Quick: Read or Don't #3

Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting 

389 pages ~ Published on April 16th 2013 by HarperCollins
Goodreads | Amazon
The "bad guy" story wasn't really that exciting this time, and I found myself skipping the chapters from his p.o.v. (or at least skimming them).
I liked some of the new ideas that were introduced, but most of the stuff that happened seemed like they were only happening so that there was a sort of ending to everything, and not because they made sense; it seemed kind of forced.
Jay was still great and lovely and deserves a star, though I think the book was more about the love between him and Violet than her power and what the series is usually about. 

Conclusion: Not as great as the past three, but still good.

Just One Year by Gayle Forman 

336 pages ~ Published on October 10th 2013 by Dutton's Children

Goodreads | Amazon
I really enjoyed reading from for what it was, but unfortunately I expected a sequel to Just One Day and was then disappointed when I got a companion novel from Willem's point of view, instead of a "what happened next" story. It was really cool to see what Willem had been up to, though, and I can definitely recommend reading it, after Just One Day, as long as you keep in mind that it is not a sequel. 

Conclusion: Nice read, but expected something different.

Taken by Erin Bowman
360 pages ~ Published on April 16th 2013 by HarperTeen
Goodreads | Amazon

I read about 103 pages, and decided that I just didn't really enjoy it. The plot was super interesting, unique even, the characters were fun, but I felt like it took a veeeery long time for any thing to happen. And I will admit that I gave up to early, I probably would have ended up loving it, had I read just a few more chapters, but I had just kind of pushed myself through the first 100, and so I stopped. 

Maybe one day, I'll come back to it. 

D.N.F.

Other books read/reviewed in January:
Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
The Duff by Kody Keplinger
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

Wishlist Wednesday #2

Wishlist Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted over at Pen to Paper. It's all about showing that one book that you cannot wait to get your hands on. 

>> THIS SYNOPSIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM HOURGLASS <<

Goodreads' synopsis: "A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard was never supposed to be able to see ripples - cracks in time. Are his powers expanding, or is something very wrong? Before he can find out, Jonathan landers, the man who tried to murder is father, reappears. Why is he back, and what, or whom, does he want?

In the wake of Landers' return, the Hourglass organization is given an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the people who might carry the time gene, or time will be altered - with devastating results for the people Kaleb loves most.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Landers. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough..."

Hourglass by Myra McEntire | Released June 12th 2012 by Egmont USA

I absolutely loved Hourglass (Read my review here), and I have been wanting to read this ever since I finished it, but unfortunately I am number four in line at the library, and I am already waiting on a package with a bunch of books that I ordered before I read Hourglass, so this is probably going to stay on my wishlist for a little while longer. UNLESS I go to the school library, because I found out they have it there. I really need to start using that library more, I have to go to school five days a week anyway, might as well go home with a new book once in a while, right? 

Are you as excited about this one as I am? 
If not do you have another book that you just cannot wait for?

Top Ten Tuesday #7

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week you have to make your own Top Ten list. This week the "question" is: 

Top Ten Worlds I'd Never Want To Live In 
Top Ten Eight Worlds I'd Never Want To Live In

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

Title: The Promise of Amazing
Author: Robin Constantine
371 pages, December 31st 2013, Balzer & Bray

Goodreads' synopsis: "Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.

Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how.

One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love."

Wishlist Wednesday #1

Wishlist Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted over at Pen to Paper. It's all about showing that one book that you cannot wait to get your hands on. 

Since Pivot Point was one of my favorite books of 2013, it's only right to pick Split Second (the sequel) for my first Wishlist Wednesday. 

Goodreads' synopsis: "Addie hardly recognizes her life since her parents divorced. Her boyfriend used her. Her best friend betrayed her. She can’t believe this is the future she chose. On top of that, her ability is acting up. She’s always been able to Search the future when presented with a choice. Now she can manipulate and slow down time, too . . . but not without a price.

