Saturday, June 30, 2012

Never Eighteen Review & Giveaway

Never Eighteen
Megan Bostic @meganbostic
January 17th 2012 by HMH Children's Books
Goodreads
I had the dream again. The one where I’m running. I don’t know what from or where to, but I’m scared, terrified really.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. But in the short time he has left there’s one thing he can do: He can try to help the people he loves live—even though he never will.

It’s probably hopeless.

But he has to try.
I'm usually the girl with the dystopian or the paranormal books, but ever since John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, I've become a drawn to the emotional books. Don't ask me why. Nothing in my life at the moment is drawing me to them. It is just that these books are just so good. I'm not usually into books when I know someone is sick, because, really, I know I'm going to end up crying at some point, and I would try to avoid crying in my life if possible. So, I will tell you the truth: I adore this book.

You discover, when you read these emotional books, they have a way of have a way of grabbing you, hooking you, and then, you have read 50 pages without really meaning to do so. I was just glancing at the book as it came across my desk at the library one day and suddenly I was immersed in the story of Austin and his journey on his last "good" weekend with his best friend (and love of his life, even if he hasn't told her), Kaylee, who he gets to drive him around as he takes care of things weighing on his mind. Things like talking to his dead best friend's mother who is still grieving, his grandmother who is still bitter at his mother, the girl from high school who is going off on the wrong course after a extremely tragic occurrence, his father still living apart from his mother, and other people...these things are ripping me apart, and yet, I still read on. With each of these stops he listens to what they have to say and asks them: Why? Why are you living your life this way? Can you change? As a reader, you know Austin doesn't have long to live, and the other characters know it as well. Austin's questions are tiny seeds planted. He asks questions, offers suggestions, and then leaves, hoping change will occur for the better. These seeds are not only planted in the characters but also in the reader...very sneaky Megan Bostic...

Never Eighteen is bittersweet. You, as a the reader, think you know the ending, and to some degree you do. I don't really think that is the purpose of Never Eighteen. To me, the purpose of Never Eighteen is to make you think about how you are living you life. What if? What if you knew you only had so many days left? Would you live them differently? Would you talk to people differently? Tell someone something you had been meaning to tell them for a long time, but never had the courage? Never Eighteen offers the reality death does not discriminate by age. The young die just as the old do. How we chose to use our days is what matters. Can you make a difference? Big or small? Can your life impact one person or many? Never Eighteen, for me, reminds me that you are never too young or old to spread some love and change lives. :)

Lagniappe
So...I really like this book. I think you could tell. I'm going to spread this love around! That's right! This giveaway is international as long as The Book Depository ships to your country. Check here to make sure!




RULES

  ~13 years old or with parents' permission
  ~International
  ~fill out the Rafflecopter below
  ~giveaway runs from June 30 to end of July 6
  ~winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen




Good luck!


Friday, June 29, 2012

Seraphina Review

Seraphina
Rachel Hartman / blog
July 10th 2012 by Random House Children's Books
Goodreads
Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.


The kingdom of Goredd is inhabited by both humans and dragons which make for some interesting (and unique) characters. As with any society trying to integrate two different cultures, you can always count on some who just don't seem to get along and want to cause dissension among the masses. At the castle Seraphina is drawn into the human-dragon drama and discovers the plot of would-be rebels which could destroy the decades of peace between humans and dragons and end up killing someone she loves.

I pretty much loved everything about this book: the cover, the characters, the world building, and Seraphina’s music. Seraphina has everything a great book needs: drama, intrigue, exceptionaly unique characters, fascinating plot, and flowing prose.  So, if you are looking for something different in between your dystopians and contemporaries, Seraphina is the book for you!
 
