YALLFest Interview: Sean Williams

For the next week, this is the second interviews for authors that are going to YALLFest this year. Sadly I will not be going, but it has an amazing line-up. I highly suggest that you check it out, if you have the chance and live in the south. Sean Williams wrote Twinmaker and here is the interview with him.

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

The right music. And chocolate as a reward when I finish.

Describe your book in 5 words

Jump meets Uglies. But different.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

The first line is often the hardest to write, but I like a good challenge. The line I like writing the least is the last because it means I have a whole load of rewriting ahead of me.

Best writing tip you ever received?

Give up. If you can do that, you’ll be happier and probably better off as a result. If you can’t, then you know writing is exactly the right thing for you!

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

1) I live in Adelaide, South Australia, a place that’s home to about a million other people but somehow feels like a small town, which is why I love it.

2) I still think music from the 1980s is cool.

3) My stepson has situs invertus, which means his heart is on the wrong side of his body. That’s not really about me, but it is pretty random.

4) I’m a huge fan of Doctor Who.

5) I’m minding a pair of green tree frogs, Skipper and Jumpy, for a young friend while she’s overseas with her family. You can see pictures of them on my Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/seanwilliamsauthor/.

Where's your favorite place to write?

In my study, a lovely upstairs nook containing all my favorite book-related things, but I’ve trained myself to write anywhere as long as I have my headphones and some music. I quite like writing in hotels, probably because someone else does all the household chores.

What are you working on now?

Crashland, the sequel to Twinmaker.

YALLFest Interview: CJ Lyons

For the next week, I will have two authors that are going to YALLFest this year. Sadly I will not be going, but it has an amazing line-up. I highly suggest that you check it out, if you have the chance and live in the south. 
Today, I have CJ Lyon as a promotion for YALLFest, . She is the author of Broken, which is a YA Thriller. Before writing YA, she was a pediatric emergency room doctor and wrote thrillers. Anyways, without further instructions, here is the interview.

Describe your book in 5 words:

CJ: Girl dying of broken heart (literally)

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

CJ: The first. I’ll often return to it over and over again until I’ve sliced and diced and fine-honed it to that perfect combination of intrigue, visceral reaction, and emotional connection with the reader.

Best writing tip you ever received?

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?

CJ: Code Name Verity because it is so emotionally honest and inspiring, empowering, not to mention gut-wrenching. Really brings the era to life as well as the sacrifices made in the name of freedom.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

CJ: When I was a kid I worked summer stock theatre and was actually a theatre major undergrad before switching to pre-med. I’ve had two hard landings in helicopters while working as a flight doc. I survived rampaging Cape Horn Buffalo and a pack of wild baboons, not to mention a leopard (he’s already eaten) while hiking in Hells Gate Park in Kenya. I’m a Capricorn. I diagnosed my niece with the heart condition that’s at the center of my YA thriller, BROKEN.

What are you working on now?

CJ: DAMAGED, my next YA thriller, due out in 2014. It deals with the really tough topic of abuse and coercion and is the most difficult book I’ve ever tackled—there have been times while writing when I was literally in tears as I typed.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

CJ: I created my own genre of Thrillers with Heart—I love writing fast paced stories with raising stakes but centered on the emotional heart of an evolving relationship. As for reading, I read almost every genre but especially love YA, magical realism, and thrillers. As long as a story grabs me by the throat and won’t let me go because I’m too worried about what the characters are going through, I’ll read it and love it.

If you are interested in YALLFest, visit their website or Twitter for more information.

Five Years Later: Blogging

Today marks the fifth blogoversary.
I have changed so much in that time. I have finished high school and began college. I have learned so much about what I like to read and what I don't. I have found out that I want to work as a librarian in youth services. I have met many wonderful people from blogging, and some include my now closest friends. I went to NYC for BEA in 2010 and went to ALA Mid-Winter this year in my wonderful city of Seattle. Overall, this blog has brought so many wonderful things to my life and I am really glad that I started it. I am immensely proud of what I have done and hope to do many more wonderful things.
Thanks to anyone that has read this or followed my blog over the years. It means a lot to me that you have taken the time. Also, thank to the bloggers that inspired me like Chelsea, Tirzah, Khy, and many more. I would not be doing this without you guys.

