Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Think Would Make Great Book Club Picks

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. Each week features a different topic, and you make a top ten list about it. This week is the Top Ten Books I Think Would Make Great Book Club Picks.

Sea by Heidi R Kling: Now, I love this book, a lot, but that's not the reason it is on here. Yes, that is part of it, but there is so much to discuss with this one. Sienna herself opens a world of questions, but also everything that happens in Indonesia. I feel as if I could talk for days about this one!

Willow by Julia Hoban: This would be a really great book for a teen book club. It is about a very raw and real topic, but it is a book filled with hope. That message is so powerful and I think that it would be a great book club pick.

Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly: I think anyone who reads this book would have a lot to gain from it, but discussing it as a book club would make the experience that much more valuable.

Harry Potter by JK Rowling: This book just has so much to offer, and there is so much to discuss with it, that I think it would be a really fun read to have for book club!

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson: This book was so cool, and I could discuss so much about it due to it's cool format. There was the music and the story and so much more.

Hold Still by Nina LaCour: There's no word to describe this book but powerful, and everything this story discusses would make for an interesting book club chat.

Clarity by Kim Harrington: Mysteries are the best to discuss with others, which makes Clarity a perfect pick! 

What books do you think would make great book club picks?

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Moonglass
Jessi Kirby
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Pages: 232

Rating: 4 stars

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.

Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.

While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever.

Moonglass was a really touching debut. It was a much needed contemporary that I really enjoyed. It had a story that I really enjoyed and the characters were just great.

The plot of this book was just very easy going and had a steady pace. I loved that Anna and Tyler's relationship took a bit to build. It wasn't simply ok, we're together now. I was actually a good chunk into the book before they actually got together, and that was awesome.

The characters were my favorite part of this book. I loved Ashley - she isn't the type of character I usually would be crazy about, but she was just lovely. I would love to have her as a friend. Jillian was another character who was just great. She was just a really nice person. James was a hilarious character and I would've loved to hear more from him.

I wasn't quite satisfied with the ending. I wish the story had gone on a little more. I felt like the peak of the book happened and then the book just ended.

Moonglass was a really great read. I loved the stories within the story and the action by the ocean. It was just a really nice read, and while it was a something of a book of grief for Anna and her dad, it was also very much about growth. I really am curious to see more from Jessi Kirby in the future.

From the Back of My Shelf (9): Purge by Sarah Darer Littman

From the Back of My Shelf is a bi-monthly event, that happens on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month where you pull a book from the back of your shelf (with a 2009 release or prior) and review it. It's a way to read some of those books that have been gathering dust while new books came out. Feel free to join in and participate, and link your reviews up in the Mr Linky below. Check out more in my intro post here here.

Purge
Sarah Darer Littman
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: April 1, 2009
Pages: 240

Rating: 4 stars

Janie Ryman hates throwing up. So why does she binge eat and then stick her fingers down her throat several times a day? That’s what the doctors and psychiatrists at Golden Slopes hope to help her discover. But first Janie must survive everyday conflicts between the Barfers and the Starvers, attempts by the head psychiatrist to fish painful memories out of her emotional waters, and shifting friendships and alliances among the kids in the ward.

Purge was a book I really enjoyed - It feels weird to say I enjoyed it, given the subject matter, but Sarah Darer Littman has written a book filled with such hope and a positive message for teens.

I really liked the characters. I thought Janie, and all the other teens at Golden Slopes. They all were very different, but I found them all very easy to connect to. No, I haven't  gone through the same things as they had been through, but so many contributing factors to their situation I have experienced in some manners, making it really easy to relate to all of them. I really liked Tom. He was hands down my favorite character of the book. I also really liked Brad, he definitely played a smaller role, but I just loved the one scene he was in.

Each chapter started with an entry from Janie's diary, and I thought it was a really neat format. The diary entries were very different from the regular narrative, as it was not only here thoughts, but also a lot of Janie's back story. The one thing I wasn't too crazy about was how Janie referred to everyone as a Puker or a Starver. It just felt a bit odd to me, and it was almost like there was like a battle between the two.

Purge's plot was very sad at times, but it had such an element of hope throughout most of it. There were so many touching scenes. I found Nurse Joe to be hilarious and he helped Janie a lot when no one else was really succeeded. Any scene with Tom was just great, he always brought something new to a scene

I really liked Purge. I thought it was a book that addressed a very important topic, and that Sarah Darer Littman really succeeded in writing about it. This is my first Sarah Darer Littman read, but after Purge, I am very anxious to pick up another!

Did you do a From the Back of My Shelf post? Link it here :)

A Flight of Angels by Rebecca Guay

A Flight of Angels
Rebecca Guay, Bill Willingham Alisa Kwitney, Louise Haws, Todd Mitchell
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: November 8, 2011
Pages: 128

Rating: 3.5 stars

The diverse mythology of angels is explored in this lushly painted graphic novel from high-profile fantasy authors including Holly Black (The Spiderwick Chronicles) and Bill Willingham (FABLES).
Deep in the woods outside of a magical kingdom, a strange group of faeries and forest creatures discover a nearly dead angel, bleeding and unconscious with a sword by his side. They call a tribunal to decide his fate, each telling stories that delve into different interpretations of these winged, celestial beings: tales of dangerous angels, all-powerful angels, guardian angels and death angels, that range from the mystical to the mysterious to the macabre.
This original graphic novel spotlights the painted work of award-winning artist Rebecca Guay, whose other works include the Vertigo titles VEILS and DESTINY: A CHRONICLE OF DEATHS FORETOLD, as well as World of Warcraft, Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons.