Lagnaippe

Be sure to check out the awesome book traier for Seraphia:





Seraphina is a great young adult fantasy novel by Rachel Hartman I am pleased recommend if you are thinking you have read one too many dystopian novels lately. Seraphina works as a musician in the royal court and also tutors the princess, but there is more to her than just the magnificent music she can produce. Seraphina has a secret which could get her killed.  Her father has protected Seraphina his whole life, perhaps even over-protected her, because you know that is possible for a father to do.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Anna Dressed in Blood Trailer

I just finished Anna Dressed in Blood this morning, and I have to say I really, really enjoyed it! Book 2, Girl of Nightmares, is due out August 7, and I can't wait!


 
@kendareblake
Published August 30th 2011 by Tor Teen
 
 

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: Endlessly

Less than one month, you guys!

Endlessly by Kiersten White
July 24th 2012 by HarperTeen
Evie's paranormal past keeps coming back to haunt her. A new director at the International Paranormal Containment Agency wants to drag her back to headquarters. The Dark Faerie Queen is torturing humans in her poisonous realm. And supernatural creatures keep insisting that Evie is the only one who can save them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its fate rests solely in Evie's hands.

So much for normal.


Monday, June 25, 2012

50 YA books read!

I finished my 50th YA book on Friday! 

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

I'm pretty happy with how many I've read, and I hope to keep it up. I've read 88 books so far this year, which I think is pretty good, but every time I log a book into Goodreads, it still tells me I'm behind! Ah!!  I guess I'll just have to keep on reading! :)

Here are some of my favorite YA reads of 2012, so far:

Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

Legend by Marie Lu

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

What about you? Any favorites this year? Have you reached any goals yet?

Friday, June 22, 2012

Serious Cover Love: Tahereh Mafi's New Covers

Tahereh Mafi (@taherehmafi) has some new covers for Shatter Me, Destroy Me, a e-novella featuring Warner coming in October 2012, and Unravel Me, book #2 coming in February 2013.

Take a look at these three new covers. I think they are awesome!



Thursday, June 21, 2012

Skylark Trailer


 
 

August 1st 2012 by Carolrhoda Lab
Sixteen year-old Lark Ainsley has never seen the sky.

Her world ends at the edge of the vast domed barrier of energy enclosing all that’s left of humanity. For two hundred years the city has sustained this barrier by harvesting its children's innate magical energy when they reach adolescence. When it’s Lark’s turn to be harvested, she finds herself trapped in a nightmarish web of experiments and learns she is something out of legend itself: a Renewable, able to regenerate her own power after it’s been stripped.

Forced to flee the only home she knows to avoid life as a human battery, Lark must fight her way through the terrible wilderness beyond the edge of the world. With the city’s clockwork creations close on her heels and a strange wild boy stalking her in the countryside, she must move quickly if she is to have any hope of survival. She’s heard the stories that somewhere to the west are others like her, hidden in secret – but can she stay alive long enough to find them?

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday: The Waiting Sky

The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin
August 7th 2012 by Putnam Juvenile
One summer chasing tornadoes could finally change Jane's life for the better

Seventeen-year-old Jane McAllister can't quite admit her mother's alcoholism is spiraling dangerously out of control until she drives drunk, nearly killing them and Jane's best friend.

Jane has only one place to turn: her older brother Ethan, who left the problems at home years ago for college. A summer with him and his tornado-chasing buddies may just provide the time and space Jane needs to figure out her life and whether it still includes her mother. But she struggles with her anger at Ethan for leaving home and feels guilty--is she also abandoning her mom just when she needs Jane most? The carefree trip turned journey of self-discovery quickly becomes more than Jane bargained for, especially when the devilishly handsome Max steps into the picture.
This book sounds amazing, has a beautiful cover that seems to represent the book extremely well, and is a contemporary YA book.  I've been on a successful roll with them lately. I hope to keep it going with this one!  It is only 2 months away! 

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Books to Movies - Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter




It happens all the time. Books we have read are turned into movies.  How do you feel about it? It this a good thing or a bad thing?

Opening in theaters this Friday is Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. This movie is based on the book by the same title by author Seth Grahame-Smith.





















Have you read the book?  Do you want to see the movie? Are you one who has to read the book before you see the movie?

