"Waiting On" Wednesday (#117) The Graces by Laure Eve

“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 Graces by Laure Eve
Expected publication: September 6th 2016 by Amulet Books

From Goodreads: 

When a glamorous family of teenage witches brings a mysterious new girl into their fold, they unwittingly nurture a powerful black magic that could destroy them all. This paranormal YA fantasy features intrigue, spells, and a devastating twist. In The Graces, the first rule of witchcraft states that if you want something badly enough, you can get it . . . no matter who has to pay.

Everyone loves the Graces. Fenrin, Thalia, and Summer Grace are captivating, wealthy, and glamorous. They’ve managed to cast a spell over not just their high school but also their entire town—and they’re rumored to have powerful connections all over the world. If you’re not in love with one of them, you want to be them. Especially River: the loner, new girl at school. She’s different from her peers, who both revere and fear the Grace family. She wants to be a Grace more than anything. And what the Graces don’t know is that River’s presence in town is no accident.

This fabulously addictive fantasy combines sophisticated and haunting prose with a gut-punching twist that readers will be dying to discuss. Perfect for fans of We Were Liars as well as nostalgic classics like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the 1996 movie The Craft, The Graces marks the beginning of a new wave of teen witches.

Why I'm Waiting:

This is not my usual type of read, but this description looks fantastic.  I do indulge in the occasional paranormal, and this looks like the perfect indulgence to me.

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#116) Lucy and Linh by Alice Pung

“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:

Lucy and Linh by Alice Pung
Expected publication: September 6th 2016 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

From Goodreads: 

Gilmore Girls meets Fresh Off the Boat in this witty novel about navigating life in private school while remaining true to yourself.

Lucy is a bit of a pushover, but she’s ambitious and smart, and she has just received the opportunity of a lifetime: a scholarship to a prestigious school, and a ticket out of her broken-down suburb. Though she’s worried she will stick out like badly cut bangs among the razor-straight students, she is soon welcomed into the Cabinet, the supremely popular trio who wield influence over classmates and teachers alike.

Linh is blunt, strong-willed, and fearless—everything Lucy once loved about herself. She is also Lucy’s last solid link to her life before private school, but she is growing tired of being eclipsed by the glamour of the Cabinet.

As Lucy floats further away from the world she once knew, her connection to Linh—and to her old life—threatens to snap. Sharp and honest, Alice Pung’s novel examines what it means to grow into the person you want to be without leaving yourself behind.

Why I'm Waiting:

I love books that are set in boarding schools.  I always wanted to go to a boarding school but was brutally denied. In books I am able to vicariously imagine what it would have been like.  Separate from that, this looks like an interesting take on how to reinvent yourself but still stay the same person.

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#115) Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

“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:

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
Expected publication: August 30th 2016 by Delacorte Press

From Goodreads: 

For fans of Girl, Interrupted, Thirteen Reasons Why, and All the Bright Places comes Kathleen Glasgow’s debut novel about a girl who has lost everything—almost even herself.

    Charlotte Davis is in pieces. At seventeen she’s already lost more than most people lose in a lifetime. But she’s learned how to forget. The thick glass of a mason jar cuts deep, and the pain washes away the sorrow until there is nothing but calm. You don’t have to think about your father and the river. Your best friend, who is gone forever. Or your mother, who has nothing left to give you.
   Every new scar hardens Charlie’s heart just a little more, yet it still hurts so much. It hurts enough to not care anymore, which is sometimes what has to happen before you can find your way back from the edge.
  A deeply moving portrait of a teenage girl on the verge of losing herself and the journey she must take to survive in her own skin, Kathleen Glasgow’s debut is heartbreakingly real and unflinchingly honest. It’s a story you won’t be able to look away from.

Why I'm Waiting:

This book looks heartbreaking.  I do love a contemporary book that makes me think. Plus it from a debut author, so that always has appeal.

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#114) Outward Blonde by Trish Cook

“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:

Outward Blonde by Trish Cook
Expected publication: June 21st 2016 by Adaptive Books

From Goodreads: 

Sixteen-year-old Lizzie Finkelstein is a hard-partying socialite who lives a charmed life with her mother in Manhattan. After a public drunken sexual escapade results in both an arrest and an embarrassing viral video online, Lizzie’s parents stage a late night intervention. Lizzie finds herself whisked away to Utah to learn a lesson or two about taking responsibility at Camp Smiley, a wilderness survival program for troubled kids.

