Waiting on Wednesday (88)

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:

Silver in the Blood

by Jessica Day George

Publication Date: July 7, 2015

Society girls from New York City circa 1890, Dacia and Lou never desired to know more about their lineage, instead preferring to gossip about the mysterious Romanian family that they barely knew. But upon turning seventeen, the girls must return to their homeland to meet their relatives, find proper husbands, and—most terrifyingly—learn the deep family secrets of The Claw, The Wing, and The Smoke. The Florescus, after all, are shape-shifters, and it is time for Dacia and Lou to fulfill the prophecy that demands their acceptance of this fate . . . or fight against this cruel inheritance with all their might.

With a gorgeous Romanian setting, stunning Parisian gowns, and dark brooding young men, readers will be swept up by this epic adventure of two girls in a battle for their lives.

(Summary from Goodreads)

I love that this has a werewolf (?) twist to it.  I love that it is set in the 1800s, and focuses on the glamour of being the "It" society girl of that time.  I love that it has some mystery and secrets.  I love that everything will turn on it's head for these two girls.  I love this description: "With a gorgeous Romanian setting, stunning Parisian gowns, and dark brooding young men, readers will be swept up by this epic adventure of two girls in a battle for their lives."

What book are you waiting for?

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2015 Debut Author Challenge

So it is that time of year once more, when you put down your last book read for 2014 and look ahead to all the many, many, many books you'll read in 2015.  

While I know it seems like I dropped off the face of the planet in 2014, I have been reading...just not reviewing.  

But to both renew my reading habits and revive my reviewing habits I am once more throwing my hat into the ring for the 2015 DEBUT AUTHOR CHALLENGE!!! 

This is a super fun way to get some momentum going for those awesome debut authors we all want to succeed, and to have a way to keep yourself accountable to read in 2015!

The information for the challenge is as follows:

First of all the challenge is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.  If you want to participate you can sign up for this challenge at her blog!

Challenge Objectives:

• To introduce readers to this year’s wonderful group of debut authors.
• To challenge readers to read 12 or more middle grade, young adult, and new adult debuts this year.

Challenge Rules:

• You must post your thoughts on each debut book you read in order for it to count towards the challenge. You can post anywhere: your blog, Goodreads, Amazon, YouTube, Tumblr, etc.
• You can join the challenge whenever you want.
• The debuts must have a publishing date in 2015 and must have been read between January 1, 2015 and January 31, 2016 (this extra month allows readers adequate time to read December debuts) in order to count.
• Each review gives you an entry into the monthly prize pack drawings. Make sure you post the links to my monthly link-ups. I always post these link-ups on the first day of the month, without fail.
• This challenge is open internationally, as are the monthly prize packs.
• I don’t care what language you write your reviews in, I just need to know which book you have reviewed so I can verify your entry. When you post your link, please include the title in English.

Which Books Count:

• The book must be classified as a middle grade, young adult, or new adult title.
• The book must be the author’s MG/YA/NA 2015 debut. (If the author has published adult fiction before, but this is their first MG/YA/NA book EVER it still counts.)
• Self-published books do not count, so if the author has self-published a MG/YA/NA book before and this is their first book published by a traditional publisher it counts toward the challenge.
• ARCs are fine, but only if you read them the year they are published. For example, if it’s 2015 but you read and reviewed an ARC of debut coming out in 2016, it does not count for 2015’s challenge (because the challenge is for 2015 debuts) and it will not count for 2016’s challenge (because you must read a 2016 debut in 2016 for it to count). This way participants who do not have access to ARCs are not at a disadvantage.

Pretty simple, no?  You definitely want to sign-up starting NOW, so you can get planning! Jana has some helpful links, like a Goodreads list and a Google spreadsheet of the 2015 debut books, so if you're stuck on what to read, hop on over to the main challenge post.

What I Am (hopefully) Reading:

12 books is the minimum (one for each month of the year), but I am shooting for 24 books total.  I want to spread them out, but I have a feeling that even though they "debut" in a certain month, my reading schedule may push them to the next month. We shall see what happens!

1. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (2/15)
2. No Parking at the End Times by Bryan Bliss (2/15)
3. None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio (4/15)
4. Material Girls by Elaine Dimopoulos (5/15)
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Off to a great start, huh?  Again, I don't know if I'll get to all 24 nor do I know what 5-24 are going to be.  I need to get one for January.....HAPPY READING!

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Waiting on Wednesday (87)

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:

The Memory Key

by Liana Liu

Publication Date: March 3, 2015

In a five-minutes-into-the-future world, a bereaved daughter must choose between losing memories of her mother to the haze of time and the reality-distorting, visceral pain of complete, perfect recall.

Lora Mint is determined not to forget.

Though her mother’s been dead for five years, Lora struggles to remember every detail about her—most importantly, the specific events that occurred the night she sped off in her car, never to return.