A Flight of Angels was a fun read that I quite enjoyed. Once I got a sense of the story, I read straight through, and when I finished the last page, I was sad to see it end!

I had a bit of a hard time following the story for the first chunk of the book. There wasn't a story set up, and then from there I had an issue grasping at the plot, since it wasn't fully developed. Basically, there was one long plot and shorter stories told by the characters interspersed within it.The third story told was my absolute favorite. It was so beautiful and touching. I didn't want it to end.

The pictures in this one were just GORGEOUS. I could sit here and look at them all day! This was a really fun read, despite the fact I had a bit of an issue following the story for a good portion of the book. I would definitely recommend this one.

Waiting on Wednesday (136) - Auracle by Gina Rosati

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

Auracle by Gina Rosati coming August 8, 2012 from Roaring Book Press

On the surface, there’s nothing remarkable about Anna Rogan: She gets average grades, she’s not especially fashionable, she spends most of her time just hanging out with her best friend Rei. But Anna does have a remarkable secret: she has the ability to do astral projection. She uses her out-of-body experiences to explore the universe, until one day when there’s an accident at school and her classmate Taylor gets into her body. Now Taylor’s using her new identity to accuse an innocent boy of murder and she shows no signs of leaving Anna’s body. The only person who knows Anna’s secret is Rei, and as her feelings for Rei grow she must face a future where they can never touch...unless they can get find a way to get Taylor out of Anna’s body, stop the murder trial, and discover the true nature of Anna’s power

Auracle's cover is definitely among my favorites! Plus, I love the synopses, sounds like it would be right up my alley!

What are you guys waiting on?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Fantasy Books

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. Each week features a different topic, and you make a top ten list about it. This week is a freebie week and I am posting about my top ten fantasies of all time.

#1 goes to Harry Potter (I think that's a given!)

I grew up with these books and they created my love for reading and fantasy.

The Sword of Truth Series by Terry Goodkind

I am quite obsessed with this series. I've been through several phases where all I did is reread this series or part of the series for several months. It is wicked good, and is super long (meaning you have a lot of reading to do and that is wonderful!)

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

There is just something so special about this book. It has the most charming world, wonderful characters, and a story worth telling.

Spellfall by Katherine Roberts

I read this book over ten years ago (that is WEIRD to think about!) and I still love rereading it today. It is a super fun urban fantasy read, mixed with a lot of high fantasy elements. It takes place both in the world we know and another world, and I loved every page.

The Echorium Sequence by Katherine Roberts

An epic high fantasy trilogy is what this is! Each book follows slightly different characters, yet they are all very tightly woven together. I have been through numerous copies of these books, because I read them so much!

The Gemma Doyle Trilogy

This is historical AND fantasy - which therefore making it all sorts of awesome in my mind. I fell in love with this trilogy and read it over and over again. The world is enchanting.

Those are my top 6 fantasies like ever. Onward to other books...

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

This book is a kick-ass urban fantasy with a ton of action and I just loved it! It was a very promising start to the trilogy and a spectacular debut!

The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

This is a great quest-ish series with a completely new spin on faeries. Plus, this series has Ash, knowing that should be enough to make you want to read it. There is also a really cool cat. I adore this series.

Nightspell by Leah Cypess

This book was just wonderful. It had this super creative plot that had me guessing what would happen next! The world was super fascinating.

Everlasting by Angie Frazier

This is another historical fantasy and leads Camille and Oscar on an adventure! It was so much fun to read!

I love the excuse to talk fantasy any chance I can get, so when I saw the freebie week naturally I had to talk fantasy. If you love fantasy too, I'm hosting a reading challenge for the year, which you should check out :)

Do you have any favorite fantasies? Share them in the comments! :)

Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala

Don't Breathe a Word
Holly Cupala
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Pages: 299

Rating: 4.5 stars

Joy Delamere is suffocating...

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take his words - tender words, cruel words - until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe... if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.

Don't Breathe A Word is a book that is just heart-breakingly beautiful. It was a story that was so worth telling and was powerful. I read straight through it, and did not want to put it down for a moment.

The story was so intriguing. Going in, I really had no idea what to expect, and even in the first few chapters, you get a general idea, but I didn't get the whole picture. Just as Joy is experiencing life on the streets and figuring that out, you have to piece together her history and everything that has gone on. The book was a mix of the present day, with little snippets of the past, which was super awesome.

The plot was intriguing and I was always wondering what was going to happen next. There was such a mix of these heartwarming moments mixed with the grittiness of reality in others. Holly Cupala keeps readers on their toes with the story she has to tell in Don't Breathe a Word.

I loved the characters. From the start, I was intrigued about the characters in that first flash back scene. I loved Creed - he was one of those just genuinely good hearted people.He had me when I found out he played music, but everything about his character was just great. I really admired Joy, for what she has the strength to do. Santos and May were an interesting duo, and I really liked both of them. All the characters in Don't Breathe a Word were so vastly different from one another - they all had their own unique story to tell.

After reading this one, I am very excited to pick up Holly Cupala's other novel, Don't Breathe a Word. I fell in love with the writing, the characters, and the story. And after this brave, raw story I cannot wait tot see what is next for Holly Cupala.

The Book of Wonders Tour: Interview with Jasmine Richards + Giveaway

I am super excited to have Jasmine Richards by the blog today for an interview!

