February Book Wrap Up!

Books Pledged to Read in 2014: 150 Books

Am I On Track: Nope, medications 6 books behind. Trying to get out of this ridiculous reading slump.

Books Read So Far: 18

Total Books For February: 9

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (re-read)

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Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (For School)

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Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar

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How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez (For School)

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Cress by Marissa Meyer 

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Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton (I was trying to catch up…)

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Inside Divergent 

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Winger by Andrew Smith (re-read)

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Unforgotten by Jessica Brody

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How did you guys do this month? What was your favorite, sale least favorite of the month? Did you discover someone new or reread some old favorites? Share in the comments!

Book of the Week-Unforgotten

I’m hoping that this is the book that is going to bring me out of the nonstop reading slump I’ve been in since the second week of January. I would have read this all in one night but I got sleepy, purchase and then busy with school and such. But I powered through it in about a day and a half, drug with lovely responsibilities in between and I’m so proud of myself haha. After it took me two weeks to read Cress (which I LOVED), I was feeling down on myself as a reader!

Leave it to Jessica Brody to bring me back with a bang!

Here’s this week’s Book of the Week!

Unforgotten by Jessica Brody 

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GoodReads / Barnes and Noble Amazon / Book Depository

Genre:

Young Adult, Science Fiction

Part of a Series?:

The middle novel to Jessica Brody’s Unremembered Trilogy

You May Like if You Liked:

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Age Recommendation:

13+

Plot Summary:

From GoodReads:

After a daring escape from the scientists at Diotech who created her, Seraphina believes she is finally safe from the horrors of her past. But new threats await Sera and her boyfriend, Zen, at every turn as Zen falls prey to a mysterious illness and Sera’s extraordinary abilities make it more and more difficult to stay hidden. Meanwhile, Diotech has developed a dangerous new weapon designed to apprehend her. A weapon that even Sera will be powerless to stop. Her only hope of saving Zen’s life and defeating the company that made her is a secret buried deep within her mind. A secret that Diotech will kill to protect. And it won’t stay forgotten for long.

Packed with mystery, suspense, and romance, this riveting second installment of Jessica Brody’s Unremembered trilogy delivers more heart-pounding action as loyalties are tested, love becomes a weapon, and no one’s memories are safe.

My Review: 

Please note that while this review will not have spoilers for Unforgotten, it will for Unremembered. You can read my review for Unremembered here

Woohoo! This book is finally out guys! I read Unremembered right after WonderCon last year, which was in very early April. Nearly a year ago. And immediately after reading Unremembered, I thought, ‘WHAT? What kind of cliffhanger is that?’

And I think that’s what made me so happy about this book. There is no fuss and bother. It jumps right into the story. While Sera explains plot points from the first book, to remind of those details that we may have forgotten since our last read, she goes face first into the story. We are immediately in 1609, with Zen and Sera, hiding and trying to have some semblance of normalcy in their life.

What I love even more about this novel is that after the build up of the world that we get in Unremembered, we get action and uncertainty, lots of kissing and so much adventure in this novel. We are literally hurled into this novel. Sera and Zen are immediately in the story. There’s no build up. That was the purpose of the first book and Jessica did that well. But now that we have the story, now it’s time to question everything and to go on a whirlwind chase to find out the truth and for Sera to find out if she can ever just have a normal life. There is a ton of action and a TON of time traveling, hem, excuse me, transession, and I love that. Sometimes I have a hard time keeping up which time period I’m in or where I am in the world while reading but I like that. Sera’s world is turned upside down and all around, and the book makes you feel that with her.

I was very excited about the reappearance of a character I never thought we’d see again: Cody. I won’t go much into his part in the novel because, well, spoilers, but let’s just say if you’re a Cody fan like I most definitely am, you’re going to love his part in the novel. I was squealing with excitement every time the name “Cody” appeared on the page.

I was also pleasantly surprised at how much I really liked the new character. When…”they” made their first appearance, I was immediately in dislike mode but they honestly grew on me to the point that I am eager to see what happens to them. I am not sure how I feel about them, I’m so conflicted! I feel like its an incredibly real and compelling character and they immediately became a favorite for me. I can’t say much more than that because its so incredibly spoiler filled and you guys know I try my very hardest to keep my reviews spoiler free. But if you go into this book and meet this new character, and you’re unsure, give them a chance. They just might surprise you.

