Inspired by What She Reads, Pure Imagination Blog, and Stacked.
I admit I’m a book cover snob. Who isn’t though?
Book covers are the first thing that attracts readers to a book. A good cover can draw someone is, just as a bad cover can easily draw someone away. It can essentially make or break a book. Holy, Mother Cover! is where I showcase the book covers that stand out (or make me cringe), and discuss cover changes.
(A big special thanks to Georgie at What She Reads for bestowing me this fabulous name and to Charlotte at The Simple Tales for creating the beautiful feature banner you see before you.)
Archives for May 2017
SINCERELY, CEE • A letter from yours truly to Katrina Leno & Everything All At Once
Dear Katrina Leno & Everything All At Once,
[quote cite=”Goodreads” url=”http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32051906-everything-all-at-once”]From the author of The Half Life of Molly Pierce and The Lost & Found comes a magical new YA novel about 24 dares, 3 weeks, and taking a leap into the unknown.Lottie Reeves has always struggled with anxiety, and when her beloved Aunt Helen dies, Lottie begins to fear that her own unexpected death might be waiting around every corner.
Aunt Helen wasn’t a typical aunt. She was the author of the best–selling Alvin Hatter series, about siblings who discover the elixir of immortality. Her writing inspired a generation of readers.
In her will, she leaves one last writing project—just for Lottie. It’s a series of letters, each containing mysterious instructions designed to push Lottie out of her comfort zone. Soon, Lottie’s trying some writing of her own, leaping off cliffs, and even falling for a boy she’s only just met. Then the letters reveal an extraordinary secret about the inspiration for the Alvin Hatter series. Lottie finds herself faced with an impossible choice, one that will force her to confront her greatest fear once and for all..[/quote]
REVIEW • Up, Up, and Meh (And We’re Off by Dana Schwartz)
[note note_color=”#b0d4ad” text_color=”#ffffff”]And We’re Off by Dana Schwartz • May 2, 2017 • Razorbill (Penguin)
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Seventeen-year-old Nora Holmes is an artist, a painter from the moment she could hold a brush. She inherited the skill from her grandfather, Robert, who’s always nurtured Nora’s talent and encouraged her to follow her passion. Still, Nora is shocked and elated when Robert offers her a gift: an all-expenses-paid summer trip to Europe to immerse herself in the craft and to study history’s most famous artists. The only catch? Nora has to create an original piece of artwork at every stop and send it back to her grandfather. It’s a no-brainer: Nora is in!
Unfortunately, Nora’s mother, Alice, is less than thrilled about the trip. She worries about what the future holds for her young, idealistic daughter and her opinions haven’t gone unnoticed. Nora couldn’t feel more unsupported by her mother, and in the weeks leading up to the trip, the women are as disconnected as they’ve ever been. But seconds after saying goodbye to Alice at the airport terminal, Nora hears a voice call out: “Wait! Stop! I’m coming with you!”[/note]
[note note_color=”#BFD1D1″ text_color=”#ffffff”]I received this book for free from Penguin for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.[/note]
First sentence: “Stop it, Nora. You have more self-control than this.”
What can go wrong when you have an all-expenses-paid European trip and are headed to the Donegal Colony for Young Artists (DCYA) in Ireland? For Nora, nothing goes her way.
TOO MUCH TBR • May 2017
In April, I don’t know what happened. I neglected my reading, especially the books on my TBR list. I guess I was focused on the two concerts I was going to and work. :P I did read a bunch of graphic novels, and they filled my heart with a lot of joy.
For those who do not know, Too Much TBR is a way to help me see which books I really need to read and tackle them. Is it effective? Perhaps. It helps a lot seeing a visual of the books on my TBR pile.
Let’s discuss what I read last month, and what I’m reading this month!
FROM PANEL TO PANEL • Beware of the Spill Zone (Spill Zone by Scott Westerfeld & Alex Puvilland)
[note note_color=”#2e6c85″ text_color=”#ffffff”]Three years ago an event destroyed the small city of Poughkeepsie, forever changing reality within its borders. Uncanny manifestations and lethal dangers now await anyone who enters the Spill Zone.
The Spill claimed Addison’s parents and scarred her little sister, Lexa, who hasn’t spoken since. Addison provides for her sister by photographing the Zone’s twisted attractions on illicit midnight rides. Art collectors pay top dollar for these bizarre images, but getting close enough for the perfect shot can mean death―or worse.
When an eccentric collector makes a million-dollar offer, Addison breaks her own hard-learned rules of survival and ventures farther than she has ever dared. Within the Spill Zone, Hell awaits―and it seems to be calling Addison’s name.[/note]
Nobody knows what the Spill Zone in Poughkeepsie is. All everybody knows is that you shouldn’t go into there. There are bizarre and dangerous creatures who prowl the streets, dead meat puppets with yellow all-seeing eyes, and things that nobody could’ve imagined happening actually happening. There are talks of the spill being caused by a nanotech accident spilling into a nuclear power plant or something alien-like that came from another planet, but nobody knows for sure.
What destroyed this city of Poughkeepsie? Whatever happened, Addison’s not gonna stick around to find out. Or maybe she will…for a price.