"Waiting On" Wednesday (#39) The Murder Complex (The Murder Complex #1) by Lindsay Cummings

“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 Murder Complex (The Murder Complex #1) by Lindsay Cummings
Expected publication: June 10th 2014 by Greenwillow / HarperCollins

From Goodreads: 
An action-packed, blood-soaked, futuristic debut thriller set in a world where the murder rate is higher than the birthrate. For fans of Moira Young's Dust Lands series, La Femme Nikita, and the movie Hanna.

Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision. The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is-although he doesn't know it-one of the MC's programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family? Action-packed, blood-soaked, and chilling, this is a dark and compelling debut novel by Lindsay Cummings.

Why I'm Waiting:
I have been following the progress of this book for a while now.  Back when the sale was first announced.  I am really looking forward to it.  It sounds so interesting and compelling.

Taking a Break

I haven't been posting as much, and I also have been terrible about returning visits in the last few weeks.  The lack of postings has been for a really good cause.  I mentioned a few times on this blog that I was anticipating a major life change.  Well the life change arrived a week ago today.

He is perfect even if my health and sanity are not.  My delivery and recovery have not gone as well as I had hoped, and I spent a week total in the hospital.  In the meantime, I need sleep more than I need to blog.  So while there are some posts that have already been written that I will try to put up here, those are few and far between, so there won't be many posts at all in the next little while.  Thanks for following my blog in the past.  I appreciate each an every one of you, and I look forward to my return.  Most likely it will be sometime around mid-march, but no promises!

Top Ten Tuesday (#36) (11/26/13)

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

 

Top Ten Things I Am Thankful For

Here are the bookish things that I am thankful for:

1. Goodreads--I know I've mentioned this before, but how did I live without Goodreads before it came about? No, it's not perfect, but I use it ALL THE TIME.

2. My local public library--Once again, I have mentioned how much I love my library before.  If you are reading this and haven't been to your library, do yourself a favor and go.  Even if you only read via ebook, there are still free ebooks to read at the library.  Get yourself a card and go!

3. The publishers--I have major issues with self-pub books.  I read them, but inevitably it can't keep up with the books released by the publishers.  I'm not saying they are all great books, and some I question how they were ever published, but by in large, great job.  Plus they are so generous to both librarians and bloggers.

4. Netgalley/Edelweiss--Really these are great services for both librarians and bloggers.  I'm glad this service exists and the publishers are so willing to work with them.  What a time saver!

5. Other bloggers--Your creativity and enthusiasm for books is just awesome.  So many of you are just awesome.


Here are the non-bookish things I am thankful for:

1. My family--Both my immediate family and my not so immediate family.  This has been a tough year and they have been awesome.

2.  My job--I have a fantastic and understanding boss that has been so supportive.  Plus I work with some great people.  I am really in the profession I was meant to be in.

3. My friends--Really what would life be without good friends to share your hopes, dreams and struggles?  Those people who are there for you when you need them the most.

4.  My neighbors--I live in a suburb in a major metropolitan city, and I seriously have the best neighbors in the world.  In a million years you would never think that this was a suburb.  It's like a fantastic small town where everyone helps and looks out for each other, and yet you have all the convenience of a big city.

5. The scientists, inventors, and researchers of technology--I know this is weird, but where would we be without these inventive creative people?  Our lives have changed so much from their work in such a short period of time.  The Internet as we know it has only existed since 1996.  Less than 20 years!  I can't wait to see what they come up with next, I just hope I can keep up!

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#38) Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

“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:
Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan
Expected publication: January 28th 2014 by HarperTeen

From Goodreads: 
The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

Why I'm Waiting:
I have a confession, I haven't read any of Sophie Jordan's other books.  This looks like the perfect series to get my start.  Plus this idea is so intriguing.  I love the idea of examining free will v. nature.

Teaser and Top Ten Tuesday (#35)

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

 

Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Non-YA Readers

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

This book was so unique, and so much fun.  I highly recommend it to everyone, no matter their age.  

Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth

I often forget the age of the main characters.  I think this book easily translates to an adult world.  I think it will make readers of all ages think.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

I actually do recommend this book to everyone.  Particularly those, ahem, "my age".  It's such an awesome book, and a trip down memory lane.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

I think this should be read by everyone.  It's so powerful and so important.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling

I don't care what age you are, Harry Potter is so engrossing and so well written it should appeal to people of all ages.

