Archives for June 2013

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY | The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

June 19, 2013 Comments : 4

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Waiting On is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider
August 27, 2013
Katherine Tegen Books
Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

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.

Why I’m waiting?
I need this book. My reasons why:

The cover. It’s bright. The yellow captures my attention. The typography is lovely. It fits perfectly and isn’t overdone. The cover has a frickin’ rollercoaster in the background. How can I not?
There’s a boy named Ezra. Ezraaaaa. I like that name. If I write a book, there will be a character named Ezra.
Cassidy Thorpe and her endless adventures! I hope she’s a wonderful character from the synopsis. She sounds like a strong female character. We all need a strong female character, especially in contemporary YA.

What books are you waiting for on this Wednesday?

Lists

TOP TEN TUESDAY | Books At The Top Of My Summer TBR List

June 18, 2013 Comments : 11

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where we list our top tens! It’s been two months since my last Top Ten Tuesday. It’s been a very long time. I missed doing it! So here I am! This week’s topic is “top ten books at the top of my summer TBR list.” My list is actually “books on my TBR that I will read for the summer.” I have tons of books that I’ve gain through bookstores and giveaways. These are the books I will read and review for my blog. (The layout to this top ten is kind of wonky/sloppy.)

Shatter Me + Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

I’ve checked these two books out from the library, but I have yet to read it. It is next after I type up my review for Perfect Escape. The covers of this series screams at me. I have heard a lot of conflicting things about this series, which makes me hesitant to start reading it. I don’t want it to make me frustrated. (It may tbh.)

The Corner of Bitter and Sweet (ARC) by Robin Palmer

Mother-daughter relationship! One’s a famous TV star, the other is famous for being the daughter of said TV star. Two words: Train wreck. Not my words. (It’s in the synopsis.) I hope when I read this book, it’s a good type of train wreck about relationship.

How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer

You always need to read a book that contains some sort of summer job. Doesn’t the cover scream that it’ll be the perfect light summer read? It does to me.

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Since it’s the summer, why not a YA novel about summer in Nantucket? ‘Cause I have yet to read a book that’s set in the summer.

The Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer

I have to! They’re an arm away on my desk, screaming at me to read about these brothers.

The Trouble With Flirting by Claire LaZebnik

I should read a classic over the summer. And why not a retelling of Mansfield Park? (I’ve never been a big fan of this Austen story, but I’m crossing my fingers that this book will change that.)

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Like the Shatter Me series, The Selection is another book/series that I have to read. If only because of the pretty dresses on the covers. (Lie!) I have the second book in my stack and I would like to get to it soon.

Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

It’s all about the cover, baby! I love it so much! That ampersand. LOVE IT. (Hopefully, it gets to me soon.)

What books are on your list?

Letters

LETTER TO | Gatsby (or Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby)

June 14, 2013 Comment : 1

Dear Gatsby (or Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby),

source

You made my heart hurt. Your face is a land mine for every emotive expression ever. Pain, nervousness, joy, you know how to easily express it on your face. You left my friend and I to clutch onto each other’s arms as we tried not to let our squeals out in a quiet movie theater. We could not contain ourselves when you filled Carraway’s cottage with an abundant amount of flowers for Daisy’s impending visit and began pacing anxiously, frantically in the living room; when you gave those glances when you thought nobody was watching; when you deluded yourself that everything will be okay if you were rich. It’s not that simple. We were emotional, and you caused that.

Well, maybe my emotions stemmed from my deep seeded love for the 1920s era. I’m extremely biased, you see.

I felt two conflicting feelings when I watched you. The first, you are a hopeless romantic and I’d swoon at the romantic gesture, and the second, you are a sad, delusional bastard, and I feel so sorry for you. (You should know I was feeling the latter.) I didn’t care about you and Daisy. Because let’s be honest, right from the start of the film (before the Daisy connection was made), I felt the love between you and Nick Carraway aka “Old Sport” aka your oldest friend Tobey Maguire. Every time you peered through your window, down at Carraway’s little cottage, I just knew. You two were meant to be. Why deny yourself? I know I’m being a bit ridiculous.

Let’s not forget that beautiful soundtrack! I have it on repeat, so I can relive the experience of watching the film. Every time I hear the xx’s song “Together,” I imagine your face. That heartbroken puppy-like face. I HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS FOR TRAGIC LOVE STORIES (especially if they are set in the 1920s). The entire soundtrack is…haunting. I did not mind its insertion in the film because it worked for me. Lana Del Rey, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, how can you say no? Go check it out!

