Shut Up! I'm Reading.

Judging A Book By Its Cover: Cracked

2012-01-27T03:30:00.000-08:00

The cover I'm judging this week is...

I have to say that this cover is just...not for me. In my opinion, the black border just kind of ruined it. The cover would be so much more striking if it just weren't there. Also, what's with the backwards E? This is not Toys R Us, people. I actually like the blue and white combo and the cup, but THAT BORDER...sorry, just no.

Now that we've judged the cover, let's see what the book's about.

Sometimes there's no easy way out.

Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills—only to wake up in the hospital.

Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.

When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems. Which means things are going to get worse—much worse—before they get better….

Waiting On Wednesday

2012-01-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

So yeah, I'm feeling much better! The doctor gave me some medicene to help clean out my gall bladder (apparently I have sludge), and it's working great. We're going back to see her again Monday to make sure everything's gone. Thank you all SO much for the stories and get-well-soons. It really put a smile of my face even during the worst of it. Anyways.

This week I'm waiting on...

Katana by Cole Gibson

While worrying that she’s going crazy (always a reputation ruiner), Rileigh gets a visit from Kim, a handsome martial arts instructor, who tells Rileigh she’s harboring the spirit of a five-hundred-year-old samurai warrior.

Never Enough by Denise Jaden

Claire’s quest for perfection is all-consuming, and comes at a dangerous price. As Claire increasingly withdraws from friends and family, Loann struggles to understand her and make amends.

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (Anna #2)

In this follow-up to Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas begins seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he’s asleep, and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong.

Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what she’s kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship

Dead To You Review

2012-01-24T02:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Lisa McMann
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Most appropriate for ages: 14+
How I got it: Received for review through Around The World Tours

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

McMann's books are like chocolate in that I love chocolate and I love her books. (I suck at metaphors, ok.) Her most recent novel, The Unwanteds, was my least favorite of hers so far, but she really pulled it out with Dead To You.

Ethan's voice is so sad and authentically male that you can't help but want to hug him...but not too tight cause you know that guy would think about the way your boobs feel against him as you hug him, and that would just be tres awkward. Honestly, though, I really loved his character and sympathized with him. I also loved the way McMann built relationships between Ethan and others, like Gracie (oh man, that little girl was too freaking cute), Cami, and the rest of his newfound family.

But Dead To You was not perfect.

My main complaint would be THAT IS NOT AN ENDING. I am all for standalone books but not in this case because IT DID NOT END. IT JUST SAID THE WORDS THAT MCMANN KNEW WOULD RIP MY HEART OUT. It just ended really quickly and abruptly. And I saw the ending coming a little and I think it did help the book pack an even bigger emotional punch but I didn't want it to happen but I CAN'T EVEN. AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THIS IS A STANDALONE?

*composes self* Anyways.

I liked this book enough that I was willing to overlook my big problem with it and I know that I'll still shove it into the hands of my friends and family and tell them, "IT WILL TEAR YOU APART AND IT'S AWESOME."

McMann has again proved herself to me. She always manages to write fast, dark books that leave a lasting impression on you. I admire her skill and can't wait to see what she does next.

...But seriously where's my sequel?

Plot: Fast yet dark and unique.

Characters: Ethan was just...perfect. I even liked that little turd Blake.

Writing: I feel like it wasn't particularly remarkable, but I enjoyed the storytelling and Ethan's voice.

Ending? See the above gif.

Kid friendly? There (obviously) was talk of child abduction. There was also swearing, and some just overall dark subject matter, especially in those last two pages.

Overall:

DNF. (2)

2012-01-22T16:07:00.000-08:00

DNF is reader speak for Did Not Finish. Here are a few books I've recently marked as DNF:

There Is No Dog by Met Rosoff'

Where I got it: Through ATWT for review*
How far I got into it: About 120 pages
Recommended to: Fans of strange and quirky stories

Meet your unforgettable protagonist: God, who, as it turns out, is a 19-year-old boy living in the present-day and sharing an apartment with his long-suffering fifty-something personal assistant. Unfortunately for the planet, God is lazy and, frankly, hopeless. He created all of the world's species in six days because he couldn't summon the energy to work for longer. He gets Africa and America mixed up. And his beleagured assistant has his work cut out for him when God creates a near-apolcalyptic flood, having fallen asleep without turning the bath off.There is No Dog is a darkly funny novel from one of our most delightfully unpredictable writers.

I picked up There Is No Dog not because I'd read a gazillion reviews of it, but simply because the premise had some serious potential. Obviously, I did not think the premise made up for it.

The idea was executed well (and was surprisingly un-offensive, to me at least), but I got a hundred-some pages in and realized that I just did not care about these characters anymore than I cared Grey's Anatomy. Also, the writing style didn't jive with me. It was very formal and almost stiff. I'll give the author's writing another chance, though, since it could've also had something to do with me or the characters.

So yeah, There Is No Dog just didn't click with me. However, if you think it sounds good you should pick it up, because it's got pretty good ratings on Goodreads.

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Where I got it: Through Galley Grab for review
How far I got into it: About 90 pages
Recommended to: Fans of fantasy-dystopias

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

This is another instance where I found myself just not caring at all about the characters. Not only that, but I found the world to be completely ridiculous and under-developed. Maybe I was just not in the mood for this book, or maybe it's just not my kind of book. I'm not sure which. But this one's got very mixed reviews, so I guess it wasn't just me...

Imaginary Girls by Nova Den Suma
Where I got it: From the library
How far I got into it: About 90 pages
Recommended to: Readers who can look past an under-developed main character for great writing

Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.

This one was the biggest disappointment of the three because I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, this one just fell completely flat for me, mainly because of the protagonist, Chloe. Mainly that she was a shell. She had no individual thought, she only existed to tell the story, I guess. Ren Suma's writing was gorgeous and flowed really well, so I'll be picking up a future book of hers, but this one was not for me. Again, this is a book that people either seem to adore or hate, so you'll have to make up your own mind about this one.

*Hence the longer non-review. Tour site policy.

Why I Haven't Been Blogging.

2012-01-14T17:45:00.001-08:00

Hey guys. You may have noticed that I haven't been blogging lately, and I wanted to take a post to explain why. Usually I just throw in a quick explanation with a Waiting on Wednesday or whatever, but...

It started two days before Christmas. I broke my vegan diet for three slices of pepperoni pizza, and maybe two hours later I was feeling it. I thought I had to puke but I couldn't. I had another, much worse one that night. The pain was completely consuming. You know when your stomach hurts and the doctor is all, "Is it a stabbing pain? Achey? Nauseous? Different?" If a doctor had been there and he had asked me that, I would've responded, "Yes."

The same thing happened throughout the entire holiday season. I ate nothing but fruit, green bean salad, and a little mashed potatoes on Christmas day.

My family concluded that I had a gall stone, since my dad had them a few years ago and our symptoms were very similar. What is that? Well, bile builds up in there and forms stones. It's totally normal and not a problem...until they move a certain way and prevent your gall bladder from doing its thang.

Normally the procedure for gall stones is to have your gall bladder removed. Obviously, I did not rewlly want to do this. Luckily, my grandmother is a holistic healer and she recommended an apple juice cleanse, which means I drank nothing but apple juice for two days and then drank about a half a cup of olive oil.

It's as fun as it sounds.

Then the cleanse was over and I had some healthy food and then some non-healthy food, and I felt fine. It was a joyous day and there was much celebrating.

Then I had another stomach attack at my friend's house a week ago.

So I assumed that there were more gall stones causing problems and I'd have to do the cleanse again. My grandma told me to wait a month, and avoid fat until then.

Easy enough.

But now my gall bladder randomly spazzes, even when I haven't eaten anything that should be hurting it. Now we're thinking it may be infected, but we're not sure.

It's becoming kind of a big deal. Not in a death kind of way, just in the way that it's beginning to really affect me. I have no motivation to do anything, which we believe is a side effect of the supposed infection. I do not want to move or laugh too hard or edit my manuscript or blog it yes, even read. Not only that, but the world is always hazy and I'm an emotional basket case--like, a crying-in-public complete emotional basket case. (If you knew me and knew how little I cry, you know how big of a deal that is.) Plus it's just plain frustrating.

We'll be calling the doctor first thing Monday and be running some tests this week, so I hope to be feeling more up to doing stuff very soon, but I honestly don't know if I will be.

So, in a nutshell: I hope to be back soon but I'm not positive when soon is. Thanks for sticking with me through all this gall bladder crap and this post.

(And you may be wondering, "Is this normal for a teenager?" No, no it isn't. So.)

Saving June Review

2012-01-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Hannah Harrington
Release Date: November 22, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Most appropriate for ages: 14+
How I got it: Received for review through Netgalley

When her older sister commits suicide and her divorcing parents decide to divide the ashes, Harper Scott takes her sister's urn to the one place June always wanted to go: California. On the road with her best friend, plus an intriguing guy with a mysterious connection to June, Harper discovers truths about her sister, herself and life.

I knew that I would love this book when there was a debate on the existence of modern day punk rock in the first eighty pages or so. I was soooo right. Saving June is a completely fantastic book. I devoured it in less than twenty four hours and I loved every single second of it.

...There may be a gush-fest ahead. You've been warned.

Harper Scott (the main character) is a lot like me, and also a lot not like me. We're both sarcastic, have trouble expressing and sometimes even feeling emotions, and like indie rock, but Harper is a lot stronger and tougher than me. She was such a wonderfully realistic character and I loved her.

Every character was realistic and great, actually. I was really impressed that Harper and Laney were so close and always had each other's backs. You don't see enough of that in YA these days. It's all, "Oh you stole my boyfriend," and crap like that but not in Saving June!<And I'm not even gonna try and write about Jake or I'd probably just fangirl for a few paragraphs. You're welcome.Basically, Saving June had everything I ever wanted in a book: a story of grief, a romance, lots and lots of music, a sexy guy, political activism, an amazing road trip, fantastic humor, lots of tears...everything, guys. I referred to it as my Soul Book because of it, and I stand by that.

I have several highlighted quotes on my e-reader of funny jokes, profound thoughts, or just things that resonated with me. As you can tell, I completely loved this book. So. Much. I need my own copy to go on my Favorites shelf because I already want to re-read it. It got to me in all the right ways, and I feel like I can't properly describe exactly how it did that...hence the crappy review you read.

Plot: Brilliant and unique.

Characters: Fantastic.

Writing: Amazing.

Ending: Per-fect-ion.

Kid Friendly? There was sex, drugs, drinking, and swearing.

Overall:

So This Is The New Year Contest #3

2012-01-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

You didn't think I was just gonna stop at two, did you? Trust me, I've got plenty more books to give away.

The book up for grabs this time is:

An ARC of Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

Bittersweet Review

2012-01-05T10:58:00.000-08:00

Author: Sarah Ockler
Pages: 384 (ARC)
Publisher: SimonPulse
Most appropriate for ages: 13+
Where I got it: From publisher for review

Hudson can't wait to get out of Watonka, her working-class town outside of Buffalo. Once upon a time, her talent as a skater was going to be her ticket out... but when her parents' marriage unraveled three years ago, so did her dreams. Now, she buries herself in making cupcakes for her mom's diner and imagining her parallel life where she went on to skate to glory. But when she gets a letter inviting her to audition for a skating scholarship *and* the hockey team asks for her help with their technique (read: free ice time for Hudson), it's impossible to ignore the signs. Is she ready to get back on the ice? Could this be her ticket out?

Hudson's determined not to let anything stand in her way. But between baking and waitressing at the diner, the love triangle that's developing with two outrageously cute hockey boys, and the simmering drama with her best friend, her future is anything but certain...

Warning: do not read Bittersweet if you're on a vegan diet like I am. ...Well, okay, read it, but just be prepared to get some serious cupcake cravings to hit you with each chapter. Anyways, the review, right.

Bittersweet is a cute story that's got a little more to it than just a cute story. It is half cute story and half Hudson realizing a lot of really important stuff about her family, her future, and herself.

So guys this was my first book by Sarah Ockler and I must say that I really enjoyed her writing. There were some sentences or paragraphs that were so heartbreaking and real, and some that made me laugh, and there were some that gave me such rich descriptions of Hudson's town that I felt I was standing right next to her, and some that were just awesome for no reason other than their awesomeness. Although, I do have to say that I found myself thinking that sometimes when Hudson was being sarcastic or snarky or whatever, it just came out kind of awkward and fake. It's a little detail, but as an authentic sarcastic and snarky teenager, it did annoy me.