Jasmine Richards is the author of The Book of Wonders, which debuted January 17. She is a senior editor at a British publishing house, and lives in Oxfordshire with her husband. You can find her on the web at her website, twitter, and Goodreads.

Here's a bit about The Book of Wonders:

Magic, Djinn, Ogres, and Sorcerers. Thirteen-year-old Zardi loves to hear stories about fantastical beings, long banned from the kingdom of Arribitha. But anyone caught whispering of their powers will feel the rage of the sultan—a terrifying usurper who, even with his eyes closed, can see all.

When her own beloved sister is captured by the evil ruler, Zardi knows that she must go to any lengths to rescue her. Along with her best friend, Ridhan—a silver-haired, violet-eyed boy of mysterious origins—and an unlikely crew of sailors led by the infamous Captain Sinbad, Zardi ventures forth into strange and wondrous territory with a seemingly impossible mission: to bring magic back to Arribitha and defeat the sultan once and for all.

If you could be any magical creature that appears in The Books of Wonders, which would you be?

I would be a djinni but with one caveat - I would want to be free one. In The Book of Wonders many djinnis have been shackled to mortal objects and so are under the control of humans. This means that extremely powerful creatures have essentially become slaves. The are not happy campers!

Say the characters from The Book of Wonders got stuck on a deserted island. Who would fare the best? The Worst? And who would get them off the island?

Oh dear, this is a hard one because in the Book of Wonders my characters are actually stranded on a deserted island and so if I answer this I will be giving away plot spoilers!

Suffice it to say that on this island nothing is as it seems and many of characters are going to be faced with challenges beyond their imagining . . .

Could you tell us five random facts about yourself?

I have interviewed the former prime minister of the UK, Tony Blair
I have written books as a man
I’ve failed my driving test four times
I have visited over 35 countries
I was born left handed but now use my right hand to write

Since there are sailors in The Book of Wonders, if you had a boat, what would you name it?

I’d call my boat something like Just Imagine because, as undoubtedly imagination is the best form of transport!

Does The Book of Wonders have a theme song at all? If so, what is it?

I’d say it was Zemer Attic/Tanz Tanz Yiddlelac by 3 Leg Torso. I love this piece of music – I feel like it really captures Zardi’s world and the sense of wildness that sweeps her up and sends her headlong into an amazing adventure. I loved this piece so much I actually used it for my book trailer http://youtu.be/6ugfHlrMKEU.

Buy The Book of Wonders: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Thanks for stopping by Jasmine! Now I have one super cool giveaway for a lucky winner. One lucky person will get a signed copy of The Book of Wonders + a cool swag pack which includes a bookmark, book plate, and a necklace. Open internationally. Ends January 27.

Read more »

Cinder Blog Tour: Interview with Marissa Meyer + Giveaway

I am super excited to have Marissa Meyer by the blog today for an interview, as part of the Cinder blog tour! Welcome Marissa! Marissa is the author of Cinder, the first book in the four book Lunar Chronicles. You can find Marissa on the web at her website, Goodreads, Facebook, or Twitter.

If the characters from Cinder got stuck on a desert island, who would fare the best? The worst?

Cinder would fare the best—she’s incredibly brave and resourceful, plus she has Internet connectivity in her brain, so depending on how deserted we’re talking, she could potentially send for help. As long as sand didn’t get into her cyborg joints and incapacitate her, that is. I think her stepsisters, Pearl and Peony, would probably fare the worst—they’ve been rather spoiled and aren’t used to taking care of themselves.

And who would get them off the island?


Cinder—she could probably have a raft built before everyone else realized what was going on!

If you were a Disney Princess, which would you choose?

Jasmine. I’ve always wanted an exotic pet like Raja.

If you could travel back in time for one day, where would you go?

I’d love to go back to Elizabethan England to see a Shakespeare play. One day would be just the right amount of time before I was ready to come home and take a shower!

Do you have a favorite place to write?

At home I’m usually writing either in bed or my office, but I also like to go to my local café or a favorite restaurant, particularly on those days when it’s a struggle to concentrate.

Can you share 5 random facts about yourself?

1) My karaoke song of choice is “All That Jazz” from the Chicago soundtrack. (Don’t be fooled, I’m still a terrible singer.)
2) The country I’d most like to travel to is Germany, so I can see the Grimm Brothers Fairy Tale Road and Neuschwanstein Castle.
3) I once almost died from taking penicillin—turns out I’m allergic.
4) I was the founder and president of the Anime Club in college.
5) I come from a family of costumers. My favorite that I’ve ever worn was Princess Zelda, from the Zelda video games, and I’d love to someday do Cinderella or Glinda the Good Witch.

Thanks for stopping by Marissa! Make sure to check out my review of Cinder, which I super loved! And check out the rest of the tour - the schedule is here.

I also have a super cool giveaway - A copy of Cinder AND a cool Cinder mirror! This is open to US/Canada only and ends January 31.

Read more »

Waiting on Wednesday (135) - Innocent Darkness by Suzanne LaZear

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

Innocent Darkness by Suzanne LaZear coming August 8, 2012 from Flux

Wish. Love. Desire. Live.

Sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her and brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed, otherwise, the entire Otherworld civilization will perish.

Can I have it now, please? Like seriously? This book sounds SO brilliant. It's like steampunk and fantasy mixed, that is awesome! Plus, this cover = SO GORGEOUS. I feel like it would make the most brilliant book poster ever!

