Hellloooooo Bookish Type readers!! I want to start my VERYFIRST POST by saying that I feel incredibly honored to be co-reviewing withCasey, and I’m SO EXCITED about it!! THANK YOU all for your welcoming commentson the post she wrote introducing me! I definitely feel the love. I rememberwhen she first began her blog; it’s amazing to see how much it has grown, and Ican’t wait to be part of it.
Like Casey said, we met at engineering camp way back in theday, oh how things change. Although, I seem to remember that we spent ourlunches debating about whether or not Snape was truly on the good side, somaybe our English major selves were emerging even then.
Pretty much everything you need to know about me is in theAbout Us section or can be found on my Twitter. Two additional things that you probably noticed while reading this: Iuse way too many exclamation points, and I capitalize entire words when I’mexcited (which is pretty often). Ohwell! Anyway, I just wanted to say hello to you guys and let you know how eagerI am to get started!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask! I’ll answercomments here or on Twitter. If you have any advice, feel free to post that as well! I'd love any feedback! (There I go with the excessive exclamation points..)
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By: Brittany,
on 4/18/2012
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Hellloooooo Bookish Type readers!! I want to start my VERY FIRST POST by saying that I feel incredibly honored to be co-reviewing with Casey, and I’m SO EXCITED about it!! THANK YOU all for your welcoming comments on the post she wrote introducing me! I definitely feel the love. I remember when she first began her blog; it’s amazing to see how much it has grown, and I can’t wait to be part of it.
Like Casey said, we met at engineering camp way back in the day, oh how things change. Although, I seem to remember that we spent our lunches debating about whether or not Snape was truly on the good side, so maybe our English major selves were emerging even then.
Pretty much everything you need to know about me is in the About Us section or can be found on my Twitter. Two additional things that you probably noticed while reading this: I use way too many exclamation points, and I capitalize entire words when I’m excited (which is pretty often). Oh well! Anyway, I just wanted to say hello to you guys and let you know how eager I am to get started!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask! I’ll answer comments here or on Twitter. If you have any advice, feel free to post that as well! I'd love any feedback! (There I go with the excessive exclamation points..)
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 4/14/2012
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The blog has been quiet lately for a variety of personal reasons, but that will be changing! I've said before that I'd love to have a co-blogger here at The Bookish Type, and my wishes have been granted. My lovely, real-life friend Brittany is coming on board!
Brittany and I have known each other since we were 11 or 12, when we met at an engineering camp. Now we're both graduating English majors. It happens.
We like a lot of the same things (Orlando Bloom, Gilmore Girls, Starbucks... books, obviously) and a lot of different ones (she likes snow and, after 4 years living in New England, I will never like snow again), so it's a perfect match. She reads more high fantasy than I do, and I read more YA than she does. I think this will expand the range of what gets reviewed here, and also help keep the blog active and the review pile under control. I cannot tell you guys how excited I am to have her on board. She's awesome and I know you'll love her.
She'll probably be popping up to introduce herself, either in a post or on the About Us page. Keep an eye out for Britt's first review, coming soon to a blog near you! ;)
PS -- If anyone who runs a blog with a co-blogger has advice on how to stay organized, please share your tips!
9 Comments on A New Reviewer!, last added: 4/17/2012
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 4/14/2012
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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The blog has been quiet lately for a variety of personal reasons, but that will be changing! I've said before that I'd love to have a co-blogger here at The Bookish Type, and my wishes have been granted. My lovely, real-life friend Brittany is coming on board!
Brittany and I have known each other since we were 11 or 12, when we met at an engineering camp. Now we're both graduating English majors. It happens.
We like a lot of the same things (Orlando Bloom, Gilmore Girls, Starbucks... books, obviously) and a lot of different ones (she likes snow and, after 4 years living in New England, I will never like snow again), so it's a perfect match. She reads more high fantasy than I do, and I read more YA than she does. I think this will expand the range of what gets reviewed here, and also help keep the blog active and the review pile under control. I cannot tell you guys how excited I am to have her on board. She's awesome and I know you'll love her.
She'll probably be popping up to introduce herself, either in a post or on the About Us page. Keep an eye out for Britt's first review, coming soon to a blog near you! ;)
ETA: You can now find her on Twitter @freeverse2032!
PS -- If anyone who runs a blog with a co-blogger has advice on how to stay organized, please share your tips!
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 4/10/2012
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.
When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her Math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time, but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a real job.
To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.
Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyper-active Papillon puppy.
