Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Top Ten 2013 Books

My Top Ten Favorite Books of 2013


The end of the year and the time to rank my reads has arrived. It's always hard to choose favorites, but this year was difficult for a different reason. I feel like I've been in somewhat of a reading and blogging rut for the past year. While I've certainly read books that I loved, I feel like I have fewer that I'm raving about. Maybe with the passage of time I'll feel differently.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Manga Mondays #172: Manga New Year Goals

Manga Mondays Meme


It's been far too long since I've done a Manga Mondays. I'm going to try to get back into the habit.

I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog more than 3 years ago. It started out as a personal feature, but I decided to turn it into a meme last year. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme is a great way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Do you have any Manga reading goals for 2014?



Thursday, December 26, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #181

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas!


Merry Christmas everyone! I'm in the middle of my annual Harry Potter re-read (just started the 6th book). I'm going to be going on a reading bender for the next few days. I'll see you all back here on December 26.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #180

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





Reading Stats: A White, Female Book Year

The homogeneity of YA authors and characters has been a significant issue the last several years (frankly, the issue extends to all literature, not just YA). The majority of YA authors and characters are white. The majority of YA authors tend to be female. (Interestingly and troublingly though, the majority of YA authors who hit the top ten in the NYT bestseller list are male).

I'm well aware that my reading habits coincide with the white, female trend. Not purposely, of course, but it does work out that way. I was curious just how homogeneous my reading was this year, so I decided to break it down my 2013 reading by genre, author gender and race. I am displeased, although not surprised by the results.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Waiting on Wednesdays: Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Publish Date: February 25, 2014
Publisher: Point

I love Elizabeth Eulberg's books. I've read all of them and I think each one gets better.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

GIVEAWAY! Blog Tour: Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott




Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

Release Date:
January 28, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Emma would give anything to talk to her mother one last time. Tell her about her slipping grades, her anger with her stepfather, and the boy with the bad reputation who might be the only one Emma can be herself with.

But Emma can’t tell her mother anything. Because her mother is brain-dead and being kept alive by machines for the baby growing inside her.

Meeting bad-boy Caleb Harrison wouldn’t have interested Old Emma. But New Emma—the one who exists in a fog of grief, who no longer cares about school, whose only social outlet is her best friend Olivia—New Emma is startled by the connection she and Caleb forge. Feeling her own heart beat again wakes Emma from the grief that has grayed her existence. Is there hope for life after death—and maybe, for love?

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #179

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Waiting on Wednesdays: Panic by Lauren Oliver

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Panic by Lauren Oliver

Publish Date: March 4, 2014
Publisher: HarperCollins

I am almost always a fan of Lauren's books. I'm definitely excited for a new one from her. Not sure if it's stand-alone or a new series.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

Release Date:
September 17, 2013
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Source: BEA

Summary

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same.

Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life.

Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after... (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

The Dream Thieves in the second book in Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Cycle series. I adored the first book The Raven Boys. It set a very high bar for The Dream Thieves to meet. Unfortunately, for me at least, it fell short.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Manga Mondays #171: Boys Over Flowers vol. 2 by Hana Yori Dango

Manga Mondays Meme


It's been far too long since I've done a Manga Mondays. I'm going to try to get back into the habit.

I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 3 years ago. It started out as a personal feature, but I decided to turn it into a meme last year. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme is a great way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Boys Over Flowers vol. 2 by Hana Yori Dango


Summary

Tsukushi Makino has been accepted into the snobbish Eitoku academy. From a middle-class background and poor compared to her classmates, Tsukushi is determined to get her diploma. Standing in her way is the gang known as F4 -- four handsome but vicious rich boys who rule the school and attack anyone who gets in their way This popular series features drama, romance, humor, strong girls, and cute boys. Because she stood up to the F4 gang, Tsukushi is now a celebrity But not everyone has joined her fan club. A boy playing a violin is rude to her. A trio of girls tricks her at a party. And she gets kidnapped and taken to Tsukasa's mansion, where she and her sometimes enemy have a fight and he spreads cruel gossip about her around the school Tsukushi's resourceful, but how will she handle this one? (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

*Warning: Potential spoilers. My manga reviews tend to be more of a summary than a review. I find it hard to review manga in the same way I do regular books.