Hudson also annoyed me. I get that this was the story of her developing and realizing stuff, and I get that, and sometimes I really liked her, but she just did some stupid crap sometimes and it was beginning to really rub me the wrong way. Luckily, the other characters more than made up for Hudson. No one was as they seemed, and everyone had their own problems like Hudson, and that elevated the book in a lot of different ways.

Bittersweet is sure to be adored by most contemporary fans. While I didn't love it (one of those cases where I can't even put my finger on why, but I just didn't), I did enjoy it, and think it's a fantastic book to read in winter with some hot chocolate, under a warm blanket...with a plate of cupcakes next to you.

Plot: Predictable, but fun.

Characters: Hudson and Will could get on my nerves, but I love how every side character is important and flawed.

Writing: Very good, for the most part.

Ending: Fitting and sweet.

Kid Friendly? There was some swearing, and some make out scenes and hockey-boy-innuendos.

Overall:

Waiting On Wednesday

2012-01-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

This week I'm waiting on...

The List by Siobhan Vivian

"It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest."

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

"Then Taylor's dad gets devastating news that changes everything. Her parents decide that the family will spend the summer together at their old vacation home in the Pocono Mountains."

Perfect Escape by Jennifer Brown

"Behind the wheel of her car, with Grayson asleep beside her, Kendra decides to drive away from it all -- with enough distance, maybe she'll be able to figure everything out."

Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale

"Only when Rosie tells her mother's best friend, "Aunt Sarah," that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie wasn't her real mother after all. Rosie was swapped at birth with a sickly baby who was destined to die."

(I'm not even sorry that they're all contemporaries.)

"So This Is The New Year" Contest #2

2012-01-02T07:58:00.001-08:00

'Ello again, lovelies. I hope you all enjoyed your first day of 2012. Here's something to help you enjoy your second.

Today's contest is for...

A finished copy of The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

"So This Is The New Year" Contest #1

2012-01-01T11:31:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2012, everyone! Wanna win a book to start off your new year? Course you do. That's why I've got a nice stack of 2011 books to give away, starting today.

Here are the rules for ALL of my So This Is The New Year Contests:

US only. (Sorry, they're each my books and that's all the shipping I can afford right now.)
Ends 1/30

...I don't like too many rules, obviously.

The first one is a contest for:

An ARC of Across The Universe by Beth Revis (With a sticker from the publisher with the release date on the back). You can read more about the book and my thoughts on it HERE.

Enter HERE.

Good luck!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012 (Goals and Things I Learned)

2011-12-31T11:49:00.000-08:00

2011 was a great year for books. It was also a great year for my blog. for the first time, I feel completely in control of it and comfortable with the direction I've taken/am taking with it, and with my review pile. It's a wonderful feeling, and one that I hope will stay.

I think part of this great feeling is that I learned a lot about blogging this year. I thought I knew everything in 2010, but I didn't. That's part of the adventure of blogging; you're always learning new stuff. I learned things like:

How to say, "No thanks, my review pile's just too full."
When I need to step back and read a book I own.
Library books are free and buying books is the opposite of free.
Just because sometimes people don't comment doesn't mean that they don't care.
If they didn't like your blog they wouldn't be following it.
Contemporary YA is The Bomb.

All of those things are small but when you put them together they become not-so-small.

I'm very excited for the things 2012 holds for me and this blog. I am deeming it the Year of Shut Up! I'm Reading, in fact. I'm also scared, because I know I'll be very busy, but I'm trying to stay excited because it's much easier.

I want to make a couple of reading and blogging goals for myself. They are:

More interviews or guest posts (This was a goal for last year that completely failed.)
Be more consistent with giveaways.
Read more. (Another goal I set for 2011, and I did. Now I want to top that.)
Get out of my comfort zone a bit more often.
Read more classics.
Try and add some depth to my reviews. (Somebody mentioned this in the survey and I'd love to do it.)
Try and find some depth.
Finish the Harry Potter series.

I always set way too many resolutions for myself. Oh well. I like it that way.

I hope you'll stick around in 2012 and hope you like what you see, and I hope that you have a safe and happy New Years Eve and 2012.

Also, I'll be having a lot of giveaways coming up this week. So stay tuned.

The Best Books I Read This Year

2011-12-29T10:17:00.000-08:00

I was gonna do like five of these posts, each with a different category. But...well, honestly, I just got too lazy. ANYWAYS, here they are, in random order. (Note: Some of these weren't releases in 2011, I just read them this year.)

Pink by Lili Wilkinson

Saving June by Hannah Harrington (Review coming soon!)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephens Perkins

Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Divergent by Veronica Roth

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish Bride

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

The first 3 Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling (I can't wait to read the next 4!)

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Those are the books that made my personal favorites shelf. But there's still more books that I thought were great and deserve recognition, like:

And Then Things Fall Apart by Arlaina Tibensky (Review coming soon!)

Past Perfect by Leila Sales

Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski

Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Wither by Lauren Destefano

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

A Blue So Dark by Holly Shindler

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Do you agree or disagree with any of these? Did I miss one? Is there a book from 2011 that I haven't read yet that needs to get bumped up to the top of my pile?

Top 10 2012 Books I Need

2011-12-27T14:05:00.001-08:00

I went on a bit of a holiday vacation from blogging, apparently. I've just been too busy playing with my new toys and such. But, now I'm back, obviously.

Since today's the day designated for bloggers to show their most anticipated books, I'm compiling a list of some of my most anticipated 2012 books (in no order)!

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

I haven't been all that impressed with a majority of the slew of 2011 dystopias (please please let the 2012 slew of dystopias be better) but Divergent was the exception. I can't wait to see what happens to Tris and Four.

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

It's Stephanie Perkins.

The Disenchantmens by Nina LaCour

I know this is gonna sound weird and witchy or whatever, but I just have a really good feeling about this one.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Not that that surprised anyone.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

I am weary of this one, what with it having vampires and all, but I'm putting my faith in Julie Kagawa.

Untitled (Rise of Renegade X book 2) by Chelsea Campbell

I'm not going to stop pimping out the Rise of Renegade X until EVERYONE has read it. I love it that much. So, obviously, the sequel is a need.

Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready

I hate (HATE) the new covers, but I adore these books.

Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz

While I didn't fall head-over-heels for her novel Invincible Summer, I did fall for her writing, and I'm going through Moskowitz withdrawal.

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

SOPHIE AND ARCHER AND CAL AND SOPHIE'S DAD AND OMG I'M DYING THE SUSPENSE.

Dead To You by Lisa McMann

I love McMann's YA books a lot, so obviously I'm uber-excited to read this one.

What are the books you're most looking forward to next year?

Other Review

2011-12-21T05:30:00.000-08:00

Author: Karen Kincy
Release date: September 1, 2010
Publisher: Flux
Most Appropriate for Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from publisher
Gwen Williams has been hiding a strange and fantastic secret: she's a shapeshifter. Although society may tolerate vampires, centaurs, and "Others" like Gwen, there are plenty of folks in her small Washington town who don't care for her kind.
When a new werewolf pack moves into the area, tensions rise—and Others start showing up dead, including someone close to Gwen. Despite the methodical murders, the police are ignoring evidence that suggests a serial killer. In the midst of terrible loss and danger, Gwen—along with a mysterious and sexy guy who happens to be a Japanese fox spirit—risks her life to find the murderer. But Gwen is already the killer's next target .

There are aspects I loved about Other, and aspects I really disliked. Needless to say, I had very mixed feelings on it, so this review should be...interesting.

About 50 pages in, I was loving Other because of two small yet HUGE things.

1. This was a paranormal WITH AN ORIGINAL PREMISE.

2. The main character was HOMESCHOOLED.

I was pretty much sold.

Unfortunately, it began to go a bit downhill from there.

Parts of this book were just kind of...awkward. Maybe it was the way they were written or the scenes or the characters, I'm not sure, but some things just didn't feel right at all.

Also, I did not fall for Tavian, Gwen's rebound boy (that she rebounded with WAY too quickly), like I was supposed to. He was nice and all but I'm not going to name my electronics after him or anything. None of the side characters were very remarkable, actually. Luckily the main character was. Gwen calls herself "snarky" and everyone who encounters her comments on her "snark" a couple of times, and despite how sick I was of the word by the end of the book, they had a point. Gwen is sarcastic and strong and pretty funny--I refuse to say snarky-- and as I character I really liked her, even if she could be a bit whiny.

Other had an original and interesting premise that even stood for something outside of the novel, I think, but overall some things just didn't click for me, sadly. I'm not sure if I'll be reading the sequel, Bloodborn...

Plot: Unique but prone to lagging,

Characters: I liked Gwen, but that was it.

Writing: Very simple and easy to read.

Ending: Predictable but decent.

Kid Friendly? Eh. There's a sex scene and some language.

Should I read it? If you're a fan of paranormal/fantasy with a touch of mystery, give it a go. If you're not then I'd skip it.

Overall:

2011 Survey and Giveaway!

2011-12-20T07:48:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again in which I ask for your opinions on my blog. This year, I'm offering up a prize if you fill out the survey. It's a win win!

Anyways, I hope you'll take a few minutes to fill it out and help me out. Thanks!

Take the survey HERE.

Lola and the Boy Next Door Review

2011-12-19T04:30:00.000-08:00

Author: Stephanie Perkins
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Pages: 338 (HC)
Publisher: Dutton
Most Appropriate For Ages: 13+
Where I Got It: From the library

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

I am such a sucker for Perkins' books. They make me so, incredibly happy it's insane.

Much as she did in Anna and the French Kiss, Perkins' creates wonderful characters with unique yet believable quirks and personalities that you can't help but adore after a only a short time. All the characters (except Max): Lola, Cricket, her dads (yep, dads, two of them, and they're awesome) Lindsey, Calliope, Cricket...

Oh, and she also knows every word a girl wants to hear. Just one sentence that Cricket says can make your heart melt.

But no, not only her characters are fantastic. Her setting, her ability to completely grab hold of your attention, her way of being profound without shoving down it your throat, the way she makes you feel everything her characters are feeling... Yes, I may be a Stephanie Perkins fangirl, what of it?

It is insane, but this author is one of the very few that possess the ability to turn me into a romantic teenage girl. It's creepy, guys, how quickly and smoothly it happens, but I don't even care 'cause I'm just so in love with this author.

Plot: Fun and completely engrossing.

Characters: I WANT A CRICKET...er, I mean, they were all awesome. ('Cept Max. UGH.)

Writing: Great.

Ending: Lalalala so happy-making.

Kid Friendly? There's language, mentions of sex and drugs, and her birth mother's an alcoholic.

Should I read it? Absolutely. You may wanna read Anna and the French Kiss first, though, since the characters make several appearances.

Overall:

Easy.

In My Mailbox (57)

2011-12-17T10:55:00.000-08:00

I've had an awesome couple of weeks! A lot of ebooks from Netgalley, and a lot of awesome books that I bought for pretty cheap in NC for my best friend's birthday. We went down there to go bookstore shopping (holla at Edward Mccay!) and see some cheap movies. It was awesome. ANYWAYS.

For review:

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler (Already read! Review'll be up a bit closer to the release date.)

Supergirl Mixtapes by Meagan Brothers

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Crazy by Amy Reed

Bought:

Stoner and Spaz by Ron Koertge

Exit Here. by Jason Meyers

Perfect by Natasha Friend

After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates

Fat Cat by Robin Brande

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

Teen Angst? Naaah... by Ned Vizinni

Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser

Bluefish by Pat Schmatz

And now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go panic because I have a zillion things to do and no time to, you know, do them.

Audiobooks: Yay or Nay?

2011-12-15T05:35:00.000-08:00

I never liked audiobooks, for a couple of reasons:

I'm too spacey. They'll begin to talk about description and I'll space out and by the time my brain has tuned back in there's a fire and everyone is dying.
The narrators usually--sorry but it's true--suck. Their voice either irritates me or the narrator cannot do the voice of the opposite sex to save their life (if you've listened to The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, you'll know what I'm talking about).
I feel like I miss out on details.

But I picked up the audiobook of Sabriel at the library, mainly because it's narrated by the awesome Tim Curry (Rocky Horror Picture Show, Annie, Rocky. Horror. Picture. Show.) and I'm beginning to get really into it. Curry is doing a great job of keeping me engaged. Possibly even more than I might be if I'd just read the book (though I obviously can't say that for certain).

I'm thinking Sabriel totally has the ability to change my mind about audiobooks. What do you think of audiobooks? Are there any that are especially great? (And yes, Harry Potter is a given.)

Waiting On Wednesday (65)

2011-12-14T05:33:00.000-08:00

This week I'm waiting on....