Guest Post: Elisa Freilich

Silent Echo comes out September 10th from Diversion Books. It isn't your usual fantasy novel. It has sirens, music, prophecies, and of course, romance!
Elisa has come to the blog for a bit of a Q&A.
There is also a prize giveaway below for a chance to win a pack of awesome things including a book purse inspired by the book, an iPhone case and other trinkets featuring the beautiful illustrations of the upcoming trailer and a YA book of your choice. 

1. Describe your book in 5 words: Modernizing mythology through music & romance.  ( does the ampersand count as a word?  Ooops)

2. What surprised you the most as you were writing SILENT ECHO? How many of my metaphors seem to veer towards the food-related (i.e. "his voice was a block of milk chocolate wrapped in sandpaper")  I guess I'm also a die-hard foodie.

3. Are you a plotter or a panster? Do you plot your book or fly by the seat of your pants? I fly on a magic carpet woven loosely of plot driven threads.  I've got a vague idea where I'm headed but once in flight, it really solidifies.

4. Do you have any kind of writing rituals? I need silence or else white noise, a constant din.  I can't have music or a tv on - way too distracting. 

5. Who would you cast in a movie version of your book for Portia, Felix and Max? Young unknowns who resemble Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher and Rob Pattinson (in order as asked)

6. As a lover of mythology, what's your fave myth? I love the story of the Six Headed Scylla.  There are several explanations for how she came to have six heads and for Silent Echo's sequel, I have expounded and expanded on my favorite one.  (Scylla is an integral part of the next installment of my trilogy.)

7. Lightnight round:

Fave food - Truffle fries (ok, or any fries)

Fave book - Special Topics in Calamity Physics (most recently, that is)

Fave song - Closer to Fine by Indigo Girls

Fave vacation - Laguna Beach, CA w/my hubby (or pretty much anywhere w/my hubby)

Fave color - brown (chocolate, mocha - there's that food thing again...)

Beach or mountains - Pool with a view of the beach

Soda or Pop - soda

Coke or Pepsi - Coke (diet, of course)

Can't live without - Air conditioning

Can live without - bees ( even if it meant sacrificing honey - they terrify me)

Fave person -  Mark Darcy (can a fictitious character count?)

Person you want to meet most dead or alive - Marcus Mumford (His genius blows my mind)

Person you admire most - My husband - he wears his own skin with unyielding confidence and comfort

If you could be anyone, who? George RR Martin - can you imagine what must go on in that guy's head?!

Follow Elisa Freilich on: TWITTER  FACEBOOK  TUMBLR 
There is also a sneak peak on her Tumblr, that you should check out. 


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What's Raising Our Pulse Discussion and Giveaway: Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young

Today's post comes from What's Raising Our Pulse Book Club. I am going to answer a question that comes from the book and give you guys the chance to win a copy by answering below.
The question comes from Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young. Here is the summary: 
Caroline is at a crossroads. Her grandmother is sick, maybe dying. Like the rest of her family, Caroline's been at Gram's bedside since her stroke. With the pressure building, all Caroline wants to do is escape--both her family and the reality of Gram's failing health. So when Caroline's best friend offers to take her to a party one fateful Friday night, she must choose: stay by Gram's side, or go to the party and live her life.
The consequence of this one decision will split Caroline's fate into two separate paths--and she's about to live them both.
Friendships are tested and family drama hits an all-new high as Caroline attempts to rebuild old relationships, and even make a few new ones. If she stays, her longtime crush, Joel, might finally notice her, but if she goes, Chris, the charming college boy, might prove to be everything she's ever wanted.
Though there are two distinct ways for her fate to unfold, there is only one happy ending...

The book is told from two point of view and unfolds with what would happen with each decision.
The question is:  Have you ever looked back on a decision you made and wondered how your life would have changed if you had done something differently?
When I applied for colleges, I got into three different schools. I picked the one that was closest to home, because I was afraid to move away from my family, my friends, and also changing my doctors. I always wonder what would have happened, if I changed my mind and went to a school farther away. Overall, I like my university and have made some great friends that I care about. A part of my mind causing me to wonder what if...
Now it is your turn to answer for the question in the comments below for a chance to win a copy of Just Like Fate and a mini magic eight ball. The contest will be open till the 19th at midnight and is US only. 

