September Recap

Book Reviewed:
Day 21 (The 100 #2) by Kass Morgan
Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Top Ten Underrated Contemporary Books

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Boy Toy by Barry Lyga - Hands down one of the best books I've ever read, but no one ever seems to

have heard of it. I've seen few other books that handle sexual abuse this well; the psychological aspects of this book are amazing. If you've read it, please feel free to cry with me about it any time.

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks - Again, one of my favorite books that deals with a serious topic so well. The story is told by an imaginary friend and it's both hilarious and heart breaking. I've made all my friends read this one and not one of them didn't love it.

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend and Shut Out by Kody Keplinger - I think all of Kody's books deal with the innerworkings of high school really well, whether it be body image, friendships, or sex and I'm surprised more people haven't read them.

Being Sloan Jacobs by Lauren Morrill - You know how all those light, fluffy summer chicklits slip to the bottom of your TBR once you start smelling pumpkin spice? This book is one for the winter. Just as fun and light-hearted, but it takes place in winter (and has hockey and ice skating).

17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma - I love the way Nova Ren Suma writes about mental illnesses, especially from the first person perspective of this book. 

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour - Everybody loves a good road trip book, and this is definitely one of the best ones I've read.

Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Schiedt - The narrative and story of this book is raw and heart breaking and I've never met a single person who has read it, but I promise you it's worth it.

Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill - This book deals with some really touchy subjects, but it's so well done that it deserves so much more recognition than it's gotten.

The Boleyn Trilogy by Laura Andersen - Okay, I'm sorry, but I have to cheat for this one. This is technically historical fiction, but it's an amazing book series that was totally worth staying up until three in the morning only to cry at the ending. The story is about what might have happened if Anne Boleyn had a son and I need everyone to read it because it's amazing (in case I didn't already say that).

Have you read any of these? And don't forget to leave a link to your post down below so I can see if I've read any of your underrated picks!

Feature and Follow Friday (4)

Hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Happy Feature and Follow Friday everyone!

Are you also a writer and what genre or did you ever consider writing?

I do write! Mostly scifi stories that I never actually finish. The Fate of Memories is about a boy who destroys memories, but has none of his own and The Promise of Stars is about a race of sub-humans created for genetic testing.

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to leave a link below!

Maybe Someday

Colleen Hoover

Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: March 18, 2014
Pages: 367
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: gift from a friend

At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance—and the enchanting music that inspires one young woman to put her life back together.

I'd heard such good things about this and when my friend gave me a copy I tore through it in less than a day. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

Day 21 (The 100 #2)

Kass Morgan

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 15, 2014
Pages: 320
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Source: ARC from Little Brown Books

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now.

It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries...or so they thought. Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself.

In this pulse-pounding sequel to Kass Morgan's The 100, secrets are revealed, beliefs are challenged, and relationships are tested. And the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can -- together.

There's nothing I hate more than Second Book Syndrome. You know, when you wait months and months for the second book of the series and it sucks? I was terrified that this would be the case with Day 21 after The 100 was so amazing. But Day 21 was far from having Second Book Syndrome, in fact, I think I liked it even better than The 100. The 100 was so fast paced and exciting that I thought there was no way Day 21 could live up to it, but Kass Morgan strikes again. Day 21 has so many twists and turns that it will leave you guessing until the very last page.

Top Ten Book Characters that would be sitting at my lunch table

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Jamie Roth, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - I love this series, but Mara and Noah are in

way over their heads in too many things. Jamie, on the other hand? Prime lunch table materiel.

Rose Hathaway, Vampire Academy - Rose is one of my all time favorite heroines, plus with the kind of excitement she brings to school I can't pass her up.

Budo, Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend - So what if he's imaginary and I still can't think about him without wanting to cry? Budo is a must at my lunch table.

Jase Garret, My Life Next Door - I'd trade actual high school boy for him any day.

Belly Conklin, Conrad Fisher, and Jeremiah Fisher, The Summer I Turned Pretty - It's been years since I read this book and I'm pretty sure I'm never going to let these three characters go.


Étienne St. Clair, Anna and the French Kiss - Is any lunch table complete without him?

Sydney Blake, Maybe Someday - Even though she's technically in college, let's just pretend that high school Sydney totally would have sat at my lunch table, and probably have been in my music classes.