Today, we have a fun Q&A with bestselling author Julie Kagawa about her newest novel, The Immortal Rules, courtesy of Media Masters Publicity!
After writing the Iron Fey series for so many years, how difficult was it to immerse yourself in a futuristic world filled with vampires, rabids and an enslaved human race?
It was...very different. I think the hardest thing for me was the fact that this story does take place in the real world -- a futuristic, vampire-infested world, but the real world nonetheless. Things had to make sense, for example: how far can a large group walk in a single day if there were no roads, they were going through thick woods, and there were children in the group? I had to have logical reasons for everything; I couldn't just make something work "because of faery magic," lol.
Just like Meghan Chase in the Iron Fey series, the main character in The Immortal Rules, Allison Sekemoto, is a “take charge and kick butt” kind of girl. Is this intentional? What woman – real or fictional, alive or deceased – do you look up to or admire?
Yes, Allison comes from a very different world than Meghan Chase. Meghan's upbringing was pretty normal; Allison grew up among vampires and monsters, where every day was a fight to live, so she couldn't afford to be weak. While Meghan had to learn to "take charge and kick butt," Allison's first impulse is stab first, talk later.
As for female role models, the first that comes to mind--when it comes1 Comments on Q&A with Julie Kagawa (The Immortal Rules), last added: 4/10/2012Display Comments Add a Comment
By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 4/10/2012
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.
When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her Math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time, but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a real job.
To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.
Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyper-active Papillon puppy.
Today, we have a fun Q&A with bestselling author Julie Kagawa about her newest novel, The Immortal Rules, courtesy of Media Masters Publicity!
After writing the Iron Fey series for so many years, how difficult was it to immerse yourself in a futuristic world filled with vampires, rabids and an enslaved human race?
It was...very different. I think the hardest thing for me was the fact that this story does take place in the real world -- a futuristic, vampire-infested world, but the real world nonetheless. Things had to make sense, for example: how far can a large group walk in a single day if there were no roads, they were going through thick woods, and there were children in the group? I had to have logical reasons for everything; I couldn't just make something work "because of faery magic," lol.
Just like Meghan Chase in the Iron Fey series, the main character in The Immortal Rules, Allison Sekemoto, is a “take charge and kick butt” kind of girl. Is this intentional? What woman – real or fictional, alive or deceased – do you look up to or admire?
Yes, Allison comes from a very different world than Meghan Chase. Meghan's upbringing was pretty normal; Allison grew up among vampires and monsters, where every day was a fight to live, so she couldn't afford to be weak. While Meghan had to learn to "take charge and kick butt," Allison's first impulse is stab first, talk later.
As for female role models, the first that comes to mind--when it comes to kicking vampire butt, anyway -- is Buffy Summers. Thank you, Joss Whedon, for making me love feisty, snarky, heroines who can dust all sorts of nasties but who also look good in a cheerleading outfit. ;)
You mention in your acknowledgements in The Immortal Rules that at the beginning of your writing career you promised yourself you wouldn’t write a vampire book. What changed your mind?
Well, there were already so many really good books about our favorite bloodsuckers, so many stories and ideas, I thought I didn't have anything new to add to the masses. I was actually toying with a post-apocalyptic YA novel when my agent mentioned I might want to try writing a vampire series. I wasn't intrigued with the idea at first, but then I thought about combining vampires with the post-apocalyptic novel and then rest sort of fell into place.
Allison claims she hates vampires and believes they are monsters yet when faced with a choice of die or become one, she becomes a vampire. Would you have made that same decision?
Me personally? No. I'm like Zeke in the belief that there is something better waiting for me beyond this life, and I just have to do my best until it’s time for me to go. Besides, I love pizza and Mountain Dew too much to give it up.
Who do you think the most complex character is in The Immortal Rules?
Probably Kanin, Allie's sire. He's a vampire who has made his peace about being a monster, yet chooses to live by his own set of moral rules. He warns Allison about getting too close to humans, yet he does not kill unless he absolutely has to. He is tormented about something in his past that he refuses to share with anyone. He is certainly the most mysterious of all the characters, if not the most complex.
How many books will be in the Blood of Eden series? When will the next book be coming out?
At the moment, there are three books planned, with the second coming out sometime next spring, after the release of the new Iron Fey series this fall.
Before you started writing full time you were a professional dog trainer. Do the professions share any similarities?
Lol, well you have to think on your feet a lot. And some of the small dogs could be compared to tiny snapping goblins, but writing requires less dodging skills, though perhaps the same amount of creativity and problem solving.
