Posted This Month + Challenges Wrap Up

Posted this Month:

 

Wild Awake (Book Review) (3.5/5)

Books I Haven't Read

Vitro Contest & Giveaway
School Spirits (Book Review) (3.5/5)
YA Contemporary Challenge Goals
Monday YA Author Interview With Kasie West
Introduction to My New Meme Characterize It
WOW: Dearest by Alethea Kontis
Characterize It (1)
Stir Me Up (Book Review) (4/5) (Book Tour)
Six Months Later (Book Review) (4.5/5)
Solving For Ex (Book Review) (4.5/5)
Monday YA Author Interview With Natalie D Richards
Top Ten Debuts I Am Excited For
WOW: Endless by Kate Brians
Characterize It (2)
Nobody's Secret (Book Review) (2/5)
No One Else Can Have You (Book Review) (1/5)
Monday YA Author Interview With Anne Blankman
Top Six Things On My Reading Wishlist
What do your friends/acquaintances say about what YOU are reading?

Characterize It (3)
Obsidian (Book Review) (4/5)
The Summer I Became a Nerd (Book Review) (4.5/5)
Monday YA Author Interview With Katie Cotugno + GIVEAWAY
WOW: The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes
Characterize It (4)
Cress (Book Review) (4.5/5)



 

 

Real Book Challenge January Wrap Up Post:

I did a pretty good job reading "real books" this month....About two thirds of the books I read were "real".

 

The "Real Books" I read in January (with links to reviews if applicable):

 

1. The Summer I Became a Nerd (review posted)
2. Nantucket Blue
3. Pride and Prejudice
4. Nobody's Secret (review posted)
5. Rose Under Fire
6. The Goddess Test (review posted)
7. Thousand Words
8. Motocross Me
9. Goddess Interrupted
10. How My Summer Went Up In Flames
11. Deja Dead
12. Paper Towns
13. 52 Reasons To Hate My Father
14. The Goddess Inheritance
15. Of Poseidon
16. Of Neptune

 

And the YA Contemporary Challenge.

January books read and reviewed are:

 

1. Solving for Ex (review posted)

2. No One Else Can Have You (review posted)

 

Cress (Book Review)

:-0 :-O :-0 Me the entire time reading this. Most series get worse as you continue, you fall out of love with the characters, you don't like where the series takes you, you don't like how authors kill off characters......etc. This series is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT! Each and every book of this series has continued to get better......Cinder was really, really good......Scarlet was SOOOO GOOD! And Cress.......was even better. I didn't count, but Cress switches around the POV quite a bit, you go from Cinde...more Cress Marissa Meyer Characters: 5/5 Plot: 4.5/5 Cover: 4.5/5 Writing: 4.5/5 Overall: 4.5/5 Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can. Review: :-0 :-O :-0 Me the entire time reading this. Most series get worse as you continue, you fall out of love with the characters, you don't like where the series takes you, you don't like how authors kill off characters......etc. This series is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT! Each and every book of this series has continued to get better......Cinder was really, really good......Scarlet was SOOOO GOOD! And Cress.......was even better. I didn't count, but Cress switches around the POV quite a bit, you go from Cinder to Scarlet to Cress to Kai, and a whole lot more characters. I loved everything about the switching, it gives you a good feel for what the different characters were going through. And the switching POVs was done in a way to make things not at all confusing. Cress is long.....really long. So much happens in the plot that I won't go through everything, but I can say that everything that happened was beautiful and wonderful and completely amazing. Some other good things are, you get your first look at Winter, you get a little better feel of why Kai is doing some things that he is doing, and a better look at Cinder. Scarlet unfortunately didn't get much page time in Cress, but hopefully we will get to see more of her in Winter. Levana continues to be the evil witch of the west (or the evil witch of the moon)...... Really loving where Marissa is taking this series, can't wait to see the series end in Winter......only bad thing is the expected publication date of Winter is in 2015..... :-( 4.5/5 stars to a hugely great third book! I was in no way compensated for this review.

Characterize It (4)

Welcome to Characterize It, a meme held every Thursday and hosted by http://theyabookbutterfly.blogspot.com/

As usual for memes, link the meme back to the host page so that other can join in!

 

If you want to know more about Characterize It, go to this page.

 

Todays theme is:

Wild Card - Any character! From any book! Just come up with a favorite!

 

 

 
Meghan Chase from the Iron Fey series.