Usually that's how I am, but in this case, I haven't read the look yet.  I do think I'm going to go and see this movie some time in the next week.  Take a look at the trailer: 




The Golden Lily Teaser



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

*Grab your current read.
*Let the book fall open to a random page.
*Share with us “teaser” sentences from that page.
*You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
June 12th 2012 by Razorbill

"Adrian's stamp on the apartment was like light chasing away the gruesome shadows of the past.

Sometimes when I was down, Adrian's personality had a similar effect.

'Nice blouse, Sage,' he told me, deadpan. 'It really brings out the khaki in your pants.'"
(pg. 39)



Monday, June 18, 2012

Croak Review

Croak
Gina Damico @ginadamico
March 20th 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Goodreads
Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby has sucker-punched her last classmate. Fed up with her punkish, wild behavior, her parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than that of shoveling manure.

He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach her the family business.

Lex quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated entirely by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. Along with her infuriating yet intriguing partner Driggs and a rockstar crew of fellow Grim apprentices, Lex is soon zapping her Targets like a natural born Killer.

Yet her innate ability morphs into an unchecked desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she’s forced to Kill a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. So when people start to die—that is, people who aren’t supposed to be dying, people who have committed grievous crimes against the innocent—Lex’s curiosity is piqued. Her obsession grows as the bodies pile up, and a troubling question begins to swirl through her mind: if she succeeds in tracking down the murderer, will she stop the carnage—or will she ditch Croak and join in?
I really enjoyed Croak with its spunky lead character and hilarious humor. Lexington Bartleby is a troublemaker whose parents have reached their limits and decided to ship her off to her uncle's house. They tell her it's for her own good and all that other stuff parents tell a kid hoping they will understand why they have to do what they are doing, but for Lex, it still sucks. She really doesn't want to go to work on a farm for the summer. I don't really blame her!  On the way there, Lex sees the light - no, not the "light" as in the error of her ways - literally the "light." She sees a soul on its way to where ever souls go when they depart the body.  Lex is just a bit freaked out...okay, more than a bit.

She arrives to meet her Uncle Mort and finds out Croak is not your ordinary farming community.  Croak is a town full of reapers, people who help delivers the souls of the recently dead, and Lex is one of them like her Uncle Mort. Uh huh, yep. That's why she's been full of mood swings and the need to punch anyone who looks at her funny. She has been turning into a Grim. Luckily, her uncle heard about it and brought her here for training. With Croak, Damico provides a mystery as Lex and her new partner Driggs are investigating weird deaths - people who shouldn't be dying, but are, and a comedy because they characters are a riot. Did I mention Lex has a twin named Cordy, short for Concord...Lexington and Concord...and their mother is a history teacher.  It's little zingers like this that keep a smile on my face as I read Croak.  I can't wait for Scorch which comes out in September.

Lagniappe
One upcoming appearance:

Saturday, June 23 - Beyond Words: an author panel featuring me, Hilary Graham, Diana Renn, and AC Gaughen
1:00-3:00pm
Tatnuck Bookstore
Westborough, MA





Sunday, June 17, 2012

In My Mailbox


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to spotlight the books received for review, swapped, purchased, or checked out from the library!
This week I got an order in from Amazon. I'm super excited to read every single one of these books!
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
June 5th 2012 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

by Jenny Han
 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

From the library:
I checked out two books, one I've already finished because I've been waiting, and waiting so long for it! I'm reading the other one right now because it finally came out, and I can't wait to see what happens!

Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
June 12th 2012 by Razorbill

Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham
June 12th 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
*Just finished it last night, and it was awesome! I can totally see it as a movie, well I would love to see it as a movie. :)

From NetGalley:

The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
 September 1st 2012 by Scholastic Press





Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch
October 1st 2012 by Scholastic Press


From Edelweiss:

Nerve by Jeanne Ryan
September 13th 2012 by Dial Books





September 13th 2012 by Speak


Lucid  by Adrienne Stoltz
October 2nd 2012 by Razorbill

So, here's my, overwhelming, mailbox this week.  I'm still looking into a "stay-cation" where I can just relax and read. Don't think it's ever going to happen, but a girl can dream, right?