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

Coming April 14th from HarlequinTeen

I completely despise this cover. I mean, it looks like something a goth club would use for their posters and all the other goths would be like, "Oh yes it represents her pain and her bloodshed" or something (or am I confusing goths with hipsters? No clue). And if anyone else was writing this book, the summary would make me laugh and roll my eyes. BUT IT'S NOT ANYONE ELSE. IT'S JULIE EFFING KAGAWA. So I'm excited.

Top Ten Books I Want to Give As Gifts

2011-12-13T06:55:00.000-08:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by the ladies at The Broke and The Bookish that I occasionally participate in. Today's topic is Ten Books I Want To Give As Gifts (And Who I'd Give Them To).

The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell

To: EVERYONE I LIKE.

I feel like everyone with a decent sense of humor can enjoy this book, and everyone I like has such a sense of humor.

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

To: Music lovers and musicians.

My review of this will be up soon, but without giving too many of my thoughts away, lemme just say that this is a perfect book for the music lover in your life.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

To: People who label people.

Not that they'd read it. But labels annoy me and I love how anti-label this book is. Plus it rocks so.

Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
To: People who enjoy a great love story.

Even if they don't want to admit it.

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

To: Those who have given up on the paranormal genre.

If you've read this, you'll understand what I mean. If you haven't then DO IT.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

To: That guy that always gets dumped. And those who appreciate a good, smart book.

Self explanatory, I think.

Past Perfect by Leila Sales

To: Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite. Or anyone who's getting over a breakup.

We all know a guy like Uncle Rico, who lives in the past. Plus this is a great breakup book.

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

To: People who say they don't like verse novels.

Cause.

Any Good Dystopia

To: Whoever's trying to pass that law to censor the internet.

"SEE," I'd shout as the read the book in horror, "SEE WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN IF YOUR STUPID LAW PASSES?"

Please Ignore Vera Dietz Review

2011-12-12T02:38:00.000-08:00

Author: A.S. King
Release Date: October 12, 2010
Pages: 336 (HC)
Publisher: Knopf
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: Gifted
Vera's spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she's kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.
So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?
Edgy and gripping, Please Ignore Vera Dietz is an unforgettable novel: smart, funny, dramatic, and always surprising.

Everyone who's read this book has loved it, so I finally decided to give it a go.

And wow. I wasn't disappointed. Please Ignore Vera Dietz is unlike anything I've ever read in the best way possible and I don't know how my mere review could do it justice.

King's writing is powerful, gripping, funny, and real, as are her characters. I continuously wanted to smack them or hug them because they just felt so wonderfully real. I seriously could go on and on about how I felt bad for each of them and hated them at times but loved them all the times, but I shan't cause...well, I think you get the idea.

The story unfolds in such a different, grabbing way and I quickly found myself furiously flipping the pages, trying to find out what happened to Charlie and his and Vera's friendship. What I found was often incredibly raw and sad, but there were some parts of their past that were just so sweet and...and... Sigh. Obviously this book totally ripped my heart out and smashed on it and I just have a lot of feelings right now okay.

This novel found it's way into my heart and onto my personal favorites shelf, and now I'm eagerly awaiting my chance to get a hold of more of A.S. King's works.

Plot: Brilliant and unlike anything I've read before.

Characters: So unbelievably real and angering and...wow.

Writing: Amazing.

Kid Friendly? There's language, mentions of sex and pedophilia.

Should I read it? Absolutely.

Overall:

Judging A Book By Its Cover: From Bad To Cursed

2011-12-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

The cover we're judging this time is...

I love the cover for this novel's predecessor, Bad Girls Don't Die and I have to say that I quite like this one, too. The girl's pose is a little awkward, but her glare is great. Also, I love the way the light's shining in. So yes, I like the image a lot. I don't really love the color of the font. It just doesn't seem to tie into the image at all. The swirlies (yes it's a word) around the door frame are a very nice touch, though. All in all a good cover but not quite a great cover.

Now, let's learn what the first book in this series (Bad Girls Don't Die) is about:

When Alexis's little sister Kasey becomes obsessed with an antique doll, Alexis thinks nothing of it. Kasey is a weird kid. Period. Alexis is considered weird, too, by the kids in her high school, by her parents, even by her own Goth friends. Things get weirder, though, when the old house they live in starts changing. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in. Kasey is changing, too. Her blue eyes go green and she speaks in old-fashioned language, then forgets chunks of time.

Most disturbing of all is the dangerous new chip on Kasey's shoulder. The formerly gentle, doll-loving child is gone, and the new Kasey is angry. Alexis is the only one who can stop her sister — but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?

Freak The Mighty Review

2011-12-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

Author: Rodman Philbrick
Release Date: June 1st 2001
Pages: 156 (PB)
Publisher: Scholastic Point
Most Appropriate For Ages: 10+
Where I Got It: Bought for book club
"I never had a brain until Freak came along..."
That's what Max thought. All his life he'd been called stupid. Dumb. Slow. It didn't help that people were afraid of him. So Max learned how to be alone. At least until Freak came along.
Freak was weird, too. He had a little body--and a really big brain. Together Max and Freak were unstoppable.
Together they were Freak the Mighty.

So I read Freak The Mighty in about 2 or 3 hours. Not necessarily because I was glued to the pages, but because I put off reading it until the day before my book club.

I wish I had been glued to the pages of Freak The Mighty, but that's far from the truth.

Something the leader of the club pointed out and I have to agree with: the style of writing. It's told in first person from Max's point of view, so we read how Max thinks. I see why Philbrick did this, but it made the book difficult to properly read.

I don't really have many things to say about Freak The Mighty because it didn't really stick with me or affect me in any way at all. Everything about it was kind of bland to me. A lot of people seem to love this book though, so maybe I'm in the minority? I don't know. But like I said, it was a half-decent way to kill 2 or 3 hours.

Plot: Predictable and rather boring.

Characters: Intriguing enough, but I never really connected to them.

Writing: Max's voice and thought made the novel difficult to read.

Ending: Sad, and my favorite part of the book.

Kind Friendly? Yes. There was no swearing, but several mentions of death and murder.
Should I read it? Yeah, why not. It's short and popular (which is the complete opposite of me, by the way).

Overall:

Waiting On Wednesday (64)

2011-12-07T02:01:00.000-08:00

This week I'm waiting on...

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

A powerful debut novel about a young Marine's return home from Afghanistan and the new life and love he finds while fending off the ghosts of war.

When Travis Stephenson returns home from Afghanistan, his parents are on the brink of divorce, his brother has stolen his girlfriend and his car, and nightmares of his best friend getting killed keep him completely spooked. But when he runs into Harper Gray, a girl who despises him for trashing her reputation with a middle school lie, life actually starts looking up. As Travis and Harper see more of each other, he starts falling for her and a way through the family meltdown, the post-traumatic stress, and the possibility of an interesting future begins to emerge.

His sense of humor, sense of his own strength, and incredible sense of honor make Travis an irresistible and eminently lovable hero in this fantastic and timely debut novel.

Coming June 19 from Bloomsbury

In a sea of YA novels about paranormal creatures and people falling in love as the world falls apart around them, Something Like Normal sounds like it will be completely different, important, and powerful. Plus, it's a debut. And a contemporary.

I'm ALSO looking forward to the sequel to The Rise of Renegade X, one of my very favorite books. There's no cover or title yet, but that does not make me any less excited. Read more about it here.

YA Verse Books Challenge

2011-12-06T03:59:00.000-08:00

If you've read some of my past reviews, you may have noticed that I have a special place in my heart for books written in verse because a) that style of writing can be so powerful and emotional when done right, and b) they're really fast reads and I think there's c) other stuff that I can't remember right now.

Anyways, my point is that if you like verse books or think you should ('cause you should) then continue reading.

I am hosting a YA Verse Reading Challenge for 2012!

Who: You! And everyone you know.

What: The challenge is to get some YA books written in verse read in 2012! They can be from any year, as long as they are in verse and YA. There's a great Goodreads list with verse books, and Sarah Tregay, the author of the upcoming verse novel Love and Leftovers, has a great list on her site, in case you need some ideas.

There are three reading options you can choose from.

You can challenge youself to:

Newbie--Read 2 YA books written in verse.

Fan--Read 5 YA books written in verse.

Super Fan--Read 10 YA books written in verse, or more.

(Personally, I'm gonna stick with Fan because I hate to be really committed. I'm like a guy that way.)

When: In 2012. Sign-ups will end February 28, 2012.

Where: Here, at Shut Up! I'm Reading. Duh.

Why: Cause verse books are awesome. I used to fear them before I'd read one myself, but I now love them. My hope is that someone else feels the same way after participating in the challenge!

Sign up right here! Note: You don't have to have a blog to enter, but if you have a Goodreads or Shelfari account, link to that instead.

Hope you'll join! And if you do, grab the button and share it on your blog or wherever else you are on the internet.

DNF.

2011-12-05T01:09:00.000-08:00

DNF: reader code for "did not finish".

I don't really review books that I didn't finish, but I figured I'd share a few of those that I didn't and why they weren't for me. Cause who knows? Maybe you'll enjoy the elements I disliked.

First book:

Possession by Elana Johnson

Where I got it: From Galley Grab for review
How far I got into it: 130 pages
Recommended to: Fans of very romantic dystopias and paranormal.

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even thinkabout kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

I went into this one thinking I would love it, because it sounded straight up my alley, and the main character Vi sounded pretty rebellious. Yay. Unfortunately, things went downhill from there for me. The insta-love was some of the most instant that I've read, and if you've read my blog before then you know how much that bugs me. Combine that with some weird plot-holes and over-dramatic and just plain weird characters, and this was just not the book for me. But I've heard it gets better, so who knows?

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Where I got it: For review from publisher
How far I got into it: 150 pages
Who I recommend it to: Readers that aren't as weird about vague-ness as I am and don't mind a slow start.

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger.

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

I had such high hopes for this one. Everyone seemed to love it, so I had to love it too, right? Well, wrong. I really hate it when people are vague, and the first 150 pages of The Faerie Ring were just that: vague. Also slow. I didn't really connect to any of the characters (I really disliked Tiki, to be honest), so I decided that this one was just not for me. Again, though, I've heard that this one gets better.

Dark Parties by Sara Grant

Where I got it: For review from publicist

How far I got into it: About 150

Who I recommend it to: Fans of most dystopias

Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield "protects" them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there's nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says...
Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a "dark party" to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she's ever known, including the people she loves the most.

Another one that started strong but got worse. Dark Parties starts with a bang but then the main character crushes on her best friend's boyfriend. Who she's never even talked to. Um, no. I will not stand for this. I also just didn't connect to this story like I wanted to, so I couldn't finish this one.

So if these books still sound good to you, give them a try, but personally I wouldn't recommend them.

Did You Hear Didya Didya?!

2011-12-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

We interupt your regularly semi-coherent posts to bring you an important and mildly fangirly announcement:

I am meeting John Green.

...That's all.

...Well, I guess not.

The basics: John and his vlogging-partner/brother Hank are going on tour this Jan. and Feb.

The dates are:

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10TH - 7:00 PM
WELLESLEY, MA
Dana Hall School (45 Dana Rd., Wellesley, MA 02482)
Hosted by the Wellesley Booksmith. More info here at their site or by calling 781.431.1160.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11th - 6 PM
NEW YORK, NY
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, New York, NY 10025 (Broadway & 95th)
Tickets at their site or by calling 212.864.5400
NOTE: Tickets are $25 (but do include a book), because everything is more expensive in New York.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13th - 7 PM
BETHESDA, MD
The Crystal Ballroom at the Bethesday Hyatt regency (7400 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814)
Hosted by Politics & Prose - Tickets at 202.364.1919

SATURDAY JANUARY 14TH - 6 PM
RALEIGH, NC
Ravenscroft School (7409 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615)
Hosted by Quail Ridge Books - Tickets at 919.828.1588

SUNDAY JANUARY 15TH - 7 PM
ATLANTA, GA
Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College (141 East College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030)
Hosted by Little Shop of Stories - LSOS is apparently not ready for ticket sales, but they will be soon! I will let you know…

(Then there will be events in Birmingham, AL and New Orleans, LA, but I don’t know when or where yet.)

FRIDAY JANUARY 20TH - 7 PM
PASADENA, TX
Pasadena High School (206 South Shaver, Pasadena, TX 77506)
Hosted by Blue Willow Bookshop - Tickets at 281.497.8675

(Then there will be something in Austin.)

TUESDAY JANUARY 24TH - 7 PM
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
KiMo Theatre (423 Central Avenue Northwest, Albuquerque, NM 87102)
Hosted by Alamosa Books Tickets at 505.797.7101 or info@alamosabooks.com (Also, they have a facebook.)