What are you guys waiting on?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten YA Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read YA

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. Each week features a different topic, and you make a top ten list about it. This week is the Top Ten YA Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read YA.

Harry Potter by JK Rowling

This is pretty much a given, but I feel it's one of those books that has just some quality about it that appeals to everyone, regardless of what you read.

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Angelfire is a brilliant urban fantasy - and while it is YA, it definitely has a super unique tone about it and has some kick-ass fight scenes. It is sure to be a favorite.

Anything Jennifer Echols

Her books have some addictive quality about them, so if you haven't read YA, they're a great way to dive in, as they are just wonderful.

Sea by Heidi R Kling

I absolutely love this book and I just think it is a really worthy story to tell.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

This is another one of those books that I think regardless of what you read, you can't help but to appreciate the charm behind this one.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

My reasoning for this one is identical to The Goose Girls' - I just adore this one and think it has such charm that it would be a great YA for someone who doesn't read YA.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

I think this series is simply brilliant and definitely is appealing to people with a ton of different tastes.

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

This book is simply amazing, and I feel everyone, regardless of their typical tastes, needs to read.

Desert Angel by Charlie Price

Desert Angel
Charlie Price
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Pages: 236


Rating: 3 stars

Fourteen-year-old Angel wakes up one morning at her desert trailer home to discover her mother has been murdered by a lowlife named Scotty, who has vanished. Angel has no water, no weapon, but she knows that Scotty, an expert tracker and hunter, will surface soon in order to eliminate her as a witness. She has to run, to disappear, if she is to survive and tell the world what happened. Her flight takes her through a harsh landscape to places she never expected to be, forcing her to trust others for the first time and strengthening her in ways she doesn’t even anticipate . . . until it’s time to take a stand.

Desert Angel was an interesting read - I had absolutely no expectations going in, and I found a story that I really liked.

The story started out very disjointed. You were thrown right into the action, which was great, but once I met some of the characters I had a bit of hard time following the story due to their dialogue. After a bit though, I got into the groove of the story and everything began to make sense. There definitely was a lot of suspense at moments - I wanted to know what was going to happen, yet I couldn't really guess a lot of the time. There were some aspects of the story I do wish had been fleshed out a bit more. I loved the way the book was written - for the most part you follow Angel's story, but there were little snippets from Scotty and the others, which made it really cool. It definitely made me more engaged in the story when those would come along.

I really liked the characters. Angel bothered me a bit at times, but overall she was a great character. Norma and Rita were definitely my favorite two characters of the book. With all Norma had been through, I just wanted to give her a hug. Rita was just an all around great person.

This wasn't an amazing book for me, but definitely still a worthy read. After this one, I'm curious to see what else Charlie Price has written. This wasn't a book that I had to be real involved in; I could just sit back and watch the story pan out.

The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen

The Vampire Stalker
Allison Van Diepen
Publisher: Point
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Pages: 272

Rating: 3 stars

What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?
Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.

The Vampire Stalker was a cute book, but I had several issues with it that kept me from loving it completely. Most of the characters were great and the plot was fun, but some of the things that happen in the book had my on edge.

The plot is super unique - these characters from the books Amy likes come to life. It's literary physics - the idea that some books are actually real and the authors just tap into their dimension when writing, which was super awesome. The world she crafts was also a lot of fun.

My big issue with this one is the fact that everyone obviously doesn't know these book characters have come to life, and when they assume some murderer is pretending to be a vampire, they blame the author! They have this whole interview and sit down and are like "Your book came out the week before, do you think it's a coincidence that this happened?" First, books are NOT that big of a deal, I don't care what world you live in. Yes, I love books, but it would not be the first conclusion people think of when a serial killer is going around. For that assumption to be made like a huge huge percentage of the population would have to read these books, and even then, since this book takes place in a normal world I just have a hard time believing this. And if the book only came out the week before, I seriously doubt enough people have read it in that time period. Plus, they basically interrogate the poor author and it's almost like they're trying to get her to admit something. After this I had a bit of a hard time taking the book seriously.

This is also a really small thing, but during the above mentioned interview the author kept mentioning how she wrote fantasy books. Her books are about vampires. I know it's a small technicality, but vampires are most definitely not fantasy, they are paranormal.

The characters drive from Chicago to New York in one day - and I get they think it's important, but to go half way across the country and in one day?! That is not short drive - it's like 17 hours without traffic.

The characters were all really easy to relate to. I loved Ms. P - she was such a cool character. I wish my school had had a librarian like her! The only character I wasn't too crazy about was Chrissy, she drove me nuts. Amy was a great main character; she was such a crazy reader.

I absolutely love the cover - it's just so cute! Overall, this was a fun book, you just have to really step back and let some crazier notions run their course. I loved everything else about it, and the characters were one of the best aspects of the book. A fair read.

Blog Survey: Reader Results

First off, thank you to all of you who took the time to fill out my survey! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.

Next, the winner of the giveaways is ....

MARIAH

I had all these plans of doing like cool graphs about the different stats of people who filled out my blog like what age groups / where people are located. And I tried. And tried. And I am just not that great with that I guess, since after several hours of trying on several days, I came up with nothing.

Instead, I'll share things I found from the survey:

Y'all want

More Personal Posts - I was not sure if this was something of interest, and now that I know it is I will make
sure to start posting some!

