Sunday, May 30, 2010

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Straight Talk Saturday

* Let me first state, that this isn't meant to be a rant. This is meant to be an honest professional post regarding Book Blogging compared to Personal Blogs, I am not attacking anyone, nor am I putting anyone down*

This thought, crossed my mind months ago, and I haven't written anything about it, as I didn't want to come off as an unprofessional book blogger. 

 A few months ago, I read a post on a "book blog" which was completely unrelated to book blogging. It happened to be a rant. This "ranter" went on and on about a completely political issue.  Yes, before I get nasty comments. It was this persons blog and they have a right to post as they want. 

But, I must share my opinions on rants and the blogging community. I believe that ranting really should NOT be placed on book blogs, I do understand there are times that a book blogger must hop onto a rant train regarding books, authors, publishing companies etc and share there opinion or support. Such as a recent post by fellow book blogger and a good online friend of mine Amy @ My Overstuffed Bookshelf who posted this very evening about ARC sales. This is a book related rant which is 100% fine by me, especially seeing she is stating facts not just opinion. You can check this out here.

We as book bloggers work very hard to create a professional honest and thoughtful site to share with other bloggers, readers, authors, publishing companies etc. We deserve equal opportunities when we work so hard on this, and I feel that other bloggers who do not want to take there blogs as seriously should not classify themselves as a "book blog" but a personal blog, especially seeing a single rant about non related topics creates nothing but a dramatic vision to others reading said blogs. 

Authors, Publishers, Marketing Companies focus on blogs that provide a professional feel and approach to there reviews, interviews and book related materials and I feel that should be upheld for them as well as the reputation of other true book bloggers.

So please next time you feel you need to rant, think about how it effects not only you, but other bloggers and how Authors, Publishers etc will view this.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Friday Tidbits

Finn and Chloe have it all figured out. Their school guidance counselor has told everyone that it's not enough to get good grades or do community service anymore - kids like that are everywhere, and colleges are bored of them. So what do you do? Chloe decides they should get attention another way. She and Finn will stage her own disappearance - and then Finn will be the only who finds and saves her. What college wouldn't want them after that kind of attention? It seems like a good plan -- until things start going very wrong.
Publisher: Scholastic Press (August 1, 2010)




She longs to be like everybody else.  But her history is written in blood...
Lenah Beaudonte is in many ways your average sixteen-year-old: the “new girl,” she struggles to fit in enough to survive at school, and stand out enough to catch the eye of the golden-boy captain of the lacrosse team.  But her challenges are beyond what anyone could have expected.  Lenah just happens to be a recovering five-hundred-year-old vampire turned human…
She’s just awakened from a century-long hibernation and each passing hour hears another tick of the time-bomb, counting down to the moment when her abandoned vampire coven will open the crypt where she should be sleeping, and find her gone. As her borrowed days slip by, Lenah resolves to live her newfound life as fully as the passing moments allow. But, to do so, she must first answer the ominous questions at hand:  Can an ex-vampire survive in a time and place so alien to her?  What can Lenah do to protect her new friends from the bloodthirsty menace about to descend upon them?  And how is she ever going to pass her biology midterm?
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (August 3, 2010)

While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies’ throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she’ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla’s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy’s secret will turn the young pack's world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches' War that surrounds them all.
Publisher: Philomel (October 19, 2010)


Riley has crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. She has picked up life where she left off when she was alive, living with her parents and dog in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. When she’s summoned before The Council, she learns that the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a possibly cute, seemingly nerdy boy who’s definitely hiding something. They return to earth together for Riley’s first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But all of that was before he met Riley . . .
Publisher: Square Fish (August 31, 2010)


Maggie and Caleb just went through the worst year of their lives. Hit by a car and starting life over with a limp, Maggie never thought she would forgive Caleb. But she did-and fell in love. What they shared was real. But Caleb wanted to be free from the past-and a terrible secret: he wasn't the one who hit Maggie. So he left Paradise-and Maggie-forever.