When starting a new series, like Blood of Eden, do you have the entire series mapped out in detail or do you let the story develop book by book?
I have a high point that I write toward in each story; I know this and this has to happen, but getting from point A to point B usually develops as I go along.
And for the speed round:
What book have you read and re-read, and read yet again?
Any of the Harry Potter books.
Favorite song to play when writing a fight scene?
My "favorites" change daily. Right now its "Awake and Alive" by Skillet.
Worst job?
Working a kiosk in the mall during Christmas. It sold glass figurines, and the maneuvering space around the hundreds of very breakable merchandise was quite small. I was like a bull in a china shop.
Best vacation spot?
Walt Disney World
Sweet.
One thing most people don’t know about you – and would never guess!
I used to play the flute when I was a kid. I was really good at it too, but my instructor stopped teaching to have a family, and I never went back to it.
For more about this author, please visit:
Preorder / Add it on Goodreads
Coming April 24, 2012!
In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die or become one of the monsters.
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.
Also, don't forget to check out my review and enter to win a finished copy of The Immortal Rules!
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 4/9/2012
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Series: Blood of Eden #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Preorder: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
| In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die or become one of the monsters.
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa is a gripping blend of paranormal and post-apocalyptic horror. The outlook is bleak for the scattered humans living in the Fringe, where the spectre of starvation pales in comparison to the constant threat of thirsty vampires hidden in the shadows and their even more grisly cousins, the rabids. The rabids are a testament to Kagawa's limitless dark imagination. They are mindless killing machines with sharp claws, sharper teeth, and an unquenchable thirst for blood -- but without the sleek gentility of a normal vampire. This world is truly the stuff of nightmares.
Allison Sekemoto is a survivor, hardened by the grim realities of her daily life. She is cynical and stoic -- or at least she tries to be, but even the constant threat of impending death (or worse) can't quite keep her from seeing the good in the few remaining humans. However, Allie soon finds herself one of the creatures she despises, but rather than letting the struggle turn to angst, she carries on. Kagawa doesn't shy away from
20 Comments on Review & Giveaway: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, last added: 4/13/2012
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 4/9/2012
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Series: Blood of Eden #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Preorder: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die or become one of the monsters.
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa is a gripping blend of paranormal and post-apocalyptic horror. The outlook is bleak for the scattered humans living in the Fringe, where the spectre of starvation pales in comparison to the constant threat of thirsty vampires hidden in the shadows and their even more grisly cousins, the rabids. The rabids are a testament to Kagawa's limitless dark imagination. They are mindless killing machines with sharp claws, sharper teeth, and an unquenchable thirst for blood -- but without the sleek gentility of a normal vampire. This world is truly the stuff of nightmares.
Allison Sekemoto is a survivor, hardened by the grim realities of her daily life. She is cynical and stoic -- or at least she tries to be, but even the constant threat of impending death (or worse) can't quite keep her from seeing the good in the few remaining humans. However, Allie soon finds herself one of the creatures she despises, but rather than letting the struggle turn to angst, she carries on. Kagawa doesn't shy away from the troubling realities of vampirism, and it is fascinating to see Allie struggle with the newfound darkness in her own nature. Readers will never lose sympathy for this hungry girl who chose life over the unknown abyss of death, and resolutely faces the consequences of that fateful choice.
Allie meets quite a few characters on her journey, spanning the range of humanity -- from staggeringly naive teenagers to men more dangerous than the monsters they fear. Thankfully, Kagawa turns the clichéd setup on its head: rather than the helpless human among supernatural men, Allie is powerful, strong, and haunted by demons of her own. It is refreshing to see the heroine struggle to protect these fragile humans -- especially one innocent boy -- from herself, rather than the opposite scenario usually found in paranormal YA.
Allie can't help but be attracted to Zeke, who is almost too good to be true and the polar opposite of everything the vampires represent: hope, light, compassion and kindness. The Immortal Rules is not paranormal romance, and their relationship is tense and uncertain throughout much of the novel. However, Zeke's faith provides an excellent foil for Allie's cynicism, and the potential is there for their attraction to evolve into star-crossed love as the series progresses.
At times, though, the novel feels meandering. The narrative drive is unclear and episodic, trailing behind Allie as she aimlessly wanders through the desolate countryside. There is a great deal of exposition that will hopefully be tightened in the final version to keep up Kagawa's usual thrilling pace while still giving readers a crash course on this brave new world.