I’m incredibly impressed with this novel and I love how you can see Jessica’s confidence in her ability to write science fiction just double in this novel. The first one was very good, and this one is great. She really brings it all together, and creates this crazy, beautiful, sci-fi story, full of action and romance and humor and fun. And she leaves me wanting to have the third novel in my hands, like, days ago. Seriously. Is this a possibility? How can I possibly wait to see what happens next…

The Last Word

I decided not to do “Ratings” or “Recommends” anymore. I felt it didn’t quite do the review justice. Instead I’ll be doing the last word, which basically wraps up everything I say above if you’re too lazy to read all of the above. This will tell you either to buy the book, borrow the book or to just stay away.

For Unforgotten, its a definite buy. I mean, if you’ve read Unremembered, I can’t imagine that there’s a single bone in that reader body of yours that isn’t dying to get your hands on this sequel. But if there is some buyer’s doubt, rest easy now, and get out to the bookstore and buy this book. Its action packed, but it also creates a beautiful internal battle for Sera, for so many things, and the decision she makes in the end leaves me panting for the third book.

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I hope you enjoyed this week’s Book of the Week!

Check back next week for more!

And go out and read some Jessica Brody!

Lindsay Cummings “Balance Keepers” Book Cover Reveal!

Okay, ambulance this is absolutely late in the day, but I finally managed to get this up and I’m proud of myself for that. I was working quite late last night and didn’t check my email until I woke up this morning and discovered that there was an epic cover reveal for a favorite author of mine (and she hasn’t even been published officially yet!), Lindsay Cummings.

Lindsay is a brand new, debut author, with TWO novels being released this year. First you have her novel, The Murder Complex, coming out this summer. Its a YA dystopian and I’ve already read it and I absolutely loved it. I’ve been waiting to post my review once it gets a bit closer to release time so you’ll all remember to go preorder it and add it to GoodReads. In fact, go add it to GoodReads right now, click this link!

Now, she also has a MIDDLE grade novel by the name of Balance Keepers: The Fires of Caldron coming out this fall. I’m very excited about this one as well, so check out the blurb on it:

After following a mysterious map into the woods and then under the woods, eleven-year-old Albert Flynn learns he’s a Balance Keeper—someone with special magical skills for fixing problems in three underground Realms at the Core of the earth. His new job is important; if the realms fall out of balance, the world above could be in great danger.

Albert and his Balance Keeper teammates Birdie and Leroy arrive in the Core not a moment too soon. There’s an Imbalance in the Calderon Realm and it’s threatening to bury Albert’s hometown of New York City in a mountain of ash.

The three must train hard completing mental and physical challenges, but above all, they must harness the power of their Tiles—unique superpowers given to each Balance Keeper. So far, Albert’s mastered the art of not mastering his Tile….

With the situation in Calderon growing worse every day, can Albert, Leroy, and Birdie restore balance before New York is destroyed forever? Will Albert master his Tile before it’s too late?

Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, The Unwanteds, and the classic Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Doesn’t that sound SO super fun? I think it does!

You can add it on GoodReads, or preorder it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

You ready to see the cover? I’m sure you are!

Here it is:

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What do you think? I LOVE it. Its so adventurous looking and I think its really going to grab kids’ attentions. I’ve got a LOT of faith in Lindsay, she’s such a talented writer and a fun person to get to know (even if it is over the interwebs) and I can’t wait to support her through her publishing journey this year.

Don’t forget to follow Lindsay on her blog (linked above), and her Twitter and Instagram, and to add those books to your GoodReads list!

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Fictional Crush of the Week-Tobias ‘Four’ Eaton from the Divergent Series

Character Name:

Tobias “Four” Eaton

Though I call him Four. I can’t call him Tobias because it reminds me of Tobias Funke from Arrested Development and as much as I love David Cross…no…just, healing no.

DIVERGENT

Book or Series They Appear In:

The Divergent Trilogy

Divergent, buy information pills Insurgent, store Allegiant

Author/Creator:

Veronica Roth

Played By: 

Theo James

Who They Are:

Tobias “Four” Eaton is the main character counterpart to the main character, Tris Prior, and also her love interest turned boyfriend. When Tris makes the switch from Abnegation to Dauntless, Four is the head of Dauntless training. He’s a mystery to her, but he’s a great teacher and she finds herself intrigued by him. As time goes on, we learn that Four is in fact a boy named Tobias Eaton, a transfer from Abnegation, the son of a well known leader named Marcus. He transfers to Dauntless to escape the emotional, mental and physical abuse that he endures every day. Eventually, he opens himself up to Tris, and shows her the reason behind his name (Four), showing her the four fears in his life. They eventually fall in love and become a couple, though their relationship is constantly going through turmoil as they break apart the world that surrounds them.