The Iron Fey series was one of my very first YA series that I read, and I hold a special place in my heart for Meghan (plus her name is spelled really cool)

Meghan has a lot to deal with in this series, and through it all she managed to stay completely realistic, but not annoying in the least.

 

 

Waiting on Wednesday (17) The Art Of Lainey

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is-

 

The Art Of Lainey

Paula Stokes

Expected publication: May 20th 2014 by HarperTeen

 

 

 

 

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is used to getting what she wants, and when her boyfriend Jason breaks up with her for no reason, what she wants is to win him back before the start of their senior year. Lainey and her friend Bianca check the interwebz for tips and tricks, but the online dating advice is all pretty lame.

Then the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. Didn't someone once say that love is a battlefield? Jason isn't going to stand a chance once Lainey and Bee go all Zhou Dynasty on him...

Old school strategy and subterfuge meet modern-day dramarama in the story of a girl who sets out to win at all costs and ends up discovering what's really worth fighting for. 

 

 

 

 

I love contemporary's! And I liked  Venom, so I have high hopes for this one!

 

 

I would love to visit your Blog/Waiting On Wednesday! Please link me up in the comments below!

 

 

Follow, look around and enjoy :-)

 

 

Monday YA Author Interview With Katie Cotugno + Giveaway

Katie Cotugno

Twitter - Goodreads - Website

 

Where are you from? I'm from half an hour outside New York City originally, but I've lived in Boston for ten years.

When and why did you begin writing? The first story I ever wrote was in my dad's office on his Macintosh Classic--I was six, he parked me there to keep me quiet while he was in a meeting. I started typing and basically never stopped.

What books have most influenced your life most? My favorite books are Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer, Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic, Richard Russo's Empire Falls, and Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. As a kid I loved the BSC books, and anything by Roald Dahl--Matilda in particular, I read like a dozen times.

What book are you reading now? I just finished Holly Black's White Cat, which I loved, and am about to start Zadie Smith's On Beauty, which I'm reading for Lesley University's MFA program. 

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Every single member of the Fourteenery, natch. Seriously, what a bunch of smart, beautiful, unique debut novels--and debut novelists.

What was the hardest part of writing your book? Not being embarrassed. Believing that I had something to say. Sticking to it. 

Have you been an avid reader your entire life? (since you could read) I have, yeah! I used to come home from the library with like fifteen books at a time when I was elementary school. I was totally that kid.

What character in your books do you relate to most? Probably Reena, since I spent the most time with her, but she and I definitely have our differences.

What is your favorite sport to watch and or play? I'm so excited for the Olympics! I love figure skating, especially pairs.  
 
Favorite Movie? Almost Famous, always always always. 
 
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
 
Puppy's or Kittens? Puppies!
 
Beach or Mountains? Beach. 
 
If you could be a color, what color would you be? Bright, screaming orange. 
 
Favorite Dessert? S'mores. 
 
If you could be a book character, what character would you be? Kay Thompson's Eloise, for sure. "Tomorrow I think I'll pour a pitcher of water down the mail chute."

Giveaway:

Katie is giving away a SIGNED copy of How to Love to one lucky winner!

Please see terms and conditions in the rafflecopter before entering.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

How to Love
Published October 1st 2013 by Balzer + Bray

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

The Summer I Became a Nerd (Book Review)

The Summer I Became a Nerd I picked up in the dead of Winter. But, because of the overall wonderfulness of this book, I would also recommend it to Spring/Fall readers. THE CHARACTERS: Madelyne Summers is a cheerleader, but she holds a secret love. Her love for comic books/books in general. What a unique character! I loved her. Maddie is afraid to be herself after being laughed at for her love of comic books at a younger age, which is perfectly understandable....Who else has felt as if they can't be...more The Summer I Became a Nerd Leah Rae Miller On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way. Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever. Review: The Summer I Became a Nerd I picked up in the dead of Winter. But, because of the overall wonderfulness of this book, I would also recommend it to Spring/Fall readers. THE CHARACTERS: Madelyne Summers is a cheerleader, but she holds a secret love. Her love for comic books/books in general. What a unique character! I loved her. Maddie is afraid to be herself after being laughed at for her love of comic books at a younger age, which is perfectly understandable....Who else has felt as if they can't be themselves at some point of there life? *raises hand* Especially with love for reading. People laugh at you, roll their eyes, you get the picture. Maddie's troubles are completely realistic, and relatable. There should be more characters in YA books who read. Logan...is adorable (can I find a guy like him?) He is sweet, nerdy with his comic books, and a really nice guy all around. One of the best guy characters I have come across in a book! The Plot: There were a couple plot points in the book that I felt came across way to fast.....Which is the only thing I can think of to say bad about this book. The plot was realistic, pretty fast paced, never boring, and overall a really great, original story. Overall I really liked this one, and other than a couple of plot point dislikes I loved every part of it! A definite recommendation to lovers of fun YA contemporary