The Immortal Rules is a solid setup for a series unlike anything else on the shelves. Kagawa took this tale in directions woefully unexplored in the vampire lore that came before. I cannot wait to see how the significance of the title, hinted at in this first installment, plays out throughout this utterly unique series. Kagawa has a flair for taking staid tropes and molding them into exciting new mythologies, and The Immortal Rules won't disappoint even her most rabid fans.
Rating:
Disclosure: I received an advance galley from the publisher for an honest review.
GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Harlequin Teen and Karen at Media Masters, one (1) lucky reader will win a finished copy of The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa!
To Enter:
- Leave a thoughtful comment on this review with your email address so I can contact the winner
- US and Canada only -- prize will be shipped by the publicist
- Ends 4/17 at 11:59 pm EST
- One (1) winner will be randomly chosen
- Subscribing and tweeting/facebooking are appreciated, but not required
- Please review my giveaway policy
- Extra entries are available -- please leave your total in the comments along with relevant usernames
Extra Entries:
Come back tomorrow for a Q&A with New York Times Bestselling Author Julie Kagawa!
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 3/2/2012
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Thanks to Scholastic and as part of the Perception Blog Tour, I have one ARC of Perception (Clarity #2) by Kim Harrington to give away to one lucky reader!
When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?
Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.
Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.
But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?
One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared.
To Enter:
- Leave a comment on this post (with your email address) answering the question:
If you had psychic powers (any kind you like), how would you use them?
- +1 for commenting on my review of Clarity
- US/Canada Only
- Ends 3/9/12 at 11:59 pm EST
- Winner will be chosen via random.org
Good Luck!
Also check out the rest of the tour for a chance to win one of 3 finished copies of Perception (including a signed copy)! Every stop you comment on gives you an entry. Ends midnight on March 9th, the last day of the tour.
27 Comments on Giveaway: Perception (Clarity #2) by Kim Harrington, last added: 3/4/2012
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 3/2/2012
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Thanks to Scholastic and as part of the Perception Blog Tour, I have one ARC of Perception (Clarity #2) by Kim Harrington to give away to one lucky reader!
When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?
Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.
Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.
But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?
One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared.
To Enter:
- Leave a comment on this post (with your email address) answering the question:
If you had psychic powers (any kind you like), how would you use them?
- +1 for commenting on my review of Clarity
- US/Canada Only
- Ends 3/9/12 at 11:59 pm EST
- Winner will be chosen via random.org
Good Luck!
Also check out the rest of the tour for a chance to win one of 3 finished copies of Perception (including a signed copy)! Every stop you comment on gives you an entry. Ends midnight on March 9th, the last day of the tour.
0 Comments on Giveaway: Perception (Clarity #2) by Kim Harrington as of 1/1/1900
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 3/1/2012
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Michelle Hodkin, Title Revealed, Romance, mystery, paranormal, sequel, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, Suspense, Add a tag
Today, the always awesome Michelle Hodkin revealed the title of her highly anticipated sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer over on her blog.
Drumroll please....
THE EVOLUTION OF MARA DYER
I LOVE this title. It raises so many questions, and suggests that Mara is going to become an even more complex, strong and driven heroine. There are so many aspects of Mara that could be evolving, but I suspect the title will come to have a new and unexpected meaning once we finally get our hands on the book! I can't wait to see the cover they come up with for this one!
According to Michelle, the release date hasn't been confirmed and there's no official synopsis out there yet -- so if you see one, it's probably inaccurate. Keep an eye on Michelle's blog for more details as they're available!
If you haven't read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer yet, now is a good time to start so you'll be ready when book 2 hits shelves!
4 Comments on Mara Dyer 2 Title Revealed!, last added: 3/3/2012
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 3/1/2012
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Today, the always awesome Michelle Hodkin revealed the title of her highly anticipated sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer over on her blog.
Drumroll please....
THE EVOLUTION OF MARA DYER
I LOVE this title. It raises so many questions, and suggests that Mara is going to become an even more complex, strong and driven heroine. There are so many aspects of Mara that could be evolving, but I suspect the title will come to have a new and unexpected meaning once we finally get our hands on the book! I can't wait to see the cover they come up with for this one!
According to Michelle, the release date hasn't been confirmed and there's no official synopsis out there yet -- so if you see one, it's probably inaccurate. Keep an eye on Michelle's blog for more details as they're available!
If you haven't read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer yet, now is a good time to start so you'll be ready when book 2 hits shelves!