I started reading The Great Gatsby for the first time a few weeks ago. I never read it in high school (when I should’ve as a junior). Why? My English literature teacher chose a different group of books that was more culturally diverse. I remember I had vowed never to read this book, but here I am, six/seven years later, reading it.

However, I have stopped. I’ve put the book on indefinite hiatus. The book is just…slow to get into. (My attention span is extremely small.)

I love the analysis of the Great Gatsby being a commentary on the decline of the American dream. In The Great Gatsby, we see this decline through – the greed for money and the need to throw lavish parties and buy expensive goods. I find the portrayal of the upper class in the book/film to be utterly fascinating. The distinction between old money and new money makes me think of this – “Money, money, money makes the world go round.” It’s a true statement, no matter what era it is. Money is a means of purchasing much-needed items (like food) and provides security. It can be used as a weapon. It’s a means to ease yourself/not deal with whatever action you committed, especially if you are the Buchanan’s. Gatsby, you did not deserve that.

The only problem I could remember having with the story was the constant reference to the fucking green light and the billboard with the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. Fitzgerald, Baz Lurhmann, seemed like they were screaming, “ENGLISH MAJORS, GO ANALYZE THE SHIT OUT OF THAT OBVIOUS SYMBOL.” I get it! SYMBOLISM. Please stop pounding it into my head!

Regardless of other people’s feelings about the book and film, I enjoyed it thoroughly.

You did good, ~~Leonardo DiCaprio~~ Gatsby.

Sincerely,
Cee

p.s. I know this letter is all over the place and ridiculous, but that is who I am. All over the place and enthusiastic. ;D

p.p.s. Now that I think about it, I only like Gatsby because he was played by Leonardo DiCaprio. I have a soft spot for that doofus.

Waiting on Wednesday

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY | How To Love by Katie Cotugno

June 12, 2013 Comments : 5

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Waiting On is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

How To Love by Katie Cotungo
October 1, 2013
Balzer + Bray
Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

In this breathtaking debut, Katie Cotugno weaves together the story of one couple falling in love—twice.

Why I’m waiting?
To be honest, I’m not a big fan of books like this one – where the guy “disappears” from town, having no idea that he’s leaving behind a pregnant girlfriend. It’s a tired and predictable plot. I’m hoping that the plot will go in a different, surprising direction than my expectations. That said, I pick this book for “Waiting On” because I love the cover. It’s very simple and sweet.

What books are you waiting for on this Wednesday?

Reviews

REVIEW | The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

June 10, 2013 Comments : 2

The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram
May 4, 2013
Bluefields
Website | Facebook | Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically. The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart. Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest.

First line: “The following journal is a scientific study on the process of overcoming heartbreak and is my official entry for the 2013 Utah State Science Fair.”

How can I describe this book? Cute and cheesy. Light and easy to read. That was my initial thought when I read the first half of the book, but then, as I approached the ending, it became unbearable for me to continue. It was extremely predictable. Girl gets her heart broken by her best guy friend, the best guy friend’s older brother helps her try to get over that dude, girl grows, ya dah, ya dah, ya dah, girl and the guy friend’s older brother get together after a misunderstanding, and big proclamation of love at the end. I was disappointed because I liked Kelly Oram’s other books. The Avery Shaw Experiment became extremely cliche and unbelievable with the portrayal of a girl getting over a breakup. If I can’t suspend my disbelief for a book, then we have a major problem. whatiliked

Sweet Grayson Kennedy.

He is saaaa-weeet with a capital S. He is not your stereotypical jock and doesn’t act like the popular kid who doesn’t care for other people unless they have something he wants. He’s the guy that everything likes because he’s extremely friendly and genuinely cares about everybody, especially to his family and friends. The bathroom scene in the beginning confirmed my adoration for him. He is the best person to hang out with when you go through a horrible breakup because he does whatever he can to cheer that person up (ie. Avery).

Friendships!

I always love seeing how authors portray friendships, especially if the book contains unlikely friendships. Here, we have a mix of popular kids and science geeks. The popular kids were not the mean ones. All the science “geeks” weren’t afraid to express their thoughts/opinions when they got to know the popular kid. I found it amazing that these two groups were able to hang together without any trouble because of the type of people they are. whatididntlike

The portrayal of Avery.

I wanted to like her, but I was rolling my eyes at her. I couldn’t think of anything that made her stand out. She was a pretty bland/weak character. She was extremely naive (and I don’t think teenage girls are like that these days). All I remember her doing was turning beet red at everything that was “provocative” (I GET IT. Now, please stop!) and being a “geek” (but just barely since the descriptions are sparse and readers are forced to rely on what they imagine is a geek). I didn’t feel like I actually know her.