Clay Jensen, 13 Reasons Why - Clay has always fascinated me as a character and I'd love the chance to get to know the innerworkings of his mind.


I want to know who would be at your lunch table too so leave a link to your post down below! And don't forget to stop by my giveaway for The Appeal of Evil!

Interview and Giveaway: Pembroke Sinclair

Pembroke Sinclair is a literary jack of all trades, playing her hand at multiple genres. She has written an eclectic mix of fiction ranging from horror to sci-fi and even some westerns. Born in Rock Springs, Wyoming--the home of 56 nationalities--it is no wonder Pembroke ended up so creatively diverse. Her fascination with the notions of good and evil, demons and angels, and how the lines blur have inspired her writing. Pembroke lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with her husband, two spirited boys, a black lab named Ryder, and a rescue kitty named Alia, who happens to be the sweetest, most adorable kitty in the world! She cannot say no to dessert, orange soda, or cinnamon. She loves rats and tatts and rock and roll and wants to be an alien queen when she grows up.

Blog Facebook Twitter Goodreads

Last week, I had the opportunity to read Pembroke Sinclair's latest book The Appeal of Evil. (You can see my four star review of the book here!) Today, we have an interview with her about her new book! She's also giving away one eBook copy of The Appeal of Evil!

The Interview

Q: Describe The Appeal of Evil for us in one sentence.

A: Katie has to save her soul from Hell.

Q: What inspired you to write The Appeal of Evil?

A: I am fascinated with the notion that it is socially acceptable for women to be intrigued with "bad boys" and want to try to change them.  I started thinking:  "What if the boy was really bad, like demon from Hell bad?" And the story was born.

Q: What was your favorite scene in the book to write? Your least favorite?

A: My favorite to write was the end scene.  It was fun to imagine the fight between the Praesuls and demons.  My least favorite was the hospital scene.  I was never really sure it fit with the book.

Q: If you personally had to choose between Wes and Josh, who would you choose and why?

A: This is a really unfair question.  I know things about both of them that readers don't, and I can't actually pick.  They both have their good sides and their bad sides.

Q: Paranormal fantasy isn’t the only genre you’ve written. Which one has been your favorite?

A: Horror.  I'm a huge fan of horror.

Q: You’re not just going to leave us hanging like this, there has to be a second book, right?!

A: Absolutely!  I'm currently in the process of editing it.  It's called Dealing with Devils.

Q: Are there any other projects you have planned for the future?

A: I recently finished a nonfiction zombie book called Undead Obsessed: Finding Meaning in Zombies, which should be coming out in October.  I also have another zombie book in my head, along with another fantasy book, although it's not paranormal.

Q: Give us three "Good to Know" facts about you. Be creative. Tell us about your first job, the inspiration for your writing, any fun details that enliven your page. Anything you want!

A: When I get really stressed out, I either dream about being chased by zombies or that I'm back in school and haven't gone to class.

My favorite birthday "cake" is brownies with ice cream and caramel syrup.

My boys and I nicknamed my Jeep the Zombie Defense Vehicle.

Rapid Fire!

Favorite Book? Too many to list just one.

Favorite Song? Amazing by Aerosmith

Celebrity Crush? Karl Urban

Early Bird or Night Owl? Early bird

Winter or Summer? Both.  Anytime I can spend with my family makes me happy.

Pepsi or Coke? Neither.  I don't like brown pops.

Chocolate or Vanilla? Both in a twisty cone!

The Giveaway

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

A special thank you to Pembroke Sinclair and Pamela Labbe for making this interview and giveaway possible!

There is No Light in Darkness

Claire Contreras 

Publisher: Createspace
Publication Date: January 18, 2013
Pages: 256
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased from ebay

A past hidden in darkness. Her present cloaked in secrets. The future holds the only truth that cannot be escaped.

After the mysterious and violent death of her parents, Blake Brennan finds comfort with an unconventional family. As the dramatic loss of her parents continues to haunt her—and hinders her from reciprocating love that others give freely—Blake embarks on a harrowing journey in search for the truth.

Living in a constant state of fear and need for control, vivid nightmares reveal details that lead to perilous situations. The past begins to collide with the present, and Blake must decide if the truth is worth losing the ones she loves.

Can love conquer all as her past comes to light? Or will Blake realize that there is no light in darkness?

Book contains: Explicit language & sexual content.