When Maggie and Caleb run into each other in a different town, they can't deny their true feelings. Will Maggie let Caleb get away again? Or will Caleb face the truth and return to Paradise?
Publisher: Flux (September 1, 2010)
Finn has escaped from the terrible living Prison of Incarceron, but its memory torments him, because his brother Keiro is still inside. Outside, Claudia insists he must be king, but Finn doubts even his own identity. Is he the lost prince Giles? Or are his memories no more than another construct of his imprisonment? And can you be free if your friends are still captive? Can you be free if your world is frozen in time? Can you be free if you don't even know who you are? Inside Incarceron, has the crazy sorcerer Rix really found the Glove of Sapphique, the only man the Prison ever loved. Sapphique, whose image fires Incarceron with the desire to escape its own nature. If Keiro steals the glove, will he bring destruction to the world? Inside. Outside. All seeking freedom
Publisher: Dial (December 28, 2010)


Thursday, May 27, 2010

Review - Captivity

Captivity
by Deborah Noyes

  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Unbridled Books; 1 edition (Junce 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1936071630
  • ISBN-13: 978-1936071630
Description: This masterful historical novel by Deborah Noyes, the lauded author of Angel & Apostle, The Ghosts of Kerfol, and Encyclopedia of the End (starred PW) is two stories: The first centers upon the strange, true tale of the Fox Sisters, the enigmatic family of young women who, in upstate New York in 1848, proclaimed that they could converse with the dead. Doing so, they unwittingly (but artfully) gave birth to a religious movement that touched two continents: the American Spiritualists. Their followers included the famous and the rich, and their effect on American spirituality lasted a full generation. Still, there are echoes. The Fox Sisters is a story of ambition and playfulness, of illusion and fear, of indulgence, guilt and finally self-destruction. The second story in Captivity is about loss and grief. It is the evocative tale of the bright promise that the Fox Sisters offer up to the skeptical Clara Gill, a reclusive woman of a certain age who long ago isolated herself with her paintings, following the scandalous loss of her beautiful young lover in London. Lyrical and authentic and more than a bit shadowy Captivity is, finally, a tale about physical desire and the hope that even the thinnest faith can offer up to a darkening heart.

My Review: When I first heard about this book it both intrigued and made me wonder if I would like this book. I am glad I ended up signing up for it, as it was a wonderful book. Well written and smoothly put together. I definitely recommend it to all those interested in ghost tales, especially historical ones.


Thursday Thoughts

 Amy from My Overstuffed Bookshelf has written this weeks guest post, based of course on Book care. Share your thoughts we love hearing them

 




Don’t you just love getting new books? The smell, feel and the pretty cover just make it so addicting. Of course, let’s not forget about the great writing that is in between that front and back cover! We all have our favorite authors and genres that we must have whenever shopping for books. But have you ever wondered how to carefully take care of those precious gems? Well, I am going to share with you a couple of things to keep in mind when it comes to keeping those books in wonderful condition!



BOOKMARKS:

The first thing that comes to my mind when reading the book is how to keep your place in the book. It saddens me when I get a book from a second hand store or even from the library and I notice all the pages with folded corners! Gasp! The horror that gives me! How dare some people do that to the precious pages that have that glorious writing on it! I urge, no I demand, that everyone who reads books, please invest in bookmarks! I don’t care if it is an old piece of mail or a tag cut off from a piece of new clothing. USE ONE! Nothing is more annoying and destructive to a book than folding corners on the pages. That poor tree gave its life for those pages darn it, respect the tree!


BOOKCASES:

Yes, books need a place to sleep too. I recently quit crafting and decided to turn that area into a home library. If you take a look at my pictures on my blog, you will see I invested in some bookcases to house all those beauties! Now you don’t have to buy expensive shelves to do this. One of my shelves was from a product review for a company, one was passed down from my Grandmother, one was from the local thrift store, and one was purchased by my hubby at Walmart for $25.00! Trust me, this will be the best investment you can make for taking care of your books. I went a step further and alphabetized mine by author. This is not necessary, but organization helps a lot if you are a serious reader!


