

I had a certain author at Egmont give these to me so now I have the first and the second

From Bloggers:

The Selection by Kiera Cass

(Thank you Chelsey from Starry Sky Books!)

I have been pining for this forever, it looks SO GOOD. And Ohmygod, that cover!

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

(Thanks to Jenny at Uniquely Moi Books!)

For some reason I thought this book was about angels, and I'm not a big fan of angel books. Thankfully I found out it's about faeries. So now I will not hold back in reading it!

UPDATE 2/24 1:34 AM, Apparently this is in fact a angel book, and someone misinformed me *shrugs*

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

(Thanks to Jenny from Uniquely Moi Books!)

This trilogy wraps up this September so I need to catch up on it!

That's what I got this week! What do you get? Tell me (or link me) in the comments!

Transcend Time Saga Title Hunt Blog Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to my stop on the Transcend Time Saga Title Hunt!

Welcome to the Transcend Time Saga Title Hunt! The title hunt is the reveal of the title for the final novel in the Transcend Time Saga. Each of the bloggers participating in the hunt have been given a letter. Hop around to the blogs participating to hunt for the letters. (And remember that two of the letters are used twice, so the title is eight letters long.)
Once you've unscrambled the title, go to Michelle Madow's blog and use the title name to enter the giveaway for a voucher for an advanced e-copy of the final Transcend Time novel! (She is giving away a voucher because the novel is planned to be released at the end of the year, and she hasn't finished writing it yet! This voucher will ensure that you will receive an advance e-copy once they are available).

Your Letter Is:

And to help celebrate Michelle's U.S. tour, Remembrance is only $0.99 on Amazon in ebook format *jaw dropping*. Take advantage of that deal here. This deal ends in April.

YA Paranormal Activity Giveaway Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Welcome to my stop on the Young Adult Paranormal Activity Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and VVB32 Reads.

Here's what's up for grabs:

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . .
Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

Enter after the page break!

a Rafflecopter giveawayStart hoppin' before zee zombies come out!

Blogger Interview: Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Today I'm pleased to welcome the lovely blogger, Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer! Let's get right to it!

Hi Kathy, Welcome to The Non Reluctant Reader!

Could you start by introducing yourself?
Thanks for having me. First I must say I'm impressed by your tenacity and dedication to your blog. You are one of just a handful of young book bloggers I know of who are running successful book blogs.

I'm a stay at home mom who if I'm not mistaken is more than three times your age! Yeah, it's true I'm getting old but I still feel young at heart.

I love to read. I read way too much. When I'm not reading you can usually find me listening to an audiobook or blogging. If that's not an option I'm running errands, getting kids to do their homework or chores, helping my husband with his business... basically just being the mom.

You host a ton of giveaways and giveaway hops, what do you enjoy about them?
I love getting books to new readers. I love helping new authors. I love connecting bloggers, authors & readers. I love sharing books I've enjoyed. Hosting giveaways & giveaway hops helps me do these things.

You're one of the biggest book blogs out there, does this surprise you? Were you expecting to be this big?
Totally surprises me and it is not at all what I was expecting. I'm just a stay at home mom with a passion for reading.

Do you ever find blogging a pain, or too time consuming?

Yeah... it can be very time consuming. It's only really a "pain" when I'm behind and have deadlines to meet. I hate having a book scheduled for review and not having time to get it read. Ultimately that usually means sleep gets sacrificed. I also hate drama. I steer clear of it. Can't we all just get along? When there is drama in the book blogging world you'll find me opening the pages of a book and getting lost in it instead.

Who are some of your favorite bloggers?
There are just too many of them! I have a blog roll on my blog that I check everyday, but honestly it's quite outdated and I need to update it. There are many fabulous new blogs that I need to add to that list.

If someone made a movie about your life, what would the title be?
Seriously Sidetracked

What's your guilty pleasure?

Reading a book I can't put down when I should be sleeping (bonus if there is chocolate involved).

Favorites!

No fair asking favorites - I'm horrible at narrowing things down!

All Time Favorite Read: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Favorite Actor: (We'll pretend you said actors) Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Reynolds, Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Dermot Mulroney, Luke Mably...

