Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #4

 This is a weekly meme where you post the blurb and cover of an eagerly anticipated book--hosted by Breaking the Spine

 "Two years ago, Brenna did the unthinkable. She witnessed the aftermath of a murder and accused her only true friend—the first boy she ever loved—of being a killer.

Now sixteen, Brenna returns to Oklahoma only to discover that Isaac “White Bird” Henry isn’t in juvie. The half-breed outcast is in a mental hospital, frozen in time, locked in his mind at the worst moment of his life. And when Brenna touches him, she’s pulled into his hellish vision quest, seeing terrifying demons and illusions she doesn’t understand.

Feeling isolated and alone, she’s up against the whole town, targeted by bullying former classmates, a bigoted small town sheriff, and a tribe who refuses to help one of their own. But when Brenna realizes she’s as trapped by the past as White Bird is, this time she won’t turn her back on him. She’s the only one who can free them both.

Even if she has to expose her secret—a “gift” she’s kept hidden her whole life."

My Book Boyfriend: Tucker Avery

 My Book Boyfriend is hosted every week by Missie at the Unread Reader--- pick a swoon-worthy literary guy and tell us a little about him! Check out the intro post here

After recently finishing Hallowed by Cynthia Hand, I felt like I practically owed it to the series to do a book boyfriend.... most likely two because, let's face it, both boys were quite lovable. 
This week, my book boyfriend is Tucker Avery

  • Human (i feel compelled to say this since the book's about angels)
  • very witty
  • cowboy-ish but a total gentlemen
  • has a horse named Midas, who he's been taking care of since Midas was a foal
  • just. so. darned. lovable.
"Behold, Tucker Avery," she says to me, gesturing up at him.
Her brother resembles her in nearly every way: same hazy blue eyes, same tan, same golden brown hair, except his hair is short and spiky and he's a foot taller.  He is definitely part of the cowboy group, although toned down from some of the others, wearing a simple grey tee, jeans and cowboy boots.  Also hot, but in a completely different way from Christian, less refined, more tan and muscle and a hint of stubble along his jaw.  He looks likes he's been working under the sun his whole life.
“Tucker," I say. "I'm so glad you're still here."
I throw myself into his arms. He hugs me tightly.
"I couldn't leave," he says.
"I know."
"I mean, literally. I don't have a ride.”  


“What do you see in a guy like Christian Prescott?" he asked me that night when he dropped me off from prom. And what he was really saying then, what would have come through loud and clear if I hadn't been so blind was,
why don't you see me?"

“I'm looking at you. Why are you always trying to hide how pretty you are?”

I love how he sometimes gets embarrassed by the mushy stuff between us and his voice gets all gruff and he tickles me or kisses me to shut us both up.
Tucker strokes my hair. There's something so tender about the gesture. It might as well have been him whispering I love you.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Quote of the Day

 
No one says a novel has to be one thing. It can be anything it wants to be, a vaudeville show, the six o’clock news, the mumblings of wild men saddled by demons.
 
-Ishmael Reed

Review: Saving June

Saving June
by Hannah Harrington
Published May 1st 2011 by Harlequin Teen

‘If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California.

Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanor and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.

-goodreads

Rating: 5/5 stars
Review:
Oh. My goodness.
To say that I loved this book would be a gross understatement. Argh! I can't even formulate into words just how much I fell in love with this book!

Have you ever had a book where, once you realize you're close to finishing, you actually dread the actual act of reading the last page?
 Yeah, that's me with regards to this book! I loved it so much I wished it would never end! Like one of those soap operas that go on forever. I really wouldn't mind that.
And THIS was me when I actually did finish...
(Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration--I actually didn't have any ice cream--but i was rather devastated)

This book was just so darn good! Great! Amazing! Fantastical!
I know that the premise of Saving June sounds quite depressing what with the dead sister and everything-- which, by the way, what is with all the dead sisters in YA lately?!--but really, there's is a lot of interspersed humor in this book, making it not a downright depressing read. This book is about death and suicide, but more than that it's about how people recover from that. To say that Saving June is an emotional roller coaster does not due the experience of reading it justice.

Harper Scott is officially my new favorite literary character.
She is full of imperfections. She's got a bad attitude at times, she's snarky and sarcastic, insecure because she feels like she can't measure up to her sister, isn't exactly coping well with said sister's death, and has a hard time feeling emotions. Absolutely cynical.

