Shuffle Saturday 18: Ronan

Shuffle Saturdays is hosted by the girls at Pretty In Fiction, where you post a random song from your ipod each week. 

This is a beautiful and heartbreaking song Taylor wrote for Stand Up 2 Cancer about a little boy named Ronan, who died of cancer at just four years old. I suggest you grab some tissues before pressing play.  More of Taylor Swift: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

YA Review & Giveaway: The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle

Title: The Infinite Moment of Us

Author: Lauren Myracle

# of Pages: 336 

Publisher: Amulet Books

Publication Date: August 27th 2013

Source: BEA

Level: Young Adult?/ New Adult

Rating: 2 Hearts

Synopsis

For as long as she can remember, Wren Gray’s goal has been to please her parents. But as high school graduation nears, so does an uncomfortable realization: Pleasing her parents once overlapped with pleasing herself, but now... not so much. Wren needs to honor her own desires, but how can she if she doesn’t even know what they are?

Charlie Parker, on the other hand, is painfully aware of his heart’s desire. A gentle boy with a troubled past, Charlie has loved Wren since the day he first saw her. But a girl like Wren would never fall for a guy like Charlie—at least not the sort of guy Charlie believes himself to be.

And yet certain things are written in the stars. And in the summer after high school, Wren and Charlie’s souls will collide. But souls are complicated, as are the bodies that house them...

My Verdict

I think this one is being marketed as young adult but it seemed very much new adult in my opinion. The main characters Wren & Charlie both graduate from highschool within the first few pages, the rest of the book takes place over that summer as they try and decide what to do with their futures. Should they go to college? Take a year off? Do charity work?

The story was told through dual perspective of  main characters Wren and Charlie. Neither voice resonated with me, even though it was first person, I never really felt I knew either of them very well. Wren had a very weak personality. She was pretty much a people pleasing pushover who did and said whatever she thought people wanted her to do or say. Charlie's character wasn't as weak but I didn't like him any better. He always seemed to be stuck in the past, unable to leave it behind.

I'm the type who likes a sweet romance that is slowly built and has you on the edge of your seat waiting for that first kiss. The romance in this story was quite the opposite. While Charlie  had a crush on Wren for many years, she just took notice of him and then it all moved very fast, as the two felt "connected" from the start. The sex scenes were for mature readers only, having more detail than any of the New Adult titles I've read.

The ending was not what I was expecting nor was it satisfying. Overall, this was a complete miss for me.

Want to win a copy of The Infinite Moment of Us?

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Book to Screen: The Book Thief

Welcome to the first edition of my new blog segment called Book to Screen. 

This is a meme where I'll be posting casting news, movie trailers, and images from our favorite YA books that are getting adapted for the large or small screen.

The book I'll be talking about this time is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Having spent a total of 230 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller List almost everyone has at least heard of this book. While I have yet to read it myself, it has been on my TBR for over a year and is one of my mothers all time favorite books. I had heard it was being made into a movie but didn't realize how far along things were until the trailer surfaced a few days ago. 

Here it is... 

The trailer alone is phenomenal, I can't wait to see the full movie!  I'm honestly beating myself up over not reading the book sooner. Don't worry though, we have until November 15th to fix that!

Lets meet the cast shall we?

Geoffrey Rush will be playing Hans Hubermann

Emily Watson will be playing Rosa Hubbermann

Sophie Nelisse will be playing Liesel Meminger

Ben Schnetzer will be playing Max Vandenburg

Since I haven't read the book I have no images of the characters pre-existing in my mind. For those of you who have read it, are you happy with the casting choices??

Lastly, here are a few movie stills... 

So excited for November 15th!!!

Shuffle Saturdays 17: Run

Shuffle Saturdays is hosted by the girls at Pretty In Fiction, where you post a random song from your ipod each week. 

This weeks song is Run by Benton Paul. If I remember correctly this was a free download on itunes once. I've only listened to it a handful of times but I like it =) 

More of Benton Paul: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

YA Review & Giveaway: The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

Title: The Beginning of Everything
Author: Robyn Schneider
# of Pages: 330
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Publication Date: August 27th 2013
Source: BEA
Level: Young Adult
Rating: 3 Hearts

Synopsis

Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.

But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

My Verdict

This was one of my absolutely must haves from BEA. I had read the synopsis for it way back when it was still "Severed Heads & Broken Hearts" and was really excited for it. While it was kind of strange how they changed both the title and cover so far along, I can understand why. I mean the original title is a bit of a turn off, the cover was cute though. Anyways let's talk about the book!

I was looking forward to a contemporary romance told from a guys perspective since most are the opposite. While I didn't dislike Ezra, I didn't care for him much either.