Now I can go on and on about more ways to take care of your books, but I am going to assume you know the basics now. Don’t use books as coaster’s for drinks. Don’t use them to prop open doors. Please, do not toss them around like paper. Books are a gift. They open new worlds for every person who picks it up. Take care of them and they will take care of the next reader.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Welcome Wednesday

This week I have the pleasure of introducing a new find of mine, Erika from Erika Breathes Books which you can check out here


1. Tell us a bit about your blog
I started it late February of this year. I found out about book blogs last year, so I started mine the moment I had the free time to do so. Basically, it's a venue for me to spread my love for books! I post my book reviews on it, I participate in memes; pretty much anything I do related to books is there. It's called Erika Breathes Books, because, well, I sort of do breathe books. I consume them like oxygen! To me, a day without reading is a day incomplete :)



2. Tell us a bit about you
I'm an eighteen-year-old Filipina with an insatiable love for books! I've been reading for as long as I can remember, and while everyone else was playing video games and watching TV, I was the kid sitting in the corner, reading. My other interests include travelling, cooking, and art. I have a passion for photography, and the feeling of taking a good picture is almost as good as that of finishing a good book. Music also plays a huge part in my life, and it's one of those things that have always been a part of me. I play the piano and guitar, and making playlists is like crack to me. I'll listen to anything, but I have a special place in my heart for classic rock, indie, bubblegum-pop, and showtunes. When I'm not studying, reading or blogging, you can find me eating cheese, playing with my dogs, or organizing my room. Oh, and trying to uncover the secret to making driving easier.



3. What made you start blogging?
I've always loved books, and I've always loved talking about the ones I read. In a way, I was sort of writing reviews way before I started blogging. Then late last year, I found out about The Undercover Book Lover and The Story Siren, and I discovered that there was such a thing as a book blog where bloggers can talk about books, post reviews, interview authors, and the like. It felt like finding nirvana! It was perfect! And the best part was, anyone could do it. You didn't have to be a professional reviewer or something like that- you just had to have a passion for books and the patience to constantly update your blog. So the instant I had some free time, I set up a blog, and I haven't stopped since :)



4. Tell us some of your favorites?
Ice Cream- GREEN TEA! And mint chocolate chip! And cookie dough! You gotta love cookie dough :P
Food- Cheese fries all the way. Or maybe home fries? Any form of fried potato is wonderful. And cheese.
Color- Black, white and green
Drink- Black coffee! And a melon fruitshake on a hot day :)

5. Current Book(s) reading
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, and Fallen by Lauren Kate. Both are fantastic!

6. Any tips for other bloggers
Don't give up! Maintaining a blog can be hard especially when you have a lot of other, more important things to do (school, work, taking care of kids or pets...), but don't give up. Also, participate in memes. I didn't think they were all that important when I first started, but when I started taking part in them, I found out about so many great books and met a lot of fellow bloggers! They're also a lot of fun, so you enjoy as you learn about books and network your blog.

7. Who are your favorite authors?
For YA, I love Elizabeth Scott, Simone Elkeles, Jennifer Echols, John Green and Jandy Nelson, to name a few. For adult books, I like James Patterson, John Grisham, Gregory Maguire, and Jodi Picoult.

8. If your life was a movie, who would play the part of you.. and what would it be rated...
Tough question! Hmm... Maybe Kaya Scodelario from Skins? She's my age, and I love her to bits! She seems like such a nice person :) She's tall, though, so that might be a problem since I'm only five feet tall... Hahaha! Or maybe Demi Lovato? She's also my age, a little closer to my height, and she seems so funny and sweet. The movie would be rated G- anyone's welcome to watch :D



Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Triple Tuesday

So last weeks winner was



So what do you think of these three covers








Monday, May 24, 2010

Author Spotlight- Jen Nadol


Today we have the pleasure of welcoming Jen Nadol the author of The
Mark!
Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by.