Blogging Help: This is something that several people said they wanted more of and, I will definitely try to start posting about it, maybe by having a form that people can ask questions they have and I'll answer them in several posts a month? Would this be something more people would be interested in?

Discussion Posts - I've always wanted to do these, but am horrendous at thinking of topics

More Bookish News/Author Signing Posts - This is something I used to do more of, but I wasn't sure if it was of interest. Again, will start to do these again!

People really like From the Back of My Shelf - And good news, as it will be back starting in 2012 :) It came back yesterday which was exciting!

So congrats to Mariah! And thank you  to everyone who filled out my survey! (And I am curious about some of the questions posed above, if you wanted to answer, I might love you forever)

From the Back of My Shelf (8): Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

From the Back of My Shelf is a bi-monthly event, that happens on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month where you pull a book from the back of your shelf (with a 2009 release or prior) and review it. It's a way to read some of those books that have been gathering dust while new books came out. Feel free to join in and participate, and link your reviews up in the Mr Linky below. Check out more in my intro post here here.

Jellicoe Road
Melina Marchetta
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: September 1, 2008
Pages: 416

Rating: 4 stars

"What do you want from me?" he asks. What I want from every person in my life, I want to tell him. More.

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future.

I have heard that this book is amazing for ages, and decided I finally needed to sit down and read it, to see what everyone was talking about. Jellicoe Road had a very touching story to tell, and I really enjoyed it. I didn't love it to the point that I feel others have, but I thought it was a story worth telling.

This was a very slow book to get into. I had no idea what was going on until just before page 100, and didn't grasp a full idea until closer to page 200. This was bothersome in a way, but it almost made me more curious. I was so intrigued by the storyline, yet I had no idea what the basis for all of it was. After that, I found the story to be so charming. The story line from the past, with Narnie and the others, was very hard to follow. I found myself finishing still not having a clear understanding of everything that happened. I was able to piece together the gist of it, but I still had so many questions that I didn't feel were answered. That went for the main storyline as well, there definitely were some questions that remained unanswered, when I had hoped I would discover an answer.

I really adored all the characters. Jessa was a character who really grew on me throughout the book; at first, I was not super crazy about her, but by the end I could not imagine the book without her. Griggs was awesome. He was just such a great guy. Ben was another character who I really loved - he was such a good-hearted person. Taylor grew a lot as a character as the book went on, and I loved seeing the changes in her as the book went on.

Jellicoe Road is definitely a book worth reading, and while it wasn't a for sure favorite of mine, I still am happy to have read it. I am very interested to check out other works by Melina Marchetta after this one. Jellicoe Road was a story of a simply wonderful cast of characters.

Share your From the Back of My Shelf posts below

Tour: The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards

The Book of Wonders
Jasmine Richards
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: January 17, 2012
Pages: 416

Rating: 3.5 stars

Magic, Djinn, Ogres, and Sorcerers. Thirteen-year-old Zardi loves to hear stories about fantastical beings, long banned from the kingdom of Arribitha. But anyone caught whispering of their powers will feel the rage of the sultan—a terrifying usurper who, even with his eyes closed, can see all.

When her own beloved sister is captured by the evil ruler, Zardi knows that she must go to any lengths to rescue her. Along with her best friend, Ridhan—a silver-haired, violet-eyed boy of mysterious origins—and an unlikely crew of sailors led by the infamous Captain Sinbad, Zardi ventures forth into strange and wondrous territory with a seemingly impossible mission: to bring magic back to Arribitha and defeat the sultan once and for all.

The Book of Wonders was a book I was very excited for. I adore fantasy, and middle grade fantasy always has this quality about it that rocks. It was a cute book, but was not everything I had been hoping for.

I found The Book of Wonders to have a slower start - it took me about 150 pages before I really got into the story. The world was very creative. I loved that right away when I started reading, within a few chapters, I had a grasp on the world. The story never went where I was expecting - before I started I had a much different idea of what I thought it was going to be about. I liked that quality about it.

The characters were an interesting mix. I adored Roco - he was definitely my favorite character of the book. Sula was another character who was quite awesome. She played a smaller role in this book, but I hope to see more of her in book 2!

I am now curious for book 2 - as the story cut off at a really high action time. I wanted a few more answers to be revealed before this book was tied up.

This one was a promising debut and I'm curious to see more from Jasmine Richards. It didn't have all the qualities I was looking for, but I still enjoyed the story. I am curious to hear more from Zardi and Ridhan and their fascinating world.

The Book Cellar is Finding a New Home

The Book Cellar is finding a new home over at Wordpress! I am very excited about making the switch.

 I have wanted to switch since June, but have been really making sure that's what I wanted to do for sure and was also waiting to have the money to do the switch. I am currently in the transitioning stage, so please work with me :)

Also, at wordpress, I will not longer be using GFC (it is being discontinued in March for all non-blogger blogs), so if you'd like to stay in touch, subscribe via RSS or by email, both options are located in my sidebar! :)

*Note* While I am switching only www.thebookcellarx.blogspot.com will be able to be accessed.

December Comment Contest Winner

The winner of the December Comment Contest is ....


Melanie!

Congrats! Please email me your address within the next 48 hours.

Waiting on Wednesday (134) - Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller coming June 19th, 2012 from Bloomsbury

A powerful debut novel about a young Marine's return home from Afghanistan and the new life and love he finds while fending off the ghosts of war.

