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"Waiting On" Wednesday (#71) Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

12/31/2014

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

This week I'm picking:

Every Last Word by
Expected publication: June 16th 2015 by Disney-Hyperion

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18515835-every-last-word?from_search=true


From Goodreads: 

If you could read my mind, you wouldn’t be smiling.

Samantha McCallister looks just like the rest of the popular girls in her junior class. But hidden beneath the straightened hair and expertly applied makeup is a secret that her friends would never understand: Sam has Purely-Obsessional OCD and is consumed by a stream of dark thoughts and worries that she can’t turn off.

Second-guessing every move, thought, and word makes daily life a struggle, and it doesn’t help that her lifelong friends will turn toxic at the first sign of a wrong outfit, wrong lunch, or wrong crush. Yet Sam knows she’d be truly crazy to leave the protection of the most popular girls in school. So when Sam meets Caroline, she has to keep her new friend with a refreshing sense of humor and no style a secret, right up there with Sam’s weekly visits to her psychiatrist.

Caroline introduces Sam to Poet’s Corner, a hidden room and a tight-knit group of misfits who have been ignored by the school at large. Sam is drawn to them immediately, especially a guitar-playing guy with a talent for verse, and starts to discover a whole new side of herself. Slowly, she begins to feel more “normal” than she ever has as part of the popular crowd . . . until she finds a new reason to question her sanity and all she holds dear.


Why I'm Waiting:

This sounds awesome.  I've been burned by books about the "popular" girl who decides it's not worth it, but I have high hopes for this one. I didn't read the author's previous series, but I heard nothing but good things about it.


"Waiting On" Wednesday (#70) The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

12/24/2014

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

This week I'm picking:

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by
Expected publication: June 2nd 2015 by Simon Pulse

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23309653-the-summer-of-chasing-mermaids


From Goodreads: 

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them.


 
Why I'm Waiting:

I've really enjoyed Sara Ockler's previous books, and this one looks like it will be just as good.  What I really like is that her books go beyond the typical romance, and are just a lot deeper.  This one looks to be the same, and I can't wait to read it.




Top Ten Tuesday (#74) (12/23/14) Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing This Year

12/23/2014


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing This Year


This is actually really hard for me, because as I have mentioned before, I have so many books I can't fit them on all the bookshelves I currently have in my house. They are (neatly) stacked in bags, boxes, and crates.  My basement is flooded with books, and every time I go to a conference, my husband just groans because he knows that means more books in the house.  That being said, here are the books I wouldn't mind adding to my collection, ideally in ebook form.



I missed out on the ARC at ALA this past summer, and missed out on the finished copy at NCTE this year.  I feel like I am destined not to have a copy of this book.  Although looking at the reviews, I don't know that I'm missing much.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18053135-ignite-me

I've already read this, but I just need to add the hardcover to my collection to have the matching set.  I may pick up a copy along the way somewhere, but as of right now, there is a hole where this book should live.


Same reason as Ignite Me.  It would mean I have a matching set, although this cover does not match the other books I have.



Another ARC I missed out on at ALA.  I was busy with going to sessions, and I just didn't have time to stand in the long lines. I didn't read her last series, so I swore I was going to read this one, no such luck so far.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11387507-graffiti-moon



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17375024-my-faire-lady?ac=1

This book looked adorable, and yet I never saw much about it.  I somehow never got a copy, and would love to read it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16151178-the-sea-of-tranquility?ac=1

Another of those books that I don't own that looks amazing.  For some reason I never got around to getting a copy of this, even though it has awesome reviews.


I've been wanting to read this one, maybe if I owned it, I would actually get around to reading it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12842134-just-one-year?ac=1

I didn't love this book.  It wasn't what I wanted it to be, but I can still appreciate the beautiful writing, and the well developed characters.  I own everything that Gayle Forman has written, so I need to add this one to my collection.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5203369-you-are-here

One of the few Jennifer E. Smith books I don't own or haven't read.  I'm sure I'll pick up a copy of this at some point, I just don't know when.




"Waiting On" Wednesday (#69) Pretending to Be Erica by Michelle Painchaud

12/17/2014

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

This week I'm picking:

Pretending to Be Erica by
Expected publication: July 21st 2015 by Viking Juvenile

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23281811-pretending-to-be-erica?from_search=true


From Goodreads: 

We Were Liars meets Heist Society in a riveting debut!