1. How did you come up with the idea of Cassandra's Gift, and the story of The Mark?

The idea of knowing it was someone's day to die just came to me when I
was trying to think of story ideas.  There's so much conflict inherent
in a "gift" like that and so much to explore, I knew it right away there
was enough potential for a novel.


2. Now I know as a mom it can be very difficult to sit down and have
time to read.. I can't imagine having time to write how do you do it?



It's my sanity time.  I love time with my kids, but also need the
balance of time alone.  I have a sitter who comes fifteen hours a week
and I spend most of it working.  Though it really feels more like
relaxing :)

3. Are any of your characters based off of any of the kids
personalities?


No, they're really not.  My kids are all under six and, though they
definitely each have their own personality, it's hard to picture how
it'll manifest when they're older.  My characters are pretty much
their own people who exist only in my head and on the page.

4. As a Debut Author what have you found to be the hardest part of
getting the book published?


Hands down it was getting an agent.  It took a long time and lots of
queries and revisions until I got one.  Any work and bumps in the road
afterwards were much easier because I knew I was working toward real
publication versus being in that hard, uncertain place where you just
don't know if you're wasting your time with all the emails and
rejections.

5. From what I have seen and read a lot of authors have certain
playlists while they are writing is there a playlist or some other form of inspiration you use while writing?

None.  I actually work best with no distraction or external influence.
Quiet and isolation help me get into the story and my character's heads
best.

6. Some great info for your readers... The Mark has a sequel coming out in 2011 with a working title of Vision, has that changed? And can you give us any details on what to expect?

We're really early in the editorial process so the only thing I can say
is that the book follows Cassie as she explores some of the questions
raised toward the end of The Mark...how's that for vague :)

The title is still Vision.  I imagine if there are any changes they'll
come a little later - maybe mid-late summer - as we nail down a
publication date.

7. Will there be additional books in this series or some other story
from you to be looking out for?


I have a few other YA novels in early stages - two paranormal and a
dystopian.  I'm honestly not sure if there will be more in this series.

8. For aspiring writers out their do you have any words of wisdom?
Write a lot.  Even if you think it's no good.  Even when you don't feel
like it.  I truly believe this is an art that can be learned and you get
better and better at it, the more you do it.

9. Anything else you would like to add?
Thanks so much for having me and for reading The Mark!

To Check out more about Jen.. Check out her website here


Sunday, May 23, 2010

Sunday Wrap Up


This past week we started our first week with the new schedule...

Monday- Author Spotlight - Adele Griffin


Reviews

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Straight Talk Saturday

Well, here it is, the first of many Straight Talk Saturdays.  This little weekly post is something new that Reagan and I have come up with to help a little substance to the blog as well as, I hope, provide you guys with useful information on collecting and book care.  I also hope to provide interviews on such topics as well, though it won't be a regular thing as the author spot light is.  This first post will just have some links to other blogs and sites that can provide a wealth of information, more so than the once a week post I do.  So, with out further ado...

This is the one blog I look at on books on a regular basis.  It's called The Private Library.  It's a blog that talks about book collecting with a focus on the 'what' of the collecting.  It talks about the different things that can be collected, an example would be they are currently doing a series of posts on collecting books on humor, but they do other subjects too, as well as collecting books from a certain time period, or printed a certain way.

Next is Library Essentials, which talks about furniture and how to set up a library.  It's very informative and well worth a read if you ever plan on having a library, so to speak.

Ok, now there is the ABAA or The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America, which, of course, deals with antique and 'collectible' books.  This is a great site to see what members have for sale and to get a good handle on the price of a book you may be looking for.

Those are my favorites and don't worry, I'll be providing many many more links in the following posts.  The one thing I must stress though is that you don't need to be interested in rare first edition books and have more money than God to be considered a collector, but have a passion for books and just love to surround yourself with them, that is the mark of a true collector.