As for Ezra's love interest, Cassidy, she was hard to understand. I could never tell how she truly felt about Ezra, debate team, or anything really. I think her quirky personality came across as contrived rather than natural.

Overall, I didn't fall in love with this story as much as I expected too. It's an enjoyable contemporary romance, with okay characters but nothing that's going to stick with you once you've finished.

Win the Book

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YA Review: Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

Title: Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)
Author: Ally Carter
# of Pages: 328
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: February 5th, 2013
Source: Purchased
Level: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Hearts

Synopsis

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir-this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy.

My Verdict

I had forgotten how absolutely captivating Ally Carter's writing is! I have been a huge fan of hers for many years, but it has been awhile since I read one of her books. Reading this book made me feel like I've been handing out five heart ratings a little too generously. I can honestly only think of a few books I would put in the same league as this one! 

As I mentioned before, it's been awhile since I read book number two (a.k.a. Uncommon Criminals) so it took me a little while to remember some of the smaller characters or the roles they played last time around. Unfortunately, some I never remembered, but that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.

Kat and Hale have got to be one of my favorite fictional couples, they're just so perfect for each other! I love that the romance is an important part of the story but in the background at the same time. One of the things I love best about them is that they don't turn into stupid love-struck teenagers around each other; they are able to set aside their feelings and do the job at hand (like repeling out a window, or robbing a bank). Their relationship is just so sweet and Hale is totally swoon worthy!!

One thing's for sure, I'll never get tired of reading about W.W. Hale the fifth, or Kat and her unusually large and unique family. More please! 

Book News: A Few Cover Reveals

IGNITE ME (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi

Title & Cover Reveal

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.

In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.

INTO THE STILL BLUE (Under the Never Sky #3)

by Veronica Rossi 

Cover Reveal, still no synopsis =(

Breathtaking Book Cover: Maybe One Day

Todays Breathtaking Book Cover is...

Maybe One Day

by 

Melissa Kantor

Quote of the Week: As I Wake

Quote of the Week is a new segment where I will be sharing some of my favorite quotes, whether they be from books or just something I find inspiring.

"I know what it's like to wake up in the morning, every morning, with a smile in my heart." 

-As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott, page 196

Canary Blog Tour: Book Excerpt & Giveaway

I'm so excited to be a part of Canary's blog tour!!! I've been anxiously awaiting it's release for months and now it's finally here! Be sure to grab a copy, but for now wet your appetite with the exclusive excerpt below =)

Title: Canary

Author: Rachele Alpine

Release Date: August 1st 2013

Publisher: Medallion Press
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Tour Organized by: AToMR Tours

Book Description: 

Staying quiet will destroy her, but speaking up will destroy everyone.

Kate Franklin's life changes for the better when her dad lands a job at Beacon Prep, an elite private school with one of the best basketball teams in the state. She begins to date a player on the team and quickly gets caught up in a world of idolatry and entitlement, learning that there are perks to being an athlete.

But those perks also come with a price. Another player takes his power too far and Kate is assaulted at a party. Although she knows she should speak out, her dad's vehemently against it and so, like a canary sent into a mine to test toxicity levels and protect miners, Kate alone breathes the poisonous secrets to protect her dad and the team. The world that Kate was once welcomed into is now her worst enemy, and she must decide whether to stay silent or expose the corruption, destroying her father's career and bringing down a town's heroes. 

EXCERPT

It wasn’t until I headed back on the team bus with Jack, who was drunk on the win, that I realized Brett had never showed up. I watched Dad at the front of the bus, joking with the assistant coaches, and wondered if he’d also noticed Brett’s absence. Dad would be upset he didn’t come. Dad was all about getting us to go to the games to help complete the happy family image Dad wanted to portray to the Beacon community.

When we got home, the light in the kitchen was on.

Dad unlocked the door, and in a unusually good mood, continued to talk to me, reliving the glories of the past day.

I followed him into the kitchen, where he looked at the pile of papers on our dinner table, the light illuminating a bright orange Post-it.

“Jesus Christ,” he said, his mood shifting abruptly. 

“What?” I tried to get a look at the papers Dad was now shifting through. The top one had a date circled in red. “What are those?”

About the Author: 
Rachele Alpine is a lover of suschi, fake mustaches, and Michael Jackson. One of her first jobs was at a library, but it didn't last long, because all she did was hide in the third-floor stacks and read. Now she's a little more careful about when and where she indulges her reading habit. By day she's a high school English teacher, and by night she writes with the companionship of the world's cutest dog, Radley, a big cup of coffee, and a full bag of gummy peaches. Rachele lives with her husband in Cleveland, Ohio, but dreams of moving back to Boston, the city she fell in love with while attending graduate school there.