So, what did you get in your mailbox this week?




Thursday, June 14, 2012

Tokyo Heist Trailer

Check out the awesome book trailer for Tokyo Heist which hits stores and libraries today!




Tokyo Heist by Diana Renn
June 14th 2012 by Viking Children's Books

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: Eve and Adam


Eve and Adam by Michael Grant (@thefayz)
and Katherine Applegate (@kaauthor)
 October 2nd 2012 by Feiwel & Friends
Goodreads
Sixteen-year-old Evening Spiker lives an affluent life in San Francisco with her mother, EmmaRose, a successful geneticist and owner of Spiker Biotech. Sure, Evening misses her father who died mysteriously, but she’s never really questioned it. Much like how she’s never stopped to think how off it is that she’s never been sick. That is, until she’s struck by a car and is exposed to extensive injuries. Injuries that seem to be healing faster than physically possible.

While recuperating in Spiker Biotech’s lush facilities, she meets Solo Plissken, a very attractive, if off-putting boy her age who spent his life at Spiker Biotech. Like Evening, he’s never questioned anything... until now. Solo drops hints to Evening that something isn’t right, and EmmaRose may be behind it. Evening puts this out of her mind and begins her summer internship project: To simulate the creation of the perfect boy. With the help of Solo, Evening uncovers secrets so big they could change the world completely.
Can't wait for October!  Add this to your TBR list now, guys!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

The Perks of Being a Wallflower Teaser



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

*Grab your current read.
*Let the book fall open to a random page.
*Share with us “teaser” sentences from that page.
*You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

June 29th 2010 by MTV Books and Pocket Books
"When I was done reading the poem, everyone was quiet. A very sad quiet. But the amazing thing was that it wasn't a bad sad quiet at all. It was just something that made everyone look around at each other and know that they were there. Sam and Patrick looked at me. And I looked at them. And I think they knew. Not anything specific really. They just knew. And I think that's all you can ever ask from a friend." (pg 66)

Monday, June 11, 2012

Hemlock Review

Hemlock
Kathleen Peacock (@kathleenpeacock)
May 8th 2012 by Katherine Tegen Books
Goodreads

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.
When Mackenzie's friend Amy is found murdered, the town of Hemlock believes she is just the latest victim of a werewolf which has been hunting in the city. Lupine syndrome infecting many people in the country, and some try to hide their infection, but some embrace it. Mac is determined to figure out exactly what went on the night of Amy's death, because she knows Amy should have been with her boyfriend Jason, but why did Amy call their friend Kyle multiple times that night? Mac has other questions: Why was Amy alone on the street the night she was killed?  Why is Jason drinking himself stupid everyday and picking fights? Where was Kyle that night, and what secrets is he hiding from her?

Before Mac can have any questions answered the Trackers show up. Trackers are an extremist group put together to come to towns to hunt werewolves as last resort for the police department. It usually means mayhem is out of control, the local police can't handle it and need some help. The Trackers are not always the best choice. They're rough, wild, tattooed, and rule breakers. They really don't care who is a werewolf. They just want him or her dead.  To find out just what went down that night Mac has to race against time and the Trackers, figure out why Jason has decided his best option is to become a Tracker, and what Kyle wants to tell her but can't.  Hemlock is full of questions, fear, lies, love, and trust. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Lagniappe
Check out the playlist For Hemlock (Book #1) found at Kathleen Peacock's website!


TrackArtist
While We Were Hunting RabbitsMatthew Good
D’You Know What I Mean?Oasis
WeaponMatthew Good
Chasing CarsSnow Patrol
Think I’m in LoveBeck
Cosmic LoveFlorence + the Machine
The ScientistAimee Mann
It’s Been AwhileStaind
The ConTegan and Sara
BurnThe Cure
Born LosersMatthew Good
PhotoboothDeath Cab For Cutie
FoundationsKate Nash
Don’t Talk DownThe Stills
We Looked Like GiantsDeath Cab for Cutie
In The House – In A HeartbeatJohn Murphy
Walking with a GhostTegan and Sara
Bonnie and ClydeLuna
Mad WorldGary Jules
My Body is a CageArcade Fire


Have you heard any of these songs before? Do you think they fit the mood of the novel?