Lets all do the hop... The Book Blogger Hop


ABOUT THE HOP:
In the spirit of the Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun!  This is a weekly event!

Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know!  Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added!  And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!

DISCLAIMER:
The Hop isn't just for you to throw your link in there and not visit any other blogs.  It's all about networking and finding new blogs that are of interest.  So, in the spirit of the Hop, try to make some time to visit other blogs and don't post your link if you are not planning on visiting other blogs in the Hop that week.  This is a weekly event, so if you don't have time this week, that's fine!  We'll see you next week!

If you sign MckLinky, please share the love and POST ABOUT THE HOP ON YOUR BLOG!  How else will anyone else find out about it and come join the party?


So, let's do the Hop!


Friday, May 21, 2010

Friday Tidbits

Another weekly post to expect from me, as I have cut back on weekly meme's and such. This weekly post will show off covers and descriptions of books that I personally am looking forward to.. I am sure occasionally Matt will have some that he will add in. So to get started this week, I am super excited about....

This is the story of Amelia and Riley, bad kids from bad Brookfield High who have transferred to Ashbury High for their final year. They've been in love since they were fourteen, they go out dancing every night, and sleep through school all day. And Ashbury can't get enough of them.

Everyone's trying to get their attention; even teachers are dressing differently, trying to make their classes more interesting. Everyone wants to be cooler, tougher, funnier, hoping to be invited into their cool, self-contained world.

But they don't know that all Amelia can think about is her past -- an idyllic time before she ran away from home. Riley thinks he's losing her to the past, maybe even to a place further back in time. He turns to the students of Ashbury for help, and things get much, much worse.

In the tradition of the gothic novel, this is a story about ghosts, secrets, madness, passion, locked doors, femmes fatales, and that terrifying moment in the final year of high school when you realise that the future's come to get you.


When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper.
But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn't believe in them.
Not that Meena isn't familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you're going to die. (Not that you're going to believe her. No one ever does.)
But not even Meena's precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It's a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.
The problem is, Lucien's already dead. Maybe that's why he's the first guy Meena's ever met whom she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena's always been able to see everyone else's future, she's never been able look into her own.
And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.
Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future. . . .
If she even has one.

Lavish parties. Passionate meetings in the night. Bone-chilling murders. Midterms. The day-to-day life of Schuyler Van Alen and her Blue Bloods friends (and enemies) is never boring. But there's oh-so-much more to know about these beautiful and powerful teens. Below the streets of Manhattan, within the walls of the Repository, exists a wealth of revealing information about the vampire elite that dates back before the Mayflower. In a series of short stories, journal entries, and never-before-seen letters, New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz gives her hungry fans the keys to the Repository and an even more in-depth look into the secret world of the Blue Bloods. 

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.




 Shapeshifters from across the country are convening in the Windy City, and as a gesture of peace, Master Vampire Ethan Sullivan has offered their leader a very special bodyguard: Merit, Chicago's newest vampire. Merit is supposed to protect the Alpha, Gabriel Keene-and to spy for the vamps while she's at it. Oh, and luckily Ethan's offering some steamy, one-on-one combat training sessions to help her prepare for the mission.

Unfortunately, someone is gunning for Gabriel, and Merit soon finds herself in the line of fire. She'll need all the help she can get to track down the would-be assassin, but everywhere she turns, there are rising tensions between supernaturals-not least between her and a certain green-eyed, centuries-old master vampire.

One year ago, Lia Kahn died.
A few days later, she woke up.
She had a new body: Mechanical, unfeeling, inhuman. She had a new family: Mechs like her, who didn't judge her for what she could no longer be. She had a new life, one that would last forever.
At least, it was supposed to.
But now everything Lia thought she knew has turned out to be a lie; everyone she thought she loved has been stolen away. And someone is trying to get rid of the mechs, once and for all. Lia will risk everything to save herself and the people she can't live without. But not before facing one final truth: She can't save everyone.



Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, Mackie comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement—left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is slowly dying in the human world.
Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with an oddly intriguing girl named Tate. But when Tate’s baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, our our world, or theirs.


So These are upcoming books that I am looking forward to ... what books are you looking forward to? What do you think of these ones?

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Review- Lifted

Lifted
by Wendy Toliver
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Simon Pulse; Original edition (June 8, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1416990488
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416990482
Description: Being bad never felt so good.
Poppy Browne never stole anything in her life before moving to Pleasant Acres and meeting Mary Jane and Whitney. But when Poppy walks out of the mall with her two new friends and her first pair of stolen jeans, she's hooked.
Before long, Poppy is lifting whenever she gets the urge--it's never about the merchandise, it's always about the thrill. But when her secret gets out, Poppy's clique turns on each other. As she watches her life collapse around her, Poppy must decide where her loyalties lie...and how far she'll go to protect herself.

My Review:  This book was well written, as it depicted a huge thing people not only teens these days deal with but all people. I feel that this book was very much written to help people dealing with all issues as a teen, and how to emotionally deal with any sort of addiction. Well written, easy read.

I would rate this book 3 moons, an easy quick read

Blogger Thoughts!

This week I have the pleasure of having Sherry @ Flipping Pages for All Ages
to Star Shadow. Sherry thanks for writing up this guest post to share.

Best Couples in Fiction
 
There are many, many couples in YA literature that I absolutely love reading about. In fact, most any two characters that get together in books are interesting to read about, but there will always be a readers favorites.
 
Today I bring you my favorite YA couples.
 
Most of you who follow me on twitter(@ssalach21) and what not know that I am a huge fan of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series, so it may not come as a complete shock to you when I tell you when of my favorite fictional couples of all time is Jace and Clary. While I admit I want Jace all to myself, we all know that's not possible, so I am completely content on him being with Clary. In fact, they go perfectly together. I hope the future of their relationship remains intact, even if there are bumps in the road along the way.
 
A couple that I want to be a couple but really isn't is Rose and Adrian from Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series. I know, I know, most of you are probably loyal Dimitri fans but I just adore Adrian and I want him to be happy. I have fears about what will happen to him in the future of these books but I don't like to think about it. The series is mainly about Rose and Dimitri's love so chances are thats the way it will be throughout the end, so I will just cross my fingers that Adrian gets a happy ending. *crosses fingers*
 
While I could explain why all of my favorites are my favorites I think I will end this guest post off on just a simple list of more fictional couples that I love.
 
Brittany & Alex: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
 
Meg & John: Going too far by Jennifer Echols
 
Bianca & Lucas: Evernight Series by Claudia Gray
 
Zoey & Stark: House of Night Series by P.C. + Kristin Cast
 
Claire & Shane: Morganville Vampires Series by Rachel Caine
 
Violet & Jay: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
 
Thanks for having me! :)



Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Welcome Wednesday



This post will be a new weekly thing on wednesdays as I said I am going back to well the good content of blogging, focused on books, authors, bloggers and publishers.


This week I am lucky enough to have a wonderful interview with Stella @ Ex Libris





1. *Tell us a bit about you?*

I'm a 25 year old avid book reader living in Europe. I have two little sisters, with whom I'm quite close. Thanks to my dad's work we've moved a lot, so I've lived in Belgium, Romania and France among others. Ever since I learned how to read at age 5 I've devoured books, my parents used to ground me because when they came in my room in the middle of the night because the light was on, instead of me sleeping they found me reading. Besides reading I love baking and TRAVELLING! My dream trip is to tour for a few weeks (or even months) Latin America.