In some ways volume 2 of Boys Over Flowers is a mess. It starts off in the middle of a scene without any context. If it's a continuation from volume 1 I've forgotten it. To make matters worse, it feels like there's a dozen separate subplots.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #178

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





Wednesday, December 4, 2013

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

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

Publish Date: April 15, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown for Young Readers

I've read both of Jennifer's previous books and adored them. I can't wait to check out her newest offering.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Release Date:
September 10, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Source: BEA

Summary

While flying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious women's concentration camp. Trapped in horrific circumstances, Rose finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery and friendship of her fellow prisoners. But will that be enough to endure the fate that’s in store for her?

Elizabeth Wein, author of the critically-acclaimed and best-selling Code Name Verity, delivers another stunning WWII thriller. The unforgettable story of Rose Justice is forged from heart-wrenching courage, resolve, and the slim, bright chance of survival. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

Rose Under Fire starts off in a difficult position. Elizabeth Wein's previous novel Code Name Verity received astronomical levels of praise. Hard to follow that. Also, Rose Under Fire deals with the Holocaust. Always a difficult topic because of its horrific nature, but also because there are so many Holocaust novels that it's hard to write anything new.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Manga Mondays #170: Boys Over Flowers vol. 1 by Hana Yori Dango

Manga Mondays Meme


It's been far too long since I've done a Manga Mondays. I'm going to try to get back into the habit.

I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 3 years ago. It started out as a personal feature, but I decided to turn it into a meme last year. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme is a great way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Boys Over Flowers vol. 1 by Hana Yori Dango


Summary

Tsukushi Makino has been accepted into the snobbish Eitoku academy. From a middle-class background and poor compared to her classmates, Tsukushi is determined to get her diploma. Standing in her way is the gang known as F4 -- four handsome but vicious rich kids who rule the school and attack anyone who gets in their way This popular series features drama, romance, humor, strong girls, and cute boys. When her only friend, Makiko, accidentally offends F4 leader Tsukasa, Tsukushi boldly defends her. Enraged, Tsukushi puts the dreaded red tag in Tsukushi's locker -- a sign that she is now a target for the abuse of the F4 and the entire school. But when Tsukushi fights the gang with their own weapon, Tsukasa finds himself falling for her (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

*Warning: Potential spoilers. My manga reviews tend to be more of a summary than a review. I find it hard to review manga in the same way I do regular books.

From the cover and title alone, I was expecting this to be a typical, ridiculous shoujo manga series. Perhaps it will become so eventually, but the first volume was surprisingly genuine and serious.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #177

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





Happy Thanksgiving!!


Happy Thanksgiving!!!


I hope all of you celebrating Thanksgiving today have a wonderful meal and time with your family. And to everyone else, have a fabulous rest of the week and weekend!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Waiting on Wednesdays: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Publish Date: July 29, 2014
Publisher: Razorbill

I finished The Fiery Heart a few days ago and immediately started foaming at the mouth for the next Bloodlines book. Unfortunately, I'm going to be doing a lot of foaming since the next book doesn't come out until July. Boo.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

Release Date:
November 19, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Purchased

Summary

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

There are surprisingly few books that I buy and begin reading on the day they're released. Richelle Mead's Bloodlines series falls into that vaunted category. I waited for The Fiery Heart with bated breath for month and dug into it as soon as it was released.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Review: Day of the Doctor

This isn't book-related, but so many bloggers are huge Doctor Who fans that I think a review of the fabulous, wonderful, awesome Fiftieth Anniversary special is warranted.

If my adjectives in the previous sentence aren't enough of a clue, here's my three word review:

I loved it!


Saturday, November 23, 2013

Day of the Doctor: 2 Hours to Go!!!!

It's Doctor Who day!!!!!!



I am so very excited. I've only been a fan of the show since May but I have become unbelievably obsessed.

I cannot wait to see the Tenth Doctor (My Doctor), Rose, Eleven, and Clara all together. I only wish Nine, Donna, and Captain Jack could be there too (who knows, maybe they'll show up, but I doubt it).