(Then comes a thing in Arizona, but I don’t know when or where.)

THURSDAY JANUARY 26TH - 7 PM
SANTA MONICA, CA
Lincoln Middle School Auditorium, 1501 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403
Hosted by Children’s Book World. Tickets at 310.559.2665.

FRIDAY JANUARY 27TH - 7 PM
REDWOOD CITY, CA (San Francisco-ish)
Fox Theater - Redwood City (2221 Broadway St., Redwood City, CA 04063)
Hosted by Kepler’s. Tickets will be available starting next week.

SUNDAY JANUARY 29TH - 7 PM
PORTLAND, OR
Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214)
Hosted by Powell’s Books - Tickets will be available soon.

MONDAY, JANUARY 30TH - 7 PM
SEATTLE, WA (Well, Lake Forest Park, anyway)
The Third Place Commons (17171 Bothell Way Northeast, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155)
Hosted by Third Place Books. Tickets will be available starting next week.

For more info, go to his tumblr post about it.

I'll be at the Bethesda signing with my wonderful mom and I'm sososo excited, because John Green is pretty much my favorite author and yeah. If you want to go to one of the events, buy your tickets now people. The great people at Politics and Prose seemed to have a lot of calls already. Also, if you'll be at the Bethesda event, talk to me!

Anyways...

I'm excited.

Judging A Book By Its Cover: As You Wish

2011-12-01T07:15:00.001-08:00

The cover we're judging this time is...

I don't know, nothing about this cover really appeals to me that much. It all looks photo-shopped and awkward; the text, the girl, and then the author's name is just sort of slapped on. I can see that the designers were trying to make it fun and whimsical, and while that was almost a success, it just didn't work for me this time.

Now that we've judged the cover, let's read what the book's about:

Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong... and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

Misfit Review

2011-11-29T04:55:00.000-08:00

Author: Jon Skovron
Release Date: August 1, 2011
Pages: 384 (HC)
Publisher: Amulet
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: From the library

Jael has always felt like a freak. She’s never kissed a boy, she never knew her mom, and her dad’s always been superstrict—but that’s probably because her mom was a demon, which makes Jael half demon and most definitely not a normal sophomore girl. On her sixteenth birthday, a mysterious present unlocks her family’s dangerous history and Jael’s untapped potential. What was merely an embarrassing secret before becomes a terrifying reality. Jael must learn to master her demon side to take on a vindictive Duke of Hell while also dealing with a twisted priest, best friend drama, and a spacey blond skater boy who may have hidden depths.

Author Jon Skovron takes on the dark side of human nature with his signature funny, heartfelt prose.

You may or may not remember how much I enjoyed Skovron's '09 debut, Struts & Frets. So when I heard he was venturing into paranormal, I was a bit apprehensive about it, but was still willing to give it a try because I enjoyed Struts & Frets so much. Well, it didn't live up to my expectations.

Misfit puts a whole new spin on demons and even some stories from the bible. While I think it was brave of Skovron to do such a bold thing and sometimes a very cool concept, I thought a lot of it went over my head when it really shouldn't have. I ended up very confused and frustrated by the plot the more Skovron explained it.

Each of the characters were annoying. Jael was your run-of-the-mill stupid protagonist that doesn't listen to anyone and tells guys she barely knows that she's a demon because it feels right. Her dad's consistently cold personality annoyed me to know end; Britt was so self-absorbed it was torturous; and her uncle...well, he was there, I guess. I enjoyed Rob's character, but not his and Jael's relationship. It felt unnatural and...weird.

The best part of the book was the ending (no, not because it ended. I am not a Simon Cowell). Jael finally--for lack of a better term--grew a pair and kicked butt and took names and all that. Skovron's writing was also another part of the book that kept me reading. While not perfect, it was pretty good.

I guess my expectations were too high, because I really thought I'd love this one, but sadly I just didn't.

Plot: Interesting, but slow-moving.

Characters: Rob was okay, but overall...eh.

Writing: Pretty good.

Ending: Predictable but good.

Kind Friendly? There was swearing, multiple mentions of sex, and violence.
Should I read it? If it's more up your alley than it is mine, give it a go I guess. If it's not, then...

Overall:

2012 Contemporary Challenge

2011-11-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

2012 is right around the corner, which means it's time to do some challenges. (Though, I'll admit, I hardly do challenges unless I know I can reach the goal, so it's not very challenging at all. But still.)

If you've read my blog this year you may have noticed that I've fallen more and more in love with the contemporary genre, so it makes perfect sense for me to sign up for the 2012 Contemporary Challenge, hosted by Katie and Angela.

Plus, their buttons are pretty, and it's a good excuse to put something pretty on my blog.

I've decided to try for Level 2, meaning my goal is to read 10 contemporaries released in 2012. Here's my list of them, consisting of books I already have on Netgalley, and books I know I'm going to have to run out and buy when they're released:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz
Zero by Tom Leveen
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
Fracture by Megan Miranda
Guitar Notes by Mary Amato
The Disenchantment by Nina Lacour
Dead to You by Lisa McMann
Something Like Normal by Trish Doller (Had to add it!)

I can't wait to get started! Go sign up if you love contemporary too, or even if you just want to love it.

Also, sign up for the Debut Author Challenge, hosted by Kristi, just because it's awesome.

What I Have Been Doing Instead Of Blogging...and Reading.

2011-11-27T18:03:00.001-08:00

Hey peeps!

So you may have noticed that I kinda disappeared for the past two weeks.

Well, I have not really had the time to blog, or even read for that matter, so it's not like I have a whole bunch of new reviews to give you. Sorry 'bout that.

But, here is what I have been doing:

Eating Thanksgiving food!
Tumblring and tweeting and texting (yay T words!).
Working on my music blog.
Sleeping in wayyy too late.
Thinking up ideas for this here blog for 2012!

And, wait, there's something else, I think...

Oh right.

WRITING LIKE IT'S 1999. And it paid off.

That's right! I took on the challenge and wrote a 50,000 word manuscript this month. Nanowrimo says it's a month about literary abandon, which is very much true. This book is nowhere NEAR where I want it to be and know it can be, but that's where editing in January comes it.

It was also a month of social and hygienic abandon, but literary abandon sounds much cleaner, so let's stick with that.

ANYWAYS I just finished Nanowrimo about an hour ago, and now I'm very, very much looking forward to continuing to blog and read obsessively, now that I don't have about two thousand words a day to write.

Thanks for sticking with me, and I hope it'll be worth it.

Top Ten Tuesday

2011-11-15T07:03:00.001-08:00

Every so often I participate in The Broke and The Bookish's awesome meme, Top Ten Tuesday, which I'd say is pretty self explanatory. This week's topic:

Top Ten Books That Have Been On My Shelf For The Longest But I've Never Read

Um. I have a lot of these.

Willow by Julia Hoban

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert

Graceling by Kristen Cashore

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Inside Out by Maria V Snyder

Gone by Michael Grant

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Impossible by Nany Werlin

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

You guys read any of these? Which of these should I bump up on my to-read list?

DISCUSS AND FANGIRL WITH ME.

2011-11-14T06:54:00.001-08:00

Yep, that is The Hunger Games trailer.

My thoughts: It is so so so wonderful and oh my crap and oooooooh. I cried. And I never cried. I cannot tell if they were tears of happiness or if it was because Prim was picked or what. I am still hesitant about Peeta though. And Lionsgate purposefully only put out scenes from the first half of the book but I WANT TO SEE MOOOORE.

MarchMarchMarchMarch

I am freaking out.

My tumblr is nothing but Hunger Games this morning.

Anyways I've decided to drop what I'm reading and re-read the books now. Partially so I can take notes and see what they did wrong but mostly 'cause I MUST.

What do you guys think?

A Teen's Thought On "Foul Language" In YA

2011-11-11T03:00:00.000-08:00

"I mean, really, darn? What 18-year-old says darn? I am not writing about the Amish."

This quote from Gayle Forman's blog post about the language in If I Stay pretty much perfectly embodies what I believe to be true about language in young adult books.

(I've been wanting to write this post for a while, but it was brought up now by a school is Missouri attempting to ban Hold Still from their school library, as well as nine other books, including one of my personal favorites, If I Stay. We all know that banning books is stupid, but when I saw that one of the main reasons was for language, I had to speak up. ((And a book being pulled for "homosexuality" is the most ridiculous crap I've ever heard UUUUGH BOOK BANNERS.)

So if you've read my blog at all you'll notice that I don't use language, so you'd think I'd be some kind of language-prude and that my eyes would widen in horror whenever I encounter language in a book. Actually, though, it's quite the opposite.

In the past few years I've been brought up to believe that these words that society deems bad are just words when not used in a disrespectful way. I just don't swear in general and know that there are some kids that read my blog whose parents believe in swear words, and I respect that, hence the non-swearing blog you're reading. (Yeah, I've been brought up to believe that swear words aren't bad and I don't use them. SHOCKING.)

When I encounter swear words in a young adult book, needless to say, I don't think much of it, when it fits the character and/or scene. In fact, I dislike it even more when swear words aren't used when it seems like the characters are the type to actually use them.

Take a book I just read, Freak The Giant, as an example. The book features several criminals and none of them swear, once. Unrealistic, right? Right.

Because here's the thing: when authors write, they have a voice in their head that is their characters. They don't just think, "Oh an f-bomb here will certainly spice things up!" They write their characters knowing what they'd say if they were real, and they write it, because what else are they supposed to do?

If I'm reading a book about criminals, or teenage musicians, or other-side-of-the-track teens, I'd expect language. If I'm reading a book about a twelve year old going on an adventure, or an innocent younger teen romance, or if I'd researched the book and found it didn't have language (which is what I highly recommend to those who are concerned about it), I wouldn't expect it.

Most teens use language. Even more teens do not stray away from language. I am so fed up with ignorance from adults thinking that teens are drones; that we repeat exactly what we are fed. We do not need a "watch-dog" as one of the banners referred to himself as. We are people. We are capable of independent thought. I KNOW IT'S A SHOCKER BUT IT'S TRUE I SWEAR.

Even if you don't agree with me about language sometimes making a book more realistic, I'm sure you'll agree that a book can be just as meaningful, real, life-changing, and powerful even if there is language.

November Giveaway x 2

2011-11-10T08:56:00.000-08:00

Good ~~morning~~ afternoon! Would you like a chance to win a free book? Course you would.

Today, I'm giving one lucky winner the chance to win an ARC of:

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

FILL OUT THIS FORM to enter. (Ends Nov. 30, and US only 'cause I'm poor.) And fyi, my giveaway for Past Perfect ends tomorrow, so go enter to win it, because it's such an awesome book.

Also, I'm giving away a copy of Nightlight on my facebook page to anyone who likes the page and a post. So go like me!

That is all.

Waiting On Wednesday (63)

2011-11-09T07:48:00.000-08:00

This week I'm waiting on...

Getting Somewhere by Beth Neff

Four girls: dealer, junkie, recluse, thief.

Sarah, Jenna, Lauren, and Cassie may look like ordinary girls, but they’re not. They’re delinquents whose lives collide when they’re sent to an experimental juvenile detention program on a farm in the middle of nowhere. As the girls face up to the crimes they committed, three of them will heal the wounds of their pasts and discover strengths they never dreamed they had. And one, driven by a deep secret of her own, will seek to destroy everything they’ve all worked so hard for.

Coming January 19, 2012 from Viking

Sounds dark, but also very good.

(It's Baaaaack!) Judging A Book By Its Cover: Brooklyn, Burning

2011-11-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

Judging A Book By It's Cover was a feature I did when I started my blog...then a couple months later...and now, by popular demand (which is code for "my best friend's demand') I've decided to bring it back. Let me know if you like the feature or can see any way I could make improvements to it!

The cover we're judging today...

At first--because I'm an idiot--I didn't know what the image was. When I finally realized what it was, I fell in love with the cover. It screams, EXCITING and DIFFERENT and FIRE. Sure, the font for Brezenoff's name is kind of weird and hard to read, but overall I think this is a cover that really stands out in the best possible way.

Now that we've judged the cover, let's see what the book's about:

When you're sixteen and no one understands who you are, sometimes the only choice left is to run. If you're lucky, you find a place that accepts you, no questions asked. And if you're really lucky, that place has a drum set, a place to practice, and a place to sleep. For Kid, the streets of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, are that place. Over the course of two scorching summers, Kid falls hopelessly in love and then loses nearly everything and everyone worth caring about. But as summer draws to a close, Kid finally finds someone who can last beyond the sunset.