And that's why I adore her. She is clearly flawed, but so, so real. She is all those things I said above, but she's also incredibly strong and fiercely loyal and caring to people important to her. Plus, there's just something really honest about her narration--she really tells it like it is, no holds barred. (And personally, I loved the sarcasm and snark.)

Laney and Jake. God, I loved both of them so much as well! Give me a BFF like Laney, and I'll be set for life! She is truly the best friend that all girls wish they could have. She is so supportive and loving towards Harper throughout this whole ordeal, despite her own fair share of problems! And Jake? Heck yeah I would road trip with him! All the characters, really, are just so well-rounded and three-dimensional and real, like they could just jump off the pages! They each have their own issues, which you don't see at first, but then you get to know them and before you know it, you are just completely in love with all three of them.

And the ROMANCE! Good God, the romance.
I. Loved. Every. Moment.
I've also discovered that I actually really like those love-hate type of relationships--you know the ones, where the boy and girl bicker and argue constantly, always challenging each other and getting on each others' nerves. But then of course, they're only falling deeper and deeper in love with each argument ; ) 
Anyways, that pretty much describes Jake and Harper---but I think what I loved most was that there was not instalove! Thank you, Hannah Harrington! I honestly cannot stand that sort of instant boy-and-girl-lock-eyes-and-girl-becomes-obsessed/infatuated-because-of-an-indescribable-connection-and-the-boy-is-extremely-attractive sort of thing. Jake and Harper's relationship was natural, if not slightly uncommon, and the buildup was just great! Oh Jake. I am seriously swooning here...  

I enjoy YA novels of all kind (thought, admittedly much more if there's romance...) but it's YA novels like this that are my absolute favorite. Books that deal with tough contemporary themes--stuff like drugs and alcohol and death and messed up things that have happened, which may shock some readers--books that just really grip you and refuse to let go. I can't really explain them, but I just love novels like these. (Ex: Jellicoe Road)

And plus, this is a road trip novel. I mean, really, can it get any better?!

Subliminal Message: READ THIS BOOK. READ THIS BOOK. READ THIS BOOK. READ THIS BOOK. READ THIS BOOK.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

My Book Boyfriend: Jake Tolan

MBB is hosted every Wednesday over at the Unread Reader. It's a super fun meme where you pick a literary boy you're currently crushing on and give his stats, some quotes, and pictures of what he looks like to you. For more info, check out the introduction post here.

Aaaah! This week, I am so crushing on Jake Tolan from Saving June (which, by the way, is an absolutely AMAZING book.... just y'know... in case you were wondering... :)

Jake Tolan
  • okay, technically his name is Jacob, but most people call him Jake (though there is one person who calls him Jay)
  • is 18
  • has messy brown hair that sticks out in all directions-- but the kind that makes bedhead look attractive
  •  has piercing green eyes
  • sometimes wears a fedora!
  • is obsessed with music. Really. 
  • believes that music can see you through anything
  • can be sarcastic and frustrating
  • has a black van named Joplin
  • smokes..... but I mean... no one's perfect...
"Wow," I say. "you are truly obsessed."
"Yeah, I kinda am," he agrees, grinning. "Without Music, life would be a mistake

"And that's what good music does. It speaks to you. It changes you." Jake leans in toward me a little closer, voice softening. "What I'm trying to say is, it's just nice, I guess, knowing that someone else can put into words what I feel. That there are people who have seen through things worse than I have, and they came out on the other side okay. Not only that, but they made some kind of twisted, fucked-up sense of the completely senseless. They made it mean something. These songs tell me I'm not alone. If you look at it that way, music... music can see you through anything."

I look at him for too long after that, and wonder why, exactly, Jake has to keep doing this--has to keep having these moments of saying or doing exactly the right thing, throwing my perception of him all off-kilter. Moments like these make me want more from him than I have ever wanted from any guy--or even just another person, period. 

It scares me, makes me itch to either run away screaming or push him up against the nearest tree and kiss him until I can't breathe. 


"Have you ever played me that Clapton song?" I whisper.
...
Jake stirs behind me. "no, I don't think so."
"How does it go?"

He moves so his mouth is right under my ear, brushing the skin there, and one of his hands slides up, resting on my rib cage. My whole body tingles as he starts to sing softly into my ear. I'm not facing him, my eyes are closed, but I can imagine the look on his face. I listen to the words, and I have that feeling again, the same one I had right before I started sobbing in the grass. A tidal wave of emotion rises inside of me.