Thursday, November 21, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #176

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Fireblood by Trisha Wolfe

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Fireblood by Trisha Wolfe

Publish Date: December 17, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

I'm a fan of Spencer Hill Press. I'm excited to see what they're putting out next and this sounds pretty great!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Australia and New Zealand Bloggers

Guess what?

I'm going to Australia and New Zealand for 2.5 weeks in January!!!!

We're going to be in Sydney for about 4 days and then go on an 11 day cruise around the coast of New Zealand. We will stop in Napier, Wellington, Picton, and Dunedin.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Author Interview: Miranda Kenneally of Racing Savannah

Have you read the Hundred Oaks series yet? If not, you really should. It's one of the best contemporary YA series out there right now. Each book features a strong female character who is typically passionate about a sport and also has some fabulous romance.

Get the series!

Crossing Jordan: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
Stealing Parker: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
Things I Can't Forget: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
Racing Savannah: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally


Release Date: December 3, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #175

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





Is Book Blogging Declining?

Have you noticed a change in the book blogging community in recent months?

My comments and pageviews have decreased in the last 3-4 months. I attributed it to a lack of commenting and involvement in the blogging community on my part. While I'm sure that is a factor, now I'm starting to wonder if it's a symptom of a larger issue.

Other bloggers I've spoken with have also noticed a downturn in pageviews. Our Follow Friday meme, while still well-trafficked, is receiving fewer sign-ups and pageviews as well.

What's going on?

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Snakeroot by Andrea Cremer

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Snakeroot (Nightshade Legacy #1) by Andrea Cremer

Publish Date: December 10, 2013
Publisher: Philomel

I've only read the first Nightshade book, but I really enjoyed it. I want to finish the series and check out this new one set in the same world.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Allegiant by Veronica Roth (Spoiler Free)

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Release Date:
October 22, 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Purchased

Summary

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?


The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

It seems almost inevitable that the final book in a beloved series will disappoint. I was disappointed by Breaking Dawn and so disappointed by Mockingjay that it tainted my view of the whole series. I expected not to like Allegiant, especially after hordes of fans were spitting fire at Veronica Roth like deranged dragons. My opinion differs from many readers. I love, loved the ending. The journey to that point...not so much.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

GIVEAWAY! Feature and Follow Friday #174

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Release Date:
September, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Source: BEA

Summary

"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.

Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was.

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

Wow. There are few books that manage to successfully tug at all your emotions - happiness, sadness, anger, affection, grief - and also engage your brain in such a way that you feel smarter after having read it. All Our Yesterdays is one of those books.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Publish Date: December 24, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

This sounds great. Set in the not quite high school, not quite college time frame. Something not enough YA books cover.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Release Date:
November 26, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Netgalley

Summary

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind. Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look. But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

Katie McGarry has created a pattern of steamy hot, fun bad girl/good guy (or bad guy/good girl) romances over the course of three books. She established a close friendship between three troubled teens in her first novel Pushing the Limits - Noah, Beth, and Isaiah. Each has been the star of his or her own novel and found the love of that character's life.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Manga Mondays #169: Kekkaishi vol. 10 by Yellow Tanabe

Manga Mondays Meme


I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 3 years ago. It started out as a personal feature, but I decided to turn it into a meme last year. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme is a great way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Kekkaishi vol. 10 by Yellow Tanabe


Summary

The Kokuboro ayakashi launch a major assault on the Karasumori site to siphon its magical energies to heal their ailing princess. When our friends' mysterious new ally Gen pulls out every last stop to battle them, they make him an offer he can't refuse--join their demon alliance or perish! (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

*Warning: Potential spoilers. My manga reviews tend to be more of a summary than a review. I find it hard to review manga in the same way I do regular books.

Yay for more Kekkaishi! It has been nearly two years since I read the 9th volume of Kekkaishi. Now I've moved (twice) and my library doesn't carry any copies of Kekkaishi nor can I find it at Barnes & Noble. So I was forced to...gasp...buy it.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #173

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





The Smell of Books

One of the most common reasons readers say they prefer paper books over e-books is that they love the smell of books. It doesn't feel you're really reading unless you can make that familiar olfactory connection.