The premise of this book is strong and exciting and I really wanted to like it, but something about it just fell flat.

August Recap

Books Read: 17
Books Reviewed: 6

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton (Not Pictured)
A Beautiful Wedding by Jamie McGuire
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
There is No Light in Darkness by Claire Contreras
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover
Slammed by Colleen Hoover
1984 by George Orwell
Hedda Gabbler by Henrik Ibsen
Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire

Ebooks
The Appeal of Evil by Pembroke Sinclair
Day 21 by Kass Morgan
This is Falling by Ginger Scott

I had a nice, week long vacation this month so I got tons of free time to read! I was introduced to Colleen Hoover's books and absolutely loved them! I also tried out some other new adult books, The Sea of Tranquility and There is No Light in Darkness. Jamie McGuire came out with another Maddox Brothers book, so how could I pass that up? I finally finished up my school summer reading with Cry, the Beloved Country, Hedda Gabbler and 1984. I got the opportunity to read three great ebooks thanks to the publishers! And finally, I binge read the first two books of the Throne of Glass series, and I'm currently tearing through the third. I bought the first one the day it came out over two year ago and for some reason I never touched it. I highly regret that now!

Reviewed:

The Appeal of Evil by Pembroke Sinclair

Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker

This is Falling by Ginger Scott

Between by Jessica Warman

Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan McVoy

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

What did you guys read and review in August? Stop back tomorrow for a giveaway of one of the books I read this month!

Stacking the Shelves (2)

Purchased/Won

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas (Thank you BAM for accidentally putting it out early!)

The Anatomy of Dreams by Chloe Krug Benjamin (Thank you Midwestern Gothic for the giveaway!)

Library

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

For Review

Althea & Oliver by Christina Moracho (Thank you Viking Children's!)

The Appeal of Evil by Pembroke Sinclair (Review HERE)

Dangerous Reflections by Shay West

(Thank you Booktrope!)

Feature and Follow Friday (3)

Hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Happy Feature and Follow Friday everyone!

Question of the Week: Tell us about a book character you’d trade places with.

Sloan Jacobs. (There's two of them in this book, but let's go with both?) They're amazing ice skaters/hockey players, they take a trip to Canada and they date hockey players. Sometimes I still think this book was written out of my dreams, so I'd gladly switch places with either of them any day.

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to leave your link below and I'll follow you too!

The Appeal of Evil

Pembroke Sinclair

Publisher: Booktrope Editions
Publication Date: January 13, 2014
Pages: 275
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy
Source: ebook from Publisher

Katie wants to invest her heart and soul in love, but she may lose both to Hell.

Katie, a senior in high school, is torn between loving the “good” guy, her childhood friend Wes who makes promises he doesn't keep and abandons her when she needs him the most, and the “bad” guy, the new kid at school Josh who is also a real demon from Hell. Katie wants someone who pays attention to her and puts her first, but what is she willing to give up to find him?

The Appeal of Evil is not for the faint of heart. From the very first page, it's a whirlwind that will suck you in until the final sentence. This is one of the fastest paced books I've ever read, and while I would have liked a few slower parts, I couldn't put this one down.

Top Ten Books I Really Want To Read But Don't Own Yet

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Fighting Redemption by Kate McCarthy - I love military romances and it's been a while since I've read a

good one. I've been wanting to get my hands on this one for a while now but I can never seem to find it!

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken - I've always heard good things about this book and Alexandra Bracken's going to be at a book festival I go to every year. I just always seem to forget to pick up this book.

I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan - This reminds me of a reverse of My Life Next Door, so I'd love to get my hands on it!

If Jack's In Love by Stephen Wette - This book sounds amazing, but I can never seem to find it anywhere.

Shadows Cast by Stars by Catherine Knutsson - Futuristic plague where people are killed for their blood? Why can't I find this book?

On the Fence by Kasie West - This books feels like it would have just the right balance of swooning and seriousness, and eventually, I'll find out if I'm right!

Lola and the Boy Next Door and Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - Need I say more?

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour - I'm a huge Nina LaCour fan, but all my other books by her are paperbacks and it kind of makes me want to wait for the paperback of this to come out.

Unmaking Hunter Kennedy by Anne Eliot - I'm a sucker for Hollywood boys in books, and this one is reminiscent of This is What Happy Looks Like. If only I could find it in a store.