Brooklyn, Burning is the story of two summers in Brooklyn, two summers of fires, music, loss, and ultimately, love.

(I want it, guys. I want it reeeeal bad.)

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer Review

2011-11-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

Author: Lish Mcbride
Release Date: October 12, 2010
Pages: 342 (HC)
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: Bought

Sam leads a pretty normal life. He may not have the most exciting job in the world, but he’s doing all right—until a fast food prank brings him to the attention of Douglas, a creepy guy with an intense violent streak.

Turns out Douglas is a necromancer who raises the dead for cash and sees potential in Sam. Then Sam discovers he’s a necromancer too, but with strangely latent powers. And his worst nightmare wants to join forces . . . or else.

With only a week to figure things out, Sam needs all the help he can get. Luckily he lives in Seattle, which has nearly as many paranormal types as it does coffee places. But even with newfound friends, will Sam be able to save his skin?

I'm so sick of the paranormal genre. The characters are always flat and the plots are always the same. Luckily, this wasn't the case with Lish McBride's debut, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. Quite the opposite, actually.

From page one I could tell that McBride's humor was right up my alley, and it really was. I loved that there was so much humor in this book, and I think it helped make sure that none of the characters took themselves too seriously. The book didn't take itself too seriously, which made it that much better.

The plot was the perfect blend of suspense, originality, and fun. The combination kept me turning pages late into the night, eager to find out what misadventures poor Samhein (usually called Sam).

Each of the characters are original and lovable. Sam was oddly adorable, Ramon (who's name I kept wanting to pronounce as "Ramone" as in, "Oh how I love The Ramones!") was a wonderfully loyal best friend, and Brid was such an awesome and strong chick. I absolutely loved all of them.

Read Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. Read it if you're sick of paranormal, read it if you're still into paranormal, just...read it.

Plot: Grabbing and wonderful.

Characters: Can't I just keep them? Or at least Sam?

Writing: Sam's voice comes across really naturally, which is impressive.

Ending: Good but I want the sequel nooow!

Kid Friendly? There's language, violence, and (not descriptive) sex.

Should I read it? Absolutely.

Overall:

In My Mailbox (56) And Vlog (2)

2011-11-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

New drinking game: take a shot every time I say awesome.

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Dearly Departed by Lia Habel
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
Slam by Nick Horby
The Youngest Templar: Keeper of the Grail by Michael P. Spradlin
Sabriel by Garth Nix (audiobook)
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr (audiobook)
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Hold Still by Nina Lacour
The Treasure Map of Boys by E. Lockhart
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
My Life, The Theater, and Other Tragedies by Allen Zadoff
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

If you're on youtube, you can subscribe to me now (though, like I said, not sure if I'll be doing this again).

Have an awesome (hehe) week!

The Iron Knight Review

2011-11-04T00:40:00.000-07:00

Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Pages: 394 (e-galley)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review through Netgalley
Other Titles in Series: The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, The Iron Queen

My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn'darkmyr Tallyn.

I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.

My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

This book is so emotional. It was the ultimate Emotion Roller Coaster. Here are some of the things I (literally) shouted while reading:

"Look out!"
"WAIT WHAT."
"AHHHH NO."
"Yes!"
"NO."
"Yes!"
"I just want to bake Ash a cake made of rainbows and smiles so he can eat it and be happy!"
"NOOOO."
"YES!!!"
"Yeah, you know that's right!"
"Oh snap, I like you!"
"Ahhh!"
"...Wait, what?"
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND."
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND."
"I'M LOSING MY MIND."
"I THINK MY BRAIN JUST EXPLODED."
"OH GOD IT'S SO SAD!"
"SO SAD."
"I KNEW IT! I WAS RIGHT."
"Yay!!'
"Um there are only like 60 pages left. How am I going to survive without this series in my life?"
"Only 50 pages left AHHH."
"Only 40 pages left I CAN'T TAKE IT."
"...Wait my ereader says I have 30 more pages but I don't. AH I FEEL CHEATED. Now I need to re-read the series to get my 30 pages in."

Yeah, that pretty much sums up my thoughts.

So, in a nutshell: I've fallen in love with this series, totally and completely. I've laughed and been kept on the edge of my seat, The Iron Queen was the only book to ever make me cry, and I've never been as verbal while reading when I read The Iron Knight (see above). I'm so, so sad to see it ending but so ridiculously happy with how it ended. If you haven't read it yet, please change that immediately.

Plot: Yes.

Characters: Yes.

Writing: Yes.

Ending: SO MUCH YES.

Kid Friendly? There may have been a tad of swearing, and some (very non-explicit) sex.

Should I read it? Abso-freaking-lutely.

Overall:

Prized Review

2011-11-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

Author: Caragh M. O'Brien
Release Date: November 8, 2011
Pages: 356 (ARC)
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Most Appropriate for Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from publisher

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

I'm not gonna beat around the bush: I did not like Prized as much as I liked Birthmarked. I enjoyed it, yes, and I'm excited to see what happens next in the series, but some things in Prized just didn't work for me.

But even though some things didn't work for me in this installment, I see why the author had to do these things and it was logical to take them the places she did. It just bugged me. Which makes this review particularly hard to write.

So you know how everyone's sick of the love triangles? Well, Prized has a love square. Now, logically, this makes sense. Nine out of ten people in Sylum are guys, and it's illegal for the ones that aren't married to so much as touch another girl, so obviously they are supa horneh. But it still bugged me, especially since Gaia just kinda led them all on, which also makes sense. I mean, this was a shock to a girl who had never even been looked at by guys. But it still bugged me.

It also didn't help that the pace was much slower than it was in Birthmarked. I found it far easier to put down than I'd like, honestly.

No, Prized did not quite live up to the expectations that Birthmarked had set, but I by no means found it bad, and I have hopes for the next book. Also, Leon was about ten times hotter in this book, so that helped.

Plot: A bit slow.

Characters: Gaia made some mistakes that made me super angry at her, but Leon made up for it cause DANG.

Writing: Very good!

Ending: Leaves a lot of hope for the last book.

Kid Friendly? There was an abortion and talk of it, as well as a pretty gory birth.

Should I read it? If you loved the first book like I did, yes. If you didn't...well, then maybe you'll want to wait to see what people said about the third book.

Overall:

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's my Divergent pumpkin. I found the patter from YA Highway and couldn't resist. And then I had to share it, cause a) I love it and b) it took me forever so I needed to share it with everyone that I could.

Interview with Caragh M. O'Brien--Prized Blog Tour

2011-10-31T02:30:00.000-07:00

I LOVED Birthmarked. Like, a fangirl-ish amount. So when I was asked to interview Mrs. O'Brien for her blog tour, I was doing something like this. (For more about the tour, go here.) Hopefully you enjoy reading the interview as much as I did!

1. So, I know this if probably your most-asked and therefore most-hated question, but I've got to know: Where'd you get the initial idea for Birthmarked?

Jessica, I first wish to say how happy I am to be here. You were one of my earliest reviewers back when Birthmarked was first released, and I was so happy to have a good review! I hope you’ll like the Prized, too.

I don’t mind at all the question about where Birthmarked came from. The very first ideas began to come when I was driving across the U.S. a few years ago, and went through a drought in the South. The waterless lakes made me feel like climate change was already here, and I started to consider the social and political effects we’ll face in the coming years. Then I wondered what it would take to survive, and Gaia’s story began to form. I started writing the first chapter a couple weeks later.

2. Did you plan for it to turn into a series?

No, I didn’t. I didn’t truly expect the first book to be picked up, so I wasn’t planning on more. Then Roaring Brook offered me a three-book contract, and I thought Oops! I guess it’s a trilogy! I sat down that weekend to see if I could write any more, and I was immediately in the wasteland, so I began to believe I could manage it. Expanding the story into a trilogy has been an interesting challenge. I’m grateful my editor had faith in my work.

3. How many books are going to be in the series?

Three. I’ve been working on Promised, the third book, for about a year. I’ve just sent in my eighth draft, and it’s going to copy edits later this week.

4. Happy Halloween! What's been your favorite costume you've worn?

Halloween was a big deal in my family when I grew up with my six siblings. My parents did not believe in us wearing masks, so instead we would line up at my father’s knee, one by one, and he would paint our faces with water colors and a fine-tipped brush. My favorite costume was a blue princess outfit, including a satiny cloak with white furry trim. My dad painted big red circles on my cheeks, and then I covered up in my overcoat to go Trick-or-Treating in the Minnesota cold.

5. What's your favorite scary-supernatural being and why?

I tell you. The scariest supernatural being of all time is the Abominable Snowman in the claymation version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964). That thing scares the bejesus out of me even now, but it makes me laugh, too. Crazy, right?

Prized Code #8: V

Thank you so much for having me by, Jessica! These were fun questions. I hope you have a happy Halloween, and if you knock at my door this year, I’ll be the blue fairy handing out the Nestlé Crunches. Tomorrow, I’ll be visiting There’s a Book for my next stop on the tour. Thanks again!
-----
Oh man, I want Nestle Crunches! But I'll be handing out candy this year instead of trick-or-treating (they grow up so fast!). Thanks for stopping by, for the awesome answers and kind words, and for writing such an awesome book. (I warned you guys I was a fangirl.)

Virtuosity Review

2011-10-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

Author: Jessica Martinez
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Pages: 302 (e-galley)
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Most Appropriate for Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review though Galley Grab

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better? Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected. Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....

Virtuosity is an intense tale full of music, love, and having others control you.

Carmen does not live a normal life. She doesn't go to school or have friends, and her biggest worries are definitely not homework; she's a huge classical-music-celebrity. Despite the completely different life Carmen leads than yours and mine (unless you're a classical-music-celebrity) she is incredibly easy to relate to from the first page.

Though at times I thought Carmen and Jeremy's relationship that were a bit cheesy, overall I liked it. And I really liked Jeremy. I hate it when love interests are perfect and say perfect things and the only thing you know about them is defined by their relationship, and that was definitely not the case with Jeremy. He was his own person with his own problems and I loved him for that.

The descriptions of music that Martinez writes are ridiculously good. I found that classical music could make for interesting subject matter when written well when I read If I Stay, and Virtuosity definitely didn't disappoint in that department. In fact, the writing overall didn't disappoint. I'm impressed that this is Martinez's debut and I'll definitely be keeping an eye on what she releases next.

Despite how much I enjoyed it, Virtuosity was just missing that "wow" factor for me, so I don't know how long it'll be staying with me. BUT, with that being said, Virtuosity is a promising start to a promising new author's career. If you read it, I'm sure you'll agree.

Plot: Surprisingly gripping.

Characters: Not really any side characters, but the main characters made up for it.

Writing: Very good!

Ending: Pretty much perfect.

Kid Friendly? There may have been a tad of swearing, as well as addiction to prescribed drugs.

Should I read it? If you're a fan of contemporary, definitely.

Overall:

Waiting On Wednesday

2011-10-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

This week I'm waiting on...

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18B. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Coming January 2nd from Poppy

I've heard nothing but great things about this one. ~~And it helps that I secretly love this cover.~~

The Goddess Test Review

2011-10-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

Author: Aimee Carter
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Pages: 293 (e-galley)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+

Where I Got It: For review through Netgalley

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

Siiiiiiiigh. After hearing a lot of mixed reviews about The Goddess Test, I'm afraid I have to add my review to the negative pile.

The plot just really didn't grab me at all. I had such a hard time getting into it, and it took me forever to read. I can't really point out major plot flaws to you, because all I know is that it was supposed to interest me more than it did.

Kate was okay. First I thought she was annoying, but either I changed towards the end or she did, cause she began to grow on me a bit. But Henry? UGH. The guy must have had permanent-PMS or something cause DANG. And yes, I know why he was moody and that I'm supposed to be all, "Oh, you poor thing!" But here's the thing: I'm not. I'm not very sympathetic. Especially when this guy has had, what, hundreds of years to heal his broken heart and just GET OVER IT and just HASN'T? And Kate and Henry's relationship was so unhealthy, and angsty, but mostly unhealthy, thanks to Henry and his mood swings.

This book was dripping angst. I have a giant angst-puddle on my kitchen floor because of it. If that's your kind of thing, pick it up. It is not really my thing, so I found myself rolling my eyes more than I could count.

I kept with it, expecting something big to happen and to finally get some answers so everyone would stop being annoyingly vague. (And by "everyone" I mean Henry UGH HENRY.) And they did stop, and I did get--surprising--answers, but I wouldn't say it completely made up for my issues with the book.

Plot: Different, but didn't keep my interest at all.

Characters: Kate was okay, Henry was unbearable, and the side characters were kinda bland.