I don't get it. Unless a book is really old or has survived a flood, books have no scent to me. And while the smell of really old, musty books is kinda fun, I don't associate that with books in general nor do I seek out the scent. 

Is there something wrong with my nose? I also don't understand how people hang on to an old friend or relative's clothes or other items because they contain that person's scent. I can't think of a single scent that I identify with a single person. I'm sure other people sincerely can smell someone else's unique scent, but humans (well-bathed humans that is) all smell the same to me.

What about you?


Do you love the smell of books?


What do they smell like?


Do you miss the telltale odor when reading e-books?


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally

Publish Date: December 3, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

I've already read this and it's super good. I love everything Miranda writes!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Release Date:
September 17, 2013
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Source: BEA

Summary

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

This Song Will Save Your Life is one of those books that everyone's been raving about. I picked it up at BEA and then delayed reading it for reasons I can't remember. I wish I hadn't waited so long, but no matter - I read it and it's wonderful.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Manga Mondays #168: Books Adapted into Graphic Novels

Manga Mondays Meme

*This post is a little different. It's not focused on a specific volume and it's also not focused solely on manga. I'm thinking of adding some western style graphic novels into Manga Mondays. The focus will still be on manga, but I may expand beyond that sometimes.


I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 3 years ago. It started out as a personal feature, but I decided to turn it into a meme last year. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme is a great way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.


Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim

This is the only one of all the books I'm listing that I've read. I love that it's manga style drawing. I don't think it would make much sense if you haven't read the regular books, but the art is absolutely gorgeous. Aside from Twilight volume 1, there's also volume 2, and New Moon.


Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead and Emma Vieceli


House of Night by P.C. Cast and Joëlle Jones, Karl Kerschl


Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick and Jennyson Rosero


Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and HyeKyung Baek


Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz, Robert Venditti, and Alina Urusov


Maximum Ride, Vol. 1 by James Patterson and NaRae Lee










Are there any I've missed?



Sign up for the Manga Mondays Meme!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #172

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Brief Break

Hi all

I'm taking the week off of blogging (other than FF). My grandpa passed away a few days ago so I am in Oregon with my family until Saturday. 

Unfortunately the hotel internet is none too speedy and does weird things when I try to post a review. I should be able to put FF up Thursday but otherwise I will be away from the blog until Monday. 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Manga Mondays #167: The Princess of Tennis vol. 2 by Takeshi Konomi

Manga Mondays Meme

*Sorry I haven't done Manga Mondays for the past few weeks. I've been out of town every weekend for the past three weekends. And I'm actually still out of town. I'm in Oregon for the next week. But I managed to get a Manga Mondays post up. It's not quite right - I can't update the image and I'm not positive the linky will display correctly. I'll try to get back to regular posting now.


I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 3 years ago. It started out as a personal feature, but I decided to turn it into a meme last year. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme is a great way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

The Princess of Tennis vol. 2 by Takeshi Konomi


Summary

Ryoma Echizen just joined the Seishun Gakuen Middle School tennis team, which is known for being one of the most competitive teams in Japan. Its members are incredibly talented, gifted, and athletic. With rigorous and extremely intense practices, the upperclassmen of the team expect the very best from themselves and they expect even more from the new members of the team. W...more Ryoma Echizen just joined the Seishun Gakuen Middle School tennis team, which is known for being one of the most competitive teams in Japan. Its members are incredibly talented, gifted, and athletic. With rigorous and extremely intense practices, the upperclassmen of the team expect the very best from themselves and they expect even more from the new members of the team. While most of the first years are on pins and needles hoping they won't get cut from the team, Ryoma Echizen is confident, cool, and collected. Some might even say he's cocky, but at least he's got the skills to back up his attitude. With his virtually unreturnable "twist serve," Ryoma is sure to make the starting team. 


Ryoma plays two matches in the volume. He wins both of course. There's some tension because it looks like he's on the verge of losing at one point but he's really not. 

Some tennis magazine journalists came to observe the competition. I thought this was silly at first - the idea of professional journalists coming to watch junior high kids play. But since many of the great tennis players became pro at very young ages it's not that unrealistic. 