What books are you looking for?

Bout of Books: Wrap Up

WRAP UP

Books Read: 4 (original goal of 5)

Pages: 1,153

Books: 

Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton (320 pages)

This is Falling by Ginger Scott (281 pages) [review]

Unbreak by Heart by Melissa Walker (232 pages) [review]

Day 21 by Kass Morgan (320 pages)

What did you guys read?

Unbreak My Heart

Melissa Walker

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children
Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Pages: 232
Genre: Contemporary Chicklit
Source: Purchased from J&R Outlet

Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’ heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life.

Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now.

Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart? 

Told in alternating chapters that chronicle the year that broke Clem’s heart and the summer that healed it, Unbreak My Heart is a wonderful dual love story that fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Susane Colasanti will flock to.

This book sounded really good, but it just fell a little flat. It was a nice, quick read, but it was also really average.

Stacking the Shelves (1)

I didn't get a chance to purchase any books this week, but I did get a few books for review from Netgalley!

This is Falling by Ginger Scott (Thank you Ginger Scott!) Review HERE

MELT by Selene Castrovilla (Thank you Last Syllable Books!)

Contessa by Lori L. Otto (Thank you Vook!)

Day 21 (The 100 #2) by Kass Morgan (Thank you Little Brown Books!)

Portraits of Celina by Sue Whiting (Thank you Switch Press!)

What did you guys stack your shelves with this week?

Bout of Books 11: Day 5 Update

I don't have time to do the challenge today, so this'll just be a quick update post!

UPDATE

Books Read: 2.5

Pages: 601

I didn't get a chance to finish Flat Out Love and Letters to Skye before they were due back at the library, so I'm going to disregard them from my first update. However, I did get to finish Cry, the Beloved Country (320 pages) and This is Falling (281 pages). I just started Day 21 (The 100 #2), so hopefully I'll have that finished by Sunday!

This is Falling

Ginger Scott

Publisher: Ginger Scott
Publication Date: August 29, 2014
Pages: 281
Genre: New Adult Romance
Source: ARC from Ginger Scott 

First, I had to remember how to breathe. Then, I had to learn how to survive. Two years, three months and sixteen days had passed since I was the Rowe Stanton from before, since tragedy stole my youth and my heart went along with it. 

When I left for college, I put a thousand miles between my future and my past. I’d made a choice—I was going to cross back to the other side, to live with the living. I just didn’t know how. 

And then I met Nate Preeter. 

 An All-American baseball player, Nate wasn’t supposed to notice a ghost-of-a-girl like me. But he did. He shouldn’t want to know my name. But he did. And when he learned my secret and saw the scars it left behind, he was supposed to run. But he didn’t. 

My heart was dead, and I was never supposed to belong to anyone. But Nate Preeter had me feeling, and he made me want to be his. He showed me everything I was missing. 

And then he showed me how to fall.

This is Falling was not what I expected at all, but it a really good way. 

Feature and Follow Friday (2)

Hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Happy Feature and Follow Friday everyone!

Question of the Week: What book/series do you think would make a better TV show than a movie?

For some reason, Legend strikes me as a series that would work well as a television show. So much happens in the books and I feel like it would be rushed in a movie. I think the POV change would translate better in a TV show than a movie as well. (Side note: it was actually supposed to be a movie at one point, but I haven't heard much about it in a few years.)

Between

Jessica Warman

Publisher: Walker & Company
Publication Date: August 2, 2011
Pages: 454
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from library

Elizabeth Valchar-pretty, popular, and perfect-wakes up the morning after her eighteenth birthday party on her family's yacht, where she'd been celebrating with her six closest friends. A persistent thumping noise has roused her. When she goes to investigate, what she finds will change everything she thought she knew about her life, her friends, and everything in between. As Liz begins to unravel the circumstances surrounding her birthday night, she will find that no one around her, least of all Liz herself, was perfect-or innocent. Critically acclaimed author Jessica Warman brings readers along on a roller-coaster ride of a mystery, one that is also a heartbreaking character study, a touching romance, and ultimately a hopeful tale of redemption, love, and letting go.

This book will not bore you. Not a single moment of it. I think it mostly has to do with the fact that a lot of it is flashbacks to important points in her life. Either way, every page brings you closer to the jaw dropping ending. I loved that it's an ending you can piece together yourself with subtle hints starting from the very beginning.