Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday

WOW is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine
Bittersweet
Sarah Ockler
January 3rd, 2012
Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been. 

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life...and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done. 

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last....
I did a WOW post on this before, but that was when it had another title and cover. I'm loving the new cover, and I'm so excited for this one because Sarah Ockler knows how to write a great story! 


Signature


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday (4)

For more information on how to participate in Top Ten Tuesday and this week's topic, visit The Broke and Bookish for details!

Top Ten Books On My TBR List For Winter

1. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood - I think I might have died when I got this one in the mail. The gorgeous cover! And it's about witches! It can't go wrong. 

2. Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne - Odd occurrences, red stained hands, mysteries...I'm totally in.  

3. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - I really want to see what all the fuss is about, because it seems like everyone is raving about this book. Deadly water horses? Beautiful prose? It just sounds amazing. 

4. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey - Aylee's review convinced me to buy it, and the Printz Honor award on the cover was pretty convincing too, so it's sitting impatiently on my shelf until I get to it.

5. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons - I have very high hopes for this one, so I hope it manages to be unique in a sea of dystopians. 

6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I have read and reviewed this trilogy already, but with the upcoming movie, I feel like I need a refresher before spring. 

7. Harry Potter series by JK Rowling - Yet another reread I want to do, especially with a series I already adore. Magic, surprises, great world building and fantastic characters...you can't go wrong with a JK Rowling book. 

8. Forgotten by Cat Patrick - I love the sound of the plot, very Memento-like. I can't wait to see what happens.

9. Graceling by Kristin Cashore - I only vaguely remember this book, so I think it's time it got bumped up in my TBR pile (especially since Cashore's newest book will be out in the summer). 

10. Brightest Kind of Darkness by PT Michelle - After reading Melissa's review, this book got pushed up much higher on my TBR list. Any story with a great protagonist automatically gets me interested.


Signature


Monday, November 28, 2011

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me
Tahereh Mafi
Release: November 15th, 2011
Pages: 346 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Amazon Vine
Summary:
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell....read more at Goodreads.
A broken girl with a curse gift, surrounded by four walls, Juliette finally gains a roommate after 264 days of isolation. Her routine cell life quickly unravels into chaos, especially once she learns that some want to use her as a weapon. As the story progresses, Juliette must grapple with her fears, her abilities, and finally choose her own future.

Oh, my, gosh. I'm a fan of achingly beautiful and metaphorical writing, and Tahereh Mafi sure knows how to deliver. In her debut novel, Shatter Me, the words flow from one to the next. They start building up suspense and then tearing it down again. The action comes and goes, leading into one twist after another, constantly surprising the reader. While I at first thought this novel was mostly dystopian with a dash of paranormal, it becomes clear by the end that the paranormal aspects root deep into the story. There may be some predictability, but Shatter Me is one difficult book to close and set aside.

Highlights: The words wrap themselves around you from the first line and never let go. Each line evokes the senses, giving a fresh, exhilarating outlook on simple things like the crisp, cool air, or stolen kisses1. I was hooked from the beginning, curious and excited to see what came next for Juliette. But certain characters - Warner, Kenji, and James - make this book shine with their well-rounded and vibrant personalities.

Lowlights: The strikethroughs, while cool, do not make logical sense when you factor in the writing style and tense Mafi uses. Same with a few of the metaphors. There are some overly convenient parts of the story. The world building needs a lot of work, and I hope Mafi will tackle that in the sequel. And while I adored Adam, he needs a bit more development - as does his relationship with Juliette.

Note: A few (very) steamy kisses2 that can make a girl blush, and some violence. Perfectly fine for the intended age range of readers (14+)
Rating: 

1 Oh, the beautiful writing. So vivid and memorable.
2 *fans self*


Signature

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes and Nobles / The Book Depository

Saturday, November 26, 2011

In My Mailbox 62

***
Bought (for Kindle)
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Kindle Freebies
The New World by Patrick Ness
Shadow of the Sun by Laura Kreitzer

Borrowed
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
(It will be a miracle if I finish this before I have to give it back - It's so long!!)

Definitely a very random selection of books this week...Many thanks to the person who lent me Battle Royale! 

What did you get this week? 


Signature


Friday, November 25, 2011

Bloomsbury's Epic Holiday eBook Deals

Until January 6th, 2012, Bloomsbury will have reduced prices on nearly 60 of their young adult, middle-grade, and adult e-books. All will be priced for just $3.99 or less, and available on any e-reader device

Check out the flyer below to see the titles! 