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins

Like Divergent, I think people of all ages would enjoy this book. 

If I Stay (If I Stay #1) by Gayle Forman

This one is a bit of a stretch, but I really think it's so beautifully written and powerful that everyone can appreciate it.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Like some of the others, I think the message in this book and how beautifully it's written can transcend any age.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I think this is already read by people that normally don't read YA.  At least it's been on the best seller list long enough to suggest that it has.  Either way, it's amazing and everyone should read it.

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

This is just a fun and awesome book that can appeal to anybody, particularly music lovers.  Actually most of their collaborative books could be substituted here.

Feature & Follow Friday (#30)

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read.


This week's Question:

Are there any book to movie adaptations where you think the movie is better than the book?

I can't think of a YA book where I liked the movie better.  I actually think they're all pretty bad.  So I'm going with a non-YA book.  The best example where the movie was much better than the book is:

The Natural by Bernard Malamud

I have a suspicion that most people have NOT read the book, but hopefully many of you have seen the movie. Basically, the main character in the book is a bit of a jerk the whole way through. In the movie Robert Redford does an excellent job of making you root for him and he is a very sympathetic character.

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#37) The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark #1) by Bree Despain

“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 Shadow Prince (Into the Dark #1) by Bree Despain
Expected publication: March 11th 2014 by EgmontUSA

From Goodreads: 

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds

Why I'm Waiting:
I really enjoyed The Savage Grace series by Bree Despain, so I look forward to reading this one.  It looks unique and different. 

Teaser and Top Ten Tuesday (#34) (11/12/13)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

From pg. 15

I feel like everything inside me is vibrating with energy, in anticipation of what is to come.  I am free.

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

 

Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could Redesign

They usually do fix the covers for the paperback versions of books thank goodness.  I have seen some really bad covers that leaves me with no interest in reading the book, and I have read books where I picked up the book despite of the cover.  Here are the top 10 worst covers I have seen.

 Coda (Coda #1) by Emma Trevayne

I haven't actually read this one yet, it's sitting on my shelves.  I am just so bored with it.  There is a lot I don't like about it, and nothing on the cover is compelling.

Glow (Sky Chasers #1) by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Yawn.  I don't like any of these covers for this one or the paperback.  They are just boring.

 More Than This by Patrick Ness

Another book where the cover doesn't tell me anything about the book, and has left me with no interest in reading it.  It has great reviews though, I just have o get beyond the cover. 

Social Suicide (Deadly Cool #2) by Gemma Halliday

This cover, and the cover for the first in the series suffer the big face problem.  I hate books where all you have is a giant face.

 The Testing (The Testing #1) by Joelle Charbonneau

Another horribly boring cover.  I have no interest in the book because the cover is so boring.

The Way We Fall (Fallen World #1) by Megan Crewe

 I've actually read this series, and all the covers are just blah.  There just isn't anything to them.

Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

It's the colors on this book that leaves me completely uninterested.  I hate the color combination.

Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1) by Stephanie Perkins

One of my all time favorite books, withe a terrible cover.  I love the new covers that are on the books.  There is just a ton wrong with this one.  I am embarrassed to read it in public.  

Bloodlines (Bloodlines #1) by Richelle Mead

Both the Bloodline series and the VA series have some seriously aweful covers.  I dislike them all.  It may have something to do with the big face issue I have.

Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1) by Jennifer Estep

Another series that I love where the covers suck.  This is actually the best of the bunch.  The rest are just horrible.  It makes me sad, because you could do so many awesome things with these covers.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 11/11/13

This weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of Book Journeys and the kidlit version is hosted by Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee from Unleashing Readers. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week.

I have been terrible about my reading.  We are talking like 20 pages a day.  I usually can get in about 100 pages a day, but these last few weeks have been disastrous.  It will only get worse after this week.  Eeks.

Finished Reading:

Confessions: The Private School Murders (Confessions #2) by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

 

Currently Reading:

Descendant (Starling #2) by Lesley Livingston

 

What I'm Reading Next:

Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

I've heard such mixed things about this book.  I'm a little scared.

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#36) To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

“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:
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
Expected publication: April 22, 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

From Goodreads: 

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

Why I'm Waiting:
I love a good contemporary book, and this one looks fabulous.  Plus it's by Jenny Han, who I kind of adore.  If you haven't read the Summer books, you should go ahead and catch up.  Meanwhile, I'll be over here waiting for this book to be released!