Sunday, June 10, 2012

In My Mailbox


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to spotlight the books received for review, swapped, purchased, or checked out from the library!
I'm very excited about all of the books I'm mentioning this week!
 
From the Library:
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
June 29th 2010 by MTV Books and Pocket Books
Getting reading for the movie!!

From NetGalley:
Butter by Erin Jade Lange
September 18th 2012 by Bloomsbury

From Dial:
Soulbound by Heather Brewer
Book #1 - Legacy of Tril series
June 19th 2012 by Dial

Won from Confession of a Bookaholic:

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
July 31st 2012 by Harlequin Teen

So many great books to read!  Now I just have to find the time!

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Friday, June 8, 2012

New Cover for Shatter Me!

You guys. Seriously. @taherehmafi and her crew have done a insane job on the paperback edition of Shatter Me. I usually don't like it when books get new covers, but I'm really loving this new cover for Shatter Me!  I can't wait to find out what the covers of Destroy Me and Unravel Me look like!

What do you think about it? Read what Tahereh has to say about the new cover.


Love it? Hate it? Sticking with the hardback cover?  It's okay if you do.
:)

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

#ArmchairBEA: Networking in Real Life


In celebration of all things books and Book Expo America, today those of us unable to make it to NYC but still want to participate in BEA are doing so virtually!  Join us: ArmchairBEA
Today we're talking about networking in the real world. This can be scary for some, maybe not so scary for others. Blogging allows a certain anonymity or facelessness, but when you actually need to get out and network with people who realize you have to take that step. You are going to have go to the dreaded "face-to-face." Take a deep breath and just know you will survive.  The publishers and authors are, for the most part, genuinely nice people who are dedicated to the same goal you are: getting the word out about books. Just be polite and courteous when you are speaking with them or contacting them and accept that sometimes you just might here "no."
You may or may not know I'm a librarian in the "real world", so I figure I would talk about networking from a librarian blogger's point of view. My day job is to talk about books...all day long...to every one. I enjoy it so much I make a career out of it.  Obviously, you like books as well or you wouldn't be reading this post. So, think about using the library as a source for your well honed skills.  Reach out to your local libraries. Tell them you would love to give book talks about new or upcoming books. Donate ARCs you have finished with to book clubs that meet at the library.  See if they will write reviews for you to use on your blog!
  If you are a blog geared towards a specific age group, contact the library staff to see what programs you can help with or start one centered around that age group.  See if you can help out with Summer Reading Programs. Check to see if the library has a blog and write reviews for it.  They could be having authors come to speak and need help, and you could the help they were looking for. Maybe you could be the one to help the library start bringing authors in! So many possibilities!
Your local library has so many ways you can network and help spread the love of reading. You just need to take the first step!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

City of Lost Souls Teaser




City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
May 8th 2012 by Margaret K. McElderry 
" 'It isn't safe. Jace is probably tracking you--'
Clary lost it. 'Every time you try to keep me safe, you wreck my life!'
'No, the more involved you get with Jace the more you wreck your life!' her mother snapped back. 'Every risk you've taken, every danger you've been in, is because of him!' [...]
'But if he dies...'
'There's no chance of getting Jace back,' said Alec.
'There may already be no chance,' said Jocelyn. [...] 'When are you going to face the fact that the two of you are not meant to be together?'
Clary jerked back as if her mother had hit her." (pg. 122)
I'm so excited to be reading this book! Anyone else reading something great this Tuesday? What's your teaser today?


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*Grab your current read.
*Let the book fall open to a random page.
*Share with us “teaser” sentences from that page.
*You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!