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 1/16/2012
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Release Date: January 24, 2012
Series: The Way We Fall #1
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Preorder: Amazon
| Barnes & NobleIt 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 Way We Fall is a grim, unflinching look at one girl’s fight for survival in an apocalytpic world. Though the journal-like narrative style seems rather simplistic at first, it ultimately proves an effective method of conveying Kaelyn’s doubts, fears, and slow loss of control over an unfathomable situation. Through the journal, readers see the secret thoughts that she hides from the rest of the world: strength tempered by insecurity, determination tempered by doubt, love tempered by loneliness. Kaelyn experiences tremendous growth over the course of the novel, and her resilience in the face of unimaginable loss is both awe-inspiring and believable. Her complexity and vulnerability make her the grounding force in a world thrown into chaos, and readers of all ages and experiences will see something of themselves in the conflicted young heroine.
Unfortunately, the rest of the characters seemed rather one-dimensional, possibly because there are so many. A large cast of characters is necessary for this kind of tale, but the losses would have hit home more profoundly if the most important secondary characters had been given more depth. They each had one defining trait that, while interesting, did not give them the roundedness afforded to Kaelyn’s character. They felt a little flat, given a backseat to the inexorable march of the disease.
Megan Crewe is unflinching in her systematic destruction of Kaelyn’s world. The novel does not begin with much setup, but launches readers straight into the downward spiral of an apocalyptic epedemic. It was a little disconcerting to be dropped headfirst into the conflict, but The Way We Fall never pauses for breath. Crewe powerfully evokes both the best and worst in people, brought out by horrific tragedy. While som
25 Comments on Review: The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe + Giveaway, last added: 1/23/2012
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 1/16/2012
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Release Date: January 24, 2012
Series: The Way We Fall #1
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Preorder: Amazon
| Barnes & NobleIt 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 Way We Fall is a grim, unflinching look at one girl’s fight for survival in an apocalytpic world. Though the journal-like narrative style seems rather simplistic at first, it ultimately proves an effective method of conveying Kaelyn’s doubts, fears, and slow loss of control over an unfathomable situation. Through the journal, readers see the secret thoughts that she hides from the rest of the world: strength tempered by insecurity, determination tempered by doubt, love tempered by loneliness. Kaelyn experiences tremendous growth over the course of the novel, and her resilience in the face of unimaginable loss is both awe-inspiring and believable. Her complexity and vulnerability make her the grounding force in a world thrown into chaos, and readers of all ages and experiences will see something of themselves in the conflicted young heroine.
Unfortunately, the rest of the characters seemed rather one-dimensional, possibly because there are so many. A large cast of characters is necessary for this kind of tale, but the losses would have hit home more profoundly if the most important secondary characters had been given more depth. They each had one defining trait that, while interesting, did not give them the roundedness afforded to Kaelyn’s character. They felt a little flat, given a backseat to the inexorable march of the disease.
Megan Crewe is unflinching in her systematic destruction of Kaelyn’s world. The novel does not begin with much setup, but launches readers straight into the downward spiral of an apocalyptic epedemic. It was a little disconcerting to be dropped headfirst into the conflict, but The Way We Fall never pauses for breath. Crewe powerfully evokes both the best and worst in people, brought out by horrific tragedy. While some handle the devastation with compassion and proaction, others become animals in a total state of nature. Readers will find themselves nervously awaiting the next heart-wrenching blow to all Kaelyn holds dear, for nothing is safe or sacred in this degenerate world.
This gripping novel leaves readers with little resolution, and I am eager to see what Crewe can salvage from the ashes of Kaelyn's annihilated world in the next installment.
Rating: 
Disclosure: I received an advance galley from the publisher for an honest review.
GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Disney-Hyperion and Big Honcho Media, one lucky winner will receive a copy of The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe plus a Minimergency Kit!
- Leave a comment on this review telling me why you're excited to read The Way We Fall. Include your email address so I can contact the winner.
- US Only -- prize will be shipped from the publisher
- Following is not required, but greatly appreciated
- Ends 01/22/12 at 11:59 pm EST
- One (1) winner will receive The Way We Fall plus a Minimergency Kit
- Please review my giveaway policy
Good luck!
0 Comments on Review: The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe + Giveaway as of 1/1/1900
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 12/31/2011
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
Over the next few days (the last of 2011) I'll be posting my top ten favorite reads of the year, in no particular order. They're not necessarily books released in 2011 -- just books that I've read in the past year. I'll be giving the synopsis and linking to my review (if it's been posted) and telling why I love these books so much. Feel free to share your own favorites -- I'm always looking for a good recommendation!