When Travis Stephenson returns home from Afghanistan, his parents are on the brink of divorce, his brother has stolen his girlfriend and his car, and nightmares of his best friend getting killed keep him completely spooked. But when he runs into Harper Gray, a girl who despises him for trashing her reputation with a middle school lie, life actually starts looking up. As Travis and Harper see more of each other, he starts falling for her and a way through the family meltdown, the post-traumatic stress, and the possibility of an interesting future begins to emerge.

His sense of humor, sense of his own strength, and incredible sense of honor make Travis an irresistible and eminently lovable hero in this fantastic and timely debut novel.

I can't wait for this book. It sounds brilliant, and after reading the first chapter on Trish's website I want it even more!

What are you guys waiting on?

Fantasy Novels I Love

So this is a post in which I VLOG about fantasy books I love. I tell you about some urban fantasy and some high fantasy. I also inform you of authors whose past books I have loved AND have books coming out this year, which would count for the 2012 YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge.

If you haven't signed up for the 2012 YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge, you should! It's going to be a year of FANTASY, FUN, READING, GIVEAWAYS, AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, and MORE. All the information and sign-ups can be found here :)

I should also warn everyone that I will be sporadically vlogging about things that pertain through the Fantasy Challenge all year - I'm planning for at least one vlog a month :) (So I hope you like them)

If you don't want to watch the whole vlog, I will simply list the titles below. Starred books are authors with a book that counts towards the challenge this year.

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton*
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep*
Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby
A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford*
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston*
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa*
Spellfall by Katherine Roberts*
Song Quest by Katherine Roberts*
Crystal Mask by Katherine Roberts*
Dark Quetzal by Katherine Roberts*
Nightspell by Leah Cypess
Fire by Kristin Cashore*
The Study Series by Maria V Snyder
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Giveaway: Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everday people into hunters, killers, crazies. 

Mason's mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground, and everyone he knows is killed. Aries survives an earthquake aftershock on a bus, and thinks the worst is over when a mysterious stranger pulls her out of the wreckage, but she’s about to discover a world changed forever. Clementine, the only survivor of an emergency town hall meeting that descends into murderous chaos, is on the run from savage strangers who used to be her friends and neighbors. And Michael witnesses a brutal road rage incident that is made much worse by the arrival of the police--who gun down the guilty party and then turn on the bystanding crowd. 

Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad? These four teens are on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found, this is a journey into the heart of darkness – but also a journey to find each other and a place of safety.

I have a super cool giveaway - one winner will receive an ARC of Dark Inside & A Customized $10 Dunkin' Donuts giftcard! This will be open to US/Canada only and ends January 30. Be sure to check out my review of Dark Inside which went up yesterday!

Read more »

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. Each week features a different topic, and you make a top ten list about it. This week is the Top Ten Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book.

#1 is JK Rowling

I really wish she'd write another series or another book or ANYTHING. Harry Potter is seriously so brilliant, so more of her writing would be awesome.

Alexandra Bracken

I know she has The Darkest Minds coming out this year, but I need MORE books by her. She is one of the most talented writers I have come across these days I feel like. Brightly Woven was soooo fantastic. It's this superb high fantasy, if you haven't heard of it!

Julia Hoban

Willow was BRILLIANT and beyond, so I just would love more books from Julia Hoban.

Anastasia Hopcus

I really loved Shadow Hills, so I would love to more from her!

Kristin Cashore

I really love her writing, so it'd be fun to see what she did out of the world of Graceling, Fire, and Bitterblue.

Dan Elconin

Never After was this super fabulous read that I absolutely loved, and I would very much love to see more from him!

Jenny Davidson

I would LOVE to read more from this lady - she is a genius! The Explosionist remains one of my favorite books, and I read it over 3 years ago now!

Who is on your list?

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Dark Inside
Jeyn Roberts
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Pages: 329

Rating: 3.5 stars

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everday people into hunters, killers, crazies.

Mason's mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground, and everyone he knows is killed. Aries survives an earthquake aftershock on a bus, and thinks the worst is over when a mysterious stranger pulls her out of the wreckage, but she’s about to discover a world changed forever. Clementine, the only survivor of an emergency town hall meeting that descends into murderous chaos, is on the run from savage strangers who used to be her friends and neighbors. And Michael witnesses a brutal road rage incident that is made much worse by the arrival of the police--who gun down the guilty party and then turn on the bystanding crowd.

Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad? These four teens are on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found, this is a journey into the heart of darkness – but also a journey to find each other and a place of safety.

Dark Inside was a book I was really looking forward to. I had heard all sorts of brilliant praise and while it was a still a good book, it sadly did not live up to the hype I had heard.

I loved the idea behind Dark Inside. The book was told between many alternating perspectives which was cool. Aries storyline was definitely my favorite of the four. The others had their interesting moments, but I wasn't as into their storylines. I loved as the story got more chaotic, the storylines began to intersect.

I was hoping for more from the plot. I thought this one was supposed to be scary, and for me, it was a bit intense at times at the most.  This book took quite awhile to get into - it was after page 100 until the story picked up enough for me to be captivated enough to read more than a few pages at a time.

The characters were intriguing. I really want to know more about Daniel. He is so mysterious, never revealing much. I really liked Aries as well - she had spunk. Chickadee was another character who I really liked, even though she played a small role in the book. Some of the other characters bugged me at times.

This was a book I did enjoy overall, but I had a lot of issues along the way. I am curious about the sequel, more because I'm hoping for more questions to be answered. This was a promising debut, and I'm curious to see more from Jeyn Roberts in the future.