Giveaway: Infinityglass by Myra McEntire

Today, I am giving away the last book in the Hourglass Trilogy.  Fill out the form below. 
Here is the summary:
The stakes have risen even higher in this third book in the Hourglass series.
The Hourglass is a secret organization focused on the study of manipulating time, and its members — many of them teenagers -­have uncanny abilities to make time work for them in mysterious ways. Inherent in these powers is a responsibility to take great care, because altering one small moment can have devastating consequences for the past, present, and future. But some time trav­elers are not exactly honorable, and sometimes unsavory deals must be struck to maintain order.
With the Infinityglass (central to understanding and harnessing the time gene) at large, the hunt is on to find it before someone else does.
But the Hourglass has an advantage. Lily, who has the ability to locate anything lost, has determined that the Infinityglass isn't an object. It's a person. And the Hourglass must find him or her first. But where do you start searching for the very key to time when every second could be the last?

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A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Source: Library
Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.
Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.
This book has a huge cast of characters and while as it seems overwhelming at the beginning, they quickly became distinctive. The characters are all very developed and unique. Several characters stood out to me. For example, Daenerys is such a strong and remarkable character. Tyrion was such a funny character and made me laugh a lot. Arya was also kick ass and brave. I could go on the other characters forever. Martin isn't afraid to harm his characters and I became emotional in several place. This book starts out slow, but quickly becomes exciting. There are so many plots that are linked together flawlessly. I became enthralled in what would happen next and needed to know more. The world building is also done so well. I never felt overwhelmed by what was happening and Martin explains it perfectly. The map in the book also helped a lot. The concept of winter being years long, also interested me and I hope that comes into play in later books. This book is rather thick and at times, it felt like it would last for forever. At the same time, I never felt bored. I don't think that the story could be told in less content, but at the same time, it is a bit tiring reading it. Martin's writing is pretty good. He is really good at make a story believable. I haven't watched the show, but I am definitely interested in it now. I would recommend anyone that likes Epic Fantasy. It has really well developed character, an interesting plot, and great world building. I am definitely interested on continuing with the series, but I am going to take a break before continuing reading this series.

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Source: Publisher
Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong. 
In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.
There are a lot of characters introduced at once. I felt a bit overwhelmed from the characters, because there are so many of them introduced at once.  They weren't super distinct and it took a while for them to develop.  Dean was an outsider, but he tried to help people. I believed that it would have been better if there had been another point of view, because I felt that I was losing a lot of information that could have been given later in the story. A lot of this book focuses on the mundane and there are a few places that are  action-packed, but it quickly slows down from the first page and picks up later.  I wish that the author had focused a lot more on the action parts, because the plot is okay. I thought the premise was interesting, but I wish that it was plotted a bit more. The originality helped me want to read this book more. The writing was okay, but I felt that Laybourne condescended to the audience a few times. The ending became a lot better, and almost redeemed the book. I hope that it picks up in the second book. Overall, I would recommend this book, if it interest you. Otherwise I would skip it.

Triangles by Ellen Hopkins

Source: Publisher
THREE FEMALE FRIENDS FACE MIDLIFE CRISES IN A NO-HOLDS-BARRED EXPLORATION OF SEX, MARRIAGE, AND THE FRAGILITY OF LIFE.Holly: Filled with regret for being a stay-athome mom, she sheds sixty pounds and loses herself in the world of extramarital sex. Will it bring the fulfillment she is searching for?Andrea: A single mom and avowed celibate, she watches her friend Holly’s meltdown with a mixture of concern and contempt. Holly is throwing away what Andrea has spent her whole life searching for—a committed relationship with a decent guy. So what if Andrea picks up Holly’s castaway husband?Marissa: She has more than her fair share of challenges—a gay, rebellious teenage son, a terminally ill daughter, and a husband who buries himself in his work rather than face the facts. 
As one woman’s marriage unravels, another’s rekindles. As one woman’s family comes apart at the seams, another’s reconfigures into something bigger and better. In this story of connections and disconnections, one woman’s up is another one’s down, and all of them will learn the meaning of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness.Unflinchingly honest, emotionally powerful, surprisingly erotic, Triangles is the ultimate page-turner. Hopkins’s gorgeous, expertly honed poetic verse perfectly captures the inner lives of her characters. Sometimes it happens like that. Sometimes you just get lost.Get lost in the world of Triangles, where the lives of three unforgettable women intersect, and where there are no easy answers.
I am used to Ellen Hopkins, she writes amazing and intense books. Her adult books are similar to her young adult books, in which they don't hold anything back. Her characters are developed really well. Andrea, Holly, and Marissa are all unique and I enjoyed them. I really felt for Marissa and her family and connected to her family and what was happening to her.   I liked their families too. The plot was very gripping and I became invested into the characters pretty quickly. It is a pretty fast paced read.  Ellen Hopkins' writing  is amazing as always. I love her verse and find it to be so beautiful. I recommend this book to anyone that likes Ellen Hopkins' young adult. Overall, it was an interesting book and seemed a bit different than her young adult books, but it is just as intense and epic as her other books.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Source: Library
Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.
When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.
As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy? 
A Michael L. Printz Award Honor book that was called "a fiendishly-plotted mind game of a novel" in The New York Times, Code Name Verity is a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other.
I wasn't sure if this book would live up to the hype that I had heard, but it did. The thing that attracted me most in the story is that it was about friendship and what people would do for each other. It was also about trying to find your place in a world torn apart. I loved both of the main characters. Verity is a strong, fearless, and likable character that grows on you. Maggie is a strong character that is unsure of her place in the world. I loved her love of flying and her devotion to it. Their friendship made this story so much more intense and gorgeous. The other characters in the book are complex and you learn a lot about them. I liked that none of them were simple, but there were several forces that came into play to every decision. I began to care for many of them.
One of the best things in Code Name Verity, is the WWII Britain. I could feel the intensity and the fear of the unknown. Even though I know the History, I still became caught up in what would happen next.  It was just so well done, because I understood the terror. The plot was very fast pace and exciting. I had to know what happened next. Everything in this book linked together flawlessly. This book is extremely original and unlike anything that I have read. Elizabeth Wein's writing is gorgeous and spectacular. I regret not reading this book sooner. It was just such a spectacular book and honestly, I can't say more. It is the kind of book that you need to read to understand what I am talking about. It is clever with many twist and turns. I recommend this to anyone that wants an astonishing and remarkable read. It is timeless and made me think so much about myself. Seriously go read this book now, if you haven't! 