2. *Tell us about why you started your blog.. and please describe your blog for us.*

I've always kept lists of the books I've read and in the past few years I started writing reviews for Amazon, Goodreads and took part in book club discussions. When I discovered book blogs, a place to post my reviews of the books I've read and discuss it with other people, I knew that they were meant for me :-)I discovered the amazing world of book blogs in January and started my own book blog in February! My blog is called Ex Libris. It is Latin and means "from the books". This expression is used as in "quoted from", but I like to give it another meaning: that when I'm reading, the characters and events step out "from the book" and I'm in the middle of the story with them. My blog is still a fairly new blog, I'm still trying to improve it daily.

3.*What is the blogs focus (genres, topics, etc)*

My blog focuses mainly on book reviews. I'm a very eclectic reader, there is hardly a genre I do not read, but my favourite ones are urban fantasy, paranormal, romance (historical/paranormal/contemporary) and chick lit. I have a special feature on my blog: Sunday Treats where I share a recipe and photos of that particular dessert/treat. I love cooking/baking and love munching on something while reading. I wanted to combine my love of cooking with my love of reading and that's how Sunday Treats became an addition to the blog.

4. *If you could have lunch with 3-5 dead or alive people who would they be and why?*

Grr, I always ask this question of others because it reveals quite a lot of inetersting things
about them but I never thought for myself.. let's see: God (I would love to ask him
questions), LM Montgomery, Rachel McAdams (I can totally picture us being friends lol),
and Alexander Skarsgaard. Do I really have to explain that one? ;-D

5. *If Hollywood made a movie about your life what would it be rated and who would be the star?*
It would be PG rated and either Natalie Portman or Rachel McAdams would play me. I was told that I resemble Natalie Portman and I love Rachel McAdams.

6. *If you could do anything in the world without fear of failure what would you do?*

Write a book, star in a few films, be an actress (just for a short time, wouldn't want to do taht permanently), ask guys out (I'm shy and prefer the men to do the asking).

7. *Who has had the greatest impact on your life?*

My godmother. I had a special bond with her and since my childhood through my
teens she was always there to listen to me, discuss issues that made my think and she always treated me as an adult.

8. *Has a book ever changed your life, if so, tell us about it?*

I believe that each and every book you read puts something to your character,
so in a way changes you. But one of the biggest revelations to me was when I read in high school Death is My Trade by Robert Merle. It is a story about the Auschwitz concentration camp in WW2. The story is narrated by Rudolf Lang based on real person Rudolf Höß, the founder and commandant of the concentration camp. Merle's writing and approach to the subject is breathtaking. I would recommend this book to everyone. It is lifechanging.

9.*What is your favorite book/series? Yes I know this is a tough one.*

Hm.. My alltime favourite series which I've re-read countless times is L.M. Montgomery's Anne series. My favourite UF series so far is Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series, but I have a feeling that Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series will try to usurp its place.

10. *If there is one thing you want to be remembered for what is it?*

In life in general? That people could always count on me, that I was there to help and support them. My loyalty.

11. *Who is your favorite fictional character and why?*

I couldn't choose from all the great characters in my recent reads, so I'll stick to an alltime favourite: Anne of L.M. Montgomery's Anne series. I love her because she is endearing, entertaining and a wonderful character. I love her world and the Prince Edward setting. And of course I also love Gilbert ;-) If I had to live in a book, I would definitely choose the Anne books, Anne would be a fantastic best friend to have :-)


12. *With your fictional character above... place them in a movie, who would be the actor/actress to portray them?*
Well since the Anne series was already adapted and I'm quite happy with the casting, I'll stick to it. Megan Follows was a perfect Anne (maybe she could have been a bit taller though..) and I LOVED Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert Blythe, he was straight out of how I imagined him to be!
13. *What's your quote? or favorite quote?*
The quote of my blog is Sum, Ergo Lego, meaning I Am therefore I Read (after the famous Cogito ergo sum = I Think therefore I Am). I have so many favourite quotes I couldn't choose just a few, that's why I have them on rotation from Goodreads on my blog, come and check them out, they are inspirational, moving or simply funny. One of my all time favourite quotes is: "Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. 'Pooh?' he whispered. Yes, Piglet?' Nothing,' said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. 'I just wanted to be sure of you.'" — A.A. Milne

14. *One of my favorite books is The Mark by Jennifer Nadol.. If you had the ability of knowing when people were going to die, would you tell them and how?*
Difficult question. I don't think I would tell them directly, that would 1) freak them out, and 2) they wouldn't be able to enjoy what little time was left. I would just give them subtle hints to organize their belongings, spend time with their loved ones, not to quarrel, be happy they have each other.