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Series: Hex Hall #2
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Buy: Amazon
| Barnes & NobleHex Hall Review
Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.
That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.
Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.
But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?
First Line:
5 Comments on Best I Read 2011: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins, last added: 1/23/2012
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 12/31/2011
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
Over the next few days (the last of 2011) I'll be posting my top ten favorite reads of the year, in no particular order. They're not necessarily books released in 2011 -- just books that I've read in the past year. I'll be giving the synopsis and linking to my review (if it's been posted) and telling why I love these books so much. Feel free to share your own favorites -- I'm always looking for a good recommendation!
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Series: Hex Hall #2
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Buy: Amazon
| Barnes & NobleHex Hall Review
Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.
That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.
Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.
But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?
First Line:
At a normal high school, having class outside on a gorgeous May day is usually pretty awesome.
Why It Was The Best: Hex Hall made last year's "Best" list, and rarely do sequels live up to the original -- but in this case, Rachel Hawkins pulled it off flawlessly. I loved Hex Hall, but Demonglass was EVEN BETTER. I didn't even know that was possible. Sophie is as hilarious and hapless as ever, the adventures are even crazier, the world more sublime and OH that romance! STEAMY. I almost spontaneously combusted at one point (you'll know it when you see it... *fans self*). This is just such a fun series and it keeps getting better. I cannot WAIT for the final book, Spell Bound, which hits shelves in March -- especially after that cliffhanger O_O
That's it for this year's Best I Read! What were the best books you read in 2011?
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 12/31/2011
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
Over the next few days (the last of 2011) I'll be posting my top ten favorite reads of the year, in no particular order. They're not necessarily books released in 2011 -- just books that I've read in the past year. I'll be giving the synopsis and linking to my review (if it's been posted) and telling why I love these books so much. Feel free to share your own favorites -- I'm always looking for a good recommendation!
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Series: Wildefire #1
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Buy: Amazon
| Barnes & NobleMY REVIEW
Every flame begins with a spark.
Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s1 Comments on Best I Read 2011: Wildefire by Karsten Knight, last added: 1/23/2012Display Comments Add a Comment
By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 12/31/2011
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
Over the next few days (the last of 2011) I'll be posting my top ten favorite reads of the year, in no particular order. They're not necessarily books released in 2011 -- just books that I've read in the past year. I'll be giving the synopsis and linking to my review (if it's been posted) and telling why I love these books so much. Feel free to share your own favorites -- I'm always looking for a good recommendation!
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Series: Wildefire #1
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Buy: Amazon
| Barnes & NobleMY REVIEW
Every flame begins with a spark.
Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.
First Line:
Ashline Wilde was a human mood ring.
Why It Was The Best: Wildefire was high-energy and fast-paced -- I didn't want to put it down. Ashline kicks butt and takes names and is completely unapologetic about it. She's fierce and strong and a little bit wild. She's confident but flawed, loving but defensive. She's everything I want in a heroine. The mythology of this book is also different and exciting -- a blend of various traditions mixed with Karsten Knight's own imagination. This is a fun, thrilling read and I can't wait for more of Ash & Co's adventures!
0 Comments on Best I Read 2011: Wildefire by Karsten Knight as of 1/1/1900
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 12/31/2011
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
Over the next few days (the last of 2011) I'll be posting my top ten favorite reads of the year, in no particular order. They're not necessarily books released in 2011 -- just books that I've read in the past year. I'll be giving the synopsis and linking to my review (if it's been posted) and telling why I love these books so much. Feel free to share your own favorites -- I'm always looking for a good recommendation!
Release Date: April 26, 2011
Series: Bumped #1
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Buy: Amazon
| Barnes & NobleMY REVIEW
When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.
Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.
Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.
When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are chan2 Comments on Best I Read 2011: Bumped by Megan McCafferty, last added: 1/23/2012Display Comments Add a Comment
By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 12/31/2011
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
Over the next few days (the last of 2011) I'll be posting my top ten favorite reads of the year, in no particular order. They're not necessarily books released in 2011 -- just books that I've read in the past year. I'll be giving the synopsis and linking to my review (if it's been posted) and telling why I love these books so much. Feel free to share your own favorites -- I'm always looking for a good recommendation!
Release Date: April 26, 2011
Series: Bumped #1
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
MY REVIEW
When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.
Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.
Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.
When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.
From New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty comes a strikingly original look at friendship, love, and sisterhood—in a future that is eerily believable.
First Line:
I'm sixteen. Pregnant. And the most important person on the planet.