Writing: Okay but nothing special.

Ending: Good but it didn't answer a lot of questions, still.

Kid Friendly? There was sex, death, and maybe a swear word or two?

Should I read it? If this sounds like your type of book, I guess. But I've read better paranormals.

Overall:

Hooked Review & Giveaway

2011-10-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

Author: Catherine Greenman
Release Date: August 9, 2011
Pages: 276 (HC)
Most Appropriate for Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from publicist

Thea Galehouse has always known how to take care of herself. With a flighty club-owner mom and a standoffish, recovering-alcoholic dad, Thea has made her own way in her hometown of New York, attending the prestigious and competitive Stuyvesant High School. But one chat with Will, a handsome and witty senior, and she's a goner—completely hooked on him and unable to concentrate on anything else.

Always worried that she loves Will more than he loves her, Thea is pleasantly surprised when their romance weathers his move to college and Will goes out of his way to involve her in his life. But then, Thea misses a period. And that starts Thea and Will on a wild ride that neither of them could have possibly prepared for.

First of all: while the cover is relevant, I would never read it in public. There's really no hiding what the book's about. MOVING ON.

With Hooked's mostly-likable protagonist and unique subject matter, Hooked was an entertaining read.

No, it wasn't perfect. My main problem was the way time jumps. For a story about pregnancy, time jumps are needed, yes. But for some reason they felt odd and unnatural to me and it was something that bothered me, as did some other minor writing issues.

Most of my complaints end there though. Thea, while sometimes naive and even a little annoying at times, was a realistic and likable main character. Will was...well, I don't know. I thought he was realistic. I know I keep using that word a lot, but it's the best way I can properly describe the characters and plot. Things weren't sugarcoated and characters weren't perfect, and that was one of the main things I liked about Hooked.

Hooked is a story about teen pregnancy, love, family, and growing up. It didn't make an impact on me, but it was fun and entertaining while it lasted.

Plot: At times it was kind of easy-to-put-down, but mostly it was good.

Characters: Pretty good. Didn't fall head-over-heels for any of them, but I didn't hate any of them.

Writing: Eh. It was Greenman's debut, so the writing wasn't perfect, but I can definitely see where Greenman could become a really good author.

Ending: Good.

Kid Friendly? There was sex. Well, obviously. But I mean like, a lot of it. And some language.

Should I read it? If you're looking for a decent contemporary that isn't really deep but isn't overly-light either, Hooked is the way to go.

Overall:

And now, I've got a giveaway for you guys! One lucky winner will win their own copy of Hooked. US only, ends on November 7. Fill out this form to enter. Good luck!

Several Announcements and Random Statements

2011-10-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

1: I guest posted at Word For Teens yesterday!

2: I have started a music blog with an awesome friend of mine. It's very new and there's not a lot up yet, but if you were to check it out, we'd both appreciate it.

3: I made an official Facebook page for Shut Up! I'm Reading. I'd love it if you liked it.

4: It is really cold and my mom is refusing to turn the heat on.

5: I'm currently reading The Iron Knight. After that I'll be reading Prized, and then The Scorpio Races. I am going to have the biggest. good book hangover. ever.

Zelah Green Review

2011-10-21T01:57:00.000-07:00

Author: Vanessa Curtis
Release Date: October 1, 2011 (In US.)
Pages: 250 (Paperback)
Publisher: Egmont
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from publicist

My Name is Zelah Green and I'm a cleanaholic.

I spend most of my life running away from germs. And dirt. And people. And I'm just about doing okay and then my stepmother packs me off to some kind of hospital to live with a bunch of strangers. It's stuck in the middle of nowhere. Great.

There's Alice who's anorexic. Caro who cuts herself. Silent Sol who has the cutest smile. And then there's me.

I was so excited to read Zelah Green when I read that description. I mean, who wouldn't be? But when I saw it's size (HUGE font, small pages) I became nervous. How could the author possibly develop the story and unique characters in that short amount of time? Luckily, I shouldn't have worried.

So I have a fascination with mental institutions, which is actually what drew me to this novel in the first place. The people you could meet and the entire experience just sounds like it would make a great book to me. ...Yeah, I know it's still weird. But Zelah Green definitely satisfied my craving for this type of book. Without spoiling the novel for you too much, let me just say that the institution is a different type of one than I'd imagined, and I loved it.

Zelah has severe OCD, which I know very little about besides what I've seen on Monk. But Zelah Green manages to keep the wit and humor that a wonderful protagonist has even though she's sick and going through some other stuff on top of it. Experiencing the story through her eyes is fantastic. Her voice manages to keep this story mildly light-hearted and fun, despite the side character's dark pasts that are revealed to us at different times throughout the book. Because of this, things are not usually spelled out for us, and I actually would've liked them once or twice.

Zelah Green was unique, grabbing, and fast. It's a great way to spend an afternoon.

Plot: Grabbing and different.

Characters: Exciting and different.

Writing: Very good, Zelah's voice really shines.

Ending: I'm interested to see what will happen in the sequel...

Kind Friendly? There was a bit of swearing, and mentions to abuse, death, anorexia, cutting, and (I'm pretty sure) rape.

Should I read it? Contemporary fans cannot go wrong with this one.

Overall:

Side-note: Why is the UK so much more environmentally and ethically responsible than the US? EgmontUK put a page in the back of Zelah Green, saying how their press was dedicated to providing fair conditions for the workers that helped make the paper and other products needed to make the book, as well as being as sustainable as possible. US publishers: take note, cause this NEEDS to be a thing here.

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS COVER

2011-10-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

SIMPLE. AND THERE ARE NO GIRLS IN DRESSES ON THE COVER.

Anyways, all-caps excitement aside: I really like this cover. It's whimsical and intriguing. I'm hoping it ties in with the story, too.

But even if I hated the cover, I'm still pre-ordering this book. And almost definitely loving it.

Waiting On Wednesday (61)

2011-10-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

This week I'm waiting on...

Thou Shalt Not Road Trip by Antony John

When sixteen-year-old Luke's book, Hallelujah, becomes a national best seller, his publisher sends him on a cross-country tour with his unpredictable older brother, Matt, as chauffeur. But when Matt offers to drive Luke's ex-crush, Fran, across the country too, things get a little crazy. Luke thinks he's enlightened, but he really needs to loosen up if he's going to discover what it truly means to have faith, and do what it takes to get the girl he loves.

Coming April 12th 2012 from Dial

I haven't read Antony John's other book, Five Flavors of Dumb, yet, but I've heard it's good and this one sounds great!

Interview with Leila Sales, Author of Past Perfect & Contest

2011-10-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

I really, really enjoyed Leila Sale's sophomore novel, Past Perfect, so I was so pleased when she agreed to an interview. Enjoy!

I know this is a question authors hate to get and I'm sorry, but I must ask: What inspired you to write Past Perfect?

I worked as a costumed Colonial tour guide on Boston’s Freedom Trail the summer after my first year in college, and it was filled with so many funny experiences and quirky characters that I knew that, someday, I would want to write about it.

My friend Kendra knew that I’d had this experience, and about two years ago she started nudging me to do a YA about it. Kendra is also, as I recall, the one who came up with the bit where the protagonist would fall for a Civil War reenactor and not be able to be with him because they “come from different times.” That was an amazing suggestion, so obviously I stole it!

I also was grappling with a breakup of my own, so I wanted to write a story about being haunted by memories of what could have been. I came up with this theme of “nostalgia,” and then I was able to fit all those ideas into one book!

How much research did you have to do for historical reenactment setting in Past

Perfect?

My writing partner, Rebecca Serle, and I went on a research roadtrip down to Colonial Williamsburg. I interviewed a teen interpreter about her experiences working there. She was very helpful, though I kept interrupting the poor girl to ask, like, “Where would you say the cool kids work? At the basket makers? The furniture makers? Do you have crushes on any of the boys here? If so, which ones? Are the ones in the fife and drum parade hot?”

As for the rest of the historical facts, I knew some from my old job on the Freedom Trail, some from high-school history class, and some I gathered by doing reading or talking to people. But this book did not require anywhere NEAR as much research as an actual historical novel would!

Is the term "farbs" actually a thing in the world of historical reenactments? Cause I think I might have to start calling people farbs.

Yes! “Farb” really is a thing. According to its Wikipedia entry, there’s no consensus on where the word comes from, but it may be short for “Far be it from authentic.” I have never known any Colonial interpreters to use it, but I hear that Civil War reenactors use “farb” liberally.

Which of your characters--from either of your books--would you say is most like you?
All my characters are a little bit like me (except for toad-like Bryan—let’s say he is not like me AT ALL because I am super-non-toad-like). Violet, from MOSTLY GOOD GIRLS, is probably the most like me, though she is certainly not an exact replica of me! She is her own person.

What made you decide to write for teens?

I have always written for teens, starting from the time I WAS a teen. I love to read YA literature, and I have always found the topics in it more compelling than the topics usually covered in adult novels (extramarital affairs, unfulfilling careers, mortgages, etc). I don’t think I ever decided to write for teens—it’s just the sort of writing that I most love to do.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I have lots! From the kids book world: Anne Spencer Lindbergh, Meg Cabot, Philip Pullman, David Levithan, Gabrielle Zevin, John Green. For adults: Connie Willis, Dave Barry, Chuck Klosterman, Dorothy Parker, Oscar Wilde. And on and on and on…

Thanks again for the awesome interview!

Oh, and guess what? You've got the chance to read Past Perfect by filling out THIS FORM and checking out the list of countries Book Depository ships to to make sure you're eligible (so yes, it is international). Ends November 11. Good luck!

Aurelia Review

2011-10-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

Author: Anne Osterlund
Release Date: April 17, 2008
Pages: 246 (Paperback)
Publisher: Puffin
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: From library

An impressive debut, equal parts commercial appeal and literary prowess.

Princess Aurelia is next in line to rule the kingdom of Tyralt, but she would rather be one of the common folk, free to learn and roam and . . . not marry the next tyrannical prince that comes courting. Naturally, the king wants Aurelia to marry for political power. Aurelia wants to marry for love. And someone in the kingdom wants her . . . dead. Assigned to investigate and protect Aurelia is Robert, the son of the king's former royal spy and one of Aurelia's oldest friends. As Aurelia and Robert slowly uncover clues as to who is threatening her, their friendship turns to romance. With everything possible on the line, her life, her kingdom, her heart, Aurelia is forced to take matters into her own hands, no matter the cost.

It took me a while to get through Aurelia, but when I did I was pretty happy with it overall. So no it didn't wow me, I was able to find quite a few things to enjoy in my first Osterlund book.

I'll start with my main negative about Aurelia: the pacing was very slow, but it didn't help that it was far out of my normal genre. It just seemed like not a lot happened to me. And when things did happen, I saw them coming pretty early on.

My main positives about the novel would be its winning main character, Aurelia. Aurelia is trying to avoid all of her old and grody suitors, and torn between seeing the world and waiting to rule her beloved kingdom, Tyralt. And you never get to know Robert quite as well as you do Aurelia (though the story's told from both their perspectives) I still enjoyed his character a lot.

While I thought the story could've developed more smoothly and quickly, I enjoyed Aurelia overall. I'll be interested in reading the sequel to see on what other adventures Osterlund can take these great characters.

Plot: Kinda slow-moving and under-developed.

Characters: I was sad that there weren't really any side characters, I really liked the main characters.

Writing: Very good!

Ending: Predictable, but should make for an interesting sequel.

Kind Friendly? There may have been a tad of swearing, as well as a little violence, but that's it.

Should I read it? If it sounds good to you, give it a go.

Overall:

Anna and the French Kiss Review

2011-10-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

Author: Stephanie Perkins
Release Date: December 2, 2010
Pages: 378
Publisher: Dutton
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: From library

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna--and readers--have long awaited?

Hype is a dangerous, dangerous thing. And Anna and the French Kiss has been one of the most hyped about books I've come across in my two years of blogging. (Notice the italics? It means I'm serious.) So, I went into Anna half-expecting to not like it because of that. Also, I expected to be the snooty reviewer that finds a bunch of stuff wrong with the book and burst everyone's bubble. Because it gives me joy.

But, guys.

I couldn't find anything wrong with it.

It's okay though, cause Anna gave me WAY more joy than bubble-popping does.

The characters and dialogue and general awesome of this book had me grinning from ear to ear at page one. It also made me laugh out loud, want to crawl into the book and give the characters a much-needed hug and chocolate bar, and realize that I like romantic stuff more than I'd realized. (I mean, I have a list of chick-flicks. But they have to be well-written chick-flicks--10 Things I Hate About You, Easy A, Say Anything, Every John Hughes Movie Ever, etc.)