There are many times where I'm laughing at the manga not with it but all in good fun. One of my favorite aspects is how Ryoma is drawn as a very little boy and the eighth and ninth graders look like they're at least 20 and mostly dress like they're Yakuza members.

Sign up for the Manga Mondays Meme!


Thursday, October 17, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #171

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Release Date:
October 1, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: BEA

Summary

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

Looking for a spooky October read? Unbreakable is the place to go. It's got vengeful spirits, possessed cats, demons, poltergeists, and more. If you enjoyed Anna Dressed in Blood, you'll love Unbreakable.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes

Publish Date: December 3, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I'm excited to see how it continues.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

To Shelve or Not to Shelve: Separating Young Adult and Adult Books

Do you want to resolve the stigma against young adult books? Are you tired of people looking askance at you if you're above 18 and flipping through the YA section at your local bookstore?

Well, here's an idea:

Shelve Young Adult and Adult Books Together

What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea?



Pro:

1. The difference between many YA and Adult novels are in name only. There are plenty of novels featuring teens or even children as the main characters that get shelved in Adult fiction, for whatever reason. No one thinks you're weird if you read those as an adult. But put the same book in the YA section of the bookstore and there's something wrong with reading it. I've seen seen plenty of books that I'd consider YA in the adult section. Katie McGarry's books are in the Adult Romance part of my Barnes & Noble. The Brian Jacques children's fantasy series was shelved in Adult Fantasy at my old Barnes & Noble, something I never understood.

2. Exposure. Arguably, books like Twilight, Harry Potter, and Hunger Games have exposed adults to Young Adult literature. That's true obviously, but I think The Fault in Our Stars has exposed adults to YA in a more significant way. It's demonstrated that YA can be of literary quality, something few adults realize. It's shelved in Young Adult at Barnes & Noble, but at many other stores, like Target and even the grocery store, it's alongside adult books. If more Young Adult books were shelved next to "acceptable" adult books, perhaps more people would read them.

Con:

1. Ease of Use. I'll admit that I like categorizing books. My hometown library separates adult fiction into five sections: Fiction, Romance, Western, Mystery, and Sci Fi/Fantasy. My current library shelves all adult fiction together. I liked having it separate. Admittedly, I liked that so I could easily steer clear of genres that I didn't enjoy when I was younger, but it did make things easier to find. Plus, you had an idea what you were getting when you grabbed a random book off a shelf. I read YA because I enjoy reading books about teenagers. I don't want to sort through dozens of books about a 40 year old's dysfunctional family to find the kind of books I like.

2. Price. One of the nice things about YA is that it is usually a little cheaper than Adult fiction. In the $18 range instead of the $27 range. This is perhaps demeaning to YA authors and even to YA publishers who deserve to get the same amount of profit as Adult authors/publishers, but it sure is nice for us consumers.



On the whole, I think I want Young Adult books to remain separate from Adult books (and children's books for that matter). Mostly because I'm lazy and want to be able to find my favorite genre easily. But the idea of merging Young Adult and Adult fiction is worth contemplating. It would signify that two genres are really just one. There's not Young Adult vs. Adult Fiction. There's only Fiction. People who choose to read books about teenagers, regardless of their age are no less intelligent, ambitious, or literary than people who choose to read books about grown-ups.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #170

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





A Royal Match by Tyne O'Connell

A Royal Match by Tyne O'Connell

Release Date:
February 15, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Source: Bought

Summary

Can a normal American girl really catch a prince?

When LA-born Calypso Kelly arrives at the exclusive all-girls British boarding school, St. Augustine's, she's determined to become popular. But when a photo of Calypso kissing England's heir to the throne, Prince Freddie, ends up in the tabloids, it will take quick thinking to save her reputation-and her relationship with the prince.