Why I Am Crushing On Them: 

There is something about Four that stands out right away. Its obvious that he is brave, strong and resilient and possibly dangerous too but there’s also a softness and a gentleness…a calmness to him. From the very beginning, you’re addicted to him, you’re drinking him in, trying to figure out what it is about him that makes you so drawn to him, just as Tris is drawn to him. He is so mysterious and I love that about him. Part of you keeps reading the book because you want to know more about him.

And when you begin to unfold the mysterious of Four? (Sorry I can’t call him Tobias. I just can’t. He’s Four). He’s just even more perfect. The thing is, the whole tortured, abused man with walls up? Not exactly new to literature. I mean, its the basis of so many romance novels, it starts to get boring. But Veronica Roth does it so flawlessly. She makes it subtle, and Tris breaking down the walls is so subtle that you don’t notice any of it unless you’re really paying attention to it. Four is abused by his father, and it changed him and he ran away to Dauntless, where he came into his own and learned about himself, and learned that he didn’t want to just be brave or selfless, but all of the others as well. And he works hard at it.

And okay, let’s be honest. Even from the book (not just Theo James), you know this guy is hot. He’s built, and fit, and he’s a great fighter, and he’s amazing with a gun, and he’s worked hard to become great in Dauntless. And he’s called Four, meaning that he only has four fears. That’s incredible. He’s a fighter but he’s emotional, and real and raw, and I don’t know any girl that read Divergent and was like “FOUR!” (Which weirdly has a golf connection thing going now…damn it…)

I think I like that there’s layers there with Four that makes him seem “Divergent” even if you later realize that he isn’t. But I think that’s the point in the end. Even though they have these labels for them, you can’t just go around labeling them. Even though Four is NOT divergent, he is. He’s selfless, and brave, and incredibly intelligent and he can be honest and truthful and he can have the peacefulness and friendliness of the amity as well. He’s divergent without being obviously so, without striving to be, and that’s what makes him the incredible character that he is. He’s funny and serious, and loving and sarcastic and an amazing character.

I can’t wait to see what Theo James does with him in Divergent. I can’t wait!

Notable Quotes:

“Becoming fearless isn’t the point. That’s impossible. It’s learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.”

(Okay, I know that I have a Divergent tattoo already, but I kind of like this quote. Okay, I really love this quote)

“I might be in love with you.” He smiles a little. “I’m waiting until I’m sure to tell you, though.”

“‘Well,’ he says, ‘I would only go if there was cake.” (Talking about Tris’ pseudo funeral)

“Fear doesn’t shut you down; it wakes you up. I’ve seen it. It’s fascinating.”

“I’ll fight the bad dreams off if they come to get you.”

Look at that sexy walk. Pure sex. . Geez. Cold Shower. Now.

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Blog Tour: Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith Review and Giveaway

Welcome to the special edition of the Book of the Week today, order as part of the Grasshopper Jungle Blog Tour! Below you’ll get a synopsis, cost a trailer, a review, and a giveaway! So keep on reading and enjoy!

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith 

This title will be released on February 11th 2013. This review is based on an advanced reader’s copy provided to me for an honest review. This in no way, shape or form had any influence on my review or opinion. 

GoodReads / Barnes and Noble / Amazon / Book Depository

Genre:

Young Adult, Contemporary, Science Fiction

Part of a Series?:

No

You May Like if You Liked:

I can’t even do this. This book stands on its own. Do you like to read? Then read this book.

Age Recommendation:

16+

Plot Summary:

From GoodReads:

Sixteen-year-old Austin Szerba interweaves the story of his Polish legacy with the storyof how he and his best friend , Robby, brought about the end of humanity and the rise of an army of unstoppable, six-foot tall praying mantises in small-town Iowa.

To make matters worse, Austin’s hormones are totally oblivious; they don’t care that the world is in utter chaos: Austin is in love with his girlfriend, Shann, but remains confused about his sexual orientation. He’s stewing in a self-professed constant state of maximum horniness, directed at both Robby and Shann. Ultimately, it’s up to Austin to save the world and propagate the species in this sci-fright journey of survival, sex, and the complex realities of the human condition.

You can also view the trailer here:

My Review: 

I can’t even begin to describe what this book is. Its hard to even know where to begin because this book is unlike anything that I have ever read before. This book is absolutely incredible and if you don’t pick it up on February 11th, you’re going to miss out on it.

I was gifted an advanced reader’s copy of this book, thanks to Amy Del Rosso, who is the host of this blog tour, and I am so incredibly appreciative for that. I’ve been trying to get my hands on that book ever since I first heard of, after I become so obsessed with Andrew Smith. I was determined to get one and I did. When I read the publisher’s letter in the beginning, my excitement increased. She said her immediately response was “holy shit.” She also says if her language bothers you, you definitely should not continue with reading the book. And she was right.