It was like an out-of-body experience, reading Anna. I saw myself reading and tell my family to shut up and giggling (seriously, like, girlish giggling) at St. Clair. Out-of-body-me was all, "How are you reading that fast? How are you already that far in? STOP READING YOU HAVE THINGS TO DO!" But I didn't listen.

Then when it was over, I was incredibly sad that it was. These characters had become my friends and St. Clair had become my ~~obsession~~ book-crush, and I am not in Paris. I was not living in Perkins' world. Who wouldn't be sad about that?

I am not quite sure how Anna and the French Kiss went from Just Another Chick Book to an OMG GREAT BOOK Book, but it did. I cannot wait for Perkins' next novel, Lola and the Boy Next Door, and to just buy a copy of Anna, because I know this is a story that will need to be revisited again and again.

Plot: The feel-good girl-story girls all know and love, but...different, somehow.

Characters: LOOOOVE.

Writing: So good.

Ending: Perfection.

Kind Friendly? There was swearing, mentions of sex, making out, and teen drinking (though in Paris it's legal).

Should I read it? YEAH. OBVIOUSLY.

Overall:

To Rate or Not To Rate?

2011-10-13T07:53:00.000-07:00

Lately everyone's been taking their ratings systems (1--5 stars, grading scale, etc) out of their reviews. At first, this kind of horrified me. I liked ratings. Reading them and giving them. It helped me get my thoughts together, if that makes any sense.

Now though, I'm not so sure. I mean, there are pros and cons to both sides, both for the author and the reader.

For the author:

Pros:

(If you're me) Helps you collect your thoughts about a book.

Makes it a bit easier to express your opinion on a book in a short, easy way.

Cons:

Sometimes, it's hard.

Different genres are difficult to compare.

For the reader:

Pros:

An easy way to tell if someone liked a book if you don't have much time to read the review in its entirety.

Sums their thoughts up nicely.

Cons:

It can get confusing sometimes. Like when you see someone who had a few issues with a book but rated it five stars, when just the other day they raved about a book and gave it four.

So, what do you think? What are your favorite and least favorite things about ratings? Is there a certain rating scale you prefer? Sound off in the comments!

Between Review

2011-10-11T01:01:00.000-07:00

Author: Jessica Warman
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Pages: 454 (ARC)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Most Appropriate for Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from publicist

Elizabeth Valchar --- pretty, popular and rich --- wakes up the morning after her 18th birthday on the yacht where she’d been celebrating with her closest friends. A persistent thumping noise has roused her. When she goes to investigate, she finds her own drowned body is hitting the side of the boat. Liz is dead. She has no memory of what happened to her, and can only observe in horror the fallout of her death.

She’s also soon joined by Alex Berg, a quiet boy from her high school who was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The two keep each other company, floating in and out of memories and trying to piece together the details of what happened to each of them.

I love books about death. Call me morbid, but it's true. I love to hear author's takes on the afterlife and read tales of redemption even after death. And I've heard this book be compared to If I Stay and Before I Fall, both great books. While I don't think I enjoyed Between quite as much as I did those novels, it holds its own.

I kinda hate reading about a popular girl. Anyone who knows me will tell you that popular girls and I have completely different thought-processes and priorities. Usually when reading through their point of view, I just get disgusted and disconnected. The one book that's been able to pull off a spoiled girl's POV would be--sorry to keep bringing this book up--Before I Fall, but since I haven't been able to find another one I enjoyed. Well that is until Between came along. Warman has created a new kind of afterlife, and I was so glad that Liz left at least a bit of her brattyness at the door. I think having Alex there helped ground her a bit, and it definitely gave me a character to connect to while I was waiting around for Liz to humanize a tad more.

Aside from Liz and Alex though, I didn't connect to any of the characters. Partially because their personalities were so far-fetched, as were some of the plot-lines surrounding them. It reads more like a teen mystery than it did a contemporary book, if you get what I mean.

So, while not without its negatives, Between managed to keep me engaged and decently connected throughout the book. I'll be interested in other books by Warman.

Plot: Kinda predictable, but exciting and well-paced.

Characters: The side characters were kinda bland or unbelievable, but Liz and Alex were good.

Writing: There were some sentences that I had to reread because they were so good. I'll be reading another Warman novel.

Ending: Like I said, predictable.

Kid Friendly? There was drug use, teen drinking and driving, eating disorders, mentions of sex and using sexually explicit photos as blackmail, swearing, and violence.

Should I read it? If this sounds like your type of book, absolutely.

Overall:

Guest Post by Jen Nadol and Contest

2011-10-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

As part of a tour through Teen Book Scene, I have a guest post by Jen Nadol (author of The Mark and The Vision) about ten reality shows and why she'd do them...well, maybe.

10. The Amazing Race. You don’t have to do anything really scary or disgusting and they fly you all over the place to see cool stuff. Yes. I would do this.

9. Survivor. I’d last about three days – it looks tough. But people come off it buff and with a hugely renewed appreciation for things like pillows and toilet paper.

8. Chopped. Another show I’d get axed from immediately. I like to cook, but I’m not really good enough to figure out how to make something delicious from a basket of squid ink, linguini and chocolate bars.

7. The Price Is Right. Never mind that I wouldn’t want most of the stuff they give away or that I’d be so nervous trying to guess the third number in the price of the NEW CAR!!!! that I’d totally blow it. I watched this show with my Mom-Mom when I was like four. Of course, I’d do it. It’s iconic. And maybe I’d get to play Plinko.

6. The Bachelorette. KIDDING!!!! Never in a million years. This whole bachelor/ette thing was over for me when Jen Schefft and Andrew Firestone didn’t make it.

5. 30 Days. I’ve never seen this one, but the premise is cool: people spend 30 days immersing themselves in an unfamiliar lifestyle like working for minimum wage (actually, I’m quite familiar with this – see Top 10 Jobs post) or being in prison or living in a different culture. I’m pretty happy with my existence as is, but this sounds mind-broadening and that’s usually good.

4. Big Brother. Questionable. You don’t have to eat anything gross or perform on stage, but you do have to spend a looooong time with some pretty cheesy characters. And I don’t think they let you bring books. At least I’ve never seen anyone on the show reading one. I’d go, but only if they brought Dr. Will back.

3. Deal or No Deal. It’s hard not to come out of this winning something unless you’re just totally greedy.

2. Supernanny. No, I wouldn’t actually let that Mary Poppins lady into my house to tell me everything I’m doing wrong. But some days I think maybe I should.

1. Anything on HGTV. You want to make over my living room? Help me find a vacation house in St. Thomas? Re-do my backyard? Show me $18 million apartments in NYC? I’m in.

Thanks Jen! I love Chopped an unhealthy amount, and it'd be so awesome to see you on it, even if you did leave in the appetizer round.

And now, I've got a little contest for you guys. I've got five signed bookmarks from Jen Nadol to give away. All you have to do is leave a nice comment for Ms. Nadol with your email address. US only. Ends in two weeks, exactly. Good luck!

In My Mailbox (57)

2011-10-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

This week I got...

For review:

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Breaking Fellini by M.E. Purfield

From the library:

Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Misfit by Jon Skovron (Read--review on the way.)
Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headly

Bought:

TTYL by Lauren Myracle
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
Take Me There by Susan Colsantti
Crooked by Laura McNeal

Have a great week!

One of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies Review

2011-10-07T04:00:00.000-07:00

Author: Sonya Sones
Release Date: October 25, 2005
Pages: 272 (PB)
Publisher: SimonPulse
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: Bought

Fifteen-year-old Ruby Milliken leaves her best friend, her boyfriend, her aunt, and her mother's grave in Boston and reluctantly flies to Los Angeles to live with her father, a famous movie star who divorced her mother before Ruby was born.

One of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies was kind of a predictable, cliched novel that you won't really think about once you've finished it, but you enjoyed it well enough while reading it.

Sadly I never connected to the story like I need to. I think maybe part of the problem was Ruby. While I sometimes liked her humor, she was blind to things I figured out quickly and occasionally annoying. And all of the side-characters were...well, pretty much non-existent.

OOTHBWTMD was told in verse, so it's a really fast read but--for me--that's about all it was. I know some have liked it a LOT more than me, so it's worth a try if it sounds like your style.

Plot: I feel like I've read it before...

Characters: Ruby irritated me.

Writing: Good. It had a different tone than some verse books I've read.

Ending: Saw it coming.

Kind Friendly? There was mild swearing, and mentions of sex.
Should I read it? You know what, yeah. Though it wasn't my cup of tea, I'm sure lots of others will enjoy it. (Mainly because they have.)

Overall:

A Book Place That I Love (2)

2011-10-06T10:42:00.000-07:00

I love independent bookstores. And this one is one of my favorites. It probably helps that it's the bookstore from the Wolves of Mercy Falls series that Sam Roth works in. (Which I could tell when I first walked into the store. Just sayin'.)

In Fredericksburg, VA

What you see when first walking in.

Here's some of their YA/children's section (downstairs), which I'll go ahead and admit is lacking a bit. But that's not the real reason I go to Riverby Books. Mostly it's just to look at all the old books and listen to their laid back Belle and Sebastian-esque tunes, and breathe in the smell of old books...Yeah, I'm weird.


French books! Old french books!

A giant Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew section! I don't really give a crap about either of those series, but they're old!

And then I went back to the main floor, and then up the stairs.

A railing overlooking the main floor of the store.

If you have a chance, it's definitely worth stopping by. Obviously.

(Their site.)

Waiting on Wednesday (60)

2011-10-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

This week I'm waiting on...

Supergirl Mixtapes by Meagan Brothers

After years of boredom in her rural South Carolina town, Maria is thrilled when her father finally allows her to visit her estranged artist mother in New York City. She’s ready for adventure, and she soon finds herself immersed in a world of rock music and busy streets, where new people and ideas lie around every concrete corner. This is the freedom she’s always longed for—and she pushes for as much as she can get, skipping school to roam the streets, visit fancy museums, and flirt with the cute clerk at a downtown record store.

But just like her beloved New York City, Maria’s life has a darker side. Behind her mother’s carefree existence are shadowy secrets, and Maria must decide just where—and with whom—her loyalty lies.

Coming April 24th 2012 from Henry Holt and Co

Sounds cool and different. Plus, there is no denying the awesome that is that cover.

And:

The Disenchantments by Nina Lacour

Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev’s band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she’s abandoning their plans—and Colby—to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie-Colby struggles to deal with Bev’s already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what’s next?

Morris Award–finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives.

Coming February 16th 2012 from Dutton Juvenile

Sounds right up my alley! I've been looking for books that deal with what happens after high school too, so yay.

Whip It Review

2011-10-03T03:30:00.000-07:00

Author: Shauna Cross
Release Date: June 23, 2009 (reprint)
Pages: 234 (PB)
Publisher: Square Fish
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: From the library

Meet Bliss Cavendar, an indie-rock-loving misfit stuck in the tiny town of Bodeen, Texas. Her pageant-addicted mother expects her to compete for the coveted Miss Bluebonnet crown, but Bliss would rather feast on roaches than be subjected to such rhinestone tyranny.

Bliss's escape? Roller Derby.

When she discovers a league in nearby Austin, Bliss embarks on an epic journey full of hilarious tattooed girls, delicious boys in bands, and a few not-so-awesome realities even the most hard-core derby chick has to learn.

(Originally published as Derby Girl.)

I saw the movie of this a couple of months back, and the movie was so close to the book, that while I was reading it I was constantly comparing it to the book. Which wasn't good for either the book or the movie, because I think both did certain things better.

First of all, I loved Bliss's voice. It was sarcastic and real and always fun to read. Though sadly there were times that I felt the story was narrated oddly and without enough details. Especially when it came to roller derby, cause if it hadn't been for what little bit I knew about the sport, I would've been completely lost.

Also, we never really got to know anyone else but Bliss and her boyfriend. Which on one hand was good, because I loved how realistic their relationship was. But on the other hand...um, these roller derby chicks were pretty much dispensable.

Whip It was fast (I read it in about 3 hours) and fun, but nothing more than that. If you're looking for something light, give it a go.

Book Report:

Plot: Interesting and fun.
Characters: Bliss is an awesome main character, but her and her boyfriend are the only developed characters.
Writing: Bliss's voice was good, but other than that it was lacking.
Ending: Pretty good.
Kid friendly? There's swearing and sex and underage drinking.
Should I read it? Eh. If you really want to. I mean, I've read some 5-star reviews of it, so I guess it just depends on your taste.