Why It Was The Best: I know some people hated this book. It's really a love or hate kind of deal, no in-between. I'll admit I was a little baffled for the first few pages, but once I got into the flow of the story and saw what McCafferty was doing, I was blown away. This is satire run amok -- in the best way possible. McCafferty isn't afraid to take risks, and I think they really paid off in Bumped. It is a bold, intelligent novel. It is unflinching in its look at the dangers of our sex-obsessed, patriarchal society. It is candid and incisive and thought-provoking. Though the world initially seems very black and white, by the end the novel reveals the gray areas inherent in both extremes. I can guarantee you'll never find another book like this one.
0 Comments on Best I Read 2011: Bumped by Megan McCafferty as of 1/1/1900
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 12/31/2011
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
Over the next few days (the last of 2011) I'll be posting my top ten favorite reads of the year, in no particular order. They're not necessarily books released in 2011 -- just books that I've read in the past year. I'll be giving the synopsis and linking to my review (if it's been posted) and telling why I love these books so much. Feel free to share your own favorites -- I'm always looking for a good recommendation!
Release Date: January 4, 2011
Series: Unearthly #1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Buy: Amazon
| Barnes & NobleMY REVIEW
In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees...
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has apurpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?
Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and th2 Comments on Best I Read 2011: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, last added: 1/23/2012Display Comments Add a Comment
By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 12/31/2011
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
Over the next few days (the last of 2011) I'll be posting my top ten favorite reads of the year, in no particular order. They're not necessarily books released in 2011 -- just books that I've read in the past year. I'll be giving the synopsis and linking to my review (if it's been posted) and telling why I love these books so much. Feel free to share your own favorites -- I'm always looking for a good recommendation!
Release Date: January 4, 2011
Series: Unearthly #1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Buy: Amazon
| Barnes & NobleMY REVIEW
In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees...
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has apurpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?
Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.
First Line:
The first time, November 6 to be exact, I wake up at two a.m. with a tingling in my head like tiny fireflies dancing behind my eyes.
Why It Was The Best: In a word, Clara. She seemed so real. Like a girl you would meet on the street, or who could be your best friend. Though she's a divine being, she's also just a teenage girl. She deals with hair-dying mishaps and irritating boys and going all tongue-tied around a crush. Her road's not an easy one, and sometimes she falters, but she's got a beautiful resilience that keeps her going. Sometimes she might get fed up, but she never gets whiny or angsty. It's impossible not to fall in love with her authentic, snarky voice. Another aspect that I can't say too much about without spoilers is the romance. Cynthia Hand takes it in a surprising and wonderful direction that is much more enjoyable and believable than the usual cliche love story. Overall, despite the paranormal elements, this is the most realistic, believable cast of characters I've read in a long time.
0 Comments on Best I Read 2011: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand as of 1/1/1900
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 12/29/2011
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Janet Lee Carey is the award-winning author of eight Children's and YA novels. Her YA fantasy is critically acclaimed: "Verdict: This is quite simply fantasy at its best–original, beautiful, amazing, and deeply moving.” School Library Journal starred review. Janet links each new book with a charitable organization empowering readers to make a difference in the world. She tours in US and abroad presenting at schools, children’s book festivals, and conferences.
Photo by Heidi Pettit
Dear me at sixteen,
I’m writing to you from the year 2011 when you’re the whopping age of fifty-seven. I can still see you clearly. I still believe in your dreams. The first thing I’d like to tell you is not to worry about your mom’s second marriage. Doug will turn out to be a wonderful stepfather. I know you’re still bitter about your parents’ divorce. I can tell you now that loss ended up bringing a lot of amazing people into your life. You’re just getting to know Martha now and she’s going to encourage you to write poetry and songs. Listen to her. She knows what a joyful thing it is to create. Your world will expand beyond your wildest dreams. This year you’ll get involved with theatre, music, and the anti war movement. You’ll learn to deepen your perceptions through mediation. All good things. You’re going to be lonely for a while now you have broken up with David, but it won’t be too many years before you meet the boy you’ll end up marrying. He’ll be tall, dark, and handsome. He’ll be your best friend, a great father, and an inspiring travel companion along the ever twisting trail.
You think you’re too fat and you don’t like your body much right now. You won’t always be overweight. Eventually you will learn to love your body for the amazing soul vehicle it is. You’ve got your hopes set on creating a different kind of life than your parents had. You want to try something new and different. Go for it. The dreams of being a published author are good ones. Don’t let people talk you out of them. In future years you’ll write lots of books and get nothing but rejection. You’ll think about giving up. Don’t. Keep writing. Keep creating and sending in those manuscripts.