 

    Waiting on Wednesday #3

    This is a weekly meme where you post the blurb and cover of an eagerly anticipated book--hosted by Breaking the Spine

    Perception
    by Kim Harrington 

    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.


     What books are YOU waiting for?

    Tuesday, February 21, 2012

    Top Ten Tuesday: Books I would save if my house were abducted by ALIENS!

    Hosted over at The Broke and Bookish, this tuesday's challenge is to make a list of those books that you just have to save if somehow your house was about to be destroyed or.... abducted by aliens!

    Mine would be (in no particular order...)

    1. My Baby Album -- not really sure if that really counts, but oh well! I freaking love looking over baby pictures so this is a definite must have!

    2. The Hunger Games -- I'd save the whole series if I had the whole series, but as it is, I only have book one. I have fallen far too much in love with the Hunger Games to just abandon it to the aliens!

    3. Sarah Dessen books! I have just about every one she's ever published! I adore her books-- wonderful characters and stories and covers! I'm not gonna lie--cover love is a big part of it.

    4. Harry Potter series-- practically speaking, saving all these books would probably really weigh me down, but I don't really care because these books are practically the classics of my generation! Years of childhood right there!

    5. Jellicoe Road--- this is a GIVEN! Please, if I could, oh I don't know, marry this book, I totally would! It is fabulous! No way am I letting the aliens get it.

    6. Saving June-- aaaah~ this is like my new favorite book! I am just so in love with all the characters and the whole storyline! This is a must-save

    7.  Shatter Me--- that writing is just way too beautiful to not save!

    8. Death by Bikini (+ Death by Latte + Death by Denim) One of my favorite mystery series ever! Plus induces some middle-school nostalgia

    9. Percy Jackson books--- Oh. My gods and goddesses. The Lightning Thief has been one of the best school-reads I've ever read! I have been obsessed ever since

    10. Rebecca (by Daphne du Maurier)--- I read this the summer before 9th grade so it's quite nostalgic as well--- but also seriously one of the best suspense novels I've ever read.

    Sunday, February 19, 2012

    Review: Sweetly

    Sweetly (Fairytale Retellings #2)
    by Jackson Pearce

    Published August 23rd 2011 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

    SWEETLY is a modernization of Hansel and Gretel and a companion book to SISTERS RED.

    Twelve years ago, Gretchen, her twin sister, and her brother went looking for a witch in the forest. They found something. Maybe it was a witch, maybe a monster, they aren’t sure—they were running too fast to tell. Either way, Gretchen’s twin sister was never seen again.

    Years later, after being thrown out of their house, Gretchen and Ansel find themselves in Live Oak, South Carolina, a place on the verge of becoming a ghost town. They move in with Sophia Kelly, a young and beautiful chocolatier owner who opens not only her home, but her heart to Gretchen and Ansel.


    Yet the witch isn’t gone—it’s here, lurking in the forests of Live Oak, preying on Live Oak girls every year after Sophia Kelly’s infamous chocolate festival. But Gretchen is determined to stop running from witches in the forest, and start fighting back. Alongside Samuel Reynolds, a boy as quick with a gun as he is a sarcastic remark, Gretchen digs deeper into the mystery of not only what the witch is, but how it chooses its victims. Yet the further she investigates, the more she finds herself wondering who the real monster is, and if love can be as deadly as it is beautiful.

    -goodreads

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5
    Review:
    I freaking love fairytale retellings, and I must say, Jackson Pearce has done great job with this retelling! I loved it! I enjoyed Sisters Red, but it's got nothing on this book.

    I love how Pearce takes these nice little fairy tales that we all know and love from our childhood and then adds her own little dark spin on it. It makes for quite an addicting read, that's for sure. If you're expecting some light, fluffy innocent read, then think again because this book is intense. It's got  characters who have experienced some seriously messed up problems, action, and mystery--boy does it have mystery! I was up reading into the wee hours of the night trying to figure out just what the "truth" was.

    I can definitely see how this is a companion book to Sisters Red. You don't have to read one right before the other, but they both happen in the same world and deal with fenris. Pearce's spin on the witch in the story was really creative and totally unexpected.

    As for the characters in this book, I really enjoyed the motley gang, especially Gretchen. She starts out as a scared girl, but seeing her evolution through the book into someone so strong and fearless was awesome. I really enjoyed how despite all the fairytale elements in the book and in Gretchen's life, she was still very real and relateable! 