Camp Smiley is a far cry from Lizzie’s high society life in New York. Without her stable of luxury hair/makeup items, her teacup Pomeranian, contact with the outside world or access to social media, Lizzie must face the harsh conditions of the outdoors. Grouped with troubled campers in which she’s certain she has nothing in common (except Jack, who’s pretty hot), Lizzie must now learn to dig her own toilet in the woods and build a fire by rubbing two sticks together before the camp will ever let her go back to her former existence. She has a choice: get with the program, or get out of there.

Why I'm Waiting:

I am really curious about the publisher, and this seems like a book I would enjoy so I am hoping to give them a chance with this book. Adaptive books is a new venture that is taking old movie scripts and purposing them for other media, books being one of those mediums.  I am really curious to see how this works.

Top Ten Tuesday (#127) (03/22/16) Ten Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven't Talked About Enough

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

 

Ten Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven't Talked About Enough

I'm pretty vocal about my love of certain books/authors, such as my love of Sarah Dessen and Jason Reynolds. I will also go on and on about my love of some of the best books I've read in any given year.  However, there are some books that I have featured on some lists, but I just don't end up on these lists over and over.  Here are some of those books:

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

I rate books as soon as I finish them. I always like to put down my first impression, before I let time or other outside influences affect how I feel about a book. I rarely go back and change my star rating on Goodreads.  The downside of that is that sometimes I over rate books and within a few months of reading a book that I've rated pretty high, I can't remember a darned thing about it.  Then there are those that I rate well and just stick with me where I can't get them out of my head and I probably should have rated them higher.  This was definitely one that should have been rated higher.  It was a story that hasn't left me since the moment I read it years ago.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

I know I've mentioned my love of E. Lockhart books in the past, but I've generally focused on the Ruby Oliver books. This one is pretty amazing though. I read it and never really mentioned it again, but I love it. 

Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

This book is hardly going to win any awards, but it's so adorable, sweet, cute, and innocent that it's stuck with me for years.  This is not great literature by any means, but it's readable and it made me happy. 

 Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

I know I've mentioned my love for Jennifer Echols a lot, but I don't know if I've focused much on this book, which is one of my favorites by her. This is another book where I read it and just couldn't get it out of my mind, so I read it several more times.  I haven't read it in a while, but I still remember the story very well and it remains one of my favorites. 

Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo

I know I've mentioned this book a few times, but it's not one I go on about very much.  It's also not very highly rated on Goodreads, which kind of makes me sad. I read it years ago, and it just kind of touched me. It will always remain on my list of books where I would love to peek in on the characters ten years later.
 

 Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian

This is most likely the book I have talked about the most on this blog. Probably because it doesn't seem to get a lot of love or likes on Goodreads.  It actually has a pretty low rating which makes me sad. I'm thinking there was a lot of DNFs because the main character is pretty awful. It still remains one of my all time favorite books because of the really though provoking discussion on female sexuality.

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Another book that I've mentioned a few times, but it's often hard to find lists where I can fit this book. I check ebooks out from the library a lot, and this book was one of the few that as soon as I finished reading it, I went out and bought it.  Something about this book worked for me, and it remained one of my favorites.

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

I used to mention this book more, but it's been a while.  I'll Give You the Sun gets much more love, and deservedly so, but this book is equally as beautiful and memorable.  I  read it years ago and the beauty in the writing and the story have stuck with me.

The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne

This is a relatively new book so I think that may be why I haven't included it on many lists or mentioned it much on this blog, but it easily made my Top 10 from last year list. As I mentioned in that post, there are so many books that get politics wrong, and this one just got it SO right. 

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

This book really just touched me. It was so well written and while it also made my Top 10 from last year, I don't know that I've mentioned it in any of my other posts.  If you like contemporary fiction, I highly recommend this book.

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#113) Diplomatic Immunity by Brodi Ashton

“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:

Diplomatic Immunity by Brodi Ashton
Expected publication: September 6th 2016 by Balzer + Bray

From Goodreads: 

Aspiring reporter Piper Baird decides to write a scathing exposé on the overprivileged students at an elite Washington, DC, school, only for her life to change when she begins to fall for the story's main subject, in this new realistic contemporary romance from Brodi Ashton, the author of the Everneath trilogy.

Raucous parties, privileged attitudes, underage drinking, and diplomatic immunity...it’s all part of student life on Embassy Row.

Piper Baird has always dreamed of becoming a journalist. So when she scores a scholarship to exclusive Chiswick Academy in Washington, DC, she knows it’s her big opportunity. Chiswick offers the country’s most competitive prize for teen journalists—the Bennington scholarship—and winning will ensure her acceptance to one of the best schools in the country.