What YA release this week are you most excited for? (14)

This past week was a super close week between 4 books! Cinder was the book people were most excited for with 19 votes, then Bloodrose with 17, and Under the Never Sky and The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight with 14 each. This week has a ton of great books coming out as well! I think I am most excited for The Gathering Storm and Jessica Rules the Dark Side. I really enjoyed Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, so I can't wait for the sequel, and The Gathering Storm just sounds brilliant.

Which book are you most excited for? Vote in the poll and weigh in in the comments :)

In My Mailbox (132)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.

This week I got:



For Review:
Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

From James:
The Selection

Won:
Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper

Trade with Lisa:
A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

Bookmooch:
Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters

2012 YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge Now Has a Goodreads Group!

The 2012 YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge now has a Goodreads Group! There is the group itself, and also there is an official challenge widget where you can track your progress over the year!

So check out the group HERE. :)

And if you aren't signed up for the 2012 YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge - sign up here :)

The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson

The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills
Joanna Pearson
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Pages: 224

Rating: 4 stars

For anyone who's ever survived a rite of passage or performed a mating dance at Prom . . .
The Japanese hold a Mogi ceremony for young women coming of age. Latina teenagers get quinceaneras. And Janice Wills of Melva, NC ... has to compete in the Miss Livermush pageant.
Janice loves anthropology--the study of human cultures--and her observations help her identify useful rules in the chaotic world of high school. For instance: Dancing is an effective mating ritual--but only if you're good at it; Hot Theatre Guys will never speak to Unremarkable Smart Girls like Janice and her best friend, Margo; and a Beautiful Rich Girl will always win Melva's annual Miss Livermush pageant.
But when a Hot Theatre Guy named Jimmy Denton takes an interest in Janice, all her scientific certainties explode. For the first time, she has to be part of the culture that she's always observed; and all the charts in the world can't prove how tough--and how sweet--real participation and a real romance can be.
Funny, biting, and full of wisdom, this marks the debut of a writer to watch.

The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills was an absolutely delightful debut. I read straight through and just loved  it. Janice has a great story to tell, and I loved every page of it.

The plot was a lot of fun. There were definitely aspects that were slightly cliched and predictable, but I loved them all the same. The book had little interruptions to the plot such as "A Note From the Anthropologist" which were a ton of fun to read. It was just another thing that made this book so great. I love contemporaries - and this one was quite funny at times, yet still had serious undertones.

The characters were probably my favorite thing about this one. They were all great. Even the minor characters stuck out in my mind. Janice was a character who developed a lot throughout the book, and really came into herself. I loved Paul - he was my favorite character of the book. All his quirky ideas he tried, he just seems like a very fun person.

After this debut, I am very intrigued to see what is next for Joanna Pearson. I really enjoyed this one! I would definitely recommend it to all, especially for those looking for a contemporary with charm and is a fast read.

This review is cross posted from YA Books Central, where it was originally posted.

Bargain Books (12) - The E-Book and Paper Books Both Edition

Bargain Books is a feature here at The Book Cellar, on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month. I'm a huge bargain shopper, and I'm always finding tons of book deals on various sites (usually Amazon), so I decided to share them here. And today is being posted on a Saturday because I had too many things to post yesterday :)

Also, I'm trying a new format for this. I know some people couldn't see the Amazon widgets because they had a pop-up blocker on, so I'm doing this for this week and will try to continue to do this, but some weeks I may end up only doing the Amazon widgets as when I do that it takes about 10-15 minutes, where this took me a lot longer.

The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Black Hole Sun by David Macinnis Gill

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

The Vinyl Princess by Yvonne Prinz

Undone by Brook Taylor

The Everafter by Amy Huntley

Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White

And since when I did that e-book bargain post a bit back was such a hit, I thought I'd include a few e-book bargains as well! These range from .99-3.99

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine

Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith

StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Evermore by Alyson Noel

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Ash by Malinda Lo

Witch & Wizard by James Patterson
Immortal: Love Stories With Bite (An Anthology)
This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel
Richelle Mead's Dark Swan Series Bundle (3 books for 9.83)
Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane

Also, there are a couple free books I found that were available for preorder:
Dangerous Angels by Francesca Lia Block (With Bonus Materials)
Evernight by Claudia Gray (With Bonus Materials)

B&N is also having a wicked After Holidays sale and there are bargain books like the Vlad Todd series box set for 4.99, Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld for 2.99, or Jessica Guide to Dating on the Dark Side for 1.99!

PLUS if you use this coupon code: F3Y9V4J at BN.com, you’ll get 50% off your entire purchase of teen books which is good until January 12.

So let me know, do you prefer this format better? If y'all really like it that much better I'll try to do it if I can find the time. Also, do you have any bargains you've found, share them in the comments!

Cover: Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Miranda Kenneally's next book has a COVER (and there's a hot boy on it)! YAY :) I am kind of just a little bit excited for this one ;) I super loved Miranda's first book, Catching Jordan, and have now begun the counting down until Stealing Parker is released.  (Click on the picture to go to the Goodreads page for Stealing Parker)

Now I will sit here and twiddle my thumbs until October *sits* 

Fantasy Five Friday: Interview With Sarah Prineas

I am super excited to have Sarah Prineas by for the first Fantasy Five Friday Interview of the year!

Sarah Prineas is the author of The Magic Thief Series and Winterling. Her latest book Winterling came out on January 3. She has a Ph.D in English literature and lives in Iowa City, Iowa. You can find her on the web at her website, twitter, Goodreads, and blog.