    This book combines so many elements that I want in a good read; a little bit of fantasy, some fairytale elements, great characters, suspense (trust me, it's got a lot of that!), and romance. Okay, maybe I wouldn't mind if there was a little more romance... but that's just me. Regardless it was still a great read.

    And, OH! That cover! Is anyone else experiencing some serious cover love? I am in love with the whimsical/semi-creepy look! I think I might like it even more than I do the cover of Sisters Red


    Bottom Line: You should read this book. And believe me, this book will leave you wanting more retellings from Jackson Pearce. I really hope she decides to write another one!
     

    Bookishness

    aaah! I want a book house!

    What kind of reader are YOU?

    how cool is this? :D

    (for a bigger pic, click here)

    Friday, February 17, 2012

    Review: Hallowed


    Hallowed (Unearthly #2)
    by Cynthia Hand
    Published January 17th 2012 by HarperTeen

    For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn't prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought. 

    Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

     -goodreads blurb



    Rating: 4.5/5
    Review:
      Why Cynthia Hand? Why?! Why must you write such a heart-wrenching novel???
    The Unearthly series has been, by far, the best angel series I've ever read. I loved the first book, and, despite all the horrible sadness this sequel invoked, I loved it too.

    In this follow-up to Unearthly, Clara finds out that someone close to her is about to die. Needless to say, this book was an emotional roller coaster---one that the author handled incredibly well, in my opinion. The whole ordeal was realistic and heartbreaking and emotional and...argh! I can't even begin to describe the fantastic way this book was written.

    And, good God, the characters! Aaaaah! I loved them! Every single one of them! (even if Jeffrey did kinda break my heart a little in this book...) All multi-layered and complex and flawed and real and... just plain wonderful!

    Clara is one of my all-time favorite main characters--she is funny and kind and flawed in very relateable way! And she is so emotionally strong! Even with all the crap she faces in this book, she still manages to come out strong! She definitely matured a lot in Hallowed.

    And then there's Tucker and Christian.
    YOU GUYS. I have never encountered such a well-written love-triangle before. Ever! I personally loved Tucker from book 1.... but this one is seriously making me reconsider... This book is more Christian-oriented than the first and I must admit, I really like him now too! This is the first time where I truly cannot decide which boy I like better! It takes a seriously skilled author to make you switch teams without making either boy do something incredibly stupid/annoying. Of course, that talent makes some parts of this book all the more heartbreaking....

    This book definitely threw some curve balls along the way and left me wanting MOOOOOORE! Honestly, with the way this book ended, I cannot wait to get the 3rd one! Which, of course is probably coming out in like a bajillion years!

    Bottom Line: read this book. If you haven't started the series, then get Unearthly first because oh. My goodness. This series is freaking amazing! Seriously, I finished this entire book in less than a day! Yeah. It's that good.

    Thursday, February 16, 2012

    Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

    The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
    by Michelle Hodkin
    Published September 27th 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

    Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

    It can.

    She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

    There is.
    She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

    She's wrong. 

    -goodreads.com 





     

    Rating: 5/5
    Review:
    THAT is me after reading this book. My Mind. Was blown. Holy cheese on rye, was this book amazing! This book had everything I could ever ask for in a YA mystery (supernatural?) romance! I literally did a double take after finishing the last page in a wait--what?--excuse me?! kind of way.

     I actually can't think of a single bad thing I have to say about this novel. I really liked the storyline, I adored Mara and her angst and snarkiness(or maybe because of her angst and snarkiness--totally relateable and likeable) and I fell utterly in love with Noah, who was mysterious and complicated, and reckless, and just incredibly swoon-worthy. And... heck I fell in love with all the characters.... except Anna who is the epitome of the high-school she-devil. All the characters in this book were so well crafted and just plain likeable! I was incredibly envious of Mara and wished I could've had brothers like Daniel and Joseph! One of the best sibling dynamics I've seen in a long time.   

    Michelle Hodkin has crafted a mystery that I am dying to know the secret of! The whole book, you are full of questions Just what the heck happened? What, exactly, is Mara?  (which for me the mystery of her powers was incredibly refreshing--my mind kept thinking: What is she?! Witch? Werewolf? Vampire?! Please don't tell me she's a vampire....) But the minute you get slightly close to having one answer, Hodkin thickens the plot and you are left baffled! Again! It is frustrating. Thrilling. Creepy. Addictive. Amazing. Give me the sequel already goshdarnit! 