Piper isn’t at Chiswick for two days before she witnesses the intense competition in the journalism program—and the extreme privilege of the young and wealthy elite who attend her school. And Piper knows access to these untouchable students just might give her the edge she’ll need to blow the lid off life at the school in a scathing and unforgettable exposé worthy of the Bennington.

The key to the whole story lies with Rafael Amador, the son of the Spanish ambassador—and the boy at the center of the most explosive secrets and scandals on Embassy Row. Rafael is big trouble—and when he drops into her bedroom window one night, asking for help, it’s Piper’s chance to get the full scoop. But as they spend time together, Piper discovers that despite his dark streak, Rafael is smart, kind, funny, and gorgeous—and she might have real feelings for him. How can she break the story of a lifetime if it could destroy the boy she just might love?

Why I'm Waiting:

As a D.C. resident, I love reading books that are set in DC. A lot of them get it right, but so many get it wrong. I loved Brodi Ashton's Everneath series, so I have really high hopes for this book.

Top Ten Tuesday (#126) (03/15/16) Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR

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

 

Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR

When putting this list together, I realized that we never did a winter TBR which kind of makes me sad.  These are some of my favorite types of lists.  As always I am limiting this list to books that are published between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.  So those released between March 20th and June 19th.

Summer of Sloane by Erin L. Schneider

Expected publication: May 3rd 2016 by Disney-Hyperion

I love Hawaii. I had heard some great things and always thought it would be overrated, until I went. I've actually been there twice and each time was just awesome. Between the book taking place in Hawaii and the fact that it reminds me of one of my favorite books from long ago, I can't wait to read this book.

The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian

Expected publication: April 26th 2016 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

I've read pretty much everything Siobhan Vivian has written, so this book easily ends up on this list.  I love the description of this book, and it looks like it will be an awesome romance.

The Crown (The Selection #5) by Kiera Cass

Expected publication: May 3rd 2016 by HarperTeen  

Is this the last one? Please? I thought I was done with this series, but then another book came out, and then this one.  I have such a love hate relationship with this series that I just need it to be over. Even so, here it is on my spring TBR list.

The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court #1) by Richelle Mead

Expected publication: April 5th 2016 by Razorbill 

I didn't read her last YA book, but I kind I want to give this book a chance. It seems like it will be pretty outside my comfort zone, but it's Richelle Mead, so it makes this list of books I plan to read this spring.

Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

Expected publication: May 10th 2016 by Dial Books  

I think John Corey Whaley is an amazing author, so I am expecting good things for this book. His books are often so funny and yet so touching, they make you have all the feels, and I hoping for the same from this story.

When We Collided by Emery Lord

Expected publication: April 5th 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

 Emery Lord is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She has been writing some tremendous contemporary romance. At this point, any book she writes is going to end up on my must read list.

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows

Expected publication: June 7th 2016 by HarperTeen

Confession, I'm not a big historical fiction fan, which is strange because I was a history major and I use to inhale historical romances. I still have a soft spot for Johanna Lindsey. That being said, this book is way out of my comfort zone, but I love these authors, so I am really looking forward to this book.

Lady Renegades (Rebel Belle #3) by Rachel Hawkins

Expected publication: April 5th 2016 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

I am eagerly awaiting the conclusion to this fun series.  Rachel Hawkins is one of my favorite authors, so I am trusting that she will wrap this series up right.

 The Inside of Out by Jenn Marie Thorne

 Expected publication: May 31st 2016 by Dial Books

Another book that looks to be a bit outside my comfort zone.  Jenn Marie Thorne published on of my favorite books from last year, and I can't wait to see if this book is just as good.

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Expected publication: May 3rd 2016 by Simon & Schuster

Whenever I get sad that Sarah Dessen only publishes a book every other year, I console myself that on those year Morgan Matson will have a book out to tide me over. She is a great contemporary writer, and I always look forward to what she puts out.

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#112) My Unscripted Life by Lauren Morrill

“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:

My Unscripted Life by Lauren Morrill
Expected publication: October 11th 2016 by Delacorte Press

From Goodreads: 

Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Smith and Huntley Fitzpatrick, you'll love this funny and sweet contemporary romance about a Southern girl ready for a ho-hum summer until she meets the boy of her dreams who happens to be an international pop star.Sometimes love stories go off script.