Waiting on Wednesday (123)

Title:  Split Second
Author: Kasie West 
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Life can change in a split second.
Addie hardly recognizes her life since her parents divorced. Her boyfriend used her. Her best friend betrayed her. She can’t believe this is the future she chose. On top of that, her ability is acting up. She’s always been able to Search the future when presented with a choice. Now she can manipulate and slow down time, too . . . but not without a price.
When Addie’s dad invites her to spend her winter break with him, she jumps at the chance to escape into the Norm world of Dallas, Texas. There she meets the handsome and achingly familiar Trevor. He’s a virtual stranger to her, so why does her heart do a funny flip every time she sees him? But after witnessing secrets that were supposed to stay hidden, Trevor quickly seems more suspicious of Addie than interested in her. And she has an inexplicable desire to change that.
Meanwhile, her best friend, Laila, has a secret of her own: she can restore Addie’s memories . . . once she learns how. But there are powerful people who don’t want to see this happen. Desperate, Laila tries to manipulate Connor, a brooding bad boy from school—but he seems to be the only boy in the Compound immune to her charms. And the only one who can help her.
As Addie and Laila frantically attempt to retrieve the lost memories, Addie must piece together a world she thought she knew before she loses the love she nearly forgot . . . and a future that could change everything.
I adored Pivot Point and I am dying to read this book.

Top Ten Tuesday: Recogition

This weeks topic is: Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition. I had to think about this topic for a while.
1. Courtney Summers 
She has written Cracked Up to Be, Some Girls Are, Fall For Anything, and This is Not a Test. Her books are amazingly raw and intense. I have enjoyed all of her books and I can't wait to read more from her.
2. Stephanie Kuehnert
She has written Ballads of Suburbia and I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone. Her books are clever and unique. The writing is epic. A lot of the people that I know haven't read these books, when they are amazing. I am dying to read her next book.
3. Holly Cupala
She has written Tell Me a Secret and Don't Breathe a Word. Her books are raw and deal with tough issue, but not in a cliche way. It is honest, beautiful, and full of hope. They also all happen in Seattle, which makes them a bit more interesting to me.
4. Robin Benway
She has written Audrey, Wait!, The Secrets of April, May, and June, and Also Known As. Her writing is so funny, like all of her books, have made me laugh so much. I can't recommend these books enough and you should totally read them.
5.  Laura Wiess

She has written Such a Pretty Girl, Leftovers, How It Ends, Ordinary Beauty, and Me Since You. Her books are crafted very well. The plot always draws me in and I keep on wanting more. They are all emotionally gripping and keep me wanting more
6. Amanda Grace 

This is the pseudonym of Mandy Hubbard, but these books are amazing. She has written But I Love Him, In Too Deep, and The Truth about You and Me. These books are amazing and give me so many feels.
7. Lauren Strasnick

Her books are Nothing Like You, Her, Me, and You, and Then You Were Gone. I find her books to be quick and enjoyable reads. I really like the style of her writing, which is very sparse, but clever. It is an interesting concept.8. Tara Altebrando

Her books include The Pursuit of Happiness, What Happened Here, Dreamland Social Club, and The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life. She also co-wrote the forthcoming Roomies with Sara Zarr. Her books are fun, while surrounded with more complex issues. Her books should definitely have more buzz, because they are really well written and such diverse characters.