    (and for more reasons to fall in love with this book, check out my book boyfriend on Noah Shaw)

    Wednesday, February 15, 2012

    My Book Boyfriend: John After


    MBB is hosted over at the Unread Reader--- check out her intro post here

    This week, I find myself rather unable to forget about John After from Jennifer Echol's Going Too Far-- but not really like in an "oh-my-gosh-I-am-so-in-love-with-this-book-boy" but more like, "man-he-is-such-a-unique-character-that-I-just-cannot-get-him-out-of-my-head kind of way....

    Anyways...
    John is described as
    • having blond hair
    • incredibly deep brown eyes
    • being "built like Matt Damon" despite the fact that he's only 19 years old

    "John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he  sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge--and over..."  (from the back cover)

    "He burst from the bathroom. At least, you would think he had, the way I jumped back from the drawing. 
    While he stepped into clean boots, I crossed to the dresser like nothing had happened, uncapped a bottle of cologne, and sniffed. That wasn't it. I picked up another. That wasn't it, either. If his scent of cologne was really laundry detergent or deodorant or even aftershave, I would be disappointed. 
    He reached past me for the last bottle and handed it to me. "It's this one."
    I unscrewed the top and wet my finger with cologne. I half thought he would kick me out of his apartment, never to return, not even at 6:01 A.M. Thursday, for what I did next. I did it anyway. I reached up to touch his neck. Sliding my hand past his dark collar, I rubbed my finger across his collarbone.
    He looked down at me and put his big, warm hand over my hand."

    "He laughed into the phone. "No, the lady would not happen to have blue hair. Her hair is indigo. Cyan."
    "Violet," I mouthed.
    He reached behind my head and ran his fingers down the purple strands in the back. He stroked absently while he finished talking on the phone, as if setting my blood on fire were the most natural thing in the world." 

    Waiting on Wednesday #2

    Hosted by Breaking the Spine, WoW is where you can post about books you are eagerly anticipating!

    If you live in the dark long enough, you begin to forget the light…

    KORI DANIELS is a shadow-walker, able to travel instantly from one shadow to another. After weeks of confinement for betraying her boss, she’s ready to break free of the Tower syndicate for good. But Jake Tower has one final job for Kori, one chance to secure freedom for herself and her sister, Kenley, even if that means taking it from someone else…

    The job? Recruit Ian Holt—or kill him.

    Ian’s ability to manipulate the dark has drawn interest from every syndicate in the world, most notably an invitation from Jake Tower. Though he has no interest in organized crime, Ian accepts the invite, because he’s on a mission of his own. Ian has come to kill Tower’s top Binder: Kori’s little sister.

    Amid the tangle of lies, an unexpected thread of truth connecting Ian and Kori comes to light. But with opposing goals, they’ll have to choose between love and liberty….


    -goodreads blurb

    Tuesday, February 14, 2012

    Top Ten Tuesday: Way to Break My Heart

    Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the The Broke and Bookish -- for those of us who just absolutely love lists! Going for a little V-day twist, this week's list is about the books that break our hearts.



    Love the series.... hate all the depressing stuff at the end.....
    Finnick Odair. Need I say more?










    This book really is not a sad book per se....but my goodness some parts really made me tear up!










    As a die-hard Team Will fan, the ending of this book crushed me....









    What isn't sad about this book?!










     For a little while, I hope there would be a happy ending to make up for all the horror and sadness.DO NOT do that. If you do, the ending will crush you.










    Why Lauren Oliver? WHY?! Why couldn't this story have a happy ending?!











    Really? Really?! Amanda Howells, how dare you kill off such a beloved character?!










    I LOVED this series.... until Libba Bray killed off you-know-who. Doing something like that should be banned! I dare you to not tear up in the last scene.








    This book really wasn't that sad.... but the parts about Ptolemy absolutely killed me!










    This book was just an all-around emotional roller coaster.












    Monday, February 13, 2012

    Valentine's Day Picks


    Hex Hall ---no valentine? That's okay, this book will have you guffawing.











    Delirium-- "They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness.
    The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don’t." Absolutely beautiful!








     
    Anna and the French Kiss -- "oldie" but goodie :) Etienne St. Clair will put any real valentine to shame

     
    Can You Keep a Secret? 
    absolutely hilarious!









     

     Rebecca
    One of the best mystery books I've ever read--plus there's some romance!









     

    Death by Bikini  
    super funny and suspenseful, with characters you'll fall in love with. 
    Warning: this series may be highly addictive








     Shatter Me
     Beautiful writing and beautiful story


















    Clockwork Prince
     Will Herondale. 'Nuff said.
