Favorite New Release: Divergent & Die for Me
Favorite Food: Italian & Mexican - Pizza, Pasta, Cafe Rio
Favorite Sports Team: BYU Cougars
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate Fudge Brownie

Waiting on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.
Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.
Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.
Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.
Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

Add it on Goodreads
I really love werewolf books and this one looks incredible. The lupine syndrome? Yes! Plus this one looks like it will be more then just a fast-paced paranormal thriller, it looks like it will have some emotional depth (yay)!

Top Ten Tuesday (8)

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke And the Bookish

Top 10 Books I'd Save If My House was Abducted by Aliens

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

I got this book from the publishers just last week and really want to read it! It would be a bummer if it was abducted by aliens before I got the chance!

Far From the War by Jeffrey David Payne

I was quoted on the back cover of this book! Plus it's signed!

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

This is my signed copy. Wouldn't want aliens selling it on ebay ;)

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Same as above.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Same as above ;P

The Hunger Games (Deluxe Edition) by Suzanne Collins

I love my deluxe edition, because it's all velvity and awesome!

A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford

I pined for this book SO MUCH and would never want to part with it!

A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

It''s signed and beautiful!

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

OMG, I love this series, and this is my signed copy!
1

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Cassie's signature is so sloppy, but I don't care. It's a signed Cassandra Clare book for god's sake!

Thinking Between the Pages - Why I Started my Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 1st ever "Thinking Between the Pages"! This is a new feature that I'm starting where I'll share my thoughts on a certain subject. Usually the subject will have something to do with blogging or reading. Here 'goes!

Why I Started Blogging

So why did I start book blogging? I'm going to take you back to a long, long time ago. Way back in January of 2011. A time when Justin Beiber wasn't quite so big, and the apocalypse not quite so near. I was in writing group, and I was in a slump. I had some experience with blogging before, at the time I was winding down on a soccer game coverage blog and I wanted something fun and new- and I wanted something that involved books. I've always loved books, but really had no friends that were into reading as much as me. And my parents were tired of hearing me gush (and sometimes rant) about books. That was when I started Readings of Benji. What is now The Non Reluctant Reader. When I started my blog I had no idea there was going to be millions of fellow bloggers out there, and I didn't know I would have 1000+ followers!

For the first couple months of blogging my reviews were TERRIBLE! They were only a paragraph long, at the most! At that time I wasn't serious about blogging at all. Until I read Lauren Destefano's Wither. It was so amazing and I had so many thoughts on it that I kept on writing. At that time, my blog turned from something to play with to a serious hobbie. Since then my blog has gotten much richer and a higher quality, though it's lacking a lot of things that I hope to add in years to come. So maybe that clears up a few things for you- if not, just ask!

Why did you start blogging? Tell me in the comments!

The Weekly Roundup 2/19

noreply@blogger.com (Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The Weekly Roundup is a weekly feature that features a recap of all the posts that went up this week and bookish news

The Week in Review:

We started the week off with a interview with Jessica Shea, author of Born Wicked! Read about why twitter is better then facebook, what headcheese is, and a witchy haiku poem here.

On Tuesday we heard what books broke my heart a little, or a lot :P Read that here.

Wednesday two posts went up. One was The February New Release Giveaway Hop, which you can enter here. And we found out what I'm anxious for, with the weekly Waiting on Wednesday post. Read that here.

Thursday, my review of City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare went up. Read that here. I also asked for help by voting for The Goddess Test in the #YABGB2011, there was also a giveaway along with it! Read that here.

On Friday I was kind. Random and kind to be exact. Because I'm giving away Balthazar by Claudia Gray in the Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop! Enter here.

Sathrday we finished the week with my weekly In my Mailbox post. Read about the books I got here.

Bookish News That Makes Me Squeal!

I was excited to find out that Scott Tracey's second novel, Demon Eyes now has a cover! Stare at it: I give you permission!

Creepy as heck, right?

Leah Cliffords's A Touch Morbid now has a book trailer! Three of them, actually.

Which is your favorite?

Also, The Goddess Test won it's first round of the YABGB! YAY!