15. Name some of your favorite songs


Full Of Grace- Sarah McLaughlin


Traveling Soldier- Dixie Chicks

16. *Paranormal: If you had the choice of Ghost,
Vampire,Werewolf or Shape Shifter which would you choose and why?*
Shape shifter! It would be quite useful to be able to shift into an animal and
escape/defend myself that way. I would also love to experience seeing the world through the eyes of an animal, how different itis, the smells, the sounds. It would be fascinating!
17. *Why do you have to "put your two cents in". but it's
only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny
going to?*
The person who asks for your opinion keeps it! :-p
18. *Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
I heard that peasants used to put some liquor in the babies' nursing bottle of milk to make them sleep more peacefully. Maybe it originates from those times...
19. *If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there
a stupid song about him?
People sing about a lot of stupid things, why should Jimmy be the exception and not have his own song? :-)

20. *If a person with multiple personalities threatens suicide, is that considered a hostagesituation?
Definitely! lol :-)


Please be sure to head over to her blog for your chance to win a copy of Pretties by Scott Westerfeld.


If your interested in being featured please email me.



Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Review- Still Sucks To Be Me

Still Sucks To Be Me 
by Kimberly Pauley
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Mirrorstone (May 11, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0786955031
  • ISBN-13: 978-0786955039
Description: With vampire boyfriend George and best friend Serena by her side, Mina thought she had her whole life—or rather afterlife—ahead of her. But then Mina’s parents drop a bomb. They’re moving. To Louisiana. And not somewhere cool like New Orleans, but some teeny, tiny town where cheerleaders and jocks rule the school. Mina has to fake her death, change her name, and leave everything behind, including George and Serena. Not even the Vampire Council’s shape-shifting classes can cheer her up. Then Serena shows up on Mina’s doorstep with some news that sends Mina reeling. Mina may look a lot better with fangs, but her afterlife isn’t any less complicated!

In this eagerly awaited sequel to the popular Sucks to Be Me, Kimberly Pauley addresses many of her fans’ most pressing questions (Will Serena become a vampire? What happened to Raven? What’s next for Mina and George?) with signature humor and breezy bloodsucking style.

My Review: This is the second book of the series, and I must start of by saying it was an easy book to pick up and read, although I definitely want to go back and read the first one, making sure I didn't miss any important details. Kimberly had me right from the beginning, with the light and fun feeling of this book, easily wrapping me into the story.

I am definitely a new fan of Kimberly's as I am so looking forward to reading more of her work. This book is a definite easy light read that will have you smiling with it whimsical style.


Thank you to the wonderful people at Wizards of The Coast for supplying me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Triple Tuesday

What a great week of voting... how fabulous seeing two of the three were very close and the last was a blow out... so what win you ask?




and of course this weeks poll..oh and please leave comments, let me know what you think.. or of covers you would like to see soon. 



Monday, May 17, 2010

Author Spotlight- Adele Griffin


Thanks to the lovely Adele Griffin for taking time out of her busy tour schedule to put together these wonderful Vlog answers to my questions. 
Adele is currently out promoting her book Picture the Dead, which was colaborated with Lisa Brown (who currently are in Boston)

She also has another book, The Julian Game which comes out on August 26th, 2010, so be sure to add this to your wish list as well.  



These videos have been split into three sections and are listed in order, Hope you enjoy and thanks again to you Adele for taking out time to do this.