Friday Covers (on Thursday!) (08): Awesome Book News!

Did you guys LOVE the cover of Across the Universe by Beth Revis? Well head over to her Facebook page to preview her new paperback cover for Across the Universe!!!

Across the Universe Facebook Page

On the sidebar under the profile picture is a tab which says: "PAPERBACK REVEAL!"

All you have to do is click that and the cover will be shown.  

This is the first look, so how awesome is that?

Let me know what you guys think!  I love this book so I had such high expectations. 

Unfortunately, while the new cover is really great is doesn't compare in any way to this beauty:

I mean this one is also REVERSIBLE! 

 Definitely the best cover EVER!  Amiright?

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Waiting on Wednesday (15)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

 Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

Keek is not having a good summer. She and her boyfriend have just had their Worst Fight Ever (on the subject of her virginity, nonetheless), she’s been betrayed by a best friend, her parents are splitting up, and her mother is on the other side of the country tending to Keek’s newborn cousin, who may or may not make it home from the hospital. Oh, and Keek’s holed up at her grandmother’s technology-barren house with an abysmal case of the chicken pox. In Keek’s words, “Sofa king annoying.”   

With her world collapsing around her, Keek’s only solace comes from rereading Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar and typing on an old electric typewriter. Keek—whose snappy narrative voice is darkly humorous and hysterically blunt—must ultimately decide for herself which relationships to salvage, which to set free, and what it means to fall in love.

(Goodreads) 

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I love Sylvia Plath so I'm interested to see what role The Bell Jar plays, considering it is a depressing book and this seems to be, while sad in it's own way, not on par with The Bell Jar.  Nonetheless I'm interested to read it.

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Thoughts from an Acute Triangle (01)

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle is a feature I started where I discuss things related to books, authors, reading, or just me.  This is a place for me to be a little brainy or a little silly.  The conversation is always open for comments and if there is ever a topic you want me to discuss, please leave a comment! 

Today I'm going to wow you with my thoughts on book slumps: why, where and when I get them.


Let us begin.

This summer is the first summer since I started university in Fall 2006 that I do not have a summer class.  That is due to the fact that I graduated with my one degree and only have a portfolio due for my second.  No classes needed.

This poses a problem in the fact that I am COMPLETELY BORED OUT OF MY MIND!!

Now many of you, especially those still in school or with full-time jobs, are probably booing at me right now.  Who wouldn't love a summer of practically no responsibility?  Who wouldn't love a summer with endless time to read.  Well that's the thing, I am one of the weird ones people.  When I don't have academics to focus on my brain goes"Duuuuuhhhhh."  And damnit I have books to read!!

For instance, I am taking part in a book tour where I have only 7 days to read a book.  Now I know in the grand scheme of things 7 days is a lot of time, but like I said I'm going through what I'd call the EPIC SUMMER BOOK SLUMP OF 2011!!!

I have about 5 reviews to write, 6 books to read, and my many posts to keep up with.  Not to mention job, family, and social obligations.  With all of that, my brain has gone on "La La" mode and I'm having a hard time switching it back to "Go Go" mode (did those modes both sound like 70s dances or what?)

This is causing major problems in my motivation and creativity levels.  So if you guys can offer any help, or just want to vent about similar frustrations I am ALL ears!

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In My Mailbox (18)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren and inspired by one of her friends, Alea of Pop Culture Junkie where we get to post about the books we receive each week through publishers/authors, our own purchases, contests won, and libraries.

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Follow Friday (10)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee at Parajunkee's View.  It is an awesome opportunity to network other book blogs.  Here's a blurb about it from her site!

Hi, welcome to Follow Friday! Let me tell you what is going on today.

• First PJV will be featuring one blogger from this great community each Friday along with having the Follow My Book Blog feature. 

• Each week one blogger will be selected as a feature, so sign up for the Follow Feature. Future features are picked randomly.

This week's question is:

In light of the summer solstice, also known as Midsummer, let's talk about fairies! What is your favorite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fey?

This is super easy for me because I love love love fairy stories!

YA favorite:

The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

Adult favorite:

The Merry Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton

Both series are so good, and contain traditional and new elements of the fae.  

And both have romance (of course Merry Gentry also has TONS of sex so NOT for kids at all!). You should check them out if you haven't already!

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Trailer Thursday: Dead Rules

Are these creepy or what?  Perfect for a ghost story.

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Waiting on Wednesday (14)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

 Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

Merlin’s Irregulars are grateful to have made it safely home to 1803 England, but their view of the world has changed.  Not only are they more confident and proud of their part in the heroic Dunkirk evacuation, but their powers have increased because of their dangerous and exhausting magical work.    