Obsidian (Book Review)

This was my second Jennifer L Armentrout book. After reading Cursed, and really liking it....I made sure to keep my eyes open for a copy of this one. The urge of looking for it was deepened when it was recommended to me by several people. I am so glad that I read this! The Characters: The characters were one of my favorite parts of the book! They were all so unique, and fun.....The main character Katy was a refreshing and unique take on a book blogger, and book nerd. She was an absolutely incredibl...more Obsidian Jennifer L Armentrout Starting over sucks. When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. And then he opened his mouth. Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me. You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don't kill him first, that is. Review: This was my second Jennifer L Armentrout book. After reading Cursed, and really liking it....I made sure to keep my eyes open for a copy of this one. The urge of looking for it was deepened when it was recommended to me by several people. I am so glad that I read this! The Characters: The characters were one of my favorite parts of the book! They were all so unique, and fun.....The main character Katy was a refreshing and unique take on a book blogger, and book nerd. She was an absolutely incredible main character and easily my favorite part of the book. The love interest Daemon grew on me as the story went on, (so if you are reading this and don't like him at the moment, I promise he will get better). Yes Katy could be described as annoying, and Daemon could also. But altogether I really liked these characters. The banter between the two of them was hilarious to read about. The Plot: Not so crazy about the alien style plot. But Jennifer made it work out. I would read anything by Jennifer L Armentrout just for her writing. Definitely one of the best authors I have read. As I said above, sci-fi/aliens are not really my thing. And this was my least favorite part of the story (and I know that it is the entire plot) but by the end the sci-fi had grown on me a little. And I actually was enjoying it. Overall I love Jennifer L Armentrout's writing. I would read anything by her. I finished this one and was instantly left wanting more, (which unfortunately wasn't possible at the moment) and although I haven't picked up the rest of the series yet, I definitely plan to. An easy 4 out of 5 stars to this one!

Characterize It (3)

Welcome to Characterize It, a meme held every Thursday and hosted by http://theyabookbutterfly.blogspot.com/

As usual for memes, link the meme back to the host page so that other can join in!

 

Going by a schedule, every Thursday there will be a different "theme" for a different character.

This week I decided to do a Strong Female Character......because who doesn't like reading about them? I will have a schedule  for the next couple of months posted pretty soon, and hopefully some other blogs will join in!

 

The Bibliophile- Have you come across a girl  character in a book that is just as bookish as you?

 

This week I have two picks, one from a classic book and one from my usual YA genre.

 

Classic Book is Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice.

If you haven't read Pride and Prejudice, then I HIGHLY recommend it. If only to learn about Elizabeth Bennett's love of books. Elizabeth is one of my all-time favorite characters, and although her love of books is only mentioned in a couple of scenes in Pride and Prejudice.....It is pretty obvious that Elizabeth is a pretty bookish person.

 

 

 

YA Book is Katy from the Lux Series.

Katy not only is a HUGE reader, she is also a fellow blogger! I had absolutely no idea when I started Obsidian that Katy was going to be like that, but I was very pleased to find such a unique bookish character.

 

 

 

 

 

What do your friends/acquaintances say about what YOU are reading?

What do your friends/acquaintances say about what YOU are reading?


Some of the things that you may have heard....
"Young adult? What is that?"
"Why do you like to read so much?"
"Reading is for people who don't have a life."
"Why not read something worthwhile? Like adult books, or classics..?"


First of all, just because something was written a long, long time ago doesn't mean it is good...For instance.



Sure, it is well written.....But honestly the entire concept and story line of this book was annoying. As was the main character!

Instead of reading that, I could read the beautiful literary novel.....


I wasn't crazy about the entire depressing story line. But one thing that can never be said about this book is it is poorly written. The Book Thief reads just as good as a lot of classics.