 9. Lili Wilkinson 
She has written  Pink and many other books published in Australia. Pink is an amazing book. There are realistic characters that I loved. I really want to read more from her.
10. Jennifer Jabaley
She wrote Lipstick Apology and Crush Control. One book is really raw and intense. The other was fun. I enjoyed both books and would love to see more from her. 

I am participating in...

Hey everyone!
For the next week, I will be participating in Booktube-A-Thon. It is hosted by Ariel Bissett and  Raeleen from Padfootandprongs07. It last from July 15th to the 21st. There are a few challenges, which are:
1) read an average of 300 pages a day
2) read a book with over 500 pages
3) re-read one book
4) finish a series/trilogy
5) read a book that's been on your shelf forever
6) listen to an audiobook
7) read a classic


Here is the video that I made:
The Possible Books are:
Twelfth Night by Willian Shakespeare
Violet in Private by Melissa Walker
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Altered by Gennifer Albin
Horde by Ann Aguirre
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schnieder

Anyways, is anyone else participating?
I hope to get some reading done! I'll let you know how it goes on Monday.
Best wishes, Sarah!

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In My Mailbox (Week of July 14th)

Sent: 
The Bad Apple and A World of Trouble by T.R. Burns
Seamus is immediately shipped off to a detention facility—only to discover that Kilter Academy is actually a school to mold future Troublemakers, where demerits are awarded as a prize for bad behavior and each student is tasked to pull various pranks on their teachers in order to excel. Initially determined to avoid any more mishaps, Seamus nonetheless inadvertently emerges as a uniquely skilled troublemaker. Together with new friends Lemon and Elinor, he rises to the top of his class while beginning to discover that Kilter Academy has some major secrets and surprises in store….
It sounds cute. I might give the first book a try to see if I like it.

Bought:
Gates of Paradise by Melissa De La Cruz
Schuyler Van Alen is running out of time. The Dark Prince of Hell is storming the Gates of Paradise, intent on winning the heavenly throne for good. This time he has his greatest angels by his side, Abbadon and Azrael—Jack and Mimi Force, as they are known in the Coven.
Or so he thinks. Even as Lucifer assigns Jack and Mimi the tasks of killing their true loves, the Force twins secretly vow to defeat the Dark Prince once and for all. But how far will Mimi and Jack go to conceal their real loyalties?
Meanwhile, former vampire Bliss Llewellyn has joined forces with Lawson, the greatest wolf of the underworld, to free his people from their imprisonment in Hell. As they struggle against impossible odds, an ancient message, woven into the very fabric of time, reveals just how much depends on the success of their mission.
Lucifer seeks the key to the Gate of Promise, and when Schuyler is taken captive and delivered straight to Hell, she must make an unthinkable choice—the same one the archangel Michael was forced to make during the Crisis in Rome. Will Schuyler find the strength to do what he could not?
The epic, heartbreaking Blue Bloods series comes to a close with this final novel about staggering courage, unbearable sacrifice, and the immortality of true love.
I am excited to read this one and finish the series.

Library:
Just One Day by Gayle Forman
A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.
Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!
I have heard great things about this book and really want to read it.

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Source: Publisher
She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But... they are brother and sister.
Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.
I heard a lot of hype about this book, when it came out, and  I was very reluctant to read it. Finally I caved and read it.  I felt a lot about the characters and I understood how they got into this situation. Their mom is absent for most of the book and they are forced to  take care of their siblings. As a result, the line between brother and sister is more than blurred, it is non-existent. I never felt disgusted by their relationship, which I thought was in part of Suzuma's writing. I actually cheered for them. By the end, I hoped that they would have a good ending.  I hated their mom, because she had these children that she constantly neglected. The plot was powerful, intense, and emotional. It dealt with incest in a non-cliche way and while it didn't condemn the love, it also didn't redeem it.  Suzuma explains an intense situation that is both believable and extraordinary. This book is definitely original and I can't  think of another book that compares to Forbidden.  Suzuma's writing is emotional and beautiful. It made this book so strong and enjoyable. If you was a very unique, but still emotionally driven contemporary book, I recommend that you read this book like now. I absolutely adored this book and can't wait to read the next one from Suzuma. 