Another sultry Georgia summer is about to get a lot hotter. Dee Wilkie is still licking her wounds after getting rejected by the precollege fine arts program of her dreams. But if she’d gone away, she wouldn’t have been around to say yes to an unbelievable opportunity: working on the set of a movie filming in her small Southern town that just happens to be starring Milo Ritter, the famous pop star Dee (along with the rest of the world) has had a crush since eighth grade.

It’s not like Dee will be sharing any screen time with Milo—she’s just a lowly PA. And Milo is so disappointingly rude that Dee is eager to stay far away from him. Except after a few chance meetings, she begins to wonder if just maybe there’s a reason for his offensive attitude, and if there’s more to Milo than his good looks and above-it-all Hollywood pedigree. Can a relationship with a guy like Milo ever work out for a girl like Dee? Never say never. . . .

Why I'm Waiting:

I am such a sucker for this type of book. Contemporary romance is my favorite, and a celebrity dating a normal is like a bat signal to me. I am very much looking forward to this book.

Top Ten Tuesday (#122) (02/16/16) Top 10 songs I wish that were books

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

 

Top 10 songs I wish that were books

I love the story behind songs, I will spend long periods of time reading lyrics, and trying to understand what the artist is trying to convey through their song. It took me a while to realize it, but that is why I never could truly appreciate world music, non-vocal jazz, or any other music that doesn't contain lyrics. I love letting my mind create the story through the lyrics.  All that being said, here are my top ten songs that I would love to see become books.  Some of these could already be applied to some of the books I've read, but not completely. 


1. Hotel California by The Eagles

I am currently way into The Eagles after watching the documentary that was done a few years ago. Over the years there has been such discussion about this classic song, but I'm not quite sure there has ever been a book that reflects the story that is told in the song. That being said, I always think of The Shining when I hear this song, don't know why. I can see a book with a lot of YA angst in a story based on this song.

2. Jersey Girl by Bruce Springsteen

It was hard just picking one Bruce Springsteen song, since he is one of my all time favorite musicians.  But I just love the sweet story that is told in this song. There would have to be some minor changes to make it a YA story, but I could totally see a book written about a young teen mother who is trying to get through life and still have a life and romance of her own.

3. All I Want is You by U2

For this song, I see a story about a girl (or boy) who wants to give or promise everything to the boy she's with and then just coming to terms that all he really wants is her, and for her to be herself.  Classic YA.

4. Red Rag Top by Tim McGraw

Age the characters down and you have a YA story about a young girl who gets pregnant and the ramifications of choosing to end the pregnancy.

5. Mr. Brightside by The Killers

This song is all about insane jealousy. It was really written when one of the members of the band saw his girlfriend cheating on him, but I love the idea that the narrator is just stewing in jealousy and hurt and imagining all of the things that their love is doing with another person.  There have most likely been books that follow this same idea, but I would love some more.

6. Fight Song by Rachel Patten

A song that is all about learning to stand up for yourself.  Another classic YA type book that has been done, but maybe bring in some of the other elements to the song.  The main character is a good girl who keeps all her feelings in, and then one day she just lets loose. This is a Sarah Dessen book in the making.

7. Girl Crush by Little Big Town

Another song that deals with jealousy in the worst way. For this book I imagine a little bit of Single White Female mixed into the story that the song is trying to tell.  There is no happy ending in this song, so I would be curious to see how an author would end the book.

8. Play It Again by Luke Bryan

Another song that would lead to a perfect YA contemporary book. I see a romantic comedy in here.  I actually see a book that Jennifer Echols should write. One that I would eat up and read about 1000x.

9. Stacy's Mom by Fountains of Wayne

There have been a lot of YA books that deal with girls that have a crush on the older guy.  Sometimes the adult acts on this attention, and sometimes not.  I have never seen a YA book where it's the teenage boy who has the crush on the older woman.  This book would be great told from either the teenage boy's side, or the daughter's side where the boy she likes so much won't commit, and it turns out it's because he's into her mom.

10. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

I almost didn't include this one because it could really be the theme song to any YA dystopian story.  Even so, I would love to see a book based on this song.

Top Ten Tuesday (#121) (01/19/16) Top Ten Books I've Recently Added To My TBR

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

 

Top Ten Fifteen Books I've Recently Added To My TBR (The best of ALA Mid-Winter)

This list is supposed to be books that I recently added to my TBR list/pile. Just an FYI, I differentiate between a pile and a list. My pile is the books I have either physically or electronically.  Those that are on my list I may or may not have.  So this list is strictly those that have been added to my pile, most likely they were added to my list a while ago.