And I don't even want to get started on reading Adult not Young Adult books. The only difference that I see between the two, is that Adult are about (well) ADULTS! And the Young Adult books are about TEENAGERS!!

(Imagine that!)

I'd say most of the teenagers I have met, if they have picked up a book within the last year it has either been The Hunger Games, Twilight, Harry Potter, a John Green book, or Divergent. And the ones who have read John Green and Divergent are the ones that pick up about 5 books a year.

Never ever feel bad about your reading material if you love to read.

What have you heard said about you reading habits/material? Anything funny? Interesting?

Top Six Things On My Reading Wishlist

Hosted by  http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/

 

Top Six Things On My Reading Wishlist

 

In no particular order.

 

Less love triangles.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with one guy being in love with one girl.

 

  

More Historical Fiction Romance.

I am a ginormous fan of Historical Fiction and romance , and I honestly wish there was more of it around!

I really liked Code Name Verity, but it had no romance......I am hoping for more of this genre around!

 

 

Less Annoying Main Characters.

I really hate when I find my main character to be whiny.

 

More Mermaid Books.

Yup, you read it right. I can't get enough of mermaid books and I wish that I could find more of them!

Examples:

 

Less Paranormal Trilogy's.

I wish that I could find more paranormal books that are duology's or standalones.

More Teenage Girl Spy Thrillers.

You know, Gallagher Girls........

 

 

 

 

Monday YA Author Interview With Anne Blankman

Anne Blankman
Twitter Website Goodreads 
Where are you from?
Niskayuna, New York, a small town near Albany


 When and why did you begin writing?
I don't remember a time when I wasn't writing stories--even before I could actually write words, I was creating stories by drawing pictures and stapling them together to make a "book." The urge to tell stories has always been in me.


 What books have most influenced your life most?
The Diary of Anne Frank really affected me. I was twelve when I read it for the first time, and heartbroken when I found out what had happened to her. That book sparked my fascination with history.
And, of course, I have to include Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery since I'm named after the title character! :)


If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
My mom, Lynn Blankman, is a MG author, and she helped me whip Prisoner of Night and Fog into query-ready shape. She's unflinchingly honest and a careful reader.

What book are you reading now?
Right now I'm doing research for my third book so I'm reading a lot of nonfiction about seventeenth century England.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I'm part of a debut authors group called the YA Valentines, and all of their books have piqued my interest! It's such an eclectic group, with books ranging from high fantasy to science fiction to contemporary realistic fiction to historical thrillers. Getting to read their ARCs has pulled me out of my reading rut of YA fantasy and historical nonfiction.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Ooo, this is almost a mean question! :) How can I possibly pick just one? The first author who pops into my head is Jane Austen. Her characters are so fully developed and beautifully drawn.

 What was the hardest part of writing your book?
For me, actually sitting down and writing the first draft is the hardest point. Coming up with the idea is exciting. When you're revising, you've already got something to work with. But forcing yourself to sit at your desk and start filling a blank page is the most daunting aspect of writing.
 
Have you been an avid reader your entire life? (since you could read)
Yes!
 
What character in your books do you relate to most?
 Gretchen, the protagonist. Our lives are completely different, but Gretchen struggles with the same issues we all face growing up--trying to decide who you and what you believe, falling in love for the first time, becoming disillusioned with the adults in your life who had always seemed infallible.
 

 

 
Ok now some fun questions:
What is your favorite sport to watch and or play?
I love running track races with my husband. I run 5-6 miles a day, five days a week. It's a great time to brainstorm the next scene in my book!
 
Favorite Movie?
Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest". You've got gorgeous Cary Grant, an intriguing mystery, and heartstopping action--what more could you want?
 
Chocolate or Vanilla?
 Vanilla
Puppy's or Kittens?
 Kittens, no question! (I've always had cats)
Beach or Mountains?
 Beach
If you could be a color, what color would you be?
 Sky blue
Favorite Dessert?
 Banana chips (yeah, weird, I know!)
If you could be a book character, what character would you be?
Sally Lockhart in Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke trilogy. She's smart, tough, pretty, determined, and a crack shot. Seriously, who wouldn't want to be her?


Anne's debut novel Prisoner of Night and Fog is coming out April 22nd 2014 from Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins.

In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.

Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.

And Gretchen follows his every command.

Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews.

As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?