Tory and Allarde become closer everyday until an agonizing conflict threatens to tear them apart.  Allarde is deeply connected to his family's estate, the land he will one day inherit, but only if he denies his magical abilities and marries a non-magical mate.  Being with Tory will deny him his heritage, and his family lets Tory know this.  Will she have the strength to end their relationship?

Cynthia is now a powerful and respected member of the Irregulars, but her prickly attitude keeps everyone at a distance.  Feeling isolated and very alone at Lackland Abbey over the Christmas holidays makes her even surlier than usual, but an invitation from Jack Rainford to join in his family's festivities is an unexpected delight, though heaven forbid she show her gratitude!  There's an attraction between the two young mages, but will Cynthia let her guard down enough to let herself fall in love?

Then the Irregulars are called upon once again, this time to rescue a vitally important French scientist and his family from Hitler.  Once before their magic helped save England’s future.  Can they do that again?

(Goodreads)

I LOVED Dark Mirror, the first book in the series, and I can't wait to read the second.

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Teaser Tuesday (14)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following!

• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
• Share a few teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• MAKE SURE NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (you don't want to give too much away and ruin the book for other readers)
• Share the title and author too, so that other readers can add your book to their TBR list if they like your teaser!

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Beautiful Creatures 

by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

It wasn't there before.

What do you mean?

That painting has been hanging there since I was a child.  I've walked by it a thousand times.  She was never wearing a locket.

(Page.  132)

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This book is so so good!  I'm way behind in reading it, but I'm glad that I am.  Can't wait to get Beautiful Darkness and then Beautiful Chaos

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What's in My Bookish Purse?

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Things That Make Me Smile (02)

• Getting a great review and a raise at work!  Yay for hard work paying off!
• My sister buying me a cheer-up book.  This has been in my TBR pile for a while! 

• This awesome article on Adults and YA Fiction! If you want some good facts/opinions to use when people look down on you for reading YA fiction, this article will help! Thanks to Mundie Moms for sharing!
• The new Harry Potter Trailer!!  IT LOOKS SO AWESOME AND I'M SO EXCITED BUT AT THE SAME TIME MY CHILDHOOD IS ENDING!!!!!!!!!!!
  
• Learn Something Everyday.  Such a cool site, and a great web time-waster.
• OMG! JUST OMG!!
  
  
  
  
• Finally, if you want to listen to something heart-wrenching but amazing as we count down to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 then here is the song for you.

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NOOK Bargains (02)

I guess this is a new installment!  I'll try to keep it as up to date as possible!

This week I'm bringing you some adult and some YA/MG books!  YAY!

YA/MG Bargains:

The Witches of Santa Anna (Complete Series) - Lauren Barnholdt - $.99

Switched (Tryelle Trilogy #1) - Amanda Hocking - $.99

Torn (Tryelle Trilogy #2) - Amanda Hocking - $.99

Ascend (Tryelle Trilogy #3) - Amanda Hocking - $2.99

The Warrior Heir - Cinda Williams Chima - $2.99

I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You - Ally Carter - $2.99

Marked (House of Night #1) - P.C. Cast - $2.99

Artemis Fowl - Eion Colfer - $2.99

The Dark Fae - Terry Spear - $2.99










Adult Bargins:

Straight Talk - Tera Lynn Childs - $.99

Eye Candy - Tera Lynn Childs - $.99

Divorced, Desperate and Delicious - Christie Craig - $.99

Divorced, Desperate and Dating - Christie Craig - $.99

Things I Want My Daughters to Know - Elizabeth Noble - $2.99

Divorced, Desperate and Deceived - Christie Craig - $3.99

My Horizontal Life - Chelsea Handler - $5.99

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May the Odds Ever Be In Your Favor Giveaway - CLOSED: Winners to be announced!!!

By the way I really can't believe I messed the quote up......

I didn't even notice until after the video was uploaded.....I fail at life.

Fill out the FORM to enter.

Must be a FOLLOWER.

Must be a U.S. resident.

Must be 13 years of age.

Giveaway ends July 1st 

(that gives everyone 12 days to enter)

Tweet about the giveaway for an extra entry!  

(please use the one in the form)

GOOD LUCK!!!

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In My Mailbox (17)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren and inspired by one of her friends, Alea of Pop Culture Junkie where we get to post about the books we receive each week through publishers/authors, our own purchases, contests won, and libraries.