The lost opportunity at portraying social anxiety disorder.

This book could’ve done a thorough exploration Avery’s social anxiety disorder, but unfortunately, it didn’t. The book alluded to it (at least, Grayson tells us that she has it and that she has to take medicine), but I wanted to actually see it. I felt that we only grazed the surface of the disorder. I wished Oram explored it instead of expecting the readers to already know what it’s like to have it and immediately understand what Avery is going through. It was a lost educational moment.

Too much cheese and stereotypes!

I realize I can only deal with a certain amount of cuteness in a book until it ultimately turns into cheese for me. The book relied on a lot of stereotypes – from the characters to the dialogue – and didn’t do a lot reinvention. All the things that occurred or was said in this book, I felt like they were caricatures of already read in previous books or seen in those teenage romance films. Lesson is: I have a stone cold heart. Lol.

The aspect of the science experiment.

I liked that each chapter dealt with the seven stages of grief (or tried to). I thought the scientific method would’ve played more of a part in the book, so I was a bit disappointed that we don’t actually have a very detailed version. I wished the book played more with the experiment aspect. gradeD

This book isn’t for everyone. It’s really geared toward readers who are under 15 years old. I’d recommend this book to readers who want something extremely light/cute and don’t mind a cliche portrayal of a girl getting over a breakup. It has shifting POVs too! However, for those readers who can’t stand that and wants a new take on getting over a breakup or something a little heavy, avoid this book.

Giveaway

BOOK BLITZ + GIVEAWAY | Taking Back Forever (Kindrily series #2) by Karen Amanda Hooper

June 5, 2013 Leave a Comment

Taking Back Forever (The Kindrily #2) by Karen Amanda Hooper
May 31, 2013
Starry Sky Publishing
Buy from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From Goodreads:

Forever is worth the fight.

Maryah erased all memory of her past lives, but she couldn’t erase her soul mate Nathan, or his undying love. Now, Maryah and Nathan have a second chance at a future together, but first Maryah must remember the person she used to be and embrace her supernatural gifts—more than one kindrily member’s life depends on it.

Maryah’s power is Harmony’s best hope of finding her kidnapped soul mate, Gregory. But Harmony isn’t big on asking anyone for help, and she’s tired of waiting, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. Heaven help anyone who stands in her way.

EXCERPT

In the short week since Maryah’s momentary remembrance of him, Nate had come alive again. He smiled all the time. His eyes were brighter. I was happy for him, but it left me feeling more alone than ever. He had been my partner in suffering over our lost soul mates. But not anymore.

I gazed at the landscape of Sedona behind him. To myself, I could admit my jealousy of his and Maryah’s reunion, but I’d never say it out loud. “How’s it feel? To have her back after all this time?”

“I don’t have her back. She hardly remembers anything. But I don’t have to hide who and what I am anymore, or that I love her. She knows who she was and where she belongs. I’m patiently waiting for her to figure out who she is now, and what she’s capable of.”

“She loves you. I can see it.”

“I am ecstatically grateful for that. But I still feel the loss of her, of all the time we shared together. It’s like we’re getting to know each other for the first time all over again. We haven’t had to do that for hundreds of years.” His head drooped. “What if she doesn’t like what she discovers?”

“Oh, please. You two light up around each other. That girl is smitten, and so are you.”

His cheeks flushed. “It’s amazing how much more you appreciate someone after you’ve lost them. Her happiness means everything to me. I want to give her the world, the magical and beautiful one she can no longer see, but I worry that’s no longer possible.”

“Give it time. If there’s one thing Mary proved over and over, it’s that anything is possible.”

You have the chance to win an ebook bundle of Grasping at Eternity (book 1) and Taking Back Forever (book 2)! This giveaway closes at midnight on June 20th, so make sure you enter!

Enter the ebook bundle giveaway!

AND

You have the chance to win a Kindrily prize pack including a signed paperback of Grasping at Eternity and Taking Back Forever with other kindrily themed gifts. (US/Canada)

Enter the Kindrily prize pack!

Both giveaways are courtesy of the author! Can we get a hurray for that?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen was born and bred in Baltimore, frolicked and froze in Colorado for a couple of years and is currently sunning and splashing around Florida with her two beloved dogs. She’s addicted to coffee, chocolate and complicated happily-ever-afters.

Karen has been making up stories for as long as she can remember. In high school she discovered her passion for putting her thoughts onto paper, but it wasn’t until her late twenties that she wrote her first novel. Due to her strong Disney upbringing, she still believes in fairytales and will forever sprinkle magic throughout all of her novels.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

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