Many thanks to Kate from Bloomsbury for all the information! I know I'll definitely be purchasing a couple eBooks for my Kindle :)


Signature

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine
Sarah Beth Durst 
September 11th, 2012
Margaret K. McElderry Books
In a desert land where serpents made of unbreakable glass fly through the sky and wolves made of only sand hunt within storms, Liyana is destined to be a vessel, to sacrifice herself so that her clan's goddess can inhabit her body... but her goddess never comes.
That eye-catching and absolutely beautiful cover!! The (way too small) summary!! The intriguing tagline! *dies*

Wolves made of sand. Unbreakable glass serpents? Sarah Beth Durst is lucky I don't know where she lives, or else I'd be knocking on her door right now, demanding (or begging) to see this book immediately. I cannot wait to see the final summary :)

What are you waiting on? 


Signature

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday (3)

For more information on how to participate in Top Ten Tuesday and this week's topic, visit The Broke and Bookish for details! 

Top Ten Authors I'd Love to Have at my Thanksgiving Feast


1. JK Rowling - Not saying I'd be coherent enough to actually speak to her, but she would definitely be the first author I'd invite. 

2. Laini Taylor - She has awesome pink hair, therefore, she is invited. 

3. Lauren Oliver - She's a favorite author of mine, so naturally, I'd love to have her as a Thanksgiving guest. Plus, maybe I could manage to get some insider info on Pandemonium ;)

4. Meg Cabot - I'd mostly want Meg over just to say how I'm thankful for the books she's written. Even in the worst moments of my life, where everything was just terrible, Meg's books were a comfort zone that I'm eternally thankful for. 

5. Sarah Dessen - Same reasoning as above. I am a long-time Dessen fan :)

6. Maggie Stiefvater - She's Maggie freaking Stiefvater. That's reason enough for wanting her over.  

7. Daisy Whitney - Loved her debut, and Daisy always seems so cheerful. Who wouldn't want someone like her at their Thanksgiving feast? The mood in the room would brighten immediately. 

8. Jay Asher - Poor Jay, he's the only guy I picked! Anyway, he's an awesome writer and he always seems so amusing on Facebook & his blog, so he would definitely have a place at my (very small) table. 

9. Maureen Johnson - She's kinda crazy, especially on Twitter, and therefore would make an amusing addition to the guest list. Maureen is practically all the entertainment you'd need during Thanksgiving dinner. 

10. Nancy Holder - Nancy is just so nice online! How could I not invite her? It'd be great to actually meet her in person. 


Signature

Monday, November 21, 2011

2012 Debut Author Challenge

CHALLENGE OBJECTIVE
To read & review a minimum of twelve young adult or middle grade debut novels between the dates of January 1, 2012 - January 31, 2013. 
For more info, go to The Story Siren!


Bold Link - own/borrowed, read and reviewed
Bold Italics - read and needs review
Italics - own or borrowed, to read and review
Normal - want to read

1. Everneath by Brodie Ashton
2. Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic
3. Tempest by Julie Cross
4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
5. Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne
6. The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Meyers
7. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
8. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
9. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
10. Where it Began by Ann Redisch Stampler
11. The Selection by Kiera Cass
12. Immortal City by Scott Speer
13. Struck by Jennifer Bosworth
14. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
15. Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill
16. Level Two by Lenore Appelhans
17. 

This will be my third time participating, and I am excited! It looks like 2012 is going to be an awesome book year :)

Signature


2010 DAC Books Read / 2011 DAC Books Read

Saturday, November 19, 2011

In My Mailbox 61

Hi everyone! I've been absent from blog this month due to some personal reasons (as well as more technical issues - my laptop stopped working, and I have thankfully gotten it fixed), but the blog will have a few posts this week and YA Book Queen should be completely back on track by December :)

So now, IMM from the last few weeks....
***
For Review (requested & unsolicited)
Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
A Million Suns by Beth Revis
Immortal City by Scott Speer 
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
Radiant Days by Elizabeth Hand
Truth by Julia Karr
The Right and the Real by Joelle Anthony
Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Bought
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien (for Kindle)

Won
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler (signed!) + Mad Libs 
The Death Cure by James Dashner
Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Extras in Born Wicked package
Extras in Harbinger package 
I honestly wasn't expecting many of the books I received, so it was quite a surprise to see all the packages! Many thanks to whomever I won Forgotten from (I cannot believe that I don't remember who I won it from, but thank you so much!), Jay Asher + Carolyn Mackler, Goodreads, Amazon Vine, and the lovely folks at Penguin USA for all of the surprise packages!


Signature