Seventeen-year-old Violet’s entire life has revolved around one thing: becoming Erica Silverman, an heiress kidnapped at age five and never seen again. Violet’s father, the best con man in Las Vegas, has a plan, chilling in its very specific precision. Violet shares a blood type with Erica; soon, thanks to surgery and blackmail, she has the same face, body, and DNA. She knows every detail of the Silvermans’ lives, as well as the PTSD she will have to fake around them. And then, when the time is right, she “reappears”—Erica Silverman, brought home by some kind of miracle. But she is also Violet, and she has a job: Stay long enough to steal the Silverman Painting, an Old Master legendary in the Vegas crime world. Walking a razor’s edge, calculating every decision, not sure sometimes who she is or what she is doing it for, Violet is an unforgettable heroine, and Pretending to be Erica is a killer debut.



Why I'm Waiting:

This book looks to combine so many things I love.  A debut novel and a con artist book being the top two.  Plus I love the cover of this.  It makes me want to grab it and start reading.




Top Ten Tuesday (#73) (12/16/14) Top Ten Books I Read In 2014

12/16/2014


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
 

Top Ten Books I Read In 2014


Making this list is why I am glad I stay fairly organized with my Goodreads list of books I've read so far this year.  I haven't been as diligent about it this year as I have been in the past, but I can say with confidence that these are the ten best books I've read this year.  I also have a couple more weeks of reading, so by time the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, this list might be different.  In the meantime, here is my list so far.  These are IN ORDER.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17428880-when-i-was-the-greatest

I have mentioned this one a few times on this blog, and with good reason. It immediately went to top of my list when I read it, and nothing knocked it off.  It's not a perfect book, and it may not be for everyone, but more than anything I appreciate how well the characters were developed.  Months later, the characters are still fresh in my mind.  I don't know if it's because I live in such an urban area that the book resonated so much with me, but the whole thing was truly memorable.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9627755-isla-and-the-happily-ever-after

We may have had to wait, for what felt like forever, to finally get this book, but it was totally worth it.  Anna still remains my favorite, but this is a close second.  I just loved reading Isla and Josh's story, and of course catching up with old friends from the first two books was just a little added bonus.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1629601.The_Disreputable_History_of_Frankie_Landau_Banks

I had been meaning to read this book for what seemed like FOREVER.  I absolutely adored E. Lockhard's Ruby Oliver series, and I had heard nothing but good things about this book.  I finally got to it this year, and I understand what all the fuss was. It was so well written and multifaceted. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13626692-evertrue




https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1118668.The_Book_Thief

As I mentioned last week, I felt like I was one of the few people in America who hadn't read this book. I'm so glad I finally got to it.  I did put it down for a while and then pick it back up, but it was so well written and so memorable that I am glad I finished. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18053135-ignite-me

Another series that I finished and loved.  This is one of the few series that I though actually got better as it went along.  It's been a while since I read it, and just putting this on my list is making me want to go back and reread it.  I happened to be on the team of the guy she ends up picking, so maybe that is why I liked it so much.


The ending on this was a killer, but even with the open ending (before she decided to write a sequel), I still absolutely loved it.  Looking at this list, I am a sucker for memorable characters, and this book is no exception.  I just loved all the characters in this book and though the book as a whole was incredibly well written.


This hasn't been released yet, but it still managed to make the list of the best books I've read in 2014.  Make no mistake, this is not a ground breaking book, however, it was the perfect book at the perfect time for me. As soon as I finished it, I may have gone back and reread it two or three times.  If you are looking for a quick, adorable, and sweet contemporary romance, I suggest this one.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9833184-the-fiery-heart

I read both this one and Silver Shadow this year, and this one gets the edge.  I just adore this series, and this book was one of my favorites of the series. I think it was because of how much interaction there was between Adrian and Sydney, plus I love how much Adrian grows in this book. 


I had high hopes for this book, and it didn't disappoint.  I though the characters were compelling and the story line was compelling.  If you enjoy contemporary romances, that have an additional layer, I highly suggest this book. This is another that I want to reread at some point.



It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 12/15/14

12/15/2014


This weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and the kidlit version is hosted by Jen from Teach Mentor Texts. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week.