Website     Twitter     Facebook     Goodreads

Giveaway Time

Thanks to the lovely Rachele Alpine and AToMR Tours who have provided an amazing  giveaway for y'all

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Be sure to follow the rest of the blog tour for more excerpts, guest posts, reviews & giveaways! 

Friday, August 9:

• Read My Breath Away 
• Sweet Southern Home 
• The Selkie Reads Stories 
• The Muse Unleashed 

Saturday, August 10:

• Paperback Princess 
• All in One Place 
• Fandom Fanatic 

Breathtaking Book Cover: Until It Hurts To Stop

Todays Breathtaking Book Cover is... 

Until It Hurts To Stop

by

Jennifer R. Hubbard

Quote of the Week: If He Had Been With Me

Quote of the Week is a new segment where I will be sharing some of my favorite quotes, whether they be from books or just something I find inspiring.

" Just because something seems impossible 
doesn't mean that you shouldn't try."

Book News: August Releases!

JULY FLEW BY IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE! I can't even believe I'm compiling a list of August releases yet here I am. Below are the titles I'm most excited for this month. What book are you most looking forward to in August???

COMING AUGUST 1st . . . 

Canary by Rachel Alpine 

Kate Franklin’s life changes for the better when her dad lands a job at Beacon Prep, an elite private school with one of the best basketball teams in the state. She begins to date a player on the team and quickly gets caught up in a world of idolatry and entitlement, learning that there are perks to being an athlete.

But those perks also come with a price. Another player takes his power too far and Kate is assaulted at a party. Although she knows she should speak out, her dad’s vehemently against it and so, like a canary sent into a mine to test toxicity levels and protect miners, Kate alone breathes the poisonous secrets to protect her dad and the team. The world that Kate was once welcomed into is now her worst enemy, and she must decide whether to stay silent or expose the corruption, destroying her father’s career and bringing down a town’s heroes.

The Sound by Sarah Alderson

When aspiring music journalist Ren Kingston takes a job nannying for a wealthy family on the exclusive island of Nantucket, playground for Boston's elite, she's hoping for a low-key summer reading books and blogging about bands. Boys are firmly off the agenda.

What she doesn't count on is falling in with a bunch of party-loving private school kids who are hiding some dark secrets, falling (possibly) in love with the local bad boy, and falling out with a dangerous serial killer...

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Sixteen-year-old Cia Vale is honoured to be chosen for The Testing – a series of exams set by the United Commonwealth that selects the brightest young adults to become leaders of their war- stricken world. But when candidates start disappearing and Cia witnesses unimaginable horrors done in the United Commonwealth’s name it becomes clear that these are no ordinary exams, and Cia is forced to realise the truth: this is no longer about winning, but surviving.

COMING AUGUST 6th . . . 

Infinityglass (Hourglass #3) by Myra McEntire

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?

COMING AUGUST 20th . . .

The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle

For as long as she can remember, Wren Gray’s goal has been to please her parents. But as high school graduation nears, so does an uncomfortable realization: Pleasing her parents once overlapped with pleasing herself, but now... not so much. Wren needs to honor her own desires, but how can she if she doesn’t even know what they are?

Charlie Parker, on the other hand, is painfully aware of his heart’s desire. A gentle boy with a troubled past, Charlie has loved Wren since the day he first saw her. But a girl like Wren would never fall for a guy like Charlie—at least not the sort of guy Charlie believes himself to be.

And yet certain things are written in the stars. And in the summer after high school, Wren and Charlie’s souls will collide. But souls are complicated, as are the bodies that house them...

Sexy, romantic, and oh-so-true to life, this is an unforgettable look at first love from one of young adult fiction’s greatest writers.

COMING AUGUST 27th . . .

Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?

And will they even be together?

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.

But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes? 

Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings.

Taste Test by Kelly Fiore

If you can grill it, smoke it, or fry it, Nora Henderson knows all about it. She’s been basting baby back ribs and pulling pork at her father’s barbeque joint since she was tall enough to reach the counter. When she’s accepted to Taste Test, a reality-television teen cooking competition, Nora can’t wait to leave her humble hometown behind, even if it means saying good-bye to her dad and her best friend, Billy. Once she’s on set, run-ins with her high-society roommate and the maddeningly handsome—not to mention talented—son of a famous chef, Christian Van Lorten, mean Nora must work even harder to prove herself. But as mysterious accidents plague the kitchen arena, protecting her heart from one annoyingly charming fellow contestant in particular becomes the least of her concerns. Someone is conducting real-life eliminations, and if Nora doesn’t figure out who, she could be next to get chopped for good.

With romance and intrigue as delectable as the winning recipes included in the story, this debut novel will be devoured by all.

COMING AUGUST 29th . . .

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn’t kept her from leading a quietly happy life . . . until now.

Suddenly Willow’s world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is that it is not a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, but extraordinarily endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully believable surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read.