Overall:

In My Mailbox (56)

2011-10-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

I'm coming to you from the beach, so let me make this quick.

For review:

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Hooked by Catherine Greenman

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Ashes by Estevan Vega

Excited for all of these!

Upcoming Book Covers

2011-09-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

It's time for me to dust off my old friend: the soapbox. Or as I like to call him, Mr Soapboxy (it's not original or anything, but I'm not that clever when I'm aggravated, so it's fitting).

Anyways.

Covers.

I am noticing some patterns with them.

And it displeases me.

Is it just me, or are do we only have two categories of covers any more? Or, at least, that's what late 2011 and early 2012 cover artists seem to think.

First, we have the face of the protagonist looking dramatically into the the camera:

The second category is the girls doing pretty poses in pretty clothes with a pretty background:

I mean seriously? Am I the only one who's noticed this and finds this annoying? I've never been huge on either of the above types of covers and I'm frustrated that they're becoming the norm.

I want more covers like the one Gone, Gone, Gone has; simple, eloquent, and grabbing.

Or like the beautiful artsy cover of The Night Circus:

I know some people love the covers I dislike, but how do you feel about them? How do you feel about the covers I like?

The Vision Review

2011-09-28T00:30:00.000-07:00

Author: Jen Nadol
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Pages: 220
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: Through tour site for review
Other Titles In Series: The Mark

Cassie Renfield knows the mark tells her when someone is going to die and that she can intervene and attempt to change fate. But she still doesn't understand the consequences, especially whether saving one life dooms another. With no family left to offer guidance, Cassie goes in search of others like her. But when she meets Demetria, a troubled girl who seems to have the power of the Fates, Cassie finds the truth isn't at all what she expected. And then there's her heady new romance with bad boy Zander. Dating him has much graver repercussions than she could ever have imagined, forcing Cassie to make choices that cut to the essence of who she is and what she believes.

Jen Nadol offers readers a romance with big stakes and an ethical dilemma with no easy answers in this riveting sequel to The Mark. Paranormal fans who love the psychological thrill of Lisa McMann's bestselling Wake trilogy will flock to these books.

In my opinion, The Vision was one of those sequels that was almost unnecessary. It just seemed to be The Mark all over again, with one--unsatisfying--answer. The pacing was a bit too slow and the plot is a bit too much like The Mark for me to enjoy The Vision a lot.

I hated to have to say all that, because I really liked The Mark...but it was way too true.

The Vision did have it's strong points, like Cassie. While sometimes she was a bit too floppy, I still think she's such a believable character. The side characters were rather flat, though.

Unfortunately The Vision was a big let down for me.Will I be reading the next book in the series? ...Well, I think I'd see what others thought of it before picking it up. I'm more excited to see what else Nadol can do at this point.

Plot: Read it before.

Characters: Cassie was ok, but the rest were blah.

Writing: Good.

Ending: Liked it.

Kind Friendly? There was mild swearing and making out.
Should I read it? If you really enjoyed The Mark, The Vision did answer some questions you had. But as it's own installment it didn't work for me. Hopefully you'll feel differently, though.

Overall:

Top Ten Books I Want To Reread

2011-09-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday, which means lists all over the blogosphere, thanks to the cool chicks at The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is books I want to reread, which there are an abundance of.

1. The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

With the movie coming out in March, I'm dying to reread the series so I can remember more of everything that happened and catch any screw-ups in the movie.

2. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This was my first ever review, and despite everyone's praise, it wasn't very positive. But I've read much more realistic fiction now, so maybe I'd appreciate it more. I'd love to see if that's the case.

3. The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell

It's a need, guys.

4 and 5. Wolves of Mercy Falls Series and Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

I want to read the Wolves series again just cause I love it so darn much. I ready Lament before I started blogging, and I'd have to reread it before I start it's much-loved sequel, Ballad.

6. The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer

I want to see if I'd hate this series after reading so many other books...

7. Looking For Alaska by John Green

I have already reread this book this year, but I have a feeling it's one of those reread-it-whenever-you-get-the-chance type books.

8. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

I imagine it'd be a totally different book if I knew what I was about to experience going into it. Plus, Marchetta's writing is fantastic and I want to love it again.

9 and 10. If I Stay and Where She Went

BACK TO BACK. Cause the phrase "too much Adam" doesn't even make sense.

Past Perfect Review

2011-09-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

Author: Leila Sales
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Pages: 322 (egalley)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from Galley Grab

All Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra’s working there too. Which makes moving on and forgetting Ezra a lot more complicated…even when Chelsea starts falling for someone new.

Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she’s got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it….

When I picked up Past Perfect, I hadn't heard much about it. I had heard good things about Sales' debut novel, Mostly Good Girls, and if it is anything like this book than I'll have to pick it up sooner than later, 'cause I had a blast reading Past Perfect.

I know I say books are funny a lot, but guys believe me when I say that this book is FUNNY in every way a book can be. From Chelsea's inner-thoughts, to the way she interacts with her best friend Fiona and her dad (her dad!), to the whole concept behind a Revolutionary War VS. Civil War war, Past Perfect had me smiling and laughing non-stop.

But there is more to Past Perfect than just being a funny book. It also talked a lot about how to get over the past and to remember it correctly and...well, without getting too personal, it was exactly what I needed right now. I definitely learned something from this book that I'll be remembering for a long time, and I can't thank Sales enough for that.

Watching Chelsea stumble through her last summer as a high-schooler and figuring out right and wrong proved to be entertaining and insightful. I can't wait to read more from Leila Sales, because I have a feeling that there's nowhere to go but up from here.

Plot: Different and fun and interesting.

Characters: Chelsea (realistically) screwed up a lot, but I loved her anyways. And Dan. And Fiona. And Tawny. And her dad. And...yeah, everyone.

Writing: Very good!

Ending: Saw it coming, but whatever. It was still great.

Kind Friendly? There was mild swearing, mentions of teen drinking, and some making out.
Should I read it? Yes. Definitely. I think everyone will need to learn Leila's lessons as much as she did. (And even if you don't, you should still definitely read it. Especially if you like history. Or if you don't. JUST READ IT.)

Overall:

Ultraviolet Review

2011-09-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

Author: R.J. Anderson
Release Date: June 2, 2011
Pages: 330 (egalley)
Publisher: Orchard
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review through Netgalley

Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.

This is not her story.

Unless you count the part where I killed her.

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?

If I was asked to only review the first two hundred pages of Ultraviolet, then this would be a much more positive review.

But THOSE LAST HUNDRED PAGES. UGH.

Sorry. Anyways:

Ultraviolet grabbed from the first page. The whole "am I crazy orrrr..." plot-line kept me on the edge of my seat. Even when I failed to connect to any of the characters, I kept reading because I still had to know what happened next and because I found Alison's "illness" fascinating.

Another thing that I loved about it was that it was so original. Reading about the way Alison sees things is an experience in itself, one that I was really enjoying.

And throughout the book, we have a mystery that obviously has something to do with something supernatural. The mystery builds throughout the book, and when the answers we were looking for are finally revealed, I was left feeling so...

Upset. I mean, seriously? WTF just happened?

I don't want to give you any spoilers, but basically, I thought the big conclusion was--I know this sounds mean but it's how I feel--stupid. And unoriginal. I can't even properly review it because I was just sort of skimming through the last hundred pages, only reading the dialogue.

But it's not like I completely hated this book. It started strong, and just ended poorly. Alison's abilities were new and fascinating, and I was interested by the whole mental-hospital-thing. If you're looking for something different and don't mind weird endings, maybe try it?

Plot: Different. Until the end...

Characters: Eh...
Writing: Good.

Ending: NO.

Kind Friendly? There was swearing, sexual harassment, and mentally disturbed teens.
Should I read it? Check out more reviews of it on Goodreads and see for yourself if you think you'd like it. I seem to be one of the few that had major issues with it.

Overall:

Swim The Fly Review

2011-09-19T01:30:00.000-07:00

Author: Don Calame
Release Date: April 14, 2009
Pages: 368 (Hardcover)
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: Bought

Matt Gratton and his two best friends, Sean and Coop, always set themselves a summer-time goal. This year’s? To see a real-live naked girl for the ﬁrst time. As far as Matt is concerned, they’d have better luck ﬁnding the lost city of Atlantis. But seeing a girl in the buff starts to seem like child’s play compared to the other summertime goal Matt sets for himself: to swim the 100-yard butterﬂy (the hardest stroke known to God or man) in order to impress Kelly West, the hot new girl. So what if he can’t manage a single lap, let alone four? He’s got the whole summer to perfect his technique. What could possibly go wrong?

There was a lot of talk of YA not being teen-guy-friendly a few weeks ago, and those who say that have obviously never read Swim The Fly. This is a complete and total guy-book that--apparently--girls can enjoy too.

I may not seem like it on here, but I am the type of girl that is always up for a "that's what she said" joke. And there's a lot of those and similar jokes in Swim The Fly. The humor was pretty much right up my alley, and I was laughing the whole way through.

Matt is a teenage guy. He thinks about sex and boobs about 95% of the time. But I liked him. Calame made it pretty impossible not to like any of the characters, from his Matt's friends to his grandfather to his brother.

When I found Swim The Fly for 2 bucks, I didn't quite know what to expect but I really enjoyed what I found. Light, fast, and hilarious, Swim The Fly is the perfect guy-humor-book that is written in a way that (some) girls can enjoy it too. I cannot wait to dive into the sequel, Beat The Band.

Plot: Fun, and always moves at a steady pace

Characters: So fun.

Writing: Good.

Ending: Sadly, it seemed kind of unnatural and rushed.

Kind Friendly? There was swearing, mentions of sex, masturbating, and making out.
Should I read it? Yes! It was fast and really enjoyable.

Overall:

UNrequired (coughEndOfcough) Summer Reading Contest

2011-09-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I'm kind of late with this contest...Don't judge me. Anywho:

I've got a cool prize pack to give to one lucky winner, courtesy of Hyperion, that consists of:

(Sounds a bit lame, but it's actually really cool. They're just regular cards but they have covers of books on them.)

An UNrequired Reading water-bottle.

(US only) I'm only going to run this contest 'til Monday night, so go fill out THIS FORM asap.

Shut Up! I'm Reading.

Judging A Book By Its Cover: Cracked

Waiting On Wednesday

Dead To You Review

DNF. (2)

Why I Haven't Been Blogging.

Saving June Review

So This Is The New Year Contest #3

Bittersweet Review

Waiting On Wednesday

"So This Is The New Year" Contest #2

"So This Is The New Year" Contest #1

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012 (Goals and Things I Learned)

The Best Books I Read This Year

Top 10 2012 Books I Need

Other Review

2011 Survey and Giveaway!

Lola and the Boy Next Door Review

In My Mailbox (57)

Audiobooks: Yay or Nay?

Waiting On Wednesday (65)

Top Ten Books I Want to Give As Gifts

Please Ignore Vera Dietz Review

Judging A Book By Its Cover: From Bad To Cursed

Freak The Mighty Review

Waiting On Wednesday (64)

YA Verse Books Challenge

DNF.

Did You Hear Didya Didya?!

Judging A Book By Its Cover: As You Wish

Misfit Review

2012 Contemporary Challenge

What I Have Been Doing Instead Of Blogging...and Reading.

Top Ten Tuesday

DISCUSS AND FANGIRL WITH ME.

A Teen's Thought On "Foul Language" In YA

November Giveaway x 2

Waiting On Wednesday (63)

(It's Baaaaack!) Judging A Book By Its Cover: Brooklyn, Burning

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer Review

In My Mailbox (56) And Vlog (2)

The Iron Knight Review

Prized Review

Happy Halloween!

Interview with Caragh M. O'Brien--Prized Blog Tour

Virtuosity Review

Waiting On Wednesday

The Goddess Test Review

Hooked Review & Giveaway

Several Announcements and Random Statements

Zelah Green Review

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS COVER

Waiting On Wednesday (61)

Interview with Leila Sales, Author of Past Perfect & Contest

Aurelia Review

Anna and the French Kiss Review

To Rate or Not To Rate?

Between Review

Guest Post by Jen Nadol and Contest

In My Mailbox (57)

One of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies Review

A Book Place That I Love (2)

Waiting on Wednesday (60)

Whip It Review

In My Mailbox (56)

Upcoming Book Covers

The Vision Review

Top Ten Books I Want To Reread

Past Perfect Review

Ultraviolet Review

Top Ten Tuesday--Books Everyone Has Read But Me

Swim The Fly Review

UNrequired (*coughEndOfcough*) Summer Reading Contest

UNrequired (coughEndOfcough) Summer Reading Contest