    What are you reading this Valentine's day?

    Thursday, February 9, 2012

    Waiting on Wednesday #1

    Waiting On Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine to post about books that you absolutely need to have your hands on. NOW.

    Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

    Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?


    -goodreads


    YOU GUYS. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I need this book! I must have more Sophie and Archer!

    Quote of the Day


    "A bookshelf is as particular to its owner as are his or her clothes; a personality is stamped on a library just as a shoe is shaped by the foot."

    -playwright Alan Bennett

    Wednesday, February 8, 2012

    My Book Boyfriend: Kenji

    MBB is a meme hosted every Wednesday by Missie over at the Unread Reader----more info/intro post here

    This week my literary crush is one of the boys from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. NO--it is not Adam. Strangely, or maybe not so strangely, I found myself feeling rather giddy for none other than Kenji.

    Kenji is pretty much the comical relief in the book--mildly inappropriately flirtatious at times, but super hilarious. Plus he has this great air of confidence about himself (some might call it arrogance or cockiness) which is pretty darn awesome.

    "I'm not interested."
    "Kenji turns to face me. "Well I'm not sure I blame you. I look like hell right now. But I clean up okay. He attempts a grin. "Give me a couple days. You might change your mind--"

    "I'm still not interested," I remind him, an edge to my voice.
    "Yes, but let's not forget that this"--he motions to his battered face--"is not permanent."
    "Well, I'm permanently uninterested."
    ...
    "I don't think you should decide until the swelling goes down," Kenji continues matter-of-factly. "It's only fair. I have a pretty spectacular face."



    "We're
    all too young to have to deal with this shit." Kenji is breathing hard. Don't fool yourself, bro. No one should have to see what we've seen. No one should have to wake up in the morning and find dead bodies in their living room, but shit happens. We deal with it, and we find a way to survive. You're not the only one with problems"

    I nod. "You look better."
    He cracks a grin. Stretches. Leans against the wall, arms crossed at his chest, legs crossed at the ankles. "This must be difficult for you."
    "Excuse me?"
    "Looking at my face. Realizing I was right. Realizing you made the wrong decision." He shrugs. "I understand. I'm not a proud man, you know. I'd be willing to forgive you."
    I gape at him, unsure whether to laugh or throw something. "Don't make me touch you."


     

    Wednesday, February 1, 2012

    My Book Boyfriend: Noah Shaw


    My Book Boyfriend is a addictably fun meme hosted by Missie over at The Unread Reader--read her introduction post here.

    This week, I am totally swooning for Noah Shaw from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.



     <---  This is me. Yup, he is THAT amazing.
    Oh Noah, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
    • we-ll you are pretty darn attractive-- constantly messy  brown "bed hair", grey eyes, usually sporting a 5 o'clock shadow
    • he defends a girl's honor
    • perceived as a playboy at first who utilizes a lot of sexual innuendo
    • BUT he is really super sweet as you get to know him more--plus he has a soft spot for animals!
    • likes to help people
    • and (oh geez, I know this sounds cheesy but....) he has layers! Like and onion! But in a totally good, lovable way of course.
    • he is also quite mysterious for much of the book
    • OH, and did I mention that he has a british accent?!


    “You want me as much as I want you. And all I want is you."
    My tongue warred with my mind. "Today," I whispered.
    Noah stood slowly, his body skimming mine as he rose. "Today. Tonight. Tomorrow. Forever.”

    Mara: “Did I just see you litter?"
    Noah: "I'm driving a hybrid. It cancels out.”
     


    “You're the girl who called me an asshole the first time we spoke. The girl who tried to pay for lunch even after you learned I have more money than God. You're the girl who risked her ass to save a dying dog, who makes my chest ache whether you're wearing green silk or ripped jeans. You're the girl that I--" Noah stopped, then took a step closer to me. "You are my girl.”
     
    “You're supposed to say, 'All I want is your happiness. I'll do whatever it takes, even if it means being without you.'"
    "Sorry," Noah said. "I'm just not that big of a person.”


    In my rush, I hadn't tied my shoelaces. Noah was now tying them for me.
    He looked up at me through his dark fringe of lashes and smiled. The expression on his face melted me completely. I knew I had the goofiest grin plastered on my lips, and didn't care.
    "There," he said as he finished tying the laces on my left shoe. "Now you won't fall."
    Too late.




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