But in a world ravaged by Vergets disease, a viral form of Alzheimer’s, that isn’t easy. Usually Lora is aided by her memory key, a standard-issue chip embedded in her brain that preserves memories just the way a human brain would. Then a minor accident damages Lora’s key, and her memories go haywire. Suddenly Lora remembers a moment from the night of her mother’s disappearance that indicates her death was no accident. Can she trust these formerly forgotten memories? Or is her ability to remember every painful part of her past driving her slowly mad—burying the truth forever?

Lora’s longing for her lost mother and journey to patch up her broken memories is filled with authentic and poignant emotion. Her race to uncover the truth is a twisty ride. In the end, Liana Liu’s story will spark topical conversations about memory and privacy in a world that is reliant on increasingly invasive forms of technology.

(Summary from Goodreads)

This is a really interesting premise.  The idea of everyone, not just older people, being affected by something like Alzheimer's is pretty scary.  To lose your whole past and having to rely on some chip to help you remember?  I defintely want to read this!!  Sounds like a cool development of a possible modern future, so I'm putting it on my "Buy When It Comes Out List" for sure!

What book are you waiting for?

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Past. Present. Future. (31)

There are a a lot of these "What're you reading?" features around; here's my take on one.  

Hightlighting the books I've read, the books I'm reading, and the books I'm going to read, I'd love for you all to join in if you want!

PAST:

The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley - This was the pick for November's Inkwood Books YA Book Club (seriously come and hang out if you're in Tampa, FL!  There is a book club every second Monday of the month.).  It's set in Ireland in the 90s, and it is about a young teen who is trying to find out who she is, using music to discover her path in life.  This was a beautifully written, heartbreaking story of growing up and finding your place in the world and in your family.  I sincerely recommend you pick it up!

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins - I am probably the last one to finish up this series, and I am kicking myself for it (I still have one book to go)!  I adored Anna and the French Kiss, the first book in the "series" (it's more like companion books), and I bought the next two as soon as they were released, but I hadn't read them.  But that is going to change!  LOVED Lola; definitely recommend devouring all of Stephanie Perkins' books!





PRESENT:

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan - I know, I know, what the heck have I been waiting for?  I sometimes have this issue with starting a series, but then never moving on to the second book.  It's a problem, and one that also confounds me because I typically love said series!  I'm so into the continuing saga of Percy Jackson, demigod extraordinaire.  Riordan's introduction of the Roman side of the demigods is so cool, and brings another aspect to two cultures that were so similar to each other.




FUTURE:

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey -  I could NOT put down The 5th Wave, it was so good.  I, therefore, must read the next installment.  I have to see what happens to Cassie and all the rest!  I know it's probably going to get worst before it gets better and I can't wait to jump on the terror-filled, run-for-you-life, wagon!  And YES, I realize I still haven't started it, don't give me those judgey eyes!

If  you've read any of these books, let me know what you thought (but NO spoilers) down below in the comments!

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Waiting for Wednesday (86)

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:

Gracefully Grayson

by Ami Polonsky

Publication Date: November 4, 2014

Alone at home, twelve-year-old Grayson Sender glows, immersed in beautiful thoughts and dreams. But at school, Grayson grasps at shadows, determined to fly under the radar. Because Grayson has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: “he” is a girl on the inside, stuck in the wrong gender’s body.

The weight of this secret is crushing, but leaving it behind would mean facing ridicule, scorn, and rejection. Despite these dangers, Grayson’s true self itches to break free. Strengthened by an unexpected friendship and a caring teacher who gives her a chance to step into the spotlight, Grayson might finally have the tools to let her inner light shine.

Debut author Ami Polonsky’s moving, beautifully-written novel shines with the strength of a young person’s spirit and the enduring power of acceptance.

(Summary from Goodreads)

Even though this book is already out, I haven't gotten my grubby hands on it yet, so that's why it's my pick for this week's WOW.  I love reading books that feature teens identifying on the queer spectrum, and there has been a lot of great ones published recently.  Of course there are still groups within the queer community that are underrepresented within YA books, and trans-individuals are one group.  I think this will be a really heartbreaking and inspirational book, with a lot of tears and smiles waiting for me.

What book are you waiting for?

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Teaser Tuesday (70)

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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Lola and the Boy Next Door 
Stephanie Perkins
September 29, 2011

     "I'll go with you---"
     "No. You won't."
     Cricket wants to argue. He wants to make sure I get home safely. But he knows if he comes with me, he'll cross a line that I don't want crossed. He'll lose me.
     So he says goodbye. And I say goodbye.
     And as the train pulls away, I feel like I've lost him again anyway.  (pg. 208)

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LOVED IT! I think a teenie tiny bit more than Anna (I know right?!) I LOVE Lola's attitude, and that she understands that some of her actions are selfish. I love how the relationship conundrum is handled, and that it isn't all neat and perfect. Love is messy! Andy and Nathan (Lola's parents) are adorable; I like when parents in YA have a realistic role in their child's life. No one lives in a vacuum. And this book makes me want to visit San Francisco/Berkeley/The Castro so much even with only the glimpses of the city within it's pages. But the part that made me smile the most was glimpsing the continuing story of Anna and Etienne!  Great book to curl up with in bed and finish in one sitting!

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