This book is NOT for the faint of heart. There is foul language, and a lot of mention of sex and masturbation and all of that sort of thing. But every bit of this novel, this random smorgasbord of contemporary and science fiction and coming-of-age story, is so real and genuine. There is so much going on in this book, that sometimes it seems hard to keep track.

You are following the narrative of the main character, Austin. Now Austin seems to be a normal teenage boy, dealing with the issues of girls, sex, school, friends and all of that. He has sex on the brain all the time but that sounds about right for a teenage boy. But in between his struggles with sex, and his feelings for his girlfriend and his best friend, he also tells you the history of his Polish roots, and the history of his family. It seems to be sort of nonsensical, kind of random, but the slow build up of his family history plays such a large part later.

There is also the creeping story of science fiction laid down in it as well. Its so subtle, so slow, but perfect. I spent so much of the novel feeling so confused but in such a great way. I couldn’t fathom how all of the different elements would fit together but it did. Every scene of the novel felt like a red herring. Everything felt like a distraction from something else to keep you confused and guessing until the very end. When all the different stories like Austin’s sexual confusion and his family history and the large bugs all start coming together…I just couldn’t put it down. The story was breathtaking and exciting and so mind blowing.

This book is not for the faint of heart. There is foul language, no holding back on talk of sex and masturbation, and the boys are constantly getting in trouble. This is definitely for those mature enough to handle this. If you aren’t looking for that type of book, I am sorry, but please pass on it. If you’re looking for something so utterly unique and brilliantly written, then please pick up a copy of this book and dive in. You won’t regret it. Where else can you read a book that has a family history, a twisted and turbulent romance, a coming-of-age story, and a bunch of abnormally large, murderous praying mantis on the loose? You won’t find it anywhere else. It sounds absolutely nuts, I know, but trust me! This book is brilliant. Its one of a kind. I have a hard time describing it to others because its just so utterly unique. Sometimes all I can manage to get out of my mouth is “But…but…but its just so amazing!”

There’s nothing like this book. Read it.

Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

Recommended or Not?:

READ THIS. That’s all I’m going to say!

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Now for the fun stuff!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the reviews and fun all over the blog tour, at all of these seriously amazing blogs!

February 3rd – The Midnight Garden | The Story Siren
February 4th – Good Choice Reading | Bookish
February 7th – Scott Reads It | Live to Read
February 10th – Alice Marvels | The Society
February 11th – Lexi Swoons | A Reader of Fictions
February 12th – Roof Beam Reader | Forever Young Adult
February 13th – The Compulsive Reader | Books and Bling
February 14th – Book Chic Club | The QQQE
February 17th – JeanBookNerd | Ticket to Anywhere
February 19th – Anna Reads | Word Spelunking
February 20th – Books With Bite | What A Nerd Girl Says
February 21st – Wastepaper Prose | LRB – Guest
February 24th – We Are Word Nerds | Cabin Goddess
February 25th – Ex Libris | Cari’s Book Blog | A Good Addiction
February 26th – YA Reads | The Young Folks
February 27th – Novel Thoughts | Fangirlish

And a giveaway too. Don’t miss out on this. If you can get your hands on a copy of this book, you are a lucky gal or guy. It is absolutely fantastic and you’d be a fool not to read it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Much thanks to the host of this blog tour!

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WWW Wednesday

I feel like its been ages since I’ve done this. Probably because it has.

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme, this web hosted by Should Be Reading.

The three W’s are:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll be reading next?

What are you currently reading? 

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This name keeps popping up on my radar so I bought this book. I’m about 100 pages in and I’m certainly intrigued. I can’t wait to see where it heads.

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Jon got this for me as a gift so I’m excited to read it. It has incredible authors like Eoin Colfer and Patrick Ness and Neil Gaiman and RICHELLE MEAD. And its Doctor Who. Can you blame me for being STOKED on this one? I’ve barely started it but I’m definitely intrigued. It also reminds me that I need to start watching Classic Who.

What did you recently finish reading? 

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No. Just no. I mean, page I’m glad I was able to add an easy book to my list because I’m, like, 7 books behind or something but god was this just so superficial. The idea is great, which is why the show works, but as books, I’m just not a fan.

What do you think you’ll be reading next? 

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While its an assignment for school, I’m really excited to read this. Neil Gaiman is a winner, and I’ve liked nearly everything I’ve read by him.

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I keep hearing things about this book but I was having such issues tracking down the paperback and I finally found it at Vroman’s last week so I hope to finally read it!

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What are you reading this week? Share in the comments!