No One Else Can Have You (Book Review)

The people who read this book are split into two groups..... The group that LOVED this book, and the group that HATES this book. Unfortunately I am now part of the second group. Five things I couldn't stand: First of all this is an incredibly boring book. Nothing excited me. Second the main character is super annoying. Third the writing is like reading a Pretty Little Liars book (and that is not a good thing) Fourth the murder mystery part of the book (which was supposed to be the main plot) was set u...more No One Else Can Have You Kathleen Hale A quiet town like Friendship, Wisconsin, keeps most of its secrets buried . . . but when local teen Ruth Fried is found murdered in a cornfield, her best friend, Kippy Bushman, decides to uncover the truth and catch the killer. Since the police aren't much help, Kippy looks to her idol, journalist Diane Sawyer, for tips on how to conduct her investigation. But Kippy soon discovers, if you want to dig up the truth, your hands have to get a little dirty, don'tcha know. In this riveting young adult novel, Kathleen Hale creates an intricately plotted murder mystery that will keep readers guessing, laughing, and cringing until the surprising final pages. Review: The people who read this book are split into two groups..... The group that LOVED this book, and the group that HATES this book. Unfortunately I am now part of the second group. Five things I couldn't stand: First of all this is an incredibly boring book. Nothing excited me. Second the main character is super annoying. Third the writing is like reading a Pretty Little Liars book (and that is not a good thing) Fourth the murder mystery part of the book (which was supposed to be the main plot) was set up and executed terribly. Fifth there are some pretty disturbing jokes in here. I won't go into detail, but they were not funny at all. There are so many things just thrown into this book that didn't make ANY sense. I like my murder mystery's out there, where I can try and guess who it was before the end of the book. And where the facts are put out there, but the main character continues to find out things. The murder mystery was ultra confusing in this one. Everything felt so thrown in there. And I didn't actually feel like I was in a murder mystery. I felt as if I was in a soap opera where a main character is obsessed with some thing's, and where the main character has all of these previous problems which are never really explained...... One thing that this reminds me of is some of Shakespeare's work. His murder/comedy plays. But the differences between these is Shakespeare comedy's are actually funny. His writing is good. And he actually makes his story's make sense. I couldn't connect with the characters AT ALL, none of them. And I don't feel that way that often. This was one of my most looked forward to releases of 2014. And it was so disappointing. If (and only if) you enjoy the Pretty Little Liars series will I recommend this to you. If you enjoy awkward silly things being thrown into a (trying to be serious) plot..... I love thrillers and mystery's so much. And I wish that I had loved this one. I did finish this one, but I struggled. So, so, so disappointed. This had potential. The summary sounds amazing. But it didn't get there for me.

Nobody's Secret (Book Review)

Nobody's Secret
Michaela MacColl
Published April 30th 2013 by Chronicle Books
Source: ARCcycling

One day, fifteen-year-old Emily Dickinson meets a mysterious, handsome young man. Surprisingly, he doesn't seem to know who she or her family is. And even more surprisingly, he playfully refuses to divulge his name. Emily enjoys her secret flirtation with Mr. "Nobody" until he turns up dead in her family's pond. She's stricken with guilt. Only Emily can discover who this enigmatic stranger was before he's condemned to be buried in an anonymous grave. Her investigation takes her deep into town secrets, blossoming romance, and deadly danger. Exquisitely written and meticulously researched, this novel celebrates Emily Dickinson's intellect and spunk in a page-turner of a book that will excite fans of mystery, romance, and poetry alike.







Review:


I have always been a fan of Historical Fiction. But this does not carry into Poetry. Rest assured, Nobody's Secret is not about poetry....But it is about a poet.

If you do read Emily Dickinson's poetry, you might have gotten this story a little more. But to me it was just another Historical Fiction.

Which was not done so well.
The Characters:
I don't remember if it was ever mentioned about how old Emily is when this story occurs, but I think that she must have been older than she acted. I know that I say this in quite a few reviews....But this one Emily acted perfectly mature, but not so smart. The not so smart part of it could just be that Emily was a very adventures and curious person, which often led her to bad situations. I never connected with Emily, I never felt her emotions. The same was true with the rest of the characters in the book. I never really felt like I was immersed in the story.

The Plot:
The plot was just ok. Boring is one word I could use. After reading exciting, captivating books....Reading this one was really hard. I did end up finishing it, but it took a lot of effort.
Also, this one is labeled as Young Adult but it reads more like a Middle Grade book.
As I said above, if I knew more about Emily Dickinson and read more of her poetry I might have liked this book a whole lot more. But I don't know anything about her.