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Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (Review)

Title: Paranormalcy

Edition: Hardcover, 335 pages

Author(s): Kiersten White 

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: August 28, 2007

Source: Bought from Borders

Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

The Summary

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Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

(Goodreads)

My Opinion

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Paranormalcy is a not just a great paranormal book, but a great book in general.  I love the premise of the secret government organization keeping the world safe with a teenage girl at the helm.  Evie is a strong female who is still such a teenager: worrying about boys, gossiping with her best friend, and trying to catch her favorite TV show. Of course she can also see through the glamours of the paranormal creatures she helps to track down, so I suppose Evie isn't totally normal.

White creates an excellent layer over the world which we know.  All the creatures that go bump in the night are real and Evie and the IPCA (International Paranormal Containment Agency) are the ones who protect the clueless humans.  But is the IPCA really the good guys?  And just what is going on with the fairies, plus who the heck is this naked boy that broke into the building?  All these questions are things that Evie must figure out and, boy, is it fun to go on that journey with her!

One of my favorite characters, besides Evie, is her best friend, Alisha.  Alisha is a mermaid (not anything like Ariel though)  She is a kickass computer whiz who is has to talk through a machine which bleeps out all the cursing coming from her potty mouth.  Seriously.  It is hilarious.

The only problem I had with the story was the limited information about the evil creature killing the supernaturals, and what role Evie plays in all of it.  Of course I know White is probably waiting to reveal more information in Supernaturally, the second book in the series (Which I can barely stand waiting for!).  So it isn't really a problem, but I am impatient to know more, that's how good the book was.

If you love Paranormal YA or hate Paranormal YA or don't know what the heck Paranormal YA is, you need to run and pick up a copy of Paranormalcy.  Trust me, you will fall in love!

Final Rating

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Book Cover: 4/5

Book Title: 4/5

Plot: 9/10

Characters: 9/10

Writing: 9/10

Ending: 8.5/10

Overall: 43.5/50: B+

Book Trailer

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Follow Friday (09)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee at Parajunkee's View.  It is an awesome opportunity to network other book blogs.  Here's a blurb about it from her site!

Hi, welcome to Follow Friday! Let me tell you what is going on today.

• First PJV will be featuring one blogger from this great community each Friday along with having the Follow My Book Blog feature. 

• Each week one blogger will be selected as a feature, so sign up for the Follow Feature. Future features are picked randomly.

This week's question is:

GENRE WARS!!! What's your favorite genre, and what book in that genre made it your favorite?


Oh this is a hard question!!  But even while I LOVE supernatural YA, my first love was contemporary YA.  I just love reading about characters who could have been my best friends in high school.  And the man who really made it my favorite was John Green with his book Looking for Alaska.  Such a good book!

Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps." Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps. 

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Wondrous Strange, Darklight and Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston

Wondrous Strange

Darklight

Tempestuous 

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It is interesting to see the progression in trailers when it is for a series of books.  I love all three of the Wondrous Strange series trailers, and I've just started reading Wondrous Strange.  It is really good so far!

Let me know what you think of mixing up Trailer Thursdays?

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RAK: The Best Idea Ever!!

Random Acts of Kindness is an awesome way to bless others by sending them something from the book wish list. It was started (and is hosted) by Book Soulmates.

RAK Rules: It’s pretty easy to participate. Sign-ups are monthly, and the rules are below. (June’s post is HERE.)

• Sign up each month you’d like to participate in.
• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available
• Create a wish list and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
  {Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there’s a link to it.}
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!
  Make a post saying ‘Thank You’ to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us

My RAK List: Amazon (I only have it on Amazon since it's the easiest to create, but I'll take books from anywhere)

Please check it out guys, and let me know if any of you have a RAK List, so I can send some love out!

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Waiting on Wednesday (13)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

 Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

Fade by Kailin Gow

What if you never existed?   FADE…

A YA Thriller.

Okay, so that description leaves a lot to be desired, buuuuuut it is intriguing!  I honestly fell in love love love with the cover.  I've heard lots of good things about Kailin Gow's novels, especially Desired, so I sure Fade will be good as well!

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NOOK Bargains!

I have a nook color, which I love!  But whenever I see e-books on sale, they're always for the Kindle.

BOOOOO!!!

So I thought I might start my own round-up of sales on e-books that are for the nook to help my fellow nookers (yes I've just made that word up).

Here's some good YA books on sale at Barnes and Noble right now!

The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells - $1.99










The Earth, My Butt and Other Big round Things by Carolyn Mackler - $1.99










Boy Proof by Cecil Castellucci - $1.99

Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald - $1.99

Evermore by Alyson Noel - $2.99

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black - $2.99










I hope you all find this helpful!  Let me know yes or no in the comments.
And if you have a nook I want to be friends!

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