TBC: Could you give us the one sentence pitch of your book?

SP: In Winterling, a girl named Fer follows a tricksy puck-boy through a Way into a world of magic and danger, where she must set right a terrible evil.

TBC: Since you have a fantasy novel coming out, the next question I obviously have to ask is: If you were a fantastical creature, which would you be?

SP: Here is a picture of my own mighty fantastical creature, a dragon.

TBC: Do you have a favorite fantasy read?

SP: As a huge Lord of the Rings geek, I reread the books fairly often (I'm reading them aloud to my kids now), and as a New Year's Eve tradition, my family watches all three of the extended-edition movies. This year we're watching the movies and having a LotR-themed feast, including hobbit beer, mushrooms, and lembas.

TBC: That is the coolest thing ever! My cousin and I always try to have an extended edition marathon on New Years as well, but your house sounds much cooler! Now generally speaking, which comes first: the world, the characters, or the plot?

SP: It's all fairly organic for me. Plot usually arises out of what drives the characters, and the world takes shape around that. I never plot out the story ahead of time, which I call "writing as discovery." It's a very fun way to write.

TBC: They are always coming out with new editions of board games. If your book could be a special edition of any board game, which would you choose?

SP: I'm a huge word nerd and have lots of neologisms in my books, so I'd have to say Scrabble.

Thank you so much Sarah for stopping by! You can find Sarah's books on the web at:

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

And check out Winterling's book trailer:

Fantasy Five Fridays are a part of the 2012 YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge. Are you a fan of fantasy? It's not too late to sign up! Check out the central hub of information HERE.

Dark Passage by MJ Putney

Dark Passage
MJ Putney
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Pages: 320

Rating: 4.5 stars

The Irregulars return home to 1803 England safely, but their worldview has changed. Not only have their heroic efforts at Dunkirk given them pride and confidence but their dangerous mission has increased their magical powers.

Tory delights in the ever deepening bond she shares with Allarde until she discovers how powerfully he is connected to his ancient family estate—the lands he will not inherit unless he denies his magical powers and chooses a nonmagical mate. If Tory really loves him, she must walk away—but does she have the strength to leave the love of her life?
Cynthia’s heroic efforts at Dunkirk have won her the respect of the Irregulars, but her sharp tongue keeps everyone at a distance. Isolated and very alone at Lackland Abbey over the Christmas holidays, she reluctantly agrees to join Jack Rainford and his family for their celebration even though they’re commoners, far below her own noble rank. The warm welcome of the Rainfords makes her feel happier and more accepted than she has ever been. But she can’t possibly be falling in love with flirtatious Jack! Can she?
Then the Irregulars are drawn into a dangerous attempt to rescue a vitally important French scientist from Nazi-occupied France. Tory and Allarde must work together because countless lives are at stake. Disaster strikes and not only is their mission threatened, but their very lives. Can magic and their loyalty to each other help them survive to return home?

I was very eager to continue with the story of The Irregulars after finishing Dark Mirror, and Dark Passage did not disappoint at all. In fact, I loved it even more than Dark Passage. Everything was set in place, and the story just took off from there.

Dark Passage wonders away from solely letting Tory be the main character, and readers really get to know Cynthia as well. I loved this split. It was so much fun to get more inside Cynthia's head, as she wasn't the most likable character in Dark Mirror, but I did get a sense that there was a lot more to her than it appeared on the outside.

Dark Passage was a ton of fun to read. I love the adventures the Irregulars have. MJ Putney really plays with your emotions in this one - I was so happy at some parts and so scared for some of the characters at other points. Again, I did have to suspend my belief of reality a bit in this one, but this one flowed a lot better than Dark Mirror and I found it much more believable. The Tory and Allarde scenes are just adorable, and I hope there are in even more in the next book! I am curious to see where Cynthia and Jack's relationship will go as well.

The characters in Dark Passage are just wonderful. All the characters from Dark Mirror are back, along with some new characters you meet along the way. I thought all the characters really developed over the course of this story from where they were. It really helped move the story along.

I really enjoyed Dark Passage. This series is a ton of fun to read. It is rare for me to like book 2 more than book one, but Dark Passage simply blew me away. I really would  recommend this series as it's filled with fun adventures and great characters.

Side note, but isn't the cover just GORGEOUS? I love it so much!

Book Trailers: The Way We Fall and Harbinger

Two books I've very excited about have had trailer reveals in the past few days!

First up is The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe, which comes out January 24! I adored Megan's first book, Give Up the Ghost, so I'm excited to read more from her. Also, there's a chance to win a copy of the book here. The trailer is online here.

Here's a bit about the book:

It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

The other is Harbinger Sara Wilson Etienne, which comes out February 2, 2012. This is a debut and has just a gorgeous cover! It sounds so intriguing. See the trailer online here.

Here's a bit about the book:

Set in a world in which a diminishing oil supply has lead to chaos and mass rioting, sixteen year old Faye is plagued by waking visions and nightmares. Her parents think the only solution is to send her to Holbrook Academy, the creepy prison-like school for disturbed teenagers. When she and her friends wake up on the floor with their hands stained red, Faye has no idea what it means, but fears she may be the cause. But despite the strangeness of Holbrook and the island on which it sits, Faye feels oddly connected to the place. The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain he is trying to kill her –and the rest of the world too.

So what do you guys think?