Overall I thought this one was ok. Boring plot. But it also just isn't my thing. I probably will not read any more by this author, but if you do know a lot about Emily Dickinson and enjoy poetry overall, give this one a try. If you are like me, and don't read poetry and don't know anything about Emily Dickinson I would definitely not recommend this one.
(2/5)

Characterize It (2)

Welcome to Characterize It, a meme held every Thursday and hosted by http://theyabookbutterfly.blogspot.com/

As usual for memes, link the meme back to the host page so that other can join in!

 

If you want to know more about Characterize It, go to this page.

 

The Wicked Witch of the West - Have a favorite villain? Let everybody know who it is, and why!

 

If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that I have an undying love for Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series........Levana is one of my favorite villains because (A) She seems actually pretty brilliant. And (B) Because she is an incredibly complex character. If you haven't read the Lunar Chronicles series, I would read it even if Levana was the only character that was amazing. (But don't worry she isn't!)

 

 

Link up below!

IMPORTANT NOTE! To see the links you must click on the link below!

 

Waiting On Wednesday (17) Endless (Shadowlands #3)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is-

 

Endless (Shadowlands #3)

Expected publication: July 22nd 2014 by Disney-Hyperion

 

An unthinkable betrayal threatens everyone Rory loves in the third installment of our dark, thrilling Shadowlands series from New York Times best-selling author Kate Brian.

Rory Miller didn't just fall in love with Tristan Parrish. She fell in love with the idea of forever. He was the one who told her the truth about her existence in Juniper Landing: that her mortal life is over, and she will now spend eternity on the island, helping others in limbo move on.

But like Juniper Landing, a bright island with dark secrets, Tristan is too good to be true. The mysterious, heartbreakingly beautiful boy Rory thought she knew is responsible for unthinkable evil-sending good souls to the Shadowlands in order to get himself a second chance at life on Earth. He has already claimed Rory's friend Aaron and her own father, but when Tristan sends her sister, Darcy, to the Shadowlands, too, Rory decides to take matters into her own hands. She will do anything to save her family, even if it means going to hell and back

Anyone who has read the previous two books in this series will know why this one is a must-have.

Please link your Waiting On Wednesdays in the comments below! I would love to visit.

Top Ten Tuesday 2014 Debuts I'm Excited For

Hosted by  http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/

 

Top Ten 2014 Debuts I'm Excited For

As far as I know, these are all debuts.

17 First Kisses

Expected publication: June 17th 2014 by HarperTeen

 

 

Dear Killer

Expected publication: April 1st 2014 by Katherine Tegen Books

 

 

Prisoner of Night and Fog

Expected publication: April 22nd 2014 by Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins

Huge, huge fan of Historical Fiction! + This one has romance!

 

 

The Murder Complex

Expected publication: June 10th 2014 by Greenwillow / HarperCollins

 

 

Side Affects May Vary

Expected publication: March 18th 2014 by HarperCollins/ Balzer + Bray

The title says it all!

 

 

Cruel Beauty

Expected publication: January 28th 2014 by Balzer & Bray

 

 

Faking Normal

Expected publication: February 25th 2014 by HarperCollins Children's Books

 

 

 

A Mad, Wicked Folly

Expected publication: January 23rd 2014 by Viking Juvenile

 

 

 

Tease

Expected publication: April 29th 2014 by Balzer + Bray

 

 

The Falconer

Expected publication: May 6th 2014 by Chronicle Books

 

 

 

 

Link me up to your Top Ten Tuesday/Blog below in the comments! I would love to visit!

Monday YA Author Interview With Natalie D Richards

Natalie D Richards
Goodreads - Twitter - Website

Em, thank you SO MUCH for having me! I loved these interview questions and
am so happy to be here! YAY!

Where are you from?
I’m a lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio – GO BUCKS!

When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing in very early childhood and according to my family, I was a storyteller even
before that. I’m not sure if it’s just a creative thing or possibly an I-can-never-shut-up thing, but
either way, I’ve always been a writer in some way or another.