When Addie’s dad invites her to spend her winter break with him, she jumps at the chance to escape into the Norm world of Dallas, Texas. There she meets the handsome and achingly familiar Trevor. He’s a virtual stranger to her, so why does her heart do a funny flip every time she sees him? But after witnessing secrets that were supposed to stay hidden, Trevor quickly seems more suspicious of Addie than interested in her. And she has an inexplicable desire to change that.

Meanwhile, her best friend, Laila, has a secret of her own: she can restore Addie’s memories . . . once she learns how. But there are powerful people who don’t want to see this happen. Desperate, Laila tries to manipulate Connor, a brooding bad boy from school—but he seems to be the only boy in the Compound immune to her charms. And the only one who can help her.

As Addie and Laila frantically attempt to retrieve the lost memories, Addie must piece together a world she thought she knew before she loses the love she nearly forgot . . . and a future that could change everything."

Split Second by Kasie West | Release date: February 11th 2014 by HarperTeen

I absolutely loved Pivot Point, you can read my review here, and I just can't wait to read more about Addie's life, and also see what happens with Trevor. Oh, how I love that guy!

Are you as excited about this one as I am?
If not do you have another book that you just cannot wait for?

Top Ten Tuesday #6

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week you have to make your own Top Ten list. This week the "question" is: 

Top Ten Things On My Reading Wishlist

Top Ten Six Things On My Reading Wishlist

1. Rich vs. Poor: I hate to admit this, but I am in love with this whole guy taking care of the girl idea that some contemporary books have (please don't judge). Also, a lot of the times it involves the guy being arrogant and then changing for the girl, and I mean come on! that is too cute. Example: The Distance Between Us

1. Hate --> Love: This one share a first place, because I like them a lot together, but I also just love them apart too. When girl&boy hate each other to begin with and then end up loving each other. Is there any better way to write a love story? I think not. Also, if you didn't already guess I really like reading love stories. #oh well #sorrynotsorry Examples: Perfect Chemistry, How to Ruin a Summer Vacation (if I had to choose one book to read for the rest of my life, this would be it), Pushing the Limits.

3. Time Travel: I love it when they travel back in time for a bit and fall in love (Timeless), see into the future and falls in love (Pivot Point), or simply just going back and forth, falling in love with the same person in different times (Tempest). So pretty much just rewrite either of those three books, maybe (this is optional) change the names or something, but otherwise I will love it!

4. Paris: Write a book, set it in Paris, and I will love it. Okay, it's not that easy, it has to be believable too that it is set in Paris. I have to feel like I'm actually there, when I'm reading the book, and then I will love it. Example: Anna and the French Kiss, Die for Me

5. 1800s: Ok, so this doesn't count for every single book, sometimes I get bored reading a book set in the 1800s, BUT other times I LOVE them! Example: The Infernal Devices Series, Timeless

6. 1800s, magic and kingdom: I put this in a different category than #5, because I want all of these things together. I really really really just want to read a book like The False Princess again, it was just soooooo good, but I haven't been able to find anything like it. I loved it so much that I still think about it a lot now, three years later. 

It seems like I can never actually find a top 10, it's always top <10. Oh well. So what are your top ten choices, do we have any in common or do I sound crazy? 

New Books #4

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

Ebooks from Library:

   

Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting | Taken by Erin Bowman

Netgalleys:

 

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira | Sekret by Lindsay Smith | The Tyrant's Daughter by J. C. Carleson

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Title: If I Stay (If I Stay #1)

Author: Gayle Forman 
262 pages, April 6th 2010, Speak

Goodreads' synopsis: "In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...
A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands."

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Title: Hourglass (Hourglass #1)
Author: Myra McEntire
390 pages, June 14th 2011, Egmont USA

Goodreads' synopsis: "One hour to rewrite the past . . .
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may also change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should've happened?"

Top Ten Tuesday #5

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week you have to make your own Top Ten list. This week the "question" is: 

Top Ten 2014 Debuts I'm Excited For
 Top Ten Seven 2014 Debuts I'm Excited For

1. Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira: I am really excited about this one. It sounds like it's going to be a real sad, but amazing book, and I can't wait till it comes out in April!

