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.

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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!