What books have most influenced your life most?
This is a really tricky list to come up with because, like most writers, I read A LOT. But for
today I’ll go with David Copperfield, The Awakening, The Poisonwood Bible, Harry Potter, The
Hunger Games, Wintergirls, Slaughterhouse Five, The Hiding Place, and Leaves of Grass.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I’ve been privileged enough to receive advice and help from several authors in my journey
to publication, but choosing one just doesn’t feel fair. Honestly, my biggest fear would be
forgetting one of the many people who helped me get where I am today, so I’ll shorten it by
saying that writers as a whole tend to be generous, wise, and fun, and in particular, the writers
I’ve crossed paths with have changed my writing life for the better.

What book are you reading now?
Glory, glory I am done with edits so I am READING AGAIN! Woohoo! I’m currently (and I’m
late in doing so!) finishing up The 5th
by Amy Christine Parker which I enjoyed too. And I’m just starting The Night Circus by Erin
Morgenstern.
 Wave by Rick Yancy. It’s great. I also just finished Gated

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Rainbow Rowell probably bubbles to the top of a list of LOADS of amazing newauthors I’ve
found this year. Eleanor & Park in particular was crazy good.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Ugh, too many favorites! In YA in particular, I’d go with Libba Bray, Maggie Stiefvater, Jay
Asher, John Green, and I’d already say Rainbow Rowell is heading in that direction. What
always does it for me is voice. These writers have voices that are so authentic, so utterly
captivating – it’s hard to put it into words, but they’re all wonderful.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
It’s a little different with each book. And each day. Some days it’s just hard to force my brain
to focus (collecting my thoughts is like herding crack-head cats) and others it’s hard to figure out
how to tackle a scene the right way. For Six Months Later, there was a scene in the back third
of the book that I had to rewrite about six times before I felt like it was right. That was totally
annoying, but necessary.

Have you been an avid reader your entire life? (since you could read)
Yes, but I’m not a typical “quiet, bookish” type. I’m actually very extroverted (think
obnoxiously chatty and you’re about right!)

What character in your books do you relate to most?
 Oooh, good question. Um, I think I’d have to go with Maggie – she has the same taste in music
and clothing and that sort of thing. J

What is your favorite sport to watch and or play?
I don’t play sports and the world is a safer place for it. I’m not exactly coordinated. But I love
watching football and hockey – especially hockey.

Favorite Movie?
Oy. Again, tough! I’d say in 2013, my favorites were Catching Fire and Frozen! How’s that?

Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate. Accept no substitute.

Puppy's or Kittens?
 Puppies!

Beach or Mountains?
 Both, if possible. My in laws were lovely enough to take me to Hawaii…TWICE. And both are
possible there – Hawaii is the most beautiful place on earth.

If you could be a color, what color would you be?
 Hm…I usually say black because it’s all I wear and what I gravitate toward, but I think if I
actually have to BE a color, I should be a bit more unique. Maybe indigo?

Favorite Dessert?
 Tollhouse pie. But any really delicious chocolate thing (except cake – not a big cake fan) will
work just fine by me.

If you could be a book character, what character would you be?
Wow, this is a great question. I think I might go with Hermione Granger. She’s got a rough go
of things, but she’s incredibly intelligent, strong, and kind. I think that’s a pretty amazing mix.

About Natalie:
Lost for years in a maze of cubicles and file rooms, Natalie found her way back to her love of
writing in her late twenties and never looked back. Natalie lives in Ohio (Go Bucks!) with her
husband, their three amazing kids, and a giant dust-mop who swears he's the family dog. Follow
her on Twitter @natdrichards or visit her at www.nataliedrichards.com
Six Months Later is available for purchase in paperback and e-book format at Barnes&Noble,
Amazon, and Sourcebooks.com.
Em, thanks again for having me – I’d love to close with a teeny bit of info on my debut YA
thriller, Six Months Later, which doesn’t feature the beach or mountains, but DOES happen to
feature a lot of lovely wintery scenes.


She Has Everything She Ever Wanted. But Not Her Memory...
When Chloe fell asleep in study hall, it was the middle of May. When she wakes up, snow is on
the ground and she can't remember the last six months of her life.
Before, she'd been a mediocre student. Now, she's on track for valedictorian and being recruited
by Ivy League schools. Before, she never had a chance with super jock Blake. Now he's her
boyfriend. Before, she and Maggie were inseparable. Now her best friend won't speak to her.
What happened to her? Remembering the truth could be more dangerous than she knows...







You have it from me that Six Months Later is absolutely captivating! Go pick up a copy right away if you love thrillers!