Finally, you have a tendency to try and do everything by yourself and never ask for help when you need it. This is going to backfire. Down the line you’ll have to learn to lean on your friends and on God a little more. Why? Because you’re going to face some things that would terrify you now if I told you what they were, but here’s the good news. You will survive. Your faith will grow. Not in spite of the difficulties but, in part, because of them. Continue to open your heart. Be generous.
Love,
By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 12/29/2011
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
Janet Lee Carey is the award-winning author of eight Children's and YA novels. Her YA fantasy is critically acclaimed: "Verdict: This is quite simply fantasy at its best–original, beautiful, amazing, and deeply moving.” School Library Journal starred review. Janet links each new book with a charitable organization empowering readers to make a difference in the world. She tours in US and abroad presenting at schools, children’s book festivals, and conferences.
Photo by Heidi Pettit
Dear me at sixteen,
I’m writing to you from the year 2011 when you’re the whopping age of fifty-seven. I can still see you clearly. I still believe in your dreams. The first thing I’d like to tell you is not to worry about your mom’s second marriage. Doug will turn out to be a wonderful stepfather. I know you’re still bitter about your parents’ divorce. I can tell you now that loss ended up bringing a lot of amazing people into your life. You’re just getting to know Martha now and she’s going to encourage you to write poetry and songs. Listen to her. She knows what a joyful thing it is to create. Your world will expand beyond your wildest dreams. This year you’ll get involved with theatre, music, and the anti war movement. You’ll learn to deepen your perceptions through mediation. All good things. You’re going to be lonely for a while now you have broken up with David, but it won’t be too many years before you meet the boy you’ll end up marrying. He’ll be tall, dark, and handsome. He’ll be your best friend, a great father, and an inspiring travel companion along the ever twisting trail.
You think you’re too fat and you don’t like your body much right now. You won’t always be overweight. Eventually you will learn to love your body for the amazing soul vehicle it is. You’ve got your hopes set on creating a different kind of life than your parents had. You want to try something new and different. Go for it. The dreams of being a published author are good ones. Don’t let people talk you out of them. In future years you’ll write lots of books and get nothing but rejection. You’ll think about giving up. Don’t. Keep writing. Keep creating and sending in those manuscripts.
Finally, you have a tendency to try and do everything by yourself and never ask for help when you need it. This is going to backfire. Down the line you’ll have to learn to lean on your friends and on God a little more. Why? Because you’re going to face some things that would terrify you now if I told you what they were, but here’s the good news. You will survive. Your faith will grow. Not in spite of the difficulties but, in part, because of them. Continue to open your heart. Be generous.
Love,
me
Coming January 5, 2012
Preorder
/ Add it on Goodreads
To Enter:
Good luck!
For more about this author, please visit:
Coming January 5, 2012
Preorder
/ Add it on GoodreadsWilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.
Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.
In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.
GIVEAWAY
One lucky winner will receive both a signed copy of Dragonswood and a signed paperback of Dragon's Keep by Janet Lee Carey!
- Leave a comment telling me one thing you would like to tell your 16-year-old self. Include your email address so I can contact the winner.
- US Only -- prize will be shipped from the publisher
- Following is not required, but greatly appreciated
- Ends 01/06/12 at 11:59 pm EST
- One (1) winner will receive both Dragonswood and Dragon's Keep
- Please review my giveaway policy
Good luck!
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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 12/29/2011
Blog: The Bookish Type (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
Over the next few days (the last of 2011) I'll be posting my top ten favorite reads of the year, in no particular order. They're not necessarily books released in 2011 -- just books that I've read in the past year. I'll be giving the synopsis and linking to my review (if it's been posted) and telling why I love these books so much. Feel free to share your own favorites -- I'm always looking for a good recommendation!
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Series: Divergent #1
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Buy: Amazon
| Barnes & NobleMY REVIEW
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those s3 Comments on Best I Read 2011: Divergent by Veronica Roth, last added: 1/23/2012Display Comments Add a Comment
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Welcome! Don't worry about using exclamation points and all caps, I think we all do it :) Can't wait to read your posts and get to know you better!
Welcome Brittany! :) And anyone that is cool enough for Casey to bring on, has to be amazing. :) Following you on twitter now too. :) (@Mellhay)
Look forward to seeing your reviews and all.
Welcome to the club, Brittany!
welcome