I wish all weeks were like this last one.  Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker were such easy reads, that I was able to fly right through them. 

Finished Reading:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20522640-mortal-heart https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9888775-catching-jordan https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12551077-stealing-parker
Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassin #3) by
Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks) by !!! This has been on my TBR list for FOREVER, and I finally read it!
Stealing Parker (Hundred Oaks) by

Currently Reading:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18719296-the-paris-mysteries?ac=1
The Paris Mysteries (Confessions #3) by

I don't know why I do this to myself.  Next time "James Patterson" writes something, I will JUST SAY NO.

What I'm Reading Next:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13360957-pointe?ac=1
Pointe by

I started reading this months ago, I am determined to finish it by the end of the year.



"Waiting On" Wednesday (#68) Conviction by Kelly Loy Gilbert

12/10/2014

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

This week I'm picking:
Conviction by
Expected publication: May 19th 2015 by Disney-Hyperion

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23197519-conviction


From Goodreads: 

Ten years ago, God gave Braden a sign, a promise that his family wouldn't fall apart the way he feared.

But Braden got it wrong: his older brother, Trey, has been estranged from the family for almost as long, and his father, Mart, the only parent Braden has ever known, has been accused of murder. The fate of Mart, a well-known Christian radio host whose arrest has sparked national media attention, lies in Braden's hands; he is the key witness in his father's upcoming trial.

Braden has always measured himself through baseball. He is the star pitcher in his small town of Ornette, and his ninety-four mile per hour pitch already has minor league scouts buzzing in his junior year. Now the rules of the sport that has always been Braden's saving grace are blurred in ways he never realized, and the prospect of playing against Alex Reyes, the nephew of the police officer his father is accused of killing, is haunting his every pitch.

Braden faces an impossible choice, one that will define him for the rest of his life, in this brutally honest debut novel about family, faith, and unconditional love. Sometimes there is no right answer, and confronting that truth requires a courage that Braden must seek deep inside himself.



Why I'm Waiting:

I love a promising debut novel, and this one look like it will be beautiful.  This is not my typical read, but it looks like it will be a wonderful story.


Top Ten Tuesday (#72) (12/09/14) Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2014

12/09/2014


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

 Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2014


This one is hard because I got way behind on my reading this past year.  I read less then half of what I read in 2013,  and I'm blaming the baby.  Here are the new to me authors that I did read.



https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1229281.Jason_Reynolds https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17428880-when-i-was-the-greatest

Love, Love, Loved this book.  The picture is after I read the book and totally fan-girled him at ALA last summer.  Not only is the book amazing, but he's pretty great too.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6456912.Heather_Demetrios https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15789443-something-real

I was unsure about reading this book at first, but it turned out to be so much better than I expected.  I thought it was engaging and thoughtful. 


https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/125253.Stasia_Ward_Kehoe https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17987215-the-sound-of-letting-go

I don't read much books written in verse, but I should probably read more of them, because those that I have read are beautiful.  This one is no exception. 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11466.Markus_Zusak https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1118668.The_Book_Thief

Took me FOREVER to read this book.  I really felt like I was one of the only people in America who hadn't read it.  It was pretty amazing.


https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4086715.Kendare_Blake https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13246736-antigoddess

Another author I am ashamed I hadn't read before this year.  I've been meaning to read Anna Dressed in Blood for forever, and I will get to it eventually, but in the meantime, I really enjoyed this one.



https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6553850.Emery_Lord https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17978160-open-road-summer

I loved this book, it was so beautifully written. The characters and the story were so memorable. I look forward to reading so many more books from her in the future.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6925957.Mary_Elizabeth_Summer https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17341550-trust-me-i-m-lying

A nice twist on the genre, it was well written and kept me entertained.  I found the characters to be likable, and the author is pretty unafraid of angering readers by tossing in an unexpected twist, so I actually find that to be refreshing.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6549281.Bethany_Neal https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18465608-my-last-kiss

This one was very reminiscent of Before I Fall, but it had a interesting difference.  I thought it was really well done.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5749310.Bethany_Hagen https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17350916-landry-park

Yes it's another dystopian, but I found it to be a good twist on it. I look forward to the next book to see how the story plays out.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4254441.Cat_Patrick https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17190935-just-like-fate

Another author where I'm a little late to the party.  I found this book to be really well done, and made me think.