Since I got back from ALA last week and all my books recently arrived, and there were a lot more than 15, these are the books I'm most excited to read that I picked up at ALA, I just couldn't limit myself to only listing the ten I'm most excited to read, so I had to extend it.  I am actually proud of myself, I really made an effort to limit the number of books I picked up, and for the most part I was pretty successful in keeping to my goal.  Here are my 10.

When We Collided by Emery Lord

Expected publication: April 5th 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

I made a point to go to Bloomsbury to get this book.  Emery Lord is one of my favorite YA authors, so I made sure I had a copy of this book. On a separate note, I brought four books back with me in my suitcase because I wanted to make sure there was no way I was losing it.  This was one of the four.

Remembrance (The Mediator #7) by Meg Cabot

Expected publication: February 2nd 2016 by William Morrow 

The second book that ended up in my suitcase, I was walking and I saw someone with a finished copy of this book.  Needless to say I booked it to the Harper Collins booth to pick up my own copy.  I can't wait to read the continuation of this series.

Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard

Expected publication: February 9th 2016 by HarperTeen 

I may, or may not have positioned myself at the door nearest to Harper Collins so I could beeline right to their booth to get this book. I would have been devastated if they hadn't put this out the first day, because I lost out on other books I really wanted since I was in session and wasn't around when they set them out. Lucky for me, they had a nice big stack of them. This one also ended up in my suitcase.

Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

Expected publication: May 10th 2016 by Dial Books

There are so many things I love about going to ALA. From getting fired up from a professional aspect, networking with my colleagues, to meeting authors, and to situations that are similar to this one.  I had NO idea that Penguin had picked up the rights to this book.  John Corey Whaley's first two books were published by Simon and Schuster, and I would have been looking to them for his new book. I quickly found out that this book is from Penguin. They had a scheduled passing out of this title, and I may or may not have been one of the first five in line to pick up my copy.

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

Expected publication: March 22nd 2016 by Dial Books 

 The final book that in put my suitcase, I am so excited I got a copy of this book.  Her books are just so twisty and interesting, and I can't read to read this one.

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows

Expected publication: June 7th 2016 by HarperTeen

I don't have a good excuse for not putting this book into my suitcase other than by time I got a copy I was pretty brain dead. I adore these authors, so I'm hoping this book will live up to all my expectations.

Beware That Girl by Teresa Toten

Expected publication: May 31st 2016 by Delacorte Press

I used to read a ton of mysteries, but I don't read nearly as many anymore. This one looks awesome though. It's set in NYC which I love (see next week's TTT), and it's set in a private school which is another thing I love.

Everland by Wendy Spinale

Expected publication: May 10th 2016 by Scholastic Press

I do enjoy a good retelling, and this looks like it could turn the Peter Pan story on it's head. I can't wait to see how this come together.

Firstlife (Everlife #1) by Gena Showalter

Expected publication: February 23rd 2016 by Harlequin Teen

This is so not my normal read, however, I adored Showalter's last YA series, so I am looking forward to reading this book. I don't think I've ever read anything like it, so wish me luck!

The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions) by Amy Spalding

Expected publication: April 5th 2016 by Poppy

I love a good romantic contemporary that won't tax my brain. This looks like it will be perfect to fulfill that need.

Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies by Lindsay Ribar

Expected publication: June 7th 2016 by Kathy Dawson Books 

The publisher gave me quite the scoop on this book and it sounds bizzare yet awesome.  I really enjoyed Ribar's first series, so I am looking forward to getting to this book.

Shuffle, Repeat by Jen Klein

Expected publication: May 3rd 2016 by Random House Books for Young Readers

I've been burned by books that claim that they are part this or that and if you are a fan of this, you'll love this book. But the tag on Goodreads on this book combine everything I love. That's all I need to know to make this book one that I can't wait to dig into.

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

Expected publication: May 3rd 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin

This looks like it will be an awesome fantasy. I don't read much fantasy, when it's done right, I adore it. I hope this book lives up to my expectations.

Summer of Sloane by Erin L. Schneider

Expected publication: May 3rd 2016 by Disney-Hyperion

I'm going to age myself a bit, but one of my favorite books from way back was a book called Follow That Boy. I read the heck out of it, maybe 30+ times. The reason I bring this up is that the book takes place in Hawaii, and while this book looks to be quite different, there is something about the description that makes me think of that old favorite. Therefore, I am really excited to read this book.

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Expected publication: April 12th 2016 by Simon Pulse

It take place in Italy. Nothing else needs to be said. I am a sucker for books that take place in certain locations, and Italy is one of them.