Away by Teri Hall

Source: Publisher
After crossing the Line, Rachel finds herself in a world where survival is never guaranteed - a world where bizarre creatures roam the woods and people have strange abilities. Everything has gone to ruin Away and the survivors have banded into warring clans. Rachel finds her father being held prisoner by a tribe of Others, and she and her new friends set out to rescue him. But when they cross back over the Line, Rachel and Pathik make a foolish decision, bringing them into further danger that can only be resolved with an unthinkable sacrifice.
An adventure filled with life-and-death choices, dark conspiracies, and heart-poundingly suspenseful moments, this sequel delivers.
After the intense ending of The Line, I thought that this book would start quickly. It didn't.  Instead it focuses on Away and everything that is going on, which I found interesting. The plot was really quick and as a result, I read the majority of it in one sitting. An issue that I had, is that all of issues in the book would arise and be quickly resolved. There was no intensity in this book. Hall's writing is as strong as the previous book and she wraps up the book nicely. My only real issue is that the events of the plot seemed really convenient and sudden. Overall, I think that this is a futuristic society that younger readers might enjoy more, but it you like the first one, I would recommend it.

Dangerous Boy by Mandy Hubbard

Source: Publisher
A modern-day retelling of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with a chilling twist
Harper has never been worried about falling in love, something she is skeptical even exists. But everything changes when Logan moves to town, and to Harper's shock, the two tumble into an intense romance. It's everything she never thought she wanted.
Then she meets Logan's twin brother, Caleb, who was expelled from his last school. True, he's a bad boy, but Harper can't shake the feeling that there's something deeply sinister about him--something dangerous. When Logan starts pulling away, Harper is convinced that Caleb's shadowy past is the wedge being driven between them. But by the time she uncovers the truth, it may be too late.
The author of Prada & Prejudice, You Wish, and Ripple delivers a modern-day retelling of a famously gothic tale, full of suspense, lies, and romance.
Harper is a very sweet character. She has a lot of fears, but she is trying to overcome some fears with her boyfriend Logan. He is a very sweet and protective guy, but the person that he wants to protect her the most from is his brother Caleb. Strange things happen to Harper and people that she cares about. Harper begins to suspect that it is Caleb as he approaches her. While the first half is spent with many exciting events, the second half slows down as she tries to figure out what is happening.  Her stubborn nature towards the end annoyed me, because it went against her constant fear at the beginning. I mean she was constantly depending on other people and suddenly she is independent. It just didn't add up to me.  The plot was really exciting and intense.  Like the atmosphere from the book kept me reading, because it was so creepy and even scary at times.  Hubbard's writing was not as strong as the previous books, but it was still good. Overall I enjoyed this book, but it  could have been better. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants an intense read with great atmosphere. 

Waiting on Wednesday (122)

Title:  To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Author: Jenny Han
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: April 22nd, 2014
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters…
This book sounds really cute and I want to read it badly.

Top Ten Tuesday: Best/Worst Movies

So I went a bit overboard on this list, so there are 12 best and 8 worst. I really enjoy movies and books, so I thought of a lot of them. I tried to add a few trailers and it didn't work out sadly.
Best:
1. The Harry Potter Series (2001-2011)
This series is what should happen when they make a series of film. I grew up on this series and loved it. Daniel, Rupert, and Emma will forever by my Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
2. The Hobbit/ Lord of The Rings Trilogy (2001-Forthcoming)
Peter Jackson makes J.R.R. Tolkien's books into such a remarkable world. I loved it so much.
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Stephen Chbosky made his novel into such a great movie and it embodied the spirit of the book. I am slightly obsessed with Logan Lerman, so this only causes me to love it more as he portrays Charlie. Ezra Miller, Emma Watson, and Mae Whitman co-star and I love them too. 
4. The Great Gatsby (2013)
Baz Luhrmann makes over the top and colorful movies that are full of energy. Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Carey Mulligan star. It captured the book so well. I also adore the soundtrack so much.
5. Wuthering Heights (2011)
This is the first adaption directed by a woman and I think that she captures the book so well. James Howson and Kaya Scodelario are amazing is this film.