2. Defy by Sara B. Larson: A few months ago I had a thing for kingdoms and magic, and stuff, so I'm really excited about this. The synopsis makes it sound like the book is inspired by Mulan a little bit? Which makes me even more excited!!! 

3. Boys Like You by Juliana Stone: This sounds like my kind of book! I really can't tell you just how excited I am for this to come out. This guy is forced to work at a B&B, and the owner's granddaughter is staying there for the summer, I mean COME ON, how can you NOT be excited?  

4. No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown: A girl and her best friend's brother? hihi. Gimme that book! December? WHAT?

5. Where You'll Find Me by Erin Fletcher: This sounds like such a cute book. It's already out, so I really have no idea why it's not on my shelf yet ... 

6. Far From You by Tess Sharpe: Sounds mysterious ... I'm excited to see what Sophie does. 

7. Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae: Italy. Boys. I have a lot of exams the week that this book is coming out, and I feel like this might be the best way to end that week!

New Releases January 2014

Here are some of the most popular books that will be released this month (some already have been released!). I am SUPER excited about at least four of these books (I have yet to start some of these series, but know from other bloggers that they are very popular). 

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Quick: Read or Don't #2

Radiant by Cynthia Hand 
94 pages ~ Published on December 4th 2012 by HaperTeen
Book's Goodreads ~ Author's website
I miss Tucker ):
Also I don't like Angela as a protagonist. The book is told from Clara and Angela's POV. There was alot of Angel in this. The love story between Phen and Angela includes some information about Angels. I just really didn't like Angela in this one. I never loved her character, but this novella made me dislike her even more.
I wanted to give this 3 stars, because of Angela and the lack of Clara, but I just love Cynthia Hand too much, and how she created these books, and I can see through fingers with the fact that I don't like one of her characters.

Conclusion = Read if you like the series.

-------------------------

Crossing the Line by Katie McGarry
67 pages ~ Published on April 1st 2013 by Harlequin TEEN
Book's Goodreads ~ Author's website
I think that Katie McGarry is definitely a great writer. At least when she writes about love. I really enjoyed this quick read and found that even though I'm comfortable with how it ended and how much I got from it, it could just as well be a full novel instead of just a novella.
I really loved Lincoln and Lila, even though I barely remember who Lila was from Pushing the Limits. We see a whole different side of her in this one. 

Conclusion = Quick and fun read. Recommended.

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Die For Her by Amy Plum  
60 pages ~ Published on April 2nd 2013 by HaperTeen
Book's Goodreads ~ Author's website
I never really cared much for Jules and therefore didn't expect to like this book, as Jules is the narrator. My expectations were right. The book is the first and second book in the trilogy told from Jules point of view, the first fifteen chapters are from the first book and the rest four are from the second. Which means two 300 pages books shorted down to 60 pages ...
The entire time reading this I felt like Amy Plum was just rushing through it all. I honestly can't see the purpose of this novella. Also I never understood the deal with Jules liking Kate, because to me it seemed like it was something Amy Plum created so that there would be some kind of love triangle, but it wasn't announced to the readers until the third book (at least I didn't see it), and then she needed to prove that he had loved her for a long time, and did that by writing this novella. 
No plot at all. The only thing we heard about was how devastated Jules was that he couldn't be with Kate, which wasn't believable. 
I loved "Die For Me", I liked Until You Die and from there on it just got more and more disappointing.

Conclusion = Read it if you like Jules or just want to read Die For Me from a different POV.

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New Books #3

I just got a package with three new books and realized that I haven't done a book haul in a long time. So here are all of the books that I have bought since last time. :-)

The Best Teen Writing of 2013 by Various Authors

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger (Link to my review)

Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Columbine by Dave Cullen

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Title: The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend
Author: Kody Keplinger
280 pages, September 7th 2010, Poppy

Goodreads' synopsis: "Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone."

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

>> MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS FROM UNDER THE NEVER SKY <<

Title: Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2)
Author: Veronica Rossi
341 pages, January 8th 2013, HarperCollins

Goodreads' synopsis: "Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at first.

Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night? "