After the tabloid disaster, Calypso hopes her next term at St. Augustine's will be better. But nothing could be further from the truth. Her archenemy (and culprit of the tabloid disaster) Honey O'Hare is her new dorm mate and her invite to the Annual Euro Royal Bash is nonexistent. Will a flirtation with a hot new sports star from the boys' school ruin her chances with Prince Freddie? Calypso has some work to do if she wants to go from pumpkin to princess in time for the ball. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

A Royal Match has two - make that three - things that drew me to the story: Boarding School, England, and Royalty. You can leave almost everything else aside and for these qualities alone, I am sure to enjoy the book. And I did.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Daylighters by Rachel Caine

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Daylighters by Rachel Caine

Publish Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Penguin Group

Apparently this is the LAST Morganville Vampires book! I'm way behind - I've only read 4 or 5 of them. But they're incredibly addictive. I want to read them all.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Release Date:
March 19, 2013
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
Source: Won

Summary

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

Tessa Gray should be happy – aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shaodwhunters of the London Institute.

A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

I cursed myself for years for not reading The Infernal Devices series despite the fact that the first two books were sitting on my shelf. It turns out that my procrastination worked in my favor. I was able to read Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, and Clockwork Princess all in a row. And I think we can all agree that that makes a series much more powerful.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #169

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund

Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund

Release Date:
October 15, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: BEA

Summary

Centuries after wars nearly destroyed civilization, the two islands of New Pacifica stand alone, a terraformed paradise where even the Reduction—the devastating brain disorder that sparked the wars—is a distant memory. Yet on the isle of Galatea, an uprising against the ruling aristocrats has turned deadly. The revolutionaries’ weapon is a drug that damages their enemies’ brains, and the only hope is rescue by a mysterious spy known as the Wild Poppy.

On the neighboring island of Albion, no one suspects that the Wild Poppy is actually famously frivolous aristocrat Persis Blake. The teenager uses her shallow, socialite trappings to hide her true purpose: her gossipy flutternotes are encrypted plans, her pampered sea mink is genetically engineered for spying, and her well-publicized new romance with handsome Galatean medic Justen Helo… is her most dangerous mission ever.

Though Persis is falling for Justen, she can’t risk showing him her true self, especially once she learns he’s hiding far more than simply his disenchantment with his country’s revolution and his undeniable attraction to the silly socialite he’s pretending to love. His darkest secret could plunge both islands into a new dark age, and Persis realizes that when it comes to Justen Helo, she’s not only risking her heart, she’s risking the world she’s sworn to protect.

In this thrilling adventure inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Diana Peterfreund creates an exquisitely rendered world where nothing is as it seems and two teens with very different pasts fight for a future only they dare to imagine. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

Companion novels seem to be a thing lately. You have Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series and now your have Diana Peterfreund's For Darkness Shows the Stars series. If all companion series are going to be this good, I think we should do away with straight up sequels forever!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Champion by Marie Lu

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Champion by Marie Lu

Publish Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Isn't this a gorgeous cover?!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo

Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo

Release Date:
December 11, 2012
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Source: Library

Summary

A wonderful, coming-of-age love story from a fresh new voice in YA fiction.

'Miss Amelia Hayes, welcome to The Land of Dreams. I am the staff trainer. I will call you grasshopper and you will call me sensei and I will give you the good oil. Right? And just so you know, I'm open to all kinds of bribery.'

From the moment 15-year-old Amelia begins work on the checkout at Woolworths she is sunk, gone, lost...head-over-heels in love with Chris. Chris is the funny, charming, man-about-Woolies, but he's 21, and the 6-year difference in their ages may as well be 100. Chris and Amelia talk about everything from Second Wave Feminism to Great Expectations and Alien but will he ever look at her in the way she wants him to? And if he does, will it be everything she hopes? (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. I'd read numerous raving reviews of it when it was released last December, but I'd forgotten what they said. I figured it would be a light, fluffy, funny romance. But it was not.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Censoring Books at Home?

The concept of censorship is at the forefront of discussion given that it's Banned Book Week. I read a great blog post about censorship in the home and it made me think.

Would you censor the books your (real or prospective) children read at home?


Thursday, September 26, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #168

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.





Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Teardrop by Lauren Kate

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Teardrop by Lauren Kate

Publish Date: October 22, 2013
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

I picked this book up at BEA but I haven't read it yet. I hope to do so soon, because I've heard it's great!