6. To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
This movie is just amazing and such a classic. Gregory Peck is just stunning.
7. Never Let Me Go (2010)
I adore this movie and this book so much. It has Kiera Knightly, Carey Mulligan, and Andrew Garfield starring.
 8. The Hunger Games (2012)
I love this book and found the movie to be really well made. Plus it has Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawerance with a lot more of amazing cast.

9. Atonement (2007)
I adore this movie, which I know a lot of people don't like. I felt it was truthful to the plot and the cast is amazing
.
  10. Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging (2008)
This movie is so funny, which is how the books are. I love Georgia.
11. Now is Good (2012)
It is a bit different than the book, but I really enjoyed it. The soundtrack is perfect.
12. Gone With the Wind (1939)
This movie is as epic the book and just as long
 
Worst:
1.The Golden Compass (2007)
This movie makes me so angry when I think about it. I love the series and book, but it was majorly screwed up in the plot.
2. The Twilight Saga (2008-2012)
These movies are just so bad.
3. The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)
I loved this book, but not this movie.
4. Flowers in the Attic (1987)
It is the type of bad that you watch for laughs.
5. The Great Gatsby (1975)
It is not bad, but not as good as it should be.
6. War of the Worlds (2005)
It doesn't even follow the book at all and it is so bad.
7.  Gulliver's Travels (1996)
It is just so bad.
8. Stephen King’s The Shining (1997)
Why did they even remake this movie? The first one was perfect.

Invisible by Marni Bates

Source: Netgalley
Jane Smith has survived three years of high school without making a single enemy, all by keeping a low profile. Not even her three best friends, Kenzie, Corey and Isobel, can say the same. But with Corey dating the lead singer from ReadySet and Kenzie in a relationship too, being invisible tends to be lonely. But now she's written an article for her school newspaper that has accidentally snagged the attention of some celebrities. Turns out, people get really upset when their innermost secrets are splashed all over the front page. And new her well-ordered life is being blasted to hell, with results that are wildly unexpected. 
I really enjoyed Awkward. It was a really fun book, so naturally I was really excited for Invisible. I understood Jane, I have to go to professors that use participation as part of the grade and explain that talking in class is hard for me. I am not good at make-up.I liked that she defended her friends like I do. I just didn't get how she transformed so quickly in the book. Kenzie and Corey developed a lot and it was interesting seeing them from a different point of view. Scott was another character that I liked.  He was very sarcastic and caring at times.
The plot was engaging. It wasn't as funny as Awkward, but I still laughed a few times. It centered mostly around friendships and high school drama, but it was told in a way that made me want to learn more about the characters. I don't think that the main plot is original, but all of the sub-plots made it into a unique read. The writing is more towards the younger range or Young Adult, but I still enjoyed it. Bates creates likable characters and an entertaining plot, which are wrapped up with good writing. I recommend this to fans of Awkward, it is a fun read about high school. It would appeal to fans of Meg Cabot and Maureen Johnson
. I am excited to read Notable.

In My Mailbox (Week of July 7th)

This week I got two books in my mailbox, which I won from Zoe's Book Reviews. Thanks to Amy Reed and Zoe for these two.
Crazy by Amy Reed
He’s falling in love—and she’s falling over the edge of sanity. From the author of Beautiful and Clean, a heartwrenching exploration of a romance marred by mental illness.
Connor knows that Izzy will never fall in love with him the way he’s fallen for her. But somehow he’s been let into her crazy, exhilarating world and become her closest confidante. But the closer they get, the more Connor realizes that Izzy’s highs are too high and her lows are too low. And the frenetic energy that makes her shine is starting to push her into a much darker place.
     As Izzy’s behavior gets increasingly erratic and self-destructive, Connor gets increasingly desperate to stop her from plummeting. He knows he can’t save her from her pain...but what if no one else can?
I am dying to read this book. Like seriously I really want to read this book. I loved her debut novel and have been meaning to read more from her. Plus this book sounds amazing.
Over You by Amy Reed
Max would follow Sadie anywhere, so when Sadie decides to ditch her problems and escape to Nebraska for the summer, it’s only natural for Max to go along. She is Sadie’s confidante, her protector, and her best friend. This summer will be all about them. This summer will be perfect.
But that’s before they meet Dylan.
Dylan is dangerous and intoxicating, and he awakens something in Max that she never knew existed. No matter how much she wants to, she can’t back away.
But Sadie has her own intensity, and has never allowed Max to become close with anyone else. And Max doesn’t know who she is without Sadie.
There are some problems you just can’t escape.
This book also sounds amazing and I am exciting to read it.

I also got one book from the library:
The Reese Malcom List by Amy Spalding:
Things I know about Reece Malcolm:
1. She graduated from New York University.
2. She lives in or near Los Angeles.
3. Since her first novel was released, she’s been on the New York Times bestseller list every week.
4. She likes strong coffee and bourbon.
5. She’s my mother.
Devan knows very little about Reece Malcolm, until the day her father dies and she’s shipped off to live with the mother she’s never met. All she has is a list of notebook entries that doesn’t add up to much.
L.A. offers a whole new world to Devan—a performing arts school allows her to pursue her passion for show choir and musicals, a new circle of friends helps to draw her out of her shell, and an intriguing boy opens up possibilities for her first love.
But then the Reece Malcolm list gets a surprising new entry. Now that Devan is so close to having it all, can she handle the possibility of losing everything?
I have heard a lot great things about this book, so I requested it from my library. They ended up buying it, so naturally, I get to read it first. I am really excited to read this book.

ARC Giveaway: Horde by Ann Aguirre

So, somehow I ended up with two ARCs of Horde and decided to give the second one away. Here is the summary:
The epic conclusion to the USA Today bestselling trilogy.
The horde is coming.
Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.
Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.
This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.
Just fill out the form below if interested. US Only end on the 4th of August at midnight PST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Outpost by Ann Aguirre

Source: Publisher
Deuce’s whole world has changed.
Down below, she was considered an adult. Now, topside in a town called Salvation, she’s a brat in need of training in the eyes of the townsfolk. She doesn't fit in with the other girls: Deuce only knows how to fight.
To make matters worse, her Hunter partner, Fade, keeps Deuce at a distance. Her feelings for Fade haven’t changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.
Deuce signs up to serve in the summer patrols—those who make sure the planters can work the fields without danger. It should be routine, but things have been changing on the surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks have grown smarter. They’re watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don’t intend to let Salvation survive, and it may take a girl like Deuce to turn back the tide.
I really enjoyed Encalve and was very excited to read this book. I find Deuce to be a very intriguing character and I liked to see her be challenged by the environment around her. She really grew and developed through out the book.  I found this book to be very emotional and I grew attached to even the more minor character and liked the more prominent characters like Fade and Stalker. The book starts up rather slow with what is happening in Salvation, but the tension quickly grows as event after event is revealed. I was surprised at some of the twist and turn. The Freaks also continue to develop and the book gives a continuation from the previous book of what is happening with them. I literally had chills at several parts, because of how intense part of this book was. Aguirre is an amazing writer. She describes scenes so well that I think that I am there and her fighting scenes are spectacularly vivid. I recommend this book to fans of Enclave and if you enjoy thrilling and intense books, but haven't read the first book, I suggest that you start the series. I am really excited for the third book Horde and can't wait to read it.

Double Cross by Ally Carter

Source: Netgalley
Macey McHenry—Glamorous society girl or spy-in-training?
W.W. Hale V—Heir to an American dynasty or master thief?
There are two sides to every coin. Whether these two can work together is a tossup.
Born into privilege, Macey and Hale are experts at mingling with the upper class. But even if they’ve never raised an eyebrow at the glitz, neither teenager has ever felt at home with the glamour.
When Macey and Hale meet at a society gala, the party takes a dangerous turn. Suddenly they’re at the center of a hostage situation, and it’s up to them to stop the thugs from becoming hostile. Will Macey’s spy skills and Hale’s con-man ways be enough to outsmart a ruthless gang? Or will they have to seek out the ultimate inside girl to help?
The worlds of Heist Society and the Gallagher Girls collide in Ally Carter’s fast-paced, high-stakes and tantalizing new story. Get a behind the scenes glimpse as Ally delivers an irresistible thriller that is full of her signature style and savvy twists.
I love Ally Carter's Heist Society and Gallagher Girls series. I was dying to read a story where both of them met up and this is exactly what I wanted. Instead of focusing on the main characters, the story centers around Hale and Macey. I really like them as characters in the series and found their points of view to be interesting and similar to the ones found in both series. The plot is pretty fast since it is a novella. I read it in one sitting. I think it was a very original approach to novellas from the ones that I have. The writing was also fun and exciting. Overall, I suggest this book if you enjoy